Illinois Valley Times

Village of Ladd Village Board met March 12

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Ladd Village Board met in regular session on Tuesday, March 12, 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, Superintendent Doug  Englehaupt, Police Chief Jacob Frund, Engineer Adam Ossola, and Atty. Pat Barry. 

Thrasher motioned/Margherio second to accept the February 27, 2024, regular meeting minutes as presented. 

Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Thrasher - Motion carried 5-1 

Nays: Ruggerio 

Nelson motioned/Nicholson second to authorize payment of the bills in the amount of $54,390.00. Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio, Thrasher - Motion carried 6-0 

Correspondence: A thank you card from the family of Jan Grivetti was read and a thank you card from Project Success for the Easter Basket Donation.  

Public Comment: Gravel Hauling Don Baxter from Starline Construction asked the council why they no longer allow him to haul rock when the Village needs it. He stated that now it is being split between him  and 3 farmers. He is the only one that is an aggregate business and his tax dollars come to Ladd. He explained that he has always responded to calls from Doug on Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, etc. whenever Doug has a water main break that requires more equipment and guys than Doug has available or if he has multiple breaks to repair his first call is to Starline Construction. Don always responds and is there no matter how long it takes, how deep the hole is, or how difficult the repair is. Don has always felt  that Starline hauling gravel was his reward for all the times they came out to help Ladd. Now he’s being told that the Village is rotating delivery haulers between 4 Ladd residents. Ruggerio explained that he was given the responsibility to figure out who to contact about hauling gravel by President Cattani because of a comment Ruggerio had made. Ruggerio had told President Cattani in a prior meeting that gravel hauling needed to be split up between other Ladd businesses that do hauling. Englehaupt offered the council some explanation of the events to help them understand the situation. Englehaupt had  nothing but exemplary comments about Don and his guys at Starline Construction and that Village President Cattani no longer owns any part of Starline Construction. Englehaupt felt that he just needed  to be told who he could call to get gravel for the Village. He asked the council to hear Don out and know  that Starline is his first call because of the excellent working relationship they have had in the past. Farmers are often hauling grain and doing other hauling so he generally calls Starline. Starline has  always done the jobs for a fair price. After a long discussion, Martin asked who the other 3 haulers were  that brought rock to Ladd. Englehaupt stated Pete Gambiani, Larry Bickett, and Lee Kirkman. Don also stated that he is the only one paying taxes because farmers are exempt. The council agreed that Starline  should haul gravel for the Village of Ladd as a thank-you for always being there for the Village when a water main break occurs. Englehaupt was given direction to get gravel hauled from Starline Construction going forward. 

Dog Park Tom and Angela Sabotta addressed the board regarding creating a dog park in the Village of  Ladd. They feel this would be an excellent addition to Ladd. A chainlink fence and a sign explaining things would be all that is needed. Kennedy Park was discussed as a potential location. Discussion ensued regarding water, shade, toys, etc. The Sabotta’s are going to obtain pricing on a chainlink fence and determine the size needed for the dog park. He was asked who cleans up after these dogs. They stated that owners are asked to clean up after their dogs and bags are provided. Spring Valley has issues  with people not cleaning up after their dogs. Sabotta stated he could maybe volunteer to do some cleanup if need be. Atty. Barry mentioned the recreation fund is where the money for this type of project would come from. This fund is currently in the red. This will be a substantial investment and the real question is how is this going to be paid for? Atty. Barry mentioned a possible grant could be looked into. Village President Cattani urged Sabotta to get pricing on fencing and also to figure out what size they feel would be best. They will return when they have this information to attend a meeting and update the council.

Committee Reports: Nelson stated that he has been approached by Curt & Mike regarding speeding vehicles on West Cleveland Street headed out of town going west. They are asking if a stop sign can be placed at Western and W. Cleveland Street. Frund stated that he has been monitoring this area. A stop sign can be placed there but Frund feels that most are not speeding in the Village of Ladd limits. The police will continue to monitor this area. The speeding vehicles are from both directions, east & west.  

