The Minonk City Council approved the appointment of Julie McNamara to the city council to occupy the seat held by her late husband Mark McNamara. Mr. McNamara passed way on July 17th. Ms. McNamara was sworn in by City Clerk Lita Janssen shown at the left.
In other business, the council tabled a decision to purchase a new backhoe. CIty Administrator Bill Moline said he received two bids on the sale of a backhoe. The favored bid was by Martin Implement for $44,000 with trade in. Mr. Moline said the city has budgeted $30,000 this year for a new backhoe and could pay the remaining $14,000 in next year's budget.
Public Works Supervisor Jim Brown said he was told by the dealer that the trade in value of the city's current backhoe will depreciate by $10,000 next year which will increase the price of the backhoe by that much if the city waits until next year to buy the backhoe.
Alderman Russell Ruestman said he thought specs should be prepared for the bidding process so the city can compare apples to apples. The council agreed as there was no motion to purchase the John Deere backhoe from Martin Implement. Instead specs will be prepared and then the backhoe will be rebid.
Mr. Moline said he received an email from Fieldcrest Superintendent Dr. Dan Oakley asking if the city has an interest in buying the Presbyterian church building that the school board voted to demolish at last week's board meeting.
Alderman Russell Ruestman said he was informed that there was a church group that was looking for a place to hold their services in Minonk. He felt that if there is a way to save the church building the city should support that effort.
Mayor Bill Koos said the city is willing to aid in the process of saving the building but will not devote any money to the cause. Instead, he said the city will try to get an inspection report on the building and try to determine the cost and feasibility of restoring the building. He said the city will help in getting a buyer and seller together.
City Administrator Bill Moline gave the following project updates:
- Next step of water treatment plant upgrade starting inside piping work Thursday.
- Sidewalk projects winding down - dirt work left but for the most part finished
- Continue to work on waste water treatment plant corrections/improvements i.e. filling in holes around sand filters and secondary lagoon, rock work around the same areas. Kaleb working on getting sand filters cleaned as budgeted.
- Woodford County Sheriff's Department drawing up an agreement for all of you to review for the Star Com radio system antenna and standalone generator - will have it for the next meeting
- Joyce Burton property - good to go once a "deed in lieu of foreclosure" is filed - back taxes are removed. Filed Lien already.
- Store building has been posted by Coldwell Commercial Brokers on multiple sites.
In council comments. Alderwoman Julie McNamara said she has received complaints about speeding on Locust street between 4th and 1st streets. Mayor Koos said that it will be looked into.
In public comments, James Liner said he gave a list of street lights that were out to the City Administrator 3 months ago and said there are still lights not working. City Administrator Moline said he filed the list of inoperative lights with ComEd after he received the list but has not received any feedback from ComEd.