City of Sandwich Committee of the Whole met Nov. 3.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. Call to Order: Mayor Latham called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM
2. Pledge of Allegiance was led by Alderwoman Erickson
3. Roll Call:
Present: Mayor Latham, City Clerk Ii, Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Erickson, Inman, Kreinbrink & Robinson
Also present: Attorney Gottschalk, City Administrator Penman, Chief Senne, SEMA Director Eberle & EEI Engineer Dettmann
Absent: Aldermen Danko & Ketchum
Quorum established
4. Mayor’s Report: Mayor Latham announced a free online event on November 13th by Nicor focusing on energy-saving tips. He also shared a letter from the Family Service Agency that the community action program has received the Promise in Action Award presented by the National Community Partnership. Only two agencies were recognized this year, and the Family Service Agency is proud to represent DeKalb County.
5. Attorney’s Report: Attorney Gottschalk – No report
6. City Clerk Ii thanked crossing guard, Lisa Beins, and her two grandsons for assisting with the Chamber’s Halloween Walk held on October 25th. She also thanked the police department for providing additional candy when she ran out after distributing over 500 pieces of candy.
7. City Treasurer: Vacancy
8. City Administrator Penman advised that the DeKalb County Visitors Bureau will be attending the next meeting. He also explained that the Little Rock Creek watershed plan will be on the agenda at the next meeting for approval.
9. City Department’s Reports:
A. SEMA Report: Director Tony Eberle provided an update on the intergovernmental agreement with the fire department, and recent events supported by EMA, including traffic control for the Chamber’s Hallowwen event and the YMCA truck or treat event. He reminded everyone of the outdoor warning siren testing scheduled for Tuesday morning.
B. Chief Senne’s report consisted of highlights:
• Events include the downtown trick or treat, attended a bonfire event, the drug take-back event, and the annual Halloween event at the police station
• Traffic enforcement grants
• Placed order for LIDAR using grant money that is a unit similar to a radar unit
• All officers have been trained in CPR that completed the annual medical mandate by the State. Other completed training included AED training, tourniquet training, would packing training
• Office Santoya continues with his field training, and is expected to be release by the end of the month
• Thanked Officer French and Code Enforcer Kevin Fernandez for their continued efforts in the Wilshire area
• Appreciation to Wendy Flowers and Mary Bryant for their outstanding work in organizing the Halloween events
• Social worker will start Tuesday and Thursday weekly, and will be working on 5-6 cases
• Beginning late January, it is mandated by the State as part of the Safety Act, where officers are required annual wellness checks
• Read a letter of appreciation pertaining to Sergeant Meisner, Officer Dwyer, and Officer Lundsteen related to an October 26th occurrence.
• Christmas event is scheduled for December 16th at the police station; Chamber of Commerce Christmas event is scheduled for December 6th from 3-7 PM
C. EEI Engineer Dettmann shared updates:
• On the Main Street project, the roadway is being paved, and there is one lead service line remaining; there remains some sidewalks that Nicor must replace
• The lead service line grant was submitted last week for the round four of the Notice of Funding Opportunity. The grant is in the $20,000-$50,000 range
• The HLR contract is on the agenda to be approved for the Pratt Road Bridge, Phase 3 construction
• Discussed the need for a formalized program for lead service line replacements, and the potential impact on investment properties
10. Unfinished Business:
A. Low-Speed Vehicles Regulation: Alderman Arnett explained the current state law allowing low speed vehicles, and the process for obtaining a permit from the police department. Chief Senne raised concerns about the legal aspects of enforcing local ordinances, and the potential enforcement challenges. Council favored reaching out to the State’s Attorney Office for guidance on regulating low speed vehicles.
B. Regulation of e-Bikes and e-Scooters: Discussion on low-speed vehicles, including golf carts, included much of the same concerns for low-speed vehicles. The concern is public safety would be jeopardized. Additional information is being investigated prior to a final decision regarding regulation. C. Future Lead Service Line Replacement: Not related to the Main Street project, council decided to proceed with the 50/50 cost-sharing agreement. Aldermen Arnett and Kreinbrink expressed concerns about the fairness of requiring homeowners to pay for replacements, and the potential impact on investment properties. Mayor Latham suggested drafting a formalized plan for the next meeting and reach out to the State’s Attorney for guidance.
