Mr.Koos said "we cannot sit back and wait for economic development to come to the city.  We need to go to the companies."  He stated that Minonk is a unique small community because of its manufacturing base and its experienced work force.  "We should be going to Caterpillar and Deere making presentations that  make them aware of the potential development opportunities in our city."   He added that while the city certainly wants to attract fast food restaurants to the Caroline Development, it is the manufacturing jobs that will pay well and bring in families to buy homes.

Mr. Koos explained that it isimportant to get the zoning board more involved in the development of the city.  He said that there has been a reduction in the zoning board's authority over the years and sometimes problems with variances do not even get to the board but are decided by someone else.  He added, "the zoning board should preserve the character of the city and make decisions that are best for the community and not necessarily  best for an individual.   It must be a partner in the development of the community."

According to Koos, "the voters must be at the top of the pyramid, not at the bottom."  He stated that decisions are sometimes made that reflect the interest of the few  instead of the voters.   "We have a circle of accountability  in which we don't know where it starts and where it ends."  He said people who come to the council meetings with complaints should not be treated as obstructionists.  Too often, he added, complaints are passed onto the City Administrator rather than being discussed in the council chambers in an attempt to reach a resolution.   He said the city's litter ordinance has plenty of teeth in it but is not enforced because it gets lost in a circle of accountability.   Koos stated that the council should tell the City Administrator what specific action to take rather than delegating the responsibility. "We need more open discussion on the council floor and need  to have open government and open covenants so that the people know what is going on."

In regards to law enforcement, Mr. Koos said that vandalism can be reduced by having a relationship between law officers and the community. There should be a line of communication and trust between the police and the youth of our city.  He said that the city workers and law enforcement officers must be accountable to the city council as the council is accountable to the voters.