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Splash Park water rate reduction issue dominates city council meeting
Monday, February 04, 2013 - Posted 8:35:35 PM
The issue over whether the water rate reduction given the New Millennia Group for its splash park was approved dominated the city council meeting Monday night. In the public comments session, City Clerk James Liner told Mayor Bill Koos that he still has not received an answer as to where the agreement is between the City and the New Millennia Group. Liner said the Mayor's comments on the issue are an opinion. Liner said the Mayor may be entitled to his own opinion but not entitled to his own facts.
Liner repeated that there is no public record of an agreement between the City and the New Millennia Group on a reduced water rate. He indicated that as the keeper of the public record he is responsible for making sure the record is accurate. Liner then asked the Mayor, "Did you as mayor execute this agreement on your own?" Liner then added that the city council is not innocent either. "They are operating at a level of apathy and complicity on this issue."
Liner concluded by saying he is filing an FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) with Police Chief Nick Cavera requesting a copy of the agreement.
Mayor Koos replied that with the resignation of former City Administrator Doug Elder, the running of the city was left on his shoulders this past winter. The Mayor said there was a finance committee meeting on March 6 in which the committee recommended the water rate reduction for the splash park. Koos said the committee meeting notes were posted on the City Hall bulletin board so the public was not kept in the dark. The Mayor stated that the notes for that meeting are now missing.
Mayor Koos said if the City Clerk is the keeper of the public record, why has it taken 9 months to find out that information is missing? Liner was questioned on this and he stated that he is not required to keep a record of committee meetings, just council and executive session meetings.
The Mayor added that the council was fully aware of the proposed water rate reduction at that time. He said the rate reduction was discussed again on September 12th and the rate reduction was published on the MinonkTalk website.
Koos added that maybe the agreement didn't come back to the council for a vote. He said, however, that decisions that do not require the expenditure of city money can be made in committee and do not need approval by the council.
In a related matter, the council confirmed that $2000 was received from the New Millinnia Group for payment of the water bill for the splash park this summer.
St. Jude Runners to sponsor 5K run Members of the St. Jude Runners committee asked the council for approval to hold a 5K run/walk in Minonk on the afternoon of July 4th during the July 4th festivities. The council approved their request. TIF surplus to be distributed The council approved the distribution of the City's TIF 2 Surplus in the amount of $27,217.84 to the various tax bodies.
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