Peoria Standard

City of Minonk City Council met Nov. 1.

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, Trent Ruestman, and Jonathan Stears. 

ABSENT: Russell Ruestman.

Also in attendance: City Administrator Bill Moline, City Clerk Leta Janssen, City Treasurer Steve O’Riley

CONSENT AGENDA:

A. To approve and file the following:

1. Minutes of October 4, 2021 and October 11, 2021 City Council Meetings

2. Minutes of the October 4 & 28, 2021 Public Works Committee Meetings

3. Minutes of the October 19, 2021 Finance Committee Meeting

4. Minutes of the September 30, 2021 Filger Library Board Minutes

5. October 2021 Accounts Payable paid in November in the amount of $173,882.66

6. September 2021 City Collector’s Report in the amount of $828,258.83

7. September 2021 City Clerk’s Report in the amount of $526,735.96

8. September 2021 City Treasurer’s Report in the amount of $3,997,490.49

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

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

NAYS: None

MOTION APPROVED

REGULAR AGENDA:

A. Review and approve October 4, 2021 Executive Session Minutes

Council Member Stears moved to approve the October 4, 2021 executive session minutes, seconded by Junker.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION APPROVED

B. Discuss Residential Garbage Fee

The Finance Committee met and recommended charging $19 per month for curbside garbage and recycling service. The fee may increase minimally each year during the six-year contract. Council Member Stears moved to approve the $19 per month garbage and recycle service fee, seconded by T. Ruestman.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION APPROVED

C. Discuss City Hall Social Media Presence

Julie McNamara demonstrated a City of Minonk Facebook page to Council which would be used to disseminate city information to the public. The public would see the posts/announcements, but the page would be set up such that no outside comments or posts could be made. Stears, McNamara, and Junker are willing to be administrators of the page and keep it up to date. For citizens that do not utilize Facebook, the information will be posted to the city website simultaneously. McNamara will meet with the administrative staff to answer questions before going live.

D. Discuss Rebuild Downtown Program

McNamara presented a plan to rebuild part of the North Chestnut Street downtown area. Grant funding up to $3 million has been identified which would be used to finance the project if adopted. The grant deadline is January 10, 2022; to meet this deadline McNamara recommended hiring a grant writer which would cost the city approximately $10,200. Building plans would also need to be submitted with the grant application for an additional cost estimate of $25,000. McNamara will obtain a scope of service agreement(s) from the grant writer and building planners for council to review and consider at the December meeting.

E. Discuss New Ambulance Purchase

Moline provided quotes for the replacement of one of the ambulances. Funding would come from ambulance fund reserves and gift money. The purchase will be made during the 2022- 2023 budget year, however, due to a 10-month lead time the order should be made now. Council member McNamara moved to approve the American Response quote of $196,953 for the purchase of a new ambulance to be paid during the 2022-2023 budget year, seconded by Stears.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION APPROVED

F. Discuss Sixth Street Lift Station Storm Water Project

Moline reported the cost estimate of $128,230 is over the amount budgeted for the project. Funds from the sewer fund will be used to make up the difference. Council member T. Ruestman moved to approve moving forward with the Sixth Street lift station storm water project and using sewer funds for the excess, seconded by Junker.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION APPROVED

G. Discuss Water Tower Maintenance Project

Council Member T Ruestman moved to approve the Putnam County Painting quote of $15,800 for preventive maintenance/painting on the water tower, seconded by Nix.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION APPROVED

H. Discuss Ordinance 17.05 Fences and Walls Language Change

Per previous discussions, Moline has updated the ordinance to include photos of acceptable and unacceptable fencing options, as well as made some language changes. Per Council request, Moline will add verbiage requiring the resident provide a photo of the planned fencing project as part of the permit application process. The item was tabled until the December meeting agenda.

ADMINISTRATORS REPORT: Moline updated Council on the following:

• Work on a 5-year comprehensive plan has begun. The last plan was done in 1996.

• Regan Communications work has been delayed.

• Farnworth will start the bid process for the water and 6th Street Lift station projects this week.

• Moline will be signing up, free of charge, with Demand Star, an electronic bid service.

• The ad for the three surplus properties will be posted, including minimum bid level, in the Woodford County Star.

• Downtown landscaping has been completed.

• A three-year agreement has been drawn up for providing ambulance services to Benson.

• The code enforcement software will be purchased.

https://cityofminonk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/11012021Minutes.pdf