Illinois Valley Times

Village of Ladd Village Board met Nov. 12

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Ladd Village Board met in regular session on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, in the Ladd Village Hall at 121 N. Main Avenue. Village President Pro Tem, Jan Martin, 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, and Molly Thrasher (5)

Absent: President Cattani and Trustee Andy Ruggerio (1)

Martin announced that President Cattani and Trustee Ruggerio are over at the Bureau County Board meeting regarding the Solar Farm proposed for north of Ladd.

In attendance: Village Clerk Rhonda Bezely, Admin. Asst. Sammi Sarosinski, Superintendent Doug Englehaupt, Attorney Pat Barry, Building Inspector Barry Flanagan, Engineer Adam Ossola, Police Chief Jacob Frund

Thrasher motioned/Nicholson second to accept the October 22, 2024, regular meeting minutes as presented.

Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Thrasher - Motion carried

Absent: Ruggerio

Nelson motioned/Margherio second to authorize payment of the bills in the amount of $100,769.21

Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Thrasher - Motion carried

Absent: Ruggerio

Correspondence: A thank you was read from Joe & Rhonda Bezely for the sympathy gift. A thank you was read for the donation to Project Success for Holiday Food Baskets.

Public Comment: None

Committee Reports: Nothing to Report

Engineer’s Report: Flooring @ Community Center: Ossola reported that the Community Center floor testing to ensure it is not asbestos will cost more than the $3,000.00 that was authorized at the last meeting. Ossola received a bid of $3,000.00 to $4,500.00 for inspection and a written report detailing how to handle the situation. The price depends on the amount of asbestos that is found. The Council directed Ossola to move forward with what must be done and we will approve this in the bills.

Superintendent’s Report: New Business: Water Testing Bids: Englehaupt told the council that IL EPA had sent their annual Community Water Supply Testing Program paperwork. We requested pricing from TEST, Inc. for these same required tests for the council to compare. The cost is lower to have TEST perform this state-mandated testing.

Nicholson motioned/ Thrasher second to Hire TEST, Inc. for the State Mandated Testing for the Water Supply.

Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Thrasher - Motion carried

Absent: Ruggerio 

New Business: Discuss Water Tower Maintenance Bids vs. Renewing Contract with Central Tank Coatings: Englehaupt stated that Central Tank Coatings has had the contract for the last 10 years. The contract has expired and Englehaupt asked the council how they feel and whether they want to obtain bids. If they do Englehaupt stated that he would recommend we hire Chamlin to put together a bid book to make sure all contractors are bidding the same things. Englehaupt has no issue with Central Tank Coatings but last year there was a problem with overspray. They did take care of all overspray issues. Englehaupt feels that the last several years of inspections need to be reviewed so any issues or recommendations are part of the bid book. Margherio feels it would be a good idea to go out for a bid. Englehaupt repeated that he would like the board to authorize Chamlin to come up with a bid book. Ossola stated that this bid book would cost approximately $2,000.00. Englehaupt stated that this does not have to be done immediately. Ossola can look over the inspection reports and make sure any issues get put into the bid book. After this gets done the board can look it over.

Police Chief: Chief Frund reported that the Police Department obtained a $9,000.00 Traffic Grant. This must be done at certain times of the day. This allows officers to come in and work the grant for a few hours. A new officer was hired, Paul Petersen, and this gave Ladd another officer to help out. A Taser Grant was also received. The current Tasers are so old that you cannot fix them or get cartridges for them. A $13,000.00 grant will provide 4 new Tasers. It will cost the Village approximately $2, 000.00 annually for batteries, cartridges, and training which is not part of the grant. Tasers de-escalate situations. They do not get used a lot but just showing people who are fighting the Taser causes them to stop. Frund told the Council there were several juvenile cases this summer which are completed and over with the Juvenile States Attorney. Margherio stated that East Cleveland Street hills issues and Frund speaking with the residents is not working. He feels there is going to be a head-on collision out there. Cars are still parking too much on the road. It is a real issue. Atty. Barry stated that we should designate this area as a no-parking zone. It was asked where will these residents park or their company park. Frund is concerned that if only certain areas are designated no-parking zones he’ll be getting calls that why are only certain areas made no-parking. Englehaupt suggested coring out the grass and putting in gravel for a parking lane. For now, Frund will have his officers go knock on doors if someone is parked too far onto the roadway.

