Village of Ladd Village Board met Feb. 28
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Ladd Village Board met in regular session on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, in the Village Hall. Village President, 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, and Mike Urbanowski
In attendance: Clerk Bezely, Treasurer Julie Koch, Superintendent Englehaupt, Atty. Colin Barry, Engineer Adam Ossola
Thrasher motioned/Urbanowski second to accept February 14, 2023, regular meeting minutes as presented.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
Margherio motioned/Martin second to authorize payment of the bills in the amount of $228,006.51.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
Margherio motioned/ Manning second to accept the Treasurer's Report for January 2023.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
Correspondence: Two notes of thanks were read, the first was from Rich Corsolini, and the second was from BPart for the donation.
Public Comment: Bill Stewart from SNO & MO Lawn Care and Snow Removal introduced himself to the council along with his wife Kristin. He had a couple of questions regarding the Grass Cutting RFP and told the council he would be bidding on this job.
Committee Reports: Trustee Nelson was contacted by Crowthers regarding a drain that has been graveled over in the water main project. This was causing a pooling of water and there was a concern about the water getting into Crowther’s garage. Crowther dug out the drain that was covered in gravel. Cattani asked Englehaupt if a 2” riser could be placed on this drain since it sits so low. Englehaupt stated it wouldn’t be easy to find something that works to raise this as it is very old. Cattani asked Englehaupt to look into repairing or replacing this drain to raise the manhole. Nelson asked Englehaupt who is to make sure none of the drains get covered with asphalt when they come back to asphalt. Englehaupt assured them that he and Ossola will make sure nothing like this happens. Nelson also requested that Adam reach out to Superior and have them move the equipment to the east about 20 feet away from Main Ave, as it makes it difficult for two cars to turn at the corner of Main and Cedar.
Engineer’s Report: New Business – Motor Fuel Tax Program 2023 - Ossola distributed pricing and a map and explained the chip seal and the spray patch planned for 2023. He explained we will be doing the same roads that were done in 2017 with a few additions. The alley on the west side of Main from Walnut down to Locust hasn’t been done in quite a while. Also added on E Cleveland St all the inlets for future development haven’t been done in a while either. Western Ave will be done where we thought Kirkman’s were the owners and found it is Village property. This will all be chip sealed. Trustee Urbanowski asked if there is any way we can eliminate puddles in the streets. Ossola stated that this can be helped with a spray patch. We will look at these areas. We are working on the area that Urbanowski is talking about. It will be checked into. Ossola also mentioned he has included the cost of a roller in the MFT Program so the Village can rent a roller to help with the chip seal gravel being embedded into the streets. Englehaupt states that a rubber tire roller is what is needed and they are only able to rent a metal one so his suggestion is to forego renting a roller. President Cattani asked Englehaupt if he could fill up a truck with gravel and drive over these areas to help embed the chips. This will work better than the metal roller. Englehaupt agreed. Ossola will remove this from the bid.
Urbanowski motioned/Thrasher second Passing Resolution to Approve Estimate of Cost and Approve Engineering Agreement for the 2023 Motor Fuel Tax Project 2023 Not to Exceed $130,000.00.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
Ossola stated within 2 months this should be out for bid. Trustee Manning stated that Englehaupt may have summer help while the Chip Seal is going on.
Superintendent’s Report: None
Police Chief: Not in attendance
Building Inspector: Not in attendance
Village Attorney: Unfinished Business: Social Media Ordinance: Atty. Colin Barry distributed the Social Media Ordinance. There is a section that states this is a limited public forum which allows us to eliminate comments. It also regulates employee social media use. Employees represent the Village of Ladd so if they post something it is their opinion. This policy explains this and employees need to be aware of this. President Cattani feels most negativity is about him but the council feels that no comments are necessary. The Village uses social medial as a means of informing the residents on various subjects.
Martin motioned/Manning second to Pass an Ordinance Establishing a Social Media Policy in the Village of Ladd.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski, Cattani - Motion carried 7-0
New Business: Pass an Ordinance on Video Gaming Fees: Atty. Colin Barry explained the Ordinance to establish a $125.00 per terminal annual fee to businesses with Video Gaming machines. Section 1 states starting May 1, 2023, an annual fee of $125.00 for the license to be split, shared equally, between the terminal operator and the licensed establishment.
