The LaSalle City Council discussed whether to ban parking on narrow streets to ensure emergency vehicles can get through.
August 29, 2016 1
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE LA SALLE CITY COUNCIL
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS,
745 SECOND STREET, LA SALLE, IL.
7:00 P.M., Monday, August 29, 2016
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Present- Alderman Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Duncan, Herndon, Schneider
Excused Absence: Mayor Grove
A quorum was present.
Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Schneider to appoint Alderman Tom Ptak as
Mayor Pro-Tem in the absence of Mayor Grove.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Alderman Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Duncan, Herndon, Schneider
NAY: None Absent: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 8-0
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Alderman Demes and seconded by Alderman Reynolds that the minutes of the regular City
Council meeting held on Monday, August 15, 2016 are accepted and placed on file. Each and every
alderman has a copy.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
PETITIONS
Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Schneider to accept the recommendation of the
Finance Committee and deny the request of the Oakwood Cemetery Association of La Salle for a
monetary donation however the City will continue to make in-kind donations whenever possible. Each
and every alderman has a copy.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Alderman Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Duncan, Herndon, Schneider
NAY: None Absent: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 8-0
Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Herndon to accept the recommendation of the
Finance Committee and approve the request of George Green on behalf of Cruisin’ La Salle to donate
$250 to the annual car show with proceeds benefiting the youth sports programs in La Salle. Each and
every alderman has a copy.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Alderman Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Duncan, Herndon, Schneider
NAY: None Absent: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 8-0
George Green thanked the council for its donation. With donations and proceeds from the car show, last
year the event was able to donate $3,000 to La Salle Youth Sports. Mr. Green expressed his
appreciation for the City’s willingness to close streets and assist in making this event a success. He
added this is the 11th year for the event. The council thanked Mr. Green for his dedication to this effort.
Moved by Alderman Schneider and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to approve and place on file the
request from Ameren Illinois to break ground at ***252 La Harpe and 136 La Harpe to install pole and 850
Bucklin to retire gas service for demolition. Each and every alderman has a copy.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
*** (An error was discovered on Ameren’s request after the meeting. The above address should
have been listed as152 La Harpe)
August 29, 2016 2
Moved by Alderman Duncan and seconded by Alderman Herndon to grant the request of the La Salle
Business Association to close the 500 and 600 Blocks of First Street for the annual Barbeque and Blues
and Jazz N’ the Street festival beginning on September 9 at 7:00 a.m. until September 11, 2016 at 11:00
a.m. Each and every alderman has a copy.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
REPORT OF CITY OFFICERS
Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to accept and place on file the Monthly
Police Income report for July 2016 showing total fees collected of $8,358.45. Each and every alderman
has a copy.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to confirm the straw poll vote regarding
the request to block off the street in front of 1055 Sixth Street from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. for a private party
on Sunday, August 28, 2016.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
In regard to establishing a comprehensive plan to limit parking on streets within the
City of La Salle on roads that are under 28’ in width, Alderman Schneider stated that in reviewing
documents provided by the City Engineer, 231 Blocks fall into the category of being less to 28’ in width.
Alderman Reynolds said a police report exists from July of 2015, where officers had to contact residents
on Second Street to move their cars in order for the firetruck to reach a fire in the 1200 Block. Reynolds
stated the narrow width is an issue for most of Second Street. Alderman Demes’ opinion was that if you
restrict parking for one street you have to do it for all streets that do not meet minimum width
requirements and that he is against changing the ordinance for any reason. Alderman Bacidore asked it
would be feasible to have one side parking on all streets throughout the town that do not meet the
minimum width. Discussion followed with concerns being raised that implementing parking restrictions
could cause difficulty for residents. Alderman Reynolds added his concern that we have an ordinance
that prohibits parking on the grass. Alderman Duncan asked Superintendent Bumgarner how
snowplowing is affected by the parking issue. Superintendent Bumgarner said it is not an issue when we
have over 3 inches of snow as by ordinance residents must remove cars from the streets, but with smaller
snows many times crews have to call in a smaller truck to go through certain areas.