Nelson mentioned that the flags at the monument are tattered. He asked Ruggerio if we could replace these flags. The flags are changed every year before Memorial Day. 

Trees: Margherio told Englehaupt that the tree at Giachetto’s is the big tree that needs to be looked at. Englehaupt states that he does not see any split on that tree. Cattani told Margherio that if he sees Giachetto outside have him show Margherio the crack on the large tree and then Margherio should have Doug come over and show him the location of the crack. Englehaupt stated that he cut a branch off the tree to the south that needed to be removed so now he will go back and look at the big tree again. Nicholson stated that mushrooms are growing out of the area in question. Bezely asked Nelson if he  still takes pictures of trees because that sure seems to be helpful. Bezely stated that when the process  is followed it goes better. When a tree is reported Bezely is made aware usually with a picture of the tree or location of the issue and then she completes a report for the insurance company to document the resident’s concern. Then a copy of the complaint is given to Nelson, Margherio, and Englehaupt so that  when the meeting takes place everyone is aware of all the information.

Engineer’s Report: Ossola reported that the Safe Routes to School 2021 Project bid was on Friday, March 8m, 2024. Ossola reviewed the bid results. There was quite a spread in the bidding. Gensini Construction was the low bidder at $282,441.00. Ossola stated that the State will put together the contracts. The most recent estimate for the project was $311,287.00 and the estimate 3 years ago when this first started was $ 284,000.00. We are good with the bids Ossola stated. The state will put together the contracts. They just need to know if you are not okay with the low bidder. The Village President asked about adding the sidewalk on the south side of Veteran’s Memorial Park to be replaced while the contractor is here doing SRTS. Ossola stated that we can ask the contractor for a price separate from  the SRTS project.

Nelson asked if Ossola heard from the State regarding the Main Avenue sidewalk project we were awarded. Ossola stated that the grant agreements are with the State. They need to sign off on them and get them back to us. Nelson is worried the amount of money we were awarded is going to replace fewer and fewer sidewalks with the costs of this work increasing so rapidly.  

Superintendent’s Report: Englehaupt addressed the council regarding the Net Metering Policy, Interconnection Agreement, and Application issues that need to be discussed and addressed. We recently had one of our solar customers request documents to get her tax credit for her solar purchase. They requested a Facilities Interconnection Agreement, Net Metering Application, Standard Distribution Generation, and Connection Agreement. Certificate of Completion was also requested. Englehaupt  feels that this is necessary to determine the timeline that the solar was put into service. Englehaupt  stated that he has performed a witness test (his personal assumption on what a witness test should be). Also needed is a Certificate of Completion. Englehaupt is not comfortable signing these documents due  to his lack of knowledge of what these should require or having the equipment necessary to complete  this testing. Englehaupt reached out to Kevin Minnick from the City of Peru regarding their residential solar arrays and how in-depth they’re going with their testing. By our language, we are supposed to have  an electrical inspector that the utility approves to inspect this upon completion and none of this is currently happening. We need to either revise the language to have less required testing or to stay with all the requirements and determine a way to have this done. If the electrical company doing the Certificate of Completion asks exactly what needs to be tested it may be best to come up with this form  so we know what it says and know that it covers everything required. Atty. Pat Barry recommended having an electrical contractor that will come in and do these tests. The Village just needs to make sure the Village Electric system is safe.  

Police Chief: Chief Frund reported to the council that the Flock cameras were installed today. The 3  cameras were placed on the West entrance into the Village, on the North entrance into the Village, and  also on the East entrance into the Village. They should be up and working within 24-48 hours after safety  testing is done.  

