DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich City Council met April 25.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Latham called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Clerk Ii

Roll call was taken:

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

Quorum established

Also present: Attorney Gottschalk, City Treasurer Pete Dell & Chief Bianchi

Absent: EMA Director Ciciora & Building Official Steffens

Public Hearing on City’s tentative May 1, 2022 through April 30th, 2023 Annual Budget

a. Motion to open Public Hearing: So moved by Alderman Whitecotton and seconded by Alderman Kreinbrink

Aye: Aldermen Fritsch, Holcomb, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Motion carried 8:0

b. Explanation of the reasons for the budget and any proposed increase or decrease or additional or deleted programs: Budget Chairman, Alderman Kreinbrink, highlighted final budget adjustments such as deferring the HMO project by 1 year, water rate study, adjusting water reserve fund by $100,000.00, reinstate EMA $20,000.00 grant money as restrictive funds for infrastructure, and crew leader position for the Street Department.

Budget summary of funds reflected $12,310,255.00 as estimated cash as of May 1, 2022. The City anticipates receiving $10,694,727.00 in revenue during the upcoming fiscal year as well as $2,500,000 in loan proceeds all totaling $25,754,993 total funds available for budgeting. After deducting anticipated expenditures, there is a budget deficit of $4,025,844.00.

c. Persons desiring to be heard with opportunity to present testimony and examine witnesses: Alderman Robinson inquired if funds had been included addressing flooding issues in the northeast quarter of the City. It was not but the hope is to acquire grant money for a project and seek out available land options. He also questioned if $40,000.00 had been allocated under building maintenance for HVAC issues at City Hall and the Opera House.

d. Motion to close Public Hearing: Motion made by Alderman Littlebrant, and seconded by Alderman Fritsch. Aye: Aldermen Fritsch, Holcomb, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0

Audience Comments: Dr. Phyllis Wallington, contrasting Bedford Falls versus Potterville from the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”, stated she was not in favor of adding additional liquor licenses citing there were too many alcohol and video gaming businesses in Sandwich. She emphasized residents want to live in Bedford Falls, not Potterville.

Consent Agenda: Clerk Ii requested that item #b (approval of COW minutes for April 18th) be removed. Motion made by Alderwoman Johnson and seconded by Alderman Whitecotton adopting the Consent Agenda with the removal of Item #b. Motion carried unanimously on voice vote

a. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes of April 11, 2022

b. Approval of Committee-of-the-Whole Minutes of April 18, 2022 (removed)

c. Approval of March 2022 Treasurer’s Report & Financials

d. Approval of April bills totaling $ 506,511.94

e. Approval of the 9th contract installment payment to Harbour Contractors in the amount of $283,175.62 drawn from the budget line item #010.0107.90.6800.

Mayor’s Report

a. Ordinance 2022-04 entitled “Ordinance of the City of Sandwich Adopting the Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023” presented for first reading. Council reserves the right to waive first reading.

Alderman Robinson moved to waive the first reading of Ordinance 2022-04. Motion was seconded by Alderman Kreinbrink. Aye: Aldermen Fritsch, Holcomb, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0

Motion made by Alderman Robinson to adopt Ordinance 2022-04 as presented. Alderman Holcomb seconded. Aye: Aldermen Fritsch, Holcomb, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant & Whitecotton Nay: Alderman Robinson Motion carried 7:1

b. Solar Field Agreement GRNE Energy: Mayor Latham requested a motion authorizing him to sign the “Solar Energy Power Purchase Agreement” with GRNE Solarfield 10, LLC.

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

c. Solar Field Lease Agreement GRNE Energy: Mayor Latham requested a motion authorizing the Mayor to sign the “Site Lease for Solar Installation” with GRNE Solarfield 10, LLC as lessee.

Motion made by Alderman Holcomb authorizing Mayor Latham to sign the lease agreement with GRNE. Alderman Fritsch seconded. Aye: Aldermen Fritsch, Holcomb, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0

d. IDOT Route 34 Traffic Signal Improvement Agreement: Resolution 22-05 entitled “Appropriation of Funds for Traffic Signal Improvement Along US Route 34 in Sandwich” was presented for passage.

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

e. AID Group VOIP Phones: Motion requested to authorize Mayor Latham to accept the AID Group installation of VOIP Phones for the public safety building quoted as installation only in the amount of $7,493.00.

Motion made by Alderman Holcomb authorizing the Mayor to accept the AID Group installation quote of $7,493.00. Alderman Littlebrant seconded. Aye: Aldermen Fritsch, Holcomb, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0

f. Supplemental Payroll Compensation: Motion requested authorizing Mayor Latham to grant additional compensation of $4,000 to Brian Voelkel and $4,000 to Joseph Severson.

