City of LaSalle City Council met Nov. 29.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Moment of Silence
Mayor Grove asked for a moment of silence for Alderman Leroy Lipka. Alderman Herndon said Alderman Lipka served roughly three to four terms as Fourth Ward Alderman.
ROLL CALL
Present - Mayor Jeff Grove, Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Alderman Crane
Absent – Alderman Ptak
Others Present: Deputy Clerk Brent Bader, Superintendent of Public Works Patrick Watson, Finance Director John Duncan, Economic Development Director Leah Inman, Treasurer Virginia Kochanowski, Fire Chief Jerry Janick, City Attorney Jim McPhedran.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Alderman Demes and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to accept and place on file the Amended Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council held November 15, 2021. Each and every alderman has a copy.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
PETITIONS
Moved by Alderman Bacidore and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to send the request from Debbie Miller of Uniforms ETC/Glad Monogram to remove the 15-minute parking sign outside of her business at 637 First Street to the next Streets, Alleys and Traffic Committee meeting on Dec. 13.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Superintendent of Public Works Patrick Watson said the homeowner requested the following sign be removed. Alderman Lavieri said he’d like more information why that sign was installed when it’s considered at the next meeting.
Moved by Alderman Bacidore and seconded by Alderman Jeppson to send the request to remove a no parking sign from 1512 North Joliet Street to the next Streets, Alleys and Traffic Committee meeting on Dec. 13.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
City Attorney Jim McPhedran said the following request will require a variance of City ordinances relating to the establishment of the subdivision. Attorney McPhedran said normally variances are done by the City’s Zoning Board of Appeals, however, when its an exception relating to the subdivision establishment it should go to the Planning Commission. He also detailed the structures on the properties involved in this are really already in place, but they want to divide the area so they can be sold separately. Alderman Lavieri also noted it’s within C-3 zoning, which Attorney McPhedran agreed noting there is no setback issue but just lot size.
Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to send the request to the Planning Commission.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS
Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to approve and accept the Treasurer’s Report for October 2021 showing total cash balances in La Salle State Bank of $12,424,737.05 and in Hometown National Bank of $5,554,172.44.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to accept and approve a recommendation from the Finance Committee for a request from Jose Perez for a Redevelopment Incentive Program grant totaling $10,100 for premises located at 849 First Street.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: Alderman Ptak Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 7-0
Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Herndon to accept and approve a recommendation from the Finance Committee to hire Kmetz Architects for roofing replacement at City Hall.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane NAY: None Absent: Alderman Ptak Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 7-0
OLD BUSINESS
Alderman Crane asked if Kmetz Architects could be hired to replace the steps leading up into the Police Department on the east side of the building. He said it had been discussed in the past. Alderman Herndon said the Council should discuss it with Police Chief Mike Smudzinski first. Mayor Jeff Grove asked Deputy Clerk Brent Bader to include it on the next City Council agenda.
NEW BUSINESS
Alderman Bacidore noted that the road to the Wastewater Plant was paid out of sewer funds and he asked if there’s an alley with a sewer in it if those funds could be used for alley repairs. Mayor Grove said if the City has to break up the road to repair a sewer, the City can then use sewer funds for that, but he didn’t know if the City is able to do that just because there is a sewer under the road. City Attorney McPhedran said the road to the Wastewater Plant was a project that benefitted the entire plant as opposed to just part of an alley where a sewer resides. He said the issue can be looked further into. Alderman Bacidore said there’s one particularly bad alley in his ward that he wondered if it would qualify.
ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS
Alderman Lavieri updated the Council that the Finance Committee met prior to the full Council meeting and discussed the following ordinance with Finance Director Duncan. Alderman Lavieri said the City is making great progress.
Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to accept and place on file the Ordinance Levying for Corporate Purposes for the City of La Salle, La Salle County, Illinois for the Fiscal Year Beginning May 1, 2021 and Ending April 30, 2022 and related matters. Each and every alderman has a copy.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: Alderman Ptak Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 7-0
Mayor Grove complemented City department heads and the Council for being fiscally responsible and that next year the final bond will fall off and the City should have a healthier general fund and move money to new projects.
COMMENTS
Mayor of Rockwell complemented the City Council on the Celebration of Lights and said the City is doing a fine job with it. Mayor Grove noted Superintendent Patrick Watson took over the display this year and it’s the result of certain members of Public Works.
Economic Development Director Leah Inman thanked store owners and City personnel for Small Business Saturday. She said traffic was busy. Economic Development Director Inman also listed the events taking place on Saturday during the City’s Miracle on First Street event as well as the La Salle Business Association’s Christkindl Market. Mayor Grove said the weather should be good for the weekend and that he received compliments about Small Business Saturday. He also noted the tree used in the City’s tree lighting is in its 13th year and that fire truck rides would be unavailable this year due to COVID-19 safety protocols.
Alderman Lavieri asked how far east outdoor music went and Economic Development Director Inman said it goes one block east of Joliet Street. She said Christmas music is already playing on the speakers.
APPROVAL OF BILLS
Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to accept, pay, and place on file bills for November 15, 2021 with Total Submitted: $1,050,180.02 (Total Payroll $175,814.96, Bills to be paid $126,343.35, Total Bills Paid $748,021.71).
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: Alderman Ptak Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 7-0
Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Demes to adjourn the meeting. Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.
ADJOURNED 6:47 pm
https://www.lasalle-il.gov/sites/default/files/agendas-minutes/2021-12/11-29-2021_0.pdf
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