City of LaSalle City Council met Feb. 22.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Present - Mayor Jeff Grove, Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Crane
Absent: Alderman Ptak, Herndon
Others Present: Deputy Clerk Brent Bader, Superintendent of Public Works Patrick Watson, Economic Development Director Leah Inman, Finance Director John Duncan, Fire Chief Jerry Janick, City Engineer Brian Brown, City Attorney Jim McPhedran, Treasurer Virginia Kochanowski
A quorum was present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Alderman Demes and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to accept and place on file the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council held February 7, 2022. Each and every alderman has a copy.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Demes to go out of order from original agenda.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
RETIREMENTS
Chief Janick wanted to recognize Rahn Data for his 31 years of service with the Fire Department. Data was a very crucial part when the ambulance transport started up. Data was the resident MacGyver for the department. Data was known as quiet leader and leads by example.
Rahn Data mentioned that it was his team that got him here. He also wanted to thank his team at home.
Brian Zeller presented Data with a recognition award from Local 4760 for his 31 years of service to the City of LaSalle.
Mayor reiterated what Chief Janick stated how Data was a well-spoken individual for the Fire Department. Mayor thanked and congratulated Data for all his service to the Dept.
PRESENTATION
Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Jeppson to allow Executive Director Bill Zens to address the council in regards to his Presentation from Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Mr. Zens was here tonight to share with the Council what the Chamber has going on in hopes of reinviting the council to reinvest in the Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Zens spoke on member marketing. They team up with Studstill and Starved Rock Media Group. They want to help their members find opportunity for growth. They help members get out in the community by spotlighting them on radio groups or through social media. Zens also spoke about Synchronist Business Retention Survey. He thought the city would benefit from such a thing. This is an anonymous survey that could go out to residents and allows for some feedback to area businesses.
Zens discussed what the investment could do for the city. The Chamber can help with letters of recommendation for grant writing. They have teamed up with the Dept. of Commerce and other state agencies to keep the Illinois Valley at the top of mind.
Zens spoke of the reverse Starved Rock Shopping Weekend that they will be hosting for a Mother’s Day weekend program. This is include bringing in 22 guests from the outside area. They will stay at Camp Armoni, dine at Starved Rock, and then shop for a total of 8 hrs. between Princeton, Ottawa, and LaSalle. They will be receiving a coupon book that will promote them to come back again to the area with their family.
The Chamber has many partnerships with other chambers. The Chamber does host breakfast seminars to help form those relationships with local decision makers. This helps to speak with the right people to really drive a pro-business climate and to help with what can be done to help the community grow.
Mayor Grove asked some questions pertaining to the goal of the Chamber for the City. Mayor heard the commercials and thought that it was a good change. Mayor asked Mr. Zens about the networking aspect of the Chamber. He asked if the chamber will be promoting local business or will they be seeking business to come in from the outside.
Mr. Zens told the Council that when it comes to Economic Development, he sees the Chamber really focusing on retention. He wants to create programs to grow leadership in the area. This leadership program will run once a month and will be able to help grow leaders for the community. He also wants to continue to promote the retainment of the current businesses, help to expand them if so, but to get them to stay in the area.
Mayor Grove asked Mr. Zens what the measuring stick would be for La Salle to benefit from IVAC. Mr. Zens believe that it will come with the programming from IVAC. Mr. Zens that their big programming piece this year with be the leadership program. Once it gets launched, Mr. Zens would like to come back in six months and report back to the Council the outcomes from such a program. Mr. Zens also said a programming piece like the Mother's Day weekend, will be able to show a return to the business a few months after.
The Mother’s Day shopping weekend will be May 5 and 6. They will start at Aramoni, trolley to Princeton, La Salle, Ottawa, and then back to Starved Rock for dinner. Guests will stay at Aramoni for the night and have breakfast there in the morning. Along with massages in the morning and then a hiking day at Starved Rock.
Mayor asked about what cities were active members of the Chamber. Zens stated that Peru, Utica, Oglesby, and Ottawa were part
Economic Development Inman wanted the council to know that Mr. Zens has been an active member of the Chamber. He has been at every training session and has facilitated the rail call. There has been a lot more communication on his end since he has been with the Chamber.
Alderman Crane asked how Zens would prioritize the city of LaSalle when a potential business is looking for property. Mr. Zens is not currently in that position. He does know that the Chamber does reach out with their leads to all area Economic Developers. They give them the details, and ask about if they have a spot in their city that fits. He relies on discussion with the economic development directors and all work together to help improve the community. Zens did remind the council that no matter where a developer chooses to set up their business, it will impact growth around the area with lodging, dining and shopping.
Alderman Bacidore asked Mr. Zens about what the Chamber has done for the city. Mr. Zens admitted that he has not brought anything to the city in the last 8 months since he has been with the Chamber. But Mr. Zens did want the Council to know that stated that his focus is not on economic development. His goal is to promote retention of the new and old businesses and to work on programs that bring in purchase power. Zens stated that is not just about getting the new businesses, but it is about retaining the business and creating a talent pipeline within that business.
Zens did mention to the council that there will be some new pieces coming to LaSalle very soon. Zens did say that there should be a Press release in two weeks for something to potentially impacting LaSalle.
Alderman Reynolds mentioned how the City is watching their money and budget right now. Reynolds wants more specific than generalized ways that IVAC will benefit the city of LaSalle.
The Mayor stated that how the city may not see the direct result but they City will start to see the indirect results of what IVAC is doing.