11. New Business:
A. Purchase of FLOCK Cameras: Chief Senne presented information on FLOCK cameras, their benefits, and potential locations in the city. Costs were explained, the integration with existing camera systems, and the potential for partnership with local businesses and the school district. Council also discussed the potential benefits and concerns, including privacy and funding. A formalized plan, including cost estimates and finalized camera locations, will be available at the next meeting.
B. Police Department Succession Planning: Chief Senne proposed proactive succession planning for an upcoming officer retirement. Council discussed the impact of a school resource officer’s retirement scheduled next summer, and on staffing and overtime. Chief highlighted the challenges of staffing during vacations. A formalized plan, including cost estimates and finalized camera locations, will be available at the next meeting.
C. Financial Software Services: City Administrator Penman explained the need to upgrade the current financial software but that issues with data transfer and functionality have been identified in the process. The Mayor and City Administrator discussed the limitations of the new software, including the inability to support more than two years of data. Suggestion was to investigate other financial software options that offer better support and features.
D. 2025 Tax Year Levy: Financial Analyst, Angela Seville, presented the 2025 tax levy explaining the process and the importance of EAV (equalized assessed value) in determining property taxes. The city is a non-home rule community, subject to property tax extension limitation laws. The recommended levy increase is 2.9% plus new growth, amounting to $1,948,938.00. The impact of the police pension on the levy was discussed and the need for transparency.
E. Ordinance 2025-15 entitled “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 86 – “Utilities” of the City of Sandwich Municipal Code: Sections 86-61; 86-62; 86-63; 96-189; 86-190and 86-191 would be deleted in their entirety and replaced with language that accounts would be placed in the landlords’ names and become the responsibility of the landlord for payment. Enforcement of the ordinance would make it easier to seek recourse from property owners if a water bill is not paid, which could include placing a lien on the property. The ordinance is currently in draft format.
F. HLR Construction Engineering Service for Pratt Road Bridge: City Administrator Penman explained the recommendation to hire HLR (Hampton, Lenzini & Renwick) for the Pratt Road bridge project noting that the firm has been working on the Main Street project, and is familiar with the Pratt Road bridge project. The project is expected to let out for bid next week and potentially begin work in January.
G. Amend Ordinance 2025-08 entitled “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 98 – “Zoning”, Article V Supplemental Regulations”, Section 98-145 – “Airport Area Development” of the City of Sandwich Municipal Code”: A petition needs to be filed to rezone the parcels near the airport from B3 to B1, and schedule a public hearing.
H. Rezoning Parcel at Gletty Road & Church Street: Tying in with the proposed amendment to Ordinance 2025-08, Attorney Gottschalk discussed the challenges of rezoning and special use regulations for the airport area. Council discussed rezoning parcels to B1 for better control over development. Additionally, council discussed the need for clear regulations to protect the airport area. A public hearing will be required in December.
I. Elimination of 40-Acre Minimum in Agricultural Zoning District: Planning Commission Chair, Bill Hall, was present and explained the history of the 40-acre minimum in the Ag Zoning District that occurred in 2002 when a farmer wanted to annex to the city. The elimination of this requirement ties in with the request to annex property. Said property could become zoned R-1 nonconforming. Attorney Gottschalk advised that a public hearing would be required to eliminate the restriction as listed in the city’s Municipal Code.
J. Public Hearing Annexation Request: Before a public hearing can be held for annexation, the city will need to be apprised of the owner’s plans with their existing structure. The public hearing will be conducted by the Planning Commission.
12. Report of Alderpersons:
Alderman Arnett expressed the need to do more requests for professional services, and prove to residents that the council is doing their due diligence and being financially transparent. 13. Announcements: None
14. Audience Comments: None
15. Adjournment: Alderman Robinson moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 PM. Alderman Chunn seconded. Motion carried unanimously via voice vote.
https://www.sandwich.il.us/media/4086
