City of La Salle City Council met Dec. 30.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
A regular meeting of the La Salle City Council of La Salle, Illinois was held Monday, December 30, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. with Mayor Jeff Grove presiding with proper notice being duly and continuously posted.
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Present- Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
Absent: None
A quorum was present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Alderman Demes and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to accept and place on file the minutes of the December 16, 2019 Regular City Council meeting. Each and every alderman has a copy.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
PETITIONS
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to grant the request for a monetary donation to Safe House Animal Rescue League in the amount of $500.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Alderman Demes, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
NAY: Alderman Bacidore Absent: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 7-0
Prior to the vote, Alderman Bacidore stated that he is not opposed to the work Safe House Animal Rescue League is doing, but stated that our current ordinance prohibits dogs and cats to run at large. He stated that since the organization is releasing the cats back into the City, the group is going against the City ordinance. Alderman Bacidore asked if the ordinance needs to be amended. Sandy Knott of Safe House Animal Rescue League confirmed that the organization spays, neuters and vaccinates the cats and then returns them to where they were living, which is the City of La Salle. Alderman Bacidore continued by again reiterating that this is his point.the cats are running loose which goes against the ordinance. Ms. Knott stated that these feral cats were already running loose but when returned they have been now been spayed or neutered which prevents them from reproducing. Alderman Bacidore continued by saying that spaying or neutering does not prevent the cats from going onto other’s properties. Ms. Knott said that their organization does not do anything with socialized cats but agreed that pets should be leashed. Attorney McPhedran stated that the leash law Alderman Bacidore has been referencing applies to dogs and cats who have owners. The services being provided by Safe House pertain only to feral cats, which are wild and have no owners. Alderman Bacidore continued by stating that our ordinance makes no exception for feral cats as it stands.
Alderman Bacidore also did not see the need to donate to this group since the City already pays IVAR to pick up strays. Mayor Grove stated that this is a second set of eyes on the problem and is an additional service being provided to the residents of La Salle. Alderman Bacidore then continued by saying that he did not understand how the council can justify giving money to the cats, but not to groups such as the Boy scouts or other organizations. Mayor Grove explained that we are the stewards of tax payer money and the services being provided by Safe House are a public service to our residents to address a problem. He stated that the council has the right to vote anyway they choose and encouraged Alderman Bacidore to vote in the manner that he is comfortable with. Mayor Grove thanked both IVAR and Safe House for the partnership with the City.
Mike Girton, City of La Salle employee stated that he believes these types of programs are working. He stated that when he first started working at the city’s garage on Second Street in 1996, there were approximately 30 feral cats in that alley. He continued by stating that now it is down to two because of the work of groups like Safe House and IVAR.
Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Crane to grant the request from Ameren Illinois to break ground at 388 Carlene Drive to install electric underground service. Each and every alderman has a copy.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Alderman Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane NAY: None Absent: None Abstain: Alderman Lavieri
Motion Carried 7-0
Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to grant the requests for 2020 Raffle Licenses from the La Salle Promotion and Advisory Committee and Stacy Gerbitz on behalf of Sportsman’s Tap Inc. Each and every alderman has a copy.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Alderman Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 8-0
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS
Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Jeppson to accept and place on file the Monthly Police Income Report showing total fees collected of $5,672.34. Each and every alderman has a copy.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
Mayor Grove thanked everyone who participated and volunteered in all the events held over the holiday season. He stated that Celebration of Lights will remain open until January 1.
NEW BUSINESS
No new business was brought forth.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Moved by Alderman Bacidore and seconded by Alderman Ptak to accept the recommendation of the Streets, Alleys, and Traffic Committee and remove the No Parking sign at 626 Union.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Alderman Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 8--0
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
Prior to voting, brief discussion took place. Alderman Reynolds asked if this ordinance allows cannabis facilities to open anywhere in town. Attorney McPhedran stated that it does not and that a previous ordinance was passed outlining requirements for various cannabis related facilities. Part of the requirements include obtaining a Special Use permit, as well as certain potential variances. This ordinance amends Ordinance 2840 which was passed in September and relates to the Cannabis Retailers’ Occupation Tax. That ordinance was consistent with the model provided by Illinois Municipal League. In that model ordinance, the effective date a municipality could begin imposing the tax was January 1, 2020. The IML counsel is now recommending that cities who passed the prior model ordinance amend their ordinance to change the effective date from January 1, 2020 to July 1, 2020. This is more of a housekeeping issue.
Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Ptak to accept and place on file Ordinance 2864: An Ordinance Amending the Municipal Code of the City of La Salle by the Adoption of an Amendment to Chapter 34: Finance and Revenue Imposing a Municipal Cannabis Retailers’ Occupation Tax and Superseding Ordinance 2840. Each and every alderman has a copy.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Alderman Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 8-0
Ordinance 2864: An Ordinance Amending the Municipal Code of the City of La Salle by the Adoption of an Amendment to Chapter 34: Finance and Revenue Imposing a Municipal Cannabis Retailers’ Occupation Tax and Superseding Ordinance 2840
COMMENTS
Alderman Reynolds requested that the Streets, Alleys and Traffic Committee consider a request for a four way stop at the intersection of 3rd and Crosat Streets. The Streets, Alleys and Traffic Committee will meet on January 13, 2020 immediately following the Finance Committee meeting.
APPROVAL OF BILLS
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to accept, pay and place on file bills with Total Submitted totaling $548,278.17 (Total Payroll $170,092.19, Bills to be Paid $30,413.60, Total Bills Paid $347,772.38. Each and every alderman has a copy.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Alderman Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 8-0
Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Crane to adjourn the meeting. Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.
ADJOURNED 6:46 p.m.
https://www.lasalle-il.gov/sites/default/files/agendas-minutes/2020-01/12-30-2019_3.pdf
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