NW Illinois News

City of Lanark City Council met Aug. 20.

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

Others present were: Ethan Latz, Weston Burkholder, Maintenance Manager Jason Alvarado, Clerk Marilyn Heller, Treasurer Deb Throop, Chief Troy Randall, and Officer Zachary Plum.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE-was led by Maintenance Manager Jason Alvarado.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Lynn Collins and seconded by Alderperson Bryan Hardacre to accept the minutes of the August 6, 2024 meeting as presented. Motion carried by 5 aye and 1 abstain votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Bryan Hardacre, Ed Stern, Lynn Collins, Mark Macomber, and Brad Knutti. Alderperson Haley Grim abstained.

PUBLIC COMMENTS- None

DELINQUANT UTILITIES – POSSIBLE ACTION – Clerk presented the updated shut off list for 9/2/24 and noted the residents who made partial payments or paid in full. There was no payment from line 5 and 7. A Motion was made by Alderperson Mark Macomber and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to shut off lines 5 and 7 if no payment is made by September 2, 2024. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Bryan Hardacre, Ed Stern, Lynn Collins, Mark Macomber, Haley Grim, and Brad Knutti. Next, they went over lines 9,10, and 13, that are on set partial payment plans but missed their payment. A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Lynn Collins shut off lines 9,10, and 13 unless paid in full by 12pm August 21, 2024. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Brad Knutti, Mark Macomber, Ed Stern, Haley Grim, Lynn Collins, and Bryan Hardacre.

TIF APPLICATION – POSSIBLE ACTION – Tabled to allow the applicant and TIF board member to be present and go over the recommendation.

LIBRARY BOARD APPOINTMENTS – POSSIBLE ACTION – Mayor Mark presented a letter from Director Janie asking to appoint Marissa Clenney to Diane Hoaks position as her resignation has been accepted by the Library Board July 9th. A Motion was made by Alderperson Lynn Collins and seconded by Alderperson Haley Grim to appoint Marissa Clenney to the Library Board to replace Diane Hoak. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Mark Macomber, Lynn Collins, Ed Stern, Haley Grim, Brad Knutti, and Bryan Hardacre.

POLICE BODY CAMERAS – POSSIBLE ACTION – Chief Randall presented two quotes for four police body camera with the proper software from Axon for $ 18,010.71 for 60 months and LensLock at $2492.00 annually. It would come out to be $1000 difference and Chief Randall shared that he would like to go with Axon as that is the same company the county and surrounding town use. There is a grant he will be applying for and the cities liability insurance also has funding available. A Motion was made by Alderperson Haley Grim and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to approve the Axon Enterprise quote for $18,010.71. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Ed Stern, Lynn Collins, Haley Grim, Brad Knutti, Mark Macomber, and Bryan Hardacre.

STREET LIGHT PROJECT PAYMENT – POSSIBLE ACTION – Louis Trenching Services sent the last invoice for the now completed Down Town Lights Project of $25,681.30. Council confirmed that this was budgeted to be paid out of 255A – 836 line item for $30k. A Motion was made by Alderperson Mark Macomber and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to approve final payment of $25,681.30 to Louis Trenching for Downtown Street Light Project. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Lynn Collins, Bryan Hardacre, Ed Stern, Brad Knutti, Haley Grim, and Mark Macomber.

SEWER LICENSE CONTRACT – POSSIBLE ACTION – Tabled – EPA and auditors are requiring a new contract be submitted for the sewer system operator. Maintenance Manager and Clerk are still working on and will have for the next meeting.

STANDING COMMITTEES AND BOARDS-POSSIBLE ACTION- None

REPORTS-EMPLOYEES, ATTORNEY, CLERK, TREASURER, ALDERPERSONS AND MAYOR Maintenance Manger Jason Alvarado – the railroad patching is now complete and the backhoe is fixed for $4,643.92 ($200 cheaper for free battery for the delays). The sand filters at the sewer plant are not draining properly and is waiting to confirm the pricing but think it would be around $20K to $30k to replace all the sand. Alderperson Ed stated that around 2012 a company came in to clean the sand in place. There are also 50 sewer valves that are 45 years old and need replaced, three are mains. They are about $8K to replace and maintenance should start replacing 3 to 4 a year. Lastly, Jason will be attending Black Hawk Collage classes on Tuesdays September 10 to November 19 from 6pm to 9pm for his sewer license. Attorney Ed Mitchell – Officer Plum’s employment contract will be signed and completed before he goes off the academy. Attorney Ed held a meeting in his office with Alderperson Lynn and Chief Randall to discuss how aggressive the council would want Chief Randall to be with stray animal feedings and inoperable vehicles. Attorney Ed gave out copies of the current city ordinance and council discussed. A consensus was given by the council for Chief Randall to proceed as the ordinance states pertaining to all inoperable vehicle going forward. Clerk Marilyn – shared that petitions are now available for pick up! Treasurer Deb – the auditors were here and its going good. They will need to come back at some point before the audit is complete. Alderperson Brad Knutti – ask for an update on W. Franklin. Maintenance Manager Jason they will be hot patching when the weather gets better. Alderperson Ed Stern – presented his resignation letter effective Sept 30, 2024. A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Lynn Colins to accept Alderperson Ed Sterns resignation effective Sept. 30th, 2024. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Bryan Hardacre, Lynn Collins, Haley Grim, Brad Knutti, Mark Macomber, and Ed Stern. Mayor Mark thanked Alderperson Ed for his time on the council. Alderperson Haley Grim – asked to have Animal Feeding on the next meeting agenda. Alderperson Lynn Collins – mentioned to Jason of a tree branch on E. Locust at the stop sign needs removed. Jason will handle.

ADJOURNMENT-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Mark Macomber and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to adjourn at 7:58 p.m. Motion carried by 6 aye voiced votes.

https://lanarkil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/City-Council-Meeting-Minutes-08202024.pdf