La Salle City Council met Oct. 9.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL Present- Alderman Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Duncan, Herndon,Schneider Absent: None A quorum was present.
Moved by Alderman Demes and seconded by Alderman Reynolds that the minutes of the regular City Council meeting held on Monday, September 25, 2017 are accepted and placed on file. Each and every alderman has a copy. Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
PETITIONS Moved by Alderman Duncan and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to grant the request of La Salle Little League to hold Tag Day collections on Friday, April 13, 2018 and Saturday, April 14, 2018 at the intersections of 11th and Bucklin and at Raccuglia Drive and Chartres Street. Each and every alderman has a copy. Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Duncan to grant requests for 2017 Raffle Licenses from Susan Data on behalf of the Joanne Lanham Benefit,Marion Conerton on behalf of the Dimmick School PTO,Lisa Furleigh of Quilting in the Valley to raffle a quilt with proceeds going toward hurricane relief in Puerto Rico, Ellen Berberton on behalf of Alternatives, and Courtney Klobucher on behalf of the LP Class of 1997. Each and every alderman has a copy. Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Moved by Alderman Bacidore and seconded by Alderman Ptak to grant the request of Ameren Illinois to break ground at 118 Vermilionvue Trace to install gas service at 541 Chartres Street to retire facilities at main campus. Each and every alderman has a copy. Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to accept and place on file the Monthly Police Income Report for August 2017 showing total fees collected of $4,696.63. Each and every alderman has a copy. Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Demes to accept and place on file a thank you note from the family of Cliff Banks, former Mayor of Spring Valley. Each and every alderman has a copy. Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
STANDING COMMITTEES Moved by Alderman Bacidore and seconded by Alderman Herndon to accept the recommendation of the Streets, Alleys, and Traffic Committee and deny the request to install additional Speed Limit signs on Third Street from Joliet to Union. ROLL CALL: AYE: Alderman Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Duncan, Herndon,Schneider NAY: Alderman Demes Absent: None Abstain: None Motion Carried 7-1
OLD BUSINESS Mayor Grove thanked the Police and Fire Departments, Public Works and office staff for assistance with the two recent Homecoming Parades.
NEW BUSINESS Alderman Lavieri reminded residents that leaf pick-up began this week and reminded residents that leaves should not be placed in the street. Pick-up is as follows: Monday-Fourth Ward, Tuesday/Wednesday- Third Ward, Thursday-First Ward, Friday-Second Ward.
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman to authorize, pay, and place on file the following Redevelopment Incentive Program grants subject to the Economic Development Director’s final approval. Each and every alderman has a copy.
Amia Boutique- $1,826.38 GHG Holdings- $4,900 Marty’s Barber Shop- $2,600 MBird Construction- $12,500 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 Demes and seconded by Alderman Bacidore to allow James “Mickey” Rodda to address the council. Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Mr. James “Mickey” Rodda, explained that he resides at 757 Wright Street located at the SW Corner of 8th and Wright, but also owns property next door at 432 Eighth Street. This property runs south to the alley. Mr. Rodda indicated that renters were evicted and previous renters did not take care of the premises leaving refuse in the alley diamond. He has personally cleaned up the area by taking down trees, removing an old basketball hoop, and discarding a swing set that had been destroyed years ago but was left for many years in the diamond. Mr. Rodda would like to buy the diamond from the City so he has control of it and can take care of it. Mayor Grove explained that the City has not sold diamonds in the past, but he does understand his reasons for wanting to control it. Mayor Grove stated that a final decision cannot be made this evening as there as issues that need to be investigated, but it does start the process. Mayor thanked Mr. Rodda for going through the proper channels. Discussion by the council followed. Mr.
Rodda presented a 1985 survey done by Chamlin and Associates that shows the property lines of the area including the diamond. Copies were distributed to the aldermen.
City Engineer Brian Brown stated that he was not aware that Mr. Rodda owned the rental unit at 432 Eighth. Mr. Brown stated that he is not in favor of giving up City property, because it can cause issues if there is a need to secure easements in the future. He stated that he would be opposed to selling the diamond, but would be in favor of a lease as the City would still retain ownership.
Mr. Rodda stated that he would be agreeable to a lease. Attorney McPhedran added that lease periods for city right- of- way normally run for two years at a time, so that if the City were to need the property for some purpose it is still City property. Attorney McPhedran asked Mr. Rodda if any of the neighbors would have interest in the diamond. Mr. Rodda did not think anyone would have any interest in the diamond.
Mayor suggested that we include wording in the lease agreement that if 432 8th Street were to change hands, the diamond would revert back to the City.
The council acknowledged that based on the upkeep of Mr. Rodda’s residence, it appears the diamond would be well kept if leased or sold.
Discussion continued. City Engineer Brown will review access to other properties and see how a possible lease could affect that access. He will also check utilities in the area and report back.
