DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich City Council met Sept. 19

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Latham called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and Pledge of Allegiance was led by Sandwich Boy Scout Troop #45

Roll call was taken:

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

Quorum established

Also present: Attorney Gottschalk, Chief Bianchi, EMA Director Ciciora, Building Official Steffens & City Street Foreman Grube

Absent: Alderman Littlebrant & City Treasurer Schwemlein

Audience Comments: Local resident, Phyllis Wallington, spoke on the continued sidewalk problems at the intersection of Main and Railroad Streets related to ADA compliancy. She indicated there was a near-miss accident recently, and the family plans to file an ADA complaint.

Consent Agenda: Motion made by Alderwoman Johnson and seconded by Alderwoman Erickson adopting the Consent Agenda, as presented. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote. 

a. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes of September 6th, 2022

b. Approval of Committee-of-the-Whole Minutes of September 6th, 2022

c. Approval of August, 2022 Financial & Treasurer’s Report

d. Approval of September Monthly Bills totaling $134,052.67

Mayor’s Report:

a. Authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign an agreement between the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council / Sandwich Patrol and the City of Sandwich for May 1,  2022 to April 30, 2023: Mayor clarified the FOP contract is retroactive to May 1, 2020 with focus on wages. May 1, 2020 would reflect a 2.25% salary increase, May 1, 2021 would reflect a 2.50% salary increase, and May 1, 2022 would be a 3.00% salary increase. (7.75 wage increase over three years).

Motion made by Alderman Whitecotton authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the FOP contract as presented. Motion was seconded by Alderman Kreinbrink. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0 

b. Approve the Annexation Agreement for 1015 Castle Street, Sandwich, Illinois: Mayor advised that the sewer line has been connected, and residents are being charged an in— city water and sewer rate. Said property is also surrounded on four sides by annexed property. Mayor has spoken to the resident who is in favor of annexing to the City. Attorney Gottschalk added that she had made numerous attempts to contact the property owners who made the initial request for annexation in 2012, but calls were not returned.

Alderwoman Johnson moved to approve the annexation of 1015 Castle Street. Alderwoman Erickson seconded. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously. 

c. Building Office Request – Council Waive 1st Reading on the Zoning Change of 316 S.  Main Street from B-1 to R-1. Building Official Steffens requested that the Council waive first reading on a zoning change reverting said property back to a R-1 zoning. Current owners are in the process of selling the property, and prospective purchasers are not interested in a business on the property.

Motion made by Alderwoman Killey to waive first reading on the zoning change for 316 S. Main Street from B-1 to R-1. Alderman Fritsch seconded. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0 

d. Council Accept the Planning Commission Recommendation for a Zoning Change of 316  S. Main Street from B-1 to R-1:

Alderwoman Killey moved to accept the recommendation of the Plan Commission on the zoning change for 316 S. Main Street. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously 

e. Approve the Smoke Free Campus Policy – Amendment to the City of Sandwich Personnel Policy Section 6 D: New verbiage will be added to the Personnel Policy under “Section 6: General Conduct, Paragraph D. Smoking”.

So moved by Alderman Kreinbrink. Motion seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Killey, Kreinbrink & Whitecotton Nay: Aldermen Johnson & Robinson Motion carried 5:2 

f. Motion to Authorize the Mayor to award the Griswold Springs Culvert Replacement Project to H. Linden and Sons, Plano, IL in the amount of $110,100.00: Bid opening was conducted on September 9th, 2022. EEI (Engineering Enterprises, Inc.) made the recommendation to award to H. Linden & Sons Sewer & Water in the amount of $110,100.00. Alderman Kreinbrink felt all bids received were too high, and that only $20,000.00 had been budgeted for the project. He felt there may be an alternative to the culvert replacement.

Motion made by Alderman Kreinbrink to table this topic until the October 3rd , 2022 meeting. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Johnson. Motion was unanimous via voice vote. 

g. Authorize the Mayor to sign a purchase agreement (State Contract to Order) for an  International Chassis Plow Truck from Rush Trust Centers of Illinois / Bonnell with truck  package (chassis, dump, shield, hydraulic, plow hitch configuration) in the amount of  $185,516.40: The quote from Rush Truck Center of Northern Illinois was dated July 25, 2022 and has expired. Street Foreman Nick Grube will contact Rush Truck for an updated quote.

Alderman Kreinbrink made a motion to table this topic until the October 3rd, 2022 meeting. Alderman Whitecotton seconded. Motion carried on voice vote. 

h. Authorize the Mayor to Sign the Purchase Agreement with AHW of Somonauk, IL for the Purchase of a John Deere 1585 Terrain Cut Cab, 72-inch Mower Deck and JD 600 Heavy Duty Broom in the amount of $53,813.91 (Sourcewell Contract): Street Foreman, Nick Grube, explained that $28,000.00 was budgeted for this purchase; however, there is a $30,000.00 offset created because the plow truck (Item “g” in minutes) proposal came in below budget.

So moved by Alderman Kreinbrink. Alderwoman Killey seconded. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0 

i. Approval of Payout #1 to Universal Paving and Asphalt for $339,926.56 for summer street improvement projects: Street Foreman, Nick Grube, advised the company was difficult to work with, recommendations were ignored, and there were communication issues. Because of numerous issues, there will be a post-fall discussion with the engineers and the City’s staff. This payout does not include sidewalk issues at the corner of Main and Railroad Streets although there appears to be ADA issues that will be addressed.

Motion made by Alderman Robinson approving pay request #1 in the amount of $339,926.56 to Universal Asphalt & Excavating. Alderman Fritsch seconded. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously 

Foster, Buick, Conklin, Lundgren & Gottschaulk Law Group: Attorney Gottschalk reported she attended the IML (Illinois Municipal League) Conference in Chicago held September 15-17th. No one from the City attended this year. There will be a Spring, 2023 conference, and Attorney Gottschalk recommended Council try to attend.

City Clerk Ii reported that the Post Office will now process the mailing of monthly water bills in-house as opposed to sending to Naperville. She also advised that notice has been received from the IL Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity that the second and final payment of $504,737.97 under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) is forthcoming. Clerk Ii made a request to have audience comments moved to the beginning of the COW meeting, immediately following the Regular Council Meeting, allowing her to speak on a topic that warrants discussion during said COW meeting.

City Treasurer Schwemlein: Absent

City Department Reports: 

EMA Director Ciciora reported that he and his assistant attended training in Bartlett on September 17th.

Police Department: No report

Engineering: No report

Aldermen Reports: Alderman Fritsch reported that Mike Harris Mason Contractor has started work on the Opera House exterior walls.

Announcements: The next Finance Committee Meeting will be held on Monday, October 3rd, 2022 at 6:30 PM, followed by the Regular Council Meeting at 7:00 PM. The Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting will immediately follow the Regular Council Meeting.

Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Council, motion made by Alderwoman Johnson and seconded by Alderwoman Erickson to adjourn the Regular Council meeting at 7:40 PM. Motion carried unanimously via viva voce vote. 

http://www.sandwich.il.us/MINUTES/rc091922.pdf