NW Illinois News

City of Lanark City Council met Feb. 4.

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 7:03 p.m. Roll call taken by Marilyn Heller, City Clerk, showed Alderpersons present were Brad Knutti, Ethan Lartz, Justin Rausch, and Lynn Collins. Alderperson Haley Grim was absent.

Mayor Mark Macomber was present and presiding.

Others present were: Trevor Knutti, Clerk Marilyn Heller, Treasurer Deb Throop, Maintenance Manager Jason Alvarado, Attorney Ed Mitchell, Officer Zach Plum, and Chief Troy Randall.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE-was led by Alderperson Justin Rausch.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Mark Macomber and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to accept the minutes of the January 21, 2023 meeting as presented. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Mark Macomber, Brad Knutti, Justin Rausch, Ethan Lartz, and Lynn Collins. Alderperson Haley Grim was absent.

PUBLIC COMMENTS- None

DELINQUANT UTILITIES – POSSIBLE ACTION – Clerk presented the shut off list for March. 4th, 2025, showing 14 notices sent. No Action Taken.

DONATION REQUESTS – POSSIBLE ACTION – The City received two donation requests; from Old Settlers Day and Say No to Snow. Council decided to wait to donate to Old Settlers. A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Justin Rausch to approve the same amount as last year of $100.00 to Say No to Snow. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Brad Knutti, Justin Rausch, Mark Macomber, Ethan Lartz, and Lynn Collins. Alderperson Haley Grim was absent.

457B RETIREMENT – POSSIBLE ACTION – Empower needs a list of authorized signers. Council decided that all alderpersons and mayor will be the authorized signers. Council would like to read over the document plan that was emailed out and discuss at next meeting.

MFT CHIP AND SEAL PROJECT (LEAD/GALVANIZED LINES) – ACTION REQUIRED – Maintenance Manger Jason shared that W. Lanark is worse than expected. Fehr Graham suggested we remove this street from the project or have a new survey done to determine new cost. It will be an additional $50K to $60K to have Fehr Graham pothole the street or our maintenance dig it up for them to inspect. We do need to spend our RBI funds this year. Council decided to have Jason work with Darin to get more detail on the condition of the street and the council will make a decision at that time.

STANDING COMMITTEES AND BOARDS-POSSIBLE ACTION- None

REPORTS-EMPLOYEES, ATTORNEY, CLERK, TREASURER, ALDERPERSONS AND MAYOR- Chief Troy Randall - started the shadow phase of training with Officer Plum. Maintenance Manager Jason – starting lead service sampling, bottle have been sent. It will now be 40 samples a year. He is working on getting quotes for the new budget including water tower and sealcoating the parking lot. Attorney Ed Mitchell – TIF agreements have been signed and has copies for the city. City Clerk Marilyn – sent out 18 letters with water bills to update ACH forms, and two have not been returned. The Clerk will be sending out yearly Statement of Economic Interest Forms to all employees, officials, and board members. The Clerk met with Brandon from IPMG (city liability insurance) to go over the city’s claims report and training and legal services included with our policy. The city now has roughly 167 residents signed up for the mass texting service. The Clerk and Treasurer worked on a workers' comp and general liability audit this week and will notify once completed. The Clerk has been asked by numerous residents if the city will start the battery recycling drop-off again. Alderperson Justin will look into other options for the city, and Jason will talk to Darin about what other cities do. Lastly, the Clerk handed out the Arenda mowing contract. The Council discussed putting it out for bid. Alderperson Ethan will work on a posting. Alderperson Lynn Collins – would like to have Digging Permit and sewer and water Ordinance on next agenda. Alderperson Ethan Lartz- held a Community Project Meeting and 12 people attended. They are looking into creating a town square on the city’s empty lots. they will be reconvening in March. Alderperson Brad Knutti - had a call from the owner 500 S. Broad St. One of the apartments is have extensive remolding and will take 6 months to a year. He was asking if he could not be charged during the project. The council discussed putting a meter there and updating the ordinance for multiuser meters. To be on next meeting agenda.

EXECUTIVE SESSION-EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION, REAL ESTATE-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Mark Macomber and seconded by Alderperson Justin Rausch to convene in Executive Session at 8:18 p.m. in order to discuss employment. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Mark Macomber, Justin Rausch, Brad Knutti, Ethan Lartz, and Lynn Collins. Alderperson Haley Grim was absent.

REGULAR SESSION-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Lynn Collins and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to reconvene into regular session at 8:28 p.m. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Lynn Collins, Brad Knutti, Justin Rausch, Ethan Lartz, and Mark Macomber. Alderperson Haley Grim was absent.

ADJOURNMENT-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Mark Macomber and seconded by Alderperson Justin Rausch to adjourn at 8:29 p.m. Motion carried by 5 voiced aye votes.

https://lanarkil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/02042025-Council-Minutes.pdf