DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich City Council met Sept. 5.

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 Interim Police Chief Rick Bleichner

Roll call was taken:

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

Absent: Alderman Kreinbrink

Quorum established

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

Audience Comments: Resident, Krista Tetter, requested the Council to limit or restrict commercial truck traffic on Hall and Davis Streets. Oversize truck traffic starts as early as 4:30 am until 10 pm causing house rumblings and dust flying. She expressed concern that the roadway and underground infrastructure, over time, will not support the weight of the trucks.

Resident, Jackie Greene, complimented the City on the sidewalk and roadway maintained completed this summer. She also addressed the Council with concerns related to 754 N. Main Street that has been a topic of complaints in the past. She added there is a problem with backyard mechanics doing car repairs and creating traffic issues.

Consent Agenda:

a. Approval of Regular Meeting minutes of August 21st, 2023

b. Approval of Committee-of-the-Whole minutes of August 21st, 2023

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

Mayor’s Report: Mayor Latham administered the oath of office for police chief, Kevin Senne. Afterwards, Chief Senne thanked the Mayor, City Council and City of Elgin (former employer). He stated he is looking forward to working with the City, and accomplishing great things.

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

City Clerk Ii: No report

City Treasurer: Position vacant

City Administrator Penman: Thanked Interim Chief, Rick Bleichner, for the past several months stabilizing the police force during the transition period seeking a new police chief.

City Department Reports:

EMA Director Ciciora reported he is preparing for the upcoming Sandwich Fair this week.

Interim Chief Bleichner: Mayor Latham thanked Rick Bleichner acting as interim police chief, and thanked him for doing great things with the police department. Interim Chief Bleichner echoed the Mayor’s sediments to the Mayor and Council for the past months. He briefly discussed the police activity report for August, 2023 noting that there is more visibility of police officers within the community, two officers are attending Police Academy, the new squad car has arrived, and working with DeKalb County on upcoming fair plans for ingress and egress.

Engineering: Mayor Latham, City Administrator Penman, and Water Supervisor, Brian Voelkel, met last week with EEI to review the draft on the water rate study. The meeting also covered infrastructure and confirmation of growth areas. $216,000 was budgeted for the study; $100,000 will be submitted to DeKalb County for reimbursement. Other topics under the study will include future wells, pump stations and looping of the City’s water system as it affects the north side of town.

Council Reports: Council members thanked Interim Chief, Rick Bleichner for his assistance and service as acting police chief.

New Business:

a. Approval of August invoices totaling $ 119,739.56

Motion made by Alderwoman Johnson and seconded by Alderwoman Erickson, approving payment of August invoices as presented. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Motion passed 7:0

b. WWTP Engineer’s Payment Estimate #2:: Motion made by Alderman Littlebrant, and seconded by Alderwoman Johnson, approving Engineer’s payment #2 to Vissering Construction Company in the amount of $368,420.40. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0

c. Ordinance 2023-06 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 passage. Building Official Todd Steffens was present to address any questions.

Alderman Arnett moved to accept Ordinance 2023-06 as presented. Motion was seconded by Alderman Littlebrant. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0

d. Public Safety Building Boiler Replacement - Waive Competitive Bidding: After attempts to repair the existing boiler at the public safety building by replacing the motherboards failed, it was felt the boiler will need replacing.

Alderman Whitecotton made a motion to waive competitive bidding for the boiler replacement at the Public Safety Building. Alderwoman Erickson seconded. Motion carried unanimously on voice vote.

e. Public Safety Building Boiler Replacement: Alderman Whitecotton moved to proceed with the purchase and installation of a new boiler and controller for the Public Safety Building from Artlip & Sons, in an amount not to exceed $28,500.00. Motion was seconded by Alderman Littlebrant. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0

f. South Main Street Sidewalk Project:: Bid opening was August 31st, 2023, and three bids were opened and tabulated. The Engineer’s Estimated Opinion of Probable Construction cost was $94,425.00. All bids were 50% over the estimate. Recommendation was made to reject all bids and rebid the project next year.

So moved by Alderwoman Johnson, and seconded by Alderman Littlebrant. Motion carried unanimously on voice vote.

Announcements: The next Finance Committee Meeting is Monday, September 18th, 2023 at 6:30 PM. The next Regular Council Meeting is September 18th, 2023 at 7:00 PM immediately followed by the Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting.

The next Police Commission Meeting is September 6th, 2023 @ 4:00 PM

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 7:38 PM. Motion carried unanimously via viva voce vote.

http://www.sandwich.il.us/MINUTES/rc090523.pdf