City of La Salle City Council met Sept. 8.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
A regular meeting of the La Salle City Council of La Salle, Illinois was held at 6:30 p.m. Mayor Jeff Grove presiding with proper notices being duly and continuously posted.
The meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Present- Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Crane Excused Absence: Alderman Herndon
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 Regular Meeting of the City Council held August 24, 2020. Each and every alderman has a copy.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
PROCLAMATION
Moved by Alderman Demes and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to proclaim Thursday, Sept. 17 through Wednesday, Sept. 23 as Constitution Week in La Salle. Each and every alderman has a copy.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
PETITIONS
Moved by Alderman Demes and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to grant the request of Ameren Illinois to break ground at First and Sterling streets to install gas service. Each and every alderman has a copy.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Alderman Bacidore spoke with the Council that he spoke with the resident requesting to break curb to put a driveway in and that he understands the city’s requirements when putting in a driveway.
Moved by Alderman Bacidore and seconded by Alderman Demes to grant the request of Mike Johnson, resident of 540 Seventh St., to break curb for a driveway. Each and every alderman has a copy.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to grant the request of Judd Heess on behalf of Maj Properties for a Redevelopment Incentive Program grant totaling $12,500 for premises located at 146 Gooding Street. Each and every alderman has a copy.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Crane
NAY: None Absent: Alderman Herndon Abstain: None
Motion Carried 7-0
Regarding a street closure, Alderman Demes asked whether the staff at Hegeler Carus Mansion plan to follow CDC guidelines when they host the craft fair which was confirmed.
Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Demes to grant the request of Cindy Waddick with the Hegeler Carus Mansion to close Seventh Street from Union to Sterling streets to host a craft fair from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, October 20, 2020. Each and every alderman has a copy.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to accept and place on file the Treasurer’s Report for August 2020 showing total cash balances in La Salle State Bank of $9,482,063.84 and in Hometown National Bank of $4,241,217.60. Each and every alderman has a copy.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS
Deputy Clerk Brent Bader read a thank you note from the Starved Rock Runners Club regarding the Boo Milby Race. It was then moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Jeppson to accept the communication and place it on file. Each and every alderman has a copy.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
BIDS
Alderman Lavieri asked City Engineer Brian Brown whether the city would be rebidding the projects up for approval. Brown said after consultations, they recommend accepting the $289,500 bid from Trotter General Contracting for the Ninth Street Pump Station while rebidding the New Water Supply Well #13 and Water Distribution System Improvement Hydrant and Valve Replacement projects. He said the projects, of which low bids came in at $725,898 from Trotter General Contracting and $574,025 from Opperman Construction respectively, were “significantly higher” than estimated. Brown said some companies he spoke with had planned to bid on the project but were unable to meet the bid deadline. Brown estimated $100,000 per project could be saved by rebidding. Attorney Jim McPhedran explained the city would need to approve the Ninth Street Project subject to the success of the rebidding process on the other two bids. Mayor Grove asked why the City wouldn’t rebid them all but Brown advised they don’t want to risk losing the Ninth Street Pump Station bid, which came in under estimates. Attorney McPhedran recommended the bids be separated out and voted on individually.
Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to accept the bid for the Ninth Street Pump Station upgrades from Trotter General Contracting for $289,500 tentatively subject to what occurs during rebidding of the other projects.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Crane
NAY: None Absent: Alderman Herndon Abstain: None
Motion Carried 7-0
BIDS: Trotter General Contracting $289,500
Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to reject the bids for New Water Supply Well #13.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Crane
NAY: None Absent: Alderman Herndon Abstain: None
Motion Carried 7-0
Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to reject the bids for the Hydrant and Valve Replacement project.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Crane
NAY: None Absent: Alderman Herndon Abstain: None
Motion Carried 7-0
Following the vote, Alderman Crane said the project is important to the City’s infrastructure and asked Public Works Director Jeff Bumgarner if City workers can start on it by working a couple of Saturdays a month to save money. Bumgarner said with 25 valves and 25 hydrants it may be a slow process but could be done.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Alderman Bacidore explained that the first two recommendations from the Streets, Alleys and Traffic Committee are connected and they recommend signs be placed at the trailhead at the Vermilionvue subdivision, the dead end on 24th Street, the Wastewater treatment plant, and near John Pohar & Sons on Crosat Street denoting that motorized vehicles are not allowed and the areas are not entrances to any parks. Mayor Grove asked how people can access Prairie Lake in the meantime and Alderman Jordan Crane said the signs are to keep people and ATVs from trespassing on private property until a more accessible road is completed.
Moved by Alderman Bacidore and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to accept the recommendation of the Streets, Alleys, and Traffic Committee to place no park access and no motorized vehicles signs at the trailhead at the Vermilionvue subdivision, the dead end on 24th Street, the Wastewater treatment plant, and near John Pohar & Sons on Crosat Street.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Crane
NAY: None Absent: Alderman Herndon Abstain: None
Motion Carried 7-0
Moved by Alderman Bacidore and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to accept the recommendation of the Streets, Alleys and Traffic Committee to deny the request for a stop sign at 10th and Wright streets.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Crane
NAY: None Absent: Alderman Herndon Abstain: None
Motion Carried 7-0
Following the vote, Mayor Grove noted on the following request that homes in the area have small signs with flags asking vehicles to slow down.
Alderman Bacidore explained the Streets, Alleys and Traffic Committee do not have a recommendation regarding whether or not to paint street corners to discourage drivers parking too close to an intersection but instead to report those incidents to police so that drivers can be ticketed.
