DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich City Council met Feb. 26.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Latham called the Retreat Meeting to order at 8:00 AM

Roll call was taken:

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

Absent: Aldermen Littlebrant & Robinson

Also present: City Treasurer Dell, Chief Bianchi, EMA Director Ciciora, Street Superintendent Horan, Water Superintendent Voelkel & Sewer Plant Superintendent Eade

Public Comment: None

Unfinished Business: None

New Business – Department Supervisor Report

Sean Horan (Street) – Provided a narrative report (see attached) on current and future goals FY 2022

Brad Eade (Sewer) – Provided brief biography on himself. He has been in the position for five days. In his narrative, he explained the sewer plant operation and noted problems for the collection system that included sewer line and manhole inspections and implementing a jetting program (see attached)

Brian Voelkel (Water) – Provided a narrative report (see attached) on current and future goals FY 2022

Chief Bianchi (Police) – He had distributed an annual report FY 2020-2021 that was presented to the Council prior to the retreat. He spoke of staffing issues, briefly on the FOP contract, and budgeted purchases. It was suggested to have Mike Nelson as a code enforcer since he was also in charge of the adjudication process. Chief also spoke on the ongoing construction of the public safety building noting costs are underbudget.

New Business – Discussion Items: Handouts were provided including photos, graphs and spreadsheets. Because of time constraints, Mayor Latham highlighted discussion topics specifying goals to be discussed at a later date:

1. Council

a. Council Training: OMA (Open Meetings Act), Sexual Harassment

b. Council Members Ethics and Conduct (IL Ethics Act)

c. Council Chamber Sound System, Broadcast of Council Meetings

d. Economic Interest Statements

2. Planning

a. Facility Inventory

b. 30-year Master Plan

c. 2020 Strategic Plan

d. CMAP City Data

e. Downtown Parking

f. Sidewalks

g. Short Term / Long Term Goals

h. Repairs & Maintenance Plan

i. Zoning Map / City Boundaries

j. Extension & Creation of Future Streets

3. Technology

a. City’s Website

b. Social Media

c. Hardware / Software

d. Fiber Installation

e. Policy & Training

4. Staffing Plan FY 2022-2023

a. Full Time City Administrator

b. Part Time Meter Reader

c. Part Time Community Code Enforcer

d. Part Time Grounds

5. Capital Plan / Capital Projects

a. WWTP (Waste Water Treatment Plant) Improvements

b. Water Works System Master Plan

c. Sandwich – Somonauk IGA (Intergovernmental Agreement) County Line

d. Latham Street Road and Infrastructure Work

e. Downtown ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)

f. Bike / Walking Path Plan (e.g. Fairwinds to Forest Preserve)

6. Grants

a. IEPA (IL Environmental Protection Agency)

b. ComEd

c. State & Federal Grants

d. Latham Street Grant

e. Safe Routes to School Grant

f. State Representative Tom Demmer $250,000 Grant

7. Mayor / Council / Clerk / Treasurer – Goals & Measured Outcomes

a. Areas for Improvement

b. Council Goals FY 2023

8. FY 2022-2023 City Initiatives

a. Sidewalk Inventory App

b. Street Inventory App

9. Business & Community Development

a. Downtown Improvement – Façade Grant

b. Industrial Park

c. Economic Development

d. Update Economic Development Website

e. Festivals, Events, Taste of Sandwich Expansion (e.g. Restaurant Week, Antique Week)

10. Policy / Personnel

a. Mandatory Training

b. Board / Staff Training

c. Volunteer Database

d. Maintenance Program for Walkers / Bicyclists

e. Professional Development Training for employees

f. Technology & Financial Training

11. Committee Goals

a. Technology

b. Historical Preservation

c. Citizens Advisory

d. Other Suggested Committees

12. Strategic Partnership Review

a. Chamber of Commerce

b. Sandwich Park District

c. Sandwich Fire Protection District

d. Sandwich Fair Association

e. Sandwich Library

f. Sandwich Township

g. Sandwich CUSD 430

h. Opera House

i. Plano, Somonauk; DeKalb, Kendall & LaSalle Counties

Budget Review FY 2022-2023 / Discussion

City Accountant, Wes Levy, presented a budget draft for discussion. Council concentrated on the Admin Department that had not been reviewed in previous Budget Committee Meetings. Wes advised that he had factored in a 3% salary increase for non-union staff, and the hiring of a part-time employee. Questions were raised concerning the Police Commission and the year-to-date costs under miscellaneous. Clerk Ii said she would investigate and report back to the Council. General discussion covered economic development, police pension audit, FOP contract and donations. The next Budget Committee Meeting to be determined.

Adjournment: Motion made by Alderwoman Johnson and seconded by Alderman Holcomb to adjourn the Special Meeting at 1:10 PM. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

http://www.sandwich.il.us/MINUTES/spcl022622.pdf