DeKalb Times

City of Sandwich City Council met Sept. 2.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. Call to Order: Mayor Latham called the meeting to order at 9:25 PM

2. Roll Call

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

Also present: Attorney Gottschalk, City Administrator Penman, City Treasurer Koehler, EEI Engineer Dettmann & SEMA Director Eberle

Absent: Alderman Kreinbrink & Chief Senne

Quorum established

3. Audience Comments: Ward 4 resident, Becky Nelson, emphasized the importance of passing the Erickson-Carey Foundation’s craft fair event to support downtown businesses and first responders. She also raised concerns about the proposed housing developments by Woda Group, questioning if they meet the R3 rating criteria and advised the council to verify their community development status. Ms. Nelson suggested the council review other developments to ensure the proposed developers meet the community’s standards.

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 Minutes for the Regular Council Meeting of August 18, 2025 B. Approval of June Financial Reports

Alderwoman Inman made a motion approving the Consent Agenda. Motion seconded by Alderman Arnett. 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: No Report

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

• Upgrading on g-Works software will require a series of training sessions, and City Hall will have to be closed for short periods during the day

• Bid letting will be in November for the Pratt Road Bridge scheduled for next year 10. City Department’s Reports: None

11. Council Reports: Alderman Chunn requested the Betty Erickson-Caarey agreement be rescinded via council vote. Attorney Gottschalk explained that only items listed on the agenda can be voted on in accordance with the Open Meetings Act.

12. Old Business:

A. Lead Service Line Replacement: City Administrator Penman explained the notification process and the requirement to provide filters to homeowners that have disturbed lead service lines. The city will draft a waiver for homeowners who refuse to have their lead service lines replaced, and consider whether to pass on the costs of continued monitoring to those homeowners. Alderman Robinson recommended a 50/50 cost-sharing for the replacement of lead service lines on the Main Street project, and upon further discussion, the motion was amended to include citywide, not just restricted to the Main Street project.

Motion made by Alderson Robinson, and seconded by Alderman Chunn, that the City provide 50/50 cost sharing to the homeowner on the private side for citywide residents with lead service lines. Aye: Aldermen Chunn, Danko, Ketchum & Robinson Nay: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson & Inman Although motion carried 4:3, Mayor Latham casted an “aye” vote

B. Betty Erickson-Carey Foundation “Under the Big Top”: Agreement presented for approval and passage. Council reviewed and approved amendments to the agreement for the use of city property. Amendments included changes to the not-to-exceed amount, workers’ compensation requirements, and the right to modify the agreement.

Alderman Arnett made a motion to approve the amendments of the agreement between the City and the Betty Erickson-Carey Foundation, as specifically discussed in open session. Alderman Robinson seconded Aye: Alderman Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Inman, Ketchum & Robinson Nay:0 Alderwoman Erickson abstained Motion passed

13. New Business

A. Semi-Monthly Bills: Motion requested approving payment of semi-monthly bills totaling $266,105.38 as recommended by the Finance Committee.

So moved by Alderwoman Inman, and seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman & Ketchum Nay: Alderman Robinson Motion carried 6:1

B. Resolution 25-10 entitled “A Resolution to Repeal and Rescind Previously Adopted Resolution 25-07 and Approving Decommissioning Bond Obtained by TPE IL KE109, LLC, From Pennsylvania Insurance Company Concerning the Decommissioning of a Solar Power Generation Facility Located at 599 Sandy Bluff Road, Sandwich, Illinois 60548” presented for approval.

Motion to approve Resolution 25-10, as presented, made by Alderwoman Inman. Seconded by Alderman Arnett. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously

C. Ordinance 2025-13 entitled “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 2 – “Administration”, Article II – “City Council”, “Division 2 – Rules of Order”, Section 2-61 – “Order of Business” of the City of Sandwich Municipal Code” presented for adoption. Amendments included adding the Pledge of Allegiance to the Regular Council Meeting, and change the wording from “old business” to “unfinished business” on agendas for the regular and committee-of-the-whole meetings.

Alderman Robinson moved to adopt Ordinance 2025-13, as amended. Motion was seconded by Alderman Chunn. Aye: Alderman Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0

14. Executive Session pursuant to 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;

(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 or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting.

Motion made by Alderwoman Erickson to enter into closed session at 10:23 PM under Section 120/2(c)(2) and Section 120/2(c)(11). Motion was seconded by Alderman Ketchum. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0

Executive Session for 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) – personnel and 5 ILCS 120/2/(c)(5) – purchase of property wasremoved from the agenda. Attorney Gottschalk announced that no action would be forthcoming after the closed session.

Alderman Robinson left the Regular Council Meeting at 10:24 PM.

Alderman Ketchum moved to return to open session at 10:36 PM, and seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman & Ketchum Nay:0 Motion carried 6:0

15. Announcements:

A. Next Finance Committee Meeting will be held on Monday, September 15, 2025 at 6:30 PM.

B. The next Committee-of-the-Whole Council Meeting will be held on September 15, at 7:00 PM followed immediately by the Regular Council Meeting.

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

16. Adjournment: Motion made by Alderman Chunn to adjourn at 10:38 PM. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Motion passed unanimously on voice vote.

https://www.sandwich.il.us/media/3911