Village of Ladd Village Board met Sept. 14.
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) Absent: Dan Nelson
In attendance: Attorney Pat Barry, Clerk Bezely, Engineer Adam Ossola, Asst. Police Chief Randy Dean, Superintendent, Doug Englehaupt. Attorney Colin Barry
Thrasher Motion/Urbanowski Second to accept the August 24, 2021 meeting minutes as presented. Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 5-0
Urbanowski Motion/Martin Second to authorize payment of the bills in the amount of $196,927.05 Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 5-0
Correspondence: Bezely read a note of appreciation from the family of Robin L. Kmetz.
Public Comment: Julie Ajster stated that at the last meeting she was deprived of the opportunity to speak. She stated at the 8-10-21 meeting she was discussing a no parking sign when Mayor Cattani whispered under his breath. Atty. Ajster expressed concern for the boards lack of response for his prior comments. Atty. Ajster expressed concerns about contracts entered into by Starline Construction and the Village of Ladd. Atty. Ajster informed the board that she will continue to attend meetings and send FOIA requests to make sure everything in the Village of Ladd is done properly.
Committee Reports: None
Engineer’s Report: New Business – Ossola distributed pricing and a map for the Safe Routes to School Grant information. He explained everything to the council. The grant amount is $250,000.00 with 20% match it brings the overall cost to $312,500.00 . Ossola explains the map shows appxoimately 9 blocks of sidewalk that would be replaced with 5 foot sidewalks except for where the sidewalk is in good shape. ADA pedestrian sidewalks preference is 5 foot wide. Manning asked Ossola if the Village should be changing our sidewalk replacement program to 5 foot wide sidewalks instead of 4 foot. Ossola stated he would advise changing the replacement to 5 foot if it was for an entire block. Ossola also told the board the estimate includes 4 beacon lights that are solar powered and permanently installed. Urbanowski and Margherio brought up possible tree removal needed and Ossola stated there wasn’t any. Bezely asked if Chamlin’s fees could be paid with the 20% portion the Village needs to pay. Kevin Lindeman from NCICG told the board the Village would need to put in 20% and that these projects are state letted and the state will pay for the entire project so then the engineering costs can be part of our 20% portion. Kevin said the applications are due the end of September.
Urbanowski Motion/Thrasher Second to Pass a Resolution of Support & Commitment of local funds for Safe Routes to School Grant
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 5-0
Superintendent’s Report: Englehaupt stated Central Tank Coatings came in to do their annual maintenance on the water towers. Central Tank Coatings provided a proposal for work they feel is necessary on the 100,000 gallon water tower. This would be for a safety climb system and a 24” manway at the catwalk level. Englehaupt stated this all has to do with the climbing. The total proposal is $29,000.00. Maintenance has been done for 2021. It was suggested that the owner could come to a meeting before our next cleaning to explain the need for this. It has been the way it is since 1906. It is a safety issue and Englehaupt feels they are required to provide quotes to improve safety for his workers who climb the tower. Englehaupt wondered if we might want to get a bid from Machinery Maintenance to see if they can provide this.
Trustee Urbanowski brought up potholes between Softails and The Thirsty Frog and wondered if the streets guys could get these filled. Englehaupt told the board don’t wait for a meeting, if they are contacted by residents, he asked them to just give him a call.
Police Chief: Randy Dean asked if the board was going to move forward with new doors or spray insulation. Dean was told they board had approved new doors for the police garage a while ago. Bezely said the doors have been ordered. Bezely will check tomorrow on the status of the order and install. Dean will get bids on sprayfoam insulation for the garage and present them to the board. Dean said Walnut has a company and Cattani said there was another company in Sandwich. 2” foam was discussed. Dean told the board that he hired a new part-time officer and he is just waiting on his criminal background check.
Inspector’s Report: None
Village Attorney: Atty. Barry explained some changes he had on the union contract. He had not heard back from Jed Dooley of IBEW. He explained the changes to Englehaupt and he clarified things on all of the items in question. They decided to await a response from Jed Dooley.
Manning Motion/Martin Second to Table the Union Contract approval until the next meeting on September 28, 2021.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 5-0
Atty. Barry felt that since the Sick Time Ordinance for Non-Union Employees mirrors the union contract we should hold off on that as well.
