City of La Salle City Council Met June 28.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL Present - Mayor Grove, Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane Absent - NONE A quorum was present.
Others Present: Economic Development Director Leah Inman, Fire Chief Jerry Janick, Deputy Clerk Brent Bader. Treasurer Virginia Kochanowski, Attorney Jim McPhederan, Finance Director John Duncan, Superintendent of Public Works Patrick Watson
APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Alderman Demes and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to accept and place on file the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council held June 14, 2021. Each and every alderman has a copy. Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
PETITIONS Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Jeppson to accept a request from Comcast to break ground on MacArthur Road to install underground CATV coax cable and run it to 855 McArthur Road. Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Moved by Alderman Demes and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to accept a request from Mitch Hobbes of Starved Rock Runners to host the "Boo" Milby Memory 5K Run/Walk in La Salle beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday, August 21. Each and every alderman has a copy. Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Jeppson to send request to Streets and Alleys Committee from Jim Moskalewicz of 1651 Campbell to change the "No Parking" signs on the west side of the 1600 block of Campbell to only be in effect during school hours. Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to send a petition to Streets and Alleys Committee from Jennifer Olesen for a handicapped parking space on the northeast corner of First and Hennepin streets. Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS
Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to accept and place on file Monthly Police Income Report for May 2021 showing total fees collected of $8,968.05 Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS
Economic Director Inman shared with the city council the email communication from Nathan Watson of CL Enterprises regarding the 801-805 First Street project.
Aldermen Bacidore expressed how the council members and the city are frustrated and tired of citizens asking about the progress of the building.
Aldermen Crane was upset with the poor excuses of staffing issues and COVID for the delay on the project.
Aldermen Reynolds expressed his concern with complaining too much about the progress. The city council is getting a response from the company and they are seeing some progress, even if it's slow. The complaints from the city council are only putting a poorer image on the city as a whole.
Mayor Grove explained to the Council that it is their responsibility to hold the developers responsible for progress being made on a project in the city of LaSalle. Mayor wanted to explain that we have to keep pushing and asking the developers questions. The City is frustrated and the City is going to keep on the developers and not give up or forget about the progress of the current projects.
Aldermen Bacidore asked the Council if anyone knew of the status of Yanke's 1st St. location and what the plans for that building were. The Mayor stated that Building Inspector Andy Bacidore will be sent down to discuss the vacant building and all three of the vacant buildings on Joliet Street.
Moved by Aldermen Reynolds and seconded by Aldermen Lavieri to set and place on file the email communication from Nathan Watson. Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Chairman Ptak expressed his concern with the location of the mural tiles and the building location. The property of concern is 552 1st St, LaSalle. The City currently has the vacant lot next door for sale. If the lot is purchased and someone builds on that lot, it would block the mural. Chairman Ptak is also concerned with the amount of money that is being put into having that mural at that certain location, even though they are donations, and then needing to have it moved if the vacant lot were to be sold. The City is worried about having to put the responsibility on someone to then move the mural. The City Council asked Christie Pasieka to come forward and address the council and their questions. Ms. Pasieka is aware of these concerns that the City is expressing. Pasieka also explained how the wall is set and can be done. It is currently 40 feet long be adjusted if necessary. It can still be accomplished with a small mural. The city council also suggested the wall on the west side of the Stage 212 building. Pasieka reiterated that the owner of the building owns the mural wherever the mural ends up. The owner will be aware of the responsibility if the mural ever had to be moved. The mural has anchor bolts going into grid work and installed panel by panel. The mural is transported and installed piece by piece.
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to approve the request from Christie Pasieka to install a mural of the type requested mounted on a wall with removable tiles at 552 First Street subject to the following:
1. Mural not extend above the roof line.
2. Mural will be voluntarily removed from the wall in the event that the premise of 540 1st St. or transferred by the City of LaSalle to an independent party and/or otherwise developed subject to a 45-day notice to do so.
3. Petitioner entering into a 2-year lease of the portion of the city property involved.
4. The final location and mural will be subject to approval by the Director of Economic Development and Building Inspector.
