Minonk residents Vernon and Betty Barth of West Fourth Street want restitution from the City for the watering of their lawn that was torn up during construction of the storm sewer project last fall. Mrs. Barth said it costs them $100 for a day and a half of watering the grass that was replanted in the construction area. She said they were told they would have to water for 3 months. Mr. Barth said he agreed to an easement so the construction of the storm sewer could pass through their yard to a pond in a field behind their home. He said the easement stated that the construction area would be repaired by the City. Barth said he was told the land would be put back into its original condition. He said they shouldn't have to do the City's work and doesn't want to pay a $1000 water bill. Mrs. Barth said they would agree to pay the average of their water bills from the previous year if the City would fore-go the excessive water bill.
Mayor Bill Koos said the City would look into paying the water bill to cover the cost of watering. Alderman Russell Ruestman asked that the Barth's last 3 water bills be put into the Council's packets for the next meeting and that the Council will then discuss the payment of the water bill. Alderwoman Julie Redenius said she saw the property in question and said it was a mess and is way too much for the owners to handle.
Gambling machines in bowling alley
Al Snow, the owner of Minonk Bowling Lanes, requested the Council to change the wording in the Minonk City Code so he can install legal gambling machines owned by the state in his establishment. Snow said the gambling machines are run by the State of Illinois and are the same ones found in Illinois casinos. He said the maximum number of machines that can be installed in any business is three and that the City of Minonk would share in the profits from the gambling machines.
Mayor Koos said the City Code has to change its wording on "gambling" to "illegal gambling" in order to make it legal for the City to allow the installation of the gambling machines in the city. Alderman Ruestman asked that the City Code rewording be turned over to the City Attorney and have it revised so the Council can vote on the amendment to the City Code at the next council meeting.
Motor fuel tax budget approved
The council approved a budget of $79,000 to be used from the Motor Fuel Tax for this year's street improvement. Shawn Maurer of the Farnsworth Engineering firm said the budget included $65,000 for the work and materials and $6500 for engineering. He said the City will be using the same road oil as last year and will be catching up this year to make up for a lack of work done last year.
Waste water treatment plant study
Maurer said he has been working with Charlie McGuire of the Public Works department to determine a plan for upgrading the City's waste water treatment plant. Maurer said issues such as replacing only broken equipment, or replacing all equipment, or designing a new plant layout are all under consideration. He said the current plant was built in the 1950's and was updated in the 1970's. Waste water treatment plants normally need overhauling every 20 years and it has been 35 years since the City has done any major renovations to its plant. He said the study should be done by the end of the summer.
St. Jude special event street closing
The Council approved the closing of the 400 block of Chestnut Street from 11:00 am, Saturday, June 16th, until 1:00 am, Sunday June 17th for the St. Jude special event. The event will include, food, games and music as a fund raiser for St. Jude.