DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich City Council met Sept. 23.

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

Approval of Minutes: Motion made by Alderman Surratt, and seconded by Alderwoman Chmielewski, to approve the minutes from the Regular Meeting of September 9, 2019 and the Committee-of-the-Whole Council Meeting of September 16, 2019. Aye: Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Kelleher, Killey, Kreinbrink, Redden, Robinson & Surratt Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0

Approval of September Semi-Monthly Bills: Motion was made by Alderwoman Killey, and seconded by Alderman Kelleher, approving payment of the September semi-monthly bills in the total amount of $181,954.64. Aye: Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Kelleher, Killey, Kreinbrink, Redden, Robinson & Surratt Nay: 0 Motion carried 8:0

It was noted that the invoice for Custom Computer Repair was removed from the list to be approved.

Mayor Robinson:

Taste of Sandwich will be held on Wednesday, September 25th from 5:30 – 7:30 PM.

5th Monday: Mayor Robinson reminded everyone that there will be no meeting next Monday. The next meeting will be held on Monday, October 7th, and the retail sale of cannabis will be discussed.

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

City Clerk Ii reported that Lisa Mangers has requested to carry over 40 hours of unused vacation time and receive a payout of 100.50 hours of unused vacation time. No action was required by the Council.

MCI Conference: Municipal Clerk of Illinois (MCI) hosts an annual conference that consists of an intense week of classes and workshops covering topics such as cannabis, parliamentary procedure, and Open Meetings / Freedom of Information updates. This year the conference will be held in Springfield. Clerk Ii requested a motion approving that she attend the MCI (Municipal Clerks of Illinois) Institute & Academy the week of October 13, 2019, in amount not to exceed $1,500.00, excluding meals. Funding would come from the corrected budgetary line item #001.0005.55.5100.

So moved by Alderwoman Killey, and seconded by Alderman Surratt. Aye: Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Kelleher, Killey, Kreinbrink, Redden, Robinson & Surratt Nay: 0 Motion carried 8:0

City Treasurer Webber: Absent

Director of Public Works / City Engineer Horak

Zoning Board of Appeals regular meeting of Tuesday, September 24, 2019 has been cancelled.

Hydrant flushing will begin on Monday, October 7th through Friday, October 11th. It is expected that the hydrant flushing will begin by 8:00 AM. and end by 4:00 PM each day.

2019 Brush Pickup Program: The 2019 Brush Pickup Program ends in October. The last pickup in each ward is as follows.

Monday, October 7: Ward 1 Monday, October 14: Ward 2 Monday, October 21: Ward 3 Monday, October 28: Ward 4

Chief Bianchi: No report

EMA Ciciora: No report

Alderwoman Chiemlewski moved to purchase the Cutler Graphtec FC8600-75 30” Cutting Plotter which includes the HSRA 36” air cylinder/bottom rubber coated roller sign making hardware. In addition, this purchase will include the Flexi-sign 19 software upgrade which will upgrade the software from Flexsign 11 and Flexsign 12 to Flexsign 19; and SignCentral MUTCD Sign and Font Library Renewal MUTCD Cloud Library w/ 1year automatic updates not to exceed $5,540.00. Motion was seconded by Alderman Kelleher. Aye: Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Kelleher, Killey, Kreinbrink, Redden, Robinson & Surratt Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0

Alderman Dell explained that the IPRF (Illinois Public Risk Fund) has inquired on the status of an internal safety committee development. IPRF is the City’s workmen comp carrier. Alderman Kelleher has volunteered to chair the proposed committee that would comprise of department heads and staff liaisons.

The guardrail located at the t-intersection at County Line Road in LaSalle County and the Sheridan blacktop has been hit twice this summer by DUI drivers. Although the City is trying to collect for restitution, there is a strong possibility the City’s insurance will not cover additional damage to the guardrail. The burden falls on the City to take necessary preventative measures such as grooves or reflective markings. To compound the problem, the guardrail is the responsibility of the City to maintain, but the roadway belongs to LaSalle County who is outside the City’s jurisdiction.

Alderman Kelleher: No report

Alderwoman Killey advised that the next finance committee meeting will be held on Monday, October 7th, 2019.

Alderman Kreinbrink requested Executive Session at the end of the meeting for land acquisition under Section 2(c)(5) and pending litigation under Section 2(c)(11). His request for Executive Session for personnel noted on the agenda was removed.

He and Alderwoman Chmielewski attended the IML Conference on September 26th & 27th. He suggested that future conferences and hotel expenses be budgeted for next year. Visiting vendor displays at the conference, Alderman Kreinbrink said that the USDA (US Department of Agriculture) funds grants and loans to small communities, such as Sandwich, at low interest rates. He felt it was an opportunity for financial assistance on many of the City’s unfunded projects.

An update on the Hall Street pumping station, Alderman Kreinbrink said some panels were removed to inspect the extent of deterioration of the building and that more work will be conducted on the building this week.

Reiterating his request to have audience comments moved to the front (beginning) of the agenda, Alderman Kreinbrink emphasized the need for residents to be able to express their opinions prior to the City taking any action on voting matters.

Alderman Redden reported that the City will be selling via online auction 4 squad cars, 1 blazer, and 1 pickup truck. The online auction will last two weeks.

Alderman Robinson reported that Police Officer Bill Meisner has requested a carryover of 60 unused vacation hours. No action was required.

Robinson explained his position on not moving audience comments to the front of the agenda, preferring to follow the Municipal Code by keeping comments at the end of the of the meeting. During a trial of allowing audience comments at the start of the meeting, it was felt comments set the tone for the remainder of the meeting oftentimes with animosity and negativity. Additionally, both Robinson and Alderman Surratt said the purpose of the COW meeting is discussion on voting matters, and residents would never be denied an opportunity to speak prior to a vote. Alderman Kreinbrink said the Council sets the tone of the meeting and wanted a Council vote whether to amend the Municipal Code moving audience comments from the end of the meeting to the beginning of each meeting. No action was taken because the matter had not been placed on the agenda for a vote.

Alderman Surratt: No report

New Business: None

Audience Comments: WSPY Reporter Jim Wyman questioned if it is legal to approve bills for payment if the total amount is not reflected on the agenda. Attorney Harrill said it is legal because at the time of the motion, the amount to be approved for payment was noted. Additionally, a question

was raised on the accrued interest on the City’s credit card. Clerk Ii said the invoice was approved for payment and interest had accrued on an unpaid balance. Lastly, Mr. Wyman asked the status on the guardrail repair. Engineer Horak said he is waiting to hear back from the contractor.

Local resident, Mary Meyer, had complained last week about the inability to hear the Council and felt that the aldermen were using the microphones incorrectly. She thanked the Council for taking necessary steps to assure that the audience can hear the meeting.

Executive Session:

Motion made by Alderman Kreinbrink, and seconded by Alderman Kelleher to go into executive session at 7:42 PM, pursuant to Section 2(c)(5) “The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body” and pursuant to Section 2(c)(11) “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 probable or imminent”. Aye: Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Kelleher, Killey, Kreinbrink, Redden, Robinson & Surratt Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0

It was noted that no action would be taken resulting from the Executive Session.

Motion to return from Executive Session: Motion made by Alderman Redden and seconded by Alderman Surratt return to regular session at 8:19 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 Regular Council meeting at 8:19 PM. Motion carried unanimously by viva voce vote.

http://www.sandwich.il.us/MINUTES/rc092319.pdf