City of La Salle City Council Met April 19.
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. with Mayor Jeff Grove presiding with proper notices being duly and continuously posted.
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
A moment of silence was held for Bruce Johns, volunteer for the city and LPAC member who passed away recently.
ROLL CALL
Present- Mayor Grove, Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
Excused Absence: 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 Regular Meeting of the City Council held April 5, 2021. 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 May as Motorcycle Awareness month. Each and every alderman has a copy.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Proclamation: May as Motorcycle Awareness Month within the City of La Salle.
Mayor Grove reminded residents that leaving grass clippings in the street is not good for our sewer system, but also creates a hazard for motorcycles.
PETITIONS
Moved by Alderman Demes and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to grant the request from Ameren Illinois to break ground at 120 Ninth Street to repair below grade gas leak. Each and every alderman has a copy.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Bacidore to grant the request for a 2021 Raffle License from La Salle VFW Post 4668. Each and every alderman has a copy. Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to grant the request from Hernan Luna for a Redevelopment Incentive Program grant totaling $11,250 for premises located at 829 First Street. Each and every alderman has a copy.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 8-0
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to grant the request from Hernan Luna for a Redevelopment Incentive Program grant totaling $11,250 for premises located at 845 First Street. Each and every alderman has a copy.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 8-0
Moved by Alderman Jeppson and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to grant the request from Arnie Sanchez to close Lindberg Street from the alley west of the Twisty Freeze east to Route 351 from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 10, 2021 for a 45th Anniversary Outdoor Celebration.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 8-0
City Engineer Brown stated that the fence at 1401 Bucklin Avenue will be installed approximately 5-6 feet from the street and will not create any obstructions of view.
Moved by Alderman Jeppson and seconded by Alderman Ptak to grant the request from Patrick “Mac” Cawley to lease 8’ x 60’ section of city right-of-way at 1401 Bucklin Avenue for a fence and replaced block wall and patio. 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 March 2021 showing total cash balances in La Salle State Bank of $10,769,215.71 and in Hometown National Bank of $4,427,595.54. Each and every alderman has a copy.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to accept and place on file the Illinois Department of Revenue report showing sales tax collected for January 2021 of $71,086.74 and Home Rule Sales Tax of $60,534.34 for a total of $131,621.08. Each and every alderman has a copy.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
BIDS
The city recently held bid openings for three projects included in the Rotary Park Phase III 2021 Construction Improvements including a Restroom, Fishing Pier and Shelter near the lake. Mayor Grove explained that the City Engineer had provided the aldermen with the information from the bid openings. Mayor Grove explained that due to weather events in the country, shut downs of manufacturers and Covid, building material costs have skyrocketed. He stated that we will discuss each bid individually but reminded the aldermen that that they do not have to act upon these bids if they do not want to. City Engineer Brown said he believes the grant allows us two years to complete the project which in this case is August of 2022. Mayor said he has heard various opinions in regard to building material prices dropping or rising in the future. Mayor also said he was asked if the money allocated for the fishing pier could be used toward the restroom instead since no bids were received for the pier. Mayor said we are not allowed to do that as the fishing pier was part of the scope of the grant.
City Engineer Brown said he is asking once again if the concrete walkway and railing along the water’s edge could be considered as the fishing pier. He said he was told once that the answer was no, but he is going to reach out to the IDNR to ask the question again. He said he was not sure if that will happen, but it is was a hope.
Alderman Crane said he does not see material prices dropping. He said he thought we did receive fair bids as both bids from the two contractors were very close. Mr. Brown said we can hold the bids for 60 days if the council is not ready to act this evening.
Mr. Brown said some items he requested the architect to add to his design such as touch-free fixtures in the restroom and a metal roof on the building did increase to the price of the project by $5,000 or so, but he felt both of those upgrades were important. He said the structure will
also have a filtered water bottle filling station outside. Mr. Brown said an alternate bid was also requested for fiberglass doors as he felt metal doors are prone to rust and need to be replaced often. The fiberglass doors are stronger. This, too, was an additional upgrade, but one the City Engineer believed to be important.
