City of La Salle City Council Met May 17.
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
ROLL CALL
Present - Mayor Grove, Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon.
Absent - Aldermen Crane
A quorum was present.
OATH
T. ‘Boo’ Herndon was asked to come forward and was then sworn in by City Clerk Amy Quinn.
ROLL CALL
Present - Mayor Grove, Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon.
Absent - Aldermen Crane
A quorum was present.
Moved by Aldermen Lavieri and Aldermen Jeppson to authorize and allow Alderman Crane to participate remotely via phone call.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon
NAY: None Absent: Crane Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 7-0
Aldermen Crane joined the City Council meeting remotely.
ROLL CALL
Present - Mayor Grove, Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon.
Remote - Crane
A quorum was present.
Mayor Grove wanted to wish Aldermen Jeppson a Happy Birthday.
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 May 3, 2021. Each and every alderman has a copy.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
PRESENTATION
Moved by Aldermen Lavieri seconded by Aldermen Reynolds to allow Christie Pasieka to address the council in regards to Starved Rock Country Mural.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Christie Pasieka discussed her project “Empowered Women of Starved Rock Country”. Christie explained each mural description and how it will showcase our history. The committee hopes that the mural will inspire the youth to reach for the stars. The location of this mural is projected to be located at 522 1st St. Chris Coughlin was brought forward to continue the discussion of the projected mural plan. Chris Coughlin is the Chairman of Silo Pathways NCI Artworks. Ray Pasieka will be the artist that the committee would have doing these murals. The mural would be painted onto metal panels and the mural pieces would be movable if necessary. These mural pieces would connect the communities and the art pieces through the signage and the art. She said murals like this do attract people and tourists to our area.
Moved by Aldermen Reynolds and seconded by Aldermen Jeppson to approve the project concept presented by Christie Pasieka.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon
NAY: None Absent: Crane Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 7-0
Mayor Grove asked the ladies of the group a projected dollar amount for the art. It does depend on the artist and the size. The owner of the building can own the art or the city can. If it is public art put onto private property, fundraising can happen for some and others can be paid by private donation. Other businesses may want to join in on such a project and add to their buildings too.
PROCLAMATION
Moved by Alderman Demes and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to proclaim May 2021 as Older Americans Month.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
PETITIONS
Moved by Aldermen Reynolds and seconded by Aldermen Demes to grant the request from Ameren to approve the petitions to break ground at 1462 LaHarpe St. to repair below grade gas leak and 552 US 6 Units 9 and 17 to retire gas services.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Moved by Aldermen Demes and seconded by Aldermen Lavieri to grant the request from the LP Cavalettes to hold a Tag Day Collection on Saturday, July 10, 2021 and Sunday, July 11, 2021 at the intersections of 11th and Bucklin streets, Save-a-Lot, IV Food Center, Casey’s General Store, Becks, Dollar General, and Rudy’s Liquor.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Moved by Aldermen Herndon and seconded by Aldermen Reynolds to grant the request from Jacob Green to close Second Street from Bucklin to Joliet Streets on Saturday, September 25, 2021 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the annual Cruisin’ LaSalle car show. 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 April 2021 showing total cash balances in LaSalle State Bank of $11,155,175.50 and in Hometown National Bank of $4,483,530.07. Each and every alderman has a copy.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Moved by Aldermen Bacidore and seconded by Aldermen Reynolds to accept and place on file the Builder’s Inspector’s Report for April 2021 showing total fees collected of $7,773.76 with total value of construction of $588,811.00. Each and every alderman has a copy.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS
Moved by Aldermen Ptak and seconded by Aldermen Lavieri to approve Illinois Department of Revenue report showing sales tax collected for February 2021 of $74,631.00 and Home Rules Sales Tax of $63,537.97 for a total of $138,168.97. Each and every alderman has a copy.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to donate $500.00 to the University of Illinois Extension office for a contribution toward their annual education program.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: None Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 8-0
Moved by Aldermen Bacidore and seconded by Aldermen Reynolds to approve the recommendation to not allow non-highway vehicles in the city of LaSalle.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon
NAY: Aldermen Demes, Crane Absent: None Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 6-2
Aldermen Demes made a statement in regards to how some subdivisions are allowed to have golf carts in their subdivisions. If they are not allowing and the council is not passing the ordinance to allow the non-highway vehicles around certain areas, then the city needs to be consistent and enforce that law.
Aldermen Demes recommended to move forward with research of ordinance 74.13 amended, including bicycles, electric bicycles, and motorized bicycles. This amendment would add fines ($75-$750) to the current ordinance 74.13, hopefully to get the motorists to abide by the rules of the road. Applies to all bicycles, motorized or non motorized, to follow the rules of road and state statutes. Attorney McPhedran stated it was clarified on what needs to be researched in regards to fee amounts that may need to be added and address what is perceived as the loop holes between the bikes and the motorized bikes. He will come back to the Streets and Alleys committee after a discussion with Chief Smudzinski and come back with a recommendation for the committee to bring to the city council.