Building Inspector: Not in attendance 

Village Attorney: Old Business: Ordinance Regarding Utility Lien: Atty. Pat Barry stated that this has  taken quite a bit of time due to having to pull all the individual utility ordinances and combine them into  one so they all say the same thing about liens. In 1993 there was a section on lien procedure. Atty. Pat Barry distributed the newly written ordinance which updates the procedure for all utilities that the Village of Ladd offers and amends the 1993 language at the back of the utility section. Charges for any services, including, but not limited to, utility services, scavenger services, weed removal services, and clean-up  services, provided by or through the Village of Ladd, Bureau County, Illinois to the owner/occupant of any premise within the jurisdiction of the Village shall be a lien upon the premises. Whenever a Village bill for any such service remains unpaid past its due date and exceeds the sum of $1,000.00, the Village Clerk is instructed to direct the Village Attorney to file a Notice of Lien for said unpaid services in the Recorders  Office of Bureau County, Illinois.  

Martin motioned/Nelson second to Pass an Ordinance Establishing a Uniform Procedure for Lien Creation for Past Due Municipal Services for the Village of Ladd, Bureau County, Illinois. Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio, Thrasher, Cattani- Motion carried 7-0

New Business: Veteran’s Monument Flag Pole Straightening: Two bids were obtained to straighten the flag poles at the Veteran’s Monument. Discussion ensued regarding both bids. After comparison, Thrasher asked if we ever figured out who originally installed these flag poles. Cattani stated that the Village was the original installer. It was questioned by Martin if they would want to do it again and Cattani stated no. The quote from Starline Construction is only to straighten the existing 7 poles. They will be reinstalled the same way they are installed now. Nelson asked if this could be done before Memorial  Day. Cattani stated it depends on who the council awards the bid to and if the ground thaws.  

Nicholson motioned/Nelson second to Accept the Bid for $5,920.00 presented by Starline Construction for Re-leveling the Flag Poles, Reinstalling them Level and Plumb.  

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

New Business: Special Event Liquor License: Doug Colmone rented the Community Center for the Greg  Colmone Scholarship Fund Trivia Night on 9/7/2024. He is requesting approval of a Special Event Liquor License. He will obtain dramshop insurance from his insurance carrier and get a copy to the Village of Ladd. If Colmone has more tables than the Community Center hold he will hold it on the Tennis Courts as he has the last 2 years. This is still a Village property. 

Margherio motioned/Thrasher second to Approve the Special Event Liquor License for the Greg Colmone  Scholarship Fund Trivia Night on 9/7/2024. 

Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio, Thrasher, Cattani - Motion carried 7-0 

Announcements: Grivetti Sympathy Gift Bezely reported that a sympathy gift was sent to previous Village President Mike Grivetti and his family on the loss of his wife if was a concrete angel. Trustee Ruggerio donated toward this gift. Foster Tree Resident Donna Foster asked Bezely to please thank the public works employees for doing such a wonderful job on her tree that fell on the electric lines the last windy day we had which was a Sunday. 207 N. Main Avenue This property recently sold and the new owner is aware of the Village rules on Main Avenue. The utility lien will be released. Yard Waste Pickup Bezely  explained how yard waste pickup will work for 2024. You must call Republic 815-434-2035 BEFORE  APRIL 1st to be put on the yard waste pickup route. You must also pay with debit, credit, or a check when you call. The cost is $96 (8x$12) and pickup is April – November. You must use the biodegradable bags. Pickup is on the same day as trash. Collective Bargaining Bezely wanted to let the council know she  spoke with Village President Cattani and told him she doesn’t feel she needs to be part of the Collective  Bargaining Agreement negotiations. Bezely has spoken to several clerks who do not do this. Bezely stated she is super busy and concerned she has no room in her brain to take on this matter. Cattani stated that they would be fine negotiating the union contract. Cattani kindly announced to the council that tomorrow is Rhonda’s Birthday and they all sang Happy Birthday, Bezely thanked everyone for their kindness.  

Thrasher motioned/Nicholson second to adjourn. 

Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio, Thrasher - Motion carried 6-0 The meeting adjourned at 7:47 pm

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