DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich Committee of the Whole met Aug. 4.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

1. Call to Order: Mayor Latham called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM 

2. Pledge of Allegiance was led by Alderwoman Erickson 

3. Roll Call 

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

Also present: City Treasurer Koehler, Attorney Gottschalk, Chief Senne, SEMA Director Eberle & Economic Director Alesky 

Absent: City Administrator Penman & EEI Engineer Dettmann 

Quorum established 

4. Mayor’s Report: Mayor Latham shared that in conversations with the City’s engineers, 19% of the Main Street project is completed. 

5. Attorney’s Report: Attorney Gottschalk – No report 

6. City Clerk Ii: No report 

7. City Treasurer Koehler: No report 

8. City Administrator Penman: Absent 

9. City Department’s Reports: 

A. SEMA Report: No report 

 B. Police Chief Senne shared updates since the last council meeting: 

• Highlighted community engagements and events attended 

• Police Explorers will compete on August 9th in Elmhurst following their strong performance in  Elgin earlier in the year 

• Background investigation has begun on lateral officer candidate with a potential hiring in  September 

• Officer Hansen is in his fourth week of field training 

• Application submitted through the DeKalb County Mental Health Board for a social worker  grant. If awarded, a social worker will be assigned to Sandwich 1-2 days per week

• After a recent assessment, PD will be replacing twelve computers 

• City is applying for a grant from Firehouse Subs for additional equipment in the weight room;  work on begun updating the weight room 

• Currently evaluation options to replace the station’s generator. A formal proposal is expected  to be presented at the second council meeting in September 

• Report on impact on the Main Street construction, including two traffic crashes, six community  contacts, 19 traffic stops, and 69 extra patrols 

C. EEI Engineer Dettmann: Curt Dettmann is absent tonight, but will be at the August 18th meeting. 

10. Council Reports 

Alderman Arnett reported that the Sunset lift station will be rebuilt soon. 

Alderman Chunn stated that the Street Department has started spray patching and will resume  brush pickup on Wednesday 

Alderman Danko reported issues with rust in the water due to construction and a fire that stirred  up more rust, but no health risk was found. Alderman Danko refenced Ordinance 2005-04 where  portions of Cindy Lane had a parking ban from Lions Road to Sunset Avenue. A resident had approached  him inquiring to revoke the ban because it interferes with his daytime activities. School parking was an  issue 20 years ago, but with the removal of the school tennis courts for additional parking, Alderman  Danko would like to see the no parking signs removed. Mayor Latham asked that Chief Senne review  any traffic issues, and that the school administration being contacted prior to the Council’s final decision. 

Alderman Kreinbrink recognized Sergeant Whitecotton and Officer Rominski in their response to a  structure fire on Green Street this past Saturday. They assisted residents that stopped the fire from  spreading. 

 Alderman Robinson had received a complaint that storm brush had not been picked up that was  customary in the past. The resident was told the street department was too busy for a separate run,  and that storm brush would be picked up under the normal brush pickup schedule for August. He would  like to see storm brush pickup to be separate from the normal schedule. 

11. Old Business:  

A. Resolution 25-11 Amending Personnel Policy Related to Travel & Meal Expenses: Additional  language was added that mirrored State of Illinois requirements. There were some limitations on tipping  and eligibility for meals; however, Council favored listing the dollar allotment for meals, and restricting  to overnight stays. Council will not vote for passage until next week when a final draft is available for  review. 

B. Lead Service Line Replacement Discussion: Mayor Latham passed on this topic until the next  meeting when City Administrator Penman and EEI Engineer Dettmann will be present. C. 50/50 Sidewalk Program Discussion: Council chose to table until the next meeting with a focus  on larger projects and ADA compliance. The program would not take effect until next budget year. D. ComEd EV (electric vehicle) Charging Stations: Economic Director, Don Alesky, explained the  final location site to be approved by the Council as near the transformer on Pearl Street, and address  questions regarding fees and potential earnings. There is no cost to the city; ComEd will pay any incurred  costs including the units. Easiest method and most effective option would be a one-hour method. It is  important to avoid peak usage to keep the kilowatt down which will keep the City’s margin up. An email  correspondence from ComEd stated they are covering the full cost of the charger, design, installation, and materials. The City would only incur charges if any construction work is requested that goes beyond  the recommended scope of the project. Questions were raised about WiFi that will be investigated by  the next Committee-of-the-Whole meeting. 

City Clerk Ii left the meeting at 7:38 PM 

D. 30th Annual Craft Fair “Under the Big Top”: Attorney Gottschalk had prepared an agreement to  be reviewed by the council. Once done, the agreement will be forwarded to the Betty Erickson Carey  Foundation for their review, and then the agreement will come back to the council for approval. The  Council voiced concerns about termination clauses and the need for a clear conflict of interest policy. 

The Mayor further explained, unlike The Blaze and Sidetrack’d car show that requested street closure,  the craft show is an actual event doing business on city property. The agreement is assurances and  insurance liabilities securing the City. The Mayor indicted this is a new process moving forward, and has  already talked to the fire department about their events. 

City Clerk Ii return to the meeting at 7:53 PM 

12. New Business:  

 A. Police Vehicle Replacement as a Restricted Budget Item: Chief City presented a request to  replace three police vehicles, including a canine vehicle, a patrol vehicle, and an administrative vehicle,  with options for leasing or purchasing. The council discussed the replacements considering a lease-to own option costing $255,087 over four years. The city's fleet management plan was debated, with a  focus on balancing vehicle replacements and long-term maintenance costs. Further discussed were the  differences between leasing and financing vehicles, noting that Ford uses "lease" terminology but it  functions similarly to financing. Paying quarterly instead of monthly can save around $500 annually. The  current rate quoted is 6%, with potential fluctuations. The maintenance of squad cars is managed by  Sergeant Eisenberg, with monthly inspections 

13. Announcements: National Night Out will be held at Johnny K’s parking lot from 6-8 PM 14. Audience Comments: Becky Nelson, Ward 4 resident, inquired about the R3 rating that affects all  the south side of Sandwich. R3 rating in an equitable justice rating that is provided to a community that  shows an uptick in either gun injury or child poverty or r-entry of inmates into the community. She asked  that the council members research it, and how to get rid of the rating. Ms. Nelson stated that R3 rated  neighborhoods have high water bills and crappy sidewalks that should have a priority over the EV  charging station coalition. She encourages the council to vote no for the EV charging station. 15. Adjournment: Alderman Robinson moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:24 PM. Alderman Chunn seconded. Motion carried unanimously via voice vote. 

https://www.sandwich.il.us/media/3866