DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich City Council met Oct. 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. Call to Order: Mayor Latham called the meeting to order at 8:07 PM

2. Roll Call

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

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

Quorum established

3. Audience Comments:

Sandy Koehler expressed frustration in the continued disrespect, adding if there are issues with someone, the matter should be addressed privately and not in an open forum. She stated she has attended four meetings covering the same topic, and that the City Attorney always comments that she will investigate or research. She asked when was the council going to be accountable to its residents.

Kelly McDuffee, in her commentary to specific aldermen, was reminded that her comments were to be directed to the mayor, not the council. She said that she still has not received information requested in a FOIA, and is aware that the PAC is investigating her complaint. Her complaint on increased water charges was due to an annexation agreement with Deerpath Woods, but that no one can located the necessary paperwork. She accused the office of misinformation and lack of communication.

Colton Otto, continued his audience comments from the previous, Committee-of-the Whole meeting. He addressed the lack of job descriptions that forces an accountability of the city, asking how can a staff member be effectively evaluated performance reviews if no one knows or understands the job description. The City must provide training for those lacking qualifications for their position, and ensure new hires meet the necessary requirements, including college requirements, to meet the standard expectations. He stressed it is time to stop wasting taxpayers’ money due to employees not being qualified to do their job.

Lastly, Mr. Otto addressed a comment made by Clerk Ii at the last meeting where she made a statement that her integrity was being questioned. He believes it is true about her integrity, honesty, morals, and values by doing the right thing even though no one is watching. The Clerk has invested 16 years in herself and self-improvement to a commitment of excellence. She is someone who has gone beyond the call of duty for the good of the city by her loyalty and dedication. She has more that earned public trust, and deserves respect. What is happening is unacceptable and could be grounds for a loss by making this place a hostile work environment.

4. Consent Agenda:

Motion to adopt the Consent Agenda as a whole. (All matters listed are considered to be routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. If discussion is desired, that item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately).

A. Approval of Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting Minutes of October 7, 2024

B. Approval of Regular Council Meeting Minutes of October 7, 2024.

C. Approval of September Financials & Treasurer’s Report

Scrivener’s errors were noted in the October 7th minutes. Motion made by Alderwoman Erickson, and seconded by Alderman Littlebrant adopting the consent agenda as amended. Motion passed unanimously on voice vote.

5. Mayor’s Report: Due to a vacancy, Mayor Latham requested a motion approving the appointment of Dr. Phyllis Wallington to the Historic Preservation Commission.

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

6. Attorney’s Report: Attorney Gottschalk emailed council members a status report on a number of things noting some of the contents were confidential. She worked on the HLR Agreement, the State of Illinois agreement, and has reached out to Helnet on their agreement, but has not received a response. On Helnet, she listed costs associated with the agreement. There is an update on all the pending litigations in that email. Attorney Gottschalk acknowledged that she emailed everyone prior to this evening’s meeting.

7. City Clerk Ii: No report

8. Treasurer’s Report: Vacancy

9. City Administrator reminded everyone that auditors were out last week, and that he will be out of town on Wednesday (10/23) through Monday (10/28).

10. City Department’s Reports:

A. EMA Director Tony Eberle: No report

B. Police Chief Kevin Senne is seeking for approval to close off a portion of the alley behind Old Tyme Inn on October 26th, from 7-10 PM.

So moved by Alderwoman Johnson, and seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote.

11. Council Reports:

Alderman Arnett reported that he and City Administrator Penman had an opportunity to meet with a couple of architects inspecting the Street Department building, and inspected additional issues.

Alderwoman Johnson wanted to remind the public that early voting has begun at the library.

Alderman Robinson inquired what four subdivisions have annexation agreements. Response was Fairwinds (noting that Phase 4 was vacated), Deerpath, and Rud’s subdivision, whose annexation agreement may have already expired. He asked if the agreements had provisions for water and sewer infrastructure, and hook-up fees. Attorney Gottschalk said the City would enter into a development agreement with the developers to address these issues.

