City of Lanark City Council met July 18.
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 p.m. Roll call taken by Marilyn Heller, City Clerk, showed Alderpersons present were Kevin Barnes, Haley Grim, Brad Knutti, Ed Stern, Mark Macomber, and Lynn Collins.
Others present were: Tammy Burkholder, James Eckburg, Lana Eckburg, Ardena Grant, David Day, Carl Erbsen, Michaelle Byers Law, Larry Quimby, Keenan Dickman, Rosemary Flikkema, Maintenance Manager Jason Alvarado, Attorney Ed Mitchell, Chief Matt Magill, Treasurer Jodi Diffenderfer, and Clerk Marilyn Heller.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE-was led by Alderperson Mark Macomber.
APPOINT ACTING MAYOR – Attorney Ed Mitchell went over the statue for an acting mayor. An acting mayor may remain an alderperson and they vote as an alderperson not as a mayor and they will not have veto power. A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Haley Grim to appoint Alderperson Mark Macomber to Acting Mayor. Motion carried by 4 aye votes and 2 nay votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Haley Grim, Brad Knutti, Ed Stern, and Mark Macomber. Nay votes: Alderpersons Kevin Barnes and Lynn Collins. Attorney.
SWEAR IN ACTING MAYOR – Attorney Ed Mitchell swore in new Acting Mayor Mark Macomber.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Lynn Collins and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to accept the minutes of the June 20, 2023 meeting as presented. Motion carried by 5 aye votes and 1 abstain. Aye votes: Alderpersons Kevin Barnes, Brad Knutti, Ed Stern, Mark Macomber, and Lynn Collins. Alderperson Haley Grim abstained.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - Rosemary Flikkema with Celebrate Lanark, thanked former mayor Ken Viglietta for his support of this group with the information booth and in promoting and attending Celebrate Lanark events. She then thanked and praised former Mayor Ken Viglietta for his part making the park handicap accessible and the handicap swing at the park for the Park Board.
SPECIAL USE PERMIT – Tammy Burkholder read aloud the letter against the approval of this permit she sent out to all the alderpersons on the special use permit. In the letter she covered the issues she believes this permit would bring to the neighborhood as discussed at the public hearing. She also discussed three yes votes that were counted incorrectly, this would then bring the yes votes down to 15 and does not meet the 16 yes vote minimum needed. Dean Law (Michaelle Byers Law present at meeting to confirm) and Larry Quimby (present) were listed as a yes vote when they did not vote yes. A Motion was made by Alderperson Haley Grim and seconded by Alderperson Kevin Barnes to deny the special use permit. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes; Alderpersons Kevin Barnes, Haley Grim, Brad Knutti, Ed Stern, Mark Macomber, and Lynn Collins.
FFA Signs – Chief Magill presented the four Eastland FFA National Champions for the 2021 Dairy Cattle Evaluation Team; Delana Erbsen, Alyssa Miller, Nevin Erbsen, and Ella Gunderson, with their own road signs. He went over they various reasons why he did not order until this May thus they are not able to be put up alongside the road. Alderperson Haley asked to have Chief Magill order another sign have put up on the side of City Hall and the council agreed.
JO-CARROLL EMERGY PROPOSAL – Acting Mayor Mark met with Jo-Carroll to go over multiple questions but he has gotten back with some research they still needed to do. Tabled until next meeting.
CARROLL SERVICE INVOICE – Attorney Ed Mitchell reached out the state’s attorney and he was unaware of this and was not able to look up where it’s at in the process. Attorney Ed Mitchell will reach out the Klinefelter. Tabled until next meeting.
DECLARE SURPLUS SEWER CAMERA/ ACCESSORIES – Maintenance Manager Jason asked to declare the old sewer camera with two batteries and chargers surplus to sell as they no longer need it. He plans to reach out to Shannon as they inquired on it and he will look into price. A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Haley Grim declare sewer camera and accessories surplus. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes; Alderpersons Kevin Barnes, Haley Grim, Brad Knutti, Ed Stern, Mark Macomber, and Lynn Collins.
MAINTENANCE MANAGER WAGES – Alderperson Kevin Barnes held a personnel committee meeting and they are recommending paying Jason $700 monthly for taking over water operations with his new license and continue paying Rob $300 monthly for just the sewer operations. A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Haley Grim to increase Jason Alvarado’s salary $700 monthly upon completions of all paperwork required. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes; Alderpersons Kevin Barnes, Haley Grim, Brad Knutti, Ed Stern, Mark Macomber, and Lynn Collins.
