NW Illinois News

City of Lanark City Council met June 3.

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 7:00 p.m. Roll call taken by Marilyn Heller, City Clerk, showed Alderpersons present were Brad Knutti, Ethan Lartz, Justin Rausch, Mark Macomber, Alisha Metz, and Jim Plock.

Mayor Jeri Rogan was present and presiding.

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

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE- was led by Clerk Marilyn Heller.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES- tabled – Clerk shared that due to computer and printer issues the minutes will need to be passed at the next meeting.

PUBLIC COMMENTS- None

DELINQUENT UTILITIES – POSSIBLE ACTION – 14 delinquent notices were issued; no immediate action required. Five accounts are on payment plans are required to make minimum payments by the 20th. One shut-off from last month is delayed due to valve issues: pending resolution. The council discussed a list of inactive accounts with past balances that have been sold. Top list: properties with liens and bottom list are sold properties with unpaid past balances and no liens. A Motion was made by Alderperson Mark Macomber and seconded by Alderperson Brad Knutti to write off the bottom list balances with no liens pending auditor approval. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes: Alderpersons Mark Macomber, Brad Knutti, Ethan Lartz, Justin Rausch, Alisha Metz, and Jim Plock.

MULTIUSER METERS – POSSIBLE ACTION – Ordinance #1014 introduced for billing structure related to multi-use water meters. Charges will now include usage and per-connection fees. A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Justin Rausch to approve Ordinance #1014. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes; Alderpersons Brad Knutti, Justin Rausch, Mark Macomber, Alisha Metz, Jim Plock, and Ethan Lartz.

ABANDON / DELINQUENT PROPERTIES – POSSIBLE ATION – 237 West Side Avenue Council discussed forgiving a $1,700 lien due to new ownership and promised property improvements starting in 4-5 weeks. A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Ethan Lartz to forgive the lien on 237 Westside Ave. upon new ownership and improvements to the property. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes; Alderpersons Brad Knutti, Ethan Lartz, Justin Rausch, Mark Macomber, Alisha Metz, and Jim Plock. 524 East Pearl Street: Attorney Ed sent out a formal letter giving 14 days to remove the breezeway wall, follow up at next meeting. 410 North Broad – Collapsed Garage Concerns raised over uninhabitable conditions (no water/electric, unsanitary). Health department involvement was suggested. Taxes are unpaid for multiple years; the council will monitor and consider the next steps. 507 E Franklin Street: Chief Troy still awaiting response. The council debated enforcement of codes based on nuisance versus personal taste. Consensus: Action is only taken if there's a clear health, safety, or widespread neighbor concern. Using community sentiment (e.g., multiple complaints) to define “nuisance.”

APPROPRIATIONS – POSSIBLE ACTION – The appropriations ordinance must be passed at the next council meeting before July 1. If incomplete by the deadline, a special meeting may be necessary. Attorney Ed reported delays due to expanded expectations from the CPA/auditor: All 22+ funds now require line-item budgets, including historically exempt bodies (cemetery, library, park board). Staff are actively working with these boards to gather the necessary details. Concerns were raised about the timeline, since some departments only recently learned of the changes. Tabled

MFT CHIP AND SEAL PROJECT – POSSIBLE ACTION – Two bids were received from Brandit for $140439.90 and Helm for $119809.20. Additional road prep/repairs needed before sealing on W. Carroll across two locations for an additional $10,950 and $3,980 quoted from Helm. Total project cost remains under budget ($135K vs $250K planned). Additional rock not included in bid; potential cost increase by ~$5,000 noted. A Motion was made by Alderperson Ethan Lartz and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to except the Helm Civil bid for the 2025 MFT street maintenance project on Carroll and E. Lanark for $119,809.20. Mation carried by 5 aye votes and 1 abstain. Aye votes; Alderpersons Ethan Lartz, Mark Macomber, Alisha Metz, Jim Plock, and Brad Knutti. Abstained vote; Alderperson Justin Rausch. A Motion was made by Alderperson Ethan Lartz and seconded by Alderperson Mark Macomber to award Helm the bid for the Carroll St. refinishing prep work at Carroll St & Maple and Carroll St & Westside for $3980 and $10,970 with contingency for rock. Mation carried by 5 aye votes and 1 abstain. Aye votes; Alderpersons Ethan Lartz, Mark Macomber, Alisha Metz, Jim Plock, and Brad Knutti. Abstained vote; Alderperson Justin Rausch.

