DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich City Council met May 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. Call to Order: Mayor Latham called the meeting to order at 8:27 PM

2. Roll Call

Present: Mayor Latham, City Clerk Ii, Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Robinson

Absent: Alderman Kreinbrink

Also present: City Attorney Gottschalk, City Administrator Penman, City Treasurer Koehler, Police Chief Senne & SEMA Director Eberle

Quorum established

3. Audience Comments: None

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 April 21, 2025

B. Approval of Minutes for the Regular Council Meeting of May 5, 2025

C. Approval of Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting Minutes for May 5, 2025.

D. Approval for Monthly Treasurer’s & Financial Reports for April, 2025

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

5. Mayor’s Report: Chief Senne had requested that the council approve a street closure on Center Street, between Green and Main Streets, for a car show on June 7th. The show will be hosted by Sidetrack’d Bar & Grill between 8 AM – 6 PM. The event will benefit the USA Special Olympics. There were no objections from the council.

6. Attorney’s Report: No report

7. City Clerk Ii: No report

8. Treasurer Koehler: No report

9. City Administrator Penman provided an update various topics:

• The City continues to hold a 5% retainage of approximately $21,000 from last summer’s road program waiting for grass to grown in specific areas

• Regarding the demolition of 724 N. Main Street, the contractor was advised to push the project along to avoid coinciding with the Main Street project

• The City is about ready to go live on the cloud permitting, and working on some issues with ePay. 90 permits are already in the system.

10. City Department’s Reports: No reports

11. Council Reports: Alderman Chunn requested that Council be provided a monthly report from the code enforcer, and suggested that the code enforcer attend a monthly meeting to apprise the Council on complaints and violations.

12. Old Business:

A. Airport Area Development: The Economic Director, Don Alesky, has requested a revision of Section 98-145 of the Municipal Code regarding height changes that would impact property located on the east side of Gletty Road. The City does not have any jurisdiction over the determination of the “Obstacle Free Zone” and the “Runway Protection Zone” nor will the Department of Aviation advise what can be built on the said property except that if it exceeds the required size, the Department of Aviation can close the airport altogether. The Department of Aviation had stated that the airport cannot be converted back to a commercial nor public airport. The City is proposing to change the restriction to 15:1 from the current 20:1. It is the City’s intent to follow the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) guidelines who has reduced the ratio to 15:1. Mayor Latham recommended that the City approach the State again for better clarification.

13. New Business

A. Monthly Bills: Motion requested approving payment of monthly bills totaling $116,549.63. Alderman Robinson raised the question about the meal reimbursement for officers that has not been approved.

So moved by Alderwoman Erickson, and seconded by Alderman Danko. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Danko, Erickson, Inman & Ketchum Nay: Aldermen Chunn & Robinson Motion carried 5:2

B. Ordinance 2025-04 entitled “An Ordinance Declaring Certain City Property as Surplus and Authorizing Sale or Disposal” presented for discussion and possible action to approve. City Administrator advised the surplus are vehicles that will be disposed of via auction that include a 2003 Ford dump truck, a 2003 Ford Ranger, a 1993 International dump truck, and an assortment of old laptops, printers, monitors, and other miscellaneous electronics.

Alderman Arnett made a motion to pass Ordinance 2025-04 as presented. Motion was seconded by Alderman Chunn. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously

C. Ordinance 2025-05 entitled “An Ordinance Declaring Certain City Property as Surplus and Authorizing Sale or Disposal” presented for discussion and possible approval to declare certain property as surplus. The property being disposed is a portion of Oak Bend Road in Fairwinds Subdivision.

Alderman Arnett moved to pass Ordinance 2025-05, as presented. Seconded by Alderman Danko. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Robinson. Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0

D. Conveyance to Phase 4 FW, LLC: Attorney explained the motion be to approve the conveyance of a portion of Oak Ben Road to Phase 4FW, LLC, and authorize the mayor to execute all necessary documents.