POLICE DEPARTMENT SHARING – Alderperson Kevin Barnes also discussed this at the personnel meeting and recommends requiring an outline before more discussion can be had. Darin of Fehr Graham was present as Shannon’s last meeting where Village President Bonnie announced that nothing will move forward with Lanark and they need to seek their own resources.
STANDING COMMITTEES AND BOARDS-POSSIBLE ACTION- Park Board – Rosemary – thank you to OSD committee and LCC for leaving the park in better condition than last year after OSD.
Darin Stykel gave an update that the water main funding from Sorenson was cut from 2 million to just under 1 million. The city also needs to decide on funding for the streets project if we are wanting to start any projects for 2024. The council will need to start working on a sales tax referendum now if they are looking to utilize that option for funding. The city also needs to get their lead service line surveys so we can apply for the 2.35-million-dollars for FY24. There were will need to be a public hearing scheduled to notify the public that Lanark is pursuing the 1.5 million forgivable funds for water meters and curb stops. Darin stated that the 150 lead lines now have to be removed so it’s just a matter deciding on the funding.
Alderperson Lynn asked further for pricing for these projects? Darin does not have a full estimate due to not having a full inventory list but roughly it will be 3 million and 2.3 would be forgivable. The water meters, if done with the lead service line, would be about the 1.5 million. There will be a final cost estimate given before the council votes to approve the loan for the total amount not forgivable.
REPORTS-EMPLOYEES, ATTORNEY, CLERK, TREASURER, ALDERPERSONS AND MAYOR
Maintenance Manager Jason – had three stump removals and had received two complaints of the grass not being watered causing weeds to grow and maintenance to readdress the issue multiple times. Going forward Jason will leave notes with the instructions for the homeowner to maintain the grass. Alderperson Kevin asked on the retention pond clean up? Jason shared that he would like to go with Chris Morgan Excavating for $2,500.00 including removal. He will also get a letter for prevailing wages from Chris as he is sole proprietor. A Motion was made by Alderperson Haley Grim and seconded by Alderperson Lynn Collins to approve Chris Morgan Excavating clean out the detention pond for $2,500.00 with the expectation of a completion date. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes; Alderpersons Kevin Barnes, Haley Grim, Brad Knutti, Ed Stern, Mark Macomber, and Lynn Collins. Chief Magill – Alderperson Brad asked for an update on the Schrader building and if there is water or gas. Magill updated the council that he had a conversation with McCarthy and he would like to talk to the council on the expectation for this building but his first priority is madding the other building to a usable state. McCarthy is also wanting a permit for his solar company to go door to door. The council discussed using the call multiplier for solicitor permits. Clerk Marilyn – read a thank you letter for a memorial gift from the family of Bonnie J Williams. The Eastland Athletic Club sent a letter asking for a donation for the Cougar Open. Historically the city donated $125.00 from the community betterment fund. A Motion was made by Alderperson Haley Grim and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to approve $125.00 to the Cougar Open ’23 from the community betterment fund. Motion carried by 4 aye votes and 2 nay votes. Aye votes; Alderpersons Kevin Barnes, Haley Grim, Brad Knutti, and Ed Stern. Nay votes; Alderpersons Mark Macomber and Lynn Collins. During an audit of all utility accounts, it was discovered that 39 properties are not being billed for water and garbage services and 25 that need more investigation. After discussing, the council decided to post a weeks’ notice to the 39 properties that if they do not contact city hall to set up an account for services they will be shut off. The other 25 will need to be looked up on the Carroll County Tax website. Treasurer Jodi- Locus Group will be here next week for the Audit and the preliminary work is complete. Alderperson Brad – Thanked Ken Viglietta for his service to Lanark. Alderperson Kevin – Thanked Ken as well. Kevin then asked what we can do with the Carroll Service property? Chief Magill will send a letter for the CEO and he will research how much the city can do to get it cleaned up. Alderperson Haley - Thanked Ken for his service to Lanark. She also has received complaints about skunks and asked what we can do. Alderperson Brad shared that they can trap them. Haley apologized for missing two meetings in June and she will be missing the next one. Acting Mayor/Alderperson Mark – shared that he is humbled and thankful to be Lanark’s Acting Mayor. He thanked the council for their support and looks forward to working with the council to make Lanark a better place for the residents.
ADJOURNMENT-MOTION- was made by Alderperson Kevin Barnes and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to adjourn at 8:29 p.m. Motion carried by 6 aye votes.
https://lanarkil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/City-Council-Minutes-07-18-2023.pdf
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