City of Sandwich Board met June 12.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
Mayor Olson called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Mayor Olson administered the oath and introduced new police officer, Daniel Malkowski.
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll call was taken:
Present: Mayor Olson, City Clerk Ii, Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Killey, McMahon, O’Sullivan & Redden
Also present: Attorney Conklin, City Engineer / Director of Public Works Horak, Chief Bianchi & EMA Director Ciciora
Absent: City Treasurer, Alderman Kelleher & Alderman Robinson
Approval of Minutes:
Motion was made by Alderman McMahon and seconded by Alderman Dell to approve the Regular Council Meeting of May 22, 2017; the Special Meeting minutes of June 5, 2017; and the Committee-of-the-Whole Council Meeting for June 5, 2017. Aye: Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Killey, McMahon, O’Sullivan & Redden Nay:0 Motion carried 6:0
Approval of June Semi-Monthly Bills:
Motion was made by Alderwoman Killey, and seconded by Alderman O’Sullivan approving payment of the June semi-monthly bills in the total amount of $128,484.64. Aye: Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Killey, McMahon, O’Sullivan & Redden Nay:0 Motion carried 6:0
Mayor Olson:
Ordinance 2017-10 entitled “An Ordinance Amending Various Sections of Chapter 14 “Animals”, Article I “In General” of the Municipal Code of the City of Sandwich, DeKalb and Kendall Counties, Illinois” presented for 1st reading. Question was raised by the Council if language in Paragraph “O” of the proposed ordinance should contain reference to subdivision covenants that prohibit the raising of chickens. The City attorney will review the language of the ordinance.
Ordinance 2017-11 entitled “2017 Prevailing Wage Rate Ordinance” presented for passage.
So moved by Alderwoman Chmielewski, and seconded by Alderman McMahon. Aye: Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Killey, McMahon, O’Sullivan & Redden Nay:0 Motion carried 6:0
Account Reconciliation Report: The Mayor reported that bank accounts have now been reconciled covering November, 2016 – April, 2017 in preparation of the upcoming annual audit.
CMAP Meeting Report: The meeting last week was a poor showing with only Yorkville, Newark and Sandwich being represented. CMAP (Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning) is willing to assist the City in updating their comprehensive plan, and funding is available to accomplish the task.
Executive Session for personnel under Section 2(c)(1): Mayor Olson requested Executive Session at the end of the meeting adding that no action will be taken.
Foster, Buick, Conklin, Lundgren & Tritt LLC Law Group – No report
City Clerk Ii - No report
City Treasurer – Absent
Director of Public Works & City Engineer Horak:
Brush Pickup is complete in Ward 2.
Plan Commission regular meeting of Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at 7:30 PM in the City Hall Annex has been cancelled.
2017 Lisbon Street – Green to Main Reconstruction Project: Recommendation made by Engineer Horak to award the 2017 Lisbon Street project to H. Linden & Sons Sewer and Water Inc. of Plano, in the amount of $624,232.00 waiving the minor technicality that the BLR 12326 “Affidavit of Illinois Business Office” form was received after the bid opening. Alderman Redden requested clarification that the City has not received access, via quitclaim or easement, to approximately 9 feet of property, and the project is contingent on the disposition of the 9 feet. The City Attorney and attorney representing Willow Crest are in discussion on the agreement terms.
So moved by Alderman Redden, and seconded by Alderman McMahon. Aye: Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Killey, McMahon, Redden & O’Sullivan Nay: 0 Motion carried 6:0
2017 Street Maintenance Project (17-00000-01-GM): Bid results that were opened on Wednesday, June 7th, were Curran Contracting Company in the amount of $278,658.25 and Universal Asphalt & Excavating Inc. in the amount of $314,521.60. The Engineer’s estimate cost on the project was $262,960.00.
Engineer Horak requested a motion to award the 2017 Street Maintenance Project (17-00000-01- GM) to Curran Contracting Company of Crystal Lake, IL in the amount of $278,658.25 after the expiration of the protest period on June 14, 2017.
