Illinois Valley Times

The city of Lasalle City Council met Sept. 12 to approve the annual Cavalier 5K Run/ Walk.

Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the city:

September 12, 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, September 12, 2016

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

A moment of silence was held in honor of the 15th Anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

ROLL CALL

Present- Alderman Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Duncan, Herndon

Excused Absence: Alderman Schneider

A quorum was present.

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 29, 2016 are accepted and placed on file. Each and every

alderman has a copy.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.

PETITIONS

Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Demes to allow Chris Tomsha of IVAR to

address the council.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.

Chris Tomsha of Illinois Valley Animal Rescue explained that the organization plans to begin providing

the City Council with a monthly report of the services provided to the City of La Salle. Because the City of

La Salle has donated to the organization in the past, they feel it is important to show the council and the

taxpayers that the monetary donation is being well spent and that this information can be used to aid in

decisions concerning future donations.

Ms. Tomsha used a recent scenario that just occurred involving two pit bulls that were picked up by IVAR.

She used this as an example to point out what the costs per animal would be to the City if IVAR did not

provide services. Without IVAR’s assistance, La Salle County Animal Control would have to be contacted

by the City to have a stray picked up. If the owner is not located, fees to board the dog can be as much

as $20 per day. If the animal is not claimed within those three days, the animal is then euthanized and

disposed of with fees as high as $200. The City would then be billed by the county. Mrs. Tomsha

believes IVAR should be compensated to some degree for the services they provide the City of La Salle.

It was suggested that perhaps an animal control budget could be established to cover some of IVAR’s

costs to provide these services. Mayor Grove stated that he was not sure if La Salle taxpayers should

have to be responsible to pay for other people’s inability to care for their dogs and also questioned what

citizen’s donations are used for. Discussion followed. Ms. Tomsha explained that La Salle relies more on

IVAR than other communities. She explained that Spring Valley is contracted with Bureau County Animal

Control, Oglesby has a dog catcher and Peru’s Police Department crates the animal for 24 hours and if

the owner does come forward, then IVAR is called. In the month of August, fifteen dogs were picked up

by IVAR in the City of La Salle. She explained that this is typical for most months. Ms. Tomsha also

questioned if the City of La Salle requires dog tags. Finance Director Duncan stated that we do. She

indicated rarely do dogs have tags when they pick them up in La Salle.

Alderman Ptak asked if this problem is worse now than it has ever been. Ms. Tomsha responded that it is

and pit bulls are out of control. The dogs are owned by people who are not responsible and cannot pay

to get the dog back, therefore leaving IVAR with a great deal of expense. Alderman Reynolds stated that

September 12, 2016 2

it seems the City needs to start heavily enforcing the ordinances we do have in place. Mayor Grove

suggested the IVAR representatives come to a Finance committee meeting to further discuss this issue.

Sue Jacobsen added that animal control does not take cats, so IVAR will continue to do that as a service.

Mayor Grove suggested including cats in their cost estimations.

Moved by Alderman Duncan and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to approve and place on file the request

from Ameren Illinois to break ground at 166 Edwards Avenue, 260 La Salle Road and 932 25th, 406 N.

30th Road, 397 N. 2959th Road and 387 N. 2959th Road Street to replace poles. Each and every

alderman has a copy.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.

Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to approve the request from LP

Township High School for permission to hold its annual Cavalier 5K Run/ Walk on Saturday, October 1,

2016 at 8 a.m. utilizing City streets. Each and every alderman has a copy.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.

Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to approve the request from LP High

School Foundation for Educational Enrichment to hold a Tag Day collection on Saturday, April 15, 2017 at

the intersection of 11th and Bucklin between the hours of 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and at area businesses.

Each and every alderman has a copy.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.

Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to approve the request from LP High

School to hold its annual Homecoming Parade on Thursday, September 29, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. utilizing

City streets and related matters. Each and every alderman has a copy.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.

REPORT OF CITY OFFICERS

Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to accept and place on file the Treasurer’s

Report for August 2016 showing total cash balances in the La Salle State Bank of $8,586,332.82 and in

Hometown National Bank of $122,532.73. Each and every alderman has a copy.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.

APPOINTMENTS

Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Duncan to accept the recommendation of the

Police Chief and the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners and approve the promotion of Jason Quinn

to the rank of Sergeant from the Sergeant’s eligibility list. Each and every alderman has a copy.

ROLL CALL: AYE: Alderman Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Duncan, Herndon

NAY: None Absent: Alderman Schneider Abstain: None

Motion Carried 7-0

Promotion: Jason Quinn to

the rank of Sergeant.

Mayor Grove congratulated Sergeant Quinn and also recognized the recent retirement of Chuck Foster

form the Police Department and thanked him for his years of service.

OLD BUSINESS

Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to confirm the straw poll vote taken

regarding the request of Janko Realty to place a 4’ x 8’ sign outside the building at 944 First Street and

related matters. Each and every alderman has a copy.

ROLL CALL: AYE: Alderman Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Duncan, Herndon

NAY: None Absent: Alderman Schneider Abstain: None

Motion Carried 7-0

September 12, 2016 3

Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Duncan to authorize, pay and place on file Pay

Estimate #1 to Quaka Trucking and Excavating, LLC for the 2016 Non-MFT Murphy Drive project totaling

$30,257.18 and related matters. Each and every alderman has a copy.

ROLL CALL: AYE: Alderman Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Duncan, Herndon

NAY: None Absent: Alderman Schneider Abstain: None

Motion Carried 7-0

NEW BUSINESS

There was no new business brought forth.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to approve and place on file Ordinance

2650: An Ordinance Authorizing Acquisition of Police Squad Car and Related Financing Matters. Each

and every alderman has a copy.

