DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich City Council met May 28.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Robinson called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll call was taken:

Present: Mayor Robinson, City Clerk Ii, Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Kelleher, Killey, Redden & Surratt

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

Absent: Alderman Kreinbrink, City Treasurer Webber & Chief Bianchi

Approval of Minutes: Motion made by Alderman Surratt, and seconded by Alderwoman Chmielewski, to approve the minutes from the Regular Meeting of May 13, 2019; the Committee-of-the-Whole Council Meeting of May 20, 2019; and the Special Meetings of April 15 & May 20, 2019. Aye: Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Kelleher, Killey, Redden, Robinson & Surratt Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0

Approval of May Semi-Monthly Bills: Motion was made by Alderwoman Killey, and seconded by Alderman Dell, approving payment of the May semi-monthly bills in the total amount of $57,380.60. Aye: Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Kelleher, Killey, Redden, Robinson & Surratt Nay: 7 Motion carried 7:0

Mayor Pro-Tem Robinson:

Lauterbach & Amen, LLP Contract: Motion requested to accept a 1-year contract with Lauterbach & Amen, LLP in the amount of $50,400.00 annually.

So moved by Alderman Surratt, and seconded by Alderman Kelleher. Aye: Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Kelleher, Killey, Redden, Robinson & Surratt

Resolution 19-08 entitled “Electric Supply Contract”: Motion requested to pass Resolution 19-08 authorizing the Mayor to enter into a 3-year contract for electrical supply costs on city-owned properties.

Motion made by Alderman Surratt to pass Resolution 19-08 as presented. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Killey. Aye: Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Kelleher, Killey, Redden, Robinson & Surratt Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0

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

City Clerk Ii: No report

City Treasurer Webber: Absent

Director of Public Works / City Engineer Horak

Zoning Board of Appeals regular meeting of Wednesday, May 29, 2019 has been cancelled.

2019 NPDES Permit Planning Documents and Sewer Rate Study: Engineer Horak requested authorization for the Mayor to sign an engineering services agreement with Engineering Enterprises Inc. of Sugar Grove, IL for planning documents in an amount not to exceed $129,000.00 to be taken from 2019/2020 budget line item 300.0000.70.5450. Alderman Redden wanted to apprise the Council and audience that the agreement is for the development of a phosphorus discharge and removal plan in addition to a sewer rate study. The first part of the study is how to lower the phosphorus level, and then how to finance it.

Motion made by Alderman Redden, and seconded by Alderman Dell. Aye: Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Kelleher, Killey, Redden, Robinson & Surrat Nay: 0 Motion carried 7:0

2019 MFT (19-00000-01-GM): Engineer Horak made a recommendation to award the contract to Universal Asphalt & Excavating Inc. of LaSalle, IL in an amount of $291,588.51. MFT (Motor Fuel Tax) funds will be used to finance the project. Alderman Redden expressed disappointment that there were only two bids on the project, and funding from the State is so low. The City receives approximately $188,000 annually for roadway repairs. Alderman Surratt felt that the City is not targeting the right market and requested that the project be rebid. Engineer Horak explained that this was a rebid from last year and that advertising is done through the IDOT (Illinois Department of Transportation) bulletin as well as the local paper.

Motion made by Alderman Kelleher to award the contract to Universal Asphalt & Excavating in the amount of $291,588.51. Alderman Robinson seconded. Aye: Aldermen Chiemlewski, Dell, Kelleher, Killey, Redden, Robinson & Surratt Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0

Chief Bianchi: In the absence of Chief Bianchi, Sergeant Ikemire provided income and expenses for the adjudication program. A total of $100,682.75 has been levied in fines, and $55,410.00 has been collected, leaving a balance of $45,272.75 outstanding in collections. Clerk Ii explained that the outstanding balance is turned over to a collection agency who, in turn, forwards the claims to her to submit to the State’s Local Debt Recovery Program. This is a free program offered by the State whereby fines and delinquent bills are collected from individual income tax returns. Claims filed with the LDRP are valid for seven (7) years. If a claimant is unfounded, the fine is returned to the collection agency to attempt to collect. The is no cost to the City on behalf of the collection agency as their cost in built into the fine, and they are paid when the debt is collected. Expenses for the adjudication program were $24,295.06.

EMA Ciciora: No report

Alderwoman Chiemlewski: No report Alderman Dell: No report

Alderman Kelleher: Under discussion on the City’s IT contract with Custom Computer Repair Service, Alderman Kelleher requested this matter be tabled due to questions posed by Alderman Kreinbrink who was absent. This topic will be placed on next week’s agenda for discussion.

Alderwoman Killey advised that the next finance committee meeting will be held on Monday, June 3rd, 2019.

Alderman Kreinbrink: Absent

Alderman Redden challenged the Council to address the flooding problem in town. Over 3 inches of rain fell in a half-hour period on Monday, May 29th, that caused heavy flooding in the Northern Illinois region. The ground is saturated from an unusual rainy spring, and storm drains are overtaxed. Bender Street and Sandhurst Drive are still closed due to flooding from farmlands to the north of the Sandhurst and Fieldcrest Subdivision. Both subdivisions are located in a flood plain. He stressed that the City must find a solution to move flood waters noting that no money was budgeted for the new fiscal year. A study conducted in October, 2018 by Engineering Enterprises listed a cost of $7.5 - $8 million to address the City’s storm water problems.

Engineer Horak said the grant for the Little Rock Creek Watershed is close to being approved, and perhaps some of the grant money could be used to analyze and repair the storm water systems. Another suggestion was to conduct individual manhole inspections and televising the storm drainage system. He admitted that it is taking an unusual time to drain. Alderman Dell cautioned the Council that the City needs to prioritize the problem areas noting the cost will be in the millions that the City does not have.

Alderman Robinson: No report

Alderman Surratt requested that the Council vote to extend liquor hours to 2 AM for summer events. The Council could take no action because it was not listed on the agenda. Mayor Robinson felt that each event be reviewed separately and avoid having the City’s municipal code amended for a summer event. He said some events have expressed that they do not want the liquor hours extended.

New Business: None

Audience Comments:

Sandhurst resident Donald Crump addressed the Council on flooding issues on his property which has worsened since he initially complained to the Council in October, 2017. He has a 30-foot drainage easement at the rear of his property that is overflowing and creeping further into his backyard. He stated that he has lived at his residence for 20 years, and the flooding issues has become a problem in the latter years. Mr. Crump felt a fix to the problem could be accomplished cheaply if the Council would recognize that the problem exists.

Sandhurst resident Duane Theesfeld spoke that he was a 20-year resident of Sandhurst and that the only time he had flooding issues was in 1996. He erected a shed on his property in 1999 that is now under water. He felt that the detention ponds need to be addressed and checked regularly. Mr. Theesfeld puts the blame on the Fieldcrest Subdivision saying there were no flooding issues until the subdivision was developed.

Alderman Dell, representing Edgebrook Subdivision, recognized that many of the culverts have been blocked by large rocks and landscaping over the years creating zero drainage. He asked if the City must acquire the homeowner’s permission to address and maintain the culverts. Because the culverts are located on the City’s right-of-way, no permission is required to re-establish drainage lines.

Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Council, motion made by Alderman Redden and seconded by Alderman Kelleher to adjourn the Regular Council meeting at 8:10 PM. Motion carried unanimously by viva voce vote.

http://www.sandwich.il.us/MINUTES/rc052819.pdf