DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich Committee of the Whole met Feb. 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Mayor Latham called the meeting to order at 8:20 PM. Roll call was taken:

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

Quorum established

Also Present: Attorney Gottschalk, City Administrator Penman, City Treasurer Schwemlein, Chief Bianchi, Street Superintendent Grube & EMA Director Ciciora

Absent: Alderman Robinson

Mayor Latham

1.Solar Field Proposal: Alex Mendelson, Senior Development Manager with Turning Point Energy, presented a proposal to install a solar array affecting approximately 25 acres of property at the northwest corner of Route 34 (Church Street) and Sandy Bluff Road. Last year Mr. Mendelson proposed to install a solar generating system on Pratt Road that later proved to cost prohibitive after a ComEd evaluation. Subscribers can subscribe to the program for 10-15% reduction in their current utility bill. The community solar program requires dual use (known as agrivoltaics) by sheep grazing simultaneous with solar energy production. The program also requires native pollinator plantings to comply with the Illinois Solar Pollinator Scorecard. Landscaping will include natural weed deterrents. Construction is anticipated to take 4-6 months, and bring approximately $24,127 in tax revenue in Year 1.

2.Code Enforcement Officer: Mayor Latham provided the Council with the proposed part position description for the Code Enforcement Official. The intent of the position is not to undermine the police department. He would appreciate recommendations prior to finalizing the job classification and posting of the job vacancy.

Foster, Buick, Conklin, Lundgren & Gottschalk Law Group: Ordinance 2023-04 entitled “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 10, Amusements and Entertainments, to Add a New Article IX, Raffles, to the City of Sandwich Municipal Code” was presented for first reading. Currently, raffle licensing is conducting through the County; it has been suggested by the County Clerk that this falls back on the municipalities to monitor. Raffles $500 or less will not require a permit. Council will decide on the cost of a licensing permit.

Attorney Gottschalk is working with Building Official Steffens amending Chapter 18 of the City’s Municipal Code adopting the 2018 IBC (International Building Code), and will have an ordinance at the March 6th meeting for first reading. She added that she is also working on rewording and reformatting the agenda for easier understanding.

City Clerk Ii: No report

City Treasurer Schwemlein: No report

City Administrator Penman received a request from resident, Mike Mendoza, for a no parking sign to be located on Southwind Drive in Fairwinds. During the holidays, guests parked on both sides of the roadway creating a site danger to motorists. At the recommendation of Building Official Steffens, the City should not place any parking restrictions until the subdivision has been built out. City Administrator Penman will contact Mr. Mendoza that the City will revisit this matter in the future as housing construction come to an end.

City Department Reports:

EMA Tom Cicora - No report

Chief Bianchi - No report

Engineering - Curt Dettman, acting City Engineer, and Chris Ott, Program Manager, of EEI (Engineering Enterprises, Sugar Grove) were tasked with completing an assessment of the city’s roadways and recommending a Pavement Management Program. Such a program assists the municipality to make cost-efficient decisions concerning maintenance and rehabilitation of the roads.

Example of road distress within the community included rutting, cracking, potholes, and weathering. Sandwich roads were rated on a scale of “failed” (0-10) to “excellent” (86--100). Of the 48 miles of roadway within the city, 82.7% were rated “poor or worse” and 17.3% were rated “fair or better”. Budgetary measures were discussed offering multiyear scenarios. Next steps encompass development of a 5-year program after identifying roadway targets, identify additional funding sources, and continue to monitor the program annually.

Aldermen Reports: Alderman Kreinbrink announced the next Budget Committee Meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 8th, at 6:30 PM. The goal is hold another meeting on Saturday, March 11th at 8 AM prior to the retreat meeting. Wes Levy is hoping to have a draft budget available on March 11th.

New Business: A working retreat will be held on Saturday, March 11th, immediately following the Budget Committee meeting.

Announcement: Next meeting for the Finance Committee will be on Monday, March 6th at 6:30 PM. The Regular Council meeting will meet at 7 PM on the same date immediately followed by the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting.

Audience Comments: Local resident, Becky Nelson, questioned what Council members attended the Illusions drag queen show on February 18th, and if they attended as a code enforcer or a paying patron. Attorney Gottschalk reminded Ms. Nelson this was an opportunity for public comment only, and not to interact with the Council with questions. Ms. Nelson

explained the reason for her question was that much of the population still consider this form of adult entertainment as a dogma entertainment, and a matter of opinion. She wanted assurances that moving forward, future events will follow the City’s code enforcement. Ms. Nelson understood that attending patrons did have a good time at the event.

Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Council, motion made by Alderman Littlebrant and seconded by Alderwoman Erickson to adjourn the Committee-of the-Whole council meeting at 10:14 PM. Motion carried unanimously on voice vote.

http://www.sandwich.il.us/MINUTES/cw022023.pdf