Moved by Alderman Duncan and seconded by Alderman Demes to refer the request of Mr. Mickey Rodda for a possible lease of City Real Estate for the City Diamond located directly south of 432 Eighth Street to the Streets, Alleys and Traffic Committee and Public Grounds and Real Estate Committee. Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
There will be a joint meeting of the Streets, Alleys and Traffic Committee and the Public Grounds and Real Estate Committee on Monday, October 23, 2017 immediately following the Finance Committee meeting.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS Alderman Duncan asked the Mayor to confirm that in regard to the possible purchase of 326- 330 Third Street that the purchase includes the vacant lot on the property and that the sale price is 90% of the appraised value. Mayor Grove confirmed this. Finance Director Duncan added that the amount the City will pay will be discounted by the lien on the property as well as outstanding water bills. Finance Director Duncan estimated the amount of the sale to be approximately $79,000 but this number will not be certain until all closing costs, etc. are applied.
Attorney McPhedran stated that the City has independent counsel on this matter because of a potential conflict of interest with his office, but it is his understanding the closing will be this Wednesday and the City will be taking an assignment of contract. Finance Director confirmed this to be accurate. Attorney McPhedran also indicated that for this ordinance to pass it will take five votes, plus the Mayor.
Moved by Alderman Demes and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to pass and place on file Ordinance 2704: An Ordinance Authorizing the Acquisition of Real Estate Located at 326-330 Third Street within the City of La Salle. Each and every alderman has a copy.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Mayor Grove, Alderman Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Duncan, Herndon, Schneider NAY: None Absent: None Abstain: None Motion Carried 8-0
Ordinance 2704: Authorizing the Acquisition of Real Estate Located at 326-330 Third Street within the City of La Salle.
In regard to the Jackson School matter, Alderman Duncan complimented the Mayor on his persistence and desire to clean up the City. Alderman Duncan stated that in this particular situation he prefers that the City moves slower and looks for other possibilities and perhaps then move forward when a buyer has been found or a particular use for the property has been determined. Currently, Alderman Duncan stated, there is a responsible owner so the City should not be in a rush to acquire the property. He added that the City and the current owner can ensure the property does not become blighted. He suggested that we work with the School District to find a buyer and hold off on the purchase at this time.
Moved by Alderman Duncan and seconded by Alderman Bacidore to table the issue of acquiring the Jackson School premises. ROLL CALL: AYE: Bacidore, Ptak, Lavieri, Duncan NAY: Mayor Grove, Alderman Demes, Reynolds, Herndon, Schneider Absent: None Abstain: None Motion Failed 5-4
Moved by Alderman Demes and seconded by Alderman Schneider to pass and place on file Ordinance 2705: An Ordinance Authorizing Intergovernmental Agreement as between La Salle Elementary School District #122, La Salle County, Illinois and the City of La Salle regarding Transfer of Certain Premises Commonly Known as the “Jackson School Premises.” Each and every alderman has a copy. ROLL CALL: AYE: Mayor Grove, Alderman Demes, Reynolds, Herndon,Schneider NAY: Aldermen Bacidore, Ptak, Lavieri, Duncan Absent: None Abstain: None Motion Carried 5-4
Ordinance 2705: Authorizing Intergovernmental Agreement as between La Salle Elementary School District #122, La Salle County, Illinois and the City of La Salle regarding Transfer of Certain Premises Commonly Known as the “Jackson School Premises.”
COMMENTS Alderman Schneider and Katherine Toraason reminded everyone of a meeting Tuesday evening at 6:00 p.m. with Jean Guarino who is compiling our Historic District proposal.
Mayor Grove thanked Chief Uranich for his team for their professional assistance with the situation in Peru last week. He also thanked Chief Bacidore and his team and the Police Department for their efforts on a recent fire on Gooding Street.
Mayor Grove extended his thanks to all for the well wishes and thoughts upon the birth of his daughter.
Mayor Grove gave an update on the Fire Truck project. He stated that all the work being done on the building is work in-kind, so contractors work when their schedules allow. Garage doors are expected to arrive this week. Union masons will do the brick work. The current plan and hope is to have this project completed before the snow falls. A landscaping plan is being worked on as well will be finalized in the spring. A plaque recognizing donors will be completed at the end of the project. Total donations at this time are approximately $20,000 and continue to come in.
Mayor Grove stated that new signs are being installed at the parks as a joint effort of our Public Works and Parks Departments.
APPROVAL OF BILLS Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Lavieri that bills submitted totaling $603,678.57 (Total Payroll $171,696.07, Bills to be Paid $378,679.91, Total Bills Paid $53,302.59) 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 Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Demes to adjourn the meeting. Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.
ADJOURNED 7:38 p.m.
https://www.lasalle-il.gov/sites/default/files/agendas-minutes/2017-10/10-09-2017.pdf
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