City of Sandwich City Council met April 29.
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, Kelleher, Killey, McMahon, Redden, Robinson & Surratt
Also Present: Attorney Harrill, Chief Bianchi, Director of Public Works / City Engineer Horak, EMA Director Ciciora, & City Treasurer Webber
Public Hearing on City’s Tentative May 1, 2019 through April 30, 2020 Annual Budget
(a) Motion made by Alderman Kelleher, and seconded by Alderwoman Chmielewski, to open the Public Hearing on the City’s Tentative 2019-2020 Annual Budget. Motion carried on unanimously on voice vote.
(b) Explanation of the reasons for the budget and any proposed increase or decrease or additional or deleted programs: Wes Levy, representing Lauterbach & Amen, presented two budget proposals. First version was a $8,841,189.00 budget that did not include the proposed police safety building. The second version was a $11,541,189.00 budget that included financing of the building. From the April 22nd meeting, overall adjustments included funding the Epic Light Show ($225,000.00), funding the police station ($3,400,000.00), and salary payouts totaling $130,000.00. Council favored the second version that included the police station proposal.
(c) Persons desiring to be heard with opportunity to present testimony and examine witnesses: None
(d) Motion made by Alderman Surratt, and seconded by Alderman Kelleher, to close the Public Hearing. Motion carried on unanimously on voice vote
Continued Discussion on 2019-2020 Annual Budget: The City learned it was not awarded the Safe Route to School grant in the amount of $200,000.00. The City had expended $30,000.00 for engineering that will now be moved to capital improvements for sidewalks, and the grant money proceeds will be removed from the budget. Also discussed was salaries for non-union staff. A 3% salary increase had been figured into the budget; however, Council via straw vote decided to decrease that amount to 2.5%. Savings to the City will be $7,500.00. Insurance benefits for city staff is a 85/15 split that matches the FOP contract. Because insurance renewals are held in November, Council decided to maintain status quo for insurance benefits with the employee continuing to pay 15%. Council agreed to a $3 million-dollar bond to remodel the proposed police station on 6th Street and take $200,000.00 out of the reserve fund to help fund. To be able to accommodate the annual bond payment estimated to be $225,600.00, the dispatch center will be downsized from 4 full-time and 4 part-time people to one person working 8 am – 4 pm Monday through Friday. During the off hours, dispatching will be outsourced to DeKalb County. Salary for the Economic Director was reduced from $45,000.00 to $40,000.00. Discussion continued on the proposed Epic Light Show for the Christmas holiday season. Several aldermen were uncomfortable with so many costs were unknown at this time. A 5-year projection was prepared by Alderman Redden that netted a profit of $48,100.00 in Year 4 & 5. Lastly, the debate to design a new website at a cost of $10,000.00 lost to a majority straw vote.
Motion to pass Ordinance 2019-04 entitled “Ordinance of the City of Sandwich Adopting the Budget for Fiscal Year 2019-2020”. So moved by Alderman Kelleher, and seconded by Alderman Dell. Aye: Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Kelleher, Killey, McMahon & Robinson Nay: Aldermen Redden & Surratt Motion carried 6:2
Adjournment: There being no further business, motion made by Alderman Robinson and seconded by Alderman Redden to adjourn the Budget Meeting 9:00 PM. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
http://www.sandwich.il.us/MINUTES/bud042919.pdf
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