DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich Committee of the Whole Council met April 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Mayor Latham called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Roll call was taken:

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

Quorum established.

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

Attorney Gottschalk arrived at 7:10 PM

Absent: Building Official Steffens

Mayor Latham:

1. Solar Field Agreement: Arnie Schramel explained that all issues have now been addressed with the proposed Solar Field Agreement. The next step to have utilities located and the Army Corp of Engineers to give approval to move ahead with the project. Timeline is estimated to be 3-6 months. The project is considered dead if approval is not granted.

2. Solar Field Lease Agreement: Lease Agreement will be presented next week for Council approval.

3. IDOT Route 34 Traffic Signal Improvement Agreement: The Mayor provided a copy of the Agreement that lists the proposed scope of work at each of the Route 34 traffic signals. The City agrees to pass a resolution at next week’s meeting appropriating $137,011.00 to reimburse the State of Illinois for work described in the Agreement. The Agreement did not address emergency vehicle sensors as suggested by Alderman Kreinbrink.

4. Section 54 Solicitors and Peddlers: Information was distributed for review concentrating on food trucks regulation in Ottawa. Mayor requested Council to review and offer suggestions. It is the opinion that the City should retain some control such as location, property health licensing, and sales and use taxes.

5. ROW / Excavation Fee: EEI (Engineering Enterprises Inc) is reviewing the proposed right-of-way permit for additional input seeking if the City is comparable to neighboring communities.

6. Proposed Draft Budget: Wes Levy distributed updated budgets for review and discussion. Topics included the public safety building, Police Department officer and vehicle replacement, employment of a City Administrator, equipment and vehicle replacement for the Public Works Department, flooding issues in the northeast quadrant of the City, and an increase in the Latham Street reconstruction costs.

7. Executive Session: Mayor Latham requested Executive Session at the end of the meeting under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) for collective bargaining.

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

City Clerk Ii: No report

City Treasurer Dell: No report

City Department Reports:

EMA Director Ciciora: No report

Chief Bianchi explained next week the Council will be approving the DATA (DeKalb Advancement Technology Authority) Consortium Membership & Services Agreement for fiber relocation to the public safety building in the amount of $52,135.89. Also contained in the Agreement is the annual maintenance in the amount of $10,749.89. A proposal from AID Group will be presented for approval next week for installation of VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phones quoted at $7,493.00.

Engineering: Approximately 30 people attended the open house on the Latham Street project hosted by EEI and HLR (Hampton, Lenzini & Renwick). Updates will be posted on the City’s website on the progress of the project.

Aldermen Reports:

Alderman Fritsch opened the discussion on allowing parking on the parkway where there is no curbing. Suggestions were made to change the code and to discuss with EEI for suggestions. The main concern was creating drainage issues. Additionally, Alderman Fritsch had investigated the farmers market in Sugar Grove saying it is very successful and noting that a farmers market held at Indian Springs Shopping Center would be on private property.

Alderman Holcomb introduced the owners of the Shell Station on N. Main Street who are requesting to upgrade their liquor license to a Class B that will allow the sale of hard liquor. It was noted there are no Class B liquor licenses available, and Council would have to approve additional licenses. To maintain continuity of liquor licenses, creating additional Class B licenses would affect all C-1 license holders and subsequently, an additional 5 Class B licenses would need to be approved for a total of 8 licenses. This matter will be brought before the Council next week for approval.

Alderwoman Johnson requested Executive Session for personnel under Section 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1). She further expressed frustration with the City’s economic development for lack of communication with Council, and insisting a more pro-active approach and presence.

Alderman Kreinbrink reported that he and Alderwoman Killey will be meeting with an architect on Thursday to inspect the Opera House roof. It has been discovered there is water damage on the Opera House ceiling and walls. Also noted was exterior brick damage.

Alderman Robinson requested Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) for pending litigation.

Announcements: Public budget hearing FY 2022-2023 will be held on Monday, April 25th at 7:00 PM

Audience Comments: None

Executive Session: Motion made by Alderwoman Johnson, and seconded by Alderman Robinson, to enter into Executive Session at 8:50 PM under 5 ILCS 120/2(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”; 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) “Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees” and 5 ILCS 120/2(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”.

Alderwoman Johnson moved to adjourn to open session at 9:46 PM. Motion was seconded by Alderman Holcomb. Motion carried unanimously via viva voce vote

Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Council, motion made by Alderman Robinson and seconded by Alderman Holcomb to adjourn the Committee-of-the Whole council meeting at 9:50 PM. Motion carried unanimously on voice vote.

http://www.sandwich.il.us/MINUTES/cw041822.pdf