Urbanowski motioned/Nelson second Pass Ordinance Establishing Annual Gaming Terminal Fees of $125.00 per Machine
Ayes: Manning, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski, Cattani - Motion carried 5-2
Nays: Margherio, Martin
Atty. Colin Barry told the council that Atty. Pat Barry reached out to the realtor of the old furniture store explaining to her that there is a timeline for what needs to be done. He will fill us in when he returns.
New Business: Road Closure: Suzy Wagner asked the board for permission to close down the street on August 26, 2023, for a party. South Brush Avenue would close from Pine Street to Locust Street. This would allow parking in and on the road and not have cars traveling down the road where someone might get hit. She will have overflow parking at Kennedy Park with golf carts being utilized to shuttle people back and forth. Wagner thanked the board for allowing this. Chief Frund agreed with this plan when Wagner spoke with him before the meeting.
Thrasher motioned/Margherio second that we Close Pine St to Locust St on South Brush Avenue on August 26, 2023, as requested.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
Wagner also stated that she has a huge hole that still remains after Ameren replaced gas lines on the East side of town. The Village will contact Ameren's supervisor to get this resolved.
CD Renewals: 5 CDs are up for renewal. After discussion ensued, it was decided to renew as follows: Manning motioned/Nelson second to Renew the Motor Fuel Fund CD #58524, add $40,000.00 to CD for a total of $137,790.27 and renew for 3 months @ 2.50%. Audit Fund CD #83681 total of $6,352.40 renew for 12 months @ 4.11%. Garbage Fund CD #74422 add $40,000.00 to CD for a total of $311,354.64 and renew for 12 months @ 4.11%. Social Security Fund CD #17135 add $50,000.00 to CD for a total of $357,026.29 renew for 12 months @ 4.11% and IMRF CD #50803 add $40,000.00 to CD for a total of $234,476.04 renew for 12 months @ 4.11%.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
New Business: Ficek Electric & Communications: JC Heerdt spoke on our phone system and how they have investigated what the problem is with our current provider. Ficek will eliminate $100.00 monthly from our Comcast bills by porting over 4 out of 5 phone lines to their Elevate System. Troy Technologies' $60.00 monthly fee will also be discontinued once we commit to Ficek. We will have additional features with the same phones that will help with workflow. We will be able to text residents on our (815) 894-2440 number which allows residents to text us back without using our personal cell phones. We will be saving the Village $20 a month by switching to Ficek. We also get the service from Ficek to negotiate our Comcast contracts in the future. This system includes a meeting platform much like Zoom which is included in Elevate. In case we have another disaster declaration and we meet remotely. They also quoted between $500-$1,500 to remove and rewire all antiquated hardware and wiring. This will be movable if the council decides to move the Village Hall to the Community Center in the future. We have reached out to our current provider telling them our issues and they always “make adjustments” to try to fix the problem but we never get a resolution. It has been a big problem with dropped calls and terrible quality of calls to the Village Clerk’s Office and callers unable to get through to us.
Nelson motioned/Urbanowski second to Approve Ficek Electric and Communications to update our antiquated wiring and provide a new phone system at $140.84 monthly. Also, time and materials for the updating of the antiquated wiring and hardware in the basement at a range of $500.00 - 1500.00.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
Resolution – Big Truck Show: Nelson motioned/Martin second to Pass Resolution #1141 to Close Main Avenue for the Big Truck Show on July 15, 2023.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
Ad in 2023 News Tribune Year in Review Magazine: No action was taken.
