DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich City Council met Dec. 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. Call to Order: In the absence of Mayor Latham, City Attorney Gottschalk called the meeting to order followed by the Pledge of Allegiance

2. Roll Call

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

Also present: City Attorney Gottschalk, City Administrator Penman, Police Chief Senne, SEMA Director Eberle, and EEI Engineer Curt Dettmann

Absent: Mayor Latham & Alderman Arnett

Quorum established

Motion made by Alderman Robinson, and seconded by Alderwoman Erickson, appointing Alderman Rick Whitecotton as Mayor Pro Tem. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously

3. Audience Comments:

Sandy Koehler voiced she is not in support of the proposed “sandwich” statue. She has questioned people and posted on Facebook, saying there is no support for a $40,000.00 statue for the downtown area.

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 December 2, 2024 B. Approval of Regular Council Meeting Minutes of December 2, 2024. C. Approval of Financials & Treasurer’s Report for November, 2024

Motion made by Alderman Kreinbrink, and seconded by Alderwoman Erickson, adopting the consent agenda as presented. Motion passed unanimously on voice vote.

5. Mayor’s Report: Absent

6. Attorney’s Report: No report

7. City Clerk Ii: No report

8. Treasurer’s Report: Vacancy

9. City Administrator’s report consisted of:

• At the technology committee meeting held last week, recommendations included upgrading the existing financial software at this time; discussion on phishing software; cyber training by all staff; a full-time technology person; an internal equipment audit; and upgrade to Windows 11

• Insurance adjusters were switched to Gallagher & Bassett

• Ian Burgin has been hired as building & zoning official, replacing Todd Steffens who is retiring at the end of the month

• Interviews were concluded today on the wastewater operator position

• Status report on the wastewater construction will be discussed at the January 6th meeting

• There was 5-weeks of leaf collection this year; 1560 yards of leaves were collected and disposed at no cost to the City. Leaves were taken to a local farm as compost.

10. City Department’s Reports: Chief Senne reminded everyone of the police department website, and thanked the officers for their hard work, day in and day out.

11. Council Reports:

Alderwoman Johnson asked that they Mayor and City Attorney get immediately involved in the Nick Schomer property issue. She did not like hearing that our residents are being threatened.

Alderman Kreinbrink, echoing Alderwoman Johnson’s sentiments, requested that the City Clerk have this matter placed on the January 6th agenda for more open dialogue on the situation. He added appreciation that the neighboring residents have remained calm and taking the right approach with the City.

Alderman Littlebrant also commended the neighbors for not engaging the situation.

Alderman Whitecotton the City is aware of what is going on with the property, and watching. Sometimes reaction is not as quickly as would be liked.

12. Old Business: None

13. New Business:

A. Monthly Bills: Discussion and possible approval of monthly bills in the amount of $1,075,028.96 as recommended by the Finance Committee.

Motion made by Alderwoman Johnson moved to approve payment of monthly bills as presented. Alderman Kreinbrink seconded. Aye: Aldermen Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant & Whitecotton Nay: Aldermen Erickson & Robinson Motion carried 5:2

14. Executive Session: Motion made by Alderman Robinson, and seconded by Alderwoman Erickson, to enter into closed session at 7:39 PM for personnel under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) “the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employee of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee or the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity”; 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”; 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”. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0

Alderwoman Johnson moved to return to regular session at 8:49 PM. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously

15. Announcements:

A. Next Finance Committee Meeting will be held on Monday, January 6, 2025 at 6:30 PM

B. The next Committee-of-the-Whole Council Meeting will be held on January 6, 2024, at 7:00 PM followed immediately by the Regular Council Meeting

16. Adjournment: Motion made by Alderman Robinson to adjourn at 8:50 PM. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Motion passed unanimously on voice vote.

https://www.sandwich.il.us/media/2921