Minonk City Administrator Gary Brennan presented options for purchasing leaf collection equipment at the normal Monday night meeting of the Minonk City Council. He said the minimum price for purchasing leaf collection equipment is $35,000 to $38,00 and could go as high as $100,000. The equipment would require a minimum of two operators. He asked the Council to decide if money should be put into the budget for next year to purchase leaf collection equipment.
Brennan said the City has no City Code regulating leaf burning but does have reference to leaf burning in the Nuisance Ordinance in which leaf burning is regulated to the hours of 8 am to 6 pm and leaves cannot be burned on asphalt streets. He acknowledged that it may be a burden for some people not to be able to burn leafs.
Alderwoman Julie Redenius asked where would the leaves be taken if collected by the City. Brennan said they would be burned at the city burn pile at the north edge of the city. Alderman Jeff Keller suggested that leaf burning be banned on Halloween so that children will not be affected by the smoke from burning leaves.
In other news, Brennan said the City tax levy will be increased by 3.5 % for next year. The levy is based on a total city property value of $24,463,000 which has fluctuated up and down around that figure for the past several years.
Park and Rec volunteers needed
Alderman Nick Forini said the Parks and Recreation committee needs 3 volunteers as the committee is down to 5 members. He said those who wish to volunteer for the Parks and Recreation department to contact him or City Hall.
Public comments
Barth Weistart told the council that trash bins at the nature trail on the north edge of the city are placed too close to the benches in that area. He felt in the summer insects and smell from the trash bins would make sitting in the benches very uncomfortable. He said there is a bench by the pond and one at the top of the jumbo. He also mentioned that 4 wheelers going up and the down the jumbo have created ruts in the path going up the jumbo and could create erosion problems. He also asked why the city is driving vehicles on the trail path instead of the road to the west. He said the trail is now bumpy and full of pot holes from vehicle traffic and asked why the City doesn't use the road to the west.
Mayor Koos said the road to the west is used by US Waste who need 24/7 access to the landfill next to the jumbo and that is why the City doesn't use that road. Weistart said he felt the nature trail should be kept smooth for hikers instead of being used by vehicles.