NW Illinois News

City of Lanark City Council met Oct. 15.

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, Ethan Lartz, and Haley Grim. Alderperson Lynn Collins was absent.

Mayor Mark Macomber was present and presiding.

Others present were: Jim Plock, Justin Rausch, Clerk Marilyn Heller, Treasurer Deb Throop, Maintenance Manager Jason Alvarado, Attorney Ed Mitchell and Chief Troy Randall.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE-was led by Treasurer Deb Throop.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Ethan Lartz and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to accept the minutes of the October 1st, 2024 meeting as presented. Motin carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Ethan Lartz, Brad Knutti, Mark Macomber, Bryan Hardacre, and Haley Grim. Alderperson Lynn Collins was absent.

PUBLIC COMMENTS- None

CLEANING POSITION – POSSIBLE ACTION – Alderperson Bryan Hardacre shared the personnel Committee recommendation for the position; interview the seven applicants and if June would like the position she will need to reapply.

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT – POSSIBLE ACTION - Alderperson Bryan Hardacre shared the personnel Committee recommendation to pursue options for a 457b plan. A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Haley Grim to move ahead with a 457b retirement plan for employee retirement. Motin carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Brad Knutti, Haley Grim, Ethan Lartz, Mark Macomber, and Bryan Hardacre. Alderperson Lynn Collins was absent.

APPOINTMENT FOR ALDERPERSON WARD I – POSSIBILE ACTION – Alderperson Bryan Hardacre presented his resignation letter due to issues in his personal life. The council thanked him for his work on the council and wished him well. A Motion was made by Alderperson Haley Grim and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber accept Alderperson Bryan Hardacre resignation for his Ward I position, effective immediately. Motin carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Haley Grim, Mark Macomber, Brad Knutti, Ethan Lartz, and Bryan Hardacre. Alderperson Lynn Collins was absent

A Motion was made by Alderperson Mark Macomber and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to appoint Justin Rausch to the Alderperson Ward I position. Motin carried by 4 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Mark Macomber, Brad Knutti, Ethan Lartz, and Haley Grim. Alderperson Lynn Collins was absent.

DELINQUANT UTILITIES – POSSIBLE ACTION – Clerk presented the list of 10 shut off letters sent out this with this month’s water bills for Oct. 31st and 2 payment plans due by the 20th or disconnection. A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to proceed with dissection of line 11 &12 on 20th and line 1 to 10 on 31st unless payment in full are received. Motin carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Mark Macomber, Brad Knutti, Ethan Lartz, Justin Rausch, and Haley Grim. Alderperson Lynn Collins was absent.

WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT CONVERSATION – POSSIBLE ACTION – Maintenance Manager Jason Alvarado presented three location options for the Sorenson watermain replacement funds that will replace approximately 2800-3000ft. Engineers need locations now to being the plans to go to bid this spring. 1) all of W. Pearl St from Broad to W. Lanark Ave. and Westside Ave. starting at W. Pearl going north on to W. Locust. 2) all of W. Pearl and E. Franklin starting at Will St going east to Lanark Ave. 3) do all of E. Franklin. A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Haley Grim to pursue the design work and moving forward with water main replacement using option 2 - all of W. Pearl and E. Franklin starting at Will St going east to Lanark Ave. Motin carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Brad Knutti, Haley Grim, Ethan Lartz, Justin Rausch, and Mark Macomber. Alderperson Lynn Collins was absent. Alderperson Brad asked that Darin with Fehr Graham keeps him in the loop.

SEASONAL MAINTENANCE EMPLOYEE – POSSIBLE ACTION – Maintenance Manager Jason requested the authorization to hire a call-in seasonal worker for this snow season. In 2022 he called in Monthie for 16hrs. and in 2023 he called in Weber for 4hrs. A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to pursue a seasonal worker for $18 hourly for applicants with a CDL or $17 hourly for applicants without a CDL. Motin carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Brad Knutti, Mark Macomber, Haley Grim, Ethan Lartz, and Justin Rausch. Alderperson Lynn Collins was absent.

DECLARE STOVE SURPLUS – POSSIBLE ACTION – The Lion Club donated two new stoves for the Heritage Center so the one stove still working needs to be declared surplus to be sold for possibly $50 or $75. A Motion was made by Alderperson Haley Grim and seconded by Alderperson Ethan Lartz to declare Heritage Center stove surplus. Motin carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Haley Grim, Ethan Lartz, Brad Knutti, Mark Macomber, and Justin Rausch. Alderperson Lynn Collins was absent.

REVIEW OF EXECUTIVE SESSION MONUTES – POSSIBLE ACTION – A Motion was made by Alderperson Haley Grim and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to keep the executive session minutes sealed. Motin carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Haley Grim, Brad Knutti, Ethan Lartz, Mark Macomber, and Justin Rausch. Alderperson Lynn Collins was absent.

STANDING COMMITTEES AND BOARDS-POSSIBLE ACTION- Streets and Property - Alderperson Brad will hold a committee meeting on Nov. 5th at 6pm to discuss water rates. He mentioned that our garbage contract will be ending next year and after talking to surrounding towns the cost will be going up and bulk pick up will not be an option.

REPORTS-EMPLOYEES, ATTORNEY, CLERK, TREASURER, ALDERPERSONS AND MAYOR- Chief Troy Randall – Trick or Treating hours are 4pm to 7pm on the 31st. Maintenance Manager Jason Alvarado – waste water class were canceled tonight so he was able to attend. The sand filters at sewer ponds have been cleaned for only $1,000 with a drag from Sloan’s and hand raking. Leaf pick-up started today and last day will be the Tues. of Thanksgiving. They have been doing hot mixing on sidewalks. Jason will be working with clerk on letter to Dollar General for Back Flow Inspection with a list of plumbers in the area that provide this service. Attorney Ed Mitchelle – looked into the government structure options for Lanark as there are issues finding residents in ward 1 to fill the seats and went over all the options. To be on next agenda to discuss further. Treasurer Deb – audit is complete and in review so it can be on next agenda. Alderperson Haley Grim – Haunted House is this Saturday and she will be working on the City Hall room this Friday at 5:30 pm for anyone to come help set it up. Alderperson Brad Knutti – the dogs signs that were ordered for the park were stickers in error so will be getting the correct signs ordered. Mayor Mark Macomber – Fall Fest was fantastic this last weekend and commended the Old Settlers Days Committee. Mayor then talked with Jason about the parkway, street, and sidewalk at Dietz house where they dug up to work on the sewer. They will need to be notified to pay the required $500 deposit.

ADJOURNMENT-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to adjourn at 8:06 p.m. Motion carried by 5 voiced aye votes.

https://lanarkil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/City-Council-Meeting-Minutes-10152024.pdf