CIty Council Hears Planning Program
Monday, January 16, 2012 - Posted 9:00:20 PM
The Minonk City Council viewed a presentation of a planning program for the City at its normal Monday night meeting. The MAPPING (Management and Planning Program Involving Nonmetropolitan Groups) program was presented as a strategic visioning, planning and doing process whereby local residents of rural communities create an action plan for creating the community they want. Gisele Hamm, manager for MAPPING, said the community identifies the goals, strategies and projects necessary to move the community forward as well as plan for implementation.
The program involves a steering committee which would select 30 to 60 people who would meet in five, three-hours sessions over the course of 5-8 weeks. By participating in the MAPPING program , communities can define their goals and set a road map to the future.
The cost of the program would be $2846.47 for a community the size of Minonk. The MAPPING program has been conducted in 127 communities across 57 counties since 1991. Some area communities that have used the MAPPING program are Dwight, Fairbury, Pontiac, Washburn, Metamora and Henry. The City's Comprehensive Planning Committee met with Ms. Hamm prior to the city council meeting to learn more of the details of the program. Local residents Sonia Frei and Dave Uphoff were invited to join the committee in working on the comprehensive plan.
In other news, the Council approved a resolution that authorizes the City to execute an agreement with the Toluca Ambulance Service for the provision and billing of advanced life support (ALS) ambulance services. The council heard a first reading on an ordinance to grant a special use permit to allow Allen Snow to use the second story of his property at 454 N. Chestnut Street for residential use.
Alderman Nick Fiorini said no one has yet volunteered to fill the unoccupied seats on the Parks and Recreation Board. Fiorini said the Board's next meeting is January 22 and anyone interested in joining the Parks & Rec Committee should contact him or show up for the meeting at City Hall. Alderman Russell Ruestman suggested the City look into the feasibility of creating a paid position for running the Parks and Rec program. Mayor Bill Koos said now is the time to consider that option so it can be put into the budget for the coming fiscal year.
Alderman Justin Faulk said he wants the City Administrator to step up efforts to reduce the number of unkempt properties in the City that violate City ordinances.
Mayor Koos said Ambulance Chief Debbie Stewart testified in Springfield last week before legislators concerning ambulance operations in small communities like Minonk. The Mayor said Debbie did a superb job of explaining the problems facing the ambulance operations.
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