Illinois Valley Times

Village of Ladd Village Board met Feb. 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Ladd Village Board met in regular session on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at the Ladd Village Hall at 121 N. Main Avenue. 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, Andy Ruggerio, Molly Thrasher (6)

In attendance: Village Clerk Rhonda Bezely, Village Treasurer Julie Koch, Police Chief Jacob Frund, Engineer Adam Ossola

Thrasher motioned/Margherio second to accept the February 13, 2024, regular meeting minutes as presented.

Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio, Thrasher - Motion carried 6-0

Ruggerio motioned/Nelson second to authorize payment of the bills in the amount of $116,047.76

Nicholson questioned how many shop towels we purchase when we purchase them. It seems we are buying them often. These are used at the shop. Cattani stated that they often use them when they flush water mains or repair water mains. He also questioned the amount of bottled water being picked up. Bezely stated that they pick bottled water for the council chambers and for the shop.

Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio, Thrasher - Motion carried 6-0

Margherio motioned/Martin second to accept the Treasurer's Report for January 2024.

Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio, Thrasher - Motion carried 6-0

Correspondence: None

Public Comment: None

Committee Reports: Thrasher reported the Easter Egg Hunt will be on March 23, 2024, from 10:30 – 11:30 am. This year we will do an Easter Walk so that the businesses can be included. Margherio asked if Englehaupt had looked at the Giachetto tree. Englehaupt had questioned if it was the large tree or the smaller tree south of the large tree. Margherio or Nelson will reach out to Englehaupt to confirm.

Ruggerio reported on a quote he obtained from P&D Signs to have the existing flag poles on the Veteran’s Monument straightened. Cattani stated that no action could be taken, as this was not placed on the agenda. The estimate is to remove all 7 poles and reinstall with new sleeves (Andy states the new sleeves will be metal and the existing sleeves are plastic). The council wanted to find out who put the flag poles in originally. Perhaps this company would give a quote also. We will place this on the next agenda.

Engineer’s Report: Ossola stated that he was told we can move forward on the bidding of the Safe

Routes to School project from 2021. The bid date is March 8, 2024. A construction phase engineering agreement for the project was in the packets for council review. Ossola reported at least 5 bidders at this time.

Martin motioned/Nicholson second to move forward with the Construction Engineering Agreement for Safe Routes to School.

Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio, Thrasher - Motion carried 6-0

Superintendent’s Report: Not in attendance

Police Chief: Chief Frund reported that at the last meeting, a resident spoke about concerns that migrants may be coming into Ladd. Chief Frund stated that Bureau County & LaSalle County passed a document stating they are not sanctuary counties but this document does not do much, it holds no teeth. Chief Frund feels that we need to just keep a close eye on things but sit tight and see what the County continues to put into place. Bureau County does not cover the Village of Ladd in whatever they implement. They cover the unincorporated areas of Bureau County. Frund stated that Bureau County is working on a bill regarding migrant buses but it has been sent back to legal many times and so far, nothing has been passed. Frund is in close contact with Adam Lind, head of BC Emergency Management and he will be onsite if for some reason a bus dropped off in Ladd. It would be Ladd’s responsibility to pay to remove these individuals. We are not forced to house or feed these individuals.

Anything is possible but not likely since Ladd does not have hotels, motels, or transportation stations.

Chief Frund reiterated that it is up to the council to implement anything they feel necessary, but his recommendation is to let him keep a close eye on the situation and speak with Atty. Barry at the next meeting to get more information. Detailed discussion ensued.

Building Inspector: Not in attendance

Village Attorney: Not in attendance

Unfinished Business - Pass Ordinance on Utility Liens: Will be placed on the next agenda, due to Attorney unable to attend.

Cattani mentioned to the council that a report was distributed as to how many residential accounts would be affected by the new Ordinance that will be passed at the March 12, 2024 meeting. There is a business account that is concerning the Village. This will be kept an eye on and investigated as Cattani feels necessary.

New Business – Discuss Video Gaming Terminal Fees for 5-1-2024 to 4-30-2025: The council reviewed and discussed the Tax Report for January for businesses with video gaming terminals. The Village of Ladd currently charges $125.00 per machine to our businesses. The maximum we can charge in the Village of Ladd is $250.00. These fees will soon need to be renewed and the council requested to revisit this situation now to decide what they would like the fee to be for May 1, 2024 – April 30, 2025. Discussion ensued.

Ruggerio motioned/Nelson second to Impose a $250.00 fee per Video Gaming Terminal for the 2024-2025 year.

Ayes: Nelson, Ruggerio

Nays: Margherio, Martin, Nicholson, Thrasher - Motion Failed 2-4

Discussion restarted with council members stating that $250.00 is too much. After additional discussion, the council members agreed. Nelson also reiterated that the fee we impose does not get paid entirely by the business. The business splits this fee with the owner of the Video Gaming Terminals. Margherio stated that he does not feel we need to raise the fees.

