DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich City Council met Aug. 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. Call to Order: Mayor Latham called the meeting to order at 8:24 PM

2. Roll Call

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

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

Absent: Aldermen Arnett & Danko; Economic Director Alesky

Quorum established

3. Audience Comments: Colton Otto outlined the Betty Erickson-Carey Foundation contract details, including the 30-day without cause notification for cancellation, and liability insurance requirements. He also emphasized the need for cost-sharing for the tent, porta potties, and dumpsters.

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 August 4, 2025

B. Approval of Minutes for the Regular Council Meeting of August 4, 2025

C. Approval of July Financial Reports

Alderman Chunn made a motion approving the Consent Agenda. Motion seconded by Alderwoman Inman. Motion carried unanimously on voice vote.

5. Mayor’s Report: No Report

6. Attorney’s Report: No report

7. City Clerk Ii: No Report

8. Treasurer Koehler raised concerns about the cost implications of delaying the Main Street project, suggested looking into grants and other cost-saving measures, and inquired about the actual cost of replacing lead lines on Main Street. No treasurer’s report was presented.

9. City Administrator Penman provided an update on the following:

• Candidate for the Assistant Water Superintendent position has taken another job; advertising for the position will resume

• There has been an interest in IML Conference, and will need the dates for attendance

• Implementation of g-Works is moving along

• During the budget process, positions for the building department and city hall were frozen. Question was posed how to unfreeze. The part-time code enforcer is assisting and expanding his role, and there is a need for a deputy city clerk. There seemed to be by the Council regarding the definition of “frozen” vs “restricted” funds. Attorney Gottschalk explained that restricted items can only be spent for a specific purpose, and unrestricted items are not budgeted. Money saved from bringing more accounting duties in-house is being used for the employment of the city administrator internship. A request was made to the City Administrator to present a proposal with job description and associated expenses. A suggestion was made if the intent was making the code enforcement a full-time position, that the position require formal training with background experience, including assistance in the building department.

• Three houses near Main and Arnold Streets were found to have lead pipes when it was discovered that these lines had been tied into one line at an old farmhouse.

10. City Department’s Reports: SEMA Director Eberle apologized from the Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting, that his assistant, Tim Keierleber, was overlooked during the presentation by the reserves.

11. Council Reports: Alderman Robinson expressed he would like to see the agenda reformatted listing council reports following old, and even perhaps, new business.

12. Old Business:

A. Resolution 25-11 entitled “A Resolution Amending the City of Sandwich Personnel Manual (Section 3(E) Travel Expenses)”: Resolution presented for passage.

So moved by Alderwoman Inman. Motion was seconded by Alderman Kreinbrink. Aye: Aldermen Chunn, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum, Kreinbrink & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carries 6:0

B. ComEd EV (electric vehicle) Charging Station Location: Seeking a motion approving the location on Pearl Street, in front of the antique building, for the EV charging station.

Motion made by Alderwoman Inman, and seconded by Alderman Kreinbrink. Aye: Aldermen Inman, Ketchum & Kreinbrink Nay: Aldermen Chunn, Erickson & Robinson Mayor Latham broke the tie with an “aye” vote Motion carries

13. New Business

A. Semi-Monthly Bills: Motion requested approving payment of semi-monthly bills totaling $521,327.14 as recommended by the Finance Committee.

So moved by Alderwoman Erickson, and seconded by Alderwoman Inman. Aldermen Chunn, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Kreinbrink Nay: Alderman Robinson Motion carried 5:1

B. Betty Erickson-Carey Foundation “Under the Big Top”: Motion for approval for the city to enter into an agreement with the Betty Erickson-Carey Foundation for the “Under the Big Top” on September 25th, 2025. Council debated wanting to simplify the contract agreement to protect the city’s interest or revert to a verbal agreement and bring back for approval @ next meeting. Signatory on the agreement was discussed as to who would sign on behalf of the foundation – a corporate officer or the registered agent.

Motion made by Alderman Kreinbrink, and seconded by Alderman Ketchum to amend the contract to change the name of the party signing the agreement. Aye: Alderman Chunn, Inman, Ketchum, Kreinbrink & Robinson Nay:0 Abstained: Alderwoman Erickson Motion carries

C. Dojo Dynamics Street Closure Request: Scott Francis hosts an annual fundraiser for his business and has requested a street closure for Sunday, August 24th. The request has been reviewed by the Street and Police Departments, and now in a format the is best for safety and flow. Proof of insurance has been received.

Alderman Kreinbrink made a motion approving the requested street closure for DoJo Dynamics on August 24th, 2025. Alderwoman Erickson seconded. Aye: Aldermen Chunn, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum, Kreinbrink & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously

D. Lead Service Line Replacements for Main Street Project: Motion to table allowing staff time to identify the total number of houses affected by lead service lines, and at the next meeting provide actual costs of line replacements done so far on the Main Street project. Steve Dennison (EEI) explained that outside contractor for the replacements, and that residents must be notified of the intended replacement within 45-day of notification. Once a total is determined of households with lead service lines, the city can start the process of the 45-day notifications. Because of the potential increase in number of lead service lines, the question remains who is going to pay – city, homeowner, or combination thereof. The Street Department will provide a list of affected properties.

Motion made by Alderwoman Erickson to table the discussion on the lead service line replacement for N. Main Street. Seconded by Alderwoman Inman. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote.

14. Announcements:

A. Next Finance Committee Meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025 at 6:30 PM.

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

C. “Taste of Sandwich” will be held on Wednesday, September 24th, 2025.

15. Adjournment: Motion made by Alderwoman Inman to adjourn at 9:25 PM. Motion was seconded by Alderman Ketchum. Motion passed unanimously on voice vote.

https://www.sandwich.il.us/media/3886