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