DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich City Council met Feb. 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Latham called the meeting to order at 7:02 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, City Treasurer Schwemlein, Chief Bianchi, Building Official Steffens & EMA Director Ciciora

Absent: Alderman Robinson

Audience Comments: Mayor Latham limited audience comments to three minutes each due to a long agenda for the evening. Ward 2 resident, Genelle Inman, asked if complaints, such as a dangerous walnut tree in her neighborhood, should be filed with the respective alderman or the complaint directed to the City Hall. She also expressed frustration due to misinformation on topics such as the drag queen show, the walnut tree, and a proposed cannabis dispensary.

Several audience members thanked the Council and Opera House for not cancelling the show, and felt that after weeks of division within the Community, the program brought people together. There was no indecency nor nudity as predicted. Many felt they had been misled by comments of a Council member that contributed to the controversary and subsequent protests.

Consent Agenda: Approval of Regular Meeting & COW Meeting minutes of 01-16-2023

Alderwoman Johnson moved to accept the consent agenda as presented. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Motion carried unanimously on voice vote.

Mayor’s Report: read a proclamation declaring the week of February 19-25, 2023, as National Engineers Week.

Foster, Buick, Conklin, Lundgren & Gottschalk Law Group: Ordinance 2023-03 entitled “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 70, Article I, Section 70-22 (Trees and Shrubs) of the City of Sandwich Municipal Code” was presented for first reading. Attorney Gottschalk asked the Council to review the ordinance for additional input, such as how much notice should a homeowner be given prior to the City removing low-hanging branches or overgrown trees. The proposed Ordinance, as presented, allows 24-hour notice.

City Clerk Ii requested a motion approving Executive Session minutes. These minutes will not be released to the public at this time. Dates for approval are April 25th, May 9th & 16th, July 25th, August 1st, October 17th, and December 5th, 2022.

Motion made by Alderman Littlebrant, and seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously

City Treasurer Schwemlein gave report on January’s finance as provided by accountants, Lauterbach & Amen. General fund’s revenues are trending overbudget with 115% of anticipated revenues being received. The City underbudgeted on expenses by 87% to date.

City Administrator Penman presented Resolution 23-01 entitled “Resolution Updating Building Department Fees and Charges for the City of Sandwich, State of Illinois” for passage. The last time fees were increased was in 2017. Council will focus on an annual review of the fee structures to be amended by resolution, if required.

Alderman Littlebrant moved to approve Resolution 23-01 as presented. Motion was seconded by Alderman Kreinbrink. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0

City Department Reports:

EMA Director Ciciora - No report

Police Department: Mayor Latham advised funds were budgeted to purchase a squad car, and requested a motion to pursue the purchase. Once a purchase price has been determined, a motion will be required at the February 20th approving the purchase. Chief Bianchi explained the specifics on the purchase. Alderman Kreinbrink explained that at the last meeting he voted “nay” when it was realized that the Chief had a procured a new vehicle without Council’s approval; however, restricted funds were allocated in the current budget to replace a squad car. Chief Bianchi, in his defense, said the ordering of the new vehicle had been discussed with the Mayor.

Motion made by Alderman Whitecotton authorizing the purchase of a 2023 Ford Interceptor utility vehicle not to exceed $43,285.00. Alderman Littlebrant seconded. Aye: Aldermen Fritsch, Johnson, Killey, Littlebrant, & Whitecotton Nay: Aldermen Erickson & Kreinbrink Motion carried 5:2.

Engineering: No report

Council Reports:

Alderwoman Johnson thanked everyone for comments adding that “we will agree to disagree” over time. In the past, Alderwoman Johnson said she has requested the Council to create an oversight committee to monitor shows at the Opera House, and was glad that the recent drag queen show was ‘above board”

Alderwoman Killey thanked Council, EMA, police department, and Opera House for their assistance in the presentation of “Illusions” this past Saturday.

New Business:

a. Approval of February invoices totaling $70,021.89

So moved by Alderwoman Johnson, and seconded by Alderman Krienbrink. Aye: Alderman Fritsch, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink & Littlebrant Nay: Aldermen Erickson & Whitecotton Motion carried 5:0

b. Executive Session for personnel under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1): “Matters pertaining to the appointment, employment, compensation or 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 validly; and also for collective bargaining under 5 ILCS 120(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”:

Motion made by Alderwoman Erickson, and seconded by Alderman Littlebrant, to go into Executive Session at 7:53 PM under Section 120/2(c)1 for personnel and Section 120/2(c)(2) for collective bargaining. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously

Alderwoman Johnson moved to return to regular session at 8:47 PM. Alderwoman Erickson seconded. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0

Announcements: The next Regular Council meeting will be Monday, March 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 Alderman Kreinbrink and seconded by Alderwoman Erickson to adjourn the Regular Council meeting at 8:48 PM. Motion carried unanimously via viva voce vote.

http://www.sandwich.il.us/MINUTES/rc022023.pdf