NW Illinois News

City of Lanark City Council met Sept. 17.

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 7:00 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 Lartz, Nick Mosca, Clerk Marilyn Heller, Treasurer Deb Throop, Attorney Ed Mitchell and Chief Troy Randall.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE-was led by Alderperson Haley Grim.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Lynn Collins and seconded by Alderperson Haley Grim to accept the minutes of the September 3, 2024 meeting as presented. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Lynn Collins, Haley Grim, Ed Stern, Brad Knutti, Mark Macomber, and Bryan Hardacre.

PUBLIC COMMENTS- Nick Mosca discussed with the council possible working out an arrangement with local trappers for the skunks or other wild animals that might get caught in the NIPCO traps for stray cats. The council thought it is worth looking into and Alderperson Lynn will talk to local trappers.

DELINQUANT UTILITIES – POSSIBLE CTION – Clerk presented the shut off list for Oct. 3, 2024 noting the balances updates. A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to go ahead with the shut offs scheduled for Oct 3 or September 20 as stated on list for numbers 1 through 7 unless payment is made. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Brad Knutti, Mark Macomber, Lynn Collins, Haley Grim, Ed Stern, and Bryan Hardacre.

FEASIBILITY STUDY / EMPTY LOT – POSSIBLE ACTION - Alderperson Haley shared the recommendation form the Economic Development and Streets and Property Committee meeting that was just held before this council meeting. The city is not interested in building on the empty lot at this time as the park is available for the farmers market and the lots are still for sale. The council discussed the $28,000.00 expenses last year to keep the Heritage Center going and a project like this will also add to the maintenance work load. They also discussed surrounding areas farmers market buildings noting Polo’s new shelter. No Action Taken Maintenance Manager Jason did arrange to have the nails picked up in the empty lot and picked up bowing table. Maintenance will work on the peeling tables this winter.

TIF APPLICATION – POSSIBLE ACTION – Tabled

ANIMAL ORDINANCE – POSSIBLE ACTION – Ordinance Committee held a meeting right before this council meeting and makes no recommendation to change the stray cat feeding violations.

The chief will need to enforce as it is with the exception of NIPCO trapping. Attorney Ed Mitchell handed out the ordinance he put together based off the last meetings motion, An Ordinance Amending the City Code Regarding No Trapping of Domesticated Animals Within the City of Lanark. This will allow NIPCO to trap cats for the purpose of spay and neutering to decrease the stray population. A Motion was made by Alderperson Lynn Collins and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to pass ordinance 1006 dated September 17, 2024, An Ordinance Amending the City Code Regarding No Trapping of Domesticated Animals Within the City of Lanark. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Lynn Collins, Brad Knutti, Mark Macomber, Bryan Hardacre, Haley Grim, and Ed Stern.

LEVY – POSSIBLE ACTION – Tabled to allow the city Auditor to look over.

STANDING COMMITTEES AND BOARDS-POSSIBLE ACTION- none

REPORTS-EMPLOYEES, ATTORNEY, CLERK, TREASURER, ALDERPERSONS AND MAYOR- Chief Troy Randall - He did speak with Sweitzer on the property owner on Westside Ave and he will be working on it. Chief also spoke with Polizzi on the fallen garage and was able to give Polizzi contact info for help cleaning it up. Clerk Marilyn – she will be helping with Old Settlers Day annual Haunted House on behalf of the city. Alderperson Haley Grim volunteered to help clerk with room on day of Oct. 19th. Clerk will be leaving this Thursday for the IML conferences in Chicago and will be gone through the weekend. The Flu Clinic will be at the Heritage Center September 25th from 2:00 to 3:30pm. Lastly, she gave the council June Livingstons resignation letter dated Sept. 17, 2024 listing her last day of Oct 5, 2024. The council discussed putting an job opening on website immediately but Mayor will also look into the cost of a hiring a new person to the cost contracting an outside service. Treasurer Deb – still in contact with auditor on getting more requested information. Alderperson Brad – is still working with Jason on getting more no dogs signs for the park. Alderperson Ed – this is his last council meeting and the Mayor Thanked him. Alderperson Haley – Oct. 3rd the weekend of Eastlands Homecoming and she will be helping serve hotdogs with the Lanark Chambers for the city. Mayor Mark - attended the Lions meeting to share information on the city. There were some issues with the stoves at the Heritage Center so the lions offered to reimburse the city if two new stoves are bought. The old stoves will need to be declared surplus. The Lions also would like to help the city with a new park or other community projects. The council mentioned the Heritage Center tuck pointing and the upstairs needing cleaned out. Mayor Mark will work on an inventory on what’s all over there and what we can do.

ADJOURNMENT-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Haley Grim to adjourn at 7:39 p.m. Motion carried by 6 voiced aye votes.

https://lanarkil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/City-Council-Meeting-Minutes-09172024.pdf