DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich Committee of the Whole met Aug. 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Mayor Latham called the meeting to order at 8:25 PM

Roll call was taken:

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

Quorum established

Also Present: Attorney Gottschalk, City Administrator Penman, EMA Director Ciciora & Interim Police Chief Bleichner

Mayor Latham:

Dennis Johnson Property: The property located on 724 N. Main Street has been cited for numerous violations; the last citation was August, 2021 and judgement entered on September, 2021. There are fines totaling $28,000.00. The Mayor requests the Code Enforcer and Police Chief provide an update on the property. City Administrator was to contact the DeKalb County Health Department to assess the property before the City moves forward.

Solar Farm Update: The City won against the proposed solar farm, and Mayor Latham wanted to thank those people that were instrumental in the successful presentation: City Administrator Geoff Penman, Reverend David Kaul, Plan Commission Chair Bill Hall, Aldermen Arnett & Johnson, and local surveyor Ron Bauer. Each person spoke in succession to get the City’s opinions and points across to the board. Mayor Latham felt the decision maker was the value of the property for different types of future development, such as $27,000 was estimated for solar, $197,000 for a combination of a gas station, fast food, and small strip mall, $246,000 for the property, and $329,000 if developed similar to Center and Church Streets. It was emphasized that the schools would be the loser in proposed tax revenues if the solar farm was approved. The Mayor thanked the County working with the City and respecting the City’s comprehensive plan. Once the water study has been completed, the City will re-engage the development on the north side of town and start conversations with developers.

Street Closure: DoJo Dynamics will be hosting a scholarship fundraiser on Sunday, August 27th. 5-B’s will be catering a pork chop and chicken dinner drive-thru. Wells Street closure has been approved.

COW Council Meeting August 21st, 2023

Foster, Buick, Conklin, Lundgren & Gottschalk Law Group: No report

City Clerk Ii: No report

City Treasurer: Open Position

City Administrator Penman: No report

City Department Reports:

EMA Tom Ciciora - No report

Interim Chief Bleichner: Last week Mayor Latham swore in a second new police officer, Nevada Beatty, who reported to the Police Academy along with previously sworn in police officer, Edward Hegland. The Academy will last 16 weeks, and the officers will be back on the force around December 8th. Additionally, information has been received from Morrow Brothers that work on the squad car will commence next week.

Engineering: No report

Aldermen Reports:

Alderman Kreinbrink inquired about the course of action regarding economic development. Mayor Latham advised a proposal will be given to the Council next month.

Alderwoman Johnson questioned why the Council had not received the weekly code enforcement list. She talked further on educating the public on new ordinances. There has been discussion on the City providing “no solicitor” placards and the question has been raised what if the stickers damage the door. Mayor Latham said it is not cost effective to purchase stickers and labor intensive to include in the quarterly water invoices. The City has provided a self-print “no solicitor” signage that can be downloaded from the City’s website.

Alderman Fritsch has received complaints about semi-trucks on Hall Street entering into Midwest Concrete. He questions if a weight limit could be placed on Hall Street to discourage use of the roadway as an entrance. Mayor Latham suggested the City Engineers create a street pavement plan, and bring to the Council at a later date.

Alderwoman Erickson was glad to see the landscaping issue was addressed at the intersection of Route 34 and Latham Street. She added that illegal burning is an issue, and wants to get the word out to residents about the new rules.

Alderman Arnett said the leaf burning is an issue, and would like to see inserts in the 2500 water bills that are mailed quarterly if verbiage cannot be included at the bottom of the invoice.

.New Business: There was a Plan Commission hearing on behalf of Charlie Bohnstedt regarding property he owns located behind Montcler Hotel. His intent is to place an oversized outbuilding in B-3 zoning. After the Plan Commission heard his presentation, it was felt that the matter should be heard before the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) requesting a variance. The question presented is if the Council wants to waive the application fee for the ZBA hearing, or waive a portion. Mayor Latham advised an alternative would to be rebate the application costs for the Plan Commission hearing. This matter will be placed on the September 5th agenda for approval to waive the ZBA application fees.

Announcements: Next meeting for the Finance Committee will be on Tuesday, September 5th, 2023, 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: None

Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Council, motion made by Alderman Robinson and seconded by Alderwoman Erickson to adjourn the Committee-of the-Whole council meeting at 8:48 PM. Motion carried unanimously on voice vote.

http://www.sandwich.il.us/MINUTES/cw082123.pdf