Peoria Standard

City of Minonk City Council met Feb. 5.

Here is the agenda provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER: The February 5, 2024, meeting of the Minonk City Council was held at City Hall and was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Stears at 6:00 pm.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Pro Tem Stears

ROLL CALL BY CITY CLERK: Those in attendance: Alderpersons Tessa Arndt, Tom Barth, Julie McNamara, Travis Nix, Russell 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 January 2, 2024 City Council Meeting

2. Minutes of November 30, 2023 Filger Library Meeting

3. January 2024 Accounts Payable paid in February 2024 in the amount of $106,449.02

4. December 2023 City Collector's Report in the amount of $206,639.08

5. December 2023 City Clerk's Report in the amount of $458,636.93

6. December 2023 City Treasurer's Report in the amount of $4,312,453.49

McNamara moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, second by Arndt. Roll call vote:

YEAS: McNamara, Arndt, Barth, Nix, Ruestman, Stears

NAYS: None

MOTION APPROVED

REGULAR AGENDA:

A. Review and approve January 2, 2024, Executive Session Minutes

Barth moved to approve the January 2, 2024, Executive Session Minutes, seconded by Nix.

YEAS: Barth, Nix, Arndt, McNamara, Ruestman, Stears

NAYS: None

MOTION APPROVED

B. Review and Consider Resolution 2024-01, Adoption of the 2023 Woodford County Multi-Jurisdictional Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Moline and others have met with multiple counties and services to develop the multi-hazard mitigation plan which has now been approved by the state. Per McNamara this plan will provide an avenue for future grant funds. McNamara moved to approve the adoption of Resolution 2024-01 as presented, second by Arndt.

YEAS: McNamara, Arndt, Barth, Nix, Ruestman, Stears

NAYS: None

MOTION APPROVED

C. Discuss Renewal of NIMEC Contract - Resolution 2024-02

Moline reported this group works to obtain lower ComEd rates and the current contract goes out for bid again in March. Moline is requesting approval to sign off on the lowest bid contract. Nix moved to approve allowing the City Administrator to sign off on the lowest bid contract, second by Barth.

YEAS: Nix, Barth, Arndt, McNamara, Ruestman, Stears

NAYS: None

MOTION APPROVED

D. Republic Garbage Service Contract Discussion

To mitigate potential problems that could result from no garbage service in a given week or time period, Ruestman suggests an updated contract be drafted with Republic which more specifically addresses guaranteed service. He further suggests the customers should be given credit for the recent week in which Republic failed to provide garbage pickup service due to the weather.

E. Discuss Bidding on Used Plow/Salt Truck - Bennington Township

McNamara reported that Bennington Township has a 2013 F350 diesel truck, salt spreader, and plow for sale. Jake has examined the equipment. Bids will be opened the evening of February 15. The Public Works Committee requests that Council give authority to the City Administrator to bid and purchase the equipment with a bid range of $40,000 minimum up to $65,000 cap. Ruestman moved to approve granting bidding and purchasing authority to the City Administrator in the bid range discussed, second by Barth.

YEAS: Ruestman, Barth, Arndt, McNamara, Nix, Stears

NAYS: None

MOTION APPROVED

ADMINISTRATORS REPORT: Moline updated Council on the following:

• Additional costs related to change orders may be incurred in the lining project scheduled to resume February 19.

• Moline and the Millenia Group have met with the building contractors of the rec building proposal to request turn-key costs and discuss placement of the building. Operating cost projections have not yet been developed. Moline plans to have a discussion with the school district regarding the building.

A request was made to add a manufactured home to the 10th Street area and asked for direction on the process. Council said a variance is necessary.

• A request has been received for guidance on street construction for accessing a lot located at the end of 2nd Street. The property owner plans to build a small building with living space. Council said code language should be followed; Moline will research further and advise the owner.

OLD AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Moline and the Fieldcrest Superintendent met regarding the Veterans Park Agreement. The school approved the revisions and language changes. Ruestman moved to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Minonk and Fieldcrest Community School District No. 6 regarding Veterans Park, second by McNamara.

YEAS: Ruestman, McNamara, Barth, Arndt, Nix, Stears

NAYS: None

MOTION APPROVED

NEW BUSINESS: Ruestman reported that the Woodford Pub owners applied for façade repair funds, but not in time to make this meeting's agenda. Ruestman would like the Council to give the City Administrator authority to approve the project so the business owners can move forward. The Millenia Group has approved their share of the $8,319 funding request. Ruestman moved to approve granting authority to the City Administrator to approve the project, second by Nix.

YEAS: Ruestman, Nix, Barth, Arndt, McNamara, Stears

NAYS: None

MOTION APPROVED

PUBLIC COMMENTS: Jon Crowley, owner of Crowley Physical Therapy, has requested to purchase the 7 vacant lots located at 5th & Chestnut Streets for the purpose of putting up a building for his business.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: none

CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: None

MAYOR COMMENTS: None

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Ruestman moved the City Council to go into Executive Session at 6:40 pm for discussion on Purchase or Lease of Real Estate and Employees of the Public Body; seconded by Arndt.

YEAS: Ruestman, Arndt, Barth, McNamara, Nix, Stears

NAYS: None

APPROVED

ADJOURNMENT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 7:15 PM AND BACK IN OPEN SESSION

ACTION AS REQUIRED FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION

Ruestman moved the Council approve the consideration of the sale of surplus property located at 5th & Chestnut Street to be conducted via the bid process which will include approved language and business model parameters; second by Barth.

YEAS: Ruestman, Barth, McNamara, Stears

NAYS: None

ABSTAIN: Arndt, Nix

APPROVED

Ruestman moved to approve the City Administrator's request to hire a 3rd office person to begin training ahead of a pending retirement, second by Nix.

YEAS: Ruestman, Nix, Arndt, Barth, McNamara, Stears

NAYS: None

ADJOURNMENT: Ruestman moved that having completed the business meeting of the Minonk City Council the meeting is adjourned at 7:15 pm, second by Barth.

MOTION CARRIED

https://cityofminonk.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Minonk-City-Council-Minutes-02052024.pdf