Peoria Standard

City of Minonk City Council Met Aug. 2.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER: The 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: Council Members Lisa Junker, Julie McNamara, Travis Nix, Russell Ruestman, Trent Ruestman, and Jonathan Stears.

Also in attendance: City Administrator Bill Moline, City Clerk Leta Janssen

CONSENT AGENDA:

A. To approve and file the following:

1. Minutes of July 6, 2021 City Council Meeting

2. Minutes of the July 12, 2021 City of Minonk Zoning Board Meeting

3. Minutes of the June 24, 2021 Filger Library Board Minutes

4. July 2021 Accounts Payable paid in August in the amount of $109,711.87

5. June 2021 City Collector’s Report in the amount of $171,561.76

6. June 2021 City Clerk’s Report in the amount of $236,358.78

7. June 2021 City Treasurer’s Report in the amount of $3,266,786.17

Stears moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, seconded by T. Ruestman. Roll call vote:

YEAS: Stears, T. Ruestman, Junker, McNamara, Nix, R. Ruestman

NAYS: None

MOTION APPROVED

REGULAR AGENDA:

A. Review and approve July 6, 2021 Executive Session Minutes

McNamara moved to approve the July 6, 2021 executive session minutes, seconded by Junker.

YEAS: McNamara, Junker, Nix, R. Ruestman, T. Ruestman, Stears

NAYS: None

MOTION APPROVED

B. Discuss TIF Application – Wags Dog Grooming

Council reviewed and discussed the TIF Application received from building owner Jim Brown for façade repairs. Since the TIF 2 funds are all currently allocated, Council requested Moline review the existing allocations to determine what percentage may be available for new requests. Council will revisit the requests received if funds do become available. Item was tabled for next meeting.

C. Review Downtown Beautification Application – Minonk Lanes

Council reviewed the request from Minonk Lanes for Downtown Beautification funds. The building front will be painted, and awnings will be added. The total cost is $11,484. The city will fund $4,600; Millenia Group will fund $4,600; and the business owner will be responsible for the remainder of the cost. Budget includes these costs.

D. Woodford County Revolving Loan Sidewalk Project Update

Moline provided an update on the Woodford County Revolving Loan project. A request for funds was made for funding ADA improvements to several sidewalks in the downtown area. Due to rising costs, the project has increased to $155,000. The Revolving Loan group has requested if submitters would be willing to put in seed money to help with the funding, or to reduce the size/cost of the project. Moline will keep council updated.

E. Discuss Ordinance Citation Information

Council reviewed the citation ticket form created for use in ordinance enforcement. The form has been approved by the attorney.

F. Review Ordinance 2021-05, Authorizing the Settlement of Certain Ordinance Violations (*amended 9/7/21)

The fee schedule approved by the Public Safety Committee will be added to the ordinance. The fees range from $50 for first violation up to a maximum of $750. Council Member R. Ruestman moved to approve Ordinance 2021-05 with the fee schedule as presented, seconded by T. Ruestman.

YEAS: R. Ruestman, T. Ruestman, Junker, McNamara, Nix, Stears

NAYS: None

MOTION APPROVED

G. Discuss Dog Park Request

Council reviewed and discussed the request for a dog park at Millenia Park. Moline investigated costs for fencing which ranges from $16,000 to $21,000. Additional costs would include maintenance of the area. Council recommended sending the request to the Parks and Rec Committee for review and discussion.

ADMINISTRATORS REPORT: Moline updated Council on the following:

∙ Mowing continues

∙ Water leak was fixed

∙ Public Works position will be posted for two weeks

∙ McNamara will attend the IML Conference in September. Other members wishing to attend should follow up with Lisa Blanchard so arrangements can be made.

∙ Current garbage contract expires October 31. Bid requests will be sent out this month. ∙ Security cameras at the parks will be installed this week.

∙ Regan Communication will begin the install process within the next week

∙ Lagoon work will take place next week.

∙ The September City Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 7, due to the holiday

∙ Moline received a request for a special use permit for a Cannabis Craft Grower to be located at the former bakery building. Recommendation by Council was made to include dispensary language at this time. Moline reviewed the steps/process required to allow for this. The item will be added to the September meeting agenda.

OLD AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None

NEW BUSINESS: None

PUBLIC COMMENTS: None

COMMITTEE REPORTS: R. Ruestman reported the Public Safety Committee has approved the part-time Zoning Officer position which will be posted. They hope to have a final decision before the next meeting. Stears reported the Finance Committee has had no official meeting, but he has reviewed year to-date information with Moline.

CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: McNamara reported the Filger Library has requested the parking blocks in the rear lot be moved to the East closer to the bike rack. It’s currently a tight fit where they are placed. She also requested additional garbage cans and a dog poop station with bags be placed at Millenia Park. Nix inquired about the zoning officer position.

MAYOR COMMENTS: Marcoline has requested weekly activity reports from the department heads to respond to community inquiries.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: R. Ruestman moved the City Council go into Executive Session at 6:55 pm for discussion on Employees of the Public Body; seconded by Nix.

YEAS: R. Ruestman, Nix, Junker, McNamara, T. Ruestman, Stears

NAYS: None

APPROVED

ADJOURNMENT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 7:05 PM AND BACK IN OPEN SESSION ACTION AS REQUIRED FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION None

ADJOURNMENT: T. Ruestman moved that having completed the business meeting of the Minonk City Council the meeting is adjourned at 7:05 pm, seconded by Nix.

MOTION CARRIED

https://cityofminonk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/MINONK-CITY-COUNCIL-MINUTES-08022021_AMENDED.pdf