DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich City Council met July 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Latham called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Alderwoman Killey

Roll call was taken:

Present: Mayor Latham, City Clerk Ii, Aldermen Fritsch, Holcomb, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton

Quorum established

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

Audience Comments: Resident Marc Kuester asked the Council why they voted against funding roadwork for the storm sewer project at his new construction. Costs to bring his vacant lot current to code has resulted in costs he can no longer afford. The lot is located in an older section of the City. At last week’s meeting, the City chose not to set a precedent by assisting in financial matters for the homeowner. Mr. Kuester asked the Council to reconsider although he admitted that costs could increase once he breaks ground.

Consent Agenda: Motion made by Alderman Fritsch and seconded by Alderman Kreinbrink to adopt the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously on voice vote.

a. Approval of Regular Council Meeting Minutes of June 28, 2021

b. Approval of Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting Minutes of July 6, 2021

c. Approval of June bills totaling $ 96,667.76

Mayor Latham

1. Keystone Solar Presentation: Mayor Latham had invited a representative from Keystone Solar to attend the meeting opening the floor to questions. No one was present at the meeting.

2. Ordinance 2021-08 entitled “Ordinance Authorizing Aggregation of Electrical Load” presented for passage. Passage of renewal ordinance would give the Mayor the flexibility to enter into a longer term contract with the caveat that it must have a ComEd price match guarantee. Shawn Ajazi, Vice President of Progressive Energy Group, was present to answer questions. He made a recommendation that the City accept a 24-26 month agreement with Eligo Energy allowing them to price match ComEd’s tariff rate should it fall below that offered by Eligo. The October, 2021 projection rate is $0.065/kWh compared to that of ComEd at $0.073/kWh. Annual projected savings will be $70.00 for the average home.

Motion made by Alderman Littlebrant, and seconded by Alderwoman Johnson, approving Ordinance 2021-08 as presented. Aye: Aldermen Fritsch, Holcomb, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0

3. Ordinance 2021-09 entitled “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 2, Administration, Article II, City Council, Division 1, Generally, Section 2-30, Meetings, of the City of Sandwich Municipal Code” presented for passage. Ordinance changes the Regular Meetings to the first and third Mondays of each month. Mayor Latham asked the Council to consider the reduction in the number of monthly meetings similar to neighboring municipalities to the east of Sandwich. He stressed that if less meetings do not work, the Council could return to the weekly meetings.

Motion made by Alderman Kreinbrink approving Ordinance 2021-09 as presented. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Johnson. Aye: Alderman Fritsch, Johnson & Kreinbrink Nay: Aldermen Holcomb, Killey, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Motion failed 3:5

4. Executive Session: Mayor Latham requested Executive Session at the end of the meeting for Personnel under 5 ILCS 120/Section 2(c)(1); Pending Litigation under 5 ILCS 120/ Section 2(c)(11); and Land Acquisition under 5 ILCS 120/Section 2(c)(5). Action may be taken.

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

City Clerk Ii: No report

City Treasurer Dell: No report

City Department Reports:

EMA Director: No report

Chief Bianchi recognized two officers for outstanding performance. First, Detective Jennifer Marcellis was presented a “Distinguished Service Award” by the Illinois Juvenile Officers Association. She was unable to receive the award in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Detective Marcellis has made contributions and dedicated service to juveniles within the area.

Secondly, Officer Eric Bright went beyond the call of the duly regarding an incident over the weekend. A local resident was hospitalized, and he made contact with non-residential family members including a hospital visit to report back to family. Officer Bright was a former DARE officer and is now training as a SRO (School Resource Officer).

Director of Public Works / City Engineer Horak

1. Brush Pickup: There will be no brush pickup during the month of July

2. Plan Commission: The next regular meeting of the Plan Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, July 13th. A public hearing will be held on PC2021-08: Lonnie Avery, located at 2600 E. Church Street, who is requesting a zoning change from an existing B-3 zoning district to a M-2 zoning district.

3. Public Safety Complex Update: Chris Kozak, Vice-President of Construction for Harbour Contractors, was present for an update of the Guaranteed Maximum Price, received bids and potential trade recommendations. Bids were received on June 4th and have been viewed the past month with respective bidders for accuracy. Bids are valid for sixty (60) days. Once bids came in, overall budget for the project increased to $3,844,555.16. Six (6) items were shown to reduce costs, such as eliminating window shade, defer police lockers, and eliminate added smoke detectors. Overall reductions / deferrals totaled $391,781.03, reducing the project costs to $3,452,774.13 (see attached). Guaranteed maximum price will be addressed once contractors have been selected.

The concrete bid came in at $115,600.00, and the bid for micropiles was $99,250.00. “General Conditions” under costs refer to contractor costs, staffing, all cleanup during construction, dumpsters, and mandated inspections. The bond was for $3.5 million but $3.2 million has been banked. $250,000.00 grant money from Representative Tom Demmer will be applied toward the building renovation. Those funds have not been received as yet. Alderman Kreinbrink voiced concern on the $300,000.00 discrepancy noting more reductions will be required or alternative funding will need to be found. Chief Bianchi will work with Chris Kozak to further reduce costs.

This matter will be discussed at next week’s meeting with the goal to further reduce costs, and placed on the July 26th agenda for Council approval of the contract.

4. Main Street – Center to 2nd Streets: At last week’s meeting, the Council was requested to review light pole choices for Main Street. Although more expensive, the consensus was to match the same poles used for the 2017 Center Street project.

Aldermen Reports: Alderwoman Johnson reported that her Ward is still experiencing brush pickup issues. Public Works department will be contacted to resolve the issue.

Announcements: The next Finance Committee Meeting will be held on Monday, July 19th, 2021, following the Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting.

Executive Session: Mayor Latham requested a motion for Executive Session at 7:55 PM for Personnel under 5 ILCS 120/Section 2(c)(1) “The 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”; for Land Acquisition under 5 ILCS 120/Section 2(c)(5) “The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body”; and for Pending Litigation under 5 ILCS 120/Section 2(c)(11) “Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probably or imminent”.

So moved by Alderman Littlebrant and seconded by Alderman Whitecotton. Aye: Aldermen Fritsch, Holcomb, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0

Alderman Whitecotton made a motion to return to regular session of the Council Meeting at 8:18 PM. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Killey. Aye: Aldermen Fritsch, Holcomb, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0

Action taken: Alderman Holcomb moved to endorse Chief Bianchi’s recommendation to promote Officer Travis Kurtz to the rank of sergeant. Alderman Whitecotton seconded. Aye: Aldermen Fritsch, Holcomb, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0

Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Council, motion made by Alderman Robinson and seconded by Alderwoman Johnson to adjourn the Regular Council meeting at 8:19 PM. Motion carried unanimously via viva voce vote.

http://www.sandwich.il.us/MINUTES/rc071221.pdf