Illinois Valley Times

City of LaSalle Finance Committee met July 8

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

ROLL CALL

Present: Alderman Bacidore, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane

Excused Absence: Chairman Ptak, Alderman Thompson

Others Present: Deputy Clerk Brent Bader, Economic Development Director Curt Bedei, Director of Public Works Kevin Fay, Police Chief Mike Smudzinski, City Attorney James McPhedran, City Engineer Brian Brown, City Building Inspector Andy Bacidore,

City Treasurer Virginia Kochanowski

Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to allow Alderman Lavieri to be Pro-Tem Chair for this meeting due to Alderman Ptak’s excused absence.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.

Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Jeppson to approve the minutes from June 24, 2024.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.

Alderman Lavieri mentioned that he had spoke with Chairman Ptak and Finance Director Duncan in regard to this purchase. It was discussed that the purchase will come from 50% street department and 50% water department with a maintenance contract included in this purchase amount of $323,830.90.

The Warranty coincides with the Maintenace program. Alderman Crane stated that there is a life span on the hopper and that was important to him. Director Fay mentioned that this vehicle has a side dump with the hopper being able to be dumped into dump truck.

Deana Hicks asked the committee if the Maintenace program was extra. It was included in the price given but it was an extra purchase. She also asked if anyone from the city would be working on this vehicle. Fay stated that they could change out the heads and spray nozzles, but the bigger maintenance would be sent out to the company to maintain and/or fix. Hicks also asked if there would be any driver from the city with a CDL. Fay mentioned that there are now multiple drivers between both city departments.

Alderman Crane likes the thought of having the four-year maintenance program to try it out for that time period. Since this would be maintained by the company for the four years, they would still have a well-maintained vehicle for trade-in or resale. 

The city did get a chance to demo within the downtown about two months ago and they were very happy with how well it maneuvered.

Dawn Hicks asked if the city would still plan on cleaning up oxidizers off the street. Fay said that he does not plan on cleaning up oxidizers.

Alderman Jeppson asked about the delivery time. Fay believed it to be the end of August.

Alderman Crane asked if the city could get a demo unit from this company if this was approved tonight for purchase. Fay will look into this.

Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Crane to approve the recommendation regarding the purchase of a New Elgin Pelican NP Street Sweeper at a cost of $323,830.90 from Standard Equipment.

ROLL CALL

AYES: Aldermen Bacidore, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane

NAYS: NONE Absent: Chairman Ptak, Alderman Thompson, Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 6-0

Alderman Crane mentioned that the Sewer Fund is a very healthy fund that they may want to take from also for this purchase. It was mentioned that the purchase would come from the Street and Water Departments funds.

Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to approve the recommendation regarding the purchase of two power transfer switch control panels to replace existing ones at a cost of $9,960 from Cummins Sales and Service and a cost of $5,926 to install from JB Contracting.

ROLL CALL

AYES: Aldermen Bacidore, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane

NAYS: NONE Absent: Chairman Ptak, Alderman Thompson, Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 6-0

City Engineer Brian Brown mentioned that he had bids go out for Depot Wall on First Street. He would like to proceed with Cruz Concrete doing the work with Brown acting as the general contractor, with looking for some to excavate and backfill. Brown mentioned that it would save the city some money if he would be the one acting as general contractor.

Brown also mentioned that with the additional OSLAD funds they plan to use on the sledding hill. Brown spoke to the Department of Natural Resources and they could do a single source bid for the snowmaking machine with internal booster and a tow rope system. Brown is looking for the committee's approval to move forward to contact  business for these two items for the sledding hill. Brown mentioned that the tow rope company will be giving Brown last year’s model at a minimal cost.

Brown was looking for guidance from the committee in regard to proceed with work on Depot wall. All council members were in favor of Brown proceeding.

Alderman Crane was not completely in favor of purchasing the snow machine or the tow rope. Brown mentioned that the hill is about 550-600 ft. stretch. Brown said that this was in original grant application. He said that they would like to continue with what was originally mentioned and to stay in compliance with grant. Brown mentioned that there would also be steps too. The city already has the grant, but they would like to stay in compliance. Brown mentioned that it is a 50/50 grant. It would cost the city about $25,000 to proceed with this purchase.

Alderman Herndon is in favor of the sledding hill to see children outside playing. Brown hopes to have it running by this winter.

Deana Hicks asked if this would need a worker out there. Brown says that they do plan on having a city worker out there. There will be rotary shelters available along with the restrooms available too. They could also put in a hut for the worker like at Rotary Park Lights.

Brown mentioned how the hill and entire venture will be reviewed properly by insurance company and DNR.

Brown mentioned that they also plan on adding two more pickle ball courts with the grant monies. He originally planned to do two but looking to expand to four courts.

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

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.

Aldermen Lavieri adjourned the meeting at 6:20pm

https://www.lasalle-il.gov/sites/default/files/agendas-minutes/2024-08/7-8-24.pdf