Village of Ladd Village Board met Sept. 26.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Ladd Village Board met in regular session on Tuesday, September 26, 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, Brad Nicholson, Andy Ruggerio, and Molly Thrasher (5)
Absent: Trustee Dan Nelson (1)
In attendance: Clerk Rhonda Bezely, Police Chief Jacob Frund, Village Treasurer Julie Koch, Engineer Adam Ossola, Superintendent Doug Englehaupt
Margherio motioned/Martin second to accept the September 12, 2023, regular meeting minutes as presented.
Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nicholson, Ruggerio, Thrasher - Motion carried 5-0
Thrasher motioned/Nicholson second to authorize payment of the bills in the amount of $130,211.31.
Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nicholson, Ruggerio, Thrasher - Motion carried 5-0
Discussion of fund balances resulted in a decision to invest Motor Fuel Tax money in a 6-month CD since the project has been postponed until Spring 2024. Bezely will keep the required balance in the fund and invest the balance per council direction.
Ruggerio motioned/Margherio second to Invest $150,000.00 in a 6-month CD at a rate of 5.11% APY from the Motor Fuel Tax Fund.
Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nicholson, Ruggerio, Thrasher - Motion carried 5-0
Martin motioned/Thrasher second to accept the Treasurer's Report for August 2023.
Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nicholson, Ruggerio, Thrasher - Motion carried 5-0
Correspondence: None
Public Comment: None
Committee Reports: Margherio reported that 44 trees were planted Friday. Residents' that requested a tree on the Village berm received one compliments of President Cattani, Trustees Nicholson & Margherio, along with employees Data, and Corsolini. Bureau County Soil and Water Conservation provided the 50 trees at a great price. This order form was in a Soil & Water magazine. They do this twice a year in April & September.
Engineer’s Report: Ossola reported on the Safe Routes to School 2021 Award to the Village of Ladd. Ossola stated that the State of IL made some changes and wants the existing flashing beacons moved from the South side of Locust St. to the North side of Locust St. This will be closer to the crosswalk. Their policy indicates this and the state says while we are working there we need to move the beacons into compliance. For all the intersections going down Locust or up Peru, we planned on just doing the sidewalk corners on one side of the road. There are 2 legs at every corner – one north-south and one east-west. The state wants us to do both legs at every intersection. The state is offering additional funds to help offset this additional work. It will still be an 80/20 split. We just have to write a letter stating the Village would like the additional money. It will cost the Village an additional $5,500.00 for 20% of the additional work they’re mandating. This additional money will complete the entire SRTS 2021 project that was approved initially.
Martin motioned/Margherio second to agree to the additional funding by IDOT so the entire project would be completed as planned with the Village of Ladd paying an additional $5,500.00.
Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nicholson, Ruggerio, Thrasher - Motion carried 5-0
Old Business: Future Village Hall Location: Ossola had provided a drawing and associated costs to only add on a 2-car garage. The total estimated cost was $956,255.00 to remodel the community center. A lengthy discussion ensued. Many questions were asked and opinions were presented. Margherio stated we need to be cognizant of needs and wants. Englehaupt offered his knowledge of the cost of commercial doors, windows, and a generator. For the proper types of equipment, it is costly. We could offer a cooling station and a warming station if we installed a generator in the Village Hall. Margherio feels that $300,000.00 is a doable cost to renovate the Community Center into a Village Hall, Clerk’s Office, and Police Station. Removal of the garage, the drive-up window, and the additional private bathroom may bring this down to $300,000.00 which Margherio feels is doable. Englehaupt stated that the USDA offers grants and loans for Municipal needs. Sammi called and left a message and no one ever called her back. Englehaupt will provide a phone number he found and we will try to make contact again. The bad side of a USDA loan or grant is the amount of paperwork required. It is extremely taxing. Chamlin works with municipalities to apply for and administer USDA loans. The question was raised how many people would benefit from a drive-thru? Bezely and Koch felt approximately 40 people per month. A drive-up drop box was mentioned and that would definitely help. Inquiring about a “Morton-type building” was mentioned also. Margherio urged the council to maintain the new building – don’t just let it go so that there are huge issues in 20 years. The council feels that $300,000.00 is a doable number to remodel the Community Center. Ideas for cost savings were mentioned and Adam will look into getting the cost where the council is comfortable. First Doug, Rhonda, and Sammi will contact the USDA regarding a grant opportunity and/or loan. This will be reported at the next meeting. Adam will remove the garage, and the drive-up and then update pricing for the next meeting. Margherio asked if the council was comfortable with a $300,000.00 renovation cost. The council feels this may not be enough money to get the necessary renovations accomplished. Sam Sarosinski reported that when she was on the USDA website, our population indicated that the Village of Ladd would share a 75/25 split on a grant. Margherio asked Ossola if he felt we were making good decisions on renovation ideas and how we could obtain funding.
