Lennox Council proclaims National Library Week, addresses drainage and fire hall expansion

The Lennox City Council met Monday, April 13. 

Mayor Danny Fergen started the April 13 meeting with a Mayoral Proclamation for National Library week. The proclamation read: WHEREAS, libraries spark creativity, fuel imagination, and inspire lifelong learning, offering a space where individuals of all ages can find joy through exploration and discovery; WHEREAS, libraries serve as vibrant community hubs, connecting people with knowledge, technology, and resources while fostering civic engagement, critical thinking, and cultural enrichment; WHEREAS, libraries provide free and equitable access to books, digital tools, and innovative programming, ensuring that all individuals—regardless of background—have the support they need to learn, connect, and thrive; WHEREAS, libraries partner with schools, businesses, and organizations to maximize resources, increase efficiency, and expand access to essential services, strengthening the entire community; WHEREAS, libraries empower job seekers, entrepreneurs, and lifelong learners by providing access to resources, training, and opportunities that support career growth and economic success; WHEREAS, libraries nurture young minds through story times, STEAM programs, and literacy initiatives, fostering curiosity and a love of learning that lasts a lifetime; WHEREAS, libraries protect the right to read, think, and explore without censorship, standing as champions of intellectual freedom and free expression; WHEREAS, dedicated librarians and library workers provide welcoming spaces that inspire discovery, collaboration, and creativity for all; WHEREAS, libraries, librarians, and library workers across the country are joining together to celebrate National Library Week under the theme “Find Your Joy”; NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Danny Fergen, Mayor of Lennox, proclaim April 19–25, 2026, as National Library Week. During this week, I encourage all residents to visit their library, explore its resources, and celebrate all the ways that the library helps our community find joy. 

Mayor Fergen asked for public comment for items not on the agenda. Betsy Jibben was the first to speak. 

“My question tonight is who now has jurisdiction over Cleveland Avenue? Is it Lincoln County or is it the City of Lennox?” she asked. 

“With the agreement with Lincoln County that was assigned within the last two months, the city has access control and the county has control of everything else, driveways, approaches, and those kinds of things,” City Administrator, Nate Vander Plaats responded. 

“What about the road ditches?” Jibben asked. 

“Typically we work with the county on if we need to clean out ditches we do by the park and a little bit South. They are to be taking care of everything else,” Vander Plaats responded. 

“There’s debris covering the culverts all along Cleveland Avenue and I’m wondering when will this ditch have a controlled burn? Time is of the essence because it’s planting season. We haven’t planted quite yet, but there will be seed in the ground here soon. So if we’re going to have a controlled burn to take the debris out of these culverts, it’s got to be soon,” she said. 

Vander Plaats reported it is the not city’s to burn, but they can work with the county to figure out the best solution.

The Council was asked to consider Ordinance 668 – Amended Drainage Fee. 

“At the Equalization meeting we talked about the drainage fee as it relates to properties that are crop land pasture or otherwise in the rural service district. This changes the drainage fee to zero for those properties,” Vander Plaats said. 

Motion was made to approve the first reading by President Chad Swier, seconded by Bill Daugherty, motion carried.

The Council was asked to consider an initial proposal for the Fire Department building expansion. Fire Chief, Mike Fodness, was present to discuss the expansion. 

“Public Safety Committee members will recall a discussion with the Fire Department last year that included plans for a building expansion. As you may know, the Fire Department maintains equipment that must be stored outside due to a lack of available space in the current building. To bring that equipment indoors, the department obtained an initial quote for a building expansion with a cost of approximately $90,000, but I don’t think that included some concrete work,” Vander Plaats said. 

“The reason we are doing this is we are packed in there pretty tight right now and we currently have the UTV in the gear room which does tighten that up. When we are looking to replacing our pumper in the future, we’re going to use the same pump and water capacity, but the new trucks are longer,” Fodness said. 

Swier asked what kind of a timeline the Fire Department was thinking on the project. 

“We would probably rather start sooner, but the department does have funds, even though it’s not an issue for budget. We could cover it, but when Nate and I talked about it, those funds would be from fundraisers, townships, and the city and we don’t want to mix that with a city owned building,” Fodness responded. 

“I think it makes sense to get some rough numbers for our next meeting as well as know if that spacing is adequate for multiple use facilities in the even that other buildings are willing to sell,” Laura Thiesse said. 

“I think we want to see something happen, we just want to make sure it’s right, not just a this will work for now,” Mayor Fergen added. 

With no action needed, Vander Plaats agreed to get more information for the next meeting.

The City of Lennox continues their efforts to mitigate the effects of the Emerald Ash Borer first found in 2024. 

“We have taken out about 150  trees in the park and right of way. With the help of professional arborists, we’ve amended the EAB plan for Lennox. Three highlights of this plan are we plan to ask to declare all ash trees a nuisance, which will allow code enforcement staff to begin enforcement removal efforts on private trees next year. It’s very important that if people aren’t treating their trees to start destroying them as soon as possible. They’re going to become unstable, dangerous, and way more expensive to remove. We’ll spend a lot of 2026 educating the public which includes public meetings and further assessments and removals next year,” Vander Plaats said. 

“Do we have any idea how many are left in town?” Swier asked. 

“A lot,” Vander Plaats responded. 

Vander Plaats recommended a motion to table the discussion to see a special assessment process could be done. Motion was made to table by Daugherty, seconded by Welch, motion carried.

The City of Lennox’s Utility Billing Software Company, GWorks, has initiated an updated fee structure schedule as of March 15, 2026. 

“Previously, there was a scale from 45 cents to 55 cents for every e-check or ACH payment, along with online credit card fees of 3.5% with a $2 minimum. They’ve updated all e-checks to a minimum of a $3 fee on payments up to $500, $4 fee on payments from $500.01 to $1,000.00, $5 fee on payments from $1,000.01 to $5,000.00, and a $10 fee on payments over $5,000.01 with a credit card fee of 4%,” said City Finance Officer, Tyson Dahler, projecting $30,000 in service fees if the cost was not passed along to residents.

Motion was made to continue to absorb the fees for the online payers by Swier, seconded by Daugherty, motion carried.