City of Sandwich City Council met Jan. 16.
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 Roll call was taken:
Present: Mayor Latham, City Clerk Ii, Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant & Whitecotton
Quorum established
Also present: City Attorney Gottschalk, City Administrator Penman, Chief Bianchi & EMA Director Ciciora
Absent: Alderman Robinson, City Treasurer Schwemlein & Building
Official Steffens
Audience Comments: Residents from Sandwich, Plano and Yorkville expressed their displeasure and disappointment on a booked drag queen performance at the Sandwich Opera House in February. Opera House representatives, Richard Crissip and Christine Greenwood Williams, were present to answer questions. Audience comments spoke in opposition of the show citing inappropriate, sexually explicit, Biblical references, and misuse of tax dollars. Negative comments were directed at Alderwoman Cara Killey, who is a Council appointed liaison to the Opera House,
feeling she should have had control over the booking.
Consent Agenda:
a. Approval of Regular Meeting & COW Meeting minutes of 01-03-2023
b. Approval of the Treasurer’s Report & Financials for December, 2022
c. Approval of IMIC invoice for Property / Casualty Insurance for $163,341.10
d. Approval of Gallagher Risk Program invoice for Cyber Liability Insurance for $9,505.00
e. Appointment of Cassandra Gottschalk as City Public Auditor
Alderman Kreinbrink moved to accept the consent agenda as presented. Motion was seconded by Alderman Fritsch. Motion carried unanimously on voice vote.
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Latham
a. Ordinance 2023-01 entitled “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 86, “Utilities”, Article II, “Water”, Division 2, “Meters, Rate”, Section 86-1, “Bills”, Section 86-62 “Nonpayment”, of the Municipal Code of the City of Sandwich,” presented for passage.
Motion made by Alderwoman Johnson and seconded by Alderman Littlebrant. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0
b. Recognition of National Law Enforcement Day 2023: Mayor Latham read a statement recognizing January 9th, 2023 as a day to show support law enforcement. Suggestions to show support included wearing blue, send a card of thanks to the local police department, flying a blue ribbon, and thanking a police officer.
Foster, Buick, Conklin, Lundgren & Gottschalk Law Group: Attorney Gotschalk addressed the Council and audience that the Opera House has been instructed to follow local and State laws regarding the upcoming program. Currently, no laws have been broken. She added that the position as liaison has been misconstrued. A liaison has no voting rights, does not sit on the Opera House board, nor has control over the booking of performances. The liaison is the communicator and facilitator concerning matters of maintenance and repairs needed by the Opera House, and as a cooperative effort in grant applications.
City Clerk Ii explained that Tax Levy Ordinance 2022-21 passed in December had a scrivener’s error. Requested funds amounts were correct, but an allocation to EMA under the general fund was incorrect. Whereas DeKalb County accepted a verbal correction, Kendall County would not and requested a corrected tax levy (Ordinance 2023-02) be passed.
Motion made by Alderman Whitecotton to waive first reading on the corrected Tax Levy Ordinance 2023-02. Alderwoman Johnson seconded. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0
Alderman Littlebrant moved to adopt Ordinance 2023-02 as presented. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously.
City Treasurer Schwemlein: Mayor reported, in the absence of the City Treasurer, that the General Fund’s revenues are trending overbudget. On the expense side, the City is under budget due to 89% of expenses have occurred to date. Overall, the City is doing well financially.
City Administrator Penman:
a. Property tax assessment appeal update: City Administrator, Geoff Penman, and Sandwich Schools Superintendent, Tom Sodaro, attended the Board of Review on Walgreens appeal to reduce assessed value. The City ordered an appraisal of the property that was nearly identical to the initial assessed value. Approximately $18,500 in due tax monies for all taxing agencies was at stake. The recommendation of the Board of Review was to reduce the assessed value by $1,049.00. It is commonplace for larger businesses and stores to annually appeal their assessed value.
b. IGA (Intergovernmental Agreement) update: The purpose of the IGA is for other taxing agencies to join in the appeal process including incurred costs. The school district, park district, and township have already committed to the IGA. The City will be reaching out to other taxing bodies to join as well as the County.
c. Announcement(s): Thursday installation on the audio / video improvements will begin in the Council Chambers.
City Department Reports:
EMA Director Ciciora - No report
Police Department – No report
Engineering – Discussions continue with the engineering firm on the N. Latham Street project
Aldermen Reports:
Alderman Fritsch said his family recently took a tour of the new police facility finding it beautiful and impressive. He also inquired about the parking issues at Woodbury School. Response: This matter will be addressed during the budget process FY 2023-2024.
Alderwoman Johnson thanked everyone for comments made during the “audience comments”. Referencing the proposed drag queen show, she said it is unknown who is responsible for the booking of the show but was disheartened to hear that ticket sales were up. She stressed that the sexualization of today’s youth is happening, and it is the adult’s responsibility to protect them.
Alderman Littlebrant thanked Alderwoman Killey for everything she does as liaison for the Opera House.
Alderman Whitecotton shared the same sentiments as Alderman Littlebrant adding he appreciates everything she had done with the Opera House.
New Business:
a. Approval of January invoices totaling $502,165.09
Motion made by Alderwoman Johnson, and seconded by Alderman Littlebrant, approving the payment of January invoices in the amount of $502,165.09. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0
b. Approval of Final Waiver of Lien - Main & Railroad Project: EEI (Engineering Enterprises Inc.) has reviewed the Final Waiver of Lien for the asphalt regarding the water main break at Railroad and Main Streets. Superintendent of Street Nick Grube has also reviewed the finished project.
Motion made by Alderman Fritsch approving the Final Waiver of Lien on the Main & Railroad Street project. Alderman Kreinbrink seconded. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously
c. Approval of final payment to Advanced Asphalt for $95,200.25
Alderwoman Johnson moved approving the final payment to Advanced Asphalt Company in the amount of $96,200/25. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0
d. Residential permit fee increases (first reading): A list of proposed increases in permit fees was distributed for informational purpose. The list included current fees, proposed fees from January 3rd, and recommendation fees. Council was requested to review prior to passage of an Ordinance.
Announcements: The next Regular Council meeting will be Monday, February 6th, at 7:00 PM followed immediately by the Committee-of-the-Whole 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 8:10 PM. Motion carried unanimously via viva voce vote.
http://www.sandwich.il.us/MINUTES/rc011623.pdf
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