12. Old Business:

A. Azavar Audit Solutions: Discussion and possible action to authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Azavar Audit Solutions, Inc. of Chicago, IL to evaluate current City revenues and holdings. Azavar will earn 40% of the value of any findings covering 36 months. City Attorney Gottschalk and City Administrator Penman had questions regarding the contract, and answers were received satisfactorily. Alderman Whitecotton shared an experience with Plano’s use of the same services noting that their City Hall was inundated in copy and contract requests enabling Azavar to conduct their searches properly. City Administrator Penman offered assurances noting that the company has streamlined the process to be not so cumbersome on city staff. He stressed found information by Azavar is that what the City has to know, and is an audit of all the City’s properties, due tax revenues from outside sources, and will offer ideas forthcoming. Attorney Gottschalk said the process is for the City to provide necessary documents to Azavar, but noted that the contract does not require immediate action on the part of the City. She understands that Economic Director Alesky will be assisting with the process.

Alderman Kreinbrink moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Azavar Audit Solutions, as presented. Alderman Littlebrant seconded. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Johnson, Kreinbrink, and Littlebrant Nay: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Robinson & Whitecotton Mayor Latham voted “aye” to break the tie, and motion carried

B. HLR Construction Engineering Services Amendment: Discussion and possible action to authorize the Mayor to amend the existing agreement with HLR for additional Construction Engineering Services for the Latham Street project increasing the value of the contract from $256,532.00 to $319,097.00, not to exceed an additional $62,565.00. This matter remains on the table from the October 21st, meeting, and no action was taken.

13. New Business:

A. Monthly Bills: Discussion and possible approval of monthly bills in the amount of $157,798.36 as recommended by the Finance Committee. Per Finance Chair, Alderwoman Johnson, the amount of the amended monthly bills was $157,695.04.

Motion made by Alderman Fritsch approving the payment of the monthly bills as amended. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay: 0 Motion carried 8:0

B. Resolution 24-11 entitled “Authorizing Resolution for the City of Sandwich to Accept Appropriation Funding from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, Appropriation Funding DCEO Project SR230064” presented for passage. Said Resolution will allow the City to accept appropriation funding from the DCEO in an amount of $166,700.00 earmarked for financial assistance to remove a fuel storage tank from the former police station, and to remediate asbestos tile from the City Hall Annex.

Alderwoman Erickson moved to approve Resolution 24-11, as presented. Seconded by Alderman Fritsch. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay: 0 Motion carried unanimously

C. 410 & 420 E. Church Street Subdivision: Discussion and possible act to accept the Plan Commission recommendation by a vote of 5:0 the subdivision of an existing building into two separate lots known at 410 & 420 E. Church Street, at the request of John Tebrugge. Attorney Gottschalk explained that there is no direct impact on the community inasmuch the property is now owned by two people as opposed to a single entity.

Motion made by Alderman Littlebrant to accept the recommendation of the Plan Commission by granting the request of John Tebrugge. Motion was seconded by Alderman Robinson. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0

14. Executive Session: Executive Session for personnel under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) was removed from the agenda; and for collective bargaining under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) “Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees, with possible action; and for land acquisition under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) “The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body”.

Motion made by Alderman Littlebrant to enter into Executive Session at 8:44 PM for collective bargaining under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2); and land acquisition under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5). Alderwoman Erickson seconded. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0

Alderman Fritsch moved to return to regular session at 9:25 PM. Alderwoman Erickson seconded. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously

Collective Bargaining Agreement Approval: Regarding the collective bargaining agreement with the Metropolitan Alliance of Police and the City of Sandwich Public Works, Chapter 441, the contract will cover the period from May 1, 2022 through May 1, 2026. Public works filed

in 2022 but did not start the bargaining process until 2023. Retro pay is applicable from 2023 once the bargaining process commenced.

Alderwoman Johnson moved to accept the contract with Metropolitan Alliance of Police as presented. Motion was seconded by Alderman Littlebrant. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink & Littlebrant Nay: Aldermen Erickson, Robinson & Whitecotton Motion passed 5:3

15. Announcements:

A. Next Finance Committee Meeting will be held on November 4, 2024 at 6:30 PM

B. The next Committee-of-the-Whole Council Meeting will be held on Monday, November 4, 2024 at 7:00 PM

C. The next Regular City Council Meeting will be held on Monday, November 4, 2024, immediately following the Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting.

16. Adjournment: Motion made by Alderman Robinson to adjourn at 9:31 PM. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Motion passed unanimously on voice vote.

http://www.sandwich.il.us/media/2676