Illinois Valley Times

City of LaSalle Finance Committee met March 4

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

ROLL CALL

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

Excused Absence: Alderman Lavieri, Alderman Herndon

Moved by Alderman Thompson and seconded by Alderman Bacidore to allow Alderman Herndon to join the meeting remotely via phone call.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.

ROLL CALL

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

Excused Absence: Alderman Lavieri

Others Present: Deputy Clerk Brent Bader, Finance Director John Duncan, Economic Development Director Curt Bedei, City Building Inspector Andy Bacidore, Fire Chief Jerry Janick, Director of Public Works Kevin Fay, City Treasurer Virginia Kochanowski

A quorum was present.

Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Jeppson to approve the minutes from February 20, 2024.

AYE: Chairman Ptak, Alderman Bacidore, Reynolds, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane

NAY: None Absent: Alderman Lavieri Abstain: Alderman Thompson

MOTION CARRIED: 6-0

Chairman Ptak discussed how the parts have been ordered for the city’s current street sweeper, but it will take approximately 45 days to get in.

Alderman Crane mentioned that he did request for this item to be added to the agenda.

Alderman Crane wanted to have a quick discussion with the committee to discuss whether the monthly price or weekly price makes more sense. Crane feels that the work could be done in two weeks but that would be weather dependent. Kevin Fay mentioned that if the Committee agrees to this rental, he will make sure he had someone in the rental street sweeper all day, every day. Alderman Bacidore questioned if the City pays for the week and the city doesn’t use it for three days due to  weather, are they still paying for that week. Fay stated that the city would be paying for the week no matter what the weather may be.

lderman Thompson recognizes that Alderman Crane may be frugal by only renting it for two weeks, but he believes it to make more sense to rent it out for the month and use it when the city can depend on weather. He discussed how it was cheaper to go with the monthly price than to rent it for weeks at a time at the weekly rate.

Finance Director Duncan questioned the timeline on the current street sweeper. Fay said that it would be 45 days to just get the part in that is needed for the repair. Fay stated that the part has been order and they said 45 days but he questions if it will be that or even longer for it to come in.

Resident Jamie Hicks asked what is wrong with the City’s current street sweeper. Kevin Fay stated that the big suction head on the bottom has rotted out. Hicks questioned if it had anything to do with the Carus Chemical situation because he has not seen that sweeper since that day of the Carus Chemical incident. Fay said that it is a 2007 older truck. Hicks continued by mentioning that if the part is rotted out due to Carus, the City’s permit does state that Carus Chemical is responsible for repairs on that vehicle.

Alderman Jeppson stated that he is in favor of this rental because he is out walking 12 miles a day in the city, and he has noticed broken glass and debris all over the streets.

Jamie Hicks asked if everyone in the City would benefit from this. Kevin Fay stated that he plans on getting to the entire city.

Moved by Alderman Crane and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to accept the recommendation regarding the potential rental of a street sweeper from Standard Equipment for a monthly price of $13,000.

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

NAY: None Absent: Alderman Lavieri Abstain: None

MOTION CARRIED: 7-0

Director of Public Works Fay discussed that the VFD controls two of the three main effluent pumps that pumps it out into the river after it’s been treated at the wastewater plant. Many repairs have been done to these two pumps with them being about 20-25 years old. He is looking to get them updated since one is considered to be obsolete and outdated. The cost is $51,800 for both pumps. The other option that Fay mentioned would be waiting for it to go bad and it would then be an emergency repair.

Chairman Ptak mentioned that the city does not want to get into that situation. 

Moved by Alderman Thompson and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to accept the recommendation regarding potential replacement of variable frequency drives (VFD) at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

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

NAY: None Absent: Alderman Lavieri Abstain: None

MOTION CARRIED: 7-0

There were no more questions or comments from the public.

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

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.

Chairman Ptak adjourned the meeting at 6:09pm 

https://www.lasalle-il.gov/sites/default/files/agendas-minutes/2024-03/3-4-24.pdf