Alderman Crane said he thinks it is very important to add the restroom at Rotary Park and he does not see prices dropping so he thinks we should move ahead on this.
Alderman Lavieri asked if the restroom is also a storm shelter. Mr. Brown said it is not FEMA rated as a storm shelter but will provide protection from straight line winds, hail and lightning.
Alderman Demes asked the City Engineer what his recommendation was regarding the bid for the restroom. Mr. Brown said he did not make a recommendation because the bids were substantially over the estimate. He said he asked the architect for guidance on the estimate as he was not certain as to the cost for this type of building and was told it should be between $150,000 and $175,000, so he used $175,000 as his estimate. The architect was blown away at the $475 per square foot cost.
Alderman Ptak wondered if prices will come down as factories start opening up and demand starts to drop because prices are so high. City Engineer Brown said he was unsure if the prices would come down within the timeframe of the grant.
Alderman Crane asked if this was a block building which City Engineer Brown said it was. Alderman Crane asked if it was legal for the city to adjust the bid and remove the sidewalk, the topsoil and the seeding and have our own public works staff do that portion of the project. City Engineer Brown said that is something we could do and it would remove about $6,000 from the job. Superintendent Bumgarner said that comes at the cost of other work not getting done.
Mr. Brown said $200,000 was budgeted for the restroom with the city paying $100,000 and the grant paying $100,000. Now the city will have to pay $160,000 with the grant paying $100,000.
Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Demes to award the low bid and alternate for the Rotary Park Phase III 2021 Construction Improvements (Restroom) to Tieman Builders, Inc. totaling $268,851. Each and every alderman has a copy.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
NAY: Alderman Ptak Absent: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 7-0
Bids: Tieman Builders, Inc. $264,151
Alternate $4,500
Total Bid- 268,851
Vissering Construction Company
Base Bid $263,800
Alternate $5,434
Total Bid- $269,234
In regard to the Rotary Park-Phase III Fishing Pier portion of the 2021 Construction Improvements City Engineer Brown said he did not receive any bids. Tieman Builders did show interest in bidding on the pier itself if the piles were driven by another company. Mr. Brown said he is working on trying to find a company and see what the cost would be for that service alone.
In regard to a bid award for the Rotary Park-Phase III Shelter bid for the 2021 Construction Improvements, City Engineer Brown said that the original plan was to have a 28’ x 24’ shelter with concrete pad that extended 3’ feet on all sides, but in discussion with the Mayor and Park Director it was determined that not many picnic tables can fit under that size shelter and it is anticipated to be heavily used, so it was decided to go 8’ longer. This puts us $14,000 over the original grant, which is due in part to increased wood prices, but also due to the fact it is a larger shelter. This shelter will be in between the size of the Eureka and the Rotary shelter currently in the park and will measure 36’ x 24’.
Moved by Alderman Crane and seconded by Alderman Herndon to award the bid for the Shelter for the Rotary Park-Phase III 2021 Construction Improvements to Tieman Builders, Inc. totaling $35,820. Each and every alderman has a copy.
Bids: Tieman Builders, Inc.
Rotary Park Phase III 2021 Construction
Improvements-Shelter $35,820
STANDING COMMITTEES
Chairman Tom Ptak reported that the Finance Committee met earlier and decided to table the request from North Central Area Transit for a monetary donation until further details can be provided in terms of the number of riders, etc. In addition Chairman Ptak indicated also that a donation was not included in this fiscal year’s appropriations.
Alderman Demes said years ago the city paid a fee to rent a bus from Peru as a transport service for our residents. NCAT has taken the place of that bus. They will pick residents up and take them to shop or appointments for a fee of $5.00. You can call ahead and make the arrangements. Mayor Grove agreed that NCAT is a nice service.
Moved by Alderman Bacidore and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to accept the recommendation of the Streets, Alleys and Traffic Committee to utilize the new GovPilot software on a case by case basis as a means to notify the public of certain types of potential changes to public streets.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 8-0
Alderman Bacidore reported that it is the recommendation of the Streets, Alleys and Traffic Committee to take no action regarding the request to change the speed limit to 40 mph westbound on 24th Street from Chartres Street to the La Salle/Peru border until the road improvements are completed and the Intergovernmental Agreement with Peru is finalized.
