February 28, 2016 Providing news and information for the City Council, Chamber of Commerce, and Living Lanark Committees. Created by Mayor John Huggins

Reminder: Winter Ordinances

February 9, 2017

Lanark 1 Civic Number (815) 493-1155

5-5-43: SNOW OR ICE ON SIDEWALKS: Every owner and every person in charge or control of any building or lot of land shall remove and clear away or cause to be removed and cleared away snow, ice, sleet, or freezing rain from the sidewalks in front or abutting said lands within twenty four (24) hours after the cessation of any fall of snow, ice, sleet, or freezing rain. In the event snow, ice, sleet, or freezing rain on a sidewalk has become so hard that it cannot reasonably be removed, the owner and/or person in charge or control shall cause enough sand or suitable abrasive material to be put on the sidewalk to make travel thereon reasonably safe and shall maintain the sidewalk in such condition until weather permits the owner to clear the sidewalk.

7-6-7: LIMITED WINTER PARKING: At such times as there is an accumulation of two inches (2") of snow on the streets in the city or the city has declared a snow emergency, it shall be unlawful for any driver or owner of any vehicle to obstruct the orderly removal of snow from the city's streets, alleys or public ways by parking, permitting to be parked or otherwise leaving unattended any vehicle upon the following streets, alleys and public ways: 1. DO NOT PARK on the even side of the street (as indicated by address) on even days (as indicated by date) between the hours of seven o'clock (7:00) A.M. and seven o'clock (7:00) P.M. 2. DO NOT PARK on the odd side of the street (as indicated by address) on odd days (as indicated by date) between the hours of seven o'clock (7:00) A.M. and seven o'clock (7:00) P.M. The parking restrictions of this subsection shall terminate block by block as soon as the accumulated snow has been removed from the full width of the street, and at such time regular parking regulations shall go back into effect immediately. Nothing contained in this subsection shall be construed to permit parking on streets where parking is otherwise restricted or prohibited.

7-12-4: SNOWMOBILE GENERAL OPERATION: It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or operate any snowmobile in the following ways: A. At a rate of speed in excess of fifteen (15) miles per hour. B. In a careless, reckless or negligent manner. C. While under the influence of intoxicating beverages or narcotic or dangerous drugs. D. At any time without at least one lighted headlamp and one lighted tail lamp on the snowmobile. E. On the tracks or right of way of an operating railroad. F. On private property, without the written consent of the owner or lessee thereof. Page 1

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February 2017

State of the City Major projects/accomplishments during 2016 Completed phase 1 of the east lift station sanitary sewer upgrade. Held a disaster preparedness mock disaster. Demolished a blighted commercial building. Welcomed a new business: SQZ Winery. Completed business retention and expansion surveys. Completed a residential survey. Created a Tax Increment Financing Façade Program. Formed a City Park Board. Completed phase 1 of park improvements. Hired 3 new public works employees. Outlook for 2017 We will have a large changeover of city officials. A new mayor, clerk, and at least 3 new aldermen. We are confident this will bring a fresh, new perspective to continue the positive, progressive changes for the betterment of the city. The city is in fairly good financial shape to tackle some important projects this year. Major projects for 2017 Begin a long process of repairing streets, curb and gutter, sidewalks, and the storm water system. Clean and paint the water tower. Complete a sewer lining project as a second phase of the east lift station upgrade. Complete phase 2 of park improvements. Increase IT security and fraud prevention measures. Capital Improvements Program (CIP) 5 year plan update

Credit Card Processing The city will be switching it’s credit card processing for water/sewer/garbage bills. We were using Illinois E-Pay. However, this does not work with our current billing software. Plus, the city paid a fee for the service whether anyone used it or not. We will be switching to Paygov.us. This service accepts credit and debit cards as well as ACH checks. The residents that use the service will have to pay a small convenience fee. Watch for the change and instructions at the website at lanarkil.com or on Facebook. Page 2

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February 2017

Lanark 1 Civic Number: (815)493-1155 There is no need to look up or memorize all those Lanark civic phone numbers. With a single number, 815-493-1155, you will be able to reach:  Lanark City Officials, Departments, and Facilities  Fire & Police Non-Emergency  School, Clubs and Organizations  and More!

City Government - City Hall - Mayor, Clerk or Treasurer - Aldermen - Maintenance Department - Zoning OMA and FOIA Officer - City Attorney and OMA Officer Lanark Public Library Heritage Center Police and Fire Non-emergency Eastland School District

Organizations and Clubs - Lanark Chamber of Commerce - Eastland Council of Churches - Eastland Music Boosters - Eastland Sports Boosters - Friends of the Lanark Public Library - Lanark Area Community Foundation - Lanark Boy Scouts - Lanark Girl Scouts - Lanark Community Club - Lanark Lions Club - Cornucopia Committee

City Park Improvements As you already know, the city has been ordered by the Illinois Attorney General’s office to make the city park handicap accessible. The city has appointed a City Park Board to oversee park improvements, maintenance and operation of the city park. Some improvements have been made. A sidewalk now runs the full length of the park from east to west. Some of the playground equipment has been moved. Many people have ordered the Legacy Walk markers. Phase 2 of the project will include more sidewalks and lighting. But, at the moment the improvements have hit a standstill. The Park Board has applied for a USDA Rural Development grant that would cover $25,000 of phase 2 of the project. With any state or federal grant, you cannot spend any money on the project until the grant has been awarded. It is uncertain at this point when the USDA will release funds to award the grant. As soon as it is awarded, the Legacy Walk markers will be ordered and phase 2 can resume. Due to this, the marker offer has been extended. Please see The Special Touch for forms and to see if they are still available. Page 3

www.lanarkil.com

February 2017

Information You May Need Online There are many resources available for Lanark residents online through the City/Chamber website and Facebook page. WWW.LANARKIL.COM History of Lanark; ordinances; city council members, minutes, meeting dates and times; maps; weather safety information; Lanark Public Library; clubs and organizations; seniors & low income resources; Business Directory; news & events, Farmers Market info; Old Settlers Days info; & more www.facebook.com/LanarkIllinois Up-to-the-minute information such as cancellations, weather conditions, unauthorized solicitors warnings Local community events Fun old photos And more!

REMINDER Water bills are due on the 20th of the month unless it falls on a holiday or weekend. Not receiving a bill in the mail is not a valid excuse for being late. The fee for late payments is $15 per month and could result in service shut off if you fall several months behind. If you have extenuating circumstances, contact city hall to evaluate your situation. If you need assistance, there may be help available.

Consolidated Election - APRIL 4, 2017 Big changes in the Lanark City Government are just around the corner. Starting April 18th, you will have a new mayor, new clerk, and at least 3 new aldermen. The candidates that have filed petitions include: Mayor (replacing John Huggins): Tom Kocal and Ken Viglietta Clerk (replacing Jackie Hawbecker): Sabrina Yoeckel Ward I (replacing Anne Lindsay): Haley Grimm Ward II (replacing Weston Burkholder): Brad Knutti and Steve Kruzek Ward III (replacing Mark Macomber): Jay VanMatre

DON’T FORGET TO VOTE! YOUR VOTE DOES COUNTS IN A LOCAL ELECTION! Page 4

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February 2017