Illinois Valley Times

City of LaSalle City Council met March 3

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

A regular meeting of the La Salle City Council of La Salle, Illinois was held, Monday, March 3, 2025, 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 prayer for Treasurer Virginia, Ginny, Kochanowksi, who has recently suffered a stroke.

ROLL CALL

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

Excused Absent – Alderman Crane

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

ROLL CALL

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

NAYS: NONE Absent: Alderman Crane Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 7-0

ROLL CALL

Present – Mayor Jeff Grove, Aldermen Bacidore, Thompson, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Alderman Crane (remotely via phone call)

Absent – NONE

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

A quorum was present.

COMMENTS

Mayor Grove opened the floor for public comment, allowing residents to share their thoughts and concerns.

Dena Hicks questioned the street sweeper’s route. She also asked about the status of the fiber optic internet installation and Thornton’s Gas station. Dena Hicks also questioned the marijuana farm project and the cost of the Celebration of Lights event.

She would like to see a breakdown of all costs.

Brianne Hicks raised concerns about the safety of city swings, the functionality of the traffic light at 1st & Marquette, and the need for community cleanups.

Angel Farmer criticized Mayor Grove for posting live streams of city meetings on YouTube Kids, exposing children to adult content. Angel Farmer describes various inappropriate actions and comments made during public meetings, including tampon demonstrations and public shaming.

Lee DeFosse, resident of LaSalle, expressed his appreciation for Mayor Grove and Chief Smudzinski for their hard work and the safety of the city.

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 February 18, 2025. Each and every alderman has a copy.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.

DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING PETITIONS AND/OR

PRESENTATIONS

Moved by Alderman Thompson and seconded by Alderman Bacidore to approve the request from That Guy’s Secret for a Special Event Permit to allow the use of City-owned property in front of the 105 Marquette Street to host a Grand Reopening event with food truck from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 29, 2025.

Deputy Clerk Brent Bader mentioned that once a food truck is decided they will have to come back for the proper certification for that.

ROLL CALL

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

NAYS: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 8-0

BIDS

Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Adlerman Lavieri to accept the recommendation regarding bid award of $14,400 to VJF Contracting Corporation for Rotary Park – Phase IV, Pickleball Lighting Improvements project.

ROLL CALL

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

NAYS: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 8-0

APPOINTMENTS/RESIGNATIONS

Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Jeppson to accept and approve the resignation of Don Spayer from the City of La Salle Planning Commission.

Mayor Grove and Alderman Herndon both mentioned their appreciation for Don Spayer’s and his time committed to the city.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.

OLD BUSINESS

Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Bacidore to authorize Pay Request #2 for Vissering Construction Company totaling $74,568.60 for work completed to date on East WWTP Gate Replacement project.

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 Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Ptak to authorize pay request #3 & Final for SewerTech LLC totaling $30,677.71 for work completed to date on 2024 Sewer Cleaning & Televising – Ward 2 south of 5th Street Project.

ROLL CALL

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

NAYS: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 8-0

City Engineer Brian Brown mentioned that he will be going in front of Finance Committee when it comes appropriations time to discuss rehiring this company for more televising work.

Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Thompson to reject the results of previously published Request for Proposal (RFP) for the old City of La Salle Public Works building at 500 2nd Street and to put forth new request for proposals in the future.

Deputy Clerk Bader suggests that interested parties can still propose directly to the city council. The city has not received any proposals that they were looking for.

ROLL CALL

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

NAYS: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 8-0

NEW BUSINESS

Alderman Bacidore asked if he could add an item to the agenda for the next SAT committee meeting. He would like to see the “No Parking” sign removed from the area by Ptak’s Garage and the island that was once there.

Deputy Clerk Brent Bader mentioned that the city originally set up their livestreaming with Computer Spa. He will discuss and review the YouTube Kids concern.

Alderman Reynolds asked if the city could look into lighting at 5th St. & Crosat. There used to be more lighting there at one point.

Mayor Grove asked for a couple items to be placed on the SAT committee agenda in two weeks:

• Bradford’s, 832 9th St, looking for a “Handicap” or “Resident Only” sign. They do not drive, however, get picked often and would like a space that would always be available for them.

• No Outlet Signs at Hailey and Bartley, there has been one at Aplington and 23rd St., but not the other two.

DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL

ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS:

Moved by Alderman Jeppson and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to approve the ordinance approving Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Tri-County Opportunities Council Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Program and City of La Salle. Each and every alderman has a copy. 

City Economic Development Director Curt Bedei stated that this is for any resident that is in need of certain services, they can be referred to Tri-County. The city would be able to guide them in the right direction for any assistance that may be needed.

Finance Director John Duncan also pointed out that Tri-County does also assist residents that are unable to make a utility payment. The resident is not allowed to have missed a payment. Assistance is available for any resident that is unable to make a water bill payment, but they have made all other previous payments. Duncan also pointed out that Tri-County does not take walk-ins but are located by Flying J on Civic Road.

ROLL CALL

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

NAYS: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 8-0

APPROVAL OF BILLS

Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to accept, pay, and file the bills from March 3, 2025: Total Submitted: $644,585.04 (Total Payroll $216,069.68, Bills to be Paid $379,912.01, Total Bills Paid $48,603.35). Each and every alderman has a copy.

ROLL CALL

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

NAYS: NONE Absent: None Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 8-0

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

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.

ADJOURNED 6:58 pm

https://www.lasalle-il.gov/sites/default/files/agendas-minutes/2025-03/3-3-25_0.pdf