NW Illinois News

City of Lanark City Council met Jan. 23.

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, Lynn Collins, Brad Knutti, and Ed Stern. Alderperson Haley Grim was absent.

Mayor Mark Macomber was present and presiding.

Others present were: Cemetery Board President Jeri Rogan, Cemetery Sexton Jon Leiser, Brett Meinsma, Drew Giedd, Marissa Giedd, Katie Alvarado, Maintenance Manager Jason Alvarado, Chief Troy Randall, Attorney Ed Mitchell and Clerk Marilyn Heller.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE-was led by Alderperson Lynn Collins.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Brad Kutti and seconded by Alderperson Lynn Collins to accept the minutes of the January 2, 2024 meeting as presented. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes; Alderpersons Kevin Barnes, Lynn Collins, Mark Macomber, Brad Knutti, and Ed Stern. Alderperson Haley Grim was absent.

PUBLIC COMMENTS- None

CEMETERY BOARD REPORT – POSSIBLE ACTION – Board President Jeri presented the Lanark Cemetery Association Treasurer’s Report showing the 2023 total beginning balance of $260,336.54 and total ending balance of $261,911.57. She noted there were 31 lots sold and 26 burials. The cemetery had new gate installed and its reduced drive throughs and speeding. The board is working on putting together a street project to fix decaying streets throughout the cemetery and would still like the city to look into the $3500 tax levy. Mayor Mark complemented the board and sexton Jon for their work. Mayor Mark is going to talk to treasurer Molly about getting report on FY instead of calendar year to match up with the city reporting. Lastly, the farmland was limed this year. No action taken.

IMRF – POSSIBLE ACTION – Representative with IMRF, Brian Glover, video conferenced into the council meeting to answer the councils pre-submitted questions. The three sources for funding are employee contributions, employer contributions and investment returns. Brain stated that Lanark’s contributions would not raise for 2 years and the average contribution rate last year was 6.79% with a 7.5% average return. Rate fluctuation is due to retirement, employees leaving, death, and investment returns. Brain shared IMRF’s investment returns from the past 30 years and suggested that alderpersons watch the webinar on the IMRF website that describes this further. Brian then went over the minimum contribution and stressed that once a city joins IMRF you cannot leave, he then gave an example of a municipality that hasn’t had an employee for 15 to 20 years and has a minimum contribution of $50 or $60 a month. If the city joins, a member is eligible to receive up to 20% of their existing service credit free and the balance can be purchased up to 60 existing service months. They do not allow rolling over funds from other retirement accounts. To be discussed further at next personnel meeting, no action taken.

BUDGET – POSSIBLE ACTION – TABLED - Jodi was not able to attend to discuss due to weather conditions.

Mayor Mark then shared the resignation letter Jodi turned into him with her last day listed as 1- 26-2024. He noted that she will stay on until 1-31-2024.

A Motion was made by Alderperson Lynn Collins and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to accept treasurer Jodi Diffenderfer’s resignation letter dated 12-13-2023. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes; Alderpersons Kevin Barnes, Lynn Collins, Mark Macomber, Brad Knutti, and Ed Stern. Alderperson Haley Grim was absent.

ROCK RIVER AGGREGATE – ACTION REQUIRED – A Motin was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Lynn Collins to approve Rock River Aggregate to accept bids on behalf of the City of Lanark. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes; Alderpersons Kevin Barnes, Lynn Collins, Mark Macomber, Brad Knutti, and Ed Stern. Alderperson Haley Grim was absent.

TIF APPLICATION – POSSIBLE ACTION – TABLED

PARK BOARD APPOINTMENT – ACTION REQUIRED – A Motion was made by Alderperson Lynn Collins and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to approve the appointment of Steve Snider to the Park Board. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes; Alderpersons Kevin Barnes, Lynn Collins, Mark Macomber, Brad Knutti, and Ed Stern. Alderperson Haley Grim was absent.

ZONING BOARD/OFFICER – POSSIBLE ACTION – TABLED – Alderperson Ed will hold a streets and property meeting to put together to zoning officer position and salary. Prior to 2016 it was $1000.00.

PAID LEAVE FOR ALL EMPLOYEES – POSSIBLE ACTION – TABLED – Mayor Mark shared the drafted revisions for PTO that was discussed at the personnel meeting. Employees shared their concerns on the reduction of PTO presented. Personnel Meeting will be scheduled to discuss further.

STANDING COMMITTEES AND BOARDS-POSSIBLE ACTION

REPORTS-EMPLOYEES, ATTORNEY, CLERK, TREASURER, ALDERPERSONS AND MAYOR Maintenance Manager Jason- lots of snow! There was a main break last Saturday and had to call in Don to help to have a third person present, no shut offs or boil orders. The white truck and back hoe needed to get tires replaced. Jason met with Darin and TJ from Ferguson to discuss the three water meter options. Attorney Ed Mithell – litigation with Sue; she sis not show up for hearing so she will now have 45 after police chief gives notification. Chief Troy will be back from vacation on the 25th. Streets and Property should discuss an action plan for this clean up. Lastly, he notified council that 107 Parker Ct. is being sold for delinquent taxes and we are being notified due to a utility’s lien on the property. Alderperson Kevin - asked who has authority to cancel meetings and to inviting people to meetings. Attorney Ed Mitchell shared there is not a statue that specifically states but generally the mayor has the discretion for emergencies such as weather. The council could clarify in an ordinance if wanted. Alderperson Ed – discussed renewing Ardena Grants contract. Clerk will email a copy of the current contract. Clerk Marilyn- will be gone Feb 28 for the NIMCA meeting in Rochell. Alderperson Lynn - handed out additional information packets on IMRF.

ADJOURNMENT-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Lynn Collins to adjourn at 8:39 p.m. Motion carried by 5 aye votes.

https://lanarkil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/City-Council-Meeting-Minutes-01232024.pdf