Illinois Valley Times

City of LaSalle Finance Committee met Dec. 9

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

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

ROLL CALL

Present – Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Reynolds, Lavieri, Herndon

Excused Absent – Alderman Ptak, Alderman Jeppson, Alderman Crane,

Moved by Alderman Thompson and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to make Alderman Lavieri Pro-Tem Chairperson.

ROLL CALL

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

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

MOTION CARRIED: 5-0

Alderman Jeppson arrived at 6:01pm.

Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Thompson to allow Alderman Crane to attend the meeting remotely.

ROLL CALL

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

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

MOTION CARRIED: 6-0

ROLL CALL

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

Alderman Crane (remotely via phone call)

Absent – Alderman Ptak

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

A quorum was present.

Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Thompson to approve the minutes from November 25, 2024.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.

Lance Korter first started out by thanking the police chief, Mike Smudzinski, for his continued support and help with traffic control during Thanksgiving time, which helped feed many people safely. The food pantry has been operational for 42 years, with long term members like Mrs. Rose Lynch and Sue Myers. The organization relies heavily on donations and has seen a significant increase in demand, with a 55% rise in 2023 and an additional 5% in 2024.

The pantry supports various community needs, including schools, churches, and summer lunches for kids, with a significant increase in spending on summer lunches from $1,300 in 2020 to $9,200 in 2024.

Mr. Korter continued by discussing the financial challenges, including the need for more storage space and the high cost of building a new facility. The pantry is looking to expand and is considering a new location, with an estimated cost of $2.2 million for a 10,000 square foot facility. The pantry receives support from donors like Hy-Vee, Walmart, and local schools, but still faces storage issues.

Mary Jo Credi provided details on the cost of food for the boxes, ranging from $65 to $83, showing the pantry’s reliance on donations.

Mr. Korter requested a donation from the committee, highlighting the pantry’s impact on the community and the need for financial support. He mentioned a potential location owned by Schweickert on 24th Street, which could provide enough space for expansion.

The pantry is currently in negotiations with Mr. Schweickert and is looking to start fundraising once a property is secured.

Alderman Reynolds suggested considering a $500 donation. Alderman Thompson proposed tabling the decision for two weeks to allow more time for the Finance

Committee to review the request. The committee agreed to table the decision and bring it back for a final vote in two weeks.

There were no questions or comments from the public.

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

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.

Pro-Tem Chair Lavieri adjourned the meeting at 6:18 p.m.

https://www.lasalle-il.gov/sites/default/files/agendas-minutes/2025-01/12-9-24.pdf