City of Sandwich City Council met Oct. 20.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
1. Call to Order: Mayor Latham called the meeting to order at 8:09 PM
2. Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Latham
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, EEI Engineer Dettmann & SEMA Director Eberle
Absent: Chief Senne
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 September 15, 2025
B. Approval of Minutes for the Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting of October 6, 2025 removed
C. Approval of Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of October 6, 2025
D. Approval of September, 2025, Financial Reports
E. Authorize payout of 40 unused vacation hours to Lisa Managers per City of Sandwich Personnel Manual, Section 4A
City Clerk Ii requested that Item “B”, Committee-of-the-Whole Minutes be removed from the consent agenda, and will be placed on the November 3rd Regular Meeting agenda for approval.
Alderman Robinson made a motion approving the Consent Agenda, as amended, by the removal of Item “B”. Motion seconded by Alderman Chunn. Motion carried unanimously on voice vote.
6. Mayor’s Report: Mayor Latham explained the requested road closure locations for the Chamber of Commerce annual Halloween Walk. There were no objections voiced.
7. Attorney’s Report: No report
8. City Clerk Ii: No Report
9. Treasurer: Vacancy
10. City Administrator Penman: No report
11. City Department Reports: No reports
12. Unfinished Business: None
13. New Business:
A. Monthly Invoices: Total amount for approval is $541,125.99 as opposed to $541,134.25 listed on the agenda. Motion to approve monthly bills in the amount of $541,125.99, as amended, by the Finance Committee. Question was raised about IML Conference reimbursement to the City Administrator that was viewed as continuing education. It was noted that registration was made under the old contract.
So moved, by Alderman Robinson, and seconded by Alderwoman Inman. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Kreinbrink Nay: Alderman Robinson Motion carried 7:1
B. Employee Health Insurance Renewal: Renewal of the insurance policy reflected a combined increase of 7.6% over 2024 rates.
Motion made by Alderman Chunn, and seconded by Alderman Robinson, authorizing the approval and renewal of the insurance policy at the increased rate. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum, Kreinbrink & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously
C. EEI Professional Service Agreement (Water Plant & Water Treatment Plant):
Discussion approving a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Engineering Enterprises Inc. to begin design engineering for the decommissioning of the Railroad Street Water Plant and Clark Street Water Treatment Plant improvements at a cost of $308,381. Motion to authorize the mayor to enter into the agreement on behalf of the city.
So moved by Alderman Danko, and seconded by Alderman Chunn. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum, Kreinbrink & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carries unanimously
D. EEI Professional Service Agreement (Additional Construction Engineering for Main Street):
Discussion on the professional service agreement for additional support for the Main Street project. It was noted that the Council had received two proposals in differing amounts; EEI Engineer Dettman clarified the lower amount of $24,038 was accurate. The lower amount was revised due to the lead service lines being handled primarily by city staff, and all sidewalks have been absorbed by HLR.
Motion to approve made by Alderman Kreinbrink, and seconded by Alderwoman Inman. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Inman, Ketchum, Kreinbrink & Robinson Nay: Alderwoman Erickson Motion carried 7:1
E. HLR Pratt Road Bridge Phase III Engineering: Discussion authorizing the mayor to negotiate with HLR (Hampton, Lenzini & Renwick) for the Pratt Road Bridge, Phase III engineering. The city has not received a proposal from HLR regarding the cost; it must be requested from the city initially who had approved HLR as the more qualified firm.
Motion to approve made by Alderman Robinson, and seconded by Alderman Arnett. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Inman, Ketchum, Kreinbrink, & Robinson Nay: Alderwoman Erickson Motion carried 7:1
14. Council Reports:
Alderman Chunn questioned security issues at City Hall. Response was nothing has been done at this time because of the water plant issues.
Alderwoman Erickson requested executive session for personnel matters.
Alderwoman Inman again requested code enforcement reports for future council meetings. Mayor indicated a report will be available at the November 3rd meeting.
Alderman Robinson reported that a newly installed sidewalk on Main Street was recently dug up by Nicor to replace a gas line. City Administrator Penman stated that Nicor will be replacing all the areas that they replaced gas lines at their expense.
15. Executive Session pursuant to
5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) “The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity”. No action will be taken resulting from the executive session.
Motion made by Alderwoman Erickson at 8:39 PM to enter closed session under Section 120/2(c)(1). Seconded by Alderman Chunn. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum, Kreinbrink & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously
Alderman Chunn moved to return to open session at 9:13 PM, and seconded by Alderman Ketchum. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum, Kreinbrink & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0
16. Announcements:
A. Next Finance Committee Meeting will be held on Monday, November 3rd, 2025 at 6:30 PM.
B. The next Committee-of-the-Whole Council Meeting will be held on November 3rd, 2025, at 7:00 PM followed immediately by the Regular Council Meeting.
17. Adjournment: Motion made by Alderman Robinson to adjourn at 9:15 PM. Motion was seconded by Alderman Chunn. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote.
https://www.sandwich.il.us/media/4071
