City of Sandwich Council met July 10.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
Mayor Olson called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll call was taken:
Present: Mayor Olson, City Clerk Ii, Aldermen Dell, Killey, McMahon, O’Sullivan, Redden & Robinson
Also present: Attorney Conklin, City Engineer / Director of Public Works Horak, & Chief Bianchi
Absent: City Treasurer, Alderman Kelleher & Alderwoman Chmielewski, EMA Director Ciciora
Approval of Minutes:
Motion was made by Alderman McMahon and seconded by Alderwoman Killey to approve the Regular Council Meeting of June 26, 2017; the Special Meeting minutes of July 3rd, 2017; and the Committee-of-the-Whole Council Meeting for July 3rd, 2017. Aye: Aldermen Dell, Killey, McMahon, O’Sullivan, Redden & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried 6:0
Approval of June Semi-Monthly Bills:
Motion was made by Alderwoman Killey, and seconded by Alderman Robinson approving payment of the June semi-monthly bills in the total amount of $86,662.30. Aye: Aldermen Dell, Killey, McMahon, O’Sullivan, Redden & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried 6:0
Mayor Olson:
(1) Discussion on Williams contract for Public Safety Building: Mayor Olson questioned if the Council wanted to proceed with Williams Architects that had provided initial plans for the proposed safety building or to investigate new architects. Given that Williams Architects is already familiar with the project, Council agreed to move forward with them.
(2) Municipal Code Recodification update: Mayor Olson, Attorney Buick, Engineer Horak, Chief Bianchi, and City Clerk Ii held a 4.5 hour conference call with Municode on July 6th. Suggestions and changes to the City’s Municipal Code was discussed and reviewed. A first run of the Code should be available early fall.
(3) City Hall employee discussion: The position of budget / finance director has remained open since December. Contractor Shante’ Humble has assisted with the budget and reconciliation of bank accounts but has since moved to Indiana. Mayor Olson had approached the City treasurer to take over some of the duties but she expressed no interest. Part-time employee Michele Hoisington moved up to a full time position handling accounts payable and payroll. Funds were budgeted to hire a new employee for the finance position, and the Mayor said a job description should be created. There is a need for additional help in City Hall to assist with phone inquiries and availability to cover lunch hours.
(4) Decision on employment appeal from form employee: Mayor Olson requested a motion to uphold the Chief’s decision in the termination of Pennie Van Pelt.
So moved by Alderman Redden, and seconded by Alderman Robinson. Aye: Aldermen Dell, Killey, McMahon, O’Sullivan, Redden & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried 6:0
Foster, Buick, Conklin, Lundgren & Tritt LLC Law Group – No report
City Clerk Ii requested Executive Session at the end of the meeting under Section 2(c)(21) for discussion of closed session minutes. Action could be taken afterwards for approval of closed meeting minutes.
City Treasurer – Absent
Director of Public Works & City Engineer Horak:
(1) Brush Pickup is complete in Ward 2.
(2) Plan Commission regular meeting of Tuesday, July 11th, 2017 at 7:30 PM in the City Hall Annex has been cancelled.
(3) 2017 Lisbon Street – Green to Main Reconstruction Project: Engineer Horak provided a cost exhibit for Willow Crest for curb and sidewalk from Main Street to their driveway and reconstruction of the service walks. Willow Crest will be reimbursing the city for these costs, and language will be incorporated in the easement agreement accordingly. The estimated cost is $15,544.00.
Engineer Horak requested a motion to Change Order #1 to revise specifications to utilize different isolation valves. There was problem with the ordering of valves that were found not to meet the City’s specifications for hydrotesting. H. Linden & Co were able to secure valves at a cost of $17,500.00 per valve. The original desired valves cost $20,000.00 per valve, and a net savings of $10,000.00 was realized going with the cheaper valves.
Alderman Redden moved to approve Change Order #1. Motion was seconded by Alderman Robinson. Aye: Aldermen Dell, Killey, McMahon, O’Sullivan, Redden & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried 6:0
(4) 2017 Street Maintenance Project (17-00000-01-GM): The supplemental resolution was delivered to IDOT on Wednesday, July 5th, and confirmation approval was received today (July 10th). Engineer Horak reported that contractor will be ready to start next week. He has received the striping plan for Lions Road and will be in the aldermen’s mail bins for discussion next week.
(5) 2017 6th Street Water Main Project: Engineer Horak has received information from the property owners, Larry & Gene Frieders, regarding their request for compensation for the 7-foot easement agreement. They are requesting the waiving of connection fees for 1-1/2” water service on both lots (corner of Duvick Ave and 6th Avenue, and the contiguous lot to the north on Duvick Avenue). Engineer Horak will prepare the documentation for discussion next week.
(6) Fairwind Boulevard – Center to Main Project: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has extended the grant completion date for Grant 10-203872 to June 30, 2018. Upon completion of paperwork, Engineer Horak expects this project to be begin next Spring. The project consists of a water main installation and bike path.
(7) Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule Program: The interview with the building official was cancelled for today, and will be rescheduled for some time in August. ISO (Insurance Services Office) will conduct a review of procedures and documentation. The ISO will also assess the City’s rating for the building department. Engineer Horak indicated he is hoping for a rating of 5-6 which is the desired rating for a community the size of Sandwich. The current rating is 9. Considered for the rating includes employee training and review of the City’s codes.
Chief Bianchi – No report
EMA Director Ciciora – Absent
Alderwoman Chmielewski - Absent
Alderman Dell - No report
Alderman Kelleher – Absent
Alderwoman Killey – No report
Alderman McMahon reported that the annual Wentworth./ Wilshire Apartments cookout will be held on August 12th. Church groups will be preparing ‘back to school’ backpacks for the residents’ children.
Alderman O’Sullivan – