DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich Committee of the Whole met Feb. 3.

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, Kelleher, Killey, Kreinbrink & Robinson

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

Absent: Aldermen Dell & Surratt; Chief Bianchi

Mayor Robinson

Presentation by Greg Bielawski, ILCMA (Illinois City / County Management Association): Mr. Bielawski promoted the benefits of a City Administrator noting the position is non-partisan, non- political and is an appointment. Working as a team member with the Council and staff, a City Administrator handles the daily operation and administrative duties of the City. Statistics reflect that communities that have a city administration are 10-15% more efficient. Council will continue to discuss the probability of employing a city administrator during upcoming budget meetings.

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

City Clerk Ii reminded Council that approval of Executive Session minutes will be on the February 10th agenda for approval. The approval of minutes is not for release to the public. City Treasurer Webber: No report

Director of Public Works / City Engineer Horak:

Little Rock Creek Watershed Study: The City has received $14,000 in grant money from the DeKalb County Community Foundation. The tentative date for the next meeting is Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at 10:00 am.

Sewer Rate Study (EEI): Steven Dennison from EEI (Engineering Enterprises) conducted a presentation on their evaluation of sewer rates and the impact of phosphorus on ecosystems. Under the NPDES Permit, a phosphorus removal feasibility study and discharge optimization plan reports are required by October, 2020. NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) Permit also requires the City to meet a phosphorus 1.0 mg limit by 2023. NPDES Permit holders in the Fox River Basin are required to meet a 0.5 mg total limit by 2030. These requirements will incur costs for capital improvements on the City’s wastewater treatment facilities. The improvements are mandated by the IEPA (Illinois Environmental Protection Agency). Although naturally present in water, harmful phosphorus gets into discharge water and agricultural fertilizer runoffs.

Water / wastewater projections have reflected a downward trend since 2016. The study reflected the City is in good shape with current facilities given that downward trend. The current population is 7,421 and the project growth is 13,080 in 2050. The current facility has the capability of handling a population growth to 15,000, and with the downward trend, the facility can handle a population of 18,075. No expansions are foreseeable in the next thirty (30) years.

To meet IEPA mandate pertaining to the phosphorus discharge, improvements to the wastewater treatment facility will cost $2.5 million for construction and engineering in 2023, and an additional $3.2 million in 2030. The Route 34 sanitary sewer replacement will cost an additional $3.9 million. Future discussions will center on debt service to fund the mandated projects.

Latham Street – Center to Sandhurst Reconstruction Project (HLR): Randy Newkirk from Hampton, Lenzini & Renwick discussed the Latham Street Reconstruction project from Sandhurst Drive to Center Street. The base is failing causing the rutting and continued deterioration. The City hopes to use MFT (Motor Fuel Tax) and federal funding on the 2-year project that includes possible turn lanes onto 6th Street and Pleasant Avenue including ditch improvement and culverts to handle storm water issues. A temporary fix was discussed that would entail the use of a street milling machine to grind out the worst areas and patch. The projected cost of the reconstruction is $1.4 million.

Downtown Street Lighting Project (HLR): Randy Newkirk proposed a study on street lighting in the downtown area consisting of new luminaries and LED lighting. The study would also provide a uniformity for future lighting improvements and would be completed by May. 2020 at a cost not to exceed $12,955.00. The upgrades do not include the canopy lighting. Council will need to determine the light fixture design and an installation area to be addressed first.

Reject Utility Poles (ComEd): George Gaulrapp, External Affairs Manager for ComEd, explained that ‘tagged’ poles are not necessarily reject poles and are of no danger to the community. The poles are ‘tagged’ to be monitored for maintenances issues, such as future replacement. During the Metronet fiber installation, ComEd was also replacing defective poles which raised the question about those poles that had been marked and not replaced. ComEd will have a report for the City listing all tagged poles in the city.

Chief Bianchi: Sergeant Ikemire was present in the absence of Chief Bianchi. No report

EMA Ciciora reported on the annual testing of sirens. There was issue found with the Sandy Bluff siren that will be addressed. Alderwoman Chmielewski: No report

Alderman Dell: Absent

Alderman Kelleher: No report

Alderwoman Killey advised that the finance committee meeting will be held following the COW meeting after a short break. Additionally, a special meeting of the COW will be held on Saturday, February 8th at 8 AM to continue discussions on the 2020-2021 proposed budget and long-term budgeting.

Alderman Kreinbrink: No report

Alderman Redden shared census information he learned at a recent DCEDC (DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation) meeting. Although online responses can begin mid-March, April 1st is considered Census Day for reporting purposes. For each person not counted represents a potential loss of $1,535 per year in federal funding for the next decade. It is estimated that DeKalb County was undercounted by 23%, or 24,187 residents, in the 2010 census.

Alderman Robinson reported that Lori Johnson has requested rollover of 12 unused vacation hours.

Alderman Surratt: Absent

New Business: None

Audience Comments: WSPY news correspondent, Jim Wyman, questioned the HLR (Hampton, Lanzini & Renwick) costs for the proposed Latham Street repairs; inquired about the cost for underground wiring for the downtown area street lights; and asked where phosphorus originates prior to entering the waterways.

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/cw020320.pdf