The Minonk City Council honored three firemen for their volunteer
service with the presentation of plaques. Those honored were Chief Bill
Herman Jr. with 39 years of service, Paul Vallow with 33 years of
service, and Jim Fewell with 30 years of service.
Mayor Koos said, "One of the things that we take for granted with our
volunteers is that it is a job people just go out and do. And we
sometimes forget the risks that these gentlemen take no matter how
simple the call may be or how dramatic the call may be. The risks that
these people take every day when they go on a call are a job that a lot
of people will not do. Our community owes these people their thanks and
gratitude because they do literally put their lives on the line when
that calls goes out. When that beeper goes off, they do not know what
they are going to. Our community is very fortunate to have three
individuals that have served with passion and enthusiasm for their job
not only in the fireman status, but also in the officer status as
well."
Mayor Koos presented Paul Vallow a plaque for 33 years of service who
has served since June 25, 1973 as a firefighter, chief engineer, and
secretary. Next, Mayor Koos presented Jim Fewell a plaque for 30 years
of service who has served since June 28, 1976 as a firefighter, chief,
and safety officer. Bill Herman Jr. who has 39 years of service was
unable to be present for the presentation.
Council hires part-time policeman
The Council approved the appointment of Alex M. Collinge as
a part-time policeman. Collinge, 25, is from Dunlap,
Illinois and is a graduate of ICC and Bradley majoring in Law
Enforcement and Criminal Justice. He will receive the normal part-time
police officers pay at $12 per hour.
Alderman Brian Petersen told the council that he thought that the
hiring of part-time officers can be done by the Chief of Police and the
City Administrator. Petersen said, "They did the interviews and are
fully capable of doing this without Council approval."
Petersen said that this would speed up the hiring process of part-time
officers and place trust in the Chief’s judgment by giving him the vote
of confidence.
The council then approved a motion by Alderman Petersen that
part-time police officers be hired by the Chief of Police and that he and the City
Administrator do the interviews without City Council approval and that
the hiring will follow the salary grid and the qualifications that they
must possess.
City sells old railroad property
The Council approved
Ordinance 2006-05 to allow the city to sell a 30 feet by 110 feet strip
of the old railroad right-of-way that is
directly behind Nick Peiffer’s building located at 617 North Chestnut
Street. The property has a storm sewer running through it which
required stipulations that nothing can ever be built over it and that
the property will be used for storage and must be fenced.
The sale price of the property was $.10 per square foot for a total
cost of $330. This is the same sale price sold to others who are in the
same situation where nothing can be built on the property because of
the storm sewer.
Mayor's Comments
• First and foremost, the 4th of July was a heck of an event this year
and the enthusiasm was overwhelming to everybody. The community is
thankful that we have volunteers that are once again stepping up to the
plate and doing a great community service. To the 4th of July Committee
hats off to you and thank you.
• One of the things I want to draw your attention to is in your
packets is for information only, but I do want to let the public know
this. Com Ed sent us a letter stating about the CARE (Customer’s
Affordable Reliable Energy) program to help our residential customers
prepare for new rates. The City Administrator will be the City’s first
resource that they can come to for help starting the paper work if they
need help filling out the paper work. Com Ed is putting this program
together in anticipation of the utility rate increase. The letter will
be posted upfront at City Hall and Trent Smith will make himself
available if people need help and all information will be kept
confidential as far as who needs help.
• Welcomed Alex Collinge as a part-time police officer to the City of Minonk.