Illinois Valley Times

Village of Ladd Village Board met May 13

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Ladd Village Board met in regular session on Tuesday, May 13, 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: Engineer Adam Ossola, Police Dept. Sammi Sarosinski, Atty. Pat Barry and Rhonda Bezely, Clerk.

Thrasher motioned/Nicholson seconded to accept the April 22, 2025, regular meeting minutes as presented.

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

Nelson motioned/Ruggerio seconded, to authorize payment of the bills of $55,358.51.

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

Correspondence: None

Public Comment: None

Committee Reports: Nelson spoke about the standing water around town. He mentioned the area heading out to Spring Creek, in Kennedy Park, by RR Tracks, and over by the wastewater treatment facility has standing water out to the burn pile. He feels we must chemically treat this area to keep the mosquito population down. Bezely stated that they always put briquettes in any areas of standing water every year. Cattani noted that he and Englehaupt plan to address the Kennedy Park issue.

Victor stated that 75 yards west of the RR tracks on E. Cleveland, a 3 feet x 10-12 feet area needs to be filled in. Victor stated that when Englehaupt is in attendance, he will bring it up again. Cattani mentioned they could hit it with oil aggregate. Bezely mentioned this is part of the 2026 STU & MFT fund Project. Cattani stated that perhaps it could be addressed this year.

Ruggerio stated there are two stumps that still need to be ground out, 1st at 211 Bureau Ave., 2nd one is by Marie Fiocchi’s on Hennepin Avenue. Bezely will check with homeowners and get these on the list for removal if needed.

Martin mentioned an extended-cab truck sticking into the roadway on Hennepin Ave. Bezely explained that he is new to town and likely doesn’t realize he can’t park like that. Chief Frund will reach out to him, Sarosinski said. Thrasher also mentioned the house on Locust and South Lincoln has cars sticking out into the roadway. Sarosinski will let Chief Frund know.

Ruggerio asked about three fire hydrants that are still not fixed. He stated #1 is on Brush & E. Cleveland (Bezely told him Englehaupt stated this one was fine, it does work. He will have summer help paint this hydrant’s top so it doesn’t have a black top, which indicates it is not working. #2 is on Hennepin & Elm, #3 is on Brush & Pine. #4 by the water tower has been abandoned. Englehaupt will receive this information. It is possible they all work; Bezely will follow up with Englehaupt. Bezely stated that Englehaupt wants to be told where the locations are so he can let the council know the status of the hydrant.

Cattani mentioned that Utility Equipment Company told him that Ladd has some hydrants on Cleveland Street that are not facing the correct direction. Cattani looked all down Cleveland St. and found nothing wrong. Andy Groleau, who was in the audience, stated that the hydrant by Todd Dominey’s house was facing the wrong way.

Village Engineer: Old Business: Ossola updated the council on the information obtained from two reputable roofing companies regarding the Water Treatment Plant’s Roof. It is felt that replacing the roof and not repairing it is necessary due to the insulation being compromised from the prior roof issues. Ossola recommended, since schools usually have work scheduled for summer, just after school gets out. Ossola would recommend obtaining bids in the fall and having the job done in the fall, when work may be cheaper. The council instructed Ossola to move forward with bids to replace the roof at the Water Treatment Plant. An estimate of $40,000 to $50,000 was given. Ossola updated the council on the Safe Routes to School 2023 Project. Bid letting was handled in Springfield by IDOT, and there were three bidders. The low bid was from Gillan Construction with a bid of $255,361.52. $30,000 in construction engineering will be added to the total. Cattani wants the council to know the Village will have to pay $35,361.52 on this project. This cost does not include the extra $1,000.00 for the agreement with Mr. & Mrs. Smith. STU & MFT Funds for 2026 Project, Ossola stated that he started to put together submittals on this project for IDOT. IDOT reached out yesterday with a grant opportunity the State has recommended for the Village to apply for, to asphalt from Route 89 to the Eastern Village limits, which would cost approximately $1.4 million, instead of tar and chip. The council would like Ossola to move forward in applying for this grant. Project size can be up to $10,000,000.00. No match is required. Chamlin can write the grant. There are 30 questions to be completed on the application. It is due by June 1, 2025. Nicholson asked if a sidewalk could be added to the project. Ossola stated that easements would have to be obtained, and they may keep us from adding this to the scope of work we request. Ossola asked for direction on what the council wants to apply for, i.e., sidewalk, curb & gutter.

Victor motioned/Nelson seconded, to have Chamlin & Associates apply for a grant to asphalt from Route 89 to the eastern village limits with the possible addition of sidewalks or bike/walking lanes.

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

Ossola told the council that the bid is due by June 1, 2025, and obtaining easements for a sidewalk on East Cleveland would not be possible within that timeframe, nor would getting approval from the RR to put a pedestrian crossing be possible. He will investigate and report back on what the grant request consists of. Discussion ensued.

Ossola renewed the NPDES permit, and the IL EPA requests a yearly update on the CMOM plan. This is part of the west side sewer separation project and also the east side project that was completed when the CMOM was written. We will place this on the next agenda to discuss Chamlin updating this for us. Since there are 9 years of data to update, an approximate cost is $1,500 to $2,000, and then after that, it will be approximately $500 to $600 annually to do the update. This will be placed on the next agenda to get approval for Chamlin to move forward with doing this.