Motion made by Aldermen Redden, and seconded by Alderman Dell. Aye: Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Killey, McMahon, Redden & O’Sullivan Nay:0 Motion carried 6:0
2017 Center Street Light Project: Last week cables were installed between the new controller and the north side of Center Street. The contractor will return once poles are delivered the first week of August.
Announcement: The street department will be starting work at 6 AM in the upcoming days to finish the crack sealing along Main Street. Some noise may be generated but the hope is to avoid traffic.
Chief Bianchi – No report
EMA Director Ciciora – No report
Alderwoman Chmielewski raised several concerns pertaining to the proposed chicken ordinance. Rural King does not sell individual chicks but rather a minimum of 6 chicks. Under Section 2 (f), the ordinance states that hens are to be kept enclosed at all times. Alderwoman Chmielewski found in her research that there are growing stages of the chicks that require lighting and heat lamps that may require the chicks to be kept in a garage, as an example. Depending on the breed, hens do not necessarily lay eggs daily. A hen will lay eggs during age 1-3 years, and less eggs will be laid in the winter and as the bird ages. A hen may live up to 8 years. With this information, and the limitation of the number of hens, it could be assumed one would have non-laying hens. Further, the question is what happens to the non-laying hens since the proposed ordinance prohibits slaughtering of the chickens.
Supplementing Clerk Ii’s request for an office cell phone to be used by City Hall personnel, Alderwoman Chmielewski said she is researching the cost of a City-wide plan for all employees currently receiving a monthly cell phone usage stipend. Currently there are 18 employees receiving a monthly $30 stipend for use of their personal cell phones for City purposes. Additionally, Alderwoman Chmielewski voiced concern that personal cell phones are subject to FOIA regulations.
Alderman Dell reported he had compared the existing fire and safety codes with the proposed adoption of the 2015 edition of both and is looking for consistency in the enforcement of the codes. He fears the cost to bring a commercial building compliant, or becoming cost prohibitive to build, may deter businesses from locating in Sandwich. Stating that life safety issues should remain a priority, Alderman Dell was not necessarily in favor of being the first community to enforce the new restrictive codes.
The Council has received correspondence from local dental business, First Impressions, presenting a concept that they lease their property for weddings and celebrations. The business would purchase a reception tent that will remain erected during the summer months. Catering and decorating would be outsourced. Several aldermen chimed in with concerns of safety and sanitation issues, cash liquor bars, outdoor music, and parking issues. Council will discuss further at next week’s meeting.
Alderman Kelleher – Absent
Alderwoman Killey – No report
Alderman McMahon – No report
Alderman Redden – No report
Alderman Robinson - Absent
Audience Comments: Martha McAdams addressed the proposed chicken ordinance requesting the Council to reconsider allowing 6 hens as opposed to 5 hens. Noting that a family cannot be fed on 5 eggs day, she also concurred that chicks are sold by the half dozen and not individually. She also requested that the language pertaining to the coop building restriction of 25 feet from the lot boundaries be allowed to 25 feet from a neighboring dwelling. By placing a 25-foot boundary restriction on lots, it was a feasible that a coop would be located in the middle of one’s backyard.
New Business – None
Executive Session:
Motion made by Alderman Dell and seconded by Alderwoman Killey to go into executive session at 7:50 pm, pursuant to Section 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.” Aye: Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Killey, McMahon, O’Sullivan & Redden Nay:0 Motion carried 6:0
Motion to return from Executive Session: Motion made by Alderman Redden and seconded by Alderman Sullivan to return to regular session at 8:35 PM. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Adjournment:
There being no further business to come before the Council, motion made by Alderman Redden and seconded by Alderwoman Killey to adjourn the Regular Council meeting at 8:38 pm. Motion carried unanimously by viva voce vote.
http://www.sandwich.il.us/minutes/rc061217.pdf
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