DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich Committee-of-the-Whole met June 17.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Mayor Robinson called the Committee-of-the-Whole Council Meeting to order at 7:00 PM Roll call was taken:

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

Also present: Attorney Buick, Department of Public Works / City Engineer Horak, City Treasurer Webber, Chief Bianchi & EMA Director Ciciora

Audience Comments: Doug Grief accused the City of “not doing anything” regarding the flooding issues the Community experienced on Memorial Day, May 27th. He also said the City is not sharing information and consequently, there is no trust. Mr. Grief wanted a timeline when the flooding issues would be rectified adding that new housing construction is causing the problems. Council replied they are investigating purchasing additional property for drainage issues, but it is a slow process, and the City does not have funding available. Alderman Redden added that in the past years, the City has fallen victim to enormous amount of rain putting extra burden on a drainage system that was not designed to handle the large abundance of rainwater.

Joe Latham raised concerns about truck traffic on W. First Street associated with Henderson Manufacturing. He has witnessed lowboys using Frist Street, and he questioned the weight issue and foreseeable infrastructure problems. He requested a sign be placed forbidding truck traffic. Alderman Dell suggested that contact be made with Henderson Manufacturing to discuss the problem.

Mayor Robinson

Resolution 19-10 entitled “A Resolution to Accept the Planning Priorities Report Delivered by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning” presented for review. Resolution will be placed on the June 24th agenda for Council adoption.

Jarrod Patton, Associate Planner and Tony Manno, Senior Planner presented the CMAP (Chicago Metropolitan Agency Planning) Planning Priorities Report to the Council. Explaining that the planning dated back to February, 2018, CMAP proposed three recommendations: create a new comprehensive plan, improve budgeting practices & adopt a capital improvement plan, and lastly, conduct a quiet zone feasibility study for the BNSF railway. Asked if CMAP can provide funding, grants are available but extremely competitive because there are more projects than grant money available.

Ordinance 2019-05 entitled “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 22, Businesses, Article IV, Tobacco, Section 22-82 of the Sandwich City Code” presented for 1st read. Attorney Buick explained the purposes of the ordinance is to define the age restriction as listed in the City’s Municipal Code. Effective July 1, 2019, the age limit will be raised from 18 years to 21 years to sell or possess tobacco products, electronic cigarettes and alternative nicotine products.

Foster, Buick, Conklin & Lundgren LLC: No report City Clerk Ii: No report

City Treasurer reported that the City updating approved bank signatories with the local banks should be completed by the end of the week.

Director of Public Works / City Engineer Horak

CMAP Planning Priorities Report presentation (see report under Mayor Robinson)

2019 MFT (19-00000-01-GM): Engineer Horak indicated he is waiting for IDOT approval, and the project is projected to be completed by September 23. 2019.

2019 Subbasins A & E Sanitary Sewer Manhole Inspections: Work will commence the first week of July concentrating in the northwest section of town, and between Eddy and Latham Streets. Notices will be posted on the City’s website.

Meadowvale Request: Meadowvale has requested a credit after the City discovered the business has been charged for sanitary sewer fees. The business has been hauling wastewater after the pretreatment proved unsuccessful. Sewer charges incurred from January 1, 2019 through May 17, 2019 total $20,344.80.

Chief Bianchi: No report

EMA Director Ciciora reported that the storm siren located at Lions Road and Wells Street has been repaired.

Alderwoman Chiemlewski: No report

Alderman Dell questioned if the cost for DeKalb County fiber optic was compatible with Metronet. Explanation was the DeKalb County fiber optic is restricted County-wide only but is a secured line, unlike Metronet. The police department is connected with the DeKalb County fiber optic, but City Hall is not, although an annual consortium membership and services agreement is charged annually.

Alderman Kelleher congratulated WSPY reporter, Jim Wyman, on receiving first place for “Best Radio Hard News Story” by the Illinois Broadcasters Association.

Alderwoman Killey advised that the finance committee would meet immediately following this evening’s Council meeting.

Alderman Kreinbrink provided an update on the RFP (request for proposal) for the City’s annual audit. Apart from separate mailings, the RFP was published two days in the DeKalb Chronicle. Two auditors have forwarded questions to the City that are being addressed. Alderman Kreinbrink stated time is now critical as the RFP is due on Monday, June 24th.

Alderman Kreinbrink proposed that the Council receive the weekly agendas along with necessary copies and purchase order reviews a week in advance of the meeting rather than the Friday before the Council meeting. He said Council oftentimes do not see documentation they are voting on until the night of the vote. By receiving documentation a week early, this would allow the Council seven days to review prior to the Monday council meeting, allow more transparency, decrease FOIA requests, save time at meetings thus allowing more time to ask questions, and offer a better level of service to citizens. He added that he would like to see the Council receive all documentation electronically. Mayor Robinson noted the purpose of the COW meetings is to allow an opportunity for questions and review a week prior to the regular council meeting which is a voting meeting. Clerk Ii, foreseeing additional burden on City Hall, reminded that the office is already understaffed. She added that there are aldermen that never pick up their packets therefore seeing the paperwork for the first time at the voting meeting.

Alderman Redden agreed with Alderman Kreinbrink adding that he oftentimes will vote “no” because he feels the Council should have spent more time discussing a topic. He is not ready to vote on the CMAP proposal and wants to continue the discussion at the July 1st meeting.

Alderman Robinson reported on vacation rollover hours and payouts as follows: Jerry Ikemire, 80 vacation hours rollover and 104 vacation hours payout; Doug Westbrook, 80 vacation hours rollover and 70 vacation hours payout, and Dan Malkowski, half hour vacation hours rollover. No action was taken.

Alderman Surratt: No report New Business: None Executive Session:

Motion made by Alderman Dell, and seconded by Alderman Surratt, to go into executive session at 8:36 PM, pursuant to Section 2(c)(11) “Pending litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probably or imminent”. Aye: Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Kelleher, Killey, Kreinbrink, Redden, Robinson & Surratt Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0

Motion to return from Executive Session: Motion made by Alderman Dell and seconded by Alderman Surratt return to regular session at 9:21 PM. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Council, motion made by Alderman Redden and seconded by Alderman Kelleher to adjourn the Committee-of-the- Whole Council meeting at 9:21 PM. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

http://www.sandwich.il.us/MINUTES/cw061719.pdf