Moved by Alderman Bacidore and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to accept the recommendation of the Streets, Alleys and Traffic Committee to make no changes to the La Salle City Code sections regarding the operation of certain non-state licensed motorized vehicles.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Aldermen Bacidore, Reynolds, Lavieri, Herndon
NAY: Alderman Demes, Alderman Ptak, Alderman Jeppson, Alderman Crane, Mayor Grove Absent: None Abstain: None
Motion Failed 4-5 with Mayor Grove voting Nay to break the tie.
Moved by Alderman Demes and seconded by Alderman Jeppson to start the process to re evaluate La Salle City Code sections regarding the operation of certain non-state licensed motorized and electric vehicles such as golf carts, side by sides, motorized bicycles.
Prior to the vote, Alderman Crane expressed his desire to seek public input on this issue.
Alderman Bacidore stated that he was voting Nay because of his concerns of someone getting injured or hurt when these types of vehicles disregard traffic signals and disobey rules of the road.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Aldermen Demes, Ptak, Jeppson, Crane, Mayor Grove
NAY: Alderman Bacidore, Reynolds, Lavieri, Herndon
Absent: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 5-4 with Mayor Grove voting Aye to break the tie.
OLD BUSINESS
Moved by Alderman Jeppson and seconded by Alderman Crane to ratify and confirm bid award for electrical portion of the Library HVAC upgrades to Ficek Electric & Communication Systems, Inc. totaling $32,681. Each and every alderman has a copy.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 8-0
BIDS: Ficek Electric & Communication, Inc. $32,681
G.L. Scheri Electric Co. $38,860
JB Contracting Corp. $49,712
Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Herndon to ratify and confirm authorization to Ameren Illinois to break ground to install a fiber optic line from their Raccuglia Drive Campus to Route 351, from Route 351 to 11th Street, west on 11th Street to Creve Coeur and south on Creve Coeur to Canal Street subject to approval of the plans by the City Engineer.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 8-0
As of this meeting, City Engineer Brown stated that Ameren is aware they cannot work until he sees the final plans and proof that they have received permission from IDOT to work on the state route. He is still awaiting final plans. Brief discussion followed.
Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to authorize, pay and place on file Pay Estimate #1 to Ski Sealcoat & Maintenance totaling $280,603.85 for work completed to date on the 2021 DCEO Sewer Separation project. Each and every alderman has a copy.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 8-0
Alderman Demes asked City Engineer Brown how this project was going. Mr. Brown said the sewer project is going smoothly and the contractor is running ahead of schedule.
Alderman Lavieri asked how the Path to Prairie Lake was coming along. City Engineer Brown said 50% of the earthwork is completed. They have found a few soft areas and have found some wet springs coming out of the hill so under drain will have to be installed to the keep the road stable, but all in all 90% of the area has a good base to work on.
Alderman Crane commented that he went walking back in the area there yesterday afternoon and was impressed with the amount of work that had been done. He continued by saying he went back today and was impressed again at how much was done in such a short amount of time. He thought it all looked good and was happy with the way the contractor was doing the work. Alderman Crane said he is concerned that we may be opening ourselves up to liability issues if this becomes a small Starved Rock where our EMS and police are dispatched multiple times a day. Alderman Crane said he was speaking to Chief Smudzinski about the need for the council to establish rules and ordinances that will assist his department in policing that area. They also discussed the need for the police to acquire a side by side to easily access that area as well as to be used for downtown festivals, etc.
City Engineer Brown said this is a city park and there are multiple ATVs and side by sides that currently operate in the park that are not allowed to be there. He continued by saying that we are going to need to add signage that clearly indicates these types of vehicles are not allowed.
They are also ATVs etc. on Illinois Cement property. Mr. Brown said there is a lot of risk in the sense that we do not want to have the walking population in the same vicinity of ATVs and side by sides. Being a city park they are not allowed to be in there and we are going to have to look at shutting this down.
