Illinois Valley Times

Village of Ladd Village Board met April 23

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Ladd Village Board met in regular session on Tuesday, April 23, 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: Village Clerk Rhonda Bezely, Engineer Adam Ossola, Atty. Pat Barry, Superintendent Doug Englehaupt

Martin motioned/Margherio second to accept the April 9, 2024, regular meeting minutes as presented.

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

Nelson motioned/Ruggerio second to authorize payment of the bills in the amount of $108,069.30

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

Thrasher motioned/Nicholson second to accept the Treasurer's Report for March 2024.

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

Correspondence: None

Public Comment: None

Committee Reports: Nelson reported that on Sunday, April 14, 2024, a branch broke on a tree and fell across LaSalle Ave. It was on the berm at Linnig’s. Nelson went over with a Sawzall and tractor and cut it all up. 15 minutes into this Colton Corsolini came with a chainsaw and tractor and the two of them cleaned it all up. Margherio reported that the trees that were planted last fall are all budding out. Cattani stated that the Cicada invasion that is slated for the end of May or early June of this year will wreak havoc on any tree with a diameter less than 2”. It is suggested that a tree net be used. If the Cicadas eat the trees' leaves, they should come back the next year.

Engineer’s Report: Ossola reported that the Lead Service Line Inventory. Englehaupt did most of the legwork on this. Information was sent to TEST to fill out the spreadsheet for the EPA. They have provided more guidance on where this is going. There is a replacement plan that goes hand in hand with this. This is supposed to be done when the inventory is done. Ladd has an extension until September. If we get the grant, we could use it for GIS work and inventory work. After the last meeting, the EPA let us know the replacement plan is still due in April even though inventory is not done. It does not make a lot of sense because you do not know what you need to replace until you finish the inventory. Chamlin put out a lot of replacement plans for 20 some towns, Ladd was one of them to keep us in compliance. This is a draft stating it will be revised once inventory is done. It was also discovered that if we put down that we do not know what the material is either on one side of the buffalo box or the other, they are going to make you address this. They tell you for the inventory portion that you do not have to dig anything up, you just need to look inside the house, they will make you address the unknown once you do the replacement portion to prove it is not lead or galvanized, or downstream of lead. Ossola wanted to make the council aware.

Martin asked if Englehaupt had any records that might help with this. Englehaupt stated that he does have some knowledge after working in the Village of Ladd for 30 years if areas of town were dug up previously.

He told the council this could be quite costly. Ossola stated if we get the grant we may want to use some of the money to do the potholing to get ahead of the replacement plan list. Ruggerio asked approximately how many homes this would include. Englehaupt stated that it is unknown since they have changed how this must be done. Discussion ensued. The Village had NCICG apply for the Lead Line grant for the Village of Ladd.

Superintendent’s Report: Old Business: Electric Inspection form for Net Metering: Englehaupt told the council that Bill Pozzi from Scheri Electric does electric inspections for several towns and villages that have Net Metering. They charge $165.00 for the inspection. This fee is passed on to the Solar Customer.

Englehaupt will work with Pozzi to determine what needs to be included on the electrical inspection form.

Martin motioned/Thrasher second to Hire Scheri Electric to be the Electrical Inspector on the Net Metering Program.

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

Police Chief: Not in attendance

Building Inspector: Not in attendance

Village Attorney: New Business: 6-Month Review of Executive Session Minutes: Atty. Pat Barry reported that he reviewed the executive session minutes and does not feel that we need to go into executive session to discuss them, his recommendation is to keep them private.

Nelson motioned/Martin second to Hold All of the Executive Session Minutes and Not Release Them.

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

New Business: Abolish Working Cash: Margherio motioned/Thrasher second to Abolish Working Cash of $7,757.61.

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

Re-Establish Working Cash at Zero:

Margherio motioned/Ruggerio second to re-establish working cash at $0.00

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

Appoint Jan Martin as President Pro tem: Cattani requested that Jan Martin, our senior trustee be named President Pro tem so that if Cattani cannot attend the meeting Martin will take over. Nelson motioned/Thrasher second to Appoint Jan Martin as President Pro tem.

Ayes: Margherio, Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio, Thrasher - Motion carried 5-0

Abstain: Martin

Policies & Procedures: Nelson motioned/Martin second that we retain all the Same Policies and Procedures in the Village of Ladd.

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

Meeting Dates & Times: Thrasher motioned/Nicholson second to Retain 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 6:30 pm for Regular Council Meetings.

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

Motorcycle Awareness Month: Nelson motioned/Nicholson second to Proclaim May Motorcycle Awareness Month in the Village of Ladd.

