Village of Ladd Village Board met May 10.
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, and Molly Thrasher. (5)
Absent: Trustee Mike Urbanowski (1)
In attendance: Attorney Pat Barry, Attorney Colin Barry, Clerk Bezely, Engineer Adam Ossola, and Police Adm Asst. Sam Sarosinski
Margherio motion/Nelson second to accept the April 26, 2022 meeting minutes as presented. Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher - Motion carried 5-0
Thrasher motion/Nelson second to authorize payment of the bills in the amount of $40,293.09. Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher - Motion carried 5-0
Correspondence: Bezely read a thank you note from Doug Englehaupt and Heather McCutcheon and family for the sympathy gift.
Public Comment: None
Committee Reports: Margherio and Nelson reported on a complaint of a tripping hazard/elevated sidewalk at 108 N Iowa Ave due to tree roots. It was felt that the Village would pay for concrete if the homeowner wanted to pay for the framing and finishing of the sidewalk. The tree is still living and will not be removed by the Village.
Engineer’s Report: Unfinished Business: Ossola informed the board about the Main Street Sidewalk Grant for $150,000.00 that you would have 2 years to spend the money but you can pick the start date on your application and you can request extensions if you can’t meet the deadline. Ossola told the board if they would like to do another walk around, he can be part of that. Mayor Cattani asked how the Water Main Project is coming along. Ossola stated that it is still under review with the EPA. There has been a complaint by the low bidder. The low bidder has a timeline to protest. Manning asked if the project was being held up by this. Ossola stated he believes the EPA is continuing to review the bids. If there is a formal protest this could affect the timeline.
Superintendent’s Report: None
Police Chief: Administrative Assistant Sarosinski was present on behalf of Chief Frund who was coaching his son’s ball game. The Flock camera was ordered and will be installed in approximately 4- 6 weeks just south of Casey’s. Mario will be ordering the 12 cameras the board approved and will install them once received. TROY has been paid for the phones and has ordered the system. They will install as soon as received. Two grants have been applied for. 1st is Watch Guard Camera Grant for $5,700.00. This will upgrade the old squad car. The installation cost is approximately $5,800.00 so the Village will have minimal cost. 2nd is a bulletproof vest grant for $1,500.00 which reimburses ½ of the cost of a vest. Chief Frund has been getting numerous compliments on the officers sitting on Cleveland Street. Traffic is slowing down and people are stopping at the stop signs. Residents are also happy with the crackdown on loud trucks and slowing them down. Sarosinski is continuing to look for more grants for police and/or the Village of Ladd. She is also working on ordinances. The Toughbook is up and running and in the squad car. Trustee Thrasher asked about an incident with a dog at Lori Dean’s. The dog attacked and bit Joe Bezely several times and neighbors are very concerned about the dog since it has been bitten 3 people. It was asked what the status of this dog is. People feel if this dog gets out again and attacks a child it could be fatal. Sarosinski will speak with Chief Frund and they will be in touch with the board. Thrasher is concerned about the Village’s legal responsibility to have this dog removed. Atty Colin Barry will look into the law.
Building Inspector: None
Village Attorney: 124 N Hennepin Ave Atty. Pat Barry distributed an Ordinance Directing Sale of Village owned Real Estate. He reminded the board about the rules to sell the property at 124 N Hennepin Ave. It was decided not to get an appraisal which requires that we publish 1 time weekly for 3 successive weeks and the 1st publication must be at least 30 days before the bid opening. The first publication will be Saturday, May 14th in the BCR. Bids will be opened at the June 14, 2022 meeting. Cattani stated that we will tell all bidders that $12,000.00 is the minimum bid the Village is looking for. Manning motion/Martin second to Pass Ordinance Directing Sale of Village-Owned Real Estate in the Village of Ladd, Bureau County.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, and Cattani - Motion carried 6-0 Net Metering Update: Atty Barry distributed an updated ordinance on net metering. Barry stated that Englehaupt noted some errors and these have been corrected. Barry explained the changes and asked the board to adopt the new revised Net Metering Policy. Additionally, Barry stated there is an interconnection agreement and a new application for Solar or Wind Energy. These were distributed to the board. Barry emailed it to Englehaupt and Bezely. Barry would prefer to make sure Englehaupt was comfortable with these 2 parts of the Net Metering Policy. It was decided to have the board review all information and speak with Englehaupt and place the interconnection agreement and the application forms on the May 24th agenda.
Martin motion/Margherio second to Adopt the Revised Net Metering Policy for 2022. Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, and Cattani - Motion carried 6-0
New Business:
Mandated Water Testing: Water testing fees from the State of Illinois and T.E.S.T. were provided to the board.
Thrasher motion/Manning second to accept T.E.S.T. to perform all Mandatory Water Testing for the Village of Ladd for July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher - Motion carried 5-0
EV Charging Stations: Bezely told the board about a Zoom Meeting she and Doug attended with Carbon Solutions. They had 8 representatives in attendance. It was explained that they are looking to partner with the Village of Ladd to put in EV Chargers. Bezely explained the information they obtained from Carbon Solutions. A sample contract was provided to Atty Barry for review. Manning feels that they are not interested in entertaining a partnership with a company that won’t come in person to discuss this. Manning feels concerned that it’s too good to be true. He questioned why they are asking the Village of Ladd. Manning would like a lot more questions answered before any decision would be made. Barry stated that this is all changing so quickly we may want to hold off on a decision. Bezely stated an ideal situation would be that a 24-hour business would host the EV chargers.
