City Administrator Doug Elder said the city's new recycling program had a very high usage in its first week of operation. Elder said the recycling agent picked up the full bin wagon and provided a quick turn around of a few hours. The city will be getting its new bin wagon next week which will hold 50% more recycling material. The new bin will have a bigger platform to stand on when emptying recycling material into the bins. It also will contain hand rails. Elder said residents should not place recycling material outside the bins if the bins are full. Rather, wait until an empty bin cart is brought in to replace the full one. He also said residents should not put non metallic items such as a mattress or glass in the metal dumpster.
Corn husk invasion
City Administrator Elder said the city was invaded by corn husks blown in from the fields south of town from last week's 2 day windstorm. Residents are advised to rake the corn husks to the curb where the city will pick them up. He reminded residents that brush pickup is the first Tuesday and the following Wednesday of each month.
Elder said the FFA class from Fieldcrest has planted corn in the plot owned by the city north of the Minonk Township Cemetery. He also said the new wiring and electrical work at Veterans Park will be completed in 2 weeks allowing time for ComEd to inspect the work done by Kirkton Electric.
Minonk Newspaper Office Closing
Mayor Bill Koos said he understands that the Woodford Journal is closing the Minonk office and they intend to take the archival books of old Minonk newspapers to the Eureka office. The Mayor said he is going to see if the Woodford Journal will allow the old newspapers to remain in Minonk for a period of time so as to allow local researchers to complete their research with the old newspapers. A Minonk native is now writing a book on the history of Minonk and needs access to these old newspapers.
Other Business
The city council approved Striegel, Knobloch & Company to conduct the 2009-2010 audit for a fee not to exceed $9500.
The council approved a recommendation by the zoning board to reduce the number of members on the zoning board from 7 to 5. City Administrator Doug Elder said the lower number will result in a greater chance for a quorum. Elder said Eldon Folkerts will be stepping down as zoning board chairman but will remain in an advisory capacity. Eric Aeschelman will replace Folkerts as chairman.
Alderwoman Julie Redenius said volunteers are being solicited to help in the landscaping of the Filger Library.
Alderwoman Keri Carls reminded residents to take down signs for garage sales and other advertisements from the telephone and light poles in the city.
Mayor Comments
The Mayor said the weekend garage sale was a success and thanked organizer Cathy McKay for her efforts in conducting the garage sale.
New projects will be starting soon with the new budget in place. The Mayor said this is the last week for the state legislator to be in session. There is some evidence that the state may retain 30% of taxes forthcoming to the local governmental agencies in light of the state's fiscal crisis. He said no one knows what is going to happen but if the state does make decisions that affect the city's budget, the budget committee will have to revise the city's budget accordingly.