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

Non-Union Insurance Renewal: Bezely explained the information that was provided to the council. They questioned other lines and other agency's pricing. Bezely explained that we had previously discussed this and due to only having 3 non-union employees the pricing is pretty cut and dry. Bezely was asked to contact a couple of other agencies and report back at the next meeting. Bezely stated that she would have Suarez & Associates attend the meeting to maybe put the council at ease that this pricing is typical across the lines of insurance with this deductible and copays, etc. Nicholson asked if Frund’s wife could get insurance at her job. Bezely will check with Frund. The council felt this might be a way to save money.

Bezely mentioned to the council that Union employees have family coverage 100% paid by the Village of Ladd. The total paid for the union employees is higher than any of the non-union employees. This item will be tabled until the next meeting on May 14th.

10/33 Ambulance: Cattani explained a meeting he attended with other Mayors and Village Presidents from the 10/33 region on April 17th. He explained the situation in detail. In summary, 10/33 is losing money due to Stark County having a contract with OSF. Therefore, 10/33 does not get the transfers they used to get which is what brought in the most revenue. Cattani stated that they are looking to ask that each resident pay $10 per month. Bezely stated that she was told that 10/33 is asking for an increase in per Capita rates for the 9 towns and villages that pay for 10/33 services. There was a special meeting tonight at 10/33 we will hope for more information after this meeting.

Poppy Day Collection: The Harold E. Russell American Legion Post 938 requested permission to collect around Main Avenue on May 25th for Poppy Day.

Nicholson motioned/Thrasher second to Approve the American Legion Post 938 Poppy Day, May 25, 2024.

Collections will be at Ladd Casey’s, North Central Bank, and the Ladd Post Office from 6 am – 12 pm.

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

Ax Church: We received a call that Ax Church would like to come to Ladd during HOPE WEEK and perform services the week of June 2-8th. They would like suggestions of what the Village would like them to help with. Bezely stated ideas thus far are Community Center landscape weeding and trimming. Pressure washing on the south side of the building. Park equipment painting. Sealing/painting of the picnic tables at both parks. Weeding and mulching the flowering pear trees on Main Avenue. Bezely asked if anyone would be willing to donate drinks, chips, pizza, and desserts to feed them when they come.

Announcements: Cattani spoke with Paul Biccochi and on August 1st of this year he would like to dissolve the Ladd Cemetery Association and turn it over to the Village of Ladd. After speaking with the City of Princeton it was explained that this would not be a money maker at all. The rates to purchase a plot at the Ladd Cemetery are low. Cattani feels the Village needs to take this over. Biccochi has been taking care of the cemetery since 1995 with no pay. The monies from plot purchases go into a perpetual fund and you are only allowed to use the interest from this fund to take care of the needs for the entire cemetery. The roads, the trees, the grass cutting, and any maintenance needed would be paid out of the interest. Grave digging is an additional cost. Biccochi stated that if he is able, he would help care for the cemetery but he has a cabin in Wisconsin and he plans to head there a lot after retiring. Discussion ensued. Cattani stated that he needs everyone to think about this and it will be placed on the next agenda. Margherio reminded everyone this is a business and we need to keep this in mind. If we help one, we need to help others. Englehaupt was not in favor of taking over the cemetery. He was involved personally several years ago and Margherio started the same. It is not easy. Barry stated that there is a government agency that will take over abandoned cemeteries if that ends up happening. It was agreed that plot rates must be increased significantly. Englehaupt reminded the council if the Village was to take it over prevailing wage would need to be paid. It would be appreciated if Biccochi could attend our next meeting to help explain things. A recent 911 call for an ambulance in Dalzell was 10/33 which was what the council is hoping. The Senior Class of 2024 has several Ladd students in the top 10 at Hall and at St. Bede. Silver Creek Farms received Energy Efficiency Funds of $6,303.15 from the IMEA. News Tribune Summer Fun Section 2024 is being printed soon. Pricing for the same size ad as last year is $541.00. This includes all events planned in the Village for the summer, along with the Christmas Walk information. This could be approved in the bills at the next meeting since it prints in May. It was felt that it is beneficial to let the public know what we have planned in Ladd. Ruggerio mentioned the dedication of the USS Arizona replica by Hank Ellerbrock to the Ladd Public Library will also take place on July 20th with the Big Truck Show. CDBG Grant for sewer separation was brought up by Nelson there is $20 million available. Bezely found out that there was money available and asked if the council would like her to move forward in finding out more about applying for these funds. Herlein Trust Property was discussed. Possible annexation would initiate the rebate of additional taxes due to annexation by the Village of Ladd until development takes place. Atty. Barry would be involved in documentation if this takes place. Ruggerio asked if we sent a thank you to Jared at Ladd Farm Mart for his wonderful donation of a riding lawn mower to the Village of Ladd for maintaining the ball fields. Steve Bosi stated they have a zero-turn mower that does not work and if anyone is mechanically inclined and would be willing to take a look at it that would be appreciated.

Margherio motioned/Nicholson second to adjourn.

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

The meeting adjourned at 7:49 pm

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