City of Lanark City Council met Jan. 17.
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 7:00 p.m. Roll call taken by Marilyn Heller, City Clerk, showed Alderpersons present were Haley Grim, Brad Knutti, Weston Burkholder, Mark Macomber, and Lynn Collins. Alderperson Lance Leverton was absent.
Mayor Ken Viglietta was present and presiding.
Others present were: Maintenance Manager Jason Alvarado, Chief Matt Magill, Roger Burkholder, and Sherry Burkholder.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE-was led by Alderperson Mark Macomber.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Haley Grim and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to accept the minutes of the January 3, 2023 meeting as presented. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes; Alderpersons Haley Grim, Brad Knutti, Weston Burkholder, Mark Macomber, and Lynn Collins.
Alderperson Lance Leverton was absent.
PUBLIC COMMENTS- Roger and Sherry Burkholder were present to questioned the council on the letter they received from the city Attorney Ed Mitchell for their blight property at 524 E. Pearl. After a discussion it was agreed that Roger would remove what was left of the walkway and also send Attorney Ed Mitchell a copy of the power of attorney.
ELECTRIC AGGREGATE AUTHORIZATION – ACTION REQUIRED – Alderperson Brad Knutti went over the list of energy suppliers for Lanark’s street lighting and pumping. He noted the advice from Rock River Energy Services that AEP was listed as the lowest price for street lighting but are a difficult company to work with and recommended the seconded lowest, Constellation. Rock River Energy Services also recommended going with a three-year contract. Mayor ken will also need the council permission to act for the council when signing the contracts. A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to contract Horizon Light and Power at an est. annual fixed energy cost of $20,850.43 for 36 months for Pumping. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes; Alderpersons Haley Grim, Brad Knutti, Weston Burkholder, Mark Macomber, and Lynn Collins.
Alderperson Lance Leverton was absent.
A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Haley Grim to contract Constellation at an est. annual foxed energy cost of $ 5,798.50 for 36 months for street lighting. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes; Alderpersons Haley Grim, Brad Knutti, Weston Burkholder, Mark Macomber, and Lynn Collins.
Alderperson Lance Leverton was absent.
A Motion was made by Alderperson Weston Burkholder and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to approve Mayor Ken Viglietta to represent the council when signing the contracts with the energy suppliers chosen. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes; Alderpersons Haley Grim, Brad Knutti, Weston Burkholder, Mark Macomber, and Lynn Collins. Alderperson Lance Leverton was absent.
STREE PROJECT – POSSIBLE ACTION – No action taken. Maintenance Manager Jason shared his conversation with Rob Knoup and Darrin Stykel on how Pearl City used residential TIF and MFT to update their infrastructure and streets throughout town. Lanark receives between $5,000 and $6,000 a month for MFT but that will start to decrease. The length of two blocks takes around $300,000.00 to replace infrastructure and street. It was discussed having Darrin come in and discuss the EPA grant that would be a 5-year plan for $90,000.
LEAD SERVICE LINE SURVEY – ACTION REQUIRED – No action taken. Alderperson Brad Knutti will also be sitting in on a webinar for Lead service Line Replacement and will be reporting back.
EMPLOYEE WAGES – POSSIBLE ACTION – Alderperson Weston Burkholder shared the recommendation from the Personnel Committee meeting that was held on Jan. 11, 2023. Alvarado, Jason $56,500.00 salary
Giedd, Drew $23.50 hourly 11.88%
Meinsma, Brett $21.00 hourly 11.90%
Meinsma, Bryce $19.00 hourly 12%
Johnson, Mark $22.00 hourly 11.79 %
Diffenderfer, Jodi $19,000.00 hourly 5.56%
Livingston, June $17.00 hourly 9.70%
Magill, Matt $71,750.00 salary 8.30 %
All Part Time Officers $25.00 hourly 8.7% and 6.7%
Maylor Ken shared the hard work the maintenance team did on the water main break last week and the money that was saved not having the call in Fisher. A Motion was made by Alderperson Weston Burkholder to accept the wage increase recommendation from the personnel committee as presented, effective April 2, 2023. Motion carried by 4 aye votes and 1 nay vote. Aye votes; Alderpersons Haley Grim, Brad Knutti, Weston Burkholder, and Mark Macomber. Nay vote; Alderperson Lynn Collins. Alderperson Lance Leverton was absent.
EMPLOYEE BENIFITES REVIEW – Possible Action - Tabled Jen Sturtevant will be coming to the next meeting go answer all questions on allowing deponents on the health insurance. It was mentioned looking into CMI for municipalities and IMRF for retirement for the next meeting.
STANDING COMMITTEES AND BOARDS-POSSIBLE ACTION- Economic Development – Alderperson Haley Grim went over the discussion at the committee meeting. In 2006 the TIF district was created but there was not an ordinance created. Attorney Ed Mitchell will put together an ordinance to present at the next meeting. Also, at the next meeting Derreck Carroll, Marybeth Landherr and Kathleen Weber will need to be appointed to the TIF Board. It was also discussed contacting Nathan McCarthy about the two buildings he owns downtown.
REPORTS-EMPLOYEES, ATTORNEY, CLERK, TREASURER, ALDERPERSONS AND MAYOR Maintenance Manager Jason – discussed the downtown lights, they have until mid-March to complete. Chief Matt Magill – The new squad car that he ordered is here but will need to be stored for $120 a month until the new budget is passed as the car is not on this years budget. Attorney Ed Mitchell – filed Lanark’s exempt property tax form and sent the Burkholder’s blight property letter as discussed earlier. Clerk Marilyn – The new meter reading software will be implemented for the February billing. This will be using the cell phone app. and new routes so it should make these processes more efficient. Treasurer Jodi – will be renewing the line of credit with the bank after the appointment of the new mayor. The rate on checking account currently is 3.86%. Also, Jodi might have to testify as a witness for the state in a court hearing for three felonies of theft from a non for profit.
ADJOURNMENT-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Weston Burkholder and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to adjourn at 8:50 p.m. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes; Alderpersons Haley Grim, Brad Knutti, Weston Burkholder, Mark Macomber, and Lynn Collins. Alderperson Lance Leverton was absent.
https://lanarkil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/City-Council-Minutes-01-17-2023.pdf