Village of Ladd Village Board met Aug. 22
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Ladd Village Board met in regular session on Tuesday, August 22, 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 Dave Margherio, Jan Martin, Dan Nelson, Brad Nicholson, and Andy Ruggerio
Absent: Trustee Molly Thrasher
In attendance: Clerk Bezely, Police Chief Frund, Village Treasurer Koch, Atty. Pat Barry, Engineer Adam Ossola, Superintendent Doug Englehaupt
Ruggerio motioned/Margherio second to accept the July 25, 2023, regular meeting minutes as presented.
NOTE: The incorrect date was shown on the agenda of July 25, 2023. The July 25th minutes were approved at the 8/8/23 meeting. The minutes provided to the Board were for the 8/8/23 meeting and those are what was approved
Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio - Motion carried 5-0
Nelson motioned/Martin second to authorize payment of the bills in the amount of $185,751.14 Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio - Motion carried 5-0
Nicholson motioned/Margherio second to accept the Treasurer's Report for July 2023. Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio - Motion carried 5-0
Correspondence: None
Public Comment: None
Committee Reports: Margherio spoke about a dispute with two residents in Ladd. A fence has been put up without a permit and it is not 2 feet off the property line. The neighbor with the fence also ran a drain pipe under his driveway into his neighbor's yard to the South. The “pop-up” actually is in the neighbor’s to the south yard. Atty. Barry stated that the fence is a violation of the Village’s fence ordinance but the drain pipe is a civil matter between the two neighbors. Frund explained the situation up to this point. The resident with the fence has been issued a letter telling him to remove the fence. He’s been given until Monday Frund believes. If the fence remains after the deadline given we will need to fine the resident and if not paid it will be placed on his utility bill. Frund stated that this resident had told him he would fight the removal of the fence in court. There was a survey done that the resident with the fence paid for when he was rebuilding his house.
Margherio wanted to thank Ruggerio for a sign. There will be a sign hung congratulating the St. Bede Softball team that Ruggerio took care of.
Engineer’s Report: None
Superintendent’s Report: New Business: Gen Set at WWTP: Englehaupt reported an oil leak that he tracked down. Englehaupt contacted FS they quoted a 1000-gallon tank for $5,600.00. Cruz Concrete was contracted to pour a pad to hold the weight of the tank and it was poured. Englehaupt requested permission to order the tank and then it would need to be plumbed into the generator and then the tank that the generator is sitting on will be abandoned.
Martin motioned/Ruggerio second to Authorize the Purchase of a 1,000 gallon Diesel Tank for a price of no more than $6,000.00
Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio - Motion carried 5-0
Police Chief: Chief Frund reported that he is currently at SWAT training all week. The people providing the training are very grateful towns like Ladd are sending their chiefs to help be prepared for this type of work. They are handling issues that have come up. Representative Underwood’s Town Hall Meeting is Monday, August 28th at 6:00 pm at the Ladd Community Center. Ladd police will be part of security.
Building Inspector: Not in attendance
After the recent fire at Charro Taco & Bakery, President Cattani feels we need to make sure all buildings have smoke detectors. Margherio suggested having Police Chief Frund and Fire Chief Liebe visit all of the Main Avenue buildings to be sure all businesses and apartments have smoke detectors and CO2 detectors in them. It was also discussed that the old furniture store needs a building permit. Bezely needs more direction on this matter, as the council is responsible for all Main Avenue buildings. Discussion ensued that an ordinance may be necessary to ensure entry to the building. Frund asked if the building owners could be contacted by letter or by phone asking about smoke & CO2 detectors being present given the recent situation with Charro Taco. Atty. Barry stated that a lot of cities have rental ordinances too. If you want to rent a piece of property you must make an application with the clerk so she can keep track of them. Then once a year someone inspects the property to make sure they are up to code and that they have active fire alarms, smoke detectors, etc. A phone call is felt to be the best way to proceed.
