Village of Ladd Village Board met Dec. 28.
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, Dan Nelson, Molly Thrasher, Mike Urbanowski. (6)
In attendance: Attorney Colin Barry, Clerk Bezely, Treasurer Julie Koch, Superintendent Doug Englehaupt, Police Chief Randy Dean
Margherio Motion/Thrasher Second to accept the December 14, 2021 meeting minutes as presented and the Police Committee Minutes from the December 20, 2021 meeting.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
Urbanowski Motion/Nelson Second to authorize payment of the bills in the amount of $107,023.95.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
Martin Motion/Manning Second to accept the Treasures Report for November 2021.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
Correspondence: Bezely told the board we received Christmas cards from a couple of residents. Public Comment: None
Committee Reports: None
Engineer’s Report: None
Superintendent’s Report: None
Police Chief: None
Building Inspector: None
Village Attorney: None
Unfinished Business:
224 N. Main Avenue – Mayor Cattani explained what transpired with checking the front of this building. On December 17, 2021, Mayor Cattani stopped by and spoke with the owner. After explaining, why the front of the building must remain a business, the owner had not removed any of the furniture, TV, table and chairs from the front of the building. A $50.00 ticket was written by the police after Mayor Cattani instructed them to do so. The owner was told he has another 30 days to vacate the property located in the business front. 30 days later, around January 11, 2022, the police will revisit the owner Chief Dean stated that after January 11, 2022 he’ll have every shift any officer is on make an attempt to check the business front. They will let BUCOM know so the record shows they’re attempting to serve a local ordinance citation. This will show all the attempts made where he’s basically ducking service. Mayor Cattani will attempt to stop by to see if the business front has been vacated. After verification, if nothing has been removed a $100.00 fine will be administered. 336 S. Main Avenue - Middle Apartment – The two kitchen windows won’t close. Vaini Home Improvement provided an estimate of $1,600.00 to replace the windows along with repair of the outside of the building to retrofit new windows.
Martin Motion/Urbanowski Second to accept the estimate from Vaini Home Improvement to install 2 vinyl replacement windows on the south side of the building for $1,600.00.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
New Business:
Ladd Fire Department Smoker – Liquor License Application and payment of $25.00 was received from the Ladd Fire Department.
Manning Motion/Nelson Second to approve a Special Event Liquor License for the Ladd Fire Department Smoker to be held on February 19, 2022.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
IVCIL Donation Request – A donation request was received from IL Valley Center for Independent Living. Martin Motion/Nelson Second to Donate $50.00 to IVCIL.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
Autopay & Payroll Direct Deposit - Bezely informed the board that she investigated other small banks to help us continue our ACH payments and implement Direct Deposit. She laid out the scenarios for two local banks and explained any fees that would be charged. Although there would be no fee at one of the local banks it was felt that we need stay in Ladd with our accounts. NC Bank has agreed to continue Magic Wrighter to enable the Village to continue our ACH payments and also implement payroll direct deposit. There would be a monthly fee of $100.00 implemented beginning in January 2022.
Manning Motion/Martin Second to pay $100.00 per month to continue electronic payment services we are currently using with North Central Bank.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0 218 N. Main Avenue Electric Upgrade Application Fee - A request to waive the $250.00 upgrade fee was explained to the board. The owner of the building is trying to get his building ready for business(es) to rent. The Village tries to do what they can to bring in new business.
Urbanowski Motion/Thrasher Second to waive the electric upgrade application fee of $250.00
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
Nays: Nelson
Announcements: Manning asked Bezely about a report provided in packets regarding 336 S. Main Ave. Bezely stated she was asked about a price from someone interested in purchasing 336 S. Main Ave., they also asked about property taxes and utility approximate costs. The board felt they need to wait on the feasibility study of all 3 Village owned properties before obtaining an appraisal so the value of the building is known. It was stated that the building can be sold for at least 80% of its appraised value if there is a 2/3rd vote of the council. The feasibility study has been rescheduled for 1/5/2022. Once the study is known, it will be determined if an appraisal will be obtained and a possible sale price can be decided on. Bezely will let the interested party know the situation. Margherio stressed to the board that we only want to know which building is best to put money into for a Village Hall. Bezely informed the board of the status of the water main replacement in the alley behind Village Hall. Adam Ossola stated he recently spoke with Shug from NCICG and she told him she needs a few more approvals from IEPA. Ossola hopes to see bidding start in February 2022. Manning stated that this was bid 2 years ago and costs are most likely up. Thrasher asked if there was any more information on the Affordable Housing. Bezely stated that she was told they are planning to sign leases as of February 1, 2022 for the 1st 20 units. Certificates of Occupancy have been provided by Barry Flanagan for the 1st 20 units. Nelson asked about how they determine who needs handicap accessible or 1 bedroom/2 bedroom. Bezely explained that Laborer’s Home Development will take care of all of those concerns. Margherio asked if anyone from Ladd has gotten accepted. Bezely stated she has not been given any of that information. Thrasher asked if tours could be taken by the council members. Bezely told Thrasher she could set something up with Steve from Core Construction. It was determined that a tour would be set up for 12/30/21 at 8:30 am and any of the council is welcome to come. The council is very happy with the project.
Manning Motion/Urbanowski Second to adjourn regular session and go into executive Session 5ILCS 120/2 (c) (11) meetings to consider the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees at 7:09 pm.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
Returned to regular session at 7:43 pm
Roll Call: Present: Trustees Jim Manning, Dave Margherio, Jan Martin, Dan Nelson, Molly Thrasher, Mike Urbanowski. (6)
Margherio Motion/Urbanowski Second to increase part-time police wages to $25.50 per hour and reassess police coverage on April 1, 2022.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
Police Chief Dean thanked the board for increasing the police wages. He feels this will be helpful in getting officers on the schedule. Mayor Cattani previously expressed continuing the $4.00 per hour shift differential for any officer who stays until the bars close on Friday, Saturday or Sunday evenings. Manning had asked Dean if this will solve the problem and Dean said it lowers the bar that he can get over it easier but Dean doesn’t know if this will solve it or not. It will be readdressed in April 2022. Dean told the board that if he hires more officers, they will need to be supplied a vest by the Village. He reminded the board that the vest grants don’t come out until spring but we have to supply each officer with a vest. Urbanowski asked Dean what it would take to hire a full-time night-time officer, start at 7 and work until bars close. Dean said it’s possible but not easy to find someone to work this shift. Dean stated that police are writing their own ticket for hours and pay right now. Police reform has driven so many officers away. Dean told the board it’s not easy to be a police officer because of cell phones and cameras. Dean told the board that he will contact all officers asking them to please get on the schedule or if they are unable to work to turn their stuff in so that someone else can be hired. Dean told the board that the next possible academy is in 2023 and it takes 9 months to complete. Dean also reminded the board that if they hire a full-time officer, Dean can no longer be chief. Manning and Margherio asked Dean what a road officer for Bureau County makes when starting out. Dean said he believes around $50,000.00 annually. Dean thanked the board from the bottom of his heart.
Thrasher Motion/Nelson Second to adjourn.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
The meeting adjourned at 7:57 pm
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