DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich City Council met Aug. 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Latham called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and requested Alderwoman Erickson to lead in the Pledge of Allegiance

Roll call was taken:

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

Quorum established

Also present: Attorney Tim Conklin, City Treasurer Schwemlein, Chief Bianchi & EMA Director Ciciora

Absent: Building Official Steffens

Audience Comments: None

Consent Agenda: Motion made by Alderman Kreinbrink and seconded by Alderman Fritsch adopting the Consent Agenda, as presented. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote.

a. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes of July 25th, 2022

b. Approval of Special Meeting Minutes of August 1st, 2022

c. Approval of Committee-of-the-Whole Minutes of August 1st, 2022

d. Approval of August bills totaling $ 89,570.30

e. Approval of the 11th contract installment payment to Harbor Constructors in the amount of $122,346.08 drawn from budget line item #010.0107.90.6800.

Mayor’s Report:

a. Ordinance 2022-13 entitled “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 82 “Traffic and Vehicles”, Article III, “Stopping, Standing and Parking” of the City of Sandwich Municipal Code” presented for passage. Council requested that Item #4 under Section 2 pertaining to no parking along Green Street be eliminated from the final ordinance.

Alderman Fritsch made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2022-13 with the removal of Item #4 under Section 2. Alderman Littlebrant seconded. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0

b. Ordinance 2022-14 entitled “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 6, “Alcoholic Beverages”, Article II, “Licenses”, Section 6-47 “Classes”, and Section 6-55 “Fees; Terms” of the City of Sandwich Municipal Code” presented for first reading. This Ordinance would create a liquor license for movie theaters. Council set the licensing fee at $500.00 for a Class N liquor license. Council will review the ordinance for passage at the August 22nd meeting.

c. Ordinance 2022-15 entitled “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 2 “Administration”, Article II, “City Council”, Division 1 “Generally”, Section 2-30, “Meetings” of the City of Sandwich Municipal Code” consolidating the City of Sandwich Council meetings to the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month. Council reserved the right to waive first reading. Alderman Robinson raised concerns that with less meetings, the Council could become less informed and engaged. If a City Administrator was in place, however, he felt the scenario would be different. Mayor Latham explained other communities meet bi monthly without issues and assure Council there would be no loss in their compensation. If needed, Mayor Latham said special meetings could be held to accommodate unexpected matters. He asked that the Council try the change in schedule, and if it does not work, meetings can resume to weekly meetings.

Motion made by Alderman Kreinbrink, and seconded by Alderman Frisch, to waive first reading of Ordinance 2022-15. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robison & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously

Alderman Fritsch moved to adopt Ordinance 2022-15 consolidating council meetings to the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month. Motion was seconded by Alderman Kreinbrink. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Kreinbrink & Johnson Nay: Aldermen Killey, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Mayor was an “aye’ vote in a tie breaker.

The new meeting schedule will take effect in September beginning with the September 6th meeting.

d. Intergovernmental Agreement – Motion to authorize the Mayor to sign an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Sandwich and the Sandwich Public Library District. Said agreement shall allow the police department to enforce parking and driving restrictions on library property. The Mayor explained in speaking with Library President, Jane Wolf, this topic will be tabled allowing the library board and their attorney to review.

e. IMRF Resolution – Motion to pass IMRF Resolution to include compensation paid under Internal Revenue Service Code Section 125 as IMRF earnings. IMRF is offering two options resulting from their audit: pass a Resolution accepting the reporting of pretax benefits or correct four years of payroll’s creditable earnings. Either option is correct and acceptable as stated by IMRF.

Motion made by Alderwoman Johnson to approve the IMRF Resolution as presented. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Killey, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay: Aldermen Fritsch, Johnson & Kreinbrink Moton carried 5:3

Foster, Buick, Conklin, Lundgren & Gottschaulk Law Group: Attorney Tim Conklin was present in the absence of Attorney Cassandra Gottschaulk. No report.

City Clerk Ii: No report

City Treasurer Schwemlein reported that she is still working on amending approved signatories with the local banks. Also, the CD at FNBO has been closed and funds will be used to open a new CD at First Midwest Bank, n/k/a Old National Bank.

City Department Reports:

EMA Director Ciciora: No report

Police Department: No report

Engineering updates including ADA compliancy on E. Rallroad Street is near completion; sidewalks around Woodbury School to be addressed; roadway stripping and markings in school zones; no updates on IDOT Route 34 upgrades; and ComEd still waiting for poles delivery. City has received assurances funding for the Latham Street reconstruction will remain intact because of the construction delay.

Aldermen Reports:

Alderman Fritsch questioned the status of weed issues on property west of Johnson’s Floral. City Clerk Ii said the property is railroad property leased by the City making the weed maintenance the City’s responsibility. The street department will be contact to address.

Alderwoman Killey advised she had received a sidewalk complaint from a resident in the 400 block of W. 4th Street where grass has overtaken the sidewalk. The City has limited funding for sidewalk replacement, and the Woodbury School area is a current priority.

Alderman Kreinbrink reported the contract has been signed and return to AllenVisual regarding the new audio system for the Council Chamber.

Alderman Whitecotton is getting quotes on security measures for City Hall.

Announcements: The next Finance Committee Meeting will be held on Monday, August 15th, 2022 at 6:30 PM followed by the Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting at 7:00 PM.

The Technology Improvement Committee will meet on Thursday, August 11th at 6 PM; the Historical Preservation Committee will follow at 7 PM; and lastly the Citizens Advisory Committee will meet at 8 PM. These Committees will meet the 2nd Thursday of every other month.

Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Council, motion made by Alderman Robinson and seconded by Alderman Littlebrant to adjourn the Regular Council meeting at 7:48 PM. Motion carried unanimously via viva voce vote.

http://www.sandwich.il.us/MINUTES/rc080822.pdf