Non-Union Health Insurance: Discussion ensued regarding the Non-Union Health Insurance costs for July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023. Suarez and Associates provided renewal rates. United Healthcare and Humana were 2 additional bids received this year by Suarez. The board discussed all options including going out for bid in the future.
Manning motion/Nelson second to go with BCBS current plan to match the Gold Plan G532BCE. Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher - Motion carried 5-0
Bezely is to put in her calendar in January 2023 to go out for bids for Health Insurance for Non-Union Employees in 2023-2024.
Non-Union Dental & Vision Insurance: Bezely told the council that the dental and vision rates remained the same for 7-1-2022 thru 6-30-2023.
Manning motion/Margherio second to Accept the Delta Dental and Delta Vision Insurance proposal. Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher - Motion carried 5-0
American Legion Poppy Sales: Margherio motion/Nelson second to allow the American Legion to sell Poppies on May 28, 2022.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher - Motion carried 5-0
Computer Warranty Expiration: John Riva of Connecting Point Computers notified the Village that 5 computers which are located in the Clerk’s office, Police Department, and Public Works Department will no longer be under warranty as of 5-30-2022. No maintenance contract was purchased. Any necessary repairs/service needed will be on a time and material basis.
Donation request IVYFL: No action was taken.
Donation request University of Illinois Extension: No action was taken.
Announcements: Bezely told the board the News Tribune is putting out the Summer Fun Guide insert for 2022. The deadline is May 16, 2022. Sizes and pricing were explained. The board would like Bezely to provide information for a ¼ page ad in color. This will be formally approved in the bills. All Ladd activities will be listed. Taps, Farmers Market, Christmas Walk, Music in the Park, Truck Show,
Car Shows, etc. will all be listed. Martin feels it is a good idea to publicize our activities to promote the Village. IMEA Electric Efficiency Program information was distributed. Atty Barry stated there is approximately $8,800.00 to spend on the energy efficiency programs. We can offer it to other businesses, as well. Any businesses we offer it to could submit an application and as long as it follows the necessary rules it can be utilized by Village or other businesses. BC Zoning sent 2 requests for approval on 2 zoning changes in Bureau County. Atty Colin Barry explained both requests. The board was fine with Bezely marking that the Village has no objection. Annexation Bezely again asked if we could reach out to all rural property owners from Spring Creek Drive to route 89 to see if they would annex into the Village of Ladd and we would rebate the additional taxes to them until their property is sold. Barry stated yes, we can contact them via phone or a letter but may not hear back. Bezely reported she wrote letters to the property owners on Main Avenue across from Rips and has not heard anything back. 336 S Main Ave Bezely told the board we have had the appraisal done and expect it shortly. Bezely was contacted by a family displaced by a fire and they are interested in renting the upstairs apartment for the next 2-9 months. Even if the Village sells the property, it is likely the new owner would appreciate good renters being in place. Residential Uses on Main Street Bezely updated the board on the fact that the ordinance does not require the business to have a minimum of hours of operation. No one can live in the back portion unless the business front is open. Thrasher asked about the taco place opening and the Stalk Market, Bezely stated the Taco restaurant is planning to open in June. The Stalk Market is waiting on the items they have ordered to open. Bezely explained to the board that she and Doug had a conference call with a potential business. Anytime we speak with companies they feel the Village should have some idea of the cost to bring utilities to a new business. Doug wonders if the board may want to consider engineering to put an approximate cost for utilities to be brought out closer to Route 80. With this information, we can give potential interests approximate costs. The board feels that there needs to be a commitment to the property first before the Village is willing to put any money into engineering. Bezely has also spoken with another property owner in the Village limits and will try to market this property also. The board asked how Doug is doing after his injury. Bezely explained his status. The board asked about the public works department with Doug being off. Bezely stated they’re doing well. BJ comes in for mail and messages and Mario is doing tons of locates for the Ameren work. BJ is maintaining things and taking care of issues. Margherio asked if the company doing the boring for the replacement of gas lines on behalf of Ameren will be leveling and seeding the properties that are dug up. Yes, is the answer Bezely has been assured they will return the property to its original state. Margherio stated the guys doing the gas line work are all great guys. Very accommodating and knowledgeable. Martin asked about the railroad crossing at Cleveland Street. It seems to be missing pieces of the crossing which makes it really treacherous. Bezely will contact the railroad to make them aware. Thrasher asked if porta potties have been placed at Kenndy Park. Bezely contacted them and had them brought in on Monday, May 2, 2022.
Thrasher motion/Nelson second to adjourn.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher - Motion carried 5-0
The meeting adjourned at 7:42 pm
https://www.villageofladd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-05-10-MINUTES.pdf
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