High Garbage Fees Concern City of Lanark

At the August 17 regular meeting of the Lanark City Council, Moring Disposal’s garbage pick up fee to the City was discussed. In attendance representing the City was Mayor Ed Stern, Aldermen Ken Weaver, Anne Lindsay, Ed Fehlhafer, Ron Strohecker, Mark Macomber, and Tom Kocal, City Clerk Jackie Hawbecker, Attorney Ed Mitchell, and Maintenance Supervisor Les Guenzler.

Mayor Stern reported on his recent meeting with Denny Pate and Larry Moring of Moring Disposal regarding the city’s garbage fees. Lanark’s fees are the highest in Carroll County. Mayor Stern tried to work with Moring Disposal to get a reduction in fees. A fuel surcharge was added a few years ago when diesel fuel costs increased to over $4/gallon, but was never deleted when costs went down. Discussion also included what other communities do for garbage service.

In a related matter, Council briefly discussed water, sewer and garbage rate increases. Council members were previously given a worksheet to complete regarding rate increases in order to gain everyone’s input. The Water & Sewer committee is working toward developing new rates that will be effective March 1, 2011.

During comments from the general audience, Ken Viglietta requested the City paint the crosswalk on Franklin Street at the elementary school. The street was recently seal coated, and school starts this week. Council agreed, and the lines will be painted as soon as excess gravel is swept.

John Huggins reported that the Farmer’s Market, held every Tuesday at the Lanark City Park, is going great. Letters have been sent out to committees for the planning of Lanark’s Sesquicentennial Celebration. Mayor Stern reported the Council has given up on the street lights this grant go around, due to funding concerns. Cost would be roughly $165,000. The City will consider applying for another grant next year.

Ordinance #854, “Regulating Development in Floodplain Areas,” was reintroduced for discussion from the Aug. 3 meeting, due to flooding problems that arose 7/23-24. Approving the ordinance will establish Lanark’s eligibility in the National Flood Insurance Program, despite the fact that Lanark technically has no land designated as being in a “floodplain,” The ordinance will help residents that may want to obtain federally-subsidized flood insurance. It will also help the City enforce current municipal codes to prevent unwise developments from increasing flood or drainage hazards. The motion was unanimously approved.

Consideration of Ordinance #855 was next, which provides for changing the position of City Treasurer from an elected position to an appointed position. Although the treasurer is currently elected, it is Councils belief that it is in the best interests of the City that the ordinance be adopted. The motion to approve the change was unanimously approved.

Council discussed an alternative to replacing the sand in the City water treatment facility’s sand filter system. It had been estimated in 2009 that it would cost $69,000 to remove and replace 8 inches of sand. Alderman Fehlhafer received a quote of $15,000 from Newell Sand & Rock Filter Cleaning Service in Spring Valley, IL. Additional expenses to the city will be hauling away the sludge removed from the system and replacing about 2 to 3 inches of sand. Whether the sludge removal would be contracted out or if the city crew would be doing the work was not determined. The motion to accept the $15,000 bid for the 3-week project was also unanimously approved.

Council also discussed:

- a draft of job description for Chief of Police. After some discussion, it was agreed to table for further review.

- annual audit report for fiscal year beginning April 1, 2009 and ending March 31, 2010 was submitted for review. This will be added to the Sept. 7 agenda.

- Closeout documents for the Brownfield grant was submitted for approval by City Clerk. Council authorized Mayor Stern to sign the close out documents for the Brownfield grant.

- seal coating which is currently in process. Several areas have been completed.

- putting the sidewalk repairs on hold in order to address several flood-related projects: drainage at Ken Grant’s building; drainage on Blair Parkway; installation of catch basin near Scott Preston’s residence on Prairie Street; and a sink hole at the Morris home. Discussion included how to address these projects.

- Personnel Committee designated a private entity to finish mowing since Tony Dunlap’s resignation.

- replacement of roofs on the storage building at Well #3, chemical building and well room. D & L Construction and Duane Plock have been contacted for quotes.

- sending maintenance employee to OSHA training at Highland CC on September 13 & 14.

- bill received from Dave Kent for extra work due to recent flooding. Clerk was instructed to add this to his next paycheck.

- insurance coverage through Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association.

- briefly if the salaries of the Council should be raised. After deciding they should not, Council reaffirmed the wages set in Ordinance #837.

Council went into executive session at 8:58 pm to discuss pending litigation and personnel. Exited at 9:28 pm. taking no further action.