APPOINTMENTS
Moved by Aldermen Lavieri and seconded by Aldermen Reynolds to appoint Jerry Janick as Fire Department representative to Illinois Valley Regional Dispatch.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: None Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 8-0
OLD BUSINESS
Aldermen Demes discussed how Cedar Point was opening a brick-and-mortar Fireworks Business. Aldermen Demes asked to have Attorney McPhedran look into what fireworks are legal and what are not and would like this added as a discussion to the next city council agenda.
NEW BUSINESS
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Bacidore to authorize and approve Pay Estimate #1 to Ski Sealcoat & Maintenance totaling $38,273.40 for work completed to date on the 2021 DCEO Sewer Separation project.
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 Herndon to authorize and approve Pay Estimate #2 to Ski Sealcoat & Maintenance totaling $414,678.71 for work completed to date on the 2021 DCEO Sewer Separation project.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: None Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 8-0
Moved by Aldermen Lavieri and seconded by Aldermen Demes to approve to hire candidate for the position of Firefighter from the Firefighter Eligibility list per the recommendation of the Police and Fire Commissioners for the City of LaSalle.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: None Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 8-0
ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS
Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Demes to approve a resolution authorizing a representative to sign loan documents. 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 Crane thanked the Council for allowing him to attend remotely. Regarding the following ordinance, Aldermen Crane stated it is not feasible for the Public Works due to size. The amount of money that the city would be putting into it, the City would be better off saving it for the future. It is also not feasible for the Celebration of Lights due to it being so far away from the property.
Moved by Alderman Crane and seconded by Alderman Demes to deny the ordinance authorizing the acquisition of real estate in LaSalle, IL.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Demes, Crane
NAY: Mayor Grove, Aldermen Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon Absent: None Abstain: None
MOTION FAILED: 2-7
Aldermen Ptak began discussion in regards to the dollar amounts that will be spent once the acquisition of property is made. Mayor Grove stated that the building’s asking price is $350,000 for 26,000 sq ft. The city’s intention is to make it their Public Works building and a storage facility for the Celebration of Lights. Mayor stated that the city could possibly purchase a building for Celebration of Lights from just donations alone. Leah Inman brought this property to the Mayor's attention. In finding this, the city would be able to do both a storage facility and a garage. Mayor Grove mentioned putting possibly 1.3 million into this building in comparison to $5 million for a new facility. The current public works building is a great building and can turn out to be a property tax building for the city.
Aldermen Lavieri asked about the easements to the property. Mayor Grove said there are three easements and two are 25 feet and one side is 15 feet.
After purchase of property, the city will do a Phase 1 – EPA environment study on the property.
Aldermen Demes concern about the condition that the building is in. He stated how the floor needs to be torn up for proper drainage to be installed for the city trucks, especially the snow plows in the winter. Aldermen Demes is not for the acquisition of this property. He is for purchasing a building for the Celebration of Lights, but not this building.
Mayor Grove said at the very least the building can be used as storage for the Christmas lights and that the City of LaSalle has a revenue source of 2 million. Building was appraised for $390,000.
Aldermen Herndon stated that there has been so much done to the Downtown. He stated how the public works should not be in the main attraction area of our town. The City is trying to build up a historic downtown.
Alderman Ptak expressed it’s not an easy decision to come to as it’s not the most ideal building but is something the City could settle for. Alderman Ptak said the cost to put in a new building is too large for the City as we are trying to get in better financial shape.
He said the City will spend $1.7 to get the building ready, including drains as previously discussed.
Alderman Crane agreed with those points but said he disagreed with the price per square foot given the quality of the building.
Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to pass an ordinance authorizing the acquisition of real estate in LaSalle, IL. Each and every alderman has a copy.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Mayor Grove, Aldermen Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon
NAY: Aldermen Demes, Crane Absent: None Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 7-2
COMMENTS
Mayor Grove updated the community that city planters are getting planted this week and the pool opens this Saturday, May 22nd. He also reminded everyone that Friday, June 4 and Saturday, June 5 would be the dates for Music and Art in the Park which will be located at the Pulaski Park this year. He further reminded residents to keep grass clippings out of the road, take care of their properties and to cut their grass.
APPROVAL OF BILLS
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to accept, pay, and place on file bills for May 17, 2021 with Total Submitted: $866,898.19 (Total Payroll $196,944.61, Bills to be Paid $173,549.43, Total Bills Paid $496,404.15) 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 Demes to adjourn the meeting. Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.
ADJOURNED 7:40pm
https://www.lasalle-il.gov/sites/default/files/agendas-minutes/2021-06/5-17-21.pdf
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