City of Sandwich Committee of the Whole met Oct. 7.
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, Killey, Kreinbrink, Redden & Surratt
Absent: Aldermen Dell & Kelleher
Also present: Attorney Harrill, Department of Public Works / City Engineer Horak
City Treasurer Webber, Chief Bianchi & EMA Director Ciciora
Mayor Robinson:
Apostolic Day of Prayer: Marcia Davis invited the Council and public to the 3rd annual “Takin’ it to the Streets” community prayer at the First Apostolic Church on Sunday, October 13th at 4 PM. Other pastors will be participating and will be praying for the Mayor and City Council; Police & Fire Departments and Emergency Services; all Sandwich churches; all Sandwich schools; and local businesses. Between prayer sessions, there will be an opportunity for social and community fellowship.
Amended Municipal Code “Order of Business”: Alderman Kreinbrink had made a request that audience comments be moved from the end of the agenda to the front. He explained that other towns have the comment section at the beginning of the meeting and had received phone calls in support. He felt by doing so, residents would be afforded an opportunity to voice their opinion prior to the Council voting. Alderman Redden acknowledged the request made sense for a voting meeting but not for a Committee-of-the-Whole meeting which is not a voting meeting. Any changes to the Municipal Code must be done via Ordinance. Council favored a compromise of audience comments being at the start of voting meetings and remaining at the end of the agenda on non-voting meetings. Attorney Harrill will prepare the necessary paperwork for Council passage.
Discussion on Cannabis Sales: Approximately 50 residents were present to share opinions on whether the City should allow the sale of recreational marijuana. The sale and use of recreational marijuana will become legal January 1, 2020. Most of the audience appeared to favor the sale cannabis that would allow the City to affix an additional 3% sales tax to the sale. The audience favored the sale of marijuana for medicinal purposes noting that the nearest dispensaries were North Aurora and Ottawa. By a show of hands, the majority of the audience was in favor of allowing the sale of recreational cannabis. Alderman Redden said he cannot endorse the sale of cannabis that would encourage a person to get high adding that marijuana was still illegal under federal law. Attorney Harrill encouraged the Council to decide by Thanksgiving allowing enough time for Ordinances to be drafted in December,
Foster, Buick, Conklin & Lundgren LLC: No report
City Clerk Ii presented Resolution 19-23 entitled “Resolution Designating “Trick or Treat” Hours” for discussion. As in the past years, “Trick or Treat” hours will be set for 4 PM – 7 PM on Thursday, October 31st. There will be a city-wide ban on Halloween regarding the burning of leaves so not to hinder those with asthma and upper-respiratory conditions. Council will approve the Resolution at next week’s meeting.
CityTreasurer: Noreport
Chief Bianchi: No report
Director of Public Works / City Engineer Horak:
Hydrant flushing began on Monday, October 7th and will continue through Friday, October 11th between the hours of 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM daily.
Plan Commission regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at 6:30 pm in the City Hall Annex, 128 E. Railroad Street, Sandwich, IL 60548. Public hearing will be held on the following:
i. PC 2019-03: A Plan Commission recommendation of approval of a text amendment to allow a drive-up window in a B-1, B-2, or B-3 zoning district without the need for a special use permit.
ii. PC 2019-04: A Plan Commission recommendation of approval of a text amendment to allow a contractor’s shop in an M-2 zoning district without the need of a special use permit.
2019 Gletty Road Cleanup Project: Bid opening is scheduled for Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at 10:00 AM.
2019 Brush Pickup Program: The 2019 Brush Pickup Program ends in October. The last pickup in each ward is as follows.
Monday, October 07: Ward 1 Monday, October 14: Ward 2 Monday, October 21: Ward 3 Monday, October 28: Ward 4
2019 Leaf Vacuuming: Depending on fall foliage, the tentative schedule will be November 4 – November 27.
Potential Water System Projects include as follows noting that (a) and (b) affect Well #3 which is the emergency backup well for the City:
a. Clark Street WTP Pressure Filter Media Replacement
b. Clark Street WTP HMO Feed System
c. SCADA Integrator Assistance
d. Clark Street WTP Preliminary Engineering – Treatment Plant Expansion
Sanitary Sewer Smoke Testing & Manhole Inspections: Engineer Horak reported that he had a progress meeting with Alderman Surratt regarding the Subbasins A & E for the sanitary sewer smoke testing and manhole inspections. He explained they are finalizing the inspection information and will be preparing a presentation on the results in the next few weeks.
Latham Street Repairs: Engineer Horak will be meeting with the City’s consultant regarding the Latham Street repairs. Funding would come from Federal funds that are available through KKCOM (Kane / Kendall Council of Mayors) that have been set aside for the City of Sandwich. The soonest construction would occur would be in 2021.
City Buildings Inspection: Engineer Horak reported that he will have Williams Architects inspect several city buildings later in the week for structural repairs and fire & heat detection.
EMA Director Ciciora: No report
Alderwoman Chmielewski: No report
Alderman Dell: Absent
Alderman Kelleher: Absent
Alderwoman Killey advised that the finance committee would meet immediately following this evening’s Council meeting.
Alderman Kreinbrink asked Chief Bianchi if he had numbers for Ken Com dispatching. Response was Ken Com had not yet contacted Chief since initial contact.
Alderman Redden: No report
Alderman Robinson: No report
Alderman Surratt said residents have contacted him inquiring if burning is allowed inside city limits. Response was burning is allowed however leaves must be dry and not wet or damp. Burning of garbage is strictly prohibited by law.
New Business: None
Audience Comments: Carol Meyer asked the status on the Metronet fiber installation noting that there are wires looped on poles that can be dangerous especially to inquisitive children. Response was underground installation is complete but Metronet is waiting for pole replacements to finalize the project.
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 7:45 PM. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
http://www.sandwich.il.us/MINUTES/cw100719.pdf
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