Superintendent’s Report: Not in Attendance

Police Chief: Not in Attendance. Frund had Officer Sammi Sarosinski report on the number of electric bikes in town. The officers have stopped anyone who does not yield or stop at a stop sign since this appears to be a safety hazard. Sarosinski stated that they are looking into the laws regarding e-bikes. Nelson asked how the 2017 police car's overheating ended up. Andy Groleau stated that A & B ordered cooling fans. Nothing happened to the engine. The car is still running.

Nicholson was talking over the weekend about scooters. A new law was just passed that states you must be 18 years old to operate a scooter on the roadway. Sarosinski will look into this new law and whether things have changed. Stop signs are to be treated like yield signs, but drivers must slow down to look both ways, not just speed through.

Building Inspector: Not in Attendance

Village Attorney: Old Business - Pass Ordinance 1189: Attorney Pat Barry prepared Ordinance 1189 Amending Section 2.20.070 of The Municipal Code of The Village of Ladd, Bureau County, IL Relating to Penalties for Violation of Building Inspector Rules. Barry explained the need to increase the fee for violations of a stop work order and that new fees are between $50.00 and $500.00.

Victor motioned /Martin seconded to pass Ordinance 1189 to increase the violation fees essentially.

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

New Business: Safe Routes to School 2023 Project. IDOT handled bid letting in Springfield, and there were three bidders. The low bid was Gillan Construction, LLC, with a bid of $255,361.52. Nelson motioned/Nicholson seconded to Award the Safe Routes to School 2023 Project to Contractor Gillan Construction, LLC.

Ayes: Martin, Nelson, Nicholson, Ruggerio, Thrasher – motion carried

Nays: Victor

New Business: Proclaim May Motorcycle Awareness Month: Thrasher motioned/Nelson seconded, Proclaiming May Motorcycle Awareness Month.

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

New Business: Building Permit for A&B Garage: After discussing the proposed plan, the council was pleased to approve the permit for the 2400 sq ft addition to A&B Garage.

Nicholson motioned/Thrasher seconded to approve the Building Permit to add 2400 square feet to A & B Garage.

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

New Business: Donation Request, Voluntary Action Center (Meals on Wheels): Cattani reminded the council that Ladd residents use this service for those who need it.

Martin motioned/Nelson seconded to donate $100.00 to the Voluntary Action Center/Meals on Wheels.

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

Nays: Victor

New Business: Consider Wage Increase for Police Chief as of 5/1/2025: Cattani told the council that Police Chief Jacob Frund salary was due for a wage increase. His last increase was effective 5/1/2024. The council stated they are well pleased with Chief Frund's work. Cattani couldn’t say enough about the job Frund is doing. 4% increase would add $3,028.48 to his salary 5% increase would add $3,785.60 discussion ensued.

Nicholson motioned/Victor seconded to increase Police Chief Jacob Frund’s Wage by 5%, Retroactive to 5/1/2025. His new salary with a 5% increase will be $79,497.60 annually.

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

Victor asked Bezely to please put this on the calendar for March 2026, so we have it in place for May 1, 2026.

New Business: Ad Summer Fun in News Tribune: Cattani explained that it's time to put the Village’s activities in a book that the News Tribune does annually. It is a nice way to get our Music in the Park, Farmer’s Market & Food Trucks, Convoy for Cancer, and Christmas Walk on everyone's calendars. Victor motioned/Ruggerio seconded to place a half-page color ad in the Summer Fun Section of the News Tribune.

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

New Business: CDBG Grant: Cattani and Ossola explained that the State of IL is offering a $4,000,000,000 grant for the entire state. This would require a low-income survey of Village residents.

The recipients can be awarded a maximum of $1,000,000.00. Our west side sewer separation job is upwards of $3 million to complete, so this would need to be done in phases. This could help the Village a lot. We must show the benefits to our residents, from which we get an income survey.

Discussion ensued. There is no “match,” but they do give points for Municipalities that are able/willing to put money towards the project on the application. Cattani, Kevin from NCICG, and Ossola will attend a Zoom meeting on Friday at 10 am.

New Business: Summer Help: We have two applications, and they are both under 18. Cattani feels there are enough small projects to hire them and have them do leaf clean-up at both parks, painting, etc. They will not be able to drive or operate any equipment. Bezely will advertise on the Village’s Facebook page and share it to the Ladd, IL, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow page to see if we get any more kids.

Announcements: Starline Construction donated 10 tons of gravel and landscape fabric for Kennedy Park under the bushes. This is a very nice donation. A thank you has been sent. Starline also donated removal of the sod and leveling of ball diamond at Kennedy Park. Resident John Kohr weeded the Village of Ladd sign on the North entrance to Ladd. A thank you card has been sent. E-Recycling went well. 53 people on Friday night from 4:30 – 6:30, and 16 people Saturday morning, 8-10. Jim Pozzi is no longer with Republic Services. Players Club plays music or TV on their outside speakers only when they’re open. Jim Smoode volunteered to drag the field at Kennedy Park whenever needed to help keep weeds/grass down and off the warning track. Charro Taco & Bakery will re-open on Saturday, May 24th. They will be open 7 am – 9 pm, 7 days a week. 

Thrasher motioned/Nicholson seconded to adjourn.

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

The meeting adjourned at 7:26 pm.

https://www.villageofladd.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-13-MINUTES.pdf