NW Illinois News

City of Lanark City Council met May 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER/ROLL CALL-Lanark City Council met in a 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, Mark Macomber, and Jim Plock. Mayor Jeri Rogan was present and presiding.

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

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE-was led by Alderperson Ethan Lartz.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES- A MOTION was made by Alderperson Ethan Lartz and seconded by Alderperson Justin Rausch to accept the minutes of the April 15, 2025, Regular Meeting, as presented. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Ethan Lartz, Justin Rausch, Mark Macomber, Jim Plock, and Brad Knutti. A MOTION was made by Alderperson Ethan Lartz and seconded by Alderperson Justin Rausch to accept the minutes of the April 29, 2025, Special Meeting, as presented. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Ethan Lartz, Brad Knutti, Mark Macomber, Jim Plock, and Justin Rausch.

PUBLIC COMMENTS- Dan Kruse presented the Council a case report from 2019.

EXECUTIVE SESSION-EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION, REAL ESTATE- A MOTION-was made by Alderperson Justin Rausch and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to convene in Executive Session at 7:06 p.m. to discuss litigation. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Ethan Lartz, Brad Knutti, Mark Macomber, Jim Plock, and Justin Rausch.

REGULAR SESSION-MOTION- was made by Alderperson Justin Rausch and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to reconvene into regular session at 7:27 p.m. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Ethan Lartz, Brad Knutti, Mark Macomber, Jim Plock, and Justin Rausch.

DELINQUENT UTILITIES – POSSIBLE ACTION – Clerk explained that this agenda item stays to provide an opportunity for residents to raise disputes or make payment arrangements regarding their shut off notices. One property with a shutoff valve issue is being addressed, though no resident contact has been made. No council action taken at this time.

MULTIUSER METERS – POSSIBLE ACTION – tabled to the May 20, 2025 meeting.

ABANDON / DELINQUENT PROPERTIES – POSSIBLE ATION – 237 West Side Avenue: A formal letter from city attorney was sent, if no action is taken within two weeks, legal action may be considered thereafter. A resident present expressed interest in acquiring the property if made available. The current owner is reportedly asking $20,000. Property is in disrepair, may require condemnation and legal proceedings for city acquisition. 507 West Franklin Street: Chief inspection revealed no evidence of animal presence. A window is open upstairs, and there is damage in the rear portion of the structure. Property currently under Wells Fargo ownership; follow-up to be made regarding maintenance and safety issues. 524 East Pearl Street: The deteriorating partial wall still has not been removed from an agreement made 2 years ago with property owners. A MOTION was made by Alderperson Mark Macomber and seconded by Alderperson Ethan Lartz to approve Attorney Ed Mitchell to proceed with sending a formal letter regarding the deteriorating properties conditions at 507 E. Franklin and 524 E. Pearl. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Mark Macomber, Ethan Lartz, Justin Rausch, Jim Plock, and Brad Knutti.

203 Franklin Street: Parkway has been damaged by property owner. The council reached consensus to have maintenance corrective action (leveling/repairing the parkway) and monitor future issues. Delinquent Mowing: Discussion held regarding efficiency of lien filing. Consensus to consolidate mowing charges into one annual lien per property to reduce administrative burden and filing costs.

STREET CIP – POSSIBLE ACTION – POSSIBLE ATION – Street CIP discussion was tabled until June. Committee meeting to be scheduled.

LEAD AND COPPER SAMPLE SITES – POSSIBLE ATION – The city must collect water samples from IEPA designated homes by the end of June 2025 per IEPA guidelines. Maintenance Manage presented the list of the 5 remaining properties in non-compliance. Non-compliance could impact on the city's eligibility for grants and potentially affect cities Water Operators’ licenses. A Motion was made by Alderperson Ethan Lartz and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to approved issuing door notices and mailed letters requiring residents to receive and return the IEPA water sampling kit within 5 days, non-compliance will result in water shut off. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Brad Knutti, Ethan Lartz, Justin Rausch, Jim Plock, and Mark Macomber.

REVIEW EXECUTIVE MINUTES – ACTION REQUIRED – Council reviewed executive minutes clerk presented. A MOTION was made by Alderperson Ethan Lartz and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to not release the executive session minutes at this time. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Ethan Lartz, Mark Macomber, Justin Rausch, Jim Plock, and Brad Knutti.

STANDING COMMITTEES AND BOARDS-POSSIBLE ACTION- Streets and Property - A committee meeting will be scheduled for CIP. Finance - meeting scheduled for May 7, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. Water and Sewer – is waiting on Fishers to install a meter box at S. Broad Apartments. Economic Development - Possible real estate acquisition and asked for an executive session.

REPORTS-EMPLOYEES, ATTORNEY, CLERK, TREASURER, ALDERPERSONS AND MAYOR- Chief Troy Randall - A $50 barking dog citation from March 8, 2025, has not paid. The council agreed not to set a precedent by waiving violations; the issue will be forwarded to the city attorney for enforcement. Maintenance Manager Jason Alvarado – Heritage Center roof has multiple shingle failures. Repair Quote Received: $3,223.32. The council agreed to proceed with the repairs and request a quote for full replacement for future budgeting. No insurance claim will be filed due to low repair cost. Attorney Ed Mitchell – Reminder for elected officials to complete required Open Meetings Act and FOIA training. Mayor Jeri Rogan – It’s time to renew the bank $2 million credit line. A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Ethan Lartz to authorize Mayor Jeri Rogan and Treasurer Deb Throop to sign the bank documents for credit line. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Ethan Lartz, Brad Knutti, Mark Macomber, Justin Rausch, and Jim Plock.

EXECUTIVE SESSION-EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION, REAL ESTATE- A MOTION-was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Ethan Lartz to convene in Executive Session at 8:10 p.m. to discuss real estate. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Ethan Lartz, Brad Knutti, Mark Macomber, Justin Rausch, and Jim Plock.

REGULAR SESSION-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Mark Macomber and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to reconvene into regular session at 8:49 p.m. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Mark Macomber, Brad Knutti, Ethan Lartz, Jim Plock, and Justin Rausch.

ADJOURNMENT-MOTION- A motion to adjourn was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. The motion carried unanimously with five (5) votes in favor.

https://lanarkil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/05062025-City-Council-Meeting-Minutes.pdf