ROLL CALL: AYE: Alderman Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Duncan, Herndon

NAY: None Absent: Alderman Schneider Abstain: None

Motion Carried 7-0

Ordinance 2650: Authorizing

Acquisition of Police Squad Car

and related matters.

Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Duncan to approve and place on file Ordinance

2651: An Ordinance Setting the Compensation of the Mayor of the City of La Salle, Illinois and related

matters. Each and every alderman has a copy.

ROLL CALL: AYE: Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Duncan, Herndon

NAY: Alderman Demes Absent: Alderman Schneider Abstain: None

Motion Carried 6-1

Ordinance 2651: Setting the

Compensation of the Mayor of

the City of La Salle, Illinois.

Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to approve and place on file

Ordinance 2652: An Ordinance setting the Compensation of the City Clerk of the City of La Salle, Illinois

and related matters. Each and every alderman has a copy.

ROLL CALL: AYE: Alderman Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Duncan, Herndon

NAY: None Absent: Alderman Schneider Abstain: None

Motion Carried 7-0

Ordinance 2652: Setting the

Compensation of the City Clerk

of the City of La Salle, Illinois.

Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Duncan to approve and place on file Ordinance

2653: An Ordinance setting the Compensation of the Aldermen/Alderperson of the City of La Salle, Illinois

and related matters. Each and every alderman has a copy.

ROLL CALL: AYE: Alderman Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Duncan, Herndon

NAY: Alderman Demes, Alderman Lavieri Absent: Alderman Schneider Abstain: None

Motion Carried 5-2

Ordinance 2653: Setting the

Compensation of the

Alderman/Alderperson of the City

of La Salle, Illinois

Brief discussion regarding the proposed “check valve” installation program. It was clarified that this

program will not be retroactive, however the Mayor indicated one family will be grandfathered in.

September 12, 2016 4

Moved by Alderman Duncan and seconded by Alderman Demes to approve and place on file an

Ordinance Authorizing limited City Contribution toward “Check Valve” installation and related matters.

ROLL CALL: AYE: Mayor Grove, Alderman Demes, Lavieri, Duncan

NAY: Alderman Bacidore Ptak, Reynolds, Herndon

Absent: Alderman Schneider Abstain: None

Attorney McPhedran stated that it is a tie vote but in any event it could be raised again and suggested

that since Alderman Schneider, who initially made the motion to develop this program is not in

attendance, it could be considered again at the next meeting. Attorney McPhedran indicated that the

Mayor is entitled to vote, but it is tied so it does not move forward anyway.

Moved by Alderman Duncan and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to put the issue of the check valve

installation program on the next meeting agenda.

Voice vote was not unanimous.

ROLL CALL: AYE: Alderman Demes, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Duncan, Herndon

NAY: Alderman Bacidore Absent: Alderman Schneider Abstain: None

Motion Carried 6-1

Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to approve and place on file Ordinance

2654: An Ordinance Prohibiting the Use of Groundwater as a Potable Water Supply by installation or Use

of Potable Water Supply Wells or by any other method as to certain premises and related matters. Each

and every alderman has a copy.

ROLL CALL: AYE: Alderman Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Duncan, Herndon

NAY: None Absent: Alderman Schneider Abstain: None

Motion Carried 7-0

Ordinance 2654: Prohibiting the

Use of Groundwater as a Potable

Water Supply by installation or

Use of Potable Water Supply

Wells or by any other method as

to certain premises and related

matters.

COMMENTS

There were no comments from the public.

Mayor Grove thanked the Fire and Police Departments, Public Works Department, Staff and the La Salle

Business Association and all involved with the success of the BBQ and Blues and the Jazz N’ the Streets

events this past weekend. Mayor added that Cruisin La Salle will be held on Second Street this Saturday,

September 17, 2016.

7:38 p.m. Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to exit regular session and

enter into Executive Session regarding pending and/or potential imminent litigation and related matters:

Collective bargaining and related matters, and acquisition and/or sale of city real estate and related

matters and the employment, appointment, performance and/or compensation of non-union personnel

and related matters pursuant to the Open Meetings Act including 5-ILCS 120 Section 2(c)1-3,5,6,and 11

thereof.

ROLL CALL: AYE: Alderman Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Duncan, Herndon

NAY: None Absent: Alderman Schneider Abstain: None

Motion Carried 7-0

8:36 p.m. Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to exit Executive Session and

return to regular session of the La Salle City Council.

ROLL CALL: AYE: Alderman Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Duncan, Herndon

NAY: None Absent: Alderman Schneider Abstain: None

Motion Carried 7-0

September 12, 2016 5

Note: Mayor Grove exited Executive Session at 8:05 p.m.

Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to appoint Tom Ptak as Mayor ProTem

for the remainder of Executive Session after the Mayor exited and Regular Session in the absence

of Mayor Grove.

ROLL CALL: AYE: Alderman Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Duncan, Herndon,

NAY: None Absent: Alderman Schneider Abstain: None

Motion Carried 7-0

APPROVAL OF BILLS

Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Schneider that bills submitted totaling

$260,064.45 (Total Payroll $212,429.90, Bills to be Paid – none submitted, Total Bills Paid $47,634.55)

be accepted, paid and placed on file. Each and every alderman has a copy.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.

Moved by Alderman Duncan and seconded by Alderman Demes to adjourn the meeting.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.

ADJOURNED 8:37 p.m.

___________________

Carrie L. Brown, City Clerk