Illinois Valley Times

City of Ottawa City Council met Jan. 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Present: Mayor Robert Hasty, Commissioners Wayne A. Eichelkraut Jr., Thomas G. Ganiere, and Marla K. Pearson. 

Absent: Brent F. Barron. 

Commissioner Eichelkraut presented minutes of previous meeting. 

Moved by Commissioner Eichelkraut that the minutes of a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Ottawa, Illinois, held on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, be approved as recorded in the permanent files of the City Clerk.  

Second by Ganiere.  

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, and Mayor Hasty.  

Nays: None. 

Tom Shea, of the American Legion said that he was present regarding their variance request.  

Commissioner Eichelkraut presented Biweekly Salary Payrolls. 

Moved by Commissioner Eichelkraut that the Biweekly Salary Payroll of December 22, 2023, in the amount of $574,903.07, and the Biweekly Salary Payroll of January 5, 2024, in the amount of $530,123.01, both be approved and warrants issued. 

Second by Pearson.  

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, and Mayor Hasty.  

Nays: None. 

Commissioner Eichelkraut presented Bimonthly Expense Report. 

Moved by Commissioner Eichelkraut that the Bimonthly Expense Report dated January 16, 2024, showing expenses in the amount of $2,147,919.14, be approved and warrants issued.  

Second by Ganiere.  

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, and Mayor Hasty.  

Nays: None. 

Commissioner Eichelkraut presented Monthly Financial Report. 

Moved by Commissioner Eichelkraut that the Monthly Financial Report of City Clerk, Shelly L. Munks, for the month of December 2023, be received and placed on file. 

Second by Pearson.  

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, and Mayor Hasty.  

Nays: None. 

Commissioner Ganiere presented Resolution.  

Moved by Commissioner Ganiere that a Resolution authorizing the execution of a subscription services agreement between the City of Ottawa and Leads Online LLC, for the Ottawa Police Department, which has been on file for public inspection since December 19, 2023, be adopted.  

Second by Eichelkraut.  

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, and Mayor Hasty.  

Nays: None. 

Commissioner Ganiere presented Resolution.  

Moved by Commissioner Ganiere that a Resolution authorizing the execution of a preventative maintenance agreement between the City of Ottawa and Braniff Communications Inc., for the City’s warning sirens, be received and placed on file for public inspection.  

Second by Pearson.  

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, and Mayor Hasty.  

Nays: None.

Commissioner Ganiere presented Report of Police Chief. 

Moved by Commissioner Ganiere that the Report of Police Chief, Brent A. Roalson, for the month of December 2023, be received and placed on file.  

Second by Pearson.  

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, and Mayor Hasty.  

Nays: None. 

Commissioner Ganiere presented Annual Report of Police Chief. 

Moved by Commissioner Ganiere that the Annual Report of Police Chief, Brent A. Roalson, for calendar year 2023, be received and placed on file. 

Second by Eichelkraut.  

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, and Mayor Hasty.  

Nays: None. 

Commissioner Ganiere presented Report of Fire Chief.  

Moved by Commissioner Ganiere that the Report of Fire Chief, Brian Bressner, for the month of December 2023, be received and placed on file.  

Second by Pearson.  

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, and Mayor Hasty.  

Nays: None. 

Commissioner Ganiere presented Annual Report of Fire Chief.  

Moved by Commissioner Ganiere that the Annual Report of Fire Chief, Brian Bressner, for calendar year 2023, be received and placed on file.  

Second by Eichelkraut.  

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, and Mayor Hasty.  

Nays: None. 

Commissioner Ganiere read a statement about a fire that happened in town on Sunday, January 14, 2024.  

Commissioner Pearson presented Resolution.  

Moved by Commissioner Pearson that a Resolution authorizing the execution of an intergovernmental cooperation agreement between the City of Ottawa and Ottawa Township Road District, regarding snow removal, be received and placed on file for public inspection.  

Second by Ganiere.  

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, and Mayor Hasty.  

Nays: None. 

Commissioner Pearson announced that this will be the third year for the Veteran banner program. The City Council will be the sponsors this year.  

Mayor Hasty presented Change Order. 

Moved by Mayor Hasty that Change Order #2 from Vissering Construction Company in the amount of $13,331.40, for the River Crossing Sanitary Lift Station Project, be approved and paid for from the Wastewater Fund.  

Second by Eichelkraut.  

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, and Mayor Hasty.  

Nays: None. 