APPOINTMENTS/REAPPOINTMENTS
Mayor Jeff Grove announced his recommendation of new appointments to the Library Board including Marc Zeglis to fill out the remaining term of Jeannette Hicks who has retired and relocated for Florida. Zeglis will fill out the term until April 30, 2021. He announced full, three- year terms for Amy Quinn, Mike Sudaj, and Jim Cleary. Their terms will last until April 30, 2023.
Moved by Alderman Jeppson and seconded by Alderman Demes to accept the appointments to the Library Board.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Crane
NAY: None Absent: Alderman Herndon Abstain: None
Motion Carried 7-0
APPOINTMENTS:
Marc Zeglis to 4-30-2021 to replace retiring Jeannette Hicks
Amy Quinn to April 30, 2023
Mike Sudaj to April 30, 2023
Jim Cleary to April 30, 2023
OLD BUSINESS
APPOINTMENTS:
Alderman Bacidore continued the conversation from the last City Council meeting on August 24 regarding a street light at Civic Road and Corporate Drive. He said he visited the site and was unsure how drivers were getting lost. Alderman Demes said he drove by twice and couldn’t find the place. He noted the light was fine but a street sign identifying the intersection would have helped. City Engineer Brian Brown did note there is a light on the transformer pole at the intersection. Alderman Crane suggested a new street sign on the stop sign should help the issue. Alderman Lavieri asked if the business is no longer known as Imperial Crane but Economic Development Director Leah Inman explained that Geneva Holdings owns multiple businesses and purchased the building, while leasing some of the property back to Imperial Crane. They plan to erect a larger sign identifying the business as Geneva Equipment. Alderman Bacidore said he doesn’t think street signs will be necessary then if the company plans to erect their own sign.
Moved by Alderman Crane and seconded by Alderman Demes to put up street signs at Civic Road and Corporate Drive
ROLL CALL: AYE: Aldermen Demes, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Crane
NAY: Alderman Bacidore Absent: Alderman Herndon Abstain: None
Motion Carried 6-1
NEW BUSINESS
Alderman Ptak advised that the Finance Committee recommended an increase in the Mayor’s salary from $20,000 to $25,000 and an increase in the Aldermen’s per pay period salary from $150 to $200 per pay period, of which there are 26. This would bring their annual salary to $5,200. The motion was being voted upon before Alderman Lavieri asked they be voted on separately. Attorney McPhedran also asked for clarification that the Mayor’s fee of acting as Liquor Commissioner would remain the same in this recommendation which was confirmed. Alderman Demes said Mayor Grove is the best mayor La Salle has had and the best in the region, deserving of a raise, but that he won’t be voting in support of the raise given the economic situation currently. Mayor Grove reminded the public that the increases do not take effect until the positions are reseated following an election.
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to increase the Mayor’s salary from $20,000 to $25,000.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Aldermen Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson
NAY: Aldermen Demes, Crane Absent: Alderman Herndon Abstain: None
Motion Carried 5-2
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to increase the Aldermen’s pay from $150 to $200 per pay period.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Aldermen Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Jeppson
NAY: Aldermen Demes, Lavieri, Crane Absent: Alderman Herndon Abstain: None
Motion Carried 4-3
Attorney McPhedran said ordinances will be prepared for the next meeting but noted that for an ordinance to pass it will need five positive votes. He also noted the Council was shy one alderman during the vote and that the Mayor can vote if there are four positive votes. Mayor Grove said no one on the City Council is “doing this for the money” but it’s a different time then it has been in the past and they need to be available “24/7.” He also noted the Council has reviewed the pay and salaries of communities in the area to determine a number. Mayor Grove said he appreciates the time everyone puts in and noted that it’s “not comfortable” for anyone on the Council to talk wage increases.
Mayor Grove also announced that Ax Church would host a movie night at 6 p.m. Friday, September 18 at Hegeler Park. The movie is Frozen II and social distancing will be encouraged.
ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS
Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Demes to approve and place on file Ordinance 2898: An Ordinance pertaining to the local CURE program. Each and every alderman has a copy.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Crane
NAY: None Absent: Alderman Herndon Abstain: None
Motion Carried 7-0
Ordinance 2898: An Ordinance pertaining to the local CURE program.
Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Ptak to approve and place on file Ordinance 2899: An Ordinance further regulating traffic within the City of LaSalle. Each and every alderman has a copy.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Crane
NAY: None Absent: Alderman Herndon Abstain: None
Motion Carried 7-0
Ordinance 2899: An Ordinance further regulating traffic within the City of LaSalle
Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Demes to approve and place on file Ordinance 2900: An Ordinance approving and authorizing the execution of redevelopment agreement by and between the City of LaSalle and Thorntons LLC. Each and every alderman has a copy.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Crane NAY: None Absent: Alderman Herndon Abstain: None
Motion Carried 7-0
Ordinance 2900: An Ordinance approving and authorizing the execution of redevelopment agreement by and between the City of LaSalle and Thorntons LLC
COMMENTS
Mayor Grove congratulated Economic Development Director Leah Inman on her birthday.
Grove also thanked the community and staff for “everything that’s been going on since March with COVID” and also acknowledged the quick work of the community to get branches cleaned up after the storm in August. “That’s what it’s all about in the Valley is taking care of each other,” Grove said.
APPROVAL OF BILLS
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to accept, pay and place on file bills for September 8, 2020 with Total submitted of $420,687.30 (Total Payroll $190,478.77, Bills to be Paid $82,935.11, Total Bills Paid $147,273.42)
ROLL CALL: AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Crane
NAY: None Absent: Alderman Herndon Abstain: None
Motion Carried 7-0
Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Crane to adjourn the meeting. Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.
ADJOURNED 7:14 p.m.
https://www.lasalle-il.gov/sites/default/files/agendas-minutes/2020-09/9-8-2020_1.pdf
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