DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich City Council met March 6.

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, Robinson & Whitecotton

Quorum established

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

Absent: City Treasurer Schwemlein

Audience Comments: Local resident, Elsie Morrisey, acting on behalf of many Sandwich residents, expressed offence by sexual exhibitions at the Opera House noting that funding comes from tax dollars. She felt the Council is gaslighting the community regarding the definition of indecency.

Jeremy Bousselot inquired about the City’s new beautification program, and if wildflowers would be acceptable. Response: Someone from the City will review and get in touch with him.

Consent Agenda: Motion to adopt the Consent Agenda as a whole.

a. Approval of Regular Meeting & COW Meeting minutes of February 6, 2023

b. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes for February 20, 2023

c. Approval of Treasurer’s Report / Financial for January, 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 administered the Oath of Office to two newly hired police officers: Justin Hunt and Jim McShane.

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 passage.

So moved by Alderman Kreinbrink, and seconded by Alderman Fritsch. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch. Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0

City Clerk Ii: No report

City Treasurer Schwemlein: In the absence of Treasurer Schwemlein, Mayor Latham noted that the Treasurer’s Report was discussed at the February 20th meeting. The budget process is ongoing and a comparison of the budget vs the actual budget is not yet available. The City’s draft audit FY 2021-2022 was received today adding that Police Pension Audit , prepared by Sikich, was also received.

City Administrator Penman: No report

City Department Reports:

EMA Director Ciciora - No report

Chief Bianchi - No report

Engineering: Street Superintendent, Nick Grube, explained upcoming projects requiring Council’s attention being Griswold Springs Culvert project and Pavement Management Plan Proposal (identifying Griswold Springs Road and Lafayette Street). EEI gave a presentation at last week’s meeting on the assessment of the City’s roadways and recommended a management program to invest in annually to commit to future road projects. A motion to move forward was denied at this time feeling more information is required on the program. Several roadway maintenance options were provided to be considered by the Council including creating an IGA with Kendall County and Little Rock Township. The contract with EEI (Engineering Enterprises) for the next fiscal year was not addressed.

Council Reports: No reports

New Business:

a. Approval of March invoices totaling $ 155,568.51

So moved by Alderwoman Johnson, and seconded by Alderman Littlebrant. Aye: Alderman Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant & Whitecotton Nay: Alderman Robinson Motion carried 7:1

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)(5) “The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body”.

Executive Session, shown on the agenda for personnel under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) was removed.

Motion made by Alderwoman Erickson, and seconded by Alderman Littlebrant, to go into Executive Session at 7:50 PM under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) for collective bargaining. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously

Alderman Robinson moved to return to regular session at 8:12 PM. Alderwoman Erickson seconded. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0

Announcements: The next Regular Council meeting will be Monday, March 20th, at 7:00 PM followed immediately by the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting.

Council Retreat will be held on Saturday, March 11th, at 8:00 AM.

Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Council, motion made by Alderman Robinson and seconded by Alderwoman Erickson to adjourn the Regular Council meeting at 8:13 PM. Motion carried unanimously via viva voce vote.

http://www.sandwich.il.us/MINUTES/rc030623.pdf