Illinois Valley Times

Village of Ladd Village Board met April 9

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Ladd Village Board met in a regular session on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in 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: Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Julie Koch, Village Clerk Rhonda Bezely, General Superintendant Doug Englehaupt, Engineer Adam Ossola, Atty. Pat Barry Thrasher motioned/Margherio second to accept the March 26, 2024, regular meeting minutes as presented.

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

Nicholson motioned/Ruggerio second to authorize payment of the bills in the amount of $44,267.81

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

Correspondence: A thank you from Barb and Mike Biccochi was read for the sympathy card.

Public Comment: Tom Sabotta brought to the board a quote from Illinois Valley Fence and Pool for a fence for a dog park in the amount of $12,000 for a 75x100 chain-linked closure for dogs at Kennedy Park between the shelter and the bathrooms. Tom also stated that he had looked into the same fencing at Menards and it would cost about $7,500 not to have a company put it in, just some of the Village people. Tom stated that he looked at a couple of different areas within the Village and that seemed to be the best fit. He said that we could make the area smaller and it would cut down the cost even more but he would rather the price we were quoted at the larger size and the price get dropped lower if we were to go smaller. Clerk Bezley stated that Sammi had looked for grants and that we had spoken with NCICG and they stated as well that there are currently no grants available at this time, but we would continue to watch for them.

Talked about if we do put up the fence and make it a dog park then we would need to have waivers that they would need to sign to keep the Village not liable for anything that may happen. We will wait to see if a grant becomes available and then visit this again if one does.

Committee Reports: None

Engineer’s Report: Ossola stated that the Main Ave sidewalks agreement finally came through. He is waiting for them to tell us how an engineer could be hired to draw up the plans. SRTS- IDOT did send out a work letter to Gensini and we are waiting for a signed contract. IDOT will reach out and schedule a preconstruction meeting after that. President Cattani asked that he keep us posted when he finds out more Superintendent’s Report: Englehaupt discussed the current Net Metering Policy and Interconnection Agreement. Englehaupt provided the council with a flow chart that he had put together, in recommendation that we go through a complete checklist if not the one he presented, then one similar to it. He feels like the current interconnection agreement should be split into steps as to how the company should complete paperwork from the start of the project to the end of the project. First, the solar company would fill out the solar request form with the resident’s name, address, phone number, and e-mail for both the resident and the working solar company. From there the Village would look at the 3-year historical data on the customer and determine the size of the generating system that would best fit the solar  customers' needs. The Village would then send that to the solar company for them to begin the other paperwork necessary before being given the ok by the Village to start construction on the project. A lengthy discussion ensued. At the end of the discussion, Attorney Barry stated that he believes that Englehaupt’s recommendation is great and we can go forward with those changes, but also stated that the IMEA informed him that the state is trying to get a standardized Net Metering Policy that is same straight across the board throughout the State of Illinois for both for public utilities and municipalities utilities. They are trying to get it through the Legislature. Once the standardized Net Metering Policy is in place throughout the state then we will have to go back to the drawing board to redo the policy within the Village to match it to the State. Englehaupt stated that we spoke with Peru and they have their Building Inspector that does the inspections. The only time that the electrical department would get involved is if there is a complaint and they need to hook up to the system to see where the issue is coming from. Englehaupht asked Ossola if Chamlin and Associate would have someone who would be able to do this for the Village of Ladd. Ossola stated that he would look into this and get back to us. Englehaupt stated that we need to make sure that we have someone that is certified that can perform this for the Village. The companies need to register with the ICC and get the docket number. That makes the chance if something happens with the system a year or two from now, chances are that the company is still going to be in business and this is a way of weeding out the companies that open in hopes to make long term and then they don’t. That would take some changes to the language as well. We would as the Village have to figure out how we could find out if that docket number is valid. Englehaupt asked for the blessing of the board to proceed with his recommendations and he can work with Bezely and Koch to get it all set and then written up by Barry to get this into effect.

Police Chief: Not in attendance

Building Inspector: Not in attendance

Village Attorney: Nothing to report

New Business – Approve Fair Solar Credit of .0542 as of 5/1/2024 billing- This number comes from the IMEA engineering for the solar customers. This is how they build up credits month to month throughout the year.

Once a year on April 30th those credits zero out and they will start over for the new year. Nelson motioned/Martin second to approve the Fair Solar Credit of .0542 as of 5/1/2024 billing

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

New Business – Pass Resolution to Close Route 89 for Convoy Against Cancer Big Truck Show –

Nelson motioned/ Thrasher second to pass Resolution to Close Routh 89 for the Convoy Against Cancer Big Truck Show

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

New Business – Discuss Police Chiefs Salary Effective 5/1/2024 – President Cattani stated that he thought 4% was a good number to go for. Barry stated that it would make his salary $75,712 for the year. Cattani stated to the council that Utica part-time weekend officers currently make right at $34 an hour. It includes the shift diff for them. That doesn’t include any benefits for them. The current cost of living right now is right at 4%. Bezely wanted to let the council know that she feels like Chief Frund does an excellent job.

She has been with the Village for 12 years and over that time she feels like Frund has brought so much positive to the table for the Village. He will work on the weekends if there is no coverage and he puts in more than 40 hours on most weeks to take care of the things that need attention.

Nicholson motioned/ Ruggerio second to give Police Chief Jacob Frund a 4% salary increase effective 5/1/2024

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

Announcements: Steph and Art Yonke have donated a Memorial Plant in memory of Jan Grivetti that will have a plaque attached to it and will be out front of Ladd Village Hall.

Mike Grivetti planted a tree up by his bus barn with a plaque as well as a music box that will play a bushel and a Peck at 12 pm and 5 pm daily.

Thrasher motion/ Nicholson second to come out of regular session and go into executive session 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (23) Meeting of a municipality operating as a municipal utility, power or natural gas agency to discuss contracts for the purchase, sale or delivery of electricity or natural gas and the results of load forecast studies. 7:36 pm

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

Returned to regular session at 8:14 pm. Roll call was taken.

Present: Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio, Thrasher

Thrasher stated that she heard the Mayor of Spring Valley on WLPO stating that Spring Valley is looking to get a truck stop on their side of I80. Bezely stated that NCICG has a grant that will help with a distribution facility. Bezely reached out to her resource that she has been speaking with for the last couple of years and he stated that they do not need a distribution facility in Illinois. She told him that getting a distribution facility out there would bring the utilities that much closer to 80 and allow him to buy the land he liked and put up a truck stop within our corporate limits.

Martin motioned/ Thrasher second that we adjourn.

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

The meeting adjourned at 8:22 pm

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