Illinois Valley Times

City of LaSalle Finance Committee met Dec. 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Chairman Ptak Called the Meeting to order at 6:00 pm

ROLL CALL

Present: Chairman Ptak, Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Crane

Excused Absence: Alderman Herndon

Others Present: Finance Director John Duncan, Economic Development Director Curt Bedei, City Engineer Brian Brown, City Building Inspector Andy Bacidore, Fire Chief Jerry Janick, City Attorney James McPhedran, Police Chief Mike Smudzinski, Director of Public Works Kevin Fay

A quorum was present.

Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Thompson to approve the minutes from December 11, 2023.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.

The discussion and potential action on the recommendation of the Finance Committee regarding a request from Horizon House for three parking spaces in front of their business at 105 Marquette Street, a stop sign for those exiting the alley near their business, a bollard at the northwest corner of the property, a metal railing on the sidewalk parallel to the building and other related requests was passed over as it did not pertain to any financial cost to the city but will be addressed with the Streets, Alley, and Traffic Committee.

Finance Director Duncan spoke on behalf of Chief Smudzinski in regard to the request for the virtual keypad equipment for both the back door and also the front door of the police station along with the hallway door that connects the police station to the City Hall. The majority of these doors are keyed access and the department is looking to change them to a pad. This will reduce the number of times of having to change locks once employees retire or leave the department. The virtual keypad can also be synced with other local departments, like Oglesby and Peru, because they have went with the same company. The local departments can share employee lists in case of an event where certain employees can be granted requests in or out. The program does keep track of employees in case times need to be checked due to a situation. It overall keeps the department more secure. This recommendation comes from the Chief directly. He received a bid from the company that has done both Peru and Oglesby’s keypads for their department. Each employee would receive their own keycode with access to change codes at any time. There were two different bid amounts. One was for just the door between city hall and the police station. This was done so each bid could be properly coded to the correct department. Duncan mentioned that the bid amounts would be a general fund expense. They could be coded to the police department and to the City Hall building. Duncan thought that if the grant money was not all used for the tuckpointing, he could work it in there for building improvement costs.

Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to accept the recommendation of the Finance Committee regarding purchase of virtual keypad equipment for Police Station and City Hall for $14,262.00.

ROLL CALL

AYE: Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Crane, Chairman Ptak

NAY: None Absent: Alderman Herndon Abstain: None

MOTION CARRIED: 7-0

OLD BUSINESS

Alderman Lavieri mentioned to City Engineer Brian Brown that the traffic light sensors at 24 and Chartres streets do not seem to be working correctly. Brown was aware that the cameras have been having some issues lately and believes the lights to have went to max cycle. Brown asked Kevin Fay to get in contact with Clegg & Perkins.

NEW BUSINESS

LaSalle Resident Jerry Ramirez, 637 Chartres St. Upper apt., had a concern with the city of La Salle’s water bills. She feels that residents who are on Social Security and Disability should not have to incur late charges on their water bills. She stated that those residents only get their checks once a month and it is hard to sometimes pay their bills all at the same time. She said that the City used to allow checks to be postdated for those reasons. Chairman Ptak asked Ramirez what the city can do to help her. She asked if the city could change the due date on the water bill.

Finance Director Duncan mentioned getting in touch with Tri-County. Ramirez stated that she did reach out to them and it was only good for one time. Duncan stated that it could work if Tri-County does pay it the one time, then residents could budget and they would be a month ahead on their bill. Ramirez doesn’t believe that to be the answer. Duncan also believes that social security has a set date of check for everyone under social security based on their birthdate. For example if you were born on July 21st, you will receive your monthly check on the 21st of each month. It is impossible for the city to alter the water bill dates around everyone’s social security deposit dates. Duncan also mentioned that the City has the water bills set up for the 1st Thursday of the month, so it could be the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. Residents are not subject to shut off until after the penalty period goes by. The city does not turn anyone’s water off who has a $20 balance or under. Residents do not get shut off if their outstanding balance is just a penalty amount, which is usually $2, $3, or $4 amounts.

Duncan stated that if the city were to move their bill date up or back or to a static date, then it would make for irregular bill cycles.

Ramirez also has concerns with her bills stating that she has 21 cent penalties and has never seen it to say late charges on her bill but she has been charged late payments. Chairman Ptak suggested coming into the office during business hours to work this out. Ramirez stated that she was told to come to this meeting to put her word out. Duncan stated that she is correct because the city follows the ordinance and the Committee would have to give direction to change the ordinance.

Chairman Ptak did suggest again to go to the county to get ahead on month. Ramirez stated that she wasn’t late yet and all her extra has gone on her late payments. She stated that she never noticed that she was getting late charges but has penalties on her bill. Ptak suggested that it would be best if she would come into the office to look over her bills and discuss what options may be best for the city to help her out with this.

Economic Development Director Curt Bedei suggested Ramirez to contact the State of Illinois assistance program, LIHEAP. Ramirez stated that she has already been in contact with them.

There were no more questions or comments from the public.

Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Jeppson to adjourn the meeting.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.

Chairman Ptak adjourned the meeting at 6:13pm

https://www.lasalle-il.gov/sites/default/files/agendas-minutes/2024-01/12-27-23.pdf