Alderman Reynolds stated how that city has been burned in the past. Reynolds is currently gun-shy and unsure on joining such a program again.
PETITIONS
Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Crane to approve the request for a 2022 Raffle License from Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Bacidore to approve the request for a 2022 Raffle License from Club 55.
Deputy Clerk Bader will verify what their raffle is for. The council believed they always do their raffle for IVAR. Deputy Clerk Bader later confirmed this charity as well as two others.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Crane to approve the request for a 2022 Raffle License from the LaSalle Little League.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to approve the request from LaSalle Little League to hold a Tag Day Collection of Friday, May 6, 2022 and Saturday May 7, 2022 at the intersection of 11th and Bucklin, Raccuglia Drive and Chartres St, Casey’s General Stores, Becks, Shell Gas Station, Illinois Valley Food & Deli, and Save-A-Lot.
Deputy Clerk Bader was unsure if the Raccuglia Drive, Chartres St. Was common for them to request that intersection. Council agreed that this request would be allowed subject to city regulations that been in place in the past.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
REPORT OF CITY OFFICERS
Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Jeppson to approve, accept and place on file the Treasurer’s Report for January 2022 showing total cash balances in LaSalle State Bank of $11,655,209.83 and in Hometown National Bank of $5,853,320.50. Each and every alderman have a copy.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS
Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Jeppson to approve, accept, and place on file Illinois Department of Revenue report showing sales tax collected for
November 2021 of $86,426.99, Home Rule Sales Tax of $74,738.71 and Non-Home Rule Sales Tax of $1,046.33 for a total of $162,212.03. Each and every alderman have a copy.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Jeppson to approve the recommendation of the Finance Committee regarding a proposal for $9,093.13 from B&B Remodeling for remodeling work downstairs for police records storage.
AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Crane
NAY: None
Absent: Alderman Ptak, Herndon Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 6-0
Mayor wanted to thank John Duncan, Public Works, and Chief Smudzinski for cleaning up and clearing out the basement to get this remodeling project started.
Alderman Lavieri stated that Supt. Watson did a great job obtaining two new 2022 Ford Explorers 4x4 from Schimmer, Peru for same price as the state bid. One will be for WWTP and the other will be for Water Treatment plant. Both list for $31,170.04, with $2,000 trade-in on four vehicles that have over 100,000 miles each. The total for each vehicle will be $30,170.04.
Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Jeppson to approve the recommendation of the Finance Committee regarding the purchase of two public works vehicles and trade-in of four public works vehicles.
AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Crane
NAY: None
Absent: Alderman Ptak, Herndon Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 6-0
Alderman Jeppson stated that there are currently no recommendations from the Public Grounds & Real Estate Committee regarding improvements to the City’s new Public Works Building, 146 Industrial Drive, and consideration of hiring an architect. They will be waiting on Brian Brown to have more detailed items to discuss at a later time.
Engineer Brown mentioned that the contractor would hire an architect to do the building area just as the city would do. Brown plans on meeting with an architect to discuss plans and will have more information to share at the next meeting.
The council and committee agreed that the city will be heading toward of the direction of doing what the city can in house with use of an architect where it is necessary. The city will need the architect stamps on certain things like ADA and other life safety features. The city will require a fixed fee from the architect.
Alderman Crane spoke in regards to needing a more detailed print for the bigger, local contractors.
Brown and Jeppson will set a date soon to meet with committee to discuss plans once Brown has spoken with architect.
OLD BUSINESS
Moved by Alderman Lavieri and Alderman Crane to authorize and pay of Estimate #4, Base bid to Municipal Well & Pump totaling $45,241.20 for work completed to date on the New Water Supply Well #13 project.
AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Crane
NAY: None
Absent: Alderman Ptak, Herndon Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 6-0
Alderman Bacidore asked Economic Developer Inman if anything came from the phone call that he received before last meeting in regard to the Hotel Kaskaskia. Inman stated that nothing is coming out of the phone call that Bacidore received. She stated that this is just part of the pre-application process.
ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS
Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Crane to approve the ordinance approving and authorizing the entering into a cost sharing intergovernmental agreement by and between the City of LaSalle and the City of Peru regarding certain improvements to certain roadways which presently have portions thereof under joint jurisdiction of the two cities and also regarding matters related thereto (City of LaSalle, LaSalle County, Illinois) (24th Street/Wenzel Road). Each and every alderman have a copy.
AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Crane
NAY: None
Absent: Alderman Ptak, Herndon Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 6-0
Brown stated that the bids will be received Thursday and hopefully act on the bids next week. The project will be down for about 2.5-3 months.
Alderman Demes asked if the construction of the subdivision will impact the progress of the roadway construction. There are no utilities or Peru facilities in that roadway. The city will be putting in a 27’ wide roadway, ready to be widen to three lanes when required to by the city on their end. There are no turns to widen it to three lanes at this time. It would also double the cost of the project.
There were no more questions or comments from the public.
APPROVAL OF BILLS
Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Jeppson to accept, pay, and place on file bills for February 7, 2021 with Total Submitted: $574,786.77 (Total Payroll $170,641.84 Bills to be paid $346,418.12, Total Bills Paid $57,726.81). Each and every alderman has a copy.
AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Crane
NAY: None
Absent: Alderman Ptak, Herndon Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 6-0
Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Crane to adjourn the meeting. Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.
ADJOURNED 7:28 pm
https://www.lasalle-il.gov/sites/default/files/agendas-minutes/2022-03/2-22-22.pdf
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