City of LaSalle City Council met March 6
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
A regular meeting of the La Salle City Council of La Salle, Illinois was held, Monday, March 6, 2023, 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 6:40 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Present - Mayor Grove, Aldermen Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon
Absent – Alderman Thompson
A quorum was present.
Others Present: Finance Director John Duncan, Deputy Clerk Brent Bader, City Attorney Jim McPhedran, Econ. Dev. Director Curt Bedei, Director of Public Works Patrick Watson, Fire Chief Jerry Janick, City Treasurer Virginia Kochanowski, Police Chief Mike Smudzinski.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to accept and place on file the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council held February 21, 2023. Each and every alderman has a copy.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
PRESENTATION
Request from James Lobraco of Habitat for Humanity to address the Council.
Mr. Lobraco spoke about how he joined the Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors three years ago. Within that 3-year window, he was able to assist with a build in Ottawa for a single mom with two kids, home build in Ladd for a family of four and they were able to open “Restore” on Shooting Park Road and Rt. 251. Mr. Lobraco asked to speak at the City Council meeting tonight to inform the city and Council that Habitat has secured a lot for their next project on the corner of a Buffalo Street and Seventh Street. They plan to break ground this spring and plan to build a three-bedroom home. He was also hoping to get the word out to cities to help Habitat look for an eligible and qualified family for this home. Habitat will also be in need of volunteers for this project. The habitat’s mission is to have a world where everyone has a decent place to live. They strive to provide the life changing opportunity to own a home to families who are working hard towards homeownership, families whose income level doesn't give room for a conventional down payment or higher interest mortgage through a conventional bank. Habitat is able to sell the home without a down payment. There have been misconceptions about Habitat that they give away homes. Lobraco states that Habitat gives a “hand up rather than a handout”. Habitat relies heavily on volunteers and donated materials and money to fund these bills. The potential family will have put in 500 sweat equity hours and have earned the right to hold a low interest rate mortgage that they can afford. Lobraco stated that the qualifications for a family are simple. There needs to be a need for adequate housing, they need to be willing to partner and provide 500 hours of sweat equity, their household income may not exceed $62,000. This house would be for a family up to four. They will need to be a US citizen or a permanent resident. The application deadline is April 14.
A member of the public, Pat Walters, asked what home value would be and the specifications.
Mr. Lobraco stated that it's going to be a three-bedroom home, typically between 1100 to 1300 square feet. The market value can be anywhere from 80 to $140,000. He also mentioned that one of their directors has been a home builder his whole life. He supervises the construction project from beginning to end.
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING PETITIONS:
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to approve the request from Ameren Illinois to break ground at 646 LaHarpe Street to relocate electric service to underground and install drop pole.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Jeppson to approve the request from Lisa Manijak of the LaSalle VFW for a Special Event Permit to allow the closure of a portion of Donahue Street, south of 24th Street, to host a car show from 7a.m. to 3p.m. on Monday, May 29, 2023.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Alderman Lavieri asked if there was only one home affected by this, in which they received a letter from. Deputy Clerk Bader stated that this was his understanding also.
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 February 2023 showing total fees collected of $1,100 with total value of construction of $129,337.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to accept and place on file the Monthly Police Income Report for February 2023 showing total fees collected of $8,054.53.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to approve the recommendation of the Finance Committee regarding a proposal from Ferguson Waterworks regarding the City’s Water billing process and software.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: Alderman Thompson Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 7-0
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to approve the recommendation of the Finance Committee regarding the purchase of a 2023 Dodge Durango for $39,227 the Police Department minus the $3,500 trade-in of a 2017 Ford Interceptor. This will be purchased through the drug fund.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: Alderman Thompson Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 7-0
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to approve the recommendation of the Finance Committee regarding a two-year contract with Flock Cameras for camera system covering the City’s major entrances.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: Alderman Thompson Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 7-0
Alderman Bacidore stated that the Streets, Alleys, and Traffic Committee would like to put the request for a speed bump in the alley near 432 Creve Couer on hold till the next meeting in two weeks. The council would like to give the Chief some time to talk to the neighbors about this issue.
OLD BUSINESS
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to approve the confirmation and ratification of straw vote regarding exterior and interior testing of six additional properties following the Carus Chemical fire.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: Alderman Thompson Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 7-0
Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Jeppson to approve the request from Mila Marshall of Sierra Club to address the Council regarding the Carus Chemical fire.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: Alderman Thompson Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 7-0
*Attachment A – Mila Marshall’s Presentation of the Sierra Club and Public
Comments regarding Carus Chemical Fire 1/11/23
COMMENTS
Alderman Bacidore mentioned how CL Enterprises is starting another project in Aurora.
City Clerk Amy Quinn reminded all local candidates that electoral signs are not to be on city property or in city right aways.
Alderman Crane asked if there were any smaller kids t-shirts for the Parade.
Alderman Herndon wanted to recognize Deputy Bader, Chief Smudzinski, Fire Chief Janick for all their hard work the last couple weeks.
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 March 6, 2023 with Total Submitted: $1,086,371.62 (Total Payroll $184,979,44, Bills to be Paid $215,357.07, Total Bills Paid $686,035.11).
Each and every alderman has a copy.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: Alderman Thompson Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 7-0
Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Crane to adjourn the meeting.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.
ADJOURNED 9:29pm
https://www.lasalle-il.gov/sites/default/files/agendas-minutes/2023-03/3-6-23%20-%20Copy_0.pdf
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