Loves Park Mayor’s Salary under Discussion

At the Oct. 3 Loves Park City Council meeting, ordinances, “first reading” were approved “setting the salary…or salaries of Aldermen, the City Treasurer, the City Clerk, and the Mayor” for upcoming four-year terms. Alderman were to be paid $225 per meeting from May 1, 2017 through April 30, 2021. The City Treasurer and City Clerk, salaries at $75,505 for that time period, would receive two percent raises each year. The Mayor would be paid at the “frozen” amount of $93,363 annually. At the Oct. 10 meeting, pay rates for the Aldermen, City Clerk and City Treasurer were approved. However, Alderman John Pruitt, who is running for Mayor in April, requested an amendment to the motion to approve the Mayor’s salary, saying $80,000 a year is more appropriate. Alderman Mark Peterson suggested that the discussion on that issue be tabled for discussion, which it was. Pruitt, when asked afterward why he wanted the change said, “It’s my opinion that whoever wins the Mayor’s race is going to step into the job with a huge learning curve. The Mayor has been in the position for 20 years. I believe experience is an important part of that job. I’d like to see the city look at reducing utility taxes, for instance, and I don’t think raises should be forthcoming until such an option is even considered.” Pruitt and Alderman Clint Little both voted against approving the Mayor’s new pay rate. Aldermen Pruitt and A. Marie Holmes voted against tabling the item.

Mayor Darryl Lindberg advised the council of the fall pick up leaf schedule, weather permitting, saying pick up was set to begin on Mon., Oct. 24 for the whole city, then alternate west and east of N. Second St. throughout the city until all leaves are picked up or until the first snow. In conjunction, Aldermen approved a resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a vehicle lease agreement with Rock River Disposal Services for rental of two trucks for the purpose of leaf removal, pending all proper insurance policies are in place. Rental cost will run $660 per week per vehicle.

Clint Little gave the weekly Police activity report for the week of Oct. 2-8. There were 499 calls for service, 179 arrests, and 12 accidents reported. On the weekly Fire Department report dated Oct. 9, three fire calls, one fire alarm call, one public service call, one carbon monoxide or gas leak call, one assist police call, and one smoke or odor investigation call were logged. Aldermen approved payment of $34,911.22 in water department bills, and $470,520.49 in general fund and all other bills, as presented Oct. 3. An ordinance amendment, second reading, was approved to change the property at 1000 Windsor Road from commercial office (CO) to single-family residential (R1) zoning.