Village of Ladd Village Board Met June 8.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The Ladd Village Board met in regular session in the Village Hall. President Frank Cattani called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm and led the pledge of allegiance to the American flag.
Roll Call: Present: Trustees Jim Manning, Dave Margherio, Jan Martin, Dan Nelson, Molly Thrasher and Mike Urbanowski (6)
In attendance: Attorney, Pat Barry, Clerk, Rhonda Bezely, Deputy, Clerk Julie, Koch, Engineer, Adam Ossola and Superintendent, Doug Englehaupt.
Thrasher Motion – Urbanowski Second to accept the May 25, 2021 meeting minutes as presented.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
Urbanowski Motion – Margherio Second to authorize payment of the bills in the amount of $67,152.93.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
Correspondence: None
Public Comment: None
Committee Reports: Trustees Nelson and Margherio recommended removing the tree at 121 S Central Ave. The tree is split. Superintendent Englehaupt will remove the tree.
Attorney Barry arrived at 6:32 pm
Engineer’s Report: Ossola updated the board on the IEPA loan we applied for. Ossola stated that they have selected who they will be funding this year and Ladd was not chosen. NCICG is checking into what options are available for pairing with the grant that we’ve been awarded. There is some concern about what they will allow. January is the next time the IEPA will score the applicants again for loans and if anyone selected was not ready with their project then the money gets awarded to the next project on the list. The water main project paperwork needs to be submitted soon but we have to list where the other ½ of the money is coming from on the paperwork so we are waiting to see which direction we can obtain funding from.
Superintendent’s Report: Estimates were discussed for repairs to Village gen sets. Englehaupt stated they will get the batteries so those costs will be deducted from the estimates. Englehaupt explained the estimates in detail. Repairs are needed at the waste water treatment plant, water plant and lift station generators. Englehaupt reminded the board we don’t want to wait for components to fail before making these repairs.
Urbanowski Motion – Nelson Second to accept repair estimates for Waste Water Treatment Plant, Water Plant, Lift Station at a total of $10,783.58 for all three gen sets from Cummins Sales and Service.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
Police Chief: None
Inspector’s Report: None
Village Attorney: Barry reported to the board that Verbal Blakey of BHMG has proposed to do an electrical system cost of service & rate study both for $15,800.00. This proposal includes two trips from St. Louis area to discuss results with the board. It has been approximately 20 years since the last study has been done. Englehaupt explained how this rate study will effect our electric KwH fees and the Power Cost Adjustment rates. The study will be a projection for three years.
2021-06-08 continued
Manning Motion – Thrasher Second to hire Verbal Blakey of BHMG to perform a cost of service & rate study for the Village of Ladd electric system in the amount of $15,800.00.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
Unfinished Business:
Net Metering Fees: Attorney Barry reported to the board regarding the Net Metering Fee to be determined with regard to the distribution system utilization fee. The IMEA has looked into the fee that the Village of Ladd should charge residents installing solar power. They recommended to currently set the amount of the distribution system utilization fee at $0.00, subject to future change. The Village would have in place a metering system to register the usage at the facility and also to measure the solar array production. The Village would then develop a bill showing the normal usage without the array and then credit back the array output at the cost of power supply from the IMEA. The Net Metering policy is available for any resident interested in solar power.
Martin Motion – Urbanowski Second to approve the amended Net Metering Policy for 2021.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
Economic Development Committee: Margherio addressed the board with names of people who have expressed interest in developing the Village of Ladd. He provided a list of ideas to the board. Mayor Cattani will review and appoint the finalized members once decided. The board is anxious to move the Village forward to the future. American Rescue Plan Act 2021: A discussion ensued regarding the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The first installment of $73,819.83 is expected in June 2021 and the board would like it placed in the general fund. Money will be transferred to water and sewer funds as invoices are paid for water and sewer work. It was found that water and sewer maintenance costs are viable options for spending this money. An excel spreadsheet will be developed to record where any money was spent. Money must be used by 2024 according to the rules provided.
North Wall of Village Hall: The board was provided pictures of the deteriorating north wall of the Village Hall. The board decided that Englehaupt should obtain pricing from local bricklayers to obtain pricing to make this repair. Englehaupt will reach out to these contractors and report back to the board next meeting.
