The Minonk City Council approved an amended development agreement with Dollar General with alderman Russell Ruestman being the only no vote. The amended agreement was requested by Dollar General stating that the facade improvements requested by the City in the original agreement would cost them $46,000 more.
The new agreement removes the City's request for a brick facade and will be replaced with normal siding used on Dollar General Stores. The new agreement, however, allows the City to choose the color of the siding on both front and the sides. Other City requests for landscaping details and having a ground level sign rather than an elevated sign are in the new agreement.
The price of the property is determined to be $63,500 and the cost of compliance with the conditions imposed by the City are determined to be $46,000 which means the City will convey the property to Dollar General for $17,500. The new agreement also extends the closing date for 120 days.
For a layout of the proposed Dollar General Store, click here.
Minonk Museum Contents
Dave Uphoff, curator of the Minonk History Musuem at 168 W. Fifth Street, offered to donate most of the contents of the museum to the City. Uphoff said he is retired and does not spend as much time at the building housing the museum. In addition, he noted that the museum items need to be in a place of perpetuity since he has no one to leave the items. Uphoff said he would like to be compensated $300 for the three display cases. He said the museum items consist of Minonk memorabilia, plates, high school letters, old artifacts, athletic and military uniforms. He also said the list included the Little Brown Jug last won by Minonk against arch rival Wenona. Uphoff quipped that Wenona got the TIF district but Minonk got to keep the Little Brown Jug. Uphoff stated that some of the items are on loan and this will be made public before any transfer of the items so that the loaners have the option to take back their items.
Mayor Koos said the City has budgeted money for redecorating the City Hall chambers. He said the City Administrator will determine how much room will be needed to house the museum items and the proposal will be on the next agenda.
TIF funds granted
The council approved the awarding of TIF funds in the amount of $851.18 to Country Florist for the replacement of a walk-in cooler, which was 50% of the cost of the replacement.
In other news the Council approved the appointment of Kelly Halley to the Parks & Recreation Board.
Comments
Alderman Justin Faulk thanked the St. Jude runners for their contributions.
Minonk resident Edmona Lohr thanked the City Administrator and the City for helping to repair the berm that was stripped of its gravel by a private contractor.
City Administrator Gary Brennan said he is waiting to receive bids on repair of the sink holes in downtown Minonk. He said they will be fixed as soon as the bids are received.