Minonk Alderman John Marcoline says he has been receiving reports that the City's golf cart ordinance is not being enforced properly at the Minonk City Council meeting Monday night. Mr. Marcoline said he received a complaint from a resident who stated that a City policeman was present at a golf cart violation situation yet did not issue the driver a warning or citation. Mr. Marcoline says he feels that some people in the community are receiving preferential treatment from the police. Golf cart drivers have been observed driving on Route 251 which is outlawed in the City's ordinance. Golfs carts also are not allowed on Chestnut street between 4th and 6th streets.
Alderman Marcoline also recommended that city employees should have a monthly meeting with the City officials in the absence of a city administrator so the city council can be kept up to date on their workload. Mayor Bill Koos said he will have the supervisor of public works give a monthly report to the council on their work schedule and priorities.
Mayor Koos said the City will be liable for contributing $1800 to the IMRF for a part time employee at the Filger Library. He said normally part time employees are to be restricted to 999 hours of work each year in order to avoid having to contribute to the IMRF for a part-time employee. In this case, the employee worked over the 999 hour limit thus making the person eligible for IMRF participation. The part time employee will have to contribute $1200 also for their portion of the contribution to the IMRF.
The council agreed to proceed with the potential purchase of a Variable Frequency Drive mechanism that will regulate the speed with which the motors run at the City's water plant. The cost of the VFDs will be about $10,000 but the payback in electricity cost is 8 months since the VFDs will prevent the motors from running full blast all the time and will run at a speed demanded by the power needed.
The council agreed to proceed with negotiations with a contractor to remove the debris at the City's waste water treatment plant. The bid to remove the debris is $140 per truck load with a maximum total cost of $10,000.
The council agreed to review a proposal to be prepared by Meyer-Jochums Agency for liability insurance for the City's property.
Alderman Mark McNamara said he has received complaints from his constituents about skunks in the area.
In public comments, Dave Uphoff asked if the City is going to hire a city administrator. Mayor Koos said the city does plan on hiring one in the near future. Mr. Uphoff also asked if there is a video camera that covers the gazebo in the West Side Park that might show who damaged the gazebo last weekend. Mayor Koos said the only video cameras in the park are in the pavilion and do not cover the area surrounding the gazebo.
Mayor Koos said the city will have to hire a lift to put up the City's Christmas lights as the contractor who normally does the work will not be doing it this year.
Mayor Koos said the trick or treat hours for Halloween this year will be between 6 and 8 pm on Tuesday, October 31.