Farnsworth & Wylie engineer Bob Kohlhase gave the Minonk City Council a progress report on the ongoing storm drainage project at the Council's normal Monday night meeting.   Kohlhase said the project is going quite well adding that a lot of water has already been drained from the recent heavy rains which, prior to the project, would have gone into residential basements.  The contractor came to do some maintenance work on the previous Sunday after a 3 inch rainfall that morning.  Another crew will be coming in next week in order to help finish the work in front of Fieldcrest South elementary school on Johnson Street before school opening the latter part of the month.  Seeding of the berms will take place the last part of August so as to ready for the fall rains.

The Council approved a change order of $4074 to the storm drainage project.  A flowable fill was put in the drainage ditch at 8th and Chestnut which eliminated the need to do a more costly project of tearing up the road and sidewalk.  The change order also included the reconnection of a sanitary sewer.

Kohlhase said that seven contractors are bidding on the reconstruction of the sidewalk along the north side of the building at the southeast corner of Sixth and Chestnut.  The new sidewalk will have wider ramps for wheelchair access.

Attorney Fees

Alderman Russell Ruestman said the City is spending too much money on unnecessary attorney fees.  Ruestman asked why Minonk's city attorney fees are so much higher than other communities similar in size.  The alderman said local attorneys could do the same work for less and complained that every issue has required the use of an attorney.

Mayor Bill Koos responded that the City's attorney fees has been money well spent saying that if it is in the best interest of the City, he will retain the use of the City's attorney.  The Mayor said the increase in City revenue in the past few years was due to good attorney advice.  Koos said Minonk is the only City to have an ordinance in place with respect to windfarms surrounding the City and now has a 1 and 1/2 mile buffer zone for the placement of future windfarms.  When Ruestman asked the Mayor if a local attorney could have performed this service, the Mayor replied, "No, they couldn't."

Ruestman then made a motion to strike $1137.50 from an attorney fee of $3018.75 billed to the City, which the Council approved.

Mayor Koos summarized the debate by saying that while it may appear to those present that the debate was heated, he said it is healthy to have an open conversation on City issues.  He concluded by saying, "I am glad we live in a country where open conversation is welcomed."

Metal Recyling Dumpster Gone

Mayor Koos said he has been informed by Thompson Equipment of El Paso that the metal recyling dumpster provided by the company is being discontinued due to the fact that too much non-metal items have been put in the dumpster.  The last dumpster load had to be taken to the landfill since it had so much garbage in it.  The City will be billed for the landfill fees although Thompson provided the dumpster at no charge.  No plans are in place to replace the dumpster.  This means that only paper and plastic will be recycled in the recycling bin behind City Hall.  The Mayor had previously made a plea to the public to discontinue bringing garbage to the metal dumpster, to no avail.

Ambulance Department Concerns

The Public Safety Committee met on Wednesday, July 27, to discuss the current state of affairs with the CIty of Minonk Ambulance Service.  Operating revenue for the Ambulance Service comes from two primary sources: Property Tax and Ambulance Fees.  The tax rate of $.025 produces about $60,000 in annual revenue while ambulance fees generate about $140,000.  Combined, the two revenue sources generate about $200,000 annually.

The operating expenses over the past three years has ranged from $220,000 to $260,000 a year, resultng in an operating deficit of approximately $115,000 over the three year period.  The General Fund and the Ambulance Capital Reserve fund balances will not be able to subsidize the Ambulance operating deficit much longer according to City Administrator Doug Elder.  Because of the budget constraints, pay raises for Ambulance employees have been minimal for several years.  Part time employees receive minimum or near-minimum wages.

Chief Deb Stewart said she is concerned that if Minonk does not pay a competitive wage, she will continue to lose highly trained employees to other agencies.  Chief Stewart said the property tax is levied only on property within the Minonk corporate boundary, but service is provided for the entire Minonk Fire District and even to some areas outside the Minonk Fire District, including Dana and parts of Rutland.  Most of the neighboring ambulance services are funded either by fully or partially by their respective fire districts.  However, Minonk Fire District provides no funding for the Ambulance Service.  The consensus of the committee was to approach the Minonk Fire District to let them know of the grave situation and request their input and assistance in keeping the Ambulance Service as a full service ambulance provider for the entire service area, including the Minonk Fire District.

Nuisance Ordinance Reviewed

The Public Safety Committee discussed the City Nuisance Regulations as they relate to dilapidated houses.  Police Chief Caveras said dealing with such properties is a lengthy, expensive process.  The City Attorney has advised that other counties will issue an arrest warrant for contempt of court if the defendant has failed to abide by a court order to pay a fine.  But in Woodford County, the judge will not issue an arrest warrant for contempt of court, which means collecting the judgment is the City's obligation.  However, Alderman Russell Ruestman said that he had spoken with Judge Feeney who told him the court in Woodford County would issue an arrest warrant  in such a case.  A discussion followed as to how the regulations should be enforced, who should enforce the regulations, how aggressive the City should be in enforcing the regulations, and that the CIty's attorney fees for prosecuting the violations should be added to the judgment.

City Administrator Comments

City Administrator Doug Elder said progress is being made on a parking lot a the Veterans Park ball diamond in discussions with Minonk Township.  Elder said a solution is near.

The sale of three condemned properties will be advertised for bids on August 15.  At the September 19th Council meeting, the sealed bids will be opened and the winning bid will be announced.  Closing will be within 90 days after awarding of the winning bid.

The City's summer work crew of Trent Hartzler, Taylor Baxter, Kaleb Garber, and Logan Weber did an outstanding job this summer according to Elder.  He said the crew did a lot of sidwalk work and thanked them for a job well done.