Manning Motion/Thrasher Second to Table Passing New Hire Sick Time Ordinance for Full Time Non-Union Employees.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 5-0
Atty. Barry distributed the ordinance for part-time administrative assistant for the police department. He stated that Samantha Sarosinski was hired recently on a part-time basis. This is in an effort to assist the police department in helping out at the school with programs, processing paperwork, registering sex offenders, and performing many clerical duties. This ordinance creates the position, appoints Samantha to the position and says that she’ll be working Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00 am – 2:30pm with a 1 hour lunch for a total of 16.50 hours a week at a rate of $14.00 per hour as an administrative assistant to the police department. Margherio stated he was shocked when he saw these items on the agenda. Cattani stated that we are waiting for some answers before moving forward on some of this. Atty. Barry stated that we could discuss this in executive session. Manning felt previous discussion indicated this position would be on a trial basis. Martin asked if we have a job description. This will be discussed further in executive session.
New Business: Trick or Treat Hours A discussion ensued and the council agreed to set hours for trick or treat. Margherio Motion/Thrasher Second to set Trick or Treat hours from 5 pm - 7 pm on Sunday, October 31, 2021. Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 5-0
Christmas Walk Donation A discussion took place on previous donation amounts made to the Christmas Walk by the Village of Ladd to help defray the cost of entertainment.
Urbanowski Motion/Martin Second to donate $600.00 to the Christmas Walk for 2021. Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 5-0
Water Tower Lease Next Level Technology’s 5 year lease was up. Atty. Barry asked Englehaupt if everything was as expected with the lease of the water tower for antennas. We are currently being paid $250.00 per month to use the water tower. Englehaupt stated things have been kind of quiet. Occasionally Mr. Edelbech needs in on a weekend to fix something but it’s gone well. The board felt that raising the monthly fee to $275.00 was fair and renewing the lease for another 5 years. Atty. Barry will reach out to Mr. Edelbech and this will be place on the next agenda on September 24, 2021.
CD Renewals – Treasurer Koch discussed renewal of 4 CDs. She explained the information provided on the renewal certificates that includes account balances along with scenarios of expenses needed in those accounts. Manning mentioned he heard rates are going to be increasing.
Manning Motion/Urbanowski Second to renew TORT, Water Debt, SBR Special Account and Electric Fund CD’s all for 6 months at a rate of .2%
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 5-0
Announcements: Thrasher thanked everyone for their support on the Farmers Market that she coordinated every Monday since June. The last Farmers Market for 2021 was last Monday, September 13, 2021. Manning complimented Thrasher on the Farmers Market and also complimented Heidi Templeton on the idea for the Music in the Park. He said he was very well attended and would like to see it continue. Manning also complimented the 9/11 program. Bezely told the council that after all supplies were paid for, music in the park took in approximately $50.00 in food sales and $48.00 in donations. Bezely told the board that only hot dog buns need purchased for the 10/8/21 Music in the Park. Manning told everyone that we don’t need to make money on the Music in the Park. He stated the popcorn, food and 50/50’s are not necessary to raise money. We don’t need to nickle and dime the residents. Linda Scott requested a 5 point harness swing be installed in each park. She offered to help raise the money to get these swings. Urbanowski suggested finding one with chains to hang the swing. Bezely will look for other options with a 5 point harness with a pommel. The board felt fundraising would not be necessary. She also informed the board 10 shots were given at the August 30th vaccine clinic. Bezely thanked Jan Martin for the information she provided on receiving reimbursement for each shot. The Village will be receiving a check for $250.00. Bezely told the board the first check for the American Rescue Plan Act was received in the amount of $81,226.67. A discussion was held on an commercial coffee maker that was donated to the Village of Ladd. Contact will be made to other larger facilities to see if they would be better served by having this. Bezely told the board we will have the office closed on Thursday and Friday for virtual training with Civic Systems. Phone messages will be returned during breaks.
Urbanowski 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 7:28 pm.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 5-0
After returning to regular session at 8:18 pm roll call was taken: Present: Trustees Jim Manning, Dave Margherio, Jan Martin, Molly Thrasher, Mike Urbanowski. (5)
Mayor Cattani stated that he would like to appoint Randy Dean as part-time police chief for the Village of Ladd at $27.50 per hour.
Margherio Motion/Manning Second to recommend Mayor Cattani appoint Randy Dean part-time Police Chief for the Village of Ladd at an hourly rate of $27.50 per hour.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Thrasher, Urbanowski, Cattani - Motion carried 6-0
Mayor Cattani stated that he would like Samantha Sarosinski be the part-time administrative assistant for the police department.
Urbanowski Motion/Thrasher Second to Pass an Ordinance for Part-time Administrative Assistant for the Police Department at $14.00/hour. Hours are 8 am – 2:30 pm with a 1 hour lunch for a weekly total of 16.50 hours a week.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Thrasher, Urbanowski, Cattani - Motion carried 6-0
Thrasher Motion/Manning Second to adjourn.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 5-0
The meeting adjourned at 8:21 pm
http://www.villageofladd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2021-09-14-MINUTES.pdf
Alerts Sign-up