City of Sandwich City Council met Jan. 6.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor Latham called the Special Meeting to order at 7:00 PM
Roll call was taken:
Present: Mayor Latham, City Clerk Ii, Aldermen Fritsch, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant & Whitecotton
Absent: Aldermen Holcomb & Robinson
Topics of Discussion: Approval of Hampton, Lenzini & Renwick to make application on behalf of the City of Sandwich for the State of Illinois “Rebuild Downtowns & Main Streets” grant through the Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity in the amount of $1,297,500.00.
Explaining the time sensitive grant application due on Monday, January 10th, Mayor Latham told the Council the application would be based on an initial 1999 study to improve lighting in the downtown area. Currently, the lighting has been sporadic in outages caused by an antiquated infrastructure system dating to the 1950’s and moisture affecting direct burial wiring that have corroded with age. The estimated cost of the project is $1,422,900.00. The grant request would be $968,000.00 with a local participation cost from MFT (Motor Fuel Tax) funds of $454,000.00. Pledging MFT funds is not a requirement of the grant application process.
There is approximately $1,56 million in MFT funds available of which some has been previously earmarked for the Latham Street reconstruction and US Route 34 traffic signals improvements. The Pratt Road bridge expenditure will be $335,000.00 planned for 2024. It was noted that the annual MFT collection is $280,000.00.
It was corrected noting that the grant application should read $1,422,900.00 and not as $1,297,500.00 as shown on the agenda.
Alderman Kreinbrink moved authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to sign required documentation allowing Hampton, Lenzini & Renwick to make application on behalf of the City for the Illinois “Rebuild Downtowns & Main Streets” grant in the amount of $1,422,900.00. Motion was seconded by Alderman Littlebrant. Aye: Aldermen Fritsch, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 6:0
Announcements: Resident Brian Kemper inquired if the City would investigate airing council meetings online via YouTube. Council will take under advisement noting broadcasting the meetings would better engage residents and aid in transparency. Alderman Kreinbrink recalled that the City’s sound system (specifically speakers) is a problem that would need to be addressed. Mayor Latham will contact Dave Kurtz, Chairman of the IT Committee, for additional insight.
Audience Comments: None
Adjournment: Motion made by Alderwoman Johnson and seconded by Alderman Whitecotton to adjourn the Special Meeting at 7:19 PM. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
http://www.sandwich.il.us/MINUTES/spcl010622.pdf
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