NW Illinois News

City of Lanark City Council met April 16.

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 Kevin Barnes, Lynn Collins, Brad Knutti, Haley Grim and Ed Stern. Mayor Mark Macomber was present and presiding.

Others present were: Jerene Rogan, Anthony Burkholder, Treasurer Debra Throop, Chief Troy Randall, Attorney Ed Mitchell and Clerk Marilyn Heller.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE-was led by Alderperson Haley Grim.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Lynn Collins to accept the minutes of the April 9, 2024 meeting as presented with spelling corrections and number correction discussed. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Kevin Barnes, Haley Grim, Ed Stern, Brad Knutti, Lynn Collins, and Mark Macomber

PUBLIC COMMENTS- Anthony Burkholder presented his recommendation for the city to run an inlet from Franklin to Will, put in a solid 10 or 12inch tube under his driveway and fill the brick swale as the current situation holds water and becomes a muddy mess. Ideally, he would like to put in a curb if the city would dig it out. Alderperson Ed will get with Maintenance Manager Jason and Anthony to work on a recommendation to the council.

Cemetery Board Present Jerene Rogan was present to follow up on the Cemetery Tax Levy. Council shared that they do have the payment in the new budget to pay out the past levy owed to the cemetery and will have it on the next meeting agenda to approve.

DELINQUENT UTILITIES – Clerk went over the Shut off List for May 2nd, 2024. She noted that within the 5 properties listed on the shut off list, she was not able to contact line 2 to get a date for requested payment plan/extension, due to disconnected phone number that was provided Line 3 dropped a check for $75 in the drop box and council discussed line 3 will need to be contacted to be put on the $135 minimum payment plan if they are not able to pay in full. There were also 3 properties that have now been paid in full and 5 properties that are continuing the approved payment plan. A Motion was by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Kevin Barnes to proceed with the shut off on May 2nd of lines 1, 2, 4, and 5 listed on the Shut Off List. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes; Alderpersons Kevin Barnes, Haley Grim, Ed Stern, Brad Knutti, Lynn Collins, and Mark Macomber. The council discussed apartments having to pay utility’s regardless if the apartment is empty due to the buildings having only one shut off. This is something that could possibly be changed if/when lead lines and meters are put in. Alderperson Brad is going to talk with Jason the on the property with the additional converted garage apartment on Locust.

RETIREMENT FUND – Tabled

ZONING ORDINANCE – Tabled

WAGE INCREASE ORDINANCE – Attorney Ed Mitchell handed out an ordinance 999 regarding the salary of the City Clerk, this would increase the salary from $18K to $20K for the next term as passed in last week’s meeting. The Clerk presented a list of all the City Clerks duties and a list of the Utility Clerk duties, noting all the newly added duties since she started. She also handed out a list of surrounding towns Clerks/Utility Clerk/Deputy Clerks salaries for a comparison. Lastly, she included a list of the increase history for City Clerk (2019 increased from 11K to 16K and in 2021 increased from 16K to 18K) and utility Clerk (2019 raised from $18.2K to $22K, 2020 raised from $22K to$22.7K, and 2021 decreased from $22.7K to $20K) noting the decrease was when she started the position. The council had a brief discussion on the mayor’s salary possibly needing raised due to the work load and responsibility and noting the alderpersons are possible the highest paid in the county with less responsibility’s now than in the past. The clerk’s hours have increased due to the added duties causing her work thorough lunches, come in on off days/weekends, and work at home. Her average hourly rate is $21.49. There was concern on the salary of the clerks compared to the other Lanark City workers. There was a discussion if the ordinance number should be 999 or 998. A Motion was made by Alderperson Lynn Collins to pass Ordinance number 998 an ordinance regarding the salary of the City Clerk. Motion died for lack of a seconded. The council discussed raising the clerk to 24k and then raising the utility clerk to $28k at the next meeting and making it retroactive to April 1st. A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Haley Grim to increase the City Clerk salary to $22,000 and pass Ordinance 999 with the correction to the salary to show $22,000. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes; Alderpersons Kevin Barnes, Haley Grim, Ed Stern, Brad Knutti, Lynn Collins, and Mark Macomber.

VACATION ADJUSTMENT – Maintenance Manager has withdrawn from agenda. BUDGET – Tabled for next meeting

STANDING COMMITTEES AND BOARDS-POSSIBLE ACTION- None

REPORTS-EMPLOYEES, ATTORNEY, CLERK, TREASURER, ALDERPERSONS AND MAYOR- Chief Randall – was asked about cameras for 2025. He is working on a package for 2025. There was also a discussion on transferring the Hummer to Savannah as we cannot sell it. He was then asked about the dog at 130 westside Ave and the fire hazard of the tree. Chief Randall is will be contacting the property owner instead of the working with renters. Attorney Ed - received the last yellow form to submit and the dead line is May 1st. He has received the Levy Statement. Lastly, he has sent another letter to Fox property for mowing as Ardena has notified that it needs done. Clerk Marilyn – Bulk pick is coming April 29th and will be done throughout the week until completed. APRA funds reporting is due at the end of the month and clerk with treasurer are working on locating how the funds have possibly been spent as they were moved into the general fund during the last audit. Clerk will be reaching out to Auditor in hopes he has more information on why the funds were moved. The ARPA Funds have to be budgeted to a project this year 2024 but have until 2026 to be expended or the funds will have to be paid back. They are also having issues getting into the reporting portal as it is still connected with past treasurer Donalee. Treasurer Debra – Closed March and so YF 2024 is closed. Alderperson Brad – met with maintenance to discuss Sue’s property and set a plan. Monday, they executed the plan; everything if picked up and is cleared off in the wright of way, some of the planters are still there but the pavers, pallets, tires and bags of top soil have been picked up. Gordy Boyer will be paid $50 to mow it. Sue was told she cannot put these items back out and maintenance will not be responsible for removing the tires. Alderperson Ed – shared that he has been here for one year now. Alderperson Kevin- asked if the school has a demo permit for the two houses they are tearing down? Chief Randall will go talk to them. He then asked Mayor to reach out to the cleaning lady to find out why her hours dropped from 48 hours to 5.5 hours this last pay period. There was also a discussion on her cleaning responsibility. Mayor will contact her to discuss.

ADJOURNMENT-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Kevin Barnes and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to adjourn at 8:21 p.m. Motion carried by 6 aye voice votes.

https://lanarkil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/City-Council-Meeting-Minutes-04162024.pdf