City of LaSalle City Council met June 12.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
A regular meeting of the La Salle City Council of La Salle, Illinois was held, Monday, June, 12, 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 6:32 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Present - Mayor Grove, Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Ptak, Reynolds, Herndon, Crane
Excused Absence – Alderman Lavieri, Alderman Jeppson
Others Present: Deputy Clerk Brent Bader, City Attorney Jim McPhedran, Econ. Dev. Director Curt Bedei, Director of Public Works Patrick Watson, Fire Chief Jerry Janick, Police Chief Mike Smudzinski, City Treasurer Virginia Kochanowski
Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to allow Alderman Lavieri to attend meeting remotely.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Ptak, Reynolds, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: Alderman Lavieri, Jeppson Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 6-0
ROLL CALL
Present - Mayor Grove, Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Ptak, Lavieri (present remotely), Reynolds, Herndon, Crane
Excused Absence – Alderman Jeppson
A quorum was present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Thompson to approve the Minutes of the Regular City Council meeting held May 30, 2023. Each and every alderman has a copy.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING PETITIONS:
Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Ptak to approve the requests for a 2023 Raffle License from the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.
Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Thompson to approve the request for a 2023 Raffle License from Buzzy’s Bar.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.
Mayor Grove mentioned that many of these raffle licenses are for Operation Claus to benefit the city.
Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Reynolds to approve the request from Knights of Columbus Calvert Council 792 of LaSalle-Peru for a Tag Day collection on the weekend of September 15, 2023.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.
Marisol Martinez spoke in regards to her request of a special event permit. She does not plan on closing off 11th or Gooding. She is asking for this permit just so she can put a white tarp up around some of her property to keep the animals and children away from 11th St. Mayor Grove asked if there would be supervisors for the animals. He was also concerned about the animals with the 11th St. Traffic. She said the owners of the animals will be there. Alderman Thompson also wanted to make sure that she was not going to be blocking the corner of 11th and Gooding with her tarp. She was aware and would be 30 to 40 feet back from the corner.
Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Ptak to approve the request from Marisol Martinez for a special event permit to host a private petting zoo for a birthday party from noon to 5pm on Saturday, August 26, 2023.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: Alderman Jeppson Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 7-0
Chief Smudzinski and Brent Bader both checked out Kaynen Bond in regards to the Solicitor’s Permit request. Deputy Clerk Bader stated that they did not find anything that would disqualify him from applying for this permit. The first applicant from IGS Energy earlier this year did tell Bader that he was reaching out to customers that the company had already retained, but Bader does not believe that is actually what they are doing as many people called City Hall to complain before he received his permit. He believes they will be going door-to-door based on his conversation with a second individual. Bader mentioned that the City of LaSalle does have “No Solicitor” signs available at City Hall. This, however, was the same company that Chief Smudzinski did issue a ticket to in regards to a soliciting issue last time they were in the area. Chief said that the last time this company was in town they were going door to door, becoming a tad pushy with residents, and was encouraging residents to sign a check over for services. The owner of this company does live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Chief Smudzinski does not like these situations and is afraid that they become pushy with senior citizens. Bader stated that this was the same company, just different solicitor. Alderman Reynolds does agree that he is also not for door to door currently at these times.
Alderman Herndon asked Attorney McPhedran if the council could turn this company down. Attorney McPhedran stated that the city could not just do a blanket turn down. He stated that people do have a right to solicit as long as they follow the ordinance. Attorney McPhedran did mention that if the city does have a legitimate basis to turn down an applicant, then that would be a different question. The city just cannot have a blanket position to just not allow them their permit.
Alderman Bacidore stated that Chief had trouble last time this company was in town and feels that this may be enough to turn down the permit.
Attorney McPhedran stated that it is up to the discretion of the council and if they feel that they have had a bad enough track record, the city would be able to take that position. The company could also challenge it too. It would then be up to the court to decide.
Alderman Crane was unsure as to if they couldn’t turn them down, then why do they need a request. Attorney McPhedran stated that they still have to comply with the application requirements that are in the ordinance.
