Tuesday, September 27, 2005

City plans for more stop signs

Tuesday, September 27, 2005 - Posted 8:52:47 AM
The Minonk City Council discussed Ordinance 2005-11which covers all of the stop and yield intersections in the city at the council meeting Monday night.  The proposed additions to the ordinance would require Walnut Street to stop for West Third Street and West Second Street to yield to Walnut Street.

Mayor Koos said that this is the first reading, so action will be taken at the next meeting.  Alderman Brian Petersen reported that he had driven all of the unmarked intersections before the meeting and said that he would like to see the Council to also address the 2 intersections of 9th & Jefferson Street and 9th & Johnson Street that are unmarked. 

Mayor Koos said that they cannot include it in Ordinance 2005-11, but can start the process of another ordinance.

Alderman Sean Cunningham said, "I’m not crazy about adding stop signs adding that he does not really want to hinder traffic.  If it’s a speed issue, let’s write tickets."

Larry Hill of 403 Walnut Street said that he does not like stop and yield signs for controlling speeders.  Alderwoman Keri Carls responded that she drove that street every day going to her baby sitters’ house and said there have been 5 instances in the past 8 or 9 months that would have resulted in accidents if she had not stopped at those intersections on Walnut. 

Hill responded that every intersection can be dangerous.

The City Council agreed to add yield signs at 9th & Johnson and 9th & Jefferson because they are unmarked intersections, not because of complaints.  City Administrator Trent Smith said he will add these 2 intersections to Ordinance 2005-11 and bring it back for the final reading at the next meeting on October 3, 2005.

VFW donates $500 to Parks & Rec

A delegation from the VFW Post 7185 made a monetary presentation to the Parks and Recreation Board.   Members of the delegation were Jerry Glowacki, Bernie Yago, Richard Oncken, and Vernon Matter.  Jerry Glowacki, spokesman, presented Mayor Koos a check for $500 to be used for Parks and Recreation activities.  Mayor Koos thanked the VFW for their donation and said it would be put to good use.

Residents complain of modular home in Builta Addition

Agnes Gaspardo of 728 Claire Street addressed the Council regarding the protective covenant in the Builta addition where she lives.  She thought that the enforcement of the covenant was the City’s responsibility once this addition was accepted into the City.  She said that homeowners in the Builta addition are concerned with a modular building that is going to be brought in and placed on a lot in the addition.  She said that Jan Hovey has several pictures of the building, which is 14 years old.  She added, "We are worried about our home values, but maybe the City can lower all of our real-estate taxes, which I don’t think the City wants to do."

The covenant specifically states that no previously built structure of any kind shall be moved on said premise.  Gaspardo stated, "When we built our home we followed the covenant.  Where can we go to get help?"

City Administrator Trent Smith said that the Builta addition is zoned as R-1.  He added, "As far as the covenant is concerned, it is a private contract.  A covenant is a private contract that goes with the sale of the land.  It does not have anything to do with the City.  It is a contractual agreement between the purchaser and the seller of the property.  An individual homeowner can get an attorney and take it to court, but it does not have anything to do with the City.  We look after our own ordinances.  We are not obligated to enforce the covenant and in fact we cannot.  If we tried to enforce it, the person trying to bring in the residence because it fits our zoning could sue the City. There isn’t anything in our zoning that is disallowed.  There is nothing about this residence that does not fit the zoning.  The way they place it on the lot fits all the setbacks and they are attaching a 22 x 24 garage to the front of it.  It is a modular unit."

Jan Hovey said that the 1500 square foot building has a value of $80,000.  She said their house cost over $200,000.   She said that developer Howard Builta says it is not his place to do anything and that the City should stand by the covenant and also the zoning board.

Trent Smith responded that the City’s attorney does not agree with that opinion.  Alderman Cunningham says the Builta addition residents need to talk to an attorney and get some type of injunction to stop the owner.

Shell Truck Stop drainage

At an Economic Development Committee meeting City Administrator Trent Smith said that the Farnsworth Group engineers have determined that the only option for drainage of the Shell truck stop parking lot was to put a tile in to move the storm water from east to the west and tie in with a manhole located west of Motel 6.  From there, the water could either be diverted through a field tile that went under I-39 to the west or tie the manhole into the drainage pond system.

Truck stop owner Rick Marketti said he wanted a long term solution, not a band aid on the problem.  He is planning on developing the vacant property to the north of the gas station to accommodate parking for 150  to 200 more semi trucks and install a truck/car wash.  He also has been taling with McDonald's Restaurants and they have shown interest in establishing a franchise on the property.  He says his facility could do at least three times the business it is doing now.

Smith said he will get more detailed costs from the Farnsworth Group on improving the drainage.  The only costs provided at this point are an estimate of $35,000 to $35,000 using local contractors to direct water to the west.  Marketti said he would provide the land for the second detention pond if it was determined that this solution would alleviate any future problems.