NW Illinois News

City of Lanark City Council met April 9.

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 7p.m. Roll call taken by Marilyn Heller, City Clerk, showed Alderpersons present were Kevin Barnes, Lynn Collins, Brad Knutti, Haley Grim and Ed Stern. Mayor Mark Macomber was present and presiding.

Others present were: Maintenance Manager Jason Alvarado, Treasurer Debra Throop, Chief Troy Randall, Attorney Ed Mitchell and Clerk Marilyn Heller.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE-was led by Treasurer Deb Throop.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Lynn Collins and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to remove the sentence “The following years did have levied amounts that have not been paid out to the cemetery; 2019 levied $3,475.00, 2021 levied $10,000, 2022 levied $3519.12, and 2023 levied $3519.12.” from the minutes presented. Motion carried by 5 aye votes and 1 abstain. Aye votes: Alderpersons, Haley Grim, Ed Stern, Brad Knutti, Lynn Collins, and Mark Macomber. Abstain vote; Alderperson Kevin Barnes. A Motion was made by Alderperson Lynn Collins and seconded by Alderperson Haley Grim to accept the minutes of the March 19, 2024 meeting as presented with correction. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Kevin Barnes, Haley Grim, Ed Stern, Brad Knutti, Lynn Collins, and Mark Macomber

PUBLIC COMMENTS- none

DELINQUENT UTILITIES – No residents present to discuss delinquent bills. Clerk went over the list of 8 residents that were sent shut off letters for May 2,2024. Clerk noted only 1 resident was shut off last month. There is one resident with a balance of $325 that asked for an extension this month and could pay $250 next month. No Action Taken.

RETIREMETN FUND – The full-time employees would like to have more information on 457B. Alderperson Lynn will reach out to set up a presentation with 3rd party. Tabled

ZONING ORDINANCE – Alderperson Lynn is working with Attorney Ed Mitchell reworking the zoning ordinance. She wanted to allow the council to add any additional changes that should be discussed. Tabled

WAGE INCREASE – The council discussed proposed maintenance increase of 7.5% that was presented in the budget meeting. 4.5% was suggested as that was the percent increase applied throughout the maintenance budget but after discussing further that would not be enough due to inflation and to stay competitive. A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Kevin Barnes to approve maintenance wage increase of 7% effective April 7th, 2024. Motion carried by 5 aye votes and 1 nay. Aye votes: Alderpersons Kevin Barnes, Haley Grim, Ed Stern, Brad Knutti, and Mark Macomber. Nay vote; Alderperson Lynn Collins. The council had a discussion on the part time officer and no action was taken. A Motion was made by Alderperson Mark Macomber and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to approve an increase of $2,000.00 to the clerk’s salary and keep the utility clerk salary at $20,000.00 starting at the next election. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Kevin Barnes, Haley Grim, Ed Stern, Brad Knutti, Lynn Collins, and Mark Macomber. Attorney Ed shared that an ordinance will need to be passed for the clerk salary. The council went over the wages for the part time officers of $25 hourly, police chief salary, treasurer salary, and cleaning lady. No other raises given at this time.

VACATION ADJUSTMENTS – Maintenance Manger Jason asked the council to consider allowing maintenance to cash out an additional 40 hours carry over PTO this year while the city is transitioning into a new PTO accrual process. He expressed his concerns with employees having over 300 hours of PTO. Tabled

POLICE OFFICER – The Personnel Committee held a meeting on April 1st to interview Zach Plum as a candidate for a full-time police officer. The committee recommended the city hire him at 50K with a raise after completing the academy. Chief Randall can sign Plum up for the academy in September but would like to have him start 6 to 8 weeks (July) before to train/shadow Chief Randall. A Motion was made by Alderperson Kevin Barnes and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to hire Zach Plum as a full-time officer at 50K in the July time frame. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Kevin Barnes, Haley Grim, Ed Stern, Brad Knutti, Lynn Collins, and Mark Macomber. Attorney Ed Mitchell will work with Chief Randall to put a Full Time Officer Contract together and set the start date in July for Zach Plum.

BUDGET – Tabled – Purchasing and Finance Committee Meeting April 16th 6pm to discuss budget.

A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to move the regular scheduled council meeting from April 16th to April 23rd. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Kevin Barnes, Haley Grim, Ed Stern, Brad Knutti, Lynn Collins, and Mark Macomber.

STANDING COMMITTEES AND BOARDS-POSSIBLE ACTION- None

REPORTS-EMPLOYEES, ATTORNEY, CLERK, TREASURER, ALDERPERSONS AND MAYOR

Maintenance Manager Jason – will meet with Alderperson Brad, Mayor Mark Macomber, and Chief Randall on Friday to work on delinquent property on franklin. Jason complemented both

Drew and Brett for their awesome work while Jason was gone last week, on March 31st, with the main break by railroad on Broad. April 4th here was sewer leak at east lift station on, while working the jetter got stuck and had to be dug up and cut out. April 5th there was a main break on Locust. Jason was contacted from Shawna Lott on getting storm water backing up where the sewer pipe comes into the house. The leaking was located where the pipe decreases in size and the gap is filled and connected by cement. She was notified a year ago to get this corrected as it is not proper. She is planning on attending the next council meeting to discuss reimbursement from the city for the water backing up and leaking. Jason can provide photos and Alderperson Brad will meet with Jason on Friday to look over. Jason will be gone May 7th in Freeport and May 8 Dekalb to attend two conferences, he will be receiving continued education hours. Alderperson Haley informed Jason that the gravel by the railroad on Boyde St is sinking and she asked about the barricades on S. Boyde and W Pearl left from a water main break. He will address on Friday. Lastly, Nicor hit light lines while digging and lights are out, Hubbard will be looking at it. Chief Randall followed up with Spathies to take down buildings. Attorney Ed Mitchell – sent out letter to Fox property for the mowing charges. Clerk Marilyn – all employees are using open time clock for hours and PTO. Clerk sent out Liquor and gaming license applications and has received two back already. Clerk has started 4th quarter GATA reporting. Lastly, Clerk will be gone April 24th for NIMCA meeting. Treasurer Deb – has been working on the budget. ARPA fund reporting is now a year behind; Clerk has been working on getting reporting process and the expiration date. Clerk believes if the funds are not used, they will have to be paid back. Alderperson Ed questioned months end balances. Deb and Marilyn have an appointment with Clerk books to go line items such as this next week. Alderperson Haley – Asked about the removed U-turn signs on Broad St? They have not been put back up after light posts were replaced and they cannot be attached to the new poles. Mayor Macomber – Lions Club is looking for volunteer projects so please inform him of any ideas.

ADJOURNMENT-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Kevin Barnes and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to adjourn at 8:35 p.m. Motion carried by 6 aye votes.

https://lanarkil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/City-Council-Meeting-Minutes-04092024.pdf