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Bacidore to deny the request for a Solicitor's Permit from Kaynen Bond of IGS Energy, due to past history with the company.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: Alderman Jeppson Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 7-0
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS
Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Crane to approve the monthly police income report for May 2023 showing total fees collected of $8,606.44.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.
Moved by Alderman Bacidore and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to approve the building inspector’s report for May 2023 showing total fees collected of $2,687 with total value of construction of $332,319.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.
BIDS
Patrick Watson explained the need for a second formal bidding process. He stated that the first bid process opened up last week and no one bid on it. Watson stated that he reached out to Donahue and found out there were different things that each of the companies would want to change on the first bid. Watson felt that if they opened it and change a couple things. The two companies that were interested would rebid, but did not want to go through the whole process just to resubmit an amount.
Attorney McPhedran did state that they will need to offer it to all. The council will need to have a supermajority if they go in with a request for a proposal.
Alderman Crane asked if they would need to reengineer. Watson stated that Donahue just plans on changing a couple things that they want to bid on. Watson also stated that this is for the test well, both shallow and deep, and it will be at the plant.
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to request a second formal bidding process on test well, pursuing request for proposal.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: Alderman Jeppson Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 7-0
APPOINTMENTS/RESIGNATIONS
Moved by Alderman Thompson and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to accept the resignation with regret of Fire Department Engineer Steffen Marroquin.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to approve the recommendation of the Finance Committee regarding a request for a monetary donation of $500 donation for Girls Softball to host a State Softball Minor League All-Stars Tournament.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: Alderman Jeppson Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 7-0
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to approve the recommendation of the Finance Committee regarding an additional $4,500 towards a Rail Depot Study.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Thompson, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Herndon, Crane
NAY: Alderman Bacidore Absent: Alderman Jeppson Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 6-1
Alderman Bacidore explained that he voted NAY because the city already donated some money toward this last year and nothing has come of it. He feels they will be asking for more again.
Moved by Alderman Bacidore and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to approve the recommendation of the Streets, Alleys, and Traffic Committee to deny the request to create a three-way stop at Sycamore and Argyle Roads.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.
OLD BUSINESS
Moved by Alderman Thompson and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to refer the potential action regarding removal/discontinuance of truck route/truck traffic on Porter Ave, LaSalle to the SAT committee in two weeks. They will post for the residents and for Carus allowing time for anyone to attend.
Alderman Thompson updated the council on his response with the Department of Insurance and Representative Yednock in regard to the Carus Fire. Thompson wass invited to a meeting last week by Mayor Grove with Representative Yednock and other city officials where Thompson spoke in regard to the issues that the city is having with Department of Insurance and air monitors. Mr. Yednock asked for some information from Thompson and he sent it immediately. He then received an email back at 1:40 pm today from representative Yednock. Yednock's email mentioned that he forwarded his information and the questions he had to the Department of Insurance. Thompson then received an email that same day at 2:57 pm from Iris Canto, a supervisor from the Illinois Department of Insurance, and she mentioned how she is still waiting on a response from the Davies Group. She mentioned that she did communicate with a claim supervisor and the plan is to provide the department with a response this week. Thompson responded to her immediately and asked why they are being given so many days to respond. His correspondence with Iris back in April stated that by state code, that's her terminology, they had to provide 21 days for Davies to respond, yet this has now been over a month ago. Iris did respond to him at 3:24 pm, eight minutes later,
stating that she indicated on their previous conversation, that this is a third-party administrator. She stated that they have limited authority and a response would be a courtesy. She also stated that the original complaint was sent to their London office and notification was subsequently received by stateside claim supervisor. She stated that she will be working on getting a response to Thompson ASAP. Thompson is very disappointed in that state agency and feels that “this is a travesty”.
Attorney McPhedran also confirmed that he was in communication with Representative Yednock also in regards to this matter and the city will continue to follow up with him to do what they can for the residents of LaSalle.
