Illinois Valley Times

City of LaSalle Finance Committee met May 13

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Chairman Ptak called the Meeting to order at 6:00 pm

ROLL CALL

Present: Chairman Ptak, Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon (6:02 pm) Crane

Excused Absence:

Others Present: Deputy Clerk Brent Bader, Finance Director John Duncan, Economic Development Director Curt Bedei, Fire Chief Jerry Janick, City Treasurer Virginia Kochanowski

A quorum was present.

Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Crane to approve the minutes from April 29, 2024.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.

Aldermen Lavieri said 907 First Street has been looking good so far and other members agreed.

Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Jeppson to approve a recommendation regarding a request from Margie King of 907 First Street, LLC for a Redevelopment Incentive Program grant totaling $12,500 for premises located at 907 First Street

ROLL CALL

AYES: Chairman Ptak, Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane

NAYS: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 8-0

Alderman Lavieri asked how they will fuel the generators. City Engineer Brian Brown said it should be diesel fuel. Alderman Lavieri said it has flood in the past. Brown said the well field ones are trailer mounted and he’s not certain, but it should be out of the flood area. Brown said this is to get ready for a generator which could be moved around in a flood event.

Moved by Alderman Jeppson and seconded by Alderman Crane to approve a recommendation regarding the installation of generator transfer switches at the City’s Well Field Stands at a cost of $103,882.00 and related matters.

ROLL CALL

AYES: Chairman Ptak, Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane

NAYS: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 8-0

City Engineer Brown said this one will run off natural gas as there is a line there.

Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Thompson to approve a recommendation regarding the installation of a generator transfer switch at the East End Booster Station at a cost of $19,971.00 and related matters.

ROLL CALL

AYES: Chairman Ptak, Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane

NAYS: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 8-0

Alderman Jeppson said these signs are quite weathered and hard to read and this is the right thing to do. Chairman Ptak said he felt the same when he drove by to look at the signs.

Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Jeppson to approve a recommendation regarding the purchase of six double-facing Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District advertising signs at a cost of $3,780.00 and related matters.

ROLL CALL

AYES: Chairman Ptak, Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane

NAYS: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 8-0

OLD BUSINESS

No comments regarding the bills

NEW BUSINESS

Finance Director John Duncan said the City has 15 accounts that use over 15,000 kilowatts a year and are excluded from the City’s aggregate electric program. They are on their own contract and include areas such as Hegeler Park, 9th and Sterling Park, Library, City Garage and others. The rates for power on those locations expire in September. There are projected rate increases and when quotes are received, they are only held for a 24-hour period. The City’s consultant for this, Rock River, has recommended to lock the current rates in. Duncan said it can be formally approved at the next meeting if the Committee is in favor. The lowest bid was Homefield Energy which would save roughly $0.2 per kilowatt hour. Finance Director Duncan asked if the Committee would take Rock River’s recommendation for approval at the next meeting.

Chairman Ptak asked how long the rates would be locked in, and Duncan said it would be a fixed rate for two years. Ptak asked the Committee who agreed they are in favor of the recommendation.

COMMENTS

Resident Mike Kasp, 923 Marquette Street, said he’s been involved in TIF monies on the La Salle County Board. He talked about the work he did to assist in the City getting ARPA funds for the façade grant program. He said the current TIF projects are very important and said CL Real Estate has done very much over the years for the community which have provided good paying jobs. He said he knows the Council will later vote to consider an extension of the TIF agreement for the Maytag Building project. He said the impact of COVID and the business model they’ve tried, they deserve a “third or fourth chance.” He said they are not selfish, and they would consider themself selfless for the community.

Chairman Ptak said in order to take advantage of a TIF is to complete the project. He said the Council is not voting to extend the agreement but rather voting to terminate the contract. He said the developers have not approached the City regarding what they want. Ptak said he’s hoping the developers approach the Council and ask for an extension, which they have not yet done. Mr. Kasap said Mr. Fox and Inga Carus and Peter Limberger approached him to speak to the Council. Chairman Ptak said they should approach the Council themselves.

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

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.

Chairman Ptak adjourned the meeting at 6:20pm 

https://www.lasalle-il.gov/sites/default/files/agendas-minutes/2024-06/5-13-24.pdf