LaSalle Council approves permits, personnel changes, redevelopment applications and modest charity donation

The LaSalle City Council on Jan. 20 approved a series of routine requests, personnel items and economic-development actions during a meeting that included public comment and a mix of unanimous and divided votes.

Votes at a glance

- Sign permit: The council granted IV Chem’s request to install a non-illuminated, double-faced ground sign at 302 Civic Road. (Outcome: approved.)

- Raffle licenses: The council approved 2025 raffle licenses for Mort’s Pub (in support of LaSalle Veterans Home), Starbrack Winters Limited, Saint Hyacinth Church, and the Illini Valley Association of Breeders. (Outcome: approved.)

- Minutes: The council approved the minutes of the regular City Council meeting held on Jan. 6, 2025. (Outcome: approved.)

- Building inspector report: The council accepted the building inspector’s report for December 2024, which showed total fees collected of $2,350 and a total construction value of $146,970. (Outcome: approved.)

- Personnel — resignation/retirement: The council accepted the resignation of Sergeant Chris Haas from the LaSalle Police Department and noted that he is retiring after service beginning in 2001 and joining LaSalle PD in August 2005. (Outcome: accepted.)

- Personnel — promotion: The council approved the recommendation of the police chief and the Board of Fire and Police Commission to promote from the sergeant eligibility list; the transcript names Luke Ratke as the individual offered the sergeant position. Council members expressed support for the promotion. (Outcome: approved.)

- Appointment: The council appointed Sam McNeely (transcript spelling) to the planning commission. (Outcome: approved.)

- Donation: The finance committee recommended a $1,000 donation to the Illinois Valley Food Pantry as a starting contribution; council members debated larger amounts but approved the $1,000 donation. One alderman registered a no vote during the roll call on the motion. (Outcome: approved; recorded dissent noted.)

- River’s Edge redevelopment zone: The council approved submitting an application to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity seeking inclusion in the River’s Edge redevelopment zone. City staff indicated there is no application fee and that an administrator would be appointed to oversee the program, typically from the city’s economic-development department. (Outcome: approved.)

- IFA PACE program: The council voted to continue pursuing participation in the Illinois Finance Authority PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) program and to consider adoption of any required ordinance to allow use of the program for eligible projects. City staff said the program is typically applied at the property level and has been used by other jurisdictions for energy-efficiency upgrades. (Outcome: approved.)

- Payment of bills: The council approved payment of submitted bills totaling $852,674.76. (Outcome: approved.)

How the votes were recorded

The meeting record shows roll-call votes or voice votes for the items above. Several consent items were adopted by unanimous voice or roll call; the donation to the food pantry drew at least one recorded nay vote. Where movers or seconders were not clearly named on the audio transcript, the meeting minutes or the city clerk’s official record should be consulted for exact mover/second attributions and full roll-call tallies.

What council members said

The chief and others praised Sergeant Haas’s service and described his career in LaSalle and prior service in corrections; the chief and other speakers wished him well in retirement. In discussing economic development, staff described the River’s Edge designation and the IFA PACE program’s focus on energy-efficiency incentives for specific properties and projects. Council members debated whether the city should grant a larger one-time donation to the food pantry now or hold a larger allocation for review during the budget process; the council approved a $1,000 contribution as an initial payment with the intention to revisit the matter in the budget cycle.

Next steps

- Staff: The city will proceed with the River’s Edge application and follow PACE program steps if the council pursues ordinance adoption; staff indicated an administrator will be assigned to those tasks. - Budget follow-up: Council members said the food pantry donation could be revisited during the May budget review process.

The meeting concluded with routine acknowledgments and announcement of a planned water-main repair the following morning; no executive session was held.