Illinois Valley Times

City of LaSalle City Council met Dec. 23

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

A regular meeting of the La Salle City Council of La Salle, Illinois was held, Monday, December 23, 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 6:30 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Grove asked for a moment of silence for Ed Bruski, former La Salle Police Officer, that had recently passed away.

ROLL CALL

Present – Mayor Jeff Grove, Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Herndon

Excused Absent – Alderman Jeppson, Alderman Crane

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

ROLL CALL

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

NAYS: NONE Absent: Alderman Jeppson Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 6-0

ROLL CALL

Present – Mayor Jeff Grove, Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri,

Jeppson, Herndon, Alderman Crane (remotely via phone call)

Absent – Alderman Jeppson

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

A quorum was present.

Mayor Grove reminded all that public comment is their time to speak and he will not talk during this time but hopefully will be able to potentially answer any questions later in the meeting. 

COMMENTS

Dawn Hicks raised concerns about the lack of stop signs (east and west) on Seventh and Hennepin. She has noticed increased speeding and near accidents at this intersection.

She also questioned why the council would only be discussing the Kaskaskia building, noting the incomplete Maytag building and lack of transparency. Dawn Hicks asked for clarification on the $70,000 contribution to the celebration of lights, along with the status of the new street sweeper.

Brianne Hicks questioned the revocation of the chicken and duck ordinance and requests information on reported violations and complaints that were associated with this ordinance. Brianne Hicks also criticized the city’s donation to the girls’ softball tournament of over $1,000 in comparison to the smaller amount of $250 to NCAT, which is a local transportation service that does benefit many in the community. She also asked for the stop sign and yield sign at Chartres and Raccuglia Drive to be looked at.

Dena Hicks requests transparency by making meeting packets available before the meetings. Dean Hicks also suggested using some of the Christmas light donation for the food pantry. She also criticized an alderman for ongoing ordinance violations and questions his eligibility to run for office.

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 December 9, 2024. Each and every alderman has a copy.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS

Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to approve, accept, and place on file the Treasurer’s Report for November 2024 showing total cash balances in LaSalle State Bank of $10,739,721.76 and in Hometown National Bank of $8,392,828.52.

Each and every alderman has a copy.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.

COMMUNICATIONS

Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Herndon to accept and place on file the Thank you Letter from the Perfectly Flawed Foundation.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.

Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to accept and place on file Illinois Department of Revenue report showing sales tax collected for September 2024 of $90,695.23 and Home Rule Sales Tax of $80,098.31 for a total of $170,793.54. Each and every alderman has a copy. 

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.

APPOINTMENTS/RESIGNATIONS

Moved by Alderman Thompson and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to approve the request to hire a candidate for the position of Firefighter from the Firefighter Eligibility list per the recommendation of the Police and Fire Commissioners for the City of LaSalle.

ROLL CALL

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

NAYS: NONE Absent: Alderman Jeppson Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 7-0

STANDING COMMITTEES

Alderman Ptak informed the mayor that the council agreed to postpone the recommendation of the Finance Committee regarding a request for monetary donation from the Illinois Valley Food Pantry until the council is able to appropriate the next year’s budget.

Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to approve the recommendation of the Finance Committee regarding a request from Robert Donovan on behalf of The Dog House for a Rebuild Downtown La Salle Program (RCLP) grant totaling $2,040 for premises located at 848 1st Street.

ROLL CALL

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

NAYS: NONE Absent: Alderman Jeppson Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 7-0

OLD BUSINESS

Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Thompson to approve the authorization of Pay Request #1 for SewerTech, LLC totaling $51,485.08 for work completed to date on 2024 Sewer Cleaning & Televising – Ward 2 south of 5th Street project. Each and every alderman has a copy.

ROLL CALL

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

NAYS: NONE Absent: Alderman Jeppson Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 7-0

Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Thompson to approve the authorization of Payment for Hoerr Construction, Inc. totaling $32,027.00 for work completed to date on 1st Street Sewer Cleaning west of Crosat Street project. Each and every alderman has a copy.

ROLL CALL

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

NAYS: NONE Absent: Alderman Jeppson Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 7-0

City Building Inspector Dennis Hocking provided an update on the Kaskaskia development, noting ongoing discussions and inspections scheduled for January 8th for both the Maytag building and Kaskaskia property. Hocking stated that he, along with City Engineer Brown, council attorney, Fire Chief Janick, and Structural Engineer Scott Brown, will be present during the inspections.

NEW BUSINESS

Deputy Clerk Brent Bader read a letter from Police Chief Mike Smudzinski in regard to recognizing the attentiveness of mail carrier, Anthony Tisdale. While delivering mail, he heard a resident yelling for assistance, and he took it upon himself to check on this individual who had fallen and needed medical attention. Emergency services were called and the resident was transported to the hospital.

Alderman Thompson asked if the city could provide something to this mail carrier for his actions. Mayor Grove suggested writing a letter of accommodations to the Post Master.

Mayor Grove also thanked mail carrier, Mike Davis for his action in a similar incident a few days after the one that was just mentioned.

Mayor Grove thanked the Jakse Family, Crouch Family and the police officers and the fire department for their efforts during Operation Claus project. Mayor Grove also thanked Chief Smudzinski and John Duncan for their efforts during the food pantry distributions.

Alderman Herndon acknowledged the use of the drone in a high-speed chase and its effectiveness in apprehending suspects.

Mayor Grove thanked everyone for their contributions and efforts throughout the year, emphasizing the importance of being accessible to the public.

APPROVAL OF BILLS

Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to accept, pay, and file the bills from December 23, 2024: Total Submitted: $814,888.12 (Total Payroll $214,840.25, Bills to be Paid $383,374.51, Total Bills Paid $216,673.36). Each and every alderman has a copy. 

ROLL CALL

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

NAYS: NONE Absent: Alderman Jeppson Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 6-0

Mayor Grove wished everyone a safe and Happy Holiday.

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

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.

ADJOURNED 6:55 pm

https://www.lasalle-il.gov/sites/default/files/agendas-minutes/2025-01/12-23-24_0.pdf