Alderman Thompson also stated that the legislation is not part of the Department of Insurance but is an executive branch organization. Attorney McPhedran stated that Yednock will be looking to see if there was potentially someone in the governor’s office or a deputy governor who may be able to assist with this process with the Department of Insurance.
Alderman Bacidore mentioned how the city does not see the street sweeper lately. He asked the street department why the sweeper has not been out. He found out that there is only one worker with the CDL, who is also the one that is currently the only one that can spray the weeds. Mayor asked Patrick Watson how many are going through the CDL class currently. Watson mentioned 3 or 4 going through IVCC course. He feels that this is how the catch basin becomes damaged due to a lack of sweeping and cleaning up the debris around them. Alderman Crane asked about the condition of the street sweeper. Watson said it is in good running condition. Bacidore would like to see someone on the street sweeper full time once the city gets a few more workers with their CDLs, especially to keep the catch basins clean of debris.
COMMENTS
Moved by Alderman Crane and seconded by Alderman Thompson to allow Resident Jamie Hicks to address the council.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.
Jaime Hicks does not understand how it took one night to get signs put up on Porter Ave., but is taking four weeks to have them taken down. He questions why the Apollo building is so important to the city.
Alderman Crane mentioned that the signs were put up before he was on the council. He is unaware on the minutes and meetings leading up to the signs going up. He mentioned that they are doing things by the book in regards to proper protocol for certain actions to be taken. Crane stated that two years ago the city created an ordinance giving the public a two-week notification in regards to certain topics being discussed for change.
Hicks referred back to 2017 when he was asked to come back to a meeting in two weeks when the sign discussion was going to take place during a Streets and Alleys meeting.
He stated that by 9am the next morning, he had street signs for semis up. He mentioned that he looked up all the minutes and has not seen anything in there for any approval for truck signs.
Alderman Thompson stated that he does have minutes in his packet that shows the approval of the truck route from 2010 and will share a copy of this with Mr. Hicks. Thompson is unaware if this approval dealt with the signs but it was for approval of a truck route by an ordinance in 2010.
Attorney McPhedran spoke in regards to the new process that the council did start a few years back to give the residents more notice in regards to changes being made that would affect certain residents. This gives the council a better chance to withstand legal scrutiny if any issues were ever challenged. McPhedran stated that both the Traffic Committee and the City Council will vote to rescind that truck route. He mentioned to Hicks that some of these issues take two or three meetings to get to the council for a vote. This truck route discussion will take place next meeting in two weeks with the SAT committee and will move right onto the City Council that same night.
Deputy Clerk Bader mentioned that he will be using the GOVpilot App to map out the area for all the addresses and he will then send out mailers to those residents.
Hicks stated this was the same process that should have occurred back in 2017.
Bader did mention that he did not think it was by ordinance but the council did make it clear that going forward all Streets and Alleys items would be noticed to the public.
Hicks believes that everybody is trying to keep the Apollo building open to store chemicals. He thanked everyone for their time tonight.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Regarding pending and/or potentially imminent litigation and related matters: Collective bargaining and related matters, and acquisition and/or sale of city real estate and related matters and the employment, discipline, appointment, performance and/or compensation of non-union and/or union personnel and related matters pursuant to the Open Meetings Act including 5-ILCS 120 Section 2(c)1-2,5,6,11 thereof.
APPROVAL OF BILLS
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to accept, pay, and file the bills from May 30, 2023: Total Submitted: $661,560.39 (Total Payroll $210,280.66, Bills to be Paid $107,633.95, Total Bills Paid $343,645.78).
ROLL CALL
AYE: Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Crane NAY: None Absent: Alderman Jeppson Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 7-0
NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Grove mentioned that the owner of Jake’s reached out to see if the city could close off Ninth St. From Lafayette to Creve Couer for a get together for St. Margaret’s employees. Mayor was looking for a straw vote to approve this at this time. All councilmen were in favor of this. This item will be added to the agenda next meeting for formal approval.
Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Crane to adjourn the meeting. Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.
ADJOURNED 8:17 pm
https://www.lasalle-il.gov/sites/default/files/agendas-minutes/2023-07/6-12-23_1.pdf
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