Village of Ladd Village Board met July 27.
Here are 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, Molly Thrasher, Mike Urbanowski. (5) Trustees Absent: Dan Nelson
In attendance: Attorney Pat Barry, Clerk Bezely, Village Treasurer Julie Koch, Engineer Adam Ossola, Deputy Police Chief Randy Dean, Superintendent, Doug Englehaupt.
Mayor Cattani commended Doug and his guys for the great job they did on handling the power outage Sunday morning.
Manning Motion/Urbanowski Second to accept the July 13, 2021 meeting minutes as presented. Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 5-0
Thrasher Motion/Urbanowski Second to authorize payment of the bills in the amount of $143,657.57 Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 5-0
Sewerage Fund – EPA CD: Treasurer Koch explained that the Sewerage Fund CD was due to mature on July 31, 2021. She explained the fund balance and the payments that are paid from this fund twice a year. Koch told the board the current rate for a 6 month CD and a 1 year CD.
Margherio Motion/Urbanowski Second to renew the Sewerage Fund – EPA CD for 1 year at a rate of .20% in the amount of $342,482.28.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 5-0
Attorney Pat Barry arrived @ 6:34 pm
Correspondence: Bezely read a request from Katie Follmer regarding implementing Animal License for cats. The board appreciated her concern and will take it under consideration.
Manning Motion/Martin Second to accept the Treasurer’s Report for June 2021.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 5-0
Public Comment: None
Committee Reports: None
Engineer’s Report: Ossola told the board the chip seal project was completed today and stated they will be back in a couple of weeks to sweep the streets. Ossola stated they will have a pay request at that time. Ossola told the board that we are officially on the list of municipalities receiving the IL EPA loan with a maximum of $400,000.00 forgiveness. Western Avenue right of way: Survey was completed on the western line and looked at plats and they feel the right of way would be within 54 feet. Ossola stated the gravel pad would be within the Village of Ladd’s right of way. No part of this gravel is located on the Kirkman property. Atty. Barry stated he received a letter from Atty. Julie Ajster who is representing Lyle Kirkman. She stated a plat she obtained showed the road is 30 feet. Ossola obtained an amended plat that showed the road is 54 feet. Ossola then surveyed the 54 feet to see where it ends and this has revealed the gravel in question is within the village’s right of way. Atty. Barry will respond to Atty. Ajster after Chamlin finalizes a plat and all information is known. Ossola will place flags on every cross street all the way down Western Avenue. Discussion ensued and it was decided to investigate the north end of Western Avenue to make sure we know our right of way on that end of the street also.
Superintendent’s Report: Pickleball Courts: Englehaupt reported that Pickleball Court striping would be $250.00 for (1) court and $450.00 for (2) courts. The paint color would be blue.
Thrasher Motion/Urbanowski Second to stripe (2) of the tennis courts for pickleball for $450.00 by Joe’s Seal and Stripe. Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 5-0
Hydaker-Wheatlake Electric Distribution Upgrades: Englehaupt told the board that they are almost done with the Senior Housing. They will return around the 2nd week of August to come back and check out the underground energize it make it good and get out. Englehaupt stated that he asked Steve, the areal foreman, to come and look at an area north of town that goes to resident, Brad Bastion’s and additionally to the wastewater treatment plant. There are approximately 12 poles that would have been installed in 1989. Englehaupt stated that they are loose and are starting to shift one way or the other. This power goes out to our wastewater plant and we cannot be without power. Englehaupt asked if they would give us a price on replacing these poles. Englehaupt told the board he would in no way be able to change out this number of poles with his current number of employees. Englehaupt asked the board if he could request pricing to get this done. Englehaupt also mentioned adding a distribution load break switch at Tee Group Films. There has never been one there and the only way to isolate the substation at Tee Group would be to kill the main breaker on that feeder which takes out the disposal plant. This involves fishing a pole up between the primaries, having enough coverup, and then you can install the switch. Englehaupt will contact them to get pricing.
Manning questioned Englehaupt if the bank electric was completed and it was stated that it is completely done. Tennis Court Fence: Nelson told Bezely that the tennis court fence is bent up which allows balls to roll under it and get out of the fenced area. Englehaupt will check it out.
Weeding: Manning thanked Englehaupt for having the Welcome to Ladd sign weeded and told him we would need to continue to do this. Englehaupt asked the board to tell him when it needs it. Englehaupt also mentioned the summer help pulled weeds at the Community Center also.
Deputy Police Chief: Randy Dean relayed to the board about the 2019 accident where the 2018 SUV Squad Car was totaled. Bezely explained in detail what she knew from speaking with IML adjuster Luke McKiernan. Dean continued to explain that he felt our insurance should pursue getting all equipment for the 2020 SUV Squad Car paid for by Deke Trucking since the accident was in no way the Village’s fault and many items would not fit in 2020. The lightbar, rear partition, the center console would not transfer. These 3 items were rendered unusable and feel they should not be paid for since they were not totaled. After a lengthy discussion, the board approved accepting the final payment of $4,015.00 from the Illinois Municipal League CCMSI and closing out this claim.
