DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich Regular Council met February 11.

Here is the minutes as provided by the council:

Mayor Olson called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

Roll call was taken:

Present:          Mayor Olson, City Clerk Ii, Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Killey, McMahon, Redden & Surratt

Also present: Attorney Harrill, Department of Public Works / City Engineer Horak. Chief Bianchi & EMA Director Ciciora

                      Absent: Alderman Kelleher & Robinson; City Treasurer Webber

Approval of Minutes:

Motion made by Alderman Surratt, and seconded by Alderman McMahon, to approve the minutes from the Regular Meeting of January 28, 2019 and the Committee-of-the-Whole Council Meeting of February 4, 2019. Aye: Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Killey, McMahon, Redden & Surratt Nay:0 Motion carried 6:0

Approval of February Semi-Monthly Bills:

Motion was made by Alderwoman Killey, and seconded by Alderman Dell approving payment of the February semi-monthly bills in the total amount of $150,716.47. Aye: Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Killey, McMahon & Surratt Nay: Alderman Redden Motion carried 5:1

Alderman Redden explained the reasons for not approving the bills: (1) he is not in favor of leasing squad cars and would rather see the City purchase the vehicles outright; (2) there is not enough money in the budget to finance the leasing of the vehicles nor does he know the lease terms; and (3) he requested an inventory of all squad cars including the number of vehicles, the year of the vehicle and mileage.

Mayor Olson:

Ordinance 2019-03 entitled “An Ordinance Amending the Municipal Code of Sandwich, Illinois to Provide for Remote Participation” presented for first reading. This ordinance will amend the Municipal Code to allow any alderperson to participate in meetings remotely under certain circumstances restricted to (1) due to personal illness or disability; (2) due to employment purposes or other City business; and (3) due to a family emergency or other emergency. Being on vacation, for example, would not qualify under this ordinance.

Disposal of salvage vehicle(s) and equipment: A list of vehicles and equipment has been provided to the City Attorney to prepare necessary documentation to legally dispose of said items. This will be discussed at next week’s meeting regarding different options for selling as opposed to the customary auction style.

Announcement: Mayor Olson congratulated the Sandwich High School girls’ basketball team for a perfect season of 30-0.

Foster, Buick, Conklin & Lundgren, LLC: No report

City Clerk Ii: No report

City Treasurer Webber: Absent

Director of Public Works / City Engineer Horak announced that the regular meeting of the Plan Commission for Tuesday, February 12, 2019, has been cancelled.

Chief Bianchi announced that a new dispatcher will start employment March 2, 2019.

The Chief distributed the 2018 Annual Report for the police department. Highlights of the report included: index crime offenses since 2013 have decreased by 85%; City continues to have zero homicide cases, robberies and arsons; drug crimes have decreased by 74% since 2014; and DUI arrests have almost tripled from 2017 – 2018.

EMA Ciciora: No report

Alderwoman Chiemlewski: No report

Alderman Dell requested that Department Heads provide an inventory of all computers in their department.

Alderman Kelleher: Absent

Alderwoman Killey advised that the next finance committee meeting will be held on Monday, February 18, 2019.

Alderman McMahon: No report

Alderman Redden: No report

Alderman Robinson: Absent

Alderman Surratt wanted to address a complaint for a business being conducted in a residential area. It appears the resident is operating a small auto shop. This matter has been referred to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

New Business: None

Audience Comments: Resident Jeff Frosch thanked the council for their intervention between a landlord and tenant. He suggested that the City enforce Illinois Statute “Warranty of Habitability” giving tenants rights when there are unaddressed maintenance and repair issues. Mr. Frosch said City Hall could require landlords to register at a nominal fee to maintain a rental list of property.

Chief Bianchi said there is a program already in place called Crimefree Housing that would put place the burden on the landlord to address maintenance issues and subsequent compliance. Attorney Harrill will check to see if the Crimefree Housing Program is lawful in non-home rule communities such as Sandwich.

Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Council, motion made by Alderman Redden and seconded by Alderman Surratt to adjourn the Regular Council meeting at 7:35 PM. Motion carried unanimously by viva voce vote.

http://www.sandwich.il.us/minutes/rc021119.pdf