Alderman Arnett made a motion as set forth by the attorney. Alderwoman Inman seconded. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried unanimous

E. Sludge Hauling – Waive Competitive Bidding: Moton requested to waive competitive bidding for annual sludge hauling.

Motion made by Alderman Chunn, and seconded by Alderman Arnett. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0

F. Stewart Spreading Permit: Motion is to authorize the mayor to sign the renewal agreement for sludge hauling with Stewart Spreading. This is an annual contract.

So moved by Alderwoman Inman, and seconded by Alderman Chunn Aye: Alderman Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously

G. Innovative Underground – Waive Competitive Bidding: Last year, the City did about $80,000.00. worth of manhole lining implemented under the City’s sanitary manhole lining program through Innovative Underground. Recommendation is to waive bids for this year’s project along Main Street.

Alderwoman Erickson moved to waive competitive bidding for sanitary manhole lining. Motion was seconded by Alderman Ketchum Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0

H. Innovative Underground Agreement: Discussion and possible action to authorize the mayor to enter into an agreement with Innovative Underground for manhole relining services in an amount not to exceed $80,000.00.

Alderman Ketchum made a motion authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with Innovative Underground for manhole relining, not to exceed $80,000.00. Seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Clunn, Dano, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously

I. Opera House – Outdoor Event: Discussion and possible action to issue a Special Temporary License per Section 6.38(b)(1)(2)(3) of the City’s Municipal Code to the Sandwich Opera Housse for an outdoor event on June 8, 2026. Motion will grant the Opera House to host an outdoor event and to close the street in front of City Hall (a portion of Pearl Street between the alley and Railroad Street).

So moved by Alderwoman Erickson, and seconded by Alderman Chunn Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0

14. Executive Session:

Motion made by Alderman Arnett to enter closed session at 9:04 PM pursuant • to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) “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”

• to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) “The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body

• to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) “Litigation, when 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 of imminent”

Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Inman. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0 Mayor Latham advised that action may be taken upon return to regular session. He also reminded Council that were tabled matters that will need action.

Alderman Chunn moved to return to regular session at 10:19 PM. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Inman. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously

15. Possible Action Following Executive Session

A. Police Chief Kevin Senne Contract: Mayor Latham requested a motion to take off the table the contract for Police Chief, Kevin Senne.

So moved by Alderman Chunn, and seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carries

Mayor Latham explained the employment agreement between the City of Sandwich, and Kevin Senne, Chief of Police. Terms of the agreement will be from May 1, 2025 to April 30, 2026 with an annual gross salary of $126,021.00. Mayor requested a motion to approve the contract of employment with Chief Senne.

Motion made by Alderman Ketchum, and seconded by Alderman Chunn. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously

B. City Administrator Geoff Penman Contract: Mayor Latham requested a motion to take off the table the contract for City Administrator, Geoff Penman.

So moved by Alderman Danko, and seconded by Alderwoman Inman. Aye: Alderman Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried

Action before the Council is the employment contract between the City of Sandwich and Geoff R. Penman, City Administrator. The employment agreement is from May 1, 2025 until June 30, 2026.

The 14-month contract agrees to pay Geoff Penman, in salary and benefit, at $131,000.00 for the term of the contract. Mayor requested a motion to approve the employment agreement.

Motion made by Alderman Arnett, and seconded by Alderwoman Inman. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carries 7:0

C. Resolution 25-10 entitled “A Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Out-Of-State Service for Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF)” presented for to be removed from the table and passage. No motion was made to remove from the table.

16. Announcements:

A. Public Open House to be held on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 6:00 PM to discuss the Main Street Project.

B. Next Finance Committee Meeting will be held on Monday, June 2nd, 2025 at 6:30 PM.

C. The next Committee-of-the-Whole Council Meeting will be held on June 2nd, 2025 at 7:00 PM followed immediately by the Regular Council Meeting.

D. Technology Committee will take place on June 12, 2025 at 6:00 PM

E. Historical Preservation Committee will meet on June 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM, or immediately following the Technology Committee Meeting

F. Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting will meet on June 12th, 2025 at 8:00 PM, or immediately following the Historical Preservation Committee Meeting.

17. Adjournment: Motion made by Alderman Robinson to adjourn at 10:26 PM. Motion was seconded by Alderman Chunn. Motion passed unanimously on voice vote.

https://www.sandwich.il.us/media/3556