The Minonk City Council approved more stop signs in the city.  At their normal Monday night meeting the council approved a stop sign on Walnut stopping for Third Street, a yield sign on Second Street yielding to Walnut, and Ninth Street will yield to Jefferson and Washington Streets.
Alderman Sean Cunningham casted the sole dissenting vote.

Third Street Extension

Mike Gerdes proposed to the City of Minonk that he was willing to surrender the necessary amount of his property for the Third Street extension project in exchange for the old railroad property from Fourth Street to the proposed Third Street extension for the sole use of a future parking lot.  Due to the storm sewer that runs underneath that land he understands that there will be no construction allowed on that parcel.  He stated that he intends to construct a large building on his current property with the possibility of bringing in a new business.  He further reported that he would be demolishing the old FS building in the near future.  He felt that his offer was beneficial to both the City and himself.

Trent Smith said that the only stipulation the City would have to make on the exchange is that no one could ever build on the property.  Some sort of an easement over the top for the storm sewer would be required.  Trent said he would draw up a proposal and bring it to the next meeting.

The council agreed to proceed with the land exchange proposal as discussed.

Vacant House Discussion

Mayor Koos reported that there have been numerous complaints made against a house at 625 Mary Street.  The house has a new owner and the house is in disrepair.  The Mayor asked the City Council what they wanted to do as far as getting the property cleaned.  There have been reports of animals living in the house, doors and windows open and missing, the garage being propped up with 2 x 4s, and the property not being mowed.

Trent Smith reported that the house is dilapidated and could be condemned and that it has recently been taken over through a tax sale by new owner is Mark Schneider.

Alderman Fortner said he has received several complaints about the property and said the new owner has received offers to sell the property, but he keeps turning them down.

Trent said that the property was bought this year and that Mark Schneider has been paying the taxes on this property for the last five years.  It is an investment company that owns the property, but it is in Schneider’s name.

In response to Alderman Petersen's question if demolition is possible, Smith said that demolition would be expensive.  The City would have to pay for the demolition and then add the cost to the property taxes.  When someone bought the property the city would get their costs back, if the property ever sells.

Alderman Mattox said we should send a registered letter to the owner stating what our intention was and give him 10 days to respond.

Mayor Koos said that this problem at 625 Mary Street did not come about over night.  This property has been an existing problem for quite some time.

Alderman Petersen asked Trent Smith to find out what it would cost for demolition and in the mean time contact the new owner to find out what his intentions are for the property.

Other Business

Mayor Koos said that he had been contacted by Randy Hellyer about changes that the race track developers would like to make concerning the stock car track.  The City Council was in agreement to have Randy Hellyer at the next regular meeting to address the Council and explain the changes that he would like to make.

Alderman Cunningham moved the City Council approve setting the Halloween hours on October 31, 2005 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., seconded by Alderman Fortner.

City Administrator Comments

City administrator Trent Smith reported that the Woodford County Grant has been approved for the brochure project. Invoices must be submitted to them by November 30, 2005.

Trent Smith said that he has contacted Senator Dan Rutherford’s office concerning the member initiative grant that he approved prior to the election of Governor Blagojevich.   The $30,000 grant was to pay for a sanitary sewer replacement on Maple Avenue between 7^th and 8^th Streets.  The Governor has now released some of the funding, initially frozen after the election.  The process had started but the city did not receive the signed agreement on the project.  We did one block on Maple Avenue with a grant and this is to do a second block on the same street.

Trent Smith also reported the bakery sidewalk removal and replacement project is under way as of this morning.  The new five-foot sidewalk will be lowered to street level and will align with the inside of the sidewalks on the blocks on either side.  This sidewalk will be replaced up to the bakery building on Oak Street but not in front of the bakery.  The new owner will be required to fill in the old underground coal bin prior to sidewalk being replaced in that location.  It would not be lowered due to the height of the entrances into the building.

Public Comments

Denny Kleen of 505 Mary Street reported that his dog was attacked by a pit bull last Saturday and that this was the second instance that this happened to his dog. The dog’s eye was cut and its neck was swollen.

Trent Smith said that it is being taken care of and that the dogs will be gone by Tuesday morning.  The owners said that they would get rid of the dogs.  If not, the States Attorney will proceed to go after them under state law.  You must have three offenses according to state stature.  In this particular case it should be taken care of by tomorrow morning.

Herb Pinkham of 912 Jefferson Street complained about a house at 828 Jefferson Street that is full of animals.  So far this summer 15 skunks have been caught near this house.  There are holes in the roof of the house and is in bad repair.

Trent Smith said that he contacted the county and the taxes are paid and that he heard that the owner was in a nursing home.  Steve Botcher is the name on the tax roll.  The council agreed to  send the a letter to this owner.

Mayor Koos said that if we are going to start visiting these issues on houses, then we had better address the whole matter.  We have people living in pull-up trailers with extension cords running to their houses.  This would be a zoning problem.  If we are going to try and improve the looks and the safety of our City, then we need to address these matters.  Koos said that if you have a house you should be living in the house, not in a trailer behind the house.  We must address all issues, not just particular ones.

Mayor Koos said the city will proceed with 625 Mary Street and 828 Jefferson Street complaints, but will start addressing these other issues that have been brought to the attention of the City.  

Larry Hill of 403 Walnut Street complained about large number of dogs that are running loose on Seventh Street.  He said that the dog owners are close by and the dogs are leaving a mess on his property on Seventh Street.  He said that there was an ordinance against this matter, but that he couldn’t get anybody to do anything about it. 

Mayor Koos said that we have a leash ordinance and to call the police.

Hill also complained about barking dogs.  He said that he has called and nothing was done about it.  He asked if he had to go to the States Attorney’s office and sign a complaint.