Illinois Valley Times

City of LaSalle Finance Committee met July 22

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Chair Pro-Tem Lavieri called the Meeting to order at 6:00 pm

ROLL CALL

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

Absent: Chairman Ptak, Alderman Jeppson

Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Crane to allow Alderman Lavieri to act as Chair Pro-Tem due to Chairman Ptak’s excused absence.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.

Others Present: Finance Director John Duncan, Deputy Clerk Brent Bader, Economic Development Director Curt Bedei, City Attorney Jim McPhedran, City Engineer Brian Brown, Fire Chief Jerry Janick, Director of Public Works Kevin Fay, City Treasurer Virginia Kochanowski

A quorum was present.

Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Thompson to approve the minutes from June 18, 2024.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.

Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Herndon to approve the minutes from July 8, 2024.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.

Carol Alcorn, Executive Director of Illinois Valley PADS for 20 years, shared insights on homeless shelter support. She highlighted the organization’s growth and successes, including housing 94 families/individuals and hoping to raise $4 million for a new building in Ottawa. Alcorn also discussed how the organization’s website is 10 years old and in need of an upgrade to better serve the community and separate the two resale stores from the two shelters.

Pat Walters, Alcorn’s assistant, explained how the organization’s retail store is crucial for the shelter's support. She also explained how the two shelters, Peru and Ottawa, work together and are able to transport residents between shelters if one is overflowing.

Walters also mentioned the need for the organization to update its website and POS system to improve inventory management and training. Walters also shared some of the efforts that have been made throughout the shelter to the homeless people of the area, including transportation and job training programs. Walters hopes to also improve community involvement. Walters stated that she had two more estimates to come in for  the website building and she projects them to come in at about $20-$25,000. Walters shared success stories from those that have came through the shelters, along with all the programs they offer to help and support those that visit or live in the shelter.

Alderman Crane asked Walters how she came up with $4,000 as the amount for the city’s donation. She said that she was basing the donation amount off the size of the city.

Alderman Thompson stated that the city has never donated to PADS, he understands that it is a large donation, but this has allowed many to have a place to go rather than in area parks or streets. Alderman Crane does agree that it is a very large donation also and hopes other organizations don’t think that they can ask for such a donation.

Alderman Thompson said that those organizations could not prove the housing and the employment opportunities like PADS can. Thompson also said that Chief Smudzinski would agree that the Police Department appreciates a place like PADS too.

Moved by Alderman Thompson and seconded by Alderman Herndon to approve the recommendation regarding request for a monetary donation of $4,000 to Illinois Valley Pads Homeless Shelter.

ROLL CALL

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

NAYS: NONE Absent: Chairman Ptak, Alderman Jeppson

Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 6-0

Alderman Reynolds asked if Peru was their only location. The women explained that they have Peru and Ottawa location.

Chair Pro-Tem Lavieri stated that he discussed this bid for the pumper truck with Finance Director Duncan and Chairman Ptak. Lavieri stated that it was suggested that they go with a 10-year finance plan with $133,710 coming out this year.

Chief Janick said that this bid is through the Source World Consortium Pricing, which is mainly a State Bid, and LaSalle is a member of. Their current truck is a ‘96. It is estimated that it will take 3 ½ - 4 years to get the new truck in.

Alderman Crane appreciates two firefighters in the crowd

Alderman Thompson pointed out that another reason to support this purchase of a new truck is for the safety features.

Chief Jerry Janick stated that this new truck bid included frontal impact and side roll protection. 

Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Thompson to approve the recommendation regarding the purchase of a Pierce Enforcer Fire Engine.

ROLL CALL

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

NAYS: NONE Absent: Chairman Ptak, Alderman Jeppson

Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 6-0

Finance Director Duncan asked if there were any other questions on appropriations.

There were no questions or comments from the public.

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

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.

ADJOURNED 6:23 pm

https://www.lasalle-il.gov/sites/default/files/agendas-minutes/2024-08/7-22-24.pdf