City of Lanark City Council met Aug. 16.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER/ROLL CALL-Lanark City Council met in regular session at the Lanark City Hall at 7:12 p.m. Roll call taken by Marilyn Heller, City Clerk, showed Alderpersons present were Lance Leverton, Haley Grim, Brad Knutti, Weston Burkholder, Mark Macomber, and Lynn Collins.
Mayor Ken Viglietta was present and presiding.
Others present were: Chris De Groot, Steve Carroll, Colton Eubanks, Roger Burkholder, Darin Stykel of Fehr Graham, Rosemary Flikkema, Maintenance Manager Jason Alvarado, Attorney Ed Mitchell, Office Assistant Jodi Diffenderfer, Chief Matt Magill and Clerk Marilyn Heller.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE-was led by Alderperson Lance Leverton.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Lynn Collins to accept the minutes of the August 2, 2022 meeting as presented. Motion carried by 5 aye votes and 1 abstain. Aye votes: Alderpersons Haley Grim, Brad Knutti, Weston Burkholder, Mark Macomber, and Lynn Collins. Alderperson Lance Leverton abstained. A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Weston Burkholder to accept the minutes of the July 22, 2022 special meeting as presented. Motion carried by 5 aye votes and 1 abstain. Aye votes: Alderpersons Haley Grim, Brad Knutti, Weston Burkholder, Mark Macomber, and Lynn Collins. Alderperson Lance Leverton abstained.
PUBLIC COMMENTS- None
ORDINANCE TO VACATE WESTSIDE ALLEY – ACTION REQUIRED – Attorney Ed Mitchell handed out the ordinance to vacate the alley and went over that ¾ aye votes would be need to pass. The council went over that this all started due to a feud between a select few on this alley and after the public hearing the majority of the residents on this alley do not want this alley vacated. The residents present at the public meeting shared that they in fact do still use the alley somewhat regularly and would prefer it to be opened back up. The council discussed if they open the alley, they don’t want to hear of anymore issues or they will have to vacate. They council then briefly discussed graveling the alley due to the design of the alley but it was brought up the numerous other grass alleys that would want to be graveled as well. A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Lance Leverton to reopen the Westside alley, remove the poles, and make it accessible on both sides. Motion carried with 6 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Lance Leverton, Haley Grim, Brad Knutti, Weston Burkholder, Mark Macomber, and Lynn Collins. After the motion carried the council realized they did not provide an effective date and Attorney Ed Mitchell stated a new ordinance would need to be passed with the date included. A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Lance Leverton to reopen the Westside alley, remove the posts and to notify the Remery’s to remove the camper to make both sides accessible by Aug 22, 2022. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Lance Leverton, Haley Grim, Brad Knutti, Weston Burkholder, Mark Macomber, and Lynn Collins.
EMPLOYEE COMENSATION – POSSIBLE ACTION – No discussion and no action taken.
LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT CONTRACT – POSSIBLE ACTION – Darin went over the contract again noting the city would need to pay $78,000 up front to get this project submitted to the EPA but once approved for the up to 4 million dollars grant by the EPA it would be 100% forgiven. This project plan would be good for 5 years if we are not satisfied with the approved amount and want to reapply the fallowing years. Darin stressed again that lead service line replacement will become mandatory in the near future and Lanark needs to take advantage of this 100% grant while it lasts. A Motion was made by Alderperson Lance Leverton and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to start the Lead Service Line process for up to $78,000. Motion carried with 6 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Lance Leverton, Haley Grim, Brad Knutti, Weston Burkholder, Mark Macomber, and Lynn Collins.
STANDING COMMITTEES AND BOARDS-POSSIBLE ACTION- Park Board – Rosemary shared that there was a fire in the bathroom and the toilet set did get burned and needs replaced. The park board has kept the bathrooms locked but she will be communicating with Jason to unlock them for known events. Rosemary has turned over the time stamps on the cameras to Chief Magill.
Chief Magill stated that a confession would be needed to charge this person due to the cameras not being in the bathrooms where the fire was started. Lastly the Chambers will be having their Hometown Meal on September 22, 2022 at the empty lot during the Homecoming Parade.