Mayor Grove said we have to get the word out that the people who have driven the ATVs or side by sides in that area can no longer do that.
Alderman Demes said once again that we need to thank Illinois Cement for donating the land and for being such a great friend to the city.
Moved by Alderman Crane and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to authorize, pay and place on file Pay Estimate #1 to Ski Sealcoat & Maintenance totaling $161,368.20 for work completed to date on the Rotary Park Phase III – Path to Prairie Lake project and related matters.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 8-0
NEW BUSINESS
No New Business was brought forth.
ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to approve and place on file Ordinance 2928: An Ordinance making transfers of amounts appropriated from one corporate purpose to another corporate purpose. Each and every alderman has a copy.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 8-0
Ordinance 2928: Ordinance making transfers of amounts appropriated from one corporate purpose to another corporate purpose.
Moved by Alderman Bacidore and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to approve and place on file Ordinance 2929: An Ordinance further regulating traffic in the City of La Salle (Portion of Raccuglia Drive). Each and every alderman has a copy.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 8-0
Ordinance 2929: Regulating Traffic in the City of La Salle on a portion of Raccuglia Drive.
Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to approve and place on file Ordinance 2930: An Ordinance Authorizing Traffic Signal Master Intergovernmental Agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation. Each and every alderman has a copy.ROLL CALL: AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: None Abstain: None
Motion Carried 8-0
Ordinance 2930: Authorizing Traffic Signal Master Intergovernmental Agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation.
COMMENTS
Alderman Demes and City Engineer Brown has a brief discussion regarding how Clegg Perkins determines the timing at various signaled intersections and how often they are modified. City Engineer Brown said they update traffic counts every five years and adjust timing accordingly. Alderman Demes had specific concerns about Creve Coeur as you come up to Route 6. Mr. Brown said he can look into it.
La Salle resident Mike Girton said he just returned from a weekend on the ATV trail that connects Darlington, Mineral Point and Monroe, Wisconsin. All of these are small towns similar in size to La Salle-Peru or Oglesby with a little wider spread between them. He said that every bar and grill that they stop at along the trail live and die off of that trail. They have the snowmobilers in the winter time and the ATVs and side by sides in the spring and summer. He said he was amazed at the number of side by sides, golf carts on that trail. He continued by saying that La Salle has always prided itself on being ahead of the curve and hopes the city will get on board with allowing these types of vehicles so then it is possible to approach Senator Sue Rezin in regard to opening up the canal to ATVs. The trail in Wisconsin is 30 mph and everyone adheres to the limit. Mr. Girton said he did not notice anyone abusing the speed or doing donuts, etc. He said there was a sheriff on the trail and speed was monitored by radar. If you exceed the speed limit there is a $175 fine. Mr. Girton said he noticed a lot of families just having fun. He said every hotel was full and the parking lots of businesses were full. He said the trail brings huge tourism money. Mr. Girton said not only could they drive on the trail but they could also drive down the main streets of these towns on their ATVs, side by sides etc. Mr. Girton felt strongly that if you enlist the support of all the towns along the canal, it may be possible to approach Senator Sue Rezin and Representative Lance Yednock showing unity on opening up the canal to ATVs.
Alderman Lavieri asked how wide the trail was. Mr. Girton said they are 129” wide.
Alderman Bacidore said he has seen the trails when he is near Hayward and Birchwood, but his concern is more locals who come out of bars and are drunk and try to cross Third Street. Mike Girton responded by saying that he did not see anyone out of control. Mayor said this discussion will be continued at the next meeting.
APPROVAL OF BILLS
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to accept, pay, and place on file bills for April 19, 2021 with Total Submitted: $495,844.50 (Total Payroll $187,354.91, Bills to be Paid $133,894.44, Total Bills Paid $174,595.15) Each and every alderman has a copy.
ROLL CALL: AYE: Aldermen 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 7:36 p.m.
https://www.lasalle-il.gov/sites/default/files/agendas-minutes/2021-05/4-19-2021_0.pdf
Alerts Sign-up