DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich City Council met Jan. 15.

Here is the agenda provided by the council:

Mayor Latham called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Police Commissioner Dan Hoyt.

Roll call was taken:

Present: Mayor Latham, City Clerk Ii, Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson,

Littlebrant & Whitecotton

Absent: Aldermen Kreinbrink & Robinson

Quorum established

Also present: City Attorney Gottschalk, City Administrator Penman, Police Chief Senne &

EMA Director Eberle

Audience Comments: Dr. Phyllis Wallington expressed frustration that the business district is not plowed when JC Fitness opens at 5 AM, and once the plows do snow removal in the downtown area, snow is pushed up where shop owners have previously shoveled. She requested consideration from the City for earlier snow removal for the business

She also addressed vehicles that have heavily tinted windows and modified exhausts that rattle windows. She says it is an ongoing problem in her neighborhood all night long.

Consent Agenda: Approval of Regular & COW Meeting minutes of January 5th, 2024

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

Mayor

a. National Law Enforcement Day, recognized on January 9, 2024, is an opportunity to honor those in blue, and to thank them for their service and sacrifice throughout the year.

b. Oath of Office: Mayor Latham swore in Police Officer Erik Favela and Police Officer Joel French. Their families were present for introductions and photo opportunities.

c. Martin Luther King Holiday: Mayor Latham honored Dr. Martin Luther King by referencing a speech addressed to the Chicago Freedom Festival on March 12, 1966.

The speech deepened the meaning of the American dream of freedom and to stamp out discrimination stressing the need for affordable housing, better opportunities for education and jobs. Excerpts of the speech included the right of assembly and protest including the direct quote “we must walk on in the days ahead with an audacious faith in the future”.

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

City Clerk II reported that the FOIA report for December along with the December’s Revenue Report had been emailed to each alderman last week.

City Treasurer: Vacancy

City Administrator Penman: No report

City Department Reports:

EMA Director Eberle reported on the SEMA (Sandwich Emergency Management Agency) team covering the past week consisting of:

- Malfunction of the Haskin weather siren. The unit was recently repaired the previous week. Siren will be retested on Thursday, January 18th

- SEMA in reviewing and updating EOP (Emergency Operations Plan) to be presented to the Council at a later date for approval. The plan would include warming / cooling guidance

- SEMA team assisted over the weekend due to inclement weather

- Meeting on January 4th with DeKalb County ESDA director, Denny Miller, along with DeKalb County Sheriff Sullivan, City Administrator Penman, and team from the Sheriff’s department to review compliance with county and state emergency management protocols

Police Chief Senne’s report highlighted as listed:

- Events attended included “Coffee Before Business”, Lions Club monthly meeting, and ribbon cutting at Angie’s Sugar Buzz

- Bi-monthly community meetings will begin on Monday, January 29th, from 6-7 PM.

- Sergeant testing process will hold interviews the week of January 22nd

- Officers Hegland and Beatty are moving onto the second month of field training

- Entry level testing will be held on January 17th & 20th. There were 15 applicants, and 13 applicants have confirmed for testing to date

- Chief will be meeting with DeKalb County this week on changing call signs. Sandwich currently has three call signs to be reduced to one

- The intern, interested in becoming an officer, will start on Monday, January 29th

- Officer Rominski was welcomed back to the street and thanked for the work he did on background checks

- A thank you for public works for plowing and residents for moving vehicles to be in compliance during the snow storm. A few warnings and citations were issued.

- Traffic enforcement is up resulting in more traffic arrests. Officer Meisner was commended for three DUI arrests during the month of December

- Goal is to provide the Council with a year-end reports with a comparison of 2022 vs 2023 numbers

Engineering: No report

Council Reports: Alderman Arnett thanked EMA Director Eberle for weather coverage online and thanked the street department, as well as Chief and the police department, for time and energy spent plowing and enforcing safety issues this past weekend.

Old Business: None

New Business:

a. Motion to approve January bills totaling $947,724.23

So moved by Alderwoman Johnson, and seconded by Alderman Littlebrant. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Littlebrant & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 6:0

a. Approval of Resolution 24-01 entitled “A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Execute All Documents Necessary to Complete the Purchase of Real Estate Commonly Known as Vacant Land, Route 34, Sandwich, IL 60548; PIN 19-36-227-006”

Motion made by Alderman Whitecotton. Seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Littlebrant & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously

Announcements:

a. The next Finance Committee Meeting is Monday, February 5th, 2024 at 6:30 PM.

b. The next Regular Council Meeting is February 5th, 2024 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 Alderwoman Erickson and seconded by Alderwoman Johnson to adjourn the Regular Council meeting at 7:25 PM. Motion carried unanimously via viva voce vote.

http://www.sandwich.il.us/council-minutes.html