Mayor Hasty presented Resolution.  

Moved by Mayor Hasty that a Resolution authorizing the execution of a service and maintenance protection program agreement between the City of Ottawa and Huber Technology Inc., for the River Crossing Lift Station, be received and placed on file for public inspection. 

Second by Pearson.  

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, and Mayor Hasty.  

Nays: None.

Council meeting minutes January 16, 2024 page 3 

Mayor Hasty presented Report of Registrar.  

Moved by Mayor Hasty that the Report of Registrar, Shelly L. Munks, for the month of December 2023, be received and placed on file.  

Second by Pearson.  

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, and Mayor Hasty. 

Nays: None. 

Mayor Hasty presented Report of Parking Administration.  

Moved by Mayor Hasty that the Report of the Parking Administration Department showing fines collected of $885.00 for the month of December 2023, be received and placed on file.  

Second by Ganiere.  

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, and Mayor Hasty.  

Nays: None. 

Mayor Hasty presented Report of Building Official.  

Moved by Mayor Hasty that the Report of Building Official, Mathew W. Stafford, for the month of December 2023, be received and placed on file.  

Second by Eichelkraut.  

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, and Mayor Hasty.  

Nays: None. 

Mayor Hasty presented Report of Sidewalk Program.  

Moved by Mayor Hasty that the Report of the Sidewalk Program showing 1 participant in the amount of $11,333.34, for the month of December 2023, be approved and paid for from the General Corporate Fund.  

Second by Pearson.  

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, and Mayor Hasty.  

Nays: None. 

Mayor Hasty presented Ordinance. 

Moved by Mayor Hasty that an Ordinance establishing a policy for unscheduled bus stops and discharge of passengers to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the residents  and visitors to the City of Ottawa, LaSalle County, Illinois, be passed and approved. Second by Pearson.  

Commissioner Ganiere suggested that the Council consider passing a Resolution in support of House Bill 3598 regarding immigration reform.  

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, and Mayor Hasty.  

Nays: None. 

Mayor Hasty presented Resolution.  

Moved by Mayor Hasty that a Resolution authorizing the execution of a license agreement between the City of Ottawa and Kenneth and Debra Knoll to install a frame on the building  at 227-229 W. Main Street to insert and rotate murals, which has been on file for public inspection since December 19, 2023, be adopted.  

Second by Eichelkraut.  

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, and Mayor Hasty.  

Nays: None. 

Mayor Hasty presented Report of Zoning Board of Appeals.  

Moved by Mayor Hasty that the Report of the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting held on Thursday, December 21, 2023, considering a front yard setback variance request from Carri Fessler for property located at 504 W. Superior Street, be received and placed on file. Be it further moved, the Council concur with the recommendation of the Zoning Board of Appeals and the front yard setback variance to construct an addition be granted with  the condition that the City’s right of way be verified with a survey or the front property pins be located to establish the North right of way line on Superior Street and the follow up Ordinance be passed and approved.  

Second by Eichelkraut. 

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, and Mayor Hasty.  

Nays: None.

Mayor Hasty presented Report of Zoning Board of Appeals. 

Moved by Mayor Hasty that the Report of the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting held on Thursday, December 21, 2023, considering a variance from the Sign Ordinance from the American Legion for property located at 901 LaSalle Street, be received and placed on file. Be it further moved, the Council concur with the recommendation of the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Sign Ordinance variance be granted to allow an 11 square foot LED message board sign in the C-5 zoning district, and the follow up Ordinance be passed and approved. 

Second by Eichelkraut.  

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, and Mayor Hasty.  

Nays: None. 

Mayor Hasty presented Motion.  

Moved by Mayor Hasty that the Annual Floodplain Management Progress Report for calendar year 2023, from Building and Zoning Official, Mathew W. Stafford, be received and placed on file. 

Second by Ganiere.  

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, and Mayor Hasty.  

Nays: None. 

Mayor Hasty wished Commissioner Ganiere and Commissioner Eichelkraut both Happy Birthday. He also congratulated our Assistant Public Works Director, Steve Kuhn, on his  Marquette Hall of Fame induction.  

Mayor Hasty presented motion to adjourn. 

Moved by Mayor Hasty that this regular meeting be adjourned. 

Second by Eichelkraut.  

Ayes: Eichelkraut, Ganiere, Pearson, and Mayor Hasty.  

Nays: None. Council adjourned at 7:17 p.m.

https://cityofottawa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/min01162024.pdf