New Business:
Itron Maintenance Renewal: Nelson Motion – Margherio Second to accept Maintenance Renewal for Itron Walk-By Subscription for October 2021 – March 2022 in the amount of $132.30.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
Weed Control: The board reviewed a proposal from D&M Landscaping for weed control. It was noted there was no increase from last year.
Thrasher Motion – Martin Second to accept the proposal for D&M Landscaping for Weed Control for 2021.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
Fire Proof Protection for Village Documents: Cattani told the board that all of the Villages minute books and ordinance books are not kept in fire proof cabinets due to lack of space. Pricing was obtained to electronically digitize all 16 books we currently store and the cost would have been approximately $9,600.00. It was determined that Bezely will speak with the bank to see if they could lend any space in their vault for the old books and the more recent minute books will be placed in fireproof bags in the Village Hall. Bezely was directed to purchase 2 fire proof bags at a cost of $42.00 each.
Liquor License - Greg Colmone Trivia Night: Margherio Motion – Thrasher Second to approve Greg Colmone Scholarship Fund Liquor License for 9-11-2021.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
Mosquito Abatement: Nelson mentioned there is standing water by the burn pile and along the railroad ditch. Nelson requested that mosquito pellets be distributed in these areas. Englehaupt informed the board the pellets have already been placed.
Kennedy Park Bench: A bench in Kennedy Park was ran over recently. The board agreed the bench needs to be replaced. As directed by the board, a composite bench that matches the other park benches will be ordered and the cost to replace and install the new bench will be passed along to the person that drove into the park and hit the bench. Englehaupt and Bezely will select the bench to match what is currently in place. Bezely has contacted two contractors for a price on installation. Once all costs are know a bill will be sent to the person responsible.
Announcements: Martin reported that Bernardi’s were very complimentary of Ax Church volunteers and all that they did for our Village. Ax Church has come to Ladd to help during Hope Week for approximately 3 years. It is a wonderful group of people. Manning asked if we’ve heard back from the Union regarding the contract. Barry stated he emailed Jed Dooley of IBEW and is awaiting a response. Nelson told the board the work that was done on the old 87 Grand building looks great. Nelson asked the board about sending a Thank You from the board. Bezely will bring thank you cards to the next meeting for the board to sign. Cattani also mentioned that Joe’s Pizza building was also painted. He still needs to repair the awning but it looks nice. Urbanowski asked what the policy is on the park restrooms being opened. A lengthy discussion took place. It was determined the restrooms will remain locked at this time unless there is a reservation for the shelter. There are porta pottys located right next to the ball diamonds for use during baseball and softball games. Englehaupt reminded the board the porta pottys were brought in due to the distance from the ball diamonds to the restrooms. Englehaupt also told the board that when they are opened by the street department the police department is to lock them up. They have not been getting locked up due to no officer being on duty. Englehaupt reported that the vandalism is ridiculous when bathrooms are left open. Thrasher requested the bathrooms be open for the Farmers Market. Englehaupt will open them but the police must lock them up. A meeting will be scheduled with the police committee to discuss some issues. Bezely asked the board if concrete or a new tree could be placed at the Ladd Lanes “square” on Main Ave. The board requested that Englehaupt replace the tree. Someone driving by the parks today stopped and told Englehaupt that our parks look beautiful. Bezely also told the board that after speaking with Englehaupt she contacted River Landscaping and Ax Church just to see if they would be interested in completing the fall protection at War Memorial Park. A quote will be coming from River Landscaping and Ax Church will discussed with their members and consider doing the work for a donation from the Village. Bezely will reach out to Ruggerio to discuss quotes he obtained. D&M Landscaping will also be contacted to submit a quote. Bezely told the board that NC Bank donated $117.00 from their denim day to the Special Recreation Account. Bezely informed the board that Loren Bird will be removing 2 stumps in the Village. TNT will cut the front ½ of War Memorial Park every Monday before the Farmers Market. Thrasher reminded everyone that Monday is the 1st Farmers Market 4pm – 6 pm. This will be posted on Facebook every Monday.
Thrasher Motion/Martin Second to adjourn.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
The meeting adjourned at 8:32 pm
http://www.villageofladd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2021-06-08-minutes.pdf
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