DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich Committee-of-the-Whole met July 15.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Mayor Robinson called the Committee-of-the-Whole Council Meeting to order at 7:03 PM

Roll call was taken:

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

Also present: Attorney Buick, Department of Public Works / City Engineer Horak

Chief Bianchi & EMA Director Ciciora

Absent: Alderwoman Chmielewski & City Treasurer Webber

Audience Comments: Resident Carol Meyer expressed concern due to recent legalization of recreational marijuana and what plans the City is considering to maintain control. The new law will take affect January 1, 2020. Under the new law, municipalities can tax the sale of marijuana or can ban the use and sale. She fears the new law will allow open smoking in public places and new

health concerns. The Council has not formulated any plans yet but felt that the current smoking laws would take precedence (such as no smoking in public places).

Mayor Robinson: No report

Foster, Buick, Conklin & Lundgren LLC: No report

City Clerk Ii: No report

City Treasurer: Absent

Director of Public Works / City Engineer Horak

Applied Ecological Services Contract: The Little Rock Creek Watershed-Based Plan is a lump sum payment of $70,000.00 projected to begin in September 2019 and completed in April 2021. Funding will come from budgetary line item 030.0307.90.6800.(corrected to read 010.0307.90.6800 via 7/22/2019). An IEPA-approved watershed based plan for Little Rock Creek will be developed with findings being used for planning strategies and identifying water quality projects eligible for grant funding. The City has received a $40,000 IEPA grant to be applied toward the study.

Alderman Kreinbrink raised concern that the study may overlap existing studies completed in the past and that perhaps funding could be saved by utilizing the older studies. He does not want to see a duplication in services, and understands a similar study was done for Northville Township drainage district. Engineer Horak replied it is his understanding the previous study done for the drainage district was drawing drainage lines within the Northville-Sandwich-Little Rock drainage district. Horak said a portion of the AES study will affect that portion of Sandwich that lies within in the drainage district. Alderman Surratt echoed Alderman Kreinbrink’s opinion asking how many studies must be competed before the City moves forward?

2019 Subbasins A & E Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Survey: Engineer Horak reported that field manhole inspections were completed on July 8, 2019. The smoke testing is scheduled to begin the week of July 22, 2019 and last through July 29, 2019. Door hangers for affected locations will be placed a few days before the work begins. The affected locations are the same locations that were affected by the manhole inspections.

2019 MFT (19-00000-01-GM): The preconstruction meeting was held on July 11, 2019. Construction is anticipated to begin within two weeks and should be completed by September 23, 2019. Those areas affected by the construction are:

a. Center Street – Mechanic Street to Washington Street: Street pavement reconstruction, sidewalk reconstruction, curb ramps and detectable warnings.

b. Kees Lane – South End to Griswold Springs Road: Street pavement reconstruction.

c. 6 th Street/Latham Street: Curb ramps and detectable warnings.

d. Wells Street – Hall Street to Church Street: Sidewalk repairs, reconstruction, and curb ramps with detectable warnings

Chief Bianchi reported that he and Building Official Steffens is inspecting Ward 4 for code violations. Additionally, he also reported that due a recent storm during school hours in May, a suggestion was made to provide schools with a ‘go bag’ which is an emergency kit. Chief Bianchi is teaming with the school district, DeKalb and Kendall County Sheriff Departments and the Sandwich Fire Department. Undertaking the project will require community support, and research continues on the proposed project. A golf outing to raise awareness and fundraising will be held on September 21st

EMA Director Ciciora: No report

Alderwoman Chmielewski: Absent

Alderman Dell: No report

Alderman Kelleher: No report

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

Alderman Kreinbrink raised questions pertaining to how often Wards are inspected for code violations. Chief Bianchi responded that it is done periodically when time allows, but definitely twice a year usually in the spring and fall.

Directing another question to Chief Bianchi, Alderman Kreinbrink asked what the thoughts were on police department cars to be sold. There are three squads and a pickup truck. Additionally, Chief Bianchi said they have some seized vehicles that will require titles from the State in order to sell.

There has been no final decision made on a sales auction.

Regarding the dispatch timeline, Chief Bianchi said dispatching continues in-house, and a contract has not been signed with DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department. The new radio system is not yet operational, but training will be held all next week with staff. Alderman Kreinbrink repeated a previous suggestion that the City contract with KenCom with a potential savings of $40,000.00. (amended to “suggested the City contact KenCom for a comparative quote” via 7/22/2019),

Alderman Redden reminded the Council of the upcoming Chamber of Commerce golf outing and that registration is due by the end of the week. The golf outing will be on Friday, August 2nd.

Casey’s has requested to upgrade their liquor license to a Class B that will enable them to sell hard liquor. The business has made a similar request in past years, and the Council was not in favor. The City has three Class B liquor licenses held by Art’s, Jay’s Liquors, and the Bacaba. Apart that an additional Class B liquor license would need to be created, several aldermen did not favor Casey’s request noting there are already three liquor stores in town, and they did not want to take business away from them. John Culaga, representing Casey’s, will be at the August 5th meeting to further discuss their request.

Alderman Robinson: No report

Alderman Surratt: No report

New Business: None

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-theWhole Council meeting at 8:07 PM. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.