NW Illinois News

City of Lanark City Council met May 7.

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: Sue Appel, Weston Burkholder, Maintenance Manager Jason Alvarado, Treasurer Debra Throop, Chief Troy Randall, Attorney Ed Mitchell and Clerk Marilyn Heller.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE-was led by Alderperson Ed Stern.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Lynn Collins to accept the minutes of the April 16, 2024 meeting as presented. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Brad Knutti, Lynn Collins, Haley Grim, Kevin Barnes, Mark Macomber, and Ed Stern.

PUBLIC COMMENTS- None

DELINQUENT UTILITIES – POSSIBLE ACTION – Clerk presented the list of properties that received shut off letters this month. No action taken.

CEMETERY TAX PAYMENT – ACTION REQUIRED – A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Haley Grim to approve the tax payment to the cemetery of $13,984.91. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Brad Knutti, Haley Grim, Lynn Collins, Kevin Barnes, Mark Macomber, and Ed Stern.

UTILITY CLERK SALARY – POSSIBLE ACTION – Council went over the amount of $28,000.00 as discussed at the last meeting and two considerations were brought up; the cumulative salaries potentially exceeding the lowest full time city worker and seconded the disparity this would cause between the elected clerk salary to the utility clerk salary. A Motion was made by Alderperson Lynn to approve the utility clerk salary to $22,000. Motion died for lack of a second. A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Haley Grim to increase the Utility Clerk salary to $28,000.00 retroactive April 1, 2024. Motin carried 5 aye votes and 1 nay vote. Aye votes: Alderpersons Brad Knutti, Haley Grim, Kevin Barnes, Mark Macomber, and Ed Stern. Nay vote: Alderperson Lynn Collins.

LUCUS GROUP ENGAGEMENT LETTER – POSSIBLE ACTION – Clerk presented the engagement letter received form the Lucus Group for audit services for FY24 at $25,725.00. A Motion was made by Alderperson Lynn Collins and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to approve the engagement of Lucus Group pursuant to the letter to the city council dated April 25, 2024. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Lynn Collins, Brad Knutti, Kevin Barnes, Mark Macomber, Ed Stern, and Haley Grim.

CREDIT LINE LOAN APPROVAL – POSSIBLE ACTOIN – Mayor Mark shared that the bank has already approved the 2-million-dollar line of credit but needs the council approval. A Motion was made by Alderperson Haley and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to approve the 2 million credit line loan. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Haley Grim, Mark Macomber, Lynn Collins, Brad Knutti, Kevin Barnes, and Ed Stern.

HERITAGE CENTER POLICY – POSSIBLE ACTION – The council looked over the Heritage Center agreement contract and the FY24 profit & loss for the Heritage Center account, showing a negative net ordinary income of -$15,676.34. The tuck-pointing work needing done this year was quoted at $28,000.00 and will be on the next meeting agenda. Alderperson Haley, as chair of Economic Development, will work on this and bring it to the next meeting for possible approval.

RETIREMENT FUND – POSSIBLE ACTION – Alderperson Lynn handed out an information packet on the differences in simple IRAs, 401K, and 457(b). After she spoke with Bob Lahey, he doesn’t see the benefit in switching from what the city currently offers due to our size and the annual fees for a 457(b). To be discussed after council can review the information provided. Tabled.

BUDGERT – POSSIBLE ACTION – Treasurer Deb worked with past treasurer Donalee on the updating the budget and asked to present it at the next meeting completed. Tabled. Clerk shared information on the ARPA funds as the funds need to be obligated to a project by December of this year. The council discussed using it for payroll or the upcoming projects, such as the water main project or lead service lines.

STANDING COMMITTEES AND BOARDS-POSSIBLE ACTION- Ordinance Committee - Alderperson Lynn will be meeting with Attorney Ed to discuss Zoning Ordinance and asked to have it on the next meeting agenda. Streets and Property Committee - Alderperson Ed met with Jason to go over Anthony Burkholder’s recommendation for the curb in front of his property he presented at the last meeting. Jason shared the history of the work the city maintenance has already done at this location. Council requested Alderperson Ed and Maintenance Manager Jason to meet with Anthony to discuss in more detail and get pricing and present a recommendation at the next meeting for possible approval. Additionally, it was previously mentioned buying a property to build a salt storage building, Alderperson Ed will work on getting the cost difference of this project to the cost of rent for storage.

REPORTS-EMPLOYEES, ATTORNEY, CLERK, TREASURER, ALDERPERSONS AND MAYOR- Chief Randall – has been working on delinquent properties for mowing into the streets, tall grass and he did speak with Spathies on his delinquent buildings. He has a contract with C Excavating for next week to remove, if this falls through the council will discuss taking further action at the next meeting. Maintenance Manager Jason – He sent out Lead Service Line Letters and thanked clerk for getting all the address labels. He also thanked Chief Troy for his fast response and support in addressing issues when he reaches out. Attorney Ed – Worked on the full-time officer contract with Chief Troy and has that about done. He turned in the last of the Statement of Economic Forms and we are past the May 1st dead line and fines will be enforced. The appropriations will need to be passed within the first quarter of the fiscal year, that is up in June. Once the council approve the budget, he can get the ordinance prepared for approval. Clerk Marilyn – shared the thanks you received form State Rep. Tony McCombie for the support in using the Heritage Center for her mobile office and from the Old Settlers Day for the City’s support with the donation. Alderperson Haley – asked Chief Randall to look into the empty house on Westside Avenue as the basement windows are gone and animals are getting in. She will still be working on getting the Railroad to escalate the awful tracts by Boyd St. and will be getting a number from Jason to call. Jason is also waiting to hear from Railroad and IDOT for the specs to fix the gravel patch area by the railroad. Lastly, she thanked Maintenance Manger Jason for responding to her text and picking up the tons of nails after hours on Rochester. Alderperson Kevin – brought up the city sign by Special Touch, but Jason shared that IDOT has to address. He also shared that he will be going to the county board and will have to end his time on city council. Alderperson Ed – wanted to confirm the OSD dates. Old Settlers Day will be June 28, 29, and 30 for this year. He shared that when he met with Jason, he got to see the both the SCADA system and the subsurface mapping and was thoroughly impressed. Alderperson Brad – Received a complement on Chief Troy for his work and Brad complemented Maintenance Manger Jason for talking with him on his water line. He brought up replacing the city park sign and possibly making it more visible. Jason will talk with Rosemary on this. Mayor Mark – shared that Congressman Eric Sorensen will be here May 29 at 11:30 to present the $959,752 for City of Lanark Water Main Replacement Project. There will be a podium put up in front of the maintenance shop and block off the road to get the water tower in the background for this presentation.

ADJOURNMENT-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to adjourn at 8:17 p.m. Motion carried by 6 voiced aye votes.

https://lanarkil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/City-Council-Meeting-Minutes-05072024.pdf