PROPERTY ANNEXATION – POSSIBLE ACTION – TABLED

STANDING COMMITTEES AND BOARDS-POSSIBLE ACTION- TIF Board – Alderperson Brad Knutti shared Masonry work for Sue Appel and Heritage Center is delayed until July by Dollinger Masonry. Sue Appels TIF agreement deadline is end of June and is asking for an extension. A Motion was made by Adperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Justin Rausch to allow Sue Appel TIF extended 60 days for the Façade masonry project. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes; Alderpersons Brad Knutti, Justin Rausch, Ethan Lartz, Mark Macomber, Alisha Metz, and Jim Plock. Water and Sewer – Leaking valve on s. Broad by dentist office will need replaced when Water Main Project starts. Streets and Property – Bid opening on June 12th for the Water Main Improvement Project. The council went over the bids the quotes for Heritage Center roof; MAS for $41,200.00, Boss for $28430.15, and Ryan Eissens for $26,560.00. A Motion was made by Alderperson Ethan Lartz and seconded by Alderperson Justin Rausch to accept the Ryan Eissens bid for the removal and replacement of the Heritage Center roof of $26500.00. Mation carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes; Alderpersons Ethan Lartz, Justin Rausch, Mark Macomber, Alisha Metz, Jim Plock, and Brad Knutti. The Community Project Committee held it’s most productive meeting to date. Representatives from the Lions Club, Celebrate Landmark, the Community Foundation, and others attended. Plans are moving forward for a new pavilion in the downtown lot, with a proposed budget of $35,000. Approximately $10,000 has already been pledged, and the committee is confident in additional fundraising. The committee is requesting the City fund the paving of the lot. A previous bid for asphalt was $26,850. The pavilion would serve multiple community uses (e.g., food trucks, music, gatherings). Discussion included using concrete under the pavilion (30x60), with groundwork (footings) completed beforehand and discussed a potential for adding lighting and electrical outlets to the pavilion. A suggestion was made for the City to match private donations up to a capped amount. Estimated total project cost: ~$73,000, split evenly between the City and community fundraising. Council will revisit the pavilion paving request and project funding at the next meeting, with updated diagrams and quotes. Park Board – Mayor met with Park Board to discuss retiring the board. Oversight of park-related responsibilities will shift to the Economic Development Committee. Park scheduling and small maintenance items will be managed similarly to the Heritage Center using a shared calendar and city staff coordination. A Motion was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Ethan Lartz to retire the park board and move oversight to Economic Development Committee. Motion carried by 6 aye votes. Aye votes; Alderpersons Brad Knutti Ethan Lartz, Jim Plock Justin Rausch, Mark Macomber, and Alisha Metz. Personnel- has received 3 applications for the custodian position and will hold a meeting for interviews.

The mayor handed out Committee Assignments with the new Alderperson added. A council member expressed frustration over not being consulted in recent committee reassignments. Committee assignments are at the mayor’s discretion per ordinance.

REPORTS-EMPLOYEES, ATTORNEY, CLERK, TREASURER, ALDERPERSONS AND MAYOR- Chief Troy Randall - Police anticipate increased juvenile activity as school ends. Concerns raised over underage drivers operating ATVs/golf carts (age 21 and up). Maintenance Manager Jason Alvarado – discussed 237 E. Franklin blighted property. City Hall continues to receive complaints. Attorney Ed Mitchell will submit a petition to modify the city’s ability to clean up property and to also include removing pallets, tires, cinderblocks, cardboard, building materials, fence posts, etc..

ADJOURNMENT-MOTION- A motion to adjourn was made by Alderperson Brad Knutti and seconded by Alderperson Ethan Lartz at 8:16 p.m. The motion carried unanimously with six votes voiced in favor.

https://lanarkil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/06032025-City-Council-Meeting-Minutes.pdf