Discuss Ordinance #825 on Water Debt Service Fee: Englehaupt spoke on the Water Debt Service Fee that this Ordinance relates to. Bezely noticed that the Water Debt Fund has enough money today to pay off the IL EPA loan 2 years early which would save the Village $5,000.00. The question is do we want to pay off the loan early? The 2nd question is do you want to continue to collect this $10.00 monthly fee from the residents? Englehaupt also brought up the Cost-of-Service Study that Ossola had done in 2019 and he was asked if he included this $10 fee after the scheduled payoff date. Ossola stated that yes, he did continue to forecast this $10 fee in his Cost-of-Service Study. Ossola included it to help with the costs of improvements to the water system. Discussion ensued. Ossola reminded the council that in order to get the principal forgiveness on the loan for the water main project we needed to have an average water bill of $55.00 per month. If we take away the $10 monthly fee, we may drop below this threshold. Englehaupt reminded the council if the loan was paid off early there would be a $5,000.00 savings. An updated Cost of Service Study was mentioned due to the rate of inflation being quoted at 2% and it is much higher than that and we didn’t have the 40 residences that the Senior Village has added so a new study would be beneficial. We will need to do a new ordinance incorporating this $10 fee into the water rates. Ossola is to let us know the price to do a new Cost of Service Study. Ossola suggested waiting until the Water Main Project in the Alley is completely done and paid in full so we know where we sit with that final cost. Atty. Colin Barry said we could pay off the loan and save the $5,000.00 by doing so but still continue to collect the fee to make sure we comply with the loan forgiveness rules we need to make sure we do. After paying off the IL EPA loan for Water Debt Service we will have a fund balance of $3,437.15 and it will continue to grow as we continue to collect this fee.
Nelson motioned/Urbanowski second to Pay Off IL EPA Loan #L17-1762 early (original due date was 12- 13-25) as of 3/31/2023 in the amount of $211,834.23.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0
Announcements: Trustee Margherio asked if the council remembered receiving information on the National Health Survey. Several members remembered this information. Margherio told the board that he was selected and the lady came to their home on Sunday. He told the council to assure anyone chosen to go forward with the survey. They give you $25 to sign up. $45 gas money to get to Princeton for free testing. They do extensive testing approximately $4,000 in testing for free and give you $125 for doing it. It is on the up and up. Bezely asked the council if they would like her to contact the company that usually cleans up the monument and the rose bushes and mulch. Audience member, Andy Ruggerio rose his hand and stated that he was going to do the Monument clean up this year and Bill Stewart will help and provide mulch. The council appreciated this. On Monday, May 15, 2023, the Village of Ladd together with Bureau County Seniors will provide pie, ice cream, and bingo along with entertainment by Dick Ajster at the Community Center from 1-2:30 pm. All of our seniors are invited. The Village of Ladd will get bingo prizes from Rockerbye Boutique for the event. Trustee Thrasher has agreed to be the liaison for the event. Duckworth, Durbin, and Underwood have Congressional Spending monies available, and NCICG, Ali Braboy will submit the top 3 requests for the Village of Ladd. Congresswoman Lauren Underwood stopped by the Village of Ladd last Friday to meet with us and see what our needs are. She was a wonderful lovely lady. Anna Dempsey has informed the Village she is no longer available to coach T-Ball, as her kids are in the older leagues this year. The Village is looking for someone to voluntarily coach and be the administrator for T Ball. Bezely will place something on social media and put posters around town asking for a volunteer to take this over. A situation on Main Avenue was explained and addressed for the building at 207 N Main Avenue. The current owner is in violation of the Village Ordinance for Main Avenue buildings. It has been decided the existing renter needs to look for a different apartment in Ladd. They are not able to remain, renters of this property because that violates Village laws. We will ask them to make arrangements to move out as soon as they find another place to live. The Village is very diligent in keeping our laws enforced on Main Avenue. This property is being sold to a very nice lady who plans to open a business soon and possibly utilize the entire building for business. The current renter is worried he will have to pay off the lease. It was stated that this would not happen. Softails called and would like to do a Queen of Hearts drawing. They plan to donate to Ladd! Charro Tacos and Bakery will be opening soon – possibly in 2 weeks.
Nelson motioned/Urbanowski second to adjourn.
Ayes: Manning, Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Thrasher, Urbanowski - Motion carried 6-0 The meeting adjourned at 7:57 pm
https://www.villageofladd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-02-28-MINUTES.pdf
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