Village of Ladd Village Board met Feb. 22.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Ladd Village Board met in regular session in the Village Hall. Mayor 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, Village Treasurer Julie Koch, Engineer Adam Ossola, Superintendent Doug Englehaupt, and Police Chief Randy Dean
Thrasher motion/Margherio second to accept the February 8, 2022 meeting minutes as presented. Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
Urbanowski motion/Martin second to authorize payment of the bills in the amount of $113,364.14.
Ayes: Manning (abstained from Springfield electric bill because of his position with this company), Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
Atty. Colin Barry arrived @ 6:32 pm
Margherio motion/Urbanowski second to accept the January 2022 Treasurer’s Report and to reinvest the Motor Fuel CD for 6 months at 0.20%.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0 Correspondence: None
Public Comment: Gael Quezada spoke on behalf of his father, Pascual. They own the apartment building at 201 N Main Avenue. They would like to put a taco restaurant in the “business” front of the building. They asked what requirements there are for the Village. They were told they need to be licensed by the State of Illinois and they will also need to speak with the Bureau County Health Department. They were also told that if they plan to make any changes to the front of the building they would need to bring a plan to the board to discuss approval to move forward. Bezely also told Pascual & Gael Quezada they would need to have a dumpster for garbage. They were very excited to move forward. They asked for help getting Ameren to put in a gas meter to heat the business front. Bezely will contact a few Ameren people and see if she can help Gael. When asked their business name they replied Charro Tacos. Everyone wished them well and stated that they would help in any way needed. They will hold off on a liquor license, for now, to see how things go first.
Committee Reports: Molly asked about having an Easter Egg Hunt. The board was in favor of having one. She stated that it would be on the Saturday before Easter, April 9th from 10 am – 11 am at Kennedy Park. Molly will make contact with Committee members and arrange everything.
Engineer’s Report: Ossola reported on walking Ladd to get a plan for using the $150,000.00 grant for Main Avenue sidewalks. Ossola stated there are 3 areas that sidewalk and curbing would be replaced. Manning was concerned if we replace areas and then are fortunate enough to get the “Main Street Grant” would we be having to rip out the new sidewalks we choose. Ossola stated that we are only replacing Street Lighting in the “Main Street Grant” therefore he didn’t see any concern. Corner by Dick’s Tap, Northwest corner of Cedar Street, and adding the sidewalk in the 300 block of South Main Avenue across from the park. Ossola stated that he roughed in some numbers and these 3 areas would use up the $150,000.00 grant. Ossola also addressed the request for an ADA ramp in front of 218 N. Main Ave. Ossola stated we would need to put a ramp up to the step into the building and also a handrail for safety. The buildings next to this would also need the ramp. We could work this into the work we do on the Northwest corner of Cedar Street. Dick’s corner would require a walkthrough of the building with the owner to see options to get people into the business. It was mentioned that perhaps the back entrance to the west could become the ADA entry. Manning asked if it is the Village’s job to make the business ADA compliant. Atty. Colin Barry explained that once you start changing sidewalks you do need to make the businesses as compliant as you can. Ossola is waiting to hear back on a couple of questions regarding this grant. We will hold off on a decision about the areas we will move forward on until the question regarding the Engineer is answered.
Ossola told the board he will be in contact with the Village regarding the feasibility study on the Village’s 3 buildings as soon as the architect feels up to it. He’s still not feeling up to it.
Superintendent’s Report: Englehaupt told the council that he requested the blowing and pushing of snow onto the Village streets be put on the agenda again. This is in an effort to get an ordinance forbidding this. Englehaupt stated that we have an ordinance on grass clippings not being blown on the roadway but he feels this is even more important. Atty. Colin Barry will research neighboring towns and put together an ordinance that will warn people first and then allow the police to issue a $25.00 ticket for a first offense. We will review this ordinance at the next meeting.
