Illinois Valley Times

City of LaSalle City Council met Oct. 28

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

A regular meeting of the La Salle City Council of La Salle, Illinois was held, Monday, October 28, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. with Mayor Jeff Grove with proper notices being duly and continuously posted.

The meeting was called to order at 6:54 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Chairman Ptak asked for a moment of silence for Cindy Arbisi, who was secretary to the Mayor at the City of Lasalle for 27 years, from 1985 to 2012.

ROLL CALL

Present – Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane

Absent – Mayor Grove

Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Herndon to appoint Alderman Ptak as Mayor Pro-Tem due to the absence of the Mayor.

ROLL CALL

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

NAYS: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 7-0

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

A quorum was present.

COMMENTS

Dawn Hicks thanked Mayor Grove for informing the public about the recent burn and emphasizes the importance of air quality monitoring. She also reminded alderman to consider the health impacts of issues raised by constituents, not just their own concerns.

Brianne Hicks inquired about the street sweeper in regard to a delivery date. She also asked if the city has an operator when it does arrive and a schedule for its operation. She also raised concerns about the property at 1218 Porter Avenue. She questioned the  timeline for the homeowner to complete the work and if the city is monitoring the property.

Brianne Hicks also wanted to discuss the painting of the curbs in front of the fire hydrants and the ordinance regarding chicken and ducks. Dena Hicks asked Kevin Fay about the delivery date on the street sweeper. Fay stated that he was told by mid-November. Hicks also inquired about the status of the city’s televising truck because she noticed a bid for televising. Dena Hicks also questioned the bidding process for the roof work on the Public Works building. She mentioned that she was told that certain people were asked to do the job when she thought there was a bidding process.

PRESENTATIONS

Mayor Pro-Tem Ptak stated that the council will skip over the presentation from Bart Hartauer regarding Health Insurance Renewal Representation. The Presentation was done at the Finance meeting, and no action was needed at this time.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Thompson to accept and place on file minutes of the Regular City Council meeting held October 14, 2024. Each and every alderman has a copy.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.

DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING PETITIONS:

Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Crane to approve the request from Ameren Illinois to break curb at 142 Cavalier Court to install gas service.

ROLL CALL

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

NAYS: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: Alderman Lavieri

MOTION CARRIED: 7-0-1

City Engineer Brian Brown requested that Stratus Networks would be using flush mount fiber optic markers in the downtown area when doing this project.

Moved by Alderman Thompson and Alderman Bacidore to approve the amended request from Stratus Networks to break ground in vicinity of 3rd and Marquette Street intersection to extend fiber optics network to 250 Marquette Street.

ROLL CALL

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

NAYS: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 8-0

Moved by Alderman Thompson and seconded by Alderman Jeppson to approve the request from Prairie Signs, Inc. on behalf of Cooper Street Bakery to install a singlefacing, illuminated wall sign at 348 Civic Road.

ROLL CALL

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

NAYS: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 8-0

Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Thompson to approve the request for a 2024 Raffle License from Buzzy’s Bar for the benefit of Officer Santa.

ROLL CALL

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

NAYS: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 8-0

Moved by Alderman Bacidore and seconded by Alderman Thompson to approve the request for a 2024 Raffle License from Rephil’s for an employee cancer benefit.

Mr. McPhedran mentioned that this raffle is allowed due to philanthropic purpose.

ROLL CALL

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

NAYS: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 8-0

Attorney McPhedran also made a point that for every raffle license request, the clerk is very careful to make sure that it is indicated to be for a philanthropic/charitable purpose.

Alderman Thompson did ask if Chief Smudzinski did background checks on the following two names that were requesting Solicitor’s Permit. He said that both names came back clear.

Moved by Alderman Bacidore and seconded by Alderman Thompson to grant the request for a Solicitor’s Permit from Brandon Gorden of Legacy Solar.

ROLL CALL

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

NAYS: Alderman Jeppson, Alderman Crane Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 6-2

Alderman Thompson also reminded all residents that they can pick up “No Soliciting” signage free at the city hall.

Moved by Alderman Thompson and seconded by Alderman Bacidore to grant the request for Solicitor’s Permit from Kaynen Bond of IGS Energy.

