NW Illinois News

City of Lanark City Council met March 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 p.m. Roll call taken by Marilyn Heller, City Clerk, showed Alderpersons present were Brad Knutti, Ethan Lartz, Justin Rausch, Haley Grim and Lynn Collins. Mayor Mark Macomber was present and presiding.

Others present were: Trevor Knutti, Tim Throop, Jeri Rogan, Marissa Giedd, Randy Beverly, Kyle Martz, Lynn Landherr, James Plock, Brittney Welch, Rosamary Flikkema, Maintenance Manager Jason Alvarado, Clerk Marilyn Heller, Treasurer Deb Throop, Attorney Ed Mitchell, Officer Zach Plum, and Chief Troy Randall

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE-was led by Attorney Ed Mitchell.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Lynn Collins and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to accept the minutes of the February 18, 2025 meeting as presented. Motion carried by 5 aye votes and 1 abstain. Aye votes: Alderpersons Lynn Collins, Ethan Lartz, Justin Rausch, Brad Knutti, and Mark Macomber. Alderperson Haley Grim abstained.

PUBLIC COMMENTS- Tim Throop attended the meeting to request the installation of a handicap parking space in front of his property for his use. He cited frequent congestion of parked cars on his street, which at times obstructs his sidewalk, creating difficulties for him. After discussion, the council agreed to approve the request, acknowledging that similar accommodations have been made in the past. After discussion, the council agreed to install the requested handicap parking space, noting that similar requests have been accommodated in the past.

DELINQUANT UTILITIES – POSSIBLE ACTION – Clerk presented the list of shut letters that were sent out with this month’s utility bill. No Action Taken

457B RETIREMENT – POSSIBLE ACTION Empower has now added the authorized signers that were approved at the previous meeting. Additionally, the city auditor has reviewed the document and given their approval. A Motion was made by Alderperson Ethan Lartz and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to approve the 457B plan as presented. Motion carried five aye votes and one abstain. Aye votes: Alderpersons Haley Grim, Ethan Lartz, Justin Rausch, Brad Knutti, and Mark Macomber. Alderperson Lynn Collins abstained.

DIGGING PERMIT AND SEWER/WATER ORDINANCE – POSSIBLE ACITON – Alderperson Lynn has been working on updating Ordinances 6-2-3 and 6-3-3 to impose a $1,000 fine for instances where permits are not obtained for excavation on city streets, right-of-way, and sidewalks related to water and sewer work. The updates also include requirements for certificates of liability and a permit questionnaire of completion. Additionally, the revision proposes the removal of sections C, D, and E in Ordinance 6-2-3. Alderperson Lynn with work with attorney to present completed ordinance with all changes discussed for the next meeting. Tabled

MULTIUSER METERS – POSSIBLE ACTION – Alderperson Brad provided an update on the cost for the S Broad apartments, noting that the price for Fishers to install a pit for the meter would be $8,995.00. He also went over the surrounding towns charges per unit on multiuser meters. Tabled

DONATION REQUEST – POSSIBLE ACTION – Marissa Geidd with the Old Settlers’ Day (OSD) committee was present to ask the council for a donation for OSD held on June 27-29, 2025. Kyle Martz with the Lanark Community Club (LCC) was present to ask the council for a donation and liquor license for the LLC tent during OSD. A Motion was made by Alderperson Lynn Collins and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to approve a donation of $3500 to the OSD committee for OSD on June 27 through the 29th, 2025. Motion carried by six aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Lynn Collins, Ethan Lartz, Justin Rausch, Brad Knutti, Haley Grim, and Mark Macomber. A Motion was made by Alderperson Haley Grim and seconded by Alderperson Ethan Lartz to approve a donation of $3500 to the LLC for OSD on June 27 to the 29th, 2025. Motion carried 5 aye votes and one abstain. Aye votes: Alderpersons Haley Grim, Ethan Lartz, Justin Rausch, Brad Knutti, and Mark Macomber. Alderperson Lynn Collins abstained. A Motion was made by Alderperson Haley Grim and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to approve the liquor license and waive the fee to the LCC for OSD on June 27 to the 29th, 2025. Motion carried six aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Haley Grim, Ethan Lartz, Justin Rausch, Brad Knutti, Lynn Collins, and Mark Macomber.

