Nokomis council hears of unclear citations

NOKOMIS — Unclear citations were an item of concern during Monday’s meeting of the Nokomis City Council.

Terra Mills, who spoke on behalf of her father Brett Mills, is having difficulty understanding what is being required by the city regarding several of Mills’ properties.

Mills owns several rental properties in the city, and a large majority of them are currently vacant. They have been receiving citations on these properties.

One of the houses caught fire last year and the Mills’ have been working to get the property cleaned to meet city guidelines. However, her progress has been slow at times and has been overwhelming as a single working mother.

She explained that in citations written for both her and her father, it is difficult to determine what the city is requiring.

Commissioner Michael Glenn and Police Chief Talon Burton will review the matter to discuss the work requiring completion and the next steps for action.

MFT program groups greenlit

The council approved group #1 and group #6 among the available 2023 motor fuel tax (MFT) options for the city.

The oil and chip program would receive approval for Litchfield Bituminous Group in the amount of $26,730.88.

The other program group, for bituminous premix, was approved for $87 per ton to Louis Marsch at the loading point.

Revenue and expense reports

Finance Commissioner Louis Stauder reported $422,187.80 in revenues. These include another disbursement from an existing IEPA loan L17-6229 in the amount of $359,774.26. Other revenues included are from the following:

Illinois Department of Revenue

Telecommunications Tax: $1,812.69, Video Gaming Tax $5,177.74, Cannabis Use Tax $258.30, tax refund $13.83, MFT allotment $4,034.89

Miscellaneous revenues

Other revenue $51,116.09

The council would approve the payment of bills in the amount of $105,842.61.

Approval of requests

The council would approve several request submissions to the city, including:

• Building permit for a deck at 119 S. Maple
• Building permit for a fence at 328 Monroe
• A liquor license for 101 E. State (the former Jim’s IGA)
• Fireworks permit for the Nokomis Homecoming
• Clearances for the Nokomis Homecoming Parade
• Special liquor license to Knights of Columbus #2189 for Nokomis Homecoming

Nokomis, Coalton agree to terms on a police services contract

The city of Nokomis and the village of Coalton will not have to discuss the matter of police services again until 2026.

An intergovernmental agreement between the two municipalities was approved.

As a part of the three-year agreement, Coalton will pay an annual amount of $6,000 per year for police services.

Spraying for mosquitoes unlikely in Nokomis for 2023

The council discussed spraying for mosquitoes. However, the cost of spraying service is expensive and at this point cost-prohibitive. In addition, the city no longer has the equipment required, and the city doesn’t have a properly trained employee to spray.

Meanwhile, city employees are currently taking a course to use granules as an alternative means of mosquito control. The granules in question will help control the mosquito larvae and will instead be in use, at least for the 2023 season.

Ordinances approved

The council also approved two ordinances during the meeting.

Ordinance 2104 approves and executes a real estate purchasing agreement for 110 N. Maple Street. That location is currently a trailer court that has fallen into disrepair over the years.

Ordinance 2105 amends Section 4-1-2 of the City Code pertaining to Planning Commission member residency. Glenn was the lone dissenting vote in the motion.

Other business

Other business before the Nokomis City Council in the June 12 meeting include:

• Approval of construction engineering services with Hurst-Rosche for the Union Street storm sewer project
• Approval of an IEPA pay application in the amount of $370,556.33
• Approval of an EPA pay application payable to Farnsworth Group in the amount of $43,805.79
• The potential purchase of two John Deere mowers. The matter was tabled while they speak with regional dealerships regarding availability and the needs of the city.
• Approval of a contract with Municipal Impact for a city website
• Following an executive session, the council would approve pay raises for Burton, Rachel Hill, Carol Gomez, Karri Smith, and Donna Wieneke.

The Nokomis City Council meets again on Monday, June 26.

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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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