Nicholson motioned/Nelson second to Impose a $150.00 fee per Video Gaming Terminal for May 1, 2024, through April 30, 2025.

Ayes: Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio, Thrasher – Motion carried 4-2

Nays: Margherio, Martin

We will put this on the 2025 agenda to be discussed again next year. 

New Business – B Part, Inc.: A request for a donation to BPart, Inc. was discussed. Many Ladd residents use this service.

Thrasher motioned/Martin second to Donate $250.00 to BPart, Inc. for 2024.

Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio, Thrasher - Motion carried 6-0

New Business – Project Success: Ruggerio asked why we don’t just make an annual donation rather than at Christmas and Easter. The rest of the council feels it is best to donate when the need arises.

Nicholson asked Martin where or how the donors' names are displayed. Martin stated that they are written on the number of baskets each donor donates. The only person seeing that the Village of Ladd donated is the recipient of the basket or box of food. Nicholson asked if the Village has ever received a thank you from a recipient. Bezely did not recall receiving any but Martin stated that she gets many thank you notes. The request for a donation to Project Success was discussed in detail.

It is felt that the Village should continue to donate at Thanksgiving/Christmas and Easter. The need is very numerous. Nelson asked Cattani if the money for this donation comes out of the general fund and Cattani stated yes. Nelson then reiterated that the video gaming fees we collect actually help the Village to donate to Project Success and other not-for-profit businesses in need.

Margherio motioned/Nicholson second to Donate 8 Easter Baskets at $40.00 each for a total of $320.00 to Project Success for 2024.

Ayes: Margherio, Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio - Motion carried 4-2

Abstain: Martin, and Thrasher (both hold positions on the Project Success Board)

New Business – Spring Valley Little League: A request for a donation to the Spring Valley Little League was discussed. Ladd kids play with Spring Valley, both girls and boys. The council feels that a lot of hard work went into Ladd’s fields in the past and it’s a shame no games are played in Ladd. Numbers are way down for kids that play. District 20 creates the schedules. There may come a time when the park could be used for another purpose.

Margherio motioned/Thrasher second to Donate $200.00 to Spring Valley Little League

Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio, Thrasher - Motion carried 6-0

New Business – CDs Due for Renewal: The CD notices for 4 certificates of deposit were provided to the council along with the current rates that North Central Bank will be offering the Village of Ladd.

Discussion ensued on various scenarios.

Thrasher motioned/Martin second to Renew the Audit Fund CD for $6,614.34 on March 5, 2024, for 12 months at 4.80 APY, Renew the Social Security Fund CD for $371,747.77 on March 9, 2024 for 12 months at 4.80 APY, Renew the IMRF Fund CD for $244,144.34 on March 9, 2024 for 12 months at 4.80 APY. Renew the Garbage Fund CD for $284,192.92 (after putting $40,000.00 into the disbursement account of the Garbage Fund) on March 8, 2024, for 12 months at 4.80 APY with North Central Bank in Ladd.

Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio, Thrasher - Motion carried 6-0

Announcements: Bezely let the board know that she put budget information in the packets from the 2-13-24 meeting. She wanted to see if anyone had questions regarding this information. A Bequest was written and provided to the council. They all felt it does not hurt to make people aware that if they would like to have donations from their funeral go to the Village of Ladd, we would be happy to use the money as the resident or family wishes. A handicapped parking spot was requested for the corner of North Main Avenue and Chestnut Street. After a lengthy discussion, it was determined that due to this being on the State right of way, it would cost the Village considerable money to investigate and ensure that this is done correctly. It was decided that Chief Frund would see what he could do about trying to help keep the parking place in front of Special Effect open for elderly and handicapped clients. Letters of support were given to all council members for signing. These are for two large projects in the Village of Ladd to be submitted as the 2024 Federal Congressional Grants through NCICG. St. Bede Girls Basketball is headed to State and no action was taken on an ad through Shaw Media. Flock camera counts – Chief Frund mentioned how many hits we get on our Flock camera coming into Ladd. We surpass 3 other flock cameras that Peru has in place with the number of hits. This is amazing the council agreed. Cattani mentioned that the Village Hall renovation may be delayed until information is known on the business we are concerned about. They account for 27% of our annual revenue. Thrasher asked if a building permit was obtained by the resident at 201 S. Bureau Avenue for a garage. Yes, this resident complies and has paid, and the building inspector has been there to verify everything. Ruggerio asked Cattani if he had any additional information on the Ladd Cemetery. Cattani stated that he does not at this time. He would like to speak with Mike Grivetti Sr. again regarding this in the next month or so. It was learned that Paul Biocchi has been doing all the cemetery care and maintenance since 1995 with no pay at all. There are a lot of reports necessary and a lot of records to take care of. Cattani stated that he cannot say enough about Biccochi’s generosity.

Thrasher motioned/Margherio second to adjourn.

Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio, Thrasher - Motion carried 6-0

The meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm

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