City of LaSalle City Council met Oct. 17
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
A regular meeting of the La Salle City Council of La Salle, Illinois was held at 6:30 p.m. with Mayor Jeff Grove presiding with proper notices being duly and continuously posted.
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Present - Mayor Grove, Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Crane, Herndon
Absent - NONE
A quorum was present.
Others Present: Others Present: Deputy Clerk Brent Bader, Finance Director John Duncan, Attorney Pat Hermann
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Thompson to accept and place on file the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council held October 3, 2022. Each and every alderman has a copy.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
PRESENTATION
Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Bacidore to allow a presentation from Dan Mathews regarding Boy Scouts Troop 20.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Dan Mathews wanted to give a little background on Troop 20. He informed the Council that Troop 20 started back in 1960. Pete Sampo Sr. founded Troop 20 until 1965. His son, Jerry, then took over until 2013. Mathews then took over from there. The troop started with VFW as their sponsor, went to the Catholic War Veterans for a couple years and are now back with the VFW since around 2001-2002. Troop 20 has been with La Salle the whole time. Mathews mentioned that they have had 60 Eagle Scouts presented from this troop. Eagle 61 will hopefully be awarded next month and Eagle 62 may be presented by the end of this year. Mathews came to the Council to inform the city that they will be closing down Troop 20, due to several circumstances. Mathew wanted to Thank the city for everything the city has done for the Troop. They have enjoyed working with all the mayors and all the work projects that have came out of the time here in LaSalle.
The Mayor thanked Mathews for everything that he has done for the troop. The City will keep our honor board up for the Troop in the Council Chambers.
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING PETITIONS: Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to approve the request from LaSalle Body & Fender to install an illuminated, single-facing wall sign at 140 Crosat Street.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS
Moved by Alderman Bacidore and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to accept and place on file the Building Inspector’s Report for September 2022 showing total fees collected of $1,753.54 with total value of construction of $183,500.00
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS
Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Crane to accept and place on file a Thank you letter from the Perfectly Flawed Foundation.
Mayor Grove also mentioned a communication from St. Bede Academy for the use of a power box for the bands during their homecoming weekend.
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to accept and place on file the Illinois Department of Revenue report showing sales tax collected for July 2022 of $94,907.83 and Home Rules sales Tax of $84,380.22 for a total of $179,288.05. Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Alderman Ptak mentioned that the City promised to not bond out 11-12 years ago and to improve the financial stability for the city. The City had 16 bonds in 2014 and will have only four by the end of this year. The city will be paying $893,000 as opposed to $3 million from a few years back. Ptak also mentioned how in 2020, the city’s general fund
deficit was at $2.4 million but at the end of this financial year, the City was at $1,044,000.00, knocking about 1 million dollars of the city’s deficit. Ptak believes that with the work of the city’s Finance Director, presenting to the committee real time data and then the committee taking that data to make well informed decisions, it has greatly improved the city’s financial situation.
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to accept the recommendation from the Finance Committee regarding the Financial Audit Report for the City of LaSalle for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2022. Each and every alderman has a copy.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane NAY: None Absent: NONE Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 8-0
Mayor Grove wanted to acknowledge all the department heads for working very well with Duncan and keeping within each of their budgets to allow the city to continue with their current financial situation.
Moved by Alderman Ptak and Alderman Lavieri to accept the Finance Committee regarding the RMA Minimum/Maximum Contribution Agreement.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane NAY: None Absent: NONE Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 8-0
Moved by Alderman Ptak and Alderman Jeppson to accept the recommendation of the Finance Committee to approve the request from William K. Pryde of LaSalle Body & Fender, Inc. for a Redevelopment Incentive Program grant totaling $12,500 for premises located at 140 Crosat Street.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane NAY: None Absent: NONE Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 8-0
OLD BUSINESS
Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Thompson to pay and authorize Pay Request #3 for Vissering Construction Company totaling $15,428.70 for work completed to date on Aerobic Digester Conversion project. Each and every alderman has a copy.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane NAY: None Absent: NONE Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 8-0
Deputy Bader began the discussion of the Link Project. He wanted the Council to discuss further if they had anything to send in regards to things to keep in mind during this project in regards to the city. This is just a discussion item piece, no vote or action needs to be taken on this matter. Bader believed the route to be close to the preferred route, if not the same route that the city originally preferred. Alderman Lavieri was hoping to see more of a detailed map or plan for this route. Alderman Crane did believe that it would cut through the park side. Lavieri did notice it will be on the west side of the 39/80 interchange. Bader will reach out maybe getting some more formal information from the group with possibly more of a detailed map.
