City of Sandwich City Council met Nov. 17.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
1. Call to Order: Mayor Latham called the meeting to order at 9:58 PM
2. Pledge of Allegiance led by Alderman Robinson
3. Roll Call:
Present: Mayor Latham, City Clerk Ii, Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum, Kreinbrink & Robinson
Also present: City Attorney Gottshalk, City Administrator Penman, Chief Senne, EEI Project Manager Dennison & SEMA Director Eberle
Quorum established
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 for the Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting of November 3, 2025 B. Approval of Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of November 3, 2025 C. Approval of October 2025 Financial Reports
Alderman Chunn made a motion approving the Consent Agenda, as presented. Motion seconded by Alderman Ketchum. Motion carried unanimously on voice vote.
6. Mayor’s Report: No report
7. Attorney’s Report: Attorney Gottschalk advised that she will provide litigation updates via email rather than request Executive Session for the sake of the late hour.
8. City Clerk Ii: No Report
9. Treasurer: Vacancy
10. City Administrator Penman stated he neglected to put the Professional Service Agreement for EEI on the agenda for piping engineering for Well #2 water treatment plant. He asked if there were any objections for him to start moving forward. Attorney Gottschalk explained that the request would be compliant with the city’s procurement policy. Cost is less than $25,000.00. Council concurred.
11. City Department Reports: No reports
12. Unfinished Business:
A. Ordinance 2025-15 entitled “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 86 “Utilities” of the City of Sandwich Municipal Code: As agreed in the Committee-of-the-Whole prior, this topic will be moved to the December 1st meeting.
B. Resolution 25-16 entitled “A Resolution Adopting the Lower Little Rock Creek Watershed Based Plan”: Motion to approve
Motion made by Alderman Kleinbrink, and seconded by Alderman Chunn. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum, Kreinbrink & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0
C. Resolution 25-17 entitled “A Resolution Authorizing the City of Sandwich to Purchase Old Route 34 Right of Way Parcel No. 3LR0131 From the State of Illinois Department of Transportation for the Fair Market Appraised Value of $30,000.00”: Motion to approve
So moved by Alderman Kreinbrink, and seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum, Kreinbrink & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously
D. Resolution 25-18 entitled “A Resolution Ratifying and Approving the Purchase and Outfitting of Four (4) 2025 Ford Police Interceptor Utility SUV’s From Ford Motor Credit Company LLC for Use by the City of Sandwich Police Department in an Amount Not to Exceed $75,000.00 Each or a Total of $300,000.00”. Attorney Gottschalk proposed amending the ordinance and motion to clarify the payment structure as the corporate authorities hereby approve and ratify the police chief’s and mayor’s actions to obtain on a lease to purchase basis for fully outfitted 2025 Ford police interceptor utility SUV’s from Ford Motor Credit Company by way of Sutton Ford in Madison, Illinois, provided that the total aggregate price for each vehicle fully outfitted shall not exceed $75,000, and the total shall not exceed $300,000 for the entire term of the lease purchase agreement. Specifically, the payment for the four vehicles shall be as follows: Payment 1 pay on November 12, 2025 in the amount of $69,687.06, and then the same each November until 2028.
Motion made by Alderman Arnett approving Resolution 25-18 as verbally amended by legal counsel. Alderwoman Erickson seconded. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Kreinbrink Nay: Alderman Robinson Motion carried 7:1
E. Resolution 25-19 entitled “A Resolution Approving and Authorizing Acceptance of Quote from Flock Group, Inc. for the Purchase and Implementation of Eight (8) Flock Safety License Plate Reader Cameras in the Amount of $24,000.00 Annually”. This topic will be set aside until the next meeting on December 1st.
F. Resolution 25-20: Said resolution is in draft form relative to lead service line replacement and reimbursement not related to the Main Street Project, and a policy has not been determined. This matter will be set aside at this time.
