The Minonk City Council received a complaint associated with the ongoing storm water drainage project under
construction by Fein Construction of Peoria. Joe McKay reported that sewage water is coming into the basement drain
of property he owns at 524 Johnson Street when there is a heavy rain. McKay said he never had this problem until the storm water project was
completed past the property and is quite a coincidence that this problem would start at the same time the
storm water drainage project was being constructed.
McKay said none of the neighbors have a problem. He said the house was the only one on the block that was not
connected to the City's sewer system prior to the storm water drainage project. He said there is a sewer tile that runs into a septic tank
near the alley behind the house.
McKay said he wants the City's help in solving the problem. He said he has spent over $4700 so far and wants the
City to split the expenses. McKay said he wished Fein Construction would have informed him that there
was no sewer connection from the house to the City's sewer so he could have addressed the issue immediately rather than
waiting until sewage starting coming into the basement.
Public Works Supervisor Charlie McGuire said if a plumber finds a problem that involves the City, then the City
will pay the plumbers fee.
Alerman Russell Ruestman said the City needs to find out was is causing the problem before any action can be
taken by the City.
Zoning Variance Approved
The Council approved a recommendation by the zoning board to grant a variance to Joe and Casi McKay of 329 Locust Street
for the construction of an inground swimming pool. The variance would allow a setback of 6 feet instead of 10
feet from the property line. McKay said the setback would allow easier access to the pool from the patio and
also would avoid the removal of some trees.
Tree Replacement
Minonk resident Rodney Ruestman requested the Council to pay for the replacement of a tree that needed to
be removed from his property at Fourth and Lincoln during the construction of the storm water drainage tile.
Alderwoman Keri Carls said she believed the Council had previously decided to pay for tree replacement assoicated
with the storm water drainage project. Ruestman said the Red Sunset Maple tree from Tonica Nursery costs $520
plus $200 for planting. He indicated a $50 tax could be eliminated if the City paid for the tree. The council
informally decided that Ruestman should purchase the tree and the purchase would be approved at the next
council meeting and he would then be reimbursed.
Trick-or-Treat Hours
The Council approved a motion to set the trick-or-treat hours for Halloween to be between 5:30 pm and 8:00 pm
on Monday, October 31.
In other news, the Council approved the audit for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2011.