Mayor Pro-Tem Ptak asked Chief Bacidore what his opinion was. Chief Bacidore stated this has been a
very difficult issue for him over the years, because typically requests are made by residents citing a safety
hazard.as the reason for a request for one sided parking only. He has found it difficult to advise the
council to grant the request for one particular street when there are many streets in the City with the same
issue. In addition, some residents have been granted no parking on one side of the street where the
street is wider than 28’. Chief Bacidore expressed concern as to what criteria the council is using to
decide when or when not to make an area no parking when requests are brought forth by residents. He
agreed with Alderman Bacidore that if a street is below a certain width it should be one sided parking
throughout the entire town, otherwise you will continue to revisit this issue on a street by street basis.
Attorney McPhedran stated that this is a major undertaking and a major change to what the public is used
to. Attorney McPhedran stated if the council is seriously considering this change, in the spirit of fairness,
the public must be given notice and an opportunity to express their opinions on this matter. Chief
Bacidore acknowledged Attorney McPhedran’s point. Tom Ptak asked Chief if there have been situations
where emergency vehicles could not pass and Chief replied yes and that drivers have to find an alternate
route.
Further discussion followed about certain streets in town that are very diffult to pass. Alderman Demes
said another issue you have to consider is once people are parked on one side of the street, backing out
of driveways from the opposite side of where the cars are parked could be very difficult. These are the
types of issues you are going to have. Alderman Bacidore disagreed. Alderman Demes suggested that
when we re-do streets, we should look at widening these streets. Alderman Ptak said that is not feasible.
August 29, 2016 3
Alderman Herndon suggested putting this to referendum.
City Engineer Brian Brown will investigate if IDOT has any stipulations regarding this matter that may
affect how future Motor Fuel funds can be used. He believes there is some criteria concerning this
matter.
Discussion followed. It was decided that that a Public Hearing will be scheduled as part of the Regular
City Council Meeting on Monday, September 26, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. Notice will be given to the public
through the media and notification will be sent in the water billings.
Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Schneider to approve, pay, and place on file Pay
Request #1 to Opperman Construction Company for the St. Vincent Lift Station Replacement totaling
$18,374.40. Each and every alderman has a copy.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Alderman Demes, Bacidore, Ptak Reynolds, Lavieri, Duncan, Herndon, Schneider
NAY: None Absent: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 8-0
NEW BUSINESS
In response to the request of Alderman Demes to have the council reconsider the current program
regarding shared water lines, he moved that the issue be sent to committee for review. His view is that if
the City is willing to share cost on the installation of check valves, it is only fair to do the same for the
costs incurred separating shared water lines. He would like the committee to consider establishing a
similar plan.
Alderman Bacidore stated that this issue came up years ago when a resident came forth looking for
assistance and Alderman Demes was opposed to it. Alderman Bacidore questioned why Alderman
Demes has changed his view. Alderman Demes stated that we turned down people with sewer back up
issues as well, and now we have decided to help them out. Alderman Deme considers sewer back-up not
to be a City issue as individual insurance policies can assist residents with sewer back-up. As far as
water lines, he believes this is a City issue because the City at some point in time had knowledge there
were two lines on one shut off, so he believes the City has the responsibility to assist by developing a
cost sharing program.
Finance Director Duncan stated there are about 70 residences with shared water lines. Demes proposed
to use the same funding we are using for the check valve reimbursement for the water separation as well.
He is not suggesting allocating more money, he just thinks it is fair to reimburse both.
Moved by Alderman Demes and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to send the issue of a establishing a
cost sharing program for shared water line separation to the Water Committee for further review.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Alderman Demes, Reynolds, Schneider
NAY: Aldermen Bacidore, Ptak, Lavieri, Duncan, Herndon Absent: None Abstain: None
Motion Failed: 5-3
Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Schneider to accept and place on file IDOT
Compliance Review #70 covering the receipt and disbursement of Motor Fuel Tax funds by the City for
the period beginning January 1, 2015 and ending December 31, 2015. Each and every alderman has a
copy.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Alderman Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Duncan, Herndon, Schneider
NAY: None Absent: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 8-0
A straw poll vote was taken on a request from Janko Realty that came in after the agenda was posted to
place a sign outside of 944 First Street. Each and every alderman a copy.
