City of LaSalle Finance Committee met June 12.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
Chairman Ptak Called the Meeting to order at 6:01pm
ROLL CALL
Present: Chairman Ptak, Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Reynolds, Lavieri (present remotely), Herndon, Crane
Excused Absence: Alderman Jeppson
Others Present: Deputy Clerk Brent Bader, Economic Development Director Curt Bedei, Director of Public Works Patrick Watson, Fire Chief Jerry Janick, City Treasurer Virginia Kochanowski, City Building Inspector Andy Bacidore, City Attorney James McPhedran (arrived at 6:15pm)
A quorum was present.
Moved by Alderman Thompson and seconded by Alderman Herndon to allow Alderman Lavieri to attend meeting remotely.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Moved by Alderman Bacidore and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to approve the minutes from May 30, 2023.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Chairman Ptak began the discussion in regards to a monetary donation for girls' softball to host a State Softball Minor League All-Stars Tournament. Ptak mentioned that Mayor Grove requested this donation to help waive the fee of the food truck. Alderman Crane asked about the amount that was given to boys Little League. Chairman Ptak mentioned giving the boys $250 but the girls tournament is a state tournament and concerned about not having a concession stand.
Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Crane to approve a $500 donation to the LaSalle Girl’s Softball to assist with hosting a State Softball Minor League All-Stars tournament.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Chairman Ptak, Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Reynolds, Lavieri, Herndon, Crane
NAY: None Absent: Alderman Jeppson Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 7-0
Kevin Lindeman, from North Central Illinois Council of Governance, spoke in regards to the project that he has been working on with Peoria-Chicago Rail since last January. He mentioned how NCICG did apply for a grant and did receive grant funding from IDOT for the rail depot study. The cost of the study came back $56,000 more than anticipated. The study will cost $340,000 and IDOT agreed to pay $284,000. NCICG is looking to the surrounding communities to help with the $56,000 difference. Ottawa and Peru have both agreed to their $4,500 donation. Utica and Morris are looking to approve theirs shortly at their City Council meetings. He stated how this is looking to be a 10-year, long term project.
Alderman Bacidore mentioned how this rail project has not been advertised much, if any, by the local newspapers. Mr. Lindeman mentioned how this has been a long process but it is still an active, ongoing project. This current study is for the communities, in which the rail will go through, along with where the depots may go in those communities. Lindeman mentioned how this project has been going since January 2022. There was a study 8 to 10 years ago, through the Illinois Valley study, but that was looking at running Metra from LaSalle-Peru to Chicago.
Bacidore is concerned that this railroad plan comes up every couple years and nothing ever happens with it. He said that Lindeman will be back in a year when the project is not done to get more money. Lindeman did not disagree. He said that there will probably need to be funds to complete this project but he is unaware of this at the time. He also said how they are making an effort to look at other agencies, state and federal, for funding.
Alderman Crane asked about how many depots will be going in. Lindeman stated that from the feasibility study, they are looking to have one in LaSalle or Peru, flagship stop in Utica, one in Ottawa, and one in Morris. Lindeman mentioned having most of the recent meetings being online. He also has digital and paper copies of the feasibility studies if anyone is interested.
Alderman Bacidore is unsure if a rail project is needed and if there will be enough people riding the trains. Lindeman did mention that in the ridership study there were 30,000 people respond to the survey. Bacidore also asked if LaSalle would be guaranteed to be one of the spots. Lindeman stated that no matter if it goes in LaSalle or Peru, it will affect the other community by residents living, working, and shopping in both communities. There will be no stops from Peoria to LaSalle/Peru and it will be using the existing Iowa Interstate/CSX track line.
Economic Developer Curt Bedei did mention speaking with the organization dealing with mapping out of the depot study, Fleischmann. Bedei was asked to name three spots within their community that may be used as a depot and the company would then have to figure out which would be more feasible for this project.
Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Herndon to approve the recommendation regarding an additional $4,500 towards a Rail Depot Study.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Chairman Ptak, Aldermen Thompson, Reynolds, Lavieri, Herndon, Crane
NAY: Alderman Bacidore Absent: Alderman Jeppson Abstain: None
MOTION CARRIED: 5-1
Alderman Lavieri asked if the city would still be making a donation to the Hygenic Insititute since they are now closed. Chairman Ptak does not believe that they will be but will confirm this with Finance Director Duncan.
NO COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS on the bills.
There were no more questions or comments from the public.
Moved by Alderman Thompson and seconded by Alderman Crane to adjourn the meeting.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Chairman Ptak adjourned the meeting at 6:17pm
https://www.lasalle-il.gov/sites/default/files/agendas-minutes/2023-07/6-12-23.pdf
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