5. If the permit shall expire after 5 years without prejudice, the building will need to apply for renewal if the premise has not been sold and/or otherwise developed. AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane NAY: None Absent: None Abstain: None MOTION CARRIED: 8-0
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to approve the request from Christie Pasieka to lease a 40' x 18" section 8" deep of city owned lot at 540 First Street for a mural to be placed on removable tiles subject to the following:
1. Mural not extend above the roof line.
2. Mural will be voluntarily removed from the wall in the event that the premise of 540 1st St. or transferred by the City of LaSalle to an independent party and/or otherwise developed subject to a 45-day notice to do so.
3. Petitioner entering into a 2-year lease of the portion of the city property involved.
4. The final location and mural will be subject to approval by the Director of Economic Development and Building Inspector.
5. If the permit shall expire after 5 years without prejudice, the building will need to apply for renewal if the premise has not been sold and/or otherwise developed. AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane NAY: None Absent: None Abstain: None MOTION CARRIED: 8-0
OLD BUSINESS Aldermen Demes wanted to acknowledge that the 50/50 made $5,269.00. Jeff Struna was the winner of the 50/50 raffle, receiving $2,634.50. Aldermen Demes personally wanted to thank Brent Bader, Aldermen Jordan Crane, and Aldermen Joe Jeppson for helping out on Saturday night at the 50/50 booth. Demes also stated that they had the most successful car show that they have ever had in the City. Mayor Grove thanked Aldermen Demes for heading the car show and 50/50. Mayor also wanted to thank the partnership with the carnival, the vendors, food vendors, crafters, musicians, and the businesses downtown. He thanked everyone that was part of Celebrate LaSalle.
NEW BUSINESS Moved by Alderman Crane and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to to send a request to Alleys Committee to discuss the placement of No Parking Here to Corner at the northwest corner of Gooding and 9th Street on the 9th Street side. Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Alderman Jeppson spoke with Jessica Dergance, resident of 641 11th St. Alderman Jeppson spoke with the neighbors of that area and they are asking to potentially remove one of the speed bumps from the alleyway. Aldermen Jeppson asked for this item to be added to the Streets and Alley Committees agenda.
Moved by Aldermen Jeppson and seconded by Aldermen Lavieri to send a request to Streets and Alleys to remove one speed bump from alley, North/South of Marquette St., between Marquette and St. Vincents. Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Aldermen Herndon mentioned that the city should no longer blacktop alleys and buy a milling machine to do the alleyways.
Alderman Crane disagreed with this suggestion. He mentioned a bill that was recently received from a local contractor to grade a road at North 31st. The city is still spending the money to maintain the alleyway and rocks will also be thrown into residents' yards once a snowplow comes through.
Aldermen Ptak mentioned a concern about the burn pile near Rotary Park. Other residents have mentioned the smell of the burn pile while visiting the park or enjoying a ballgame. Aldermen Ptak suggested having someone scheduled during certain times to let residents dump. Mayor Grove mentioned possibly putting a camera up and speaking with a camera installer that they have used for other city projects to see what options they may have.
ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS
Moved by Aldermen Reynolds and Aldermen Ptak to approve the ordinance authorizing the agreement with Computer Spa, Inc. related to computer related operations and maintenance services. Each and every aldermen has a copy. AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane NAY: 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 place on file bills for June 14, 2021 with Total Submitted: $987,350.27 (Total Payroll $186,762.27, Bills to be paid $194,008.51, Total Bills Paid $606,579.49). AYE: Aldermen Demes, Bacidore, Ptak, Reynolds, Lavieri, Jeppson, Herndon, Crane NAY: None Absent: None Abstain: None MOTION CARRIED: 8-0
Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Crane to adjourn the meeting. Voice vote, all aves. Motion is carried.
ADJOURNED 7:32pm
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H7XQ8b2WFD0KUCpI8pyZQhUJDMl9uoaDVztUA9gn-aE/edit
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