All aldermen voted aye.
August 29, 2016 4
Alderman Herndon mentioned that while at the VFW he was approached by several members asking that
a POW flag is added to the Veteran’s Memorial at Rotary Park. Superintendent Bumgarner stated that
the POW flag is up on its own pole and the Rotary flag has been placed under the American Flag.
Alderman Herndon also stated that the veterans he spoke to also asked that a VFW and CWV flag be
added. Mike Smotzer, Commander of VFW Post 4668, stated that the main concern of the members was
that they do not feel it is appropriate for a Rotary club flag to be flown in a Veteran’s Memorial. Jeff
Bumgarner stated that there is a plan to move the Rotary flag at some point, but for now it has been
moved under the American Flag. Brief discussion followed about the memorial and goals for future
expansion of the memorial.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
Attorney McPhedran explained that the ordinance being considered is to implement the extension of TIF
I. This was the City’s first TIF established in 1992/1993 on the east end of the City. This extension will be
in effect for an additional 12 years until 2029. On behalf of the City, Attorney McPhedran thanked the
taxing bodies, including the schools and the county for their cooperation throughout the process. He
added that with most the City either has new intergovernmental agreements or at a minimum consent
from the taxing bodies, which was part of the process in getting the extension done. In addition, Attorney
McPhedran expressed appreciation for the cooperation from Senator Rezin and Representative Skoog. It
was a team effort under the direction of the Mayor with much work done by the Mayor, Don Aleksy, John
Duncan IV and others as well. McPhedran stated that the extension should continue to be beneficial to
development on the east end and a benefit to the public as a whole. Lastly he stated that he governor has
signed it and his cooperation is appreciated as well.
Moved by Alderman Demes and seconded by Alderman Herndon to approve and place on file Ordinance
2649: an ordinance approving and adopting an extension to the Redevelopment Plan, Projects,
Redevelopment Project Area and Tax Increment Financing for the La Salle Tax Increment Financing
District 1. Each and every alderman has a copy.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Alderman Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Duncan, Herndon, Schneider
NAY: None Absent: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 8-0
Ordinance 2649: approving and
adopting an extension to the
Redevelopment Plan, Projects,
Redevelopment Project Area and
Tax Increment Financing for the
La Salle Tax Increment Financing
District 1.
COMMENTS
Chief Uranich reviewed the upcoming changes as the Illinois Valley Regional Dispatch Center opens on
September 1, 2016. As this transition happens, dispatch will continue to operate from the La Salle Police
Department during the hours of 6 a.m. until 10 p.m., Monday through Friday, with the new IVRD handling
dispatching from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday through Friday and on the weekends. The biggest change
for residents is that as of September 1, 2016 the La Salle Police Department lobby will only be open
during normal business hours only which is 8 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The nonemergency
number for the La Salle Police Department will remain the same (815.223.2131) and will be
answered by IVRD personnel. A call box will also be installed outside of the front door in the event an
officer needs to be reached outside of normal business hours. The call box will be installed as soon as it
comes in.
City Engineer Brian Brown stated that the sidewalk and street program began today with work also
continuing on Murphy Drive.
August 29, 2016 5
APPROVAL OF BILLS
Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Schneider that bills submitted totaling
$342,318.48 (Total Payroll $165,044.42, Bills to be Paid $135,868.26, Total Bills Paid $41,405.80) be
accepted, paid and placed on file. Each and every alderman has a copy.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Alderman Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Duncan, Herndon, Schneider
NAY: None Absent: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 8-0
Moved by Alderman Duncan and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to adjourn the meeting.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.
ADJOURNED 7:51 p.m.
Carrie L. Brown, City Clerk
Alerts Sign-up