Superintendent’s Report: Englehaupt explained to the council that the new Main Avenue Christmas decorations and the existing Main Avenue lights that get hung in the trees and hung at War Memorial Park are likely two different LED hues. He asked the council what they preferred. Either use our inventory or order new matching lights. The council advised Englehaupt to use what the Village has. Thrasher reviewed the plan with Englehaupt and all new snowflakes will be displayed on Main Avenue and east and west Cleveland will display the wreaths that were used in the past.
Police Chief: Chief Frund reported that he is currently working hard on policy manuals and the Safe-T Act. Nothing new same calls as always. Thrasher feels having the squad at the school crossing has helped slow down traffic.
Building Inspector: Not in attendance
Village Attorney: Not in attendance
New Business: Discuss Putting Village Code Online: Sam Sarosinki explained the challenges our Code Books present. The Village has wanted to put our Code Online for a long time but is concerned about how outdated many of the ordinances are. The other concern is when an ordinance changes they are not re-written. Ordinances are changed and new ones written but many times part of the old Ordinance is still in effect. This can happen several times which means looking all over the code book to determine the latest information. Sam has reached out to CivicPlus (Formerly Municode) for information on how we can get our book cleaned up and recodified. Information that was obtained last year was given to the council. CivicPlus will be reaching out with updated pricing if it has changed. Sarosinski investigated the cost of having our code rewritten. This is something this company does exclusively. $14,000.00 is the cost for recodification and can be paid over 2 fiscal years. They will also put our municipal Code online which has a $300.00 annual fee. Having the code online you can search for a word like fence and all codes that have to do with fences will come up. This would be an excellent tool for all Village employees, the council, and the President. This will be discussed with Pat Barry when he returns. It was decided that someone could go through the code and pull out the Ordinances that seem outdated. Then request that Pat Barry have them removed from the Village Code by the council making a motion to do so. This will all be explained to Pat Barry and discussed with everyone at the next meeting. Sarosinski will contact Peru who just had their code recodified by CivicPlus and ask more questions. Then she will contact CivicPlus ask more detailed questions and report back at the next meeting.
Announcements: #! Favorite Small Town & Park: The BCR contacted the Village and stated that in the Reader’s Choice section which is to be published on October 28, 2023, Ladd was voted the #1 favorite Small Town in Bureau County and Kennedy Park was named the #1 favorite park in Bureau County. The council agreed to purchase a colored thank you ad to be published alongside the results in the October 28, 2023 paper for $156.20. A Thank You call was received by Steve & Kris Husser for taking down their tree. Park Signs The council decided to go with Metal Signs by Ajster Signs for Centennial and Veteran’s Field only. No park rules will be done at this time, as they are antiquated. Players Club would like to provide food for the 2024 Music in the Park events. They would also like to sponsor one of the bands next year. They really enjoyed offering the woodfired pizza at the last event and had a great night. They had suggested sponsoring Steve Sharp or Steve Sharp and his band. Heidi Templeton will schedule next year's events and is aware of this offer. Christmas Holiday 2023 the village offices will close on December 25th & 26th for the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Holidays. Bezely asked the council what they would like to do about the meeting scheduled for December 26, 2023. They feel it could be canceled since it is a holiday for Village employees. Bezely will check with Atty. Pat Barry to make sure this can be done and report back at the next meeting. Labor Law - Bezely mentioned that she is the Treasurer for the Ladd Community Consolidated School and they pay a monthly retainer to Robbins & Schwartz of Chicago. Bezely provided a handout that shows their areas of specialty. The council would like more information on this and to speak with Pat Barry at our next meeting. Housing Rehabilitation Grant – NCICG has been told the Village would like to apply for this grant. Names and addresses have been provided and we hope to help 10 families with $60,000.00 in repair work to each of their homes. Raffle License – We would like to speak with Atty. Barry regarding the recently passed Ordinance on obtaining a Raffle License. If this is not mandatory we are considering rescinding this ordinance. Margherio asked if a thank you could be sent to the Lunn Family for the bench they donated. Bezely would be happy to send one. A FaceBook post was done thanking them.
Thrasher asked Englehaupt how many times a year the Village picks up brush. He stated 2 times. Martin thanked the tree planters for their hard work. Nicholson was especially thanked for spearheading this project.
Martin motioned/Margherio second to adjourn.
Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nicholson, Ruggerio, Thrasher - Motion carried 5-0
The meeting adjourned at 8:13 pm
https://www.villageofladd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023-09-26-MINUTES.pdf
Alerts Sign-up