Illinois Valley Times

Village of Ladd Village Board met Feb. 11

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Ladd Village Board met in regular session on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, in the Ladd Village Hall at 121 N. Main Avenue. Village President Frank Cattani called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm and led the pledge of allegiance to the American flag.

Roll Call: Present: Trustees Jan Martin, Dan Nelson, Brad Nicholson, Andy Ruggerio, Molly Thrasher, and Bernie Victor (6)

In attendance: Clerk Rhonda Bezely, Engineer Adam Ossola, Attys. Pat Barry & Colin Barry, Police Chief Jacob Frund

Martin motioned/Nicholson second to accept the January 28, 2025, regular meeting minutes as presented.

Ayes: Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio, Thrasher, Victor - Motion carried

Nelson motioned/Thrasher second to authorize payment of the bills for $63,781.45

Ayes: Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio, Thrasher, Victor - Motion carried

Correspondence: A letter of appreciation to past trustee Dave Margherio was read.

Public Comment: None

Committee Reports: Ruggerio asked if, during the next brush pickup, we could offer residents who have had big piles in their yards for a long time to contact the Clerk’s office to have public works pick these piles up with the Kubota to clean up the town. These piles are on the berm. Cattani stated that Ruggerio needs to tell Chief Frund which houses these are so he can address this with the resident.

Engineer’s Report: Ossola stated that the Water Tower Maintenance will bid on March 4, 2025.

New Business: West Side Sewer Separation Update: Ossola said he will work with Atty. Barry to get these easements signed as soon as possible.

Superintendent’s Report: Not in attendance

Police Chief: Nothing to report

Building Inspector: Not in attendance

Village Attorney: New Business: Video Gaming Terminal Fees Ordinance: Ordinance 1180 was read and reviewed by the council.

Thrasher motioned/Ruggerio second to Pass An Ordinance 1180 Relating to Video Gaming Terminal Fees for the Village of Ladd, Bureau County, IL.

Ayes: Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio, Thrasher, Victor, Cattani - Motion carried

Nayes: Martin 

Cattani asked for an update on the possible annexation. It is still in conversation. The owner is waiting on a couple of things. He is to return to Illinois in late February or early March, and Atty. Barry will reach out again at that time.

Cattani also spoke with Rick Smith regarding his parking pad and told him the Village will cover 1/3rd of the cost. He is to determine what size he would like, and he’ll get back to Cattani.

Old Business: IMEA Request to Renew Contract for 20 More Years to 2055: Rodd Whelpley & Sean McCarthy from the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency attended tonight's meeting with a detailed handout explaining the need to obtain acceptance from their 32 members for an additional 20 years with the IMEA. This handout also covered the need to do this so early, which was a big question for the entire council. After a lengthy discussion with ample questions and answers, it was decided to give the council time to think about this information and prepare their additional questions before determining the best interest of the Village of Ladd.

New Business: Discuss implementing Municipal Taxes in the Village of Ladd: Atty. Colin Barry explained that as of January 1, 2025, Illinois no longer collects a 1% grocery tax. Also, beginning January 1, 2025, Non-Home Rule municipalities can now implement up to a 1% grocery tax in .25% increments. If you decide to implement a grocery tax, you also have to implement a service tax in the same amount so that goods and services will be taxed at the same rate at the same time. This will be placed on the 3/11/25 agenda to determine if we’d like to implement this tax.

New Business: Discuss & Prioritize Legislative Grant Projects: After the discussion, the 2 projects that the council would like to submit will be turned in to NCICG by 2-17-25: sewer separation on the west side of the Village out to Adam’s Creek and Remodeling of Ladd Community Center to new Village Hall. Cattani asked Ossola if these grants are 100% funded or how these work. Ossola stated that it depends on the legislator who picks our grant to determine how this works. Being shovel-ready with our requested projects gets more points added to your application.

New Business: Declare April Fair Housing Month: IV Realtors requested the Village declare April as fair housing month.

Thrasher motioned/Martin second to Declare the Month of April as Fair Housing Month.

Ayes: Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio, Thrasher, Cattani - Motion carried

Nayes: Victor

New Business: Donation Request – Spring Valley Red Devils Youth Baseball: No action

Announcements: Comprehensive Plan- The economic development group meets monthly and wants the Village Trustees to make an updated plan. The last one was done in 1970. The economic development group feels this would give them a direction to work towards achieving plans. Atty. Barry stated this can be very costly. Sump Pumps - Ordered for Water Plant Bezely corrected herself, stating these 2 pumps will come out of the water fund, not the sewer fund. Net Metering Solar Inspector – Scheri Electric contacted the Village to tell them they no longer do solar inspections due to State Regulations and Insurance issues. Ball Diamonds – Bezely reported another resident stopping by to speak on the responsibility of the ball diamonds. They stated that the Village owns the parks and its unknown why the Village doesn’t get Kennedy Park ball diamonds back into playing condition so that a group of parents on the Ladd Sports Committee can maintain them and try to attract tournaments to come to Ladd and be played on our ball diamonds. They likely will be travel teams. They feel we must maintain the parks, especially when there is no longer “Ladd Baseball,” as they are part of Spring Valley. The School baseball teams will play in Ladd, and we are trying to attract tournaments to Ladd so our fields are used as much as possible. The board asked for a list of what is needed to get the fields back up to current baseball standards. Molly Thrasher will obtain this information at the next Ladd Sports Committee meeting and return it to the board. War Memorial Park Tree – A photo and explanation were given to the council that the evergreen tree donated in honor of Richard Olszowka needs to have the landscaping area around it expanded so the mowers don’t hit the base of it when cutting grass. Cattani will take a look at it. Parking spot at 101 N. Main – The owner of the Airbnb behind 101 N. Main requests a dedicated parking spot for her customers. Now that the pizza place is open, she feels ensuring her customers get a close parking place will be challenging. The council thinks she needs to gravel the space between the Airbnb and the garage to provide private parking for her customers. The Village cannot reserve a spot for her. 124 N. Hennepin Ave – This vacant lot is for sale by sealed bid. Bezely will put information on the Website and the Facebook page. Sealed bids are due to the Clerk by 4 pm on March 11, 2025. These bids will be opened at the council meeting, and a decision will be made. Anyone interested must read the details of this bid process which is on the website www.villageofladd.com.

President Cattani reminded the board that a decision still needs to be made on taking over the cemetery. Atty. Barry has received various emails regarding the Village’s stance on this. Paul Biccochi will need to complete the audit. Discussion ensued. If the Village takes over the cemetery, our audit will need to include it.

Trustee Victor asked if the committee trying to get baseball back in Ladd could put together a list of what needs to be done and what they would like to be done. Trustee Thrasher stated there will be a meeting tomorrow night, weather permitting, to determine some fundraising ideas to get some money.

Chief Frund explained to Victor that they wanted the infield grass removed on the small diamond. This will allow the bases to be moved to allow any age group to utilize the diamond.

Thrasher motioned/Martin second to adjourn.

Ayes: Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio, Thrasher, Victor - Motion carried

The meeting adjourned at 8:39 pm.

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