DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich Committee of the Whole met Sept. 8.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Roll call was taken:

Present: Mayor Robinson, City Clerk Ii, City Attorney Harrill, Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Kelleher, Killey & Kreinbrink

Also Present: Director of Public Works / City Engineer Horak, Sergeant Whitecotton & EMA Director Ciciora

Absent: Alderman Surratt & Chief Bianchi

Mayor Robinson reported that the Gletty Road berm has been removed, the cleanup has been completed without issues, and the land will be tilled this fall for planting. The City is waiting for a final report from Clean Soils Consulting.

Mayor Robinson shared information on a local gas station that is requesting a Class K liquor license that would allow up to 6 video games on the premises and the pouring of liquor. There are 2 Class K licenses, and both have been issued to local establishments. An additional Class K license would require approval by the Council. In the past, the Council has not been in favor of creating an additional Class K license nor create a new license class to accommodate the request.

Mayor Robinson briefed the Council on Ordinance 2020-12 that would eliminate certain committees under Section 2-29 of the Municipal Code. Committees to be eliminated would be Personnel, Public Safety, Opera House / Chamber of Commerce Liaison, and Tourism. Committees must post agendas and produce meeting minutes that has been a problem in the past which, in turn, alluded to violation of the Open Meetings Act. Alderman Kreinbrink objected to the dissolution of the Personnel Committee stressing the importance for staff to have a clear direction to address personnel matters including insurance components and HR issues without having to address the Council. Mayor Robinson said the Council will discuss further at the next COW (Committee-of-the- Whole) meeting.

As a reminder, Mayor Robinson said the 2020 Census will end by September 30th. This date is a month earlier than previously planned according to the US Census Bureau.

Foster, Buick, Conklin & Lundgren Law Group: No report 

City Clerk Ii

Update on November 8th 3rd (correction approved 9/28/2020 by vote of 7-0) General Election: County Clerk / Recorder Doug Johnson reached out to all DeKalb County communities late August asking if they would be interested in being a mail-in ballot drop site. At the time, the County had received requests for 8,500 mail-in ballots. Due to Covid-19 and the hesitancy of trusting mail delivery, a local drop-box site seemed a logical alternative. Doug Johnson said that Sandwich was the only municipality that stepped forward although Sandwich City Hall remains closed to the public. Clerk Ii discussed the possibility of a drop site with Mayor Robinson, and both agreed the City would ‘make it happen”. The other communities excused themselves citing as understaffed and lack of resources. Logistics are being discussed between the City and County, and more information will be forthcoming.

Announcement on April 6, 2021 Consolidated Election: Candidate packets will be available on Monday, September 21st for Mayor, City Clerk, Treasurer, and Alderman in Wards 1-4. Because the City Hall is still closed to the public due to Covid-19, Clerk Ii said petition packets will be available at the Council meetings and also by email or calling City Hall. Nominating petitions cannot be circulated prior to Tuesday, September 22, 2020.

Electrical Aggregation Renewal Update: The renewal of the City’s aggregation program for October, 2020, has been going smoothly compared to previous years. Clerk Ii share participation statistics with the Council: 58% of homes in Sandwich are participating in the program, 22% chose to stay with ComEd, and 20% of homes are using an alternative energy supplier.

Halloween Discussion: Clerk Ii reported that City Hall is receiving numerous inquiries if trick or treating will be cancelled due to Covid 19. Historically in early October, the Council would set trick or treating hours. She requested that the Council discuss earlier this year allowing residents time to plan. Deferring the conversation to Chamber of Commerce Director, Geri Benning, she explained that the annual Halloween Walk is scheduled for Saturday, October 24th in compliance with IDPH (Illinois Department of Public Health) guidelines. Director Benning added that the Chamber is open to suggestions for the upcoming events, including Christmas.

Director of Public Works / City Engineer Horak advised that the third meeting of the Little Rock Creek Watershed will be held on Wednesday, September 30th at 10:0 AM.

Alderman Kreinbrink asked the status on Williams Architects relating to the proposed Public Safety Building. Engineer Horak responded that 100% is done as approved by the Council, and the project is readying to bid out after some modifications are completed. Alderman Kreinbrink also inquired the status of the W. Hall Street building. Engineer Horak explained that mobilization was to begin on September 3rd , and apparently has been delayed. Another question raised by Alderman Kreinbrink was the status of sidewalk repairs and if any proposed sites had been evaluated. Woodbury School was named as a site to be addressed. “Safe Routes to School” is IDOT (Illinois Department of Transportation) grant money that the City plans to re-apply for this year. The City was not awarded the grant last year. The City has budgeted $50,000 for sidewalks for the current fiscal year.

Chief Bianchi: Sergeant Dan Whitecotton was present in Chief’s absence. No report.

EMA Director Ciciora: No report

Aldermen Reports:

Alderwoman Chmielewski announced that this would be her last meeting. She and her family have relocated to Round Lake, Illinois. She expressed that it has been an honor and privilege to have served the Community the past 4 years. Mayor Robinson presented Alderwoman Chmielewski with a plaque for her services. The Council extended good wishes and thanked her for her contribution to the City and Council.

Alderman Dell reported that the City’s insurance renewal was due September 4th, and thanked department heads for getting the necessary information to him. It was noted that the City’s computers were not on the list due to being obsolete. Regarding the installation of Metronet in the Edgebrook area, Alderman Dell spoke that apparently there are no plans for expansion in 2020. Metronet advised that a possible expansion will be reviewed in 2021.

Alderman Robinson reported that Chief Bianchi has requested a payout of 80 unused vacation hours and a carryover of 80 unused vacation hours. No action was required by the Council.

Announcements: The Finance Committee Meeting will meet immediately following the Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting on September 8th, 2020. 

Audience Comments:

Jim Wyman, WSPY correspondent, asked if Plano aldermen were paid to attend committee meetings, and also inquired if LaSalle County voters would be allowed to use the ballot drop box. Additionally, he inquired if the City had final costs on the Gletty Road cleanup.

Resident Doug Grief asked if Mayor Robinson had reviewed the sanitary sewer smoke testing that was conducted a few months ago, and why the City has not addressed the 11 properties in violation. He added that there is an infrastructure problem on N. Main Street, and feels this is an example of the need for committees to address such problems.

Executive Session:

Motion made by Alderman Robinson, and seconded by Alderman Kelleher, to go into Executive Session for 5 ILCS 120/2(C)(1): Appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity; and 5 ILCS 120/2(C)(2): Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary scheduled for one or more classes of employees. Aye: Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Kelleher, Killey, Kreinbrink & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried 6:0

It was noted that no action would result after the return to Open Session from Executive Session.

Motion made by Alderman Kreinbrink to return to regular session at 8:16 PM. Motion was seconded by Alderman Kelleher. Motion carried unanimously via voice vote.

Adjournment:

There being no further business to come before the Council, motion made by Alderman Kelleher and seconded by Alderwoman Chmielewski to adjourn the Committee-of-the-Whole Council meeting at 8:16 PM. Motion carried unanimously via voice vote

http://www.sandwich.il.us/MINUTES/cw090820.pdf