G. Waiving Competitive Bidding Whittaker Construction & Excavating: Discussion and possible waiving of competitive bidding and approval of Whittaker Construction & Excavating, Inc. to perform repair work to the east and west sides of the Railroad Street water treatment plant in an amount not to exceed $70,000.00. Attorney Gottschalk reminded the Council that there will be a burden on the staff to monitor costs in advance so that repair work does not exceed the $70,000.00.
Motion made by Alderman Kreinbrink to waive competitive bidding and approve Whitaker Construction for repair work not to exceed $70,000.00. Seconded by Alderman Danko. Aye: Aldermen Chunn, Danko & Kreinbrink Nay: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Robinson Motion failed 3:5
H. Resolution 25-21 entitled “A Resolution Approving and Authorizing Execution of a Law Enforcement Embedded Social Worker Agreement Between DeKalb Behavioral Health Foundation, Inc. d/b/a Northwestern Medicine Ben Gordon Center and the City of Sandwich, Illinois”: Council passed until further information is received from DeKalb County.
I. Amended Resolution 25-13 Appropriation of funds with Illinois Department of Transportation for Pratt Road Bridge Project: Motion to approve
Alderman Kreinbrink moved to approve Amended Resolution 25-13 as presented. Alderwoman Inman seconded. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum, Kreinbrink & Robinson Nay:0 Motion passed unanimously
13. New Business:
A. Monthly Invoices: Total amount for approval is $347,892.53 as recommended by the Finance Department.
So moved by Alderwoman Inman, and seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum, Kreinbrink & Robinson Nay: 0 Motion carried 8:0
B. Ordinance 2025-16 entitled “An Ordinance Abating the Tax Heretofore Levied for 2025 to Pay the Debt on a Portion (Not to Exceed) of $3,5000,000 General Obligation Bonds (Alternative Revenue Source) of the City of Sandwich, DeKalb and Kendall Counties, Illinois”. Motion to approve
So moved by Alderwoman Inman. Seconded by Alderman Kreinbrink. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum, Kreinbrink & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carries 8:0
C. Approval of Schedule of Meetings FY 2026: Meetings included a schedule for Finance Committee, Committee-of-the-Whole, Regular Council Meetings, Plan Commission, and ZBA (Zoning Board of Appeals) Meetings. Motion to approve
Motion made by Alderwoman Erickson, and seconded by Alderwoman Inman, approving city meetings for 2026, as presented. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote
E. Approval of City Holidays FY 2026: Motion to approve
Motion made by Alderwoman Erickson, and seconded by Alderwoman Inman, approving city holidays for 2026, as presented. Motion pass unanimously via voice vote
14. Council Reports:
Alderman Kreinbrink expressed surprise that there was a “no” vote to properly shore up the water treatment plant emphasizing the building is a hazard. He requested that the city’s building official evaluate the building to see if it is safe for limited occupancy.
Alderman Danko echoed Alderman Kreinbrink’s sentiment.
15. Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) for litigation – Attorney Gottschalk advised she will provide an update via email and discuss ongoing litigations in Executive Session at the December 1st meeting.
16. Announcements:
A. Next Finance Committee Meeting will be held on Monday, December 1st, 2025 at 6:30 PM.
B. The next Committee-of-the-Whole Council Meeting will be held on December 1st, 2025, at 7:00 PM followed immediately by the Regular Council Meeting.
C. Technology Improvement Committee will meet on December 11th , at 6:00 PM
D. Historical Preservation Committee will meet on December 11th, 2025 at 6:45 PM or immediately following the Technology Improvement Committee Meeting.
E. The next Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting will take place on December 11th, 2025 at 7:30 PM or immediately following the Historical Preservation Committee Meeting.
17. Adjournment: Motion made by Alderman Robinson to adjourn at 10:15 PM. Motion was seconded by Alderman Ketchum. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote.
https://www.sandwich.il.us/media/4111
