DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich Committee of the Whole met Nov. 18.

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, Kelleher, Killey, Kreinbrink, Redden & Surratt

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

Mayor Robinson:

Oath of Office: Mayor Robinson swore in new Police Officer Gary Michaels

Continued Discussion on Cannabis Sales: There were no audience comments. Council member Les Redden felt by approving the sale of cannabis it defeated the purpose of the DARE program; whereas Alderwoman Chmielewski spoke about the medicinal benefits. By concession of a straw poll, Aldermen Chmielewski, Kelleher and Kreinbrink favored the sale of cannabis. An ordinance will be drawn prohibiting cannabis business establishments.

Ordinance 2019-15 entitled “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 50, Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions, Article VI, Controlled Substances, of the Sandwich City Code” presented for first reading. Said Ordinance amends language in the Municipal Code that will update the use of cannabis in accordance with State law effective January 1, 2020. The Municipal Code currently prohibits use of cannabis. Council will vote on passage at next week’s meeting.

Resolution 19-13 entitled “A Resolution Amending the Property Tax Abatement Qualifying Criteria and Definitions in the DeKalb County Enterprise Zone – City of Sandwich” presented for review. Mayor Robinson explained there were technical corrections to the original agreement and formulas were adjusted. Paul Borek, Executive Director of the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation, indicated he would be available to come to a meeting and explain the changes. Council felt there was no need. Council will vote on adoption at the November 25th meeting.

Wes Levy / Lauterbach & Amen: Wes Levy was ill and unable to attend the meeting. He will be at next week’s meeting to present the proposed tax levy. Alderman Redden spoke on the underfunding of the police pension fund. The fund was 50% funded in 2018, and will be 41% funded in 2019. The proposed tax levy reflects a police pension increase from $387,518 to $654,691 resulting in a decrease for remaining funds.

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

City Clerk Ii

2020 Holiday & Meeting Schedules: The proposed scheduled was distributed for review noting that there will be no meeting versus holiday conflicts in 2020. Council will be approving at next week’s meeting.

Discussion on December 23rd Regular Meeting Cancellation: Historically, the Council has cancelled the last meeting of year. By doing so creates a conflict in approving bills for payment. Clerk Ii explained that in 2018, a special meeting was held prior to Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting whereby Council approved the bills. Mayor Robinson suggested waiting until the December 9th meeting to determine if the Council will need to meet on December 23rd to approve the tax levy and thereby bills could be presented at that time for payment approval.

City Treasurer Webber: No report

Director of Public Works / City Engineer Horak

2019 Leaf Vacuuming Program has been amended as follows:

a. Monday, November 18th: Ward 1 (except Sandhurst) 

b. Tuesday, November 19th: Ward 2 (except Fairwinds) 

c. Wednesday, November 20th: Ward 3

d. Thursday, November 21st: Ward 4

e. Friday, November 22nd: Sandhurst and Fairwinds

2019 Gletty Road Cleanup Project: IEPA has granted the City of Sandwich an extension of the compliance date until June 30, 2020 to remove the pile, associated debris, and complete the site restoration. Engineer Horak will contact Wilkinson Excavating regarding the extension because the 45-day window to approve the contract expires on Saturday, November 23rd.

Williams Architects Design Services: A proposal totaling $19,700.00 listing maintenance repairs of existing conditions, code review, concepts and budgeting was discussed on the following city-owned properties:

a. Public Safety Complex – 1251 E. 6th Street

b. Public Works Buildings

i. 311 E. Railroad Street

ii. 309 E. Railroad Street

iii. 307 E. Railroad Street

iv. 207 E. Railroad Street

v. 500 W. Hall Street

A debate ensued following the review of costs after Alderman Kreinbrink pointed out revenue shortfalls. Conceding that the September financial report did not look good, Alderman Kreinbrink said he is reluctant to sign any contract if the City is unable to follow through to completion. He felt the City could do much of the needed repair work inhouse; however, Engineer Horak said the City simply does not have enough staff. Prioritizing the projects, Engineer Horak said 309 E. Railroad Street would be funded from the water budget, 500 W. Hall Street would be funded from the sewer budget, and the remaining buildings would be low priority being funded by the general fund.

Street Department Crew Leader Position: The job description was distributed for review prior to releasing for advertisement.

Little Rock Creek Watershed Study tentative meeting is scheduled for December 4, 2019 at 10:00 AM in the City Hall Annex for discussion on the ecological components of runoff water. By participating in this study, the City will be eligible for grant money in the future.

Chief Bianchi reported that the dispatch center at the police department closed at 8 AM on Friday. Phone calls will now go directly to DeKalb and rollover to Sandwich. Chief explained that he is working on operating hours to accommodate the public.

EMA Ciciora: No report

Alderwoman Chiemlewski: No report

Alderman Dell: A safety grant between $17,000 - $18,000 is available through Illinois Public Risk Fund. The City will be making application. Alderman Dell reported that under Illinois Senate Bill 75 effective January 1, 2020, it will be mandatory for all personnel to receive annual training for sexual harassment. Lastly, he reported that the City’s IMIC (Illinois Municipal Insurance Cooperative) premium will increase by 6%. It is his recommendation to increase the deductible from $1,000.00 to $5,000.00 to save on premium costs.

Alderman Kelleher reported that he, along with Engineer Horak and Chief Bianchi, met with Chris Kozak, Vice President of Harbour Construction regarding the new public safety building. The goal is to have bid openings by December 11th for structural support and concrete. There is also building maintenance work to be completed such as electric and plumbing.

Alderwoman Killey advised that the finance committee meeting will be held following the COW meeting after a short break.

Alderman Kreinbrink stressed the direct correlation between the budget, tax levy and proposed police station and the need to begin the budget process. Mayor Robinson said December has 5 Monday’s and the Council could start budget meetings on December 30th. The City Council does not conduct meetings on the 5th Monday of a month. Also suggested was holding budget meetings on Saturday mornings or after a Regular Council Meeting.

Alderman Redden distributed a report to Governor J B Pritzker by the Illinois Pension Consolidation Feasibility Task Force dated October 10, 2019. In summary, the report acknowledges that the pension funds in Illinois are underfunded. Unlike IMRF (Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund) that is open to government employees, police and firemen retirement funds are small and unable to take advantage of investment opportunities that contribute toward the underfunding. The report suggested the advantages of consolidation of these smaller pension plans

Alderman Robinson has been broached relating to Sunday sales of liquor. Currently, the sale of liquor is 10 AM – 1 AM, and the request has been to conform with the non-Sunday liquors sales of 6 AM – 1 AM. With the upcoming holidays, there is the continued interest of eliminating the ban of liquor sales on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Easter. Council was receptive, and an ordinance will be drawn for consideration.

Alderman Surratt, speaking on behalf of Henderson Engineering, said the company was not party to the construction spoils being dumped on the City’s Gletty Road property. WSPY reporter, Jim Wyman, took exception to the claim saying the IEPA report specifically listed Henderson Engineering as one of the contributors of the dumping.

New Business: None

Audience Comments: 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-the- Whole Council meeting at 9:06 PM. Motion carried unanimously by viva voce vote.

http://www.sandwich.il.us/MINUTES/cw111819.pdf