DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich City Council met Dec. 9.

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, City Treasurer Webber & EMA Director Ciciora

Absent: Chief Bianchi

Audience Comments: None

Consent Agenda: Motion made by Alderman Kelleher, and seconded by Alderman Dell, to adopt the Consent Agenda as amended. Aye: Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Kelleher, Killey, Kreinbrink, Redden, Robinson & Surratt Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0

a. Approval of Regular Council Meeting Minutes of November 11, 2019

b. Approval of COW Minutes of December 2, 2019

c. Approval of Regular Council Meeting Minutes of November 25, 2019

d. Approval of December bills totaling $ 71,779.53

Items Removed from the Consent Agenda: e. Ordinance 2019-18 entitled “Ordinance Abating the Tax Heretofore Levied for 2019 to Pay the Debt Service on a Portion of $5,600,000 General Obligation Waterworks Refunding Bonds Alternate Revenue Source) of the City of Sandwich, DeKalb and Kendall Counties, Illinois” presented for first reading. The City has sufficient funds to pay the principal and interest on the bond and directs that the respective Counties abate taxes for said bond issue. Item was removed from consent agenda due to a scrivener’s error saying the Ordinance was being presented for first reading. Ordinance was being presented for passage.

Motion made by Alderman Dell to pass Ordinance 2019-18 as presented. Motion was seconded by Alderman Surratt. Aye: Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Killey, Kreinbrink, Redden, Robinson & Surratt Nay: Alderman Kelleher Motion carried 7:1

Mayor Robinson:

Ordinance 2019-16 entitled “An Ordinance Amending the Municipal Code of the City of Sandwich by the Addition of Article VI of Chapter 22 Businesses Prohibiting Cannabis Business Establishments” presented for passage. The Ordinance prohibits the sale of cannabis including, but not limited to, business establishments, cultivation and dispensing.

Aldermen Redden gave an impassioned speech on his stand against cannabis. By supporting the DARE program (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), he cited hypocrisy if the City allowed the sale of cannabis. In conclusion, he reminded the Council that when they took an oath of office, each swore to defend and uphold the Constitution of the United States, and that under federal law, cannabis is illegal.

Motion was made by Alderman Kelleher, and seconded by Alderwoman Killey, to pass Ordinance 2019-16 as presented. Aye: Aldermen Dell, Redden & Robinson Nay: Aldermen Chmielewski, Kelleher, Killey, Kreinbrink & Surratt Motion failed 3:5

Ordinance 2019-17 entitled “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 6, Alcoholic Beverages, Article I, In General, Section 5, Hours of Sale of the Sandwich City Code” presented for first reading. Council may waive first reading. Ordinance amends the Municipal Code by changing the sale to no sale of alcoholic liquor between the hours of 1 AM – 6 AM daily. Additionally, establishments selling alcohol would be allowed to be open Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Easter.

Aldermen Dell moved to pass Ordinance 2019-17 as presented, and motion was seconded by Alderman Surratt. Aye: Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Kelleher, Killey, Kreinbrink, Redden, Robinson & Surratt Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0

Ordinance 2019-19 entitled “Annual Tax Levy” presented for first reading. Tax levy will be an increase of 4.95% at $1,548,591.00 and represents a tax increase of $19.00 per $100,000.00 equalized assessed valuation. Ordinance will be placed on the December 23rd agenda for passage.

Ordinance 2019-20 entitled “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 78 “Taxation” by Creating a New Article V, Entitled “Municipal Cannabis Retailers’ Occupation Tax” of the Municipal Code of the City of Sandwich to Impose a Municipal Cannabis Retailers’ Occupation Tax” presented for first reading. A tax will be imposed on businesses selling retail cannabis at 3% gross receipts from sales. Said Ordinance amends Chapter 78 of the Municipal Code by adding a new Article V. Ordinance will be placed on the December 23rd agenda for passage.

Foster, Buick, Conklin & Lundgren, LLC: No report City Clerk Ii: No report

City Treasurer Webber: No report

Director of Public Works / City Engineer Horak:

Plan Commission regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at 6:30 pm in the City Hall Annex, 128 E. Railroad Street, Sandwich, IL 60548. Topic will be a discussion on the zoning of adult use cannabis establishments.

2019 MFT (19-00000-01-GM): Engineer Horak requested approval of pay request #2 for Universal Asphalt & Excavating Inc. in an amount of $116,589.02. 5%, of $12,738.98, of the contract will be withheld for retainage. In the Spring, the City will conduct an inspection of completed work for final payout.

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

2019 Leaf Vacuuming Program ended on Friday, December 6th.

Storm brush pickup is scheduled for Monday, December 9th. Residents should set out storm brush by 7:00 am on Monday, December 9th. No further brush pickup is scheduled for 2019.

2019 Little Rock Creek Watershed Plan: The kickoff meeting was held on December 4, 2019. It is an 18-month process and an update is anticipated by the end of January, 2020. Sandhurst subdivision is located in the Little Rock Creek Watershed.

2019 Gletty Road Cleanup Project: In an updated reported, Engineer Horak met with Wilkinson Excavating who is agreeable to lower their cost at the end of the project conditional on the contents of removed construction spoils. Mayor Robinson explained that the intent of the road construction spoils was to build a berm for an outdoor shooting range. The Gletty Road property was the initial site for the propose public safety building before it was deem cost prohibitive. Because of complaints and negative publicity, the IEPA (Illinois Environmental Protection Agency) deemed the material to be removed noting, however, that the material is not contaminated, hazardous nor toxic. The IEPA has extended the removal date to June, 2020.

As a means to save money, Alderman Kreinbrink suggested city crews removing the material and Engineer Horak acting as on-site consultant. Countering, Engineer Horak explained the city does not have sufficient staff to handle such a project, including an exploratory of the dumped contents, and city trucks have been outfitted for snow and ice removal. Alderman Kreinbrinck voiced surprise that only two bids were received on the project and proposed letting it out for bid again including mailing notices to contractors. It was noted that payment for the soil removal would be part of the 2020-2021 fiscal budget.

Chief Bianchi: Sergeant Ikemire was present in Chief Bianchi’s absence. No report EMA Ciciora: No report

Alderwoman Chmielewski: No report

Alderman Dell: No report

Alderman Kelleher reported that he had attended the Metra open house on December 2nd. He indicated more information will be forthcoming in future, and that a survey will be placed on the City’s website for community feedback. Sandwich is in a favorable position for the end of the Metra line extension because of available land. BNSF (Burlington Northern Santa Fe) has not provided feedback on the Metra extension into Kendall County.

Alderwoman Killey: No report

Alderman Kreinbrink inquired if the City has a list of sales tax receipts broken down by businesses. The data could be used for finance meetings and the upcoming budget process to realize the impact and trend of each business. Attempts will be made to obtain this information from the Illinois Department of Revenue.

Alderman Redden: No report

Alderman Robinson reported that Mike Nelson has requested 17.5 unused vacation hours be rolled over. No action was required.

Additionally, a request was made for an alderman to attend the Southwest Fox Valley Cable & Telecommunications Consortium meeting on Thursday, December 12th at Waubonsee Community College. Alderman / Mayor Robinson will not be able to attend due to work conflicts.

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 Regular Council meeting at 7:52 PM. Motion carried unanimously by viva voce vote.

http://www.sandwich.il.us/MINUTES/rc120919.pdf