DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich Committee of the Whole Council met March 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Latham called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM. Roll call was taken:

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

Quorum established.

Also Present: City Treasurer Dell, Chief Bianchi & EMA Director Ciciora

Absent: Alderman Kreinbrink; City Official Steffens

Mayor Latham:

1. Excavation Fee Permit – Review & Discussion: The current cost for an excavators’ permit is $25.00 that the City has been advised is under market. A more realistic rate for an excavation permit would be $250-$500. As an example, Somonauk charges $200 for their excavation permit. A $10,000 bond would be required as assurance the City’s infrastructure is not damaged due to excavations including borings. Permit costs will continue to be investigated to compare residential permit costs versus commercial.

2. Solar Agreement – Review & Discussion: Attorney Gottschalk has been in contact with Arnie Schramel of Progressive Energy Group related to the site lease for solar installation and solar energy power purchase agreement. The proposed solar field would be located in the flood plain at the wastewater treatment plant. Approval is pending from the IL Department of Natural Resources and the Army Corp of Engineers if a solar field is viable in the floodplain. The exchange between Attorney Gottschalk and Arnie Schramel included the removal of system at the end of term, purchase and sale of energy, buyers’ temporary interference with energy output, system loss, insurance and records / audits. Council will continue to discuss prior to making a final commitment.

3. Proposed Municipal Code Update, Section 50-165 Cannabis: Chief Bianchi explained the need to update the City’s Municipal Code due to the legalization of cannabis. The revisions would mirror that of State law including drug paraphernalia. He also addressed juvenile crime, inclusive of parental responsibility, noting the City’s adjudication court would intervene and rule.

Foster, Buick, Conklin, Lundgren & Gottschalk Law Group: Attorney Cassandra Gottschalk distributed information on new requirements for the annual Statement of Economic Interests that must be filed with the County by May 1st.

City Clerk Ii: No report

City Treasurer Dell: No report

City Department Reports: 

EMA Director Ciciora: No report

Chief Bianchi: No report

Engineering: Bidding has occurred on the Latham Street project, and IDOT (IL Dept of Transportation) has awarded the contract. Mayor will be meeting with EEI (Enterprise Engineering Inc) on Friday with the City’s superintendents regarding JULIE’s and moving of utility poles. A proposed public meeting will be held for Latham Street residents affording an opportunity to ask questions and the anticipated timeline for the project. In other matters, the Main Street and Pleasant Avenue projects has been submitted for federal funding FY 2024- 2026.

Aldermen Reports:

Alderman Fritsch inquired about a City-owned vacate lot at the corner of College & S. Main Street for future parking. Response: There are no immediate plans He also inquired about the status of the S. Main Street traffic study. Chief Bianchi advised it will be conducted in-house

Alderman Robinson requested Executive Session at the end of the meeting for personal under 5 ILCS Section 2(c)(1).

Announcements: A Special Meeting will meet immediately following the Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting on March 21st, 2022. The Finance Committee Meeting will be held after the Special Meeting.

Audience Comments: Zach (last name unintelligible) inquired about cross walks and how he has witnessed people almost getting hits by cars. He was advised to contact his alderman and the police department to take necessary steps. He then inquired the means for a homeless person to acquire a mailing address in order to obtain a license or open a bank account. Chief Bianchi will discuss privately with the gentleman.

Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) for personnel:

Motion made by Alderwoman Johnson to move into Executive Session at 7:37 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”. Motion was second by Alderwoman Killey. Aye: Aldermen Fritsch, Holcomb, Johnson, Killey, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay: 0 Motion carried unanimously 

Alderman Robinson made a motion to return to open session of the Council Meeting at 7:48 PM. Motion was seconded by Alderman Whitecotton. Aye: Aldermen Fritsch, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0 

Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Council, motion made by Alderman Robinson and seconded by Alderwoman Johnson to adjourn the Committee-of the-Whole council meeting at 7:51 PM. Motion carried unanimously on voice vote. 

http://www.sandwich.il.us/MINUTES/cw032122.pdf