City of Minonk City Council met Dec. 16.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
CALL TO ORDER: The December 16, 2024, meeting of the Minonk City Council was held at City Hall and was called to order by Mayor Marcoline at 6:00 pm.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Marcoline
ROLL CALL BY CITY CLERK: Those in attendance: Alderpersons Tom Barth, Julie McNamara, Travis Nix, Russell Ruestman, and Jonathan Stears. ABSENT: Tessa Arndt
Also in attendance: City Administrator Bill Moline, City Clerk Leta Janssen
REGULAR AGENDA:
A. Review and Consider Ordinance 2024-10, Removal of Some Language in Chapter 5.04.285 (A) The amended language aligns the code with the state regulations. Ruestman moved to approve Ordinance 2024-10, seconded by Stears.
YEAS: Ruestman, Stears, Barth, McNamara, Nix
NAYS: None
MOTION APPROVED
B. Ambulance Department Discussion
Council members discussed the current state of the department, the costs associated with it, and staffing issues. They reviewed options for coverage provided by the El Paso Ambulance Department, as well as listening to feedback from several community members and Ambulance Department employees. Minonk provides coverage to Benson and Dana communities, but neither community has levied to help support this. Moline explained the decision is up to the Minonk Fire District since they levy for the service; the city provides administrative support for the department. A $23,000 shortfall is projected for the current fiscal year. Additional discussions will be held with the Minonk Fire District, Benson, and Dana.
C. Millenia Park Recreation Building Discussion
Craig Kalkwarf, representative of the Millenia Group, reviewed projected financial information for the proposed recreation building. Millenia trusts would provide for nearly 80% of the building cost with the city covering the rest. A trust is also available that will be used towards the annual support of the building. The proposed facility would allow for basketball, volleyball and pickleball courts, as well as a walking track. Craig would like for Council to consider a firm commitment on this so the project can be scheduled with the contractor. Any council and community members interested in serving on a committee for this should contact Bill Moline. The council will discuss the issue further at the January meeting.
D. RO/Infrastructure Replacement Discussion
Moline has received estimates from Farnsworth for the replacement of the current RO system, which was originally installed in 1992. Total project cost is estimated at $1.2 million. EPA loans are available for the project, but council would need to move forward with the request to get on the EPA schedule by March. A surcharge could be added to water bills to go towards debt repayment. Item is tabled to the January meeting; meanwhile, Bill will follow up with Farnsworth for more definitive costs for the loan process.
ADMINISTRATORS REPORT: Moline updated Council on the following:
Moline contacted the Regional School Office to inquire if there’s any interest in the Heritage
Building and no response has been received.
• Meter replacement continues.
• Polly is continuing her work on the record disposal project.
Thanked the city employees and volunteers who worked on the Parade of Lights event.
OLD AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
COMMITTEE REPORTS: none
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: None
MAYOR COMMENTS: None
ADJOURNMENT: Ruestman moved that having completed the meeting of the Minonk City Council the meeting is adjourned at 7:25 pm, second by Stears.
MOTION CARRIED
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