Illinois Valley Times

City of LaSalle City Council met Aug. 4

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ROLL CALL

Present: Mayor Jeff Grove, Aldermen Demes, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, and Crane

Excused Absence: Aldermen Thompson and Ptak

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

A quorum was present.

COMMENTS

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

Dena Hicks complained about City Council agendas being vague, packets for meetings not being provided to citizens, and meeting minutes being only summaries rather than detailed descriptions.

She expressed further frustration over the granting of a TIF, not holding people accountable for things that need to be done, the status of work on the Kaskaskia Hotel and Maytag building, and lack of updates on negotiations with SURF Internet.

Alyssa Salas spoke regarding her interest in purchasing the public works building at 500 Second Street. She owns a general construction company and has a background in architecture and design.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Demes to accept and place on file minutes of the Regular City Council meeting held July 21, 2025. Each and every alderman has a copy. 

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.

DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING PETITIONS

Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Crane to approve the request for a 2025 Raffle License from Buzzy’s,1569 Crosat Street, for Operation Santa and related matters.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.

Moved by Alderman Demes and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to approve the request from Jacob Green for a Special Event Permit for a street closure and the use of City-owned property on Second Street between Gooding and Wright Streets as well as the associated parking lot to host a car show on September 27, 2025, between the hours of 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., and related matters.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.

Moved by Alderman Demes and seconded by Alderman Herndon to invite Joseph Thompson of 427 Fifth Street to the podium to answer questions regarding his request for a caution sign in front of his home.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.

Mr. Thompson’s concern for his autistic child, speeding on the street, the width of the street, one-sided parking, and signage were all discussed.

Moved by Alderman Crane and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to refer the issue to the Streets, Alleys, and Traffic Committee for review in two weeks to allow for neighbors to be made aware of the request and provide input on it.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.

Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Jeppson to approve Petitions and Requests by Jerry Reynolds for variances, including, but not limited to, 1026 Fourth Street, related to minimum lot size, minimum lot width, front yard setback, side yard setbacks, and rear yard setback, and also related to 1044 Fourth Street, including but not necessarily limited to front yard setback and related matters.

ROLL CALL

AYES: Aldermen Demes, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane

NAYS: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: Reynolds

MOTION CARRIED: 5-0-1

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS

Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Crane to accept the Monthly Police Income Report for July 2025 showing total fees collected of $8,323.83.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.

COMMUNICATIONS

BIDS

Moved by Alderman Crane and seconded by Alderman Herndon to award a bid of $340,267.80 to Gensini Excavating, Inc. for Safe Routes to School project and related matters.

ROLL CALL

AYES: Aldermen Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane, Demes

NAYS: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 6-0-0

APPOINTMENTS/RESIGNATIONS

STANDING COMMITTEES

Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Crane to approve the recommendation of Finance Committee regarding the purchase of emergency generators for the Civic and Cannon water towers from Cummins at a cost of $67,200 and related matters.

ROLL CALL

AYES: Aldermen Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane, Demes, Reynolds,

NAYS: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 6-0-0

At the recommendation of the Streets, Alleys, and Traffic Committee no action was taken regarding adding speed bumps on Hennepin Street between McArthur Road and Eleventh Street. Police Chief Smudzinski will assign officers to monitor speed and stop sign violations in the area to establish whether additional police presence would be a deterrent.

SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Attorney McPhedran noted that no one raised an objection at the Planning Commission meeting to the proposed rezoning of the former Buildings Choice property as described below.

Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Herndon to approve the recommendation of the Planning Commission regarding the request of Donald L. Ashley, Trustee under a Trust Agreement dated July 5, 2001, and Sue M. Ashley, under a Trust  Agreement for a Zoning Change to M-1 Light Industrial in the event of annexation to the City of La Salle and related matters.

ROLL CALL

AYES: Aldermen Jeppson, Herndon, Crane, Demes, Reynolds, Lavieri, Herndon, Crane

NAYS: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 6-0-0

OLD BUSINESS

Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Demes to authorize payment of Pay Request #1 for Universal Asphalt & Excavating, Inc. totaling $198,299.44 for work completed to date on 2025 Road Improvements – MFT project and related matters.

ROLL CALL

AYES: Aldermen Herndon, Crane, Demes, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson

NAYS: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 6-0-0

Mayor Grove indicated there have been ongoing discussions with SURF Internet and Geneseo Communications regarding fiberoptic internet. There is nothing new to report at this time.

He also reported the Kaskaskia Hotel was up for auction July 28-30; the opening bid was $400,000, but the Council does not know the reserve price. He pointed out it is a private auction that does not involve the City. It is the City’s position that whoever purchases the Hotel will still be responsible for the same repair work that was expected of CL Enterprises.

It is the Mayor’s understanding that CL Enterprises was going to wait for results on the Kaskaskia auction before proceeding with plans for 801 First Street (the Maytag building). 801 First Street is now on sale for $399,000.

The Mayor addressed the issue of handing out meeting packets to the public stating the City will not be handing out packets. Members of the public are always welcome to talk to their Aldermen if they are interested in further details beyond what is provided on the agendas. He explained that the Aldermen and Mayor are elected to do the work of the City and citizens should contact their Aldermen with questions and issues.

Mayor Grove further indicated he is comfortable with the level of detail provided in meeting minutes and stated that they are comparable to minutes written in other cities. He reminded everyone that for the past year-and-a-half City Council meetings may be viewed by the public in their entirety on YouTube. The Mayor stated he is comfortable with the level of transparency provided in the City of La Salle and that the City will continue to move forward in the same manner.

NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Grove announced August 12 will be the last day for the La Salle public pool to be open.

With the start of school, locally and state colleges, lifeguards will no longer be available. He praised the City’s foresight 25 years ago in renovating the pool so that it is still in operation today.

DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS:

Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to approve an Ordinance annexing certain territory to the City of La Salle (Ashley).

ROLL CALL

AYES: Aldermen Crane, Demes, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon,

NAYS: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 6-0-0

Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to approve an Ordinance authorizing zoning changes within the City of La Salle, La Salle County, Illinois (Ashley)

ROLL CALL

AYES: Aldermen Demes, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane

NAYS: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 6-0-0

Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Jeppson to approve an Ordinance clarifying the correct spelling of a street name within the City of La Salle is Donahue.

ROLL CALL

AYES: Aldermen Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane, Demes

NAYS: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 6-0-0

Due to additional discussion items that need to be cleared up, no action was taken regarding an Ordinance approving and authorizing the execution of a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Redevelopment Agreement, including, but not limited to, the transfer of City Real Estate by and between the City of La Salle and Glenstone Redevelopment, LLC and Nathan L. Watson involving real estate at 500 Second Street.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mayor Grove stated there was no need for an executive session.

APPROVAL OF BILLS

Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Crane to accept, pay, and file the bills.

Total Submitted: $974,435.68 (Total Payroll $243,134.02, Bills to be Paid $377,898.84, Total Bills Paid $353,402.82).

ROLL CALL

AYES: Aldermen Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane, Demes, Reynolds

NAYS: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE

MOTION CARRIED: 0-0-0

ADJOURNMENT

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

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion is carried.

ADJOURNED 7:05 p.m. 

https://www.lasalle-il.gov/sites/default/files/agendas-minutes/2025-08/8-4-25_0.pdf