WATER METERS AND CURB STOP CONTRACT – POSSIBLE ACTION – Darin shared that while we are replacing the service lines adding meters and curb stops to all residents and businesses at the same time would be very beneficial. The EPA offers low interest loan for 1.5million and last year the EPA had 1million dollar forgiveness for these projects with the locked in interest rate of 1.8%. Darin believes Lanark will qualify for the forgiveness, so to get the forgiveness the city will have to implement a user-based billing for water usage to all residents. This project will require 64K upfront that will be billed throughout the year. The project plan will be good for 5 years if for any reason Lanark decides to wait to do this project. Darin discussed the meter remote collection software that was picked that will use cellular data. A Motion was made by Alderperson Mark Macomber and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to approve portable water meters, meter collection equipment and city-wide curb stop contract. Motion carried with 5 aye votes and 1 nay vote. Aye votes: Alderpersons Lance Leverton, Brad Knutti, Weston Burkholder, Mark Macomber, and Lynn Collins. Nay vote: Alderperson Haley Grim.
CONSIDER NEW CHRISTMAS DÉCOR – POSSIBLE ACTION – Darin shared that they were able to adjust the new poles so the old décor will fit and new décor is not needed. No action taken.
WSG INCREASE ORDINANCE – ACTION REQUIRED – Attorney Ed Mitchell handed out the ordinance for WSG increase that was approved on 8-2-2022.The council decided the effective date would be January 1, 2023 due to the surveys that are going out this month and to also allow time to send out notices for the change. A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Lynn Collins to pass ordinance number 991 effective January 1, 2023; An Ordinance Amending Sewer, Water, Garbage, and CIP Rates for the City of Lanark. Motion carried with 5 aye votes and 1 nay vote. Aye votes: Alderpersons Lance Leverton, Brad Knutti, Weston Burkholder, Haley Grim, and Lynn Collins. Nay vote: Alderperson Mark Macomber.
NEW TREE BOARD MEMBERS – POSSIBLE ACTION – No new members were presented. No action taken.
REPORTS-EMPLOYEES, ATTORNEY, CLERK, TREASURER, ALDERPERSONS AND MAYOR- Chief Magill – shared that there has been positive motion at the Mather house and things are moving on the right direction. Matt has been coaching Doug on prioritizing and being a good neighbor. Maintenance Manager Jason – the surveys for the lead service line will be going out with September billing cycle and will be working with Matt on setting up the online survey. Jason will be keeping a spreadsheet and is hoping to get at least 30%. Attorney Ed Mitchell – shared he filed the levy. Office Assistant Jodi- the audit should be wrapped up next week. Alderperson Haley- handed out a list of pay for the current Lanark maintenance crew and the surrounding towns for comparison. Fall Fest will be on Oct 15, 2022. There will be kid games from 11 to 4 and at 4 the LCC will be serving pork chops. Oct 22, 2022 will be the haunted park and OSD is working getting Celebrate Lanark in to help making it bigger and scarier. This will also be the last event Haley will be in charge of as she is stepping back. Mayor Ken – discussed the Carroll Service fire, sharing he worked with Brad, Mark, Matt, Darin, and Jason. They are still waiting on test results and the chemical is still unknown. Ken shared that the Spiller Pay Ord. did not pass at the county. It was proposed on Dec. 2, 2021 County Board meeting but wasn’t passed. We are still keeping records of all expenses for this and plan to submit it to FS. Brad shared the Fire Dept. is doing the same.
EXECUTIVE SESSION-EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION, REAL ESTATE-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to convene in Executive Session at 8:50 p.m. in order to discuss potential litigation. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Lance Leverton, Haley Grim, Brad Knutti, Weston Burkholder, Mark Macomber, and Lynn Collins.
REGULAR SESSION-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to reconvene into regular session at 8:53 p.m. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Lance Leverton, Haley Grim, Brad Knutti, Weston Burkholder, Mark Macomber, and Lynn Collins.
ADJOURNMENT-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Weston Burkholder and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to adjourn at 8:53 p.m. Motion carried by 6 aye votes.
https://lanarkil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/City-Council-Minutes-08-16-2022.pdf
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