NW Illinois News

City of Lanark City Council met March 19.

Here is the agenda 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 Lynn Collins, Brad Knutti, Haley Grim and Ed Stern. Alderperson Kevin Barnes was absent.

Mayor Mark Macomber was present and presiding.

Others present were: Brian Hardacre, Maintenance Manager Jason Alvarado, Treasurer Debra Throop, 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 Haley Grim and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to accept the minutes of the March 5, 2024 meeting as presented. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Haley Grim, Ed Stern, Brad Knutti, Lynn Collins, and Mark Macomber. Alderperson Kevin Barnes was absent.

PUBLIC COMMENTS- None

DELINQUENT UTILITIES – No residents present to discuss delinquent bills. Clerk went over the list of 23 residents that were sent shut off letters this month. She noted 4 set up payment plans and 3 already paid in full. She asked for a motion to shut off the remaining 15 if there is no contact or payment made before April 3. It was noted that on the list that customer 6 and 15 had made partial payments. A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to approve the shut off listed 1 through 15, except 6 and 15, if no contact or payment is made by April 3, 2024. Motion carried by 4 aye votes and 1 nay. Aye votes: Alderpersons Haley Grim, Ed Stern, Brad Knutti, and Mark Macomber. Nay vote; Alderperson Lynn Collins and Alderperson Kevin Barnes was absent.

CEMETERY TAX PAYMENT – Attorney Ed Mitchell reviewed the past levies and found that the following years had nothing levied for the cemetery; 2014, 2015,2016, 2017, 2018, and 2020. A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Haley Grim to pay the cemetery to amount levied for the past 4 missed years. Motion carried by 4 aye votes and 1 abstain. Aye votes: Alderpersons Haley Grim, Ed Stern, Brad Knutti, and Mark Macomber. Abstain vote; Alderperson Lynn Collins and Alderperson Kevin Barnes was absent.

RETIREMETN FUND – Alderperson Lynn worked with a third-party administrator to get information on a 457B. The city was quoted at a $3,200.00 annually cost plus the matching would be unlimited. The council asked the department managers to get an idea for participation for the next meeting as there is only one employee currently on the 401K. Tabled

ZONING ORDINANCE – Alderperson Lynn went over the changes discussed at the last meeting for the zoning officer. The variances process did not need updating as it was not used properly in the past. Special use permits have been changed to attach to the property and to allow the city to revoke a special use permit. Tabled

AUTHORIZATION OF STATE SALT CONTRACT – Maintenance Manager Jason needed the council authorization to sign a contract for salt storage. Last year the city ordered 325 tons of salt and had 27 tons left over that was able to be stored. This year he ordered the same amount but has 85 tons left over. Jason did reach out to surrounding towns if they would store or buy but they are in the same situation. Rent will be $5.33 per ton a month for three months. Jason suggested the city look into the possibility of getting a dome building. A Motion was made by Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to give Jason Alvarado authorization to made salt contract. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Haley Grim, Ed Stern, Brad Knutti, Lynn Collins, and Mark Macomber. Alderperson Kevin Barnes was absent.

STANDING COMMITTEES AND BOARDS-POSSIBLE ACTION- Finance Committee is meeting April 1, 2024 at 6pm to discuss budget. Personnel Committee is meeting April 1, 2024 to 5:30pm to discuss new officer.

REPORTS-EMPLOYEES, ATTORNEY, CLERK, TREASURER, ALDERPERSONS AND MAYOR- Chief Randall – has a new applicant, Zach Plum, he would like to send to the academy for the full time officer. Attorney Ed will work on a contract for new full-time officer. Attorney Ed Mitchell- filed statement of economic interest and discussed the late fees if filed after May 1st. He also sent a letter to the Fox attorney for lawn services. Alderperson Brad Knutti – thanked Jason for his help with the Say No to Snow. Alderperson Haley – asked for an update on the Macarthy properties. No update. Haley aske what was needed for food trucks on the empty lot? Certificates of Liability needs to be turned into the clerk’s office.

EXECUTIVE SESSION-EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION, REAL ESTATE-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Haley Grim to convene in Executive Session at 7:55 p.m. in order to discuss Litigation. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Haley Grim, Ed Stern, Brad Knutti, Lynn Collins, and Mark Macomber. Alderperson Kevin Barnes was absent.

REGULAR SESSION-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Haley Grim and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to reconvene into regular session at 8:06p.m. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Haley Grim, Ed Stern, Brad Knutti, Lynn Collins, and Mark Macomber. Alderperson Kevin Barnes was absent.

ADJOURNMENT-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Lynn Collins and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to adjourn at 8:08 p.m. Motion carried by 5 aye votes.

https://lanarkil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/City-Council-Meeting-Minutes-03192024.pdf