City of Sandwich City Council met Jan. 19.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
1. Call to Order: Mayor Latham called the meeting to order at 9:02 PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Alderwoman Inman
2. Roll Call:
Present: Mayor Latham, City Clerk Ii, Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Kreinbrink
Also present: SEMA Director Eberle, Economic Director Aleksy & EEI Engineer Dettmann
Absent: City Administrator Penman, Alderman Robinson & Chief Senne
Quorum established
3. Public Hearing: None
4. Audience Comments: None
5. Consent Agenda:
Motion to adopt the Consent Agenda as a whole. (All matters listed are considered to be routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. If discussion is desired, that item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately).
A. Approval of Minutes from the Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting of January 5, 2026
B. Approval of Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of January 5, 2026
C. Approval of December Monthly Financial Report
Alderwoman Inman made a motion approving the Consent Agenda, as presented. Motion seconded by Alderman Chunn. Motion carried unanimously on voice vote.
6. Mayor’s Report: No report
7. Attorney’s Report: Vacancy
8. City Clerk Ii shared that minutes for January 5th were AI generated, and she thanked EMA Director Eberle for introducing the software to her.
9. Treasurer: Vacancy
10. City Administrator: Absent
11. City Department Reports: No reports
12. Unfinished Business:
A. Resolution 25-02 entitled “A Resolution Appointing the Law Firm of Griffin, Williams, McMahon & Walsh LLP to Serve as City Attorney for the City of Sandwich, Illinois”. The resolution will allow the mayoral recommendation for the appointment of the law firm subject to approval by the council.
Motion made by Alderman Kreinbrink approving Resolution 25-02 as presented. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Inman Aye: Aldermen Danko, Inman & Kreinbrink Nay: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Erickson & Ketchum Motion fails 3:4
B. Resolution 25-01 entitled “A Resolution Declaring the Position of Municipal Treasurer of the City of Sandwich, Illinois, Abandoned and Vacated”. Mayor requested a motion to table this matter until the next Regular Meeting.
So moved by Alderman Arnett, and seconded by Alderwoman Inman. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Kreinbrink Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously
D. Sledge Hauling Contract: Discussion and possible extension of sludge hauling contract with Stewart Spreading in accordance with the exiting agreement. Mayor Latham requested this matter be removed from the agenda, and place it out for bid for a multiple-year contract.
So moved by Alderman Kreinbrink, and seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Kreinbrink Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0
13. New Business:
A. Monthly Invoices: Total amount for approval is $164,917.02 as recommended by the Finance Department.
Motion made by Alderwoman Erickson, and seconded by Alderman Danko, approving payment of monthly bills as recommended by the Finance Department. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Kreinbrink Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously
B. Ordinance 2026-01 entitled “An Ordinance Approving a Zoning Map Amendment for the Property Located at 2300 E. Church Street (8.72 Acres) from B-3 to R-5 for a 55+ Residential Development” as recommended by the Plan Commission meeting of January 13, 2026. Mayor requested a motion to approve.
Alderman Danko made a motion approving Ordinance 2026-01, as presented. Motion was seconded by Alderman Ketchum. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Kreinbrink Nay: Alderman Chunn Motion carries 6:1
C. Ordinance 2026-02 entitled “An Ordinance Amending Sections 98-31 and 98-32 of the Sandwich Municipal Code (Zoning Ordinance) Related to Agricultural Land and Farm Residence Standards” as recommended by the Plan Commission meeting of January 13, 2026. By passage, the ordinance removes the requirement that all annexed land used for agricultural purposes must be classified as AG (Agricultural District), and to allow such land to be classified as either AG Agricultural District or R-1 One-Family Residence District at the time of annexations; and to remove the minimum 40-acres requirement for farm residences by updating related provisions for consistency. Mayor Latham requested a motion to adopt said ordinance.
So moved by Alderwoman Inman, and seconded by Alderman Kreinbrink. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Kreinbrink Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0
D. Ordinance 2026-03 entitled “An Ordinance Amending Section 98-145 of the Sandwich Municipal Code (Zoning Ordinance) Regarding Airport Area Development and Runway Protection Zone Standards” as recommended by the Plan Commission meeting of January 13, 2026. Motion requested to adopt.
Motion made by Alderwoman Inman to adopt Ordinance 2026-03 as presented. Seconded by Alderman Kreinbrink. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Kreinbrink Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously
14. Reports of Aldermen: None
15. Executive Session:
A. Pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) personnel: “The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body”.
B. Pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) litigation: “When an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probably or imminent”.
Mayor Latham explained there was no longer a need for a closed session on personnel. He further announced that no action would be taken resulting from the closed session.
Motion made by Alderwoman Erickson at 9:17 PM to enter into closed session for litigation under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11). Motion was seconded by Alderman Ketchum. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Kreinbrink Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0
Alderwoman Erickson moved to return to open session at 9:30 PM. Alderwoman Inman seconded. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Kreinbrink Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously
16. Announcements:
A. Finance Committee Meeting will be held on Monday, February 2nd, 2026 at 6:30 PM.
B. The next Committee-of-the-Whole Council Meeting will be held on February 2nd, at 7:00 PM followed immediately by the Regular Council Meeting.
C. Budget Committee Meeting will be held on February 4th, 2026 at 4:30 PM
D. Plan Commission Meeting will be held on February 10th, 2026 at 6:30 PM
E. Technology Improvement Committee will take place on February 12th, 2026 at 6:00 PM
F. Historical Preservation Committee will be held on February 12th, 2026 at 6:45 PM or immediately following the Technology Improvement Committee Meeting
G. Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting will be held on February 12th, 2026 at 7:30 PM or immediately following the Historical Preservation Committee Meeting
17. Adjournment: Motion made by Alderman Chunn to adjourn at 9:33 PM. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote.
https://www.sandwich.il.us/media/4276
