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City Accepts Bids on Condemned Property
- Posted 8:00:49 PM
The Minonk City Council accepted bids on 3 properties that contained condemned houses removed by the City. The property at 322 N. Chestnut was sold to Paul McDonald for $16,000. The property at 828 N. Jefferson was sold to Charles Underwood for $2111 and the property at 736 N. Johnson sold for only $200 to Roger Gaspardo. The total sales of $18,311 was offset by expenses of over $32,000 spent by the City to condemn and demolish the houses situated on the properties.
Animal ControlThe Council discussed the problem of removing varmints from residents homes. Mayor Bill Koos said the City workers have received many calls to remove skunks, opossums, cats, racoons, and even a bat from residential property. Koos said the calls have been increasing and requires the Council's attention. Alderman Justin Faulk said it was not the City's responsibility for pest removal and suggested that professionals be contacted for removal of such animals. Public Works Supervisor Charlie McGuire said professional animal removers spend $800 for vaccinations to protect themselves from animal bites. The City workers are not vaccinated and place themselves at risk.
The Council agreed that the City can make animal traps available to residents desiring to get rid of varmints or other undesirable creatures. However, the resident would need to dispose of the animals that are trapped. Residents will be given contact numbers for professional who will dispose of the animal, if necessary.
Extension Denied
The Council denied a 10 days extension for improvement to property owned by Gary Baker at 703 Jefferson. Baker had asked for a 10 day extension to license a vehicle and a trailer and to remove brush and garbage from the property. Baker said after he asked for the extension he has suffered two heart attacks and is now on a heart monitor. He said the vehicles are now licensed. Alderman Russell Ruestman said a recent fire to the house makes it a dilapidated structure. Baker said he will get rid of the burn barrel that is on the property in order to comply with the final requirement. Since the 10 day extension has already passed, the Council denied the extension with Alderwoman Kari Carls being the only abstainer.
Council CommentsAlderman Nick Fiorini said the Parks and Recreation Department is still looking for replacements for 3 members who resigned this summer. Fiorini also said the Public Safety Committee met with Fire Department Board of Trustees to discuss the ambulance squad funding deficit.
Public CommentsMinonk resident Rodney Ruestman complemented Hein Construction for the fine work they did laying the storm sewer tile through his property. Ruestman said the workers were very polite and answered all his questions. Ruestman also said he thought it great that the City was able to recover much of the demolition costs incurred for the 3 properties whose bids were approved for sale by the Council. Finally, Ruestman asked the Council to reconsider the possibility of approving golf carts for use on the city streets. He said El Paso just approved the use of golf carts on its streets and Fairbury and other neighboring communities already are using golf carts. Ruestman said if elderly people were allowed the use of golf carts they could use the miners trail north of town and also frequent other areas of the city which would normally be inaccessible. He urged council members to talk to other towns about their experience with golf carts.
Mayor's Comments on Postal Service Study
Mayor Koos said he received a notice from the U. S. Postal Service indicating that the Postal Service intends to conduct an Area Mail Processing study of mail processing to determine whether consideration of some operations is appropriate. The letter indicated that economic reality demands that the Postal Service reduce its network.
Information about the AMP study process and the facilities that will be studied is available on www.USPS.com. Public input is being solicited as part of the study process and will be considered in the decision-making process. In communities where the Postal Service initial review supports the business case for changing mail processing operation, public meetings will be held. Additional information will be shared by the Postal Service, and members of the community will be invited to ask questions and provide feedback. Information about additional opportunities to comment on the AMP studies is available at: http://about.USPS.com/news/facility-studies/welcome.htm.
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