NW Illinois News

City of Lanark City Council met May 20.

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 7:02 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: Eric LaRue, Trever Knutti, Attorney Ed Mitchell, Clerk Marilyn Heller, Treasurer Deb Throop, and Chief Troy Randall.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE- was led by Mayor Jeri Rogan.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES- A MOTION was made by Alderperson Ethan Lartz and seconded by Alderperson Justin Rausch to accept the minutes of the May 6, 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.

PUBLIC COMMENTS- None

WARD 1 ALDERPERSON APPOINTMENT – Alicia Metz nominated to fill the Ward 1 alderperson vacancy. A MOTION was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Justin Rausch to award Ward 1 vacancy to Alcia Metz. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes; Alderpersons Brad Knutti, Justin Rausch, Ethan Lartz, Mark Macomber, and Jim Plock.

DELINQUENT UTILITIES – POSSIBLE ACTION – council reviewed the list of delinquent accounts. A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to proceed with the shut off’s on 1 through 10 on June 2, 2025, if payment is not made. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes; Alderpersons Brad Knutti, Mark Macomber, Justin Rausch, Jim Plock, and Ethan Lartz. A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to move ahead with the shut offs on lines 11, 12, 14, and 15 should payment be missed. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes; Alderpersons Brad Knutti, Mark Macomber, Justin Rausch, Jim Plock, and Ethan Lartz.

MULTIUSER METERS – POSSIBLE ACTION – Alderperson Brad shared that the box and meter have been installed at the Broad St. Apartments. He proposed billing changes for multi-user meters for each additional units: $17 water, $18 sewer per unit. A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to move forward with the multi-user meter charges; the first unit charged at the current meter rate than a flat rate of $17 for water and $18 for sewer with the current CIP and current Garbage rate for each additional unit. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes; Alderpersons Brad Knutti, Mark

Macomber, Justin Rausch, Jim Plock, and Ethan Lartz. The council will review after a few months. Attorney will formalize resolution to pass into ordinance for next meeting for these new charges.

ABANDON / DELINQUENT PROPERTIES – POSSIBLE ATION – 237 West Side Avenue: Sale completed; new owner will begin clean-up to begin in a 4 to 6 weeks. 507 West Franklin Street: Contact being made with Wells Fargo (owner), Chief Troy awaiting response. 524 East Pearl Street: Concerns over the unsafe breezeway wall from over 2 years ago, Attorney Ed will send out formal letter to current caretaker of property. 410 North Broad – Collapsed Garage Residents reported concerns about a garage that’s been collapsed for over 2 years. The city discussed cleanup options: grant programs, owner cooperation, or city intervention, Alderperson Justin is going to try contacting IHDA for grand options. Volunteers or a church group might assist if a dumpster is provided. Property is occupied but lacks water/electricity; the health department may need to be involved. 426 W. Carroll Street: Unfinished shed with possibly expired permit, Troy will follow up. School St. two properties across from Little Sprouts: complaints about yard clutter. 115 Westside Ave: Unregistered vehicles and trailer. Troy will follow up. Pearl & East Lanark Ave: New unpermitted structures (pond, rabbit cages, shelves).

Discussion on updating nuisance and zoning ordinances; possible need for a code enforcement officer. No action taken.

BUDGET – POSSIBLE ACTION – Alderperson Ethan handed reviewed budget, noting an additional change to line 255A 514 street maintenance was increased $25,000 to $329,000 and he decreased line 252A 421 police salary from $185,000 to $155,000. Attorney Ed shared that the council would need to pass the appropriations by end of June so it will need to be on the next meeting agenda. A Motin was made by Alderperson Ethan Lartz and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to approve the amended budget as presented. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes; Alderpersons Brad Knutti, Mark Macomber, Justin Rausch, Jim Plock, and Ethan Lartz.

IDOT MAINTENANCE CONTRACT – POSSIBLE ACTION – city received contract renewal with IDOT, showing an increase of 1.6%. A Motion was made by Alderperson Mark Macomber and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to approve the IDOT contract as submitted. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes; Alderpersons Brad Knutti, Mark Macomber, Justin Rausch, Jim Plock, and Ethan Lartz.

STANDING COMMITTEES AND BOARDS-POSSIBLE ACTION- Streets and Property – received two quotes for Heritage Center roof; MAS for $41k and Boss for $28K, council discussed confirming the specks of the project include removal and to also get a third quote. There is also a quote from Ericsons for the Carroll St. bid for one stretch $15K and the other $3,200. Waiting for the bid from Helm. Water and Sewer – Alderperson Brad reported on the project on W. Locust and Broad, he and maintenance went to door to door to warn of water shut offs and boil orders. They discovered a property on W. Carroll is connected to the shut off on W. Locust. Valve exerciser tool is being considered to avoid future breakages. Personnel- Plan to terminate current cleaning staff; A Motion was made by Alderperson Justin Rausch and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to terminate cleaning lady effective immediately and post add for job opening. Motion tabled for executive session discussion.

REPORTS-EMPLOYEES, ATTORNEY, CLERK, TREASURER, ALDERPERSONS AND MAYOR- Chief Troy Randall - Jeff Currens retired from the police department; public thanks given. Attorney Ed Mitchell – will follow up on property annexation (Bob Benell). Alderperson Brad Knutti – inquired if the Old laundromat is in the TIF district. The clerk will get him the information.

EXECUTIVE SESSION-EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION, REAL ESTATE- A MOTION-was made by Alderperson Justin Rausch and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to convene in Executive Session at 7:57 p.m. to discuss personnel. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Justin Rausch, Mark Macomber, Ethan Lartz, Brad Knutti, and Jim Plock.

REGULAR SESSION-MOTION-was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Justin Rausch to reconvene into regular session at 8:02 p.m. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Mark Macomber, Brad Knutti, Ethan Lartz, Jim Plock, and Justin Rausch.

Continued - STANDING COMMITTEES AND BOARDS- Personnel - A Motion was made by Alderperson Justin Rausch and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to terminate June Livingston effective immediately and post open position. Motion carried by 5 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Justin Rausch, Brad Knutti, Mark Macomber, Ethan Lartz, and Jim Plock.

Mayor Jeri Rogan - is working on a newsletter template to send out with the monthly water bills. This will include updates on park, city hall, police, ordinances, committees and council information, etc.

ADJOURNMENT-MOTION- A motion to adjourn was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Ethan Lartz at 8:07 p.m. The motion carried unanimously with five (5) votes voiced in favor.

https://lanarkil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/05202025-City-Council-Meeting-Minutes.pdf