TIF APPLICATONS – POSSIBLE ACTION – The TIF committee held a meeting on February 24 to discuss the two applications for TIF funds. The TIF committee sent the council their recommendation to give Studio 99 $16,200 from the TIF program in $2880 from the Façade program totaling $19,080 and to give Hilldale Deli $17,251.07 from the TIF program and $7034.25 from the Façade program totaling $24,285.32. Brittney Welch of Studio 99 was present to present her business to the council and her plans with the TIF funds. A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Haley Grim to approve Studio 99 $19,080 of TIF funds. Motion carried six aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Haley Grim, Ethan Lartz, Justin Rausch, Brad Knutti, Lynn Collins, and Mark Macomber. A Motion was made by older person, Lynn Collins and seconded by older person Haley Grim to approve Sarah Brennan with Hilldale Deli TIF funds of $24,285.32. Motion carried six eye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Haley Grim, Ethan Lartz, Justin Rausch, Brad Knutti, Lynn Collins, and Mark Macomber.

MOWING CONTRACT – POSSIBLE ACTION – council would like to offer cleaning the park bathrooms to the city hall cleaning lady before approving the updated contract. Tabled

EMPLOYEE RAISES – POSSIBLE ACTION – Personnel would like to hold a meeting before the next council meeting to discuss. Tabled

ABANDON / DELINQUANT PROPERTIES – POSSIBLE ATION – council discussed the properties that will need to be addressed this year on Pearl, Franklin, and Westside. No action taken, tabled.

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY FOR SALT – POSSIBLE ACTION – Maintenance manager Jason asked the council for authorization to sign for the salt contract for the city. This is now state required. A Motion was made by Alderperson Lynn Collins and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to approve Jason as an authorized signer for the salt contract on behalf of the city for 2025 - 2026. Motion carried aye six votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Lynn Collins, Mark Macomber, Haley Grim, Ethan Lartz, Justin Rausch, and Brad Knutti.

A.B.A.T.E. PROCLAMATION – POSSIBLE ACTION – A Motion was made by Alderperson Lynn Collins and seconded by Alderperson Haley Grim to recognize motorcycle awareness month for 2025. Motion carried six aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Lynn Collins, Haley Grim, Ethan Lartz, Justin Rausch, Brad Knutti, and Mark Macomber.

STANDING COMMITTEES AND BOARDS-POSSIBLE ACTION- Celebrate Lanark - having an Easter Egg Hunt at the High School. Celebrate Lanark is partnering with the Farmers Market to hold a volunteer meeting on March 26th. The meeting aims to encourage new volunteers to join and support this important local initiative. Park Board - will be removing two trees within the park. The first is a large pine tree near the west pavilion, which has become a safety concern as children have been climbing it, and the tree is unhealthy and poses a danger. The second tree is an oak located by the east sidewalk, which is hollow, rotting, and has sustained damage from previous storms. The oak has been dropping limbs onto parked cars, creating an additional hazard.

REPORTS-EMPLOYEES, ATTORNEY, CLERK, TREASURER, ALDERPERSONS AND MAYOR- Chief Troy Randall - has announced that Officer Plum will be working independently starting next week. The Chief has also ordered new UTV stickers, which will feature a different color. Maintenance Manager Jason – Maintenance Manager Jason reported that his part-time employee will be out until July for a medical procedure. Additionally, two hydrants need to be replaced, with Fishers providing an estimate of $8,911.00 for labor. The city already has all the necessary parts for this work. Finally, Fishers has submitted an estimate of $6,625.21 to replace the galvanized service line on West Lanark Ave., and is looking for the council approval to proceed. Alderperson Justin – looked into the options for the city’s battery drop box. After discussing, the Maintenance Manager will talk to FS about bringing the collected batteries to them for pick up, as they are a battery distributor. Alderperson Lynn – reminded council that the Property Maintenance Book still needs to be addressed. Alderperson Haley – requested that we leave donation requests on the agenda for the next meeting. Alderperson Ethan – announced that a Community Project meeting will be held on March 27th at 7 p.m., following the book club. Alderperson Brad – extended thanks to the police department for their effective response to the false intruder alarm at the high school.

ADJOURNMENT-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to adjourn at 8:30 p.m. Motion carried by 6 voiced aye votes.

https://lanarkil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/03042025-City-Council-Meeting-Minutes.pdf