DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich City Council met Dec. 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Latham called the Special Meeting to order at 7:03 PM

Roll call was taken:

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

Also present: Attorney Gottschalk, Chief Bianchi, EMA Director Ciciora,

City Official Steffens & City Treasurer Dell

Absent: Alderwoman Johnson

Amend Agenda: Request a motion to amend agenda by moving “Audience Comments” from the end of the agenda to following roll call, to strike Item #4 “Approval of Monthly Financial & Treasurers Report for November, 2021, and under Item #5 “TBD” will now read Correct Visual Displays, Inc.

Motion made by Alderman Littlebrant to approve the agenda of December 20th, 2021, as amended. Motion seconded by Alderman Robinson. Motion carried unanimously via voice vote

Audience Comments: Resident Heather Deane explained she has been experiencing sewer issues since 2016, and now the sewer line is no longer operational and will need to be replaced. She was told she would be responsible for the cost to hook into the City’s sewer line located on the south side of Center Street, and her property is located on the north side. Ms. Deane was advised that she would be responsible to any repairs to Center Street with costs upward of $30,000.00. She is seeking cooperation from the City because the sewer line replacement has become cost prohibitive. Mayor Latham said he will investigate her request further and bring back to the Council.

Topics of Discussion:

1. Approval of the December 2021 monthly bills totaling $118,350.41

Motion made by Alderman Littlebrant, and seconded by Alderwoman Killey. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote

2. Approval of December 13, 2021 Regular County Meeting minutes

Special Meeting December 20, 2021

So moved by Alderman Littlebrant. Alderman Robinson seconded. Motion carried unanimously on voice vote.

3. Approval of FY 2020-2021 Audit by Newkirk & Associates

Motion made by Alderwoman Killey approving the 2020-2021 Audit. Motion was seconded by Alderman Holcomb. Motion carried unanimously on voice vote.

4. Approval of the November 2021 Financial and Treasurer’s Report – Removed from Agenda

5. Sale of Surplus Land, Lot 2, Fairwind Corporate Crossing, Purchaser Correct Visual Displays, Inc., for $20,000.00

Motion by Alderman Holcomb approving the sale of Lot 2, Fairwind Corporate Crossing to Correct Visual Displays, Inc. for $20,000.00. Motion seconded by Alderman Littlebrant. Aye: Aldermen Fritsch, Holcomb, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0

6. Approval of Unused Vacation Payout for Sean Horan: Mayor Latham explained it has been a challenging year for the Street Department being understaffed compounded with the summer storm that did significant damage within the community, training of new staff, and the downtown business district lighting issues. An exception to Personnel Policy, Mayor Latham requested approval for Sean Horan to carryover 106 unused vacation hours and payout of 40 unused vacation hours.

So moved by Alderman Robinson and seconded by Alderman Whitecotton. Aye: Aldermen Fritsch, Holcomb, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0

7. Ordinance 2021-16 entitled “An Ordinance Authorizing Loan Agreement and Borrowing of Funds from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Water Pollution Control Loan Program Regarding Waste Water Treatment Facility Improvements Project in the City of Sandwich” presented for passage.

Alderman Littlebrant moved to approve Ordinance 2021-16 as presented. Motion was seconded by Alderman Whitecotton. Aye: Aldermen Fritsch, Holcomb, Kiley, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton. Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously

8. Ordinance 2021-21 entitled “An Ordinance Granting a Change in Site Plan for 1208 E. Church Street in the City of Sandwich, Illinois, to Allow for Two Entrances / Exits” presented for first reading. Council reserves the right to waive first reading for passage.

Motion made by Alderman Robinson, and seconded by Alderman Whitcotton, to waive first reading of Ordinance 2021-21. Motion carried unanimously on voice vote.

Alderman Holcomb moved to approve Ordinance 2021-21 as presented. Seconded by Alderman Kreinbrink. Aye: Aldermen Fritsch, Holcomb, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0

9. Motion to accept the TRI-R, of DeKalb, IL, proposal of $11,750.00 for 2020 Wonderware Software Development License Upgrade & Migration as recommended by Water Superintendent Voelkel.

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

Executive Session: Alderwoman Killey requested Executive Session at 7:28 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”. Action will be taken.

Motion made by Alderwoman Killey, and seconded by Alderman Littlebrant. Aye: Aldermen Fritsch, Holcomb, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay: 0 Motion carried unanimously

Alderman Littlebrant made a motion to return to regular session of the Council Meeting at 8:00 PM. Motion was seconded by Alderman Fritsch. Aye: Alderman Fritsch, Holcomb, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0

10. Mayoral Appointments Subject to Council:

a. Recommend the hire of Brad Eade as Superintendent of Waste Water, Compensation $80,000 annually

So moved by Alderman Kreinbrink, and seconded by Alderman Fritsch. Aye: Aldermen Firtsch, Holcomb, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant & Robinson Nay: Aldermen Whitecotton Motion carried 6:1

b. Recommend the hire of Brad Eade as Director of Public Works, Compensation $15,000 annually

So moved by Alderman Kreinbrink, and seconded by Alderman Fritsch. Aye: Aldermen Frtisch, Killey & Kreinbrink Nay: Aldermen Holcomb, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Motion failed 3:4

c. Recommend the hire Ben Eipers as Interim WW Class I Operator, Compensation $1,000 monthly as an independent contractor and Class I Operator on staff

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

Announcements: Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting to follow immediately after the Special Meeting of December 20th, 2021

Adjournment: Motion made by Alderman Holcomb and seconded by Alderman Littlebrant to adjourn the Special Meeting at 8:05 PM. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

http://www.sandwich.il.us/MINUTES/spcl122021.pdf