NW Illinois News

City of Lanark City Council met June 18.

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

Mayor Mark Macomber was present and presiding.

Others present were: Trever Knutti, Ethan Lartz, Rhett Coatney, Treasurer Debra Throop, Chief Troy Randall, Attorney Ed Mitchell and Clerk Marilyn Heller.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE-was led by Mayor Mark Macomber.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES- Tabled

PUBLIC COMMENTS- Ethan Lartz discussed the concerns with the dogs on Locust St. as they seem to be aggressive dogs with only an invisible fence. He did speak with Chief Randall about his concerns as it is near a bus stop and wanted to bring it to the councils’ attention.

DELINQUENT UTILITIES – ACTION REQUIRED – Clerk presented the undated shut off list, noting multiple paid in full and four made partial payments. Council discussed not shutting off if they made a minimum partial payment. A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Lynn Collins to go ahead with the shut off on lines 1 through 6, and 8 through 10. Motion carried with 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Bryan Hardacre, Lynn Collins, Brad Knutti, Ed Stern, and Mark Macomber. Alderperson Haley Grim was absent.

TIF APPLICATION – POSSIBLE ACTION – Rhett Coatney with Country Financial presented his TIF Application and the TIF Boards Recommendation of $66,000.00. His plan is to buy Kipp Meyers building and turn update it and change it from 1 office to 2 offices. The updates will include exterior and interior improvements. This would also open up his current office to the possibility for a new business. He would get started on this immediately and would be moved in no later than October. The council discussed the funds currently available in TIF is roughly $90K with $40K committed to Appels and Burkholder. This leaves roughly $50K but there was a discussion previously of using some of TIF to cover the Heritage Center tuck pointing as well. $67K is what was the total earned last year. The council discussed specific line items on the quote that they deemed not coverable for TIF funds such as design fees, chairs, wall décor, desks, furniture, curtains, rods, etc. After discussing the council reduced TIF amount to $64,500.00. The council then discussed needing a better line of communication with the TIF board. A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Bryan Hardacre to award TIF to Rhett Coatney in the amount of $64,500 upon completions. Motion defeated by 3 aye votes and 2 no votes. Aye votes; Alderpersons Brad Knutti, Bryan Hardacre, and Ed Stern. Nay votes: Alderpersons Lynn Collins and Mark Macomber. Alderperson Haley Grim was absent.

TIF ORDINANCE – POSSIBLE ACTION – Attorney Ed Mitchelle presented the two TIF ordinances he put together from the two approved TIF applications. A Motin was made by Alderperson Mark Macomber and seconded by Alderperson Lynn Collins to approve Ordinance # 1002. Motion carried with 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Bryan Hardacre, Lynn Collins, Brad Knutti, Ed Stern, and Mark Macomber. Alderperson Haley Grim was absent. A Motion was made by Alderperson Mark Macomber and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to approve Ordinance # 1003. Motion carried with 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Bryan Hardacre, Lynn Collins, Brad Knutti, Ed Stern, and Mark Macomber. Alderperson Haley Grim was absent.

ZONING ORDINANCE – POSSIBLE ACTION – Tabled

TRUTH IN TAXATION RESOLUTION (105% RESOLUTION) – POSSIBLE ACTION – Attorney Ed Mitchell handed out letter from the County with the levy limit (105%) for the city of Lanark showing $239,800.00 and the library showing $37,413.00, totaling $277,213.00. A Motin was made by Alderperson Mark Macomber and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to levy $276,000.00. Motion carried with 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Bryan Hardacre, Lynn Collins, Brad Knutti, Ed Stern, and Mark Macomber. Alderperson Haley Grim was absent.

STANDING COMMITTEES AND BOARDS-POSSIBLE ACTION- None

REPORTS-EMPLOYEES, ATTORNEY, CLERK, TREASURER, ALDERPERSONS AND MAYOR- Chief Randall - applied for non-leather grant for tasers (3 tasers at $6K each).

Council discussed having Maintenance remove the weeds is the parkway at delinquent Franklin St. house. Attorney Ed Mitchelle – filled the appropriation ordinance. He also sent an email to Fehr Graham to get an updated zoning map to include the recent annexed property. Alderperson Lynn contacted tree board on Bingner’s tree discussed at previous meeting. Cody Steel offered to take the tree down at no cost to the city and the city will have the maintenance crew removed it. The tree is on the boarder of the parkway and private property. Tree board will work with Bingner on getting this done. Clerk Marilyn – was out of town last week on vacation and working on getting caught up. The new office furniture is in and is still working on getting everything put back in place. The electrical aggregate letters out last week and the office has been fielding a lot of calls from residents questioning this. Lastly, the registration is opening up for the IML Conferences and she will herself and treasurer Deb signed up. Treasurer Deb - Closed April and handed out closing reports. She has an appointment on Monday with Clerkbooks to close May. Alderperson Brayn - completed the OMA training and took a tour with maintenance Manager Jason of water and sewer facility’s, etc. Alderperson Brad - asked if the contract with Rob Knoup still needed addressed. Deb will contact Jason to discuss further. The 130 West Side Ave. house has greatly improved with the new owner taking over and cleaning it up (removing old pool, junk, fallen tree, etc.) Attorney Ed stated that the evicted tenant is taking the new owner to trail. Mayor Mark – Old Settlers Day is coming up and the flyers have been sent out.

ADJOURNMENT-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to adjourn at 7:58 p.m. Motion carried by 5 voiced aye votes.

https://lanarkil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/City-Council-Meeting-Minutes-06182024.pdf