ROLL CALL

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

NAYS: Alderman Crane, Alderman Jeppson Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 6-2

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS

Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Herndon to approve, accept, and place on file the Treasurer’s Report for September 2024 showing total cash balances in LaSalle State Bank of $10,576,872.05 and in Hometown National Bank of $8,264,957.02

ROLL CALL

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

NAYS: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 8-0

Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Herndon to approve, accept, and place on file Annual Treasurer’s Report for the City of LaSalle for the Fiscal Year ending April 30, 2024. Each and every alderman has a copy.

ROLL CALL

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

NAYS: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 8-0

Finance Director John Duncan mentioned that the Annual Treasurer’s Report will be published in tomorrow’s NewsTribune after the approval today.

BIDS

City Engineer Brian Brown discussed the need for sewer cleaning and televising, mentioning the low bid of $92,000 and the importance of the project. Brown did request the consultant’s presence at the startup to ensure the work is done per contract. This will be for the sewers east of Joliet, from Canal to Route 6, potentially up to Sixth Street.

Brown mentioned that the city does have their own bid bond protection in case the low bidder pulls out of bid due to potentially under bidding.

Alderman Thompson asked if the city had their own equipment to do the televising and Brown stated that the equipment was not functioning. It is about 20 years old.

Alderman Thompson suggested to award the bid based on the city engineer’s recommendation and stipulating a 25% adjustment.

Moved by Alderman Thompson and seconded by Alderman Bacidore to accept the bid price of for 2024 Sewer Cleaning and Televising project.

ROLL CALL

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

NAYS: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 8-0

STANDING COMMITTEES

Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Herndon to approve the recommendation of the Finance Committee regarding a request to accept and place on file the Fiscal year 2024 Audit. Each and every alderman has a copy.

ROLL CALL

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

NAYS: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 8-0

Moved by Alderman Bacidore and seconded by Alderman Herndon to approve the recommendation of the Streets, Alleys, and Traffic Committee to deny the request to add a stop sign for southbound traffic on Linden Avenue at the Kilmer Road intersection and accept the recommendation to add a “No Parking” sign on the west side of Linden Avenue from driveway nearest the Kilmer Road intersection to corner.

ROLL CALL

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

NAYS: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 8-0

Moved by Alderman Bacidore and seconded by Alderman Jeppson to approve the recommendation of the Streets, Alleys, and Traffic Committee to approve the request to add a “No Parking” sign from the driveway east of 105 Gunn Ave., to Chartres St.

ROLL CALL

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

NAYS: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 8-0

NEW BUSINESS

Alderman Thompson emphasized the importance of completing sewer work before winter. Public Works Director Kevin Fay mentioned that he was told that delivery date for the street sweeper was mid-November. Fay stated that the city now has numerous workers with CDLs that can run this machine. He also plans on keeping a similar schedule like the leaf vac schedule.

Alderman Herndon mentioned that Building Inspector Dennis Hocking is doing a phenomenal job with notices to homes. He mentioned that two notices have went out to 1218 Porter St. This residence was mentioned earlier as a concern from another resident. This residence has paid his fine and is trying to make progress to his home.

Alderman Ptak asked the status of the old sewer televising truck and if it was in disrepair or worth selling. Kevin Fay believes it to be worth selling, with the camera system to be obsolete. Alderman Crane supports rehabilitating the truck instead of using a pallet skid.

City Engineer mentioned the upcoming Run, Run Rudolph event at Rotary Park on November 10th at 5:30pm with staging and busing occurring at LP sports complex.

Pro-Tem Mayor Ptak wanted to mention that the city had another successful Hometown Halloween celebration, with LaSalle Halloween being October 31st from 5-7pm.

APPROVAL OF BILLS

Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Jeppson to accept, pay, and file the bills from October 28, 2024: Total Submitted: $1,580,594.96 (Total Payroll $289,450.37, Bills to be Paid $197,835.91, Total Bills Paid $1,093,408.68). Each and every alderman has a copy.

ROLL CALL

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

NAYS: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 8-0

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

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.

ADJOURNED 7:34 pm

https://www.lasalle-il.gov/sites/default/files/agendas-minutes/2024-11/10-28-24_1.pdf