Police Chief: Dean reported that he met with Dick’s owner, Shawn Jeppson, and Softails owner, Noreen Griffin. They were both fine with having their bartenders turn up the lights in the bars at closing time in an effort for the police to see if patrons are still in the bar after closing. This will provide security for the bartenders. Dean stated that the bar owners stated that the bartender's boyfriends are waiting for them to walk them out. Cattani stated that the boyfriends need to wait in the car and cannot be in the bar according to our ordinance. Dean also brought up the issue with bartenders giving 4-5 beers to a customer at closing time and these customers sit out on the patio drinking and being loud. Dean asked the bar owners not to do this. Cattani asked Dean about getting more coverage. Dean told the council that he got an application to an officer who works part-time in Granville
Building Inspector: None
Village Attorney: Atty. Colin Barry distributed an ordinance regarding shift differential for the police department. Barry explained that the police officers must stay until ½ hour after the closing time on the ordinance establishing bar closing times.
Urbanowski motion/Martin second to Pass An Ordinance Establishing A Shift Differential For Police Officers In The Village of Ladd, Bureau County, Illinois.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski, Mayor Cattani - Motion carried 7-0
Atty. Colin Barry distributed another ordinance that the State of Illinois has mandated. It is a new law from IDOL to protect employees who are put in dangerous situations. That they can report the employer without concern for ramifications. It protects the employee. You can mandate a person to check into the complaint but if you leave that line blank then the state's attorney will investigate. The Village of Ladd just left it blank.
Thrasher motion/Urbanowski second to Pass An Ordinance Adopting A Whistleblower Protection Policy For The Village of Ladd, Bureau County, IL
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski, Mayor Cattani - Motion carried 7-0
Atty. Colin Barry updated the board on the Hackler house that burned down. The deed was mailed to Kim Hackler for signature. Once we receive the signed deed back we can look at getting bids on the demolition of the property.
New Business:
Back Stop at Senior League Diamond: Steve Bosi presented 2 quotes to the board to get the backstop repaired at Kennedy Park’s senior league diamond. The council requested a 3rd quote for a 16’ high fence. Bosi will contact All Type Fences for a 3rd bid. Englehaupt told Bosi the backstop needs to stay in its current location and not be moved back due to conflict with the railroad property line.
Margherio motion/Manning second to Authorize Steve Bosi to Hire a fencing company not to exceed $8,000.00 after receiving a 3rd quote.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
Video Gaming Fees: The council discussed the ability to implement video gaming fees for all businesses that have video gaming terminals. After much discussion, the council feels no fees will be implemented and they will revisit this in January 2023.
Announcements: Bezely told the board that the lady that owns the old furniture store is having a contractor look over the building. They are considering taking the upper story off to make sure it is structurally sound and then making the roof repairs.
Bezely announced that Steve from CORE is vacating the Community Center by 3/1/22. He told Bezely his last day is tomorrow. He will return when the landscaping can be done.
Bezely mentioned keeping ears open for a possible renter at 336 S. Main Avenue if the current renter can find a house to rent due to having a dog.
Bezely announced FOIA and OMA training being reopened. She had detailed instructions on how to create the new password and log in.
Bezely told the council that there will be tours on Saturday, February 26th at the Ladd Senior Village with the property manager, Kristin Piccatto.
Bezely explained the additional copies in the board packets. She provided a drawing from Superintendent Englehaupt regarding the installation of mailboxes and how the Post Office’s picture and instructions contradict what they say.
Bezely also explained that Statements of Economic interest will need to be completed soon and provided information on the new forms that will be coming out.
Finally, Bezely told the council that the window is in for 336 S. Main Ave. and Chad Vaini will get it installed as soon as time permits.
@ 7:45 pm Urbanowski motion/Nelson second to enter executive session stating 5ILCS 120/2 (c) (11) meetings to consider the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
The council returned to regular session at 8:12 pm.
Roll Call was taken Present: Trustees Jim Manning, Dave Margherio, Jan Martin, Dan Nelson, Molly Thrasher, Mike Urbanowski. (6)
Thrasher motion/Urbanowski second to adjourn.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0 The meeting adjourned at 8:13 pm
https://www.villageofladd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2022-02-22-MINUTES.pdf
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