Inspector’s Report: Barry Flanagan reported that residents have been blatantly disrespectful of rules and regulations in the Village of Ladd. Especially when it comes to fences, sheds, pool decks, and decks on houses. Flanagan explained recent findings and asked the board for their input regarding replacing the deck at a home. No permit is recorded for a deck but it may have been included on the permit when they built their home. Barry asked the board if we could put the charge on the resident's utility bills. It is felt that residents are fearful that if they obtain a building permit this will increase their taxes. Englehaupt stated the bigger concern for the Village is that these items are not placed on easements and mains. It was decided that Barry should contact them to obtain a building permit and if this is not done the Clerk’s Office will send them a permit with a note that they need to comply within 14 days and if they don’t comply the zoning enforcement officer will be notified and they will deliver a permit to be completed.
Village Attorney: Enforcement of Codes: Atty. Barry distributed the new ordinance which appoints the police chief, assistant/deputy police chief, or building inspector as Code Enforcement Officers.
Martin Motion/Thrasher Second Appointing the Police Chief, Assistant/Deputy Police Chief, and the Building Inspector as the Zoning Enforcement Officer in the Village of Ladd, Bureau County, Illinois.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Thrasher, Urbanowski, Mayor Cattani - Motion carried 6-0
Sick Day Ordinance: The Village has a rule from 1968 that we give new hires for the Village 2 weeks of sick days (10) on their first day of employment. The board felt this was inappropriate and felt they should acquire 1 sick leave day every 2 months as the union employees do under their contract. This would give employees 6 sick leave days a year. Manning Motion/Martin Second to Establish a Sick Day Policy for New Employees of the Village of Ladd.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Thrasher, Urbanowski, Mayor Cattani - Motion carried 6-0 Military Leave: Atty. Barry reviewed the State Statute with the board. Illinois has a service member employment and reemployment rights act. Concurrent compensation - It indicates that during periods of military leave for annual training public employees should continue to receive full compensation for up to 30 days per calendar year. Military leave may be performed non-synchronously. Differential compensation – is in the event that he is gone for voluntary active service (non-mandatory training) he would be compensated for that leave at a lesser rate than what the Village pays him we have a duty to compensate him for the difference for up to 60 workdays in a calendar year. We pay him over and above what he receives from the Military to keep him at his full salary essentially when he is gone for non-mandatory service. Discussion ensued about how this statute affects small-town police coverage.
New Business:
Martin Motion – Margherio Second to approve Liquor Licenses for Cancun, Casey’s, Dick’s Tap, Ladd Lanes, Rip’s Tavern, Softails for 6 months; and the Loyal Order of Ladd Moose for 1 year.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 5-0
Archive of Social Media: Information was provided to the board regarding archive of our Facebook page and website. The cost was provided. Bezely told the board that she contacted the IML regarding any insurance coverage for this matter and they replied that no coverage is in place regarding archive of the social media account. The board mentioned getting rid of the social media. It is felt that the residents really do appreciate the Facebook page. No action was taken at this time.
TCM Bank: Information on the Mastercard account through North Central Bank was provided to the board. Thrasher Motion/Manning Second to Approve Rhonda J Bezely, Clerk, and Julie A Koch, Treasurer for the Village of Ladd to have authority to be an officer for TCM Bank.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 5-0
Announcements: Bezely informed the board that officer Dean mentioned we may want to consider traffic cameras for use on E Cleveland Street instead of a speed calming device. Bezely asked the board if we could hold off on park rules signs at this time. Bezely informed the board the American Rescue Plan Act has informed us that they will not be automatically sending our payments. Sign-up was completed and is expected in the next 30 days. Bezely urged the board to allow her to cash receipt the payment for the ARPA right into the water fund, as it will be needed to offset the cost of our Main Street water main replacement. The Big Truck show made over $6,000.00 and the Habitat for Humanity fundraiser at Dick’s brought in around $5,000.00. We feel very lucky to have these great businesses in town. Police will patrol East Cleveland heavier since getting reports of speeding and stop sign defiance. Thrasher thanked Englehaupt for his help in getting the food truck electric. Flanagan asked why semis and traffic are being rerouted down East Cleveland when there is an accident on route 80. Dean stated that IDOT reroutes to only state routes. It has been noted that there is a steady stream of cars and trucks rerouting down East Cleveland Street.
Margherio Motion/Martin Second to adjourn regular session and move into executive session in accordance with 5ILCS 120/2 (c) (11) meetings to consider the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees at 8:19 pm
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 5-0
Martin Motion/Urbanowski Second to return to regular session at 9:10 pm.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 5-0
Manning Motion/Martin Second to adjourn.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 5-0
The meeting adjourned at 9:11 pm
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