The subject of sewer connections was brought up again at the Minonk city council meeting Monday night. Justin Faulk of East Fourth street said he was given approval by the City's Public Works Supervisor to run a sewer line from his garage to the sewer main in front of his house. However, after the work was completed with a licensed plumber, Faulk said he was advised by the City Administrator that the City must inspect the connection and also that a sewer fee must be paid. Faulk said that he will pay the fee but said he didn't think it was fair for him to have to pay the fee after being informed by a city employee that a fee was not required. He said he tried to do what the city code required.
Mayor Bill Koos said he has contacted the city's attorney to interview city employees involved in the issue to what practices have been followed regarding sewer installations. Koos said he will send the issue to committee for resolution saying he wants to get to the bottom of what conversations actually took place. The Mayor said we have to make a decision based on accurate information and have to allow the legal process to work to determine a resolution.
Posting signs on poles
Minonk resident Tom Palmore said he had contacted Alderman Keri Carls to see if there could be an ordinance to prevent people from posting signs on telephone poles throughout the city. Palmore said many of the signs are not taken down and it makes the city look trashy. The signs were prevalent last week during the Fall Garage Sale in the city.
Alderman Carls said that she does not favor prohibiting the posting of signs saying they can be beneficial. Rather she said the public should be reminded to be courteous and remove signs after their posting is no longer relevant.
Public Comments
Resident Rodney Ruestman said the city should reprimand city workers responsible for violating city codes in regards to the sewer connection issue. In addition, he stated that the city should not have to resort to using the city attorney to resolve every issue as it becomes very costly.
Resident Harold Tjaden complemented city employee Jim Brown for the excellent work in installing the handicap access sidewalk entrances on Fifth Street. Tjaden said the city shouldn't need a laywer to validate a hookup of a sewer.
Resident Russell Ruestman asked why the city should get the city attorney involved in everything saying it costs the city a lot of money. Ruestman suggested getting a local attorney involved instead of a high priced law firm.
Mayor Koos replied that the city's use of their attorney is necessary to make sure that proper legal practices are followed not only for the protection of the city but also for those involved in any dispute. The Mayor said the city's expense for the use of the city attorney has and will pay off in the long run.
Resident Brian Petersen suggested a committee do an investigation first before getting a lawyer involved in the sewer dispute. The Mayor replied that the city council wants to take the action involving the city attorney.
Council Comments
Alderman Keri Carls said the hiring of an employee for the Public Works Department was whittled down from 19 candidates to 4 by the CIty Administrator and the Supervisor of Public Works. She said the council only was involved in the interviews involving the final 4 candidates and did not know who the other candidates were. She felt that the best candidate was selected.
Carls asked the Mayor why he did not contact her prior to tonight'smeeting to inform her of the sewer connection issue since she is on the committee. She said she was tired of not being informed of important issues prior to council meetings.
Alderman Sean Cunningham said that he wants to refer the Justin Falk sewer connection issue to committee to come up with a resolution before the next city council meeting.
Alderman Larry Fortner said he wanted to have a committee as soon as possible to resolve the Faulk issue. He and Alderman Carls decided on setting the meeting for next Monday at 6:00 p.m.
Mayor's Comments
Mayor Koos said the City Clerk will pull the attendance record for city councilmen of the past 5 years and have them published in the local media.
Police Chief Comments
Police Chief Nick Cavera said the 15 Fieldcrest students from the National Honor Society picked up trash for 2 miles north along route 251.