Motion made by Alderwoman Johnson authorizing the compensation. Motion was seconded by Alderman Littlebrant. Aye: Aldermen Fritsch, Holcomb, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried on unanimous vote

g. DATA (DeKalb Advancement Technology Authority) Agreements: Mayor Latham requested a motion authorizing him to sign the DATA fiber construction agreement in the amount of $52,135.89, and the DATA fiber optic annual maintenance agreement in the amount of $10,749.89. The costs affect the new public safety building. The agreement(s) are valid from May 1, 2022 through April 30, 2027.

So moved by Alderman Kreinbrink, and seconded by Alderwoman Johnson. Aye: Aldermen Fritsch, Holcomb, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0

h. Cleaning Agreement: Motion requested authorizing Mayor Latham to enter into a cleaning agreement with Jennifer Boring in the monthly amount of $853.00. The amount was corrected to read $997.00. Additional duties include cleaning of the Opera House restrooms.

Alderwoman Killey moved authorizing the Mayor to enter into a cleaning agreement with Jennifer Boring in the monthly amount of $997.00. Alderman Robinson seconded. Aye: Aldermen Fritsch, Holcomb, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0

i. Increase Number of Class B Liquor Licenses: After last week’s meeting, some aldermen favored adding five (5) additional Class B liquor licenses for a total of 8 licenses. A change in the number of available Class B liquor license would allow gas stations to sell hard liquor. It was noted that the City is not creating new liquor licenses but rather eliminating the number of Class C-1 licenses in favor of Class B liquor licenses.

Motion made by Alderman Holcomb to increase the number of Class B liquor licenses from three (3) to eight (8) on the condition that Class C-1 liquor license holders must make application by June 1, 2022. Holders of C-1 liquor licenses must surrender their current licenses upon approval of a Class B liquor license, and no C-1 licenses shall be issued thereafter. Aye: Aldermen Holcomb, Johnson & Whitecotton Nay: Aldermen Fritsch, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, and Robinson Motion failed 3:5

j. Executive Session for semi-annual review of closed session minutes under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21) will be at the end of the meeting.

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

City Clerk Ii requested a motion for approval of closed session minutes. Mayor Latham deferred the motion until Executive Session under Section 2(c)(21).

Clerk Ii advised the Council that she has received solicitor requests from various energy companies. She stressed that these companies historically will advise residents that they represent the City, they do not. She will be putting a similar posting on the City’s Facebook page.

City Treasurer Dell announced this would be his last meeting as Treasurer. Pete Dell’s resignation is effective April 30, 2022.

City Department Reports:

EMA Director Ciciora: Absent

Chief Bianchi: The DATA (DeKalb County Fiber Optic) Consortium Membership & Services Agreement was covered under Mayor Latham’s report.

Engineering: No report

Executive Session: Motion made by Alderman Holcomb to enter into Executive Session at 7:54 PM for semi-annual review of closed session minutes under 5 ILCS 120/Section 2(c)(21) “Discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under this Act, whether for purposes of approval by the body of the minutes or semi-annual review of the minutes as mandated by Section 2.06.” Motion was second by Alderman Littlebrant. Aye: Aldermen Fritsch, Holcomb, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay: 0 Motion carried unanimously

Alderwoman Johnson made a motion to return to open session at 8:03 PM. Motion was seconded by Alderman Robinson. Aye: Aldermen Fritsch, Holcomb, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0

City Clerk Ii requested a motion approving Executive Session minutes for 2021: June 1st, June 14th, June 23rd, June 28th, July 6th, July 13th, August 9th, August 16th, November 21st, December 13th, and December 20th and including minutes for 2022: January 3rd, February 21st, March 14th, March 21st, and March 28th. So moved by Alderwoman Johnson, and seconded by Alderman Holcomb. Aye: Aldermen Fritsch, Holcomb, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0

Aldermen Reports:

Alderwoman Killey reported that she and Alderman Kreinbrink met with roofers regarding the roof leaks in the Opera House. A repair proposal is forthcoming. She also questioned status of a residents complaint of a flooded backyard on W. 4th Street. Mayor Latham said he has assigned the matter to Building Official Steffens to investigate if the problem may be due to grading issues.

Alderman Kreinbrink advised there is a $74,000.00 reduction in expenditures for the approved budget creating a final number of $17,146,571.00 and increasing the ending cash balance to $8,358,411.00. He will contact Wes Levy to make the necessary adjustments on the final budget. Additionally, he will contact EMA Director Ciciora advising the pipeline grant has been reallocated to EMA fund.

Announcements: Next Finance Committee Meeting will be held on Monday, May 2nd immediately following the COW meeting.

Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Council, motion made by Alderman Robinson and seconded by Alderman Holcomb to adjourn the Regular Council meeting at 8:08 PM. Motion carried unanimously via viva voce vote.

http://www.sandwich.il.us/MINUTES/rc042522.pdf