The Minonk City Council approved a motion to proceed to advertise for bids on the new Storm Drainage project. Farnsworth engineer Bob Kohlhase told the council that the paperwork is almost completed for the project and the Council's approval was needed to proceed to the next step of advertising for bids. Kohlhase said that bids could be advertised in January and bids could be open as early as February. Approval of a bid can be delayed as late as May and still allow enough time to complete the Storm Drainage project in 2011.
Clothing Recycling
Alderwoman Kerri Carls discussed the possibility of the City having a recycling bin for used clothing and shoes. An organization called
U'SAgain Clothing Recycler, a for profit enterprise, will provide a recycling container about the size of a large mail box in which clothing and shoes can be dropped off. The used clothing is then redistributed to the needy by the organization. The objective is to keep clothing out of landfills. The city would be paid a penny a pound for the used clothing. Carls suggested that the money from the recycled clothing bin be given to the Food Pantry. She mentioned that El Paso already has 3 clothing recycling bins.
Carls said the recycling bin could be put in the area where the present recycling center is for bottles and cans. However, she said it may not be as noticeable back there. Alderwoman Julie Redenius suggested the clothing recycling bin be put in a more visible area away from the current recycling area which would also keep the garbage and clothing separated.
The Council agreed that the clothing recycling bin was a good idea and will be discussed by the Waste Disposal Committee which will make a recommendation at the next council meeting.
Public Comments
Minonk resident Larry Hill told the Council he thought the parade is a great event for Minonk but felt it was inappropriate to have fireworks at a Christmas event. He said it would have been better to spend more money on getting the snow off the streets and sidewalks prior to the parade. Hill maintained that there was deep slush and ice on the curbs downtown which made it hazardous for walking.
Council Comments
Alderman Sean Cunningham said he learned that Jack Jochums will no longer be involved in the Parade of Lights after being a vital part of the parade since its inception 27 years ago. Cunningham said Jochums is to be commended for his service to the community.
Alderman Larry Fortner, sitting in as Mayor Pro Tem for absent Mayor Bill Koos, wanted to thank everyone who was involved in making the Parade of LIghts a successful annual event for Minonk. Fortner said city personnel did make one last pass on main street to clear it of snow prior to the parade and noted that the city was short of manpower due to illness.
Fortner reminded business owners they have until December 31 to apply for a grant from the City's Facade improvement program that can fund up to 50% of the cost for facade improvements for buildings within the downtown TIF district.
City Administrator Comments
City Administrator Doug Elder thanked those who made the Parade of LIghts an annual event and said it reflected very highly of the community. Elder said city personnel worked 15 hours straight from Friday night through Saturday to clean the city streets of snow. He urged shop keepers to not put rock salt on the concrete sidewalks in front of their business as it corrodes the sidewalk and will eventually leave pits and cracks.
City wells # 1 and # 2 are down for maintenance but wells #3 and #4 are adequately handling the demands for water.