Nokomis council considers tree replacement at Johnson Park

NOKOMIS — Two trees that have recently been cut down in Johnson Park in downtown Nokomis is being considered for replacement. The Nokomis City Council discussed the replacement during its regular meeting on Monday, Apr. 10.

Commissioner Michael Glenn is in the middle of discussions with Bob Barnstable for recommendations of available tree options. Resident JoAnn Keele was present at the meeting and recommended the planting of October Glory on the western corners of the park.

A large number of business items were discussed and tabled to the next meeting. This includes three business district grant applications, an amendment to Ordinance 2100, a new contract with the Village of Coalton for police service, a telecommunications contract, the 2023 water and sewer fee schedule, and additional cameras at City Hall.

Details on tabled business

The three business district grant applications are related to the following: Scott Robinson, for 113-115 W. State St. for the purposes of repairing the west side wall; Frank Steele, for 103 W. State St. for the purpose of building improvements, and Joseph Clavin, for 102 S. Pine St. for unspecified improvements related to a mini grocery store in development.

The council discussed an overdue water bill of a business owner. The person that was renting his building was responsible for paying the water bill. However, they vacated the premises with an outstanding bill of $4,000. While the owner has paid part of the bill, he has been unable to pay the remainder due to health problems. The city will work with the landlord to find an equitable solution for both parties.

Meanwhile, the council directed City Attorney Christopher Sherer to send the new water and wastewater service contract to EJ Water Cooperative, which is overseeing water operations in Coalton.

The new police service contract between the city and Coalton is considering a per-call or a flat fee per month. Considering that roughly 10 percent of all police calls are to Coalton, the council is considering a monthly fee of $1,000.

The tabled telecommunications contract is related to a pending contract with C&K Communications concerning a radio antenna at the Street Department shed on Young Street.

Other business from the April 10 Nokomis city council meeting

Other items of business in the April 10 meeting would include:

• Discussion (with no action) on the placement of a stop sign at the corner of Spruce and South Streets
• Discussion (with no action) on increasing the number of liquor licenses in the city
• The citywide cleanup days are set for May 15-22, which will run from Monday to Monday
• Approval of the second payment applications and loan disbursements from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for $536,722.52 on Loan L17-6229 and $101,432.50 on Loan L17-6047
• Monthly revenues of $956,343.10. This accounts for $849,864.66 from the first IEPA loan and $55,164.50 from the second loan. Other revenues include the Illinois Department of Revenue – Replacement Tax for $6,265.08, Illinois Department of Transportation – MFT Renewal for $3,200.71 and MFT Allotment for $3,461.19, and other revenues for $38,386.96.
• Approval of bills totaling $760,489.98.

The final full regular meeting under this current administration is on Monday, Apr. 24. They will run a partial meeting on Monday, May 8 before turning over the council to the new administration of Mayor-elect Dylan Goldsmith and new Commissioners Lou Stauder, Michael Glenn, Tisha Morris, and Scott Arkebauer.

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Jake Leonard

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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.

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