DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich City Council met Aug. 21.

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 led by Reverend David Kaul

Roll call was taken:

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

Quorum established

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

Audience Comments: Reverend David Kaul spoke on the proposed application for a solar farm on Pratt Road that was recently denied by the DeKalb County Board. His impassioned speech described the successful conclusion in the City’s favor after months of frustrating meetings that left the feeling of doom for the City’s growth and well-being. The County Board’s goal was to promote solar, but not to prevent growth. The final vote was 21:3 in favor of denying the application.

Resident, Genelle Inman, talked about the Council’s accountability and failing to follow through. She was specific regarding the “No Solicitors” stickers she has not received in her quarterly water bill mailing. She expressed that if people are not able to do their jobs, then someone needs to delegate. She reached out to aldermen, via email, her frustration, and indicated she is ready to purchase a “No Solicitors” sign herself. She is disappointed the City still is not educating the public and that a “No Solicitor” sign can be printed from the City’s website, but no one was aware. She noted that not everyone owns a printer. On another topic, she talked about a house on Main Street that “looks like crap” and raccoons come and go from the property. The City has had a Code Enforcer for months, and nothing has been done. She cannot understand why the Fire Chief or Fire Marshall has not condemned the property.

Consent Agenda:

a. Approval of Regular Meeting minutes of August 7th, 2023

b. Approval of Committee-of-the-Whole minutes of August 7th, 2023

c. Approval of Treasurer’s Report / Financial for July, 2023.

Alderman Whitecotton moved to accept the Consent Agenda as presented. Alderwoman Erickson seconded. Motion pass unanimously on voice vote.

Mayor’s Report: Mayor Latham requested appointment approval for Heather Brunoehler on the Plan Commission and Dan Hoyt on the Police Commission.

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

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

City Clerk Ii: No report

City Treasurer: Position vacant

City Administrator Penman:

a. Opera House Roof Evaluation: The City has received three proposals for the roof replacement on the Opera House. It is his recommendation that the City enter into an agreement with Renaissance Historic Interiors in the amount not to exceed of $9,200.00 The Belvidere business specializes in historical restoration. Under the agreement, an in-depth assessment will be conducted, (including roof structure, soffit, fascia, gutters and downspout). One-third downpayment will be required. Per Mayor Latham, no vote is required to proceed with the assessment.

b. Equipment Purchase: The WWTP (Wastewater Treatment Plant) owns a 2015 Ford F-250. They are seeking authorization to bid for a new ¾ ton pickup equipped with a service body that will better serve the needs of the department. The current truck is in good condition, and is being recommended to be re-purposed to the Water Department to replace an older truck. There is $60,000 in the budget for the purchase. Council was in favor of seeking bids.

City Department Reports:

EMA Director Ciciora: No report

Interim Chief Bleichner: No report

Engineering: ComEd is still working on Latham Street and should be completed with their work by October. KKCOM (Kane Kendall Council of Mayors) is aware of the project delay, and has assured the City funding is still available for the Latham Street project. Mayor Latham has requested that Randy Newkirk, HLR (Hampton, Lenzini & Renwick Inc) Design Engineering Manager, be present at next month’s meeting to provide an update on Latham and Main Streets and Pratt Road bridge.

Council Reports: None

New Business:

a. Approval of August invoices totaling $ 160,370.06

Motion made by Alderwoman Johnson and seconded by Alderman Kreinbrink, approving payment of August invoices as presented. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant & Whitecotton Nay: Alderman Robinson Motion passed 7:1

b. WWTP truck authorization to bid was removed from the agenda having been discussed under City Administrator’s report.

c. Ordinance2023-06 entitled “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 18 “Buildings and Building Regulations, Article III, “Building, Residential, Mechanical, Fuel, Gas, and Energy Conservation Code”, Adopting the International Building Code, 2018 Edition” as Amended” presented for first reading. The purpose for the Ordinance is to update utilizing the newer code. The City is currently following the 2006 code. The Mayor is looking for additional discussion at next month’s meeting.

d. Ordinance 2023-16 entitled “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 86 “Utilities”, Article I “In General”, Section 86-5 “Service Pipes” of the City of Sandwich Municipal Code presented for passage after removal from the table.

Alderman Kreinbrink moved to remove Ordinance 2023-16 from the table for passage. Alderman Littlebrant seconded. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0

Motion made by Alderman Robinson approving Ordinance 2023-16 as presented. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Littlebrant & Robinson Nay: Aldermen Arnett, Johnson, Kreinbrink and Whitecotton Mayor Latham voted aye as the tie-breaking vote

e. Executive Session: Motion made by Alderwoman Johnson to enter into Executive Session at 7:38 PM under 5 ILCS 120/2(C)(1) for personnel “The appointment, employment, compensation, 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 validity”; under 5 ILCS 2(c)(5) for the purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body; and under Section 2(c)(11) imminent litigation “Litigation, which an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent”. Alderman Fritsch seconded. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0

Alderwoman Erickson moved to return to open session at 8:16 PM, and seconded by Alderman Fritsch. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion passed unanimously

f. Mayoral Appointment of Police Chief: Mayor Latham recommends that the Council authorize the Mayor to enter into an employment contract and appointment of Kevin Senne as Police Chief with noted exceptions to Section 4 of said contract.

So moved by Alderwoman Johnson, and seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously

Announcements: The next Finance Committee Meeting is Tuesday, September 5th, 2023 at 6:30 PM. The next Regular Council Meeting is September 5th, 2023 at 7:00 PM immediately followed by the Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting.

Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Council, motion made by Alderman Robinson and seconded by Alderwoman Johnson to adjourn the Regular Council meeting at 8:21 PM. Motion carried unanimously via viva voce vote.

http://www.sandwich.il.us/MINUTES/rc082123.pdf