New Business: Discuss Grass-Cutting Concerns: Todd Bogatitus attended and stated he has not received any calls from the Village of Ladd complaining about grass-cutting problems. He is asking that issues be communicated to him. Bogatitus wants to take care of any issues the council feels are present. Thrasher stated that residents who live by Kennedy Park feel the grass cutters drive way too fast. They weed eat every other week so they don’t burn out the grass. Bogatitus suggested more weed killers be applied to the fence down low to get the weeds under control. The warning track and fence line should be sprayed twice a year by D&M Landscaping in the Spring and late Summer. Spraying weed killers at the park requires mandatory posting of information. A turf classification is required to spray in a park. You don’t want to fail to post the required information and have a kid get sick from the chemical used and not have any knowledge that it was done.

Building Inspector: Flanagan reported his concerns at the old Ladd Furniture Building at 109 N. Main Ave. Flanagan stated that the new owner is removing the basement and floor joist and filling it with gravel. It looks like they are burying all the old floor underneath the gravel. This area will eventually rot and sink or collapse. The way the building is designed the truss system is done by tie rods and cables to support everything. Flanagan isn’t sure if the floor joist isn’t part of the whole support system. The structural engineer report was what led the previous owner to sell. Nothing was ever followed up on these structural issues. It was stated that we need to ask the new owners to be at the next meeting to discuss what is being done. The structure of the building has been changed from its original status. Englehaupt asked if the structural inspection was required to be disclosed before the sale of the building. Atty. Barry stated no it would not have had to be. No one followed up on these issues on the Village of Ladd’s side. The owners of this building will be called and asked to attend the next meeting and the council will discuss these issues. It is felt that we need occupancy permits to keep these types of things from happening.

Village Attorney: Old Business: Ordinance #1176 Deputy Clerk Wage: Atty. Barry explained the ordinance effective 10-28-2024 brought Julie Koch, Deputy Clerk from $20.07/hour to $22.57/hour. Nicholson motioned/Thrasher second to Adopt Ordinance 1176 An Ordinance Amending the Wage Rate For The Deputy Clerk/Utility Biller of the Village of Ladd, Bureau County, Illinois.

Ayes: Thrasher, Nelson, Nicholson, Martin, Margherio - Motion carried

Absent: Ruggerio, Cattani

Old Business: Updated Information on Ladd Cemetery: Sammi Sarosinki updated the council about her findings after speaking with surrounding Cities and Villages regarding their municipal-owned cemeteries. It was found that these municipalities have not submitted much documentation. Atty. Barry stated that there is a pretty big difference between when a private entity owns the cemetery vs. a municipality. The resounding message is don’t do it. It is not a money maker and requires a lot of work hours. The biggest difference is the Village could use the perpetual fund money whereas the private association can only use the interest in the perpetual fund. The other difference is that if the Village owns it all vendors or contracted workers must be paid prevailing wage. Martin asked when this decision must be made. There is no deadline specifically. Things will continue as they are until something happens to Paul. Making any decisions on this matter needs a full board present.

Old Business: Folding Machine: Sammi Sarosinski explained the quote she obtained for a new folding & stuffing machine in detail. The purchase price is $3,800.00. She answered all questions from the council. This could be used for monthly bills, disconnects, or any other mail that requires folding. The only question she needs to get information on is what is the manufacturer’s warranty. This will be placed on the November 26, 2024, agenda for further discussion and a decision.

Announcements: Cruz Concrete gave a price of $800 to grind down the sidewalk in front of the Post Office that is raised but stated this may make this area slick. Cruz also quoted cutting out the raised areas and repouring them for $1,500.00. It won’t be the prettiest solution but it will be more smooth with no concern for tripping. The council feels we should go with the repour for $1,500.00. A copy of the funds received from the BC Treasurer for the 2nd installment of Property Tax money was reviewed. The ESDA Funds cannot be used to cover the 10/33 Ambulance shortfall. Bezely wanted to make sure the council was aware that Brandy Groleau’s parents were severely burned in a house fire. Bezely asked if the council could respond to a question about whether or not the Ladd Community Center will still be available to be rented next year or do they foresee renovation starting. The council said they don’t see renovation happening at this time or anytime soon. Perfectly Flawed sent tickets for a preview night the day before their Gala on November 15, 2024. This gives community members a chance to see what they do and help with supporting this excellent cause. A new Girl Scout Troop has been established in Ladd and they are using the Community Center on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. They have provided a Certificate of Insurance. A copy of an email from Doug to the Village, Jed, and the other union employees was supplied to the council per Cattani. He had Bezely respond to this email that everything was fine. Nicholson asked about 10/33 Ambulance and how we will fix the situation with their increase per capita. Discussion ensued. A 10/33 representative will attend our next meeting to help explain. BC Board Meeting results on the Solar Farm were 8 voting NO and 7 voting YES – it did not pass.

Thrasher motioned/Nicholson second that we adjourn.

Ayes: Margherio, Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Thrasher – Motion carried

Absent: Ruggerio

The meeting adjourned at 7:48 pm

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