Alderman Lavieri didn’t know if the council would want to put out a resolution to send out and show the City’s stance regarding the SAFE-T Act. Alderman Thompson believes that the legislature is doing their part with their stance and he doesn’t feel a resolution is necessary. Attorney Hermann states counties are involved in the lawsuit with agreement with the Attorney General. Municipalities are not necessarily joining in at this time. Hermann states that it wouldn't hurt to send in a letter if the city wishes too.
Bader said that he would reach out to Navarro’s office and ask if they would want the support and if there was certain wording they would wish to have in that letter.
Alderman Bacidore wanted to discuss the letter from Erin Maze in regards to 801 1st St. receiving alternative bids from other contractors. Alderman Reynolds believes the contractor to be H& H. Reynolds saids that the city may be scaring some of the additional contractors because of all the press with this current project. Alderman Bacidore called H & H on Wednesday and they stated that they had no clue about submitting a bid for 801 1st St.
Mayor believes that the council should still continue with a two week update on this project.
Herndon mentioned how the taxpayers are behind the city council to see something done with this project also.
Mayor stated that they have reached out to a legal law firm to see if there is something that the city can do to get this project done.
NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Grove mentioned that the city would like to get some ideas and thoughts out to local developers for 540 First St. He asked for the authorization to publish a RFP. This lot is in a TIF District. Alderman Lavieri asked about the mural and the Mayor mentioned that it was a dead issue. Alderman Herndon asked Leah Inman if there was any interest in the 540 property. She said there was definitely interest but there has never been anything that came to fruition.
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Thompson to publish a Request for Proposal regarding development ideas for 540 First Street.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane NAY: None Absent: NONE Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 8-0
Alderman Bacidore asked why the city is going to put a new sidewalk in front of Kaskaskia. Mayor states that this sidewalk location was part of the city’s sidewalk program. Mayor states that the city needs to maintain safe sidewalks that residents use. Alderman Jeppson believes that the city does need to maintain the infrastructure of the downtown.
The city is currently unable to stamp the sidewalk in front of the Lasalle State Bank to Mickey’s area because of a heating element that was once installed. Alderman Crane mentioned that the sidewalks around Pulaski Park on 5th St. and Rt. 6. Mayor stated that they will be finishing that area up soon when they do the overlay.
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS:
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to approve and accept the ordinance authorizing the executions of the IMLRMA Minimum/Maximum Contribution Agreement. Each and every alderman has a copy.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane NAY: None Absent: NONE Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 8-0
Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Thompson to accept an Ordinance providing for and approving the Third Amendment to the LaSalle TIF District I Redevelopment Project Area, Plan & Projects. Each and every alderman has a copy.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane NAY: None Absent: NONE Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 8-0
Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Thompson to accept the ordinance adopting an Employee Handbook for the City of LaSalle. Each and every alderman has a copy.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane NAY: None Absent: NONE Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 8-0
There was a handbook in place for years. There was a whistleblower policy added to the handbook recently. It has been suggested to put the city into ordinance form.
Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Jeppson to accept the ordinance authorizing consulting agreement with ERXN Services, LLC.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane NAY: None Absent: NONE Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 8-0
Mayor wanted to state his appreciation to Leah Inman and Brian Brown for their effort in a recent project. The city was in the final two or three locations for a new 600,000 sq ft facility. The new 600,000 sq. ft. facility will be built in Princeton.
COMMENTS
Mayor of Rockwell asked if there would be a shelter or some benches on the new path. Mayor Grove mentioned there will be garbage cans and 10 benches placed down on the path.
There were no more questions or comments from the public.
APPROVAL OF BILLS
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to accept, pay, and place on file bills for October 3, 2022 with Total Submitted: $1,052,043.27 (Total Payroll $197,247.94, Bills to be Paid $237,144.54, Total Bills Paid $617,650.79). ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane NAY: None Absent: NONE Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 8-0
Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Crane to adjourn the meeting. Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.
https://www.lasalle-il.gov/sites/default/files/agendas-minutes/2022-11/10-17-22_0.pdf
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