City Administrator Doug Elder announced that the long awaited storm water drainage project has been started.  Construction workers tore up the corner of Eighth and Chestnut to start laying the new storm water drainage pipe.  The pipe will run west from that corner to collect storm water runoff from the west side of the city.   Elder said if a driveway needs to be excavated at a residence, the driveway will be replaced in kind whether it was gravel, concrete or blacktop.  He cautioned onlookers to stay a comfortable distance away from the construction site so as to avoid accidents.  Elder said everyone will be inconvenienced during construction but this will be outweighed by the long term benefits and urged patience among city residents.

The Minonk City Council approved the sale of three condemned properties located at 322 N. Chestnut, 828 N. Jefferson, and 736 N. Johnson.  The properties will be advertised for bids in local newspapers and the highest bidder will be accepted with no minimum bid required.

In other business, the Council approved an ordinance adopting the prevailing wage to be paid laborers, mechanics and other workers perform construction of public works in the City.

The Public Works Committee voted to accept a bid by Martin Brothers Implement of Roanoke, IL for the purchase of an Exmark zero turn mower with an 34 hp engine and 72 inch mower deck for $5,512 including trade-in.