DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich City Council met June 24.

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, Kreinbrink, Redden & Surratt

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

Absent: City Treasurer Webber

Audience Comments: Jim Techenbrock, Director of the Sandwich Economic Development Corp, provided an update on Metro railway coming into Kendall County. Sugar Grove, in particular, has expressed a desire that any funding for a Metro extension should go to Kane County, not Kendall County. The estimated cost for the Metro project is $110 million. He also shared SEDC events that included Waubonsee Community College assisting with small business owners, the Dekalb County Foundation strategic planning, and on the local level, assisting with the DARE program, Boy Scouts program, Freedom Days festivities, and the Haskin Reading Program.

Approval of Minutes: Motion made by Alderman Kelleher, and seconded by Alderwoman Killey, to approve the minutes from the Regular Meeting of June 10, 2019 and the Committee- of-the-Whole Council Meeting of June 17, 2019. Aye: Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Kelleher, Killey, Kreinbrink, Redden, Robinson & Surratt Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0

Approval of June Semi-Monthly Bills: Motion was made by Alderwoman Killey, and seconded by Alderman Kelleher, approving payment of the June semi-monthly bills in the total amount of $93,420.34. Aye: Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Kelleher, Killey, Kreinbrink, Redden, Robinson & Surratt Nay: 0 Motion carried 8:0

Mayor Robinson:

Resolution 19-10 entitled “A Resolution to Accept the Planning Priorities Report Delivered by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning” presented for adoption. A few aldermen did not agree with the findings of CMAP, and have requested that they return for a question / answer session. It was felt they lacked due diligence in their surveying of the community and their findings were not as comprehensive as the City’s. CMAP recommended, based on a community survey, that the City create a new comprehensive plan, improve on municipal budgeting and conduct a railroad quiet zone feasibility study. The last full comprehensive study was completed in 2003 and updated in 2011. Mayor Robinson explained the purpose of the Resolution was acknowledging that CMAP has fulfilled their obligations under a 2018 agreement, but the City was not obligated to accept CMAP’s recommendations.

Aldermen Kelleher moved to pass Resolution 19-10, and seconded by Alderman Dell. Aye: Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Kelleher, Killey, Kreinbrink & Robinson Nay: Aldermen Redden & Surratt Motion carried 6:2

Ordinance 2019-05 entitled “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 22, Businesses, Article IV, Tobacco, Section 22-82 of the Sandwich City Code” presented for passage. According to Public Act 101-0002, effective July 1, 2019, the age for tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, and alternative nicotine products to be sold or possessed by is raised from 18 years of age to 21 years of age. Some aldermen voiced opposition to the new law claiming teens employed by businesses that sell tobacco products would be out of a job, and the new law would encourage underage selling of cigarettes. Chief Bianchi explained the enforcement of the new law would be through the City’s adjudication program.

Motion to pass Ordinance 2019-05 as presented was made by Alderman Surratt. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Chmielewski. Aye: Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Kelleher, Killey, Kreinbrink, Redden, Robinson & Surratt Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0

Announcement: NIU’s Center for Governmental Studies will be hosting a leadership program in August for all Council members. Attendance is mandatory and is in conjunction with the City’s strategic plan. The evening meeting will last approximately 3 hours with dinner provided. More information will be forthcoming.

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 for Tuesday, June 25, 2019, has been cancelled.

Announcements: Engineer Horak reported that the pump replacement for the Sandy Bluff lift station will be done on Wednesday, June 25th. Additionally, the manhole inspections will begin next week, and the sanitary smoke testing will begin the end of July. MetroNet will begin their fiber installation starting on Wednesday on the south side of Sandhurst Subdivision.

Chief Bianchi: No report

EMA Ciciora reported that he conducted instruction to the police cadets on basic traffic control and downed wires.

Alderwoman Chiemlewski: No report

Alderman Dell reported that the City has received a reimbursement from IMIC (Illinois Municipal Insurance Cooperative) based on the number of claims. FY 2013-2014, the City received a payout of $1,164.00, and FY 2014-2015, the payout amount was $600.00.

Alderman Kelleher: No report

Alderwoman Killey advised that the next finance committee meeting will be held on Monday, July 1st, 2019. She also updated the Opera House window replacement project reporting that twelve windows were customized by local residents Larry Mall, John Yoeckel, and Gary Augustine. Installation will start around July 1st and last several weeks.

Alderman Kreinbrink asked Chief Bianchi about the disposition of unusable vehicles at the police station. He wondered if the City has plans to auction the vehicles. Response was there are no immediate plans but historically the City holds an annual auction. Also suggested was an online live auction where an outside entity would handle the auction on behalf of the City. Alderman Kreinbrink encouraged that this matter be resolved.

At the May 20, 2019 meeting, George Burns, representing SoFi Communications addressed the Council requesting to install equipment and antennas on the Duvick Avenue water tower as a wireless internet service provider for rural residents not serviced by a cable company. Alderman Kreinbrink asked the status and resolution of SoFi’s request.

CMAP had made a recommendation to conduct a railroad quiet zone feasibility study, and Alderman Kreinbrink questioned the cost for a study noting the City does not have a plan in place. Engineer Horak said 6-7 years ago, the cost estimate was $10,000 - $20,000. It was also noted that the City had investigated a feasibility study for a railroad quiet zone several years ago but found the cost prohibitive and the closing of the railroad crossings at Lafayette and Eddy Streets impractical. Several aldermen objected saying a railroad quiet zone was not a priority due to lack of funding and resolving the continued flooding issues experienced by the City.

Regarding sidewalk maintenance, Alderman Kreinbrink asked Engineer Horak when bids would be going out. Response was bids were opened on May 20th and a contract was awarded to Universal Asphalt & Excavating on May 28th. Engineer Horak explained that drainage issues have a high priority, and that he tries to get the best deal for the money.

At the May 28, 2019meeting,Alderman Kelle her requested the discussion on the City’s IT contract with Custom Computer Repair Service be tabled due to the absence of Alderman Kreinbrink. There has been no action since. Alderman Kreinbrink reported he has a meeting scheduled for Friday with Alderman Kelleher.

Alderman Redden reported that the AC has been repaired as well as the leaks in the roof at the Opera House. Some of the asphalt shingles had been destroyed from recent storms and needed to be replaced.

Alderman Robinson reminded the Council that the regular council meeting is a voting meeting and not a discussion meeting. The COW (Committee-of-the-Whole) meetings are for discussions, allowing the Council an opportunity to ask questions and prepare for the regular voting meetings.

Alderman Surratt, who is employed by Henderson Engineering, reported that it is not the practice of the business to promote truck travel on W. First Street. Joe Latham, who resides on W. First Street, had addressed the Council at the June 17th COW meeting asking that a “no trucks allowed” sign be erected at the intersection of Green & W. First Streets. Alderman Surratt requested that the City Attorney draft an ordinance prohibiting truck travel on W. First Street and that a sign be erected.

New Business: None

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 7:56 PM. Motion carried unanimously by viva voce vote.

http://www.sandwich.il.us/MINUTES/rc062419.pdf