Village Attorney: None
Old Business: Tree Planting: Nicholson explained that he has reached out to 2 local landscapers to see if they would be interested in planting trees for the Village and taking the lot at 124 N Hennepin Ave in exchange for his work. Nicholson will reach out to Loren Bird to see if he might be interested and also River Landscaping and possibly Marty Fiocchi Jr. Nicholson is asking for 100 trees planted in the ground in exchange for the lot. Nicholson expects the trees to be 3-6’ tall. Nicholson is requesting no tree species that is water-seeking or that gets taller than 25 feet. Residents who responded to the survey would like to know the type of trees being planted, who waters them, and who is responsible for trimming them. It was stated that the Village will purchase the trees and have them planted on the berm and then the resident will be responsible for watering them and any maintenance they would need. So far approximately 35 people want the opportunity to have a tree(s) planted. Englehaupt spoke up and disagreed with 25-foot trees. He stated that shorter trees lift sidewalks and shorter trees in town you are constantly walking or driving into them. Englehaupt feels that a 25-foot tree canopy is low to the ground. The berm trees need to be taller. Englehaupt feels that this will best be accomplished by contacting an arborist. University of IL extension gave Nicholson a list of 6 trees that can be planted underneath wires, between sidewalks and roads, etc. Englehaupt stated they must tolerate salt and you want their roots to grow straight down. Lindens and Maples have been suggested in the past. It was also mentioned male Maple trees don’t have helicopters. The resident will need to water the tree after it is put in the ground and then maintain the tree as needed. Englehaupt told the council the Village has never trimmed trees that the Village has planted in the past. Discussion ensued regarding the number of trees needed and our next steps. We plan on discussing this again next meeting. It was decided to have the same guy provide the trees, plant the trees, and have them ready for the residents to take care of could be our best bet to trade the lot for 50 trees. Ruggerio asked if we were limiting residents to only 1 tree. Bezely stated that many residents have requested 2 trees because they live on a corner or have 2 lots. Nicholson will move forward trying to get this deal done for 50 trees. Two per homeowner was agreed upon. Nicholson will reach out to the landscaper he’s waiting on for an answer and then report back.
New Business: 2018 John Deere Resolution: We need a Resolution Authorizing President Cattani and Village Clerk Bezely to sign the loan documents with North Central Bank for the 2018 John Deere Backhoe.
Martin motioned/Ruggerio second to Pass a Resolution Authorizing the Village President and Clerk to Sign Loan Documents for the 2018 John Deere Backhoe.
Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio - Motion carried 5-0
New Business: Close Route 89 for the 2023 Christmas Walk:
Margherio motioned/Nicholson second to Pass a Resolution to Temporarily Close Route 89 for the 2023 Christmas Walk on December 9, 2023.
Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio - Motion carried 5-0
New Business: Shed at Kennedy Park: Vaini Home Improvement provided 2 bids to replace the roof. One for asphalt shingles and one for a metal roof. It was discussed that future work needs to be bid out. Bids are required if the project is over $20,000.00 unless 2/3rd of the council agrees to not go out for bid. We’ve been happy with the quality of Vaini’s work Cattani stated. Martin asked if there was a timeline to get this done and Bezely stated that Vaini always fits the Village in when work is required. Margherio motioned/Nelson second to Approve the Bid from Vaini Home Improvement for a Metal Roof for $1,950.00. Bezely filed an insurance claim and is waiting to hear back. Ruggerio asked what our deductible is and Bezely stated $500.00.
Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson - Motion carried 4-0
Nay: Ruggerio
Announcements: CARTS: Bezely reported that the carts for garbage and recycling are on order and Republic Services expects to deliver them in September. FIRE: The question was posed to the council if the house at 403 N Main Ave could be used by one of the families displaced in the fire. Bezely wanted to update the council that this could not be arranged since no gas line was run to the house during the gas line updates and no water line was run to the house during the Main Ave Alley Water Main replacement due to this house being slated for teardown. BLOOD DRIVE: 16 appointments are available for Friday’s Blood Drive. FIREWORKS: A resident is adamant that information be put in the Newspaper explaining the large fine that a Ladd resident will incur if they shoot off fireworks. The council feels putting information on the bills is the best way to reach all residents. Residents are urged to call the police when this is happening so that it can be investigated. MCI INSTITUTE: Bezely told the board she received another scholarship from the Municipal Clerks of Illinois for tuition to attend the MCI Institute in Bloomington, IL October 8-13, 2023. Bezely would like to obtain her registered municipal clerk status. Fees will need to be paid along with hotel, mileage, and meals, but reimbursement will be sent once verification of passing the class is obtained. GARBAGE: Pickup will be at 5 am tomorrow due to the extreme heat.
Martin motioned/Nicholson second to enter executive session 5ILCS 120/2 (c)(2) Deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of municipal employees at 7:22 pm.
Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio – motioned carried 5-0
Absent: Thrasher
7:35 pm After leaving Executive Session – Back in Regular Session:
Roll Call: Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio
Absent: Thrasher
Margherio motioned/Martin second to approve closed session minutes from 7-25-23 and also from 8-8-23 with one correction by Margherio.
Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio – motioned carried 5-0
Cattani mentioned an email that Doug had received from IMEA, IMUA, IPEA, and Kevin Gaden. It is regarding longtime employees retiring and preparing for their replacements. It was stated this would be something to talk to Mario about. It was asked if Englehaupt spoke to Mario about this. Cattani stated we should not have a problem sending someone down there. Martin asked if we would send 2 people.
Nelson motioned/Margherio second to adjourn.
Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio - Motion carried 5-0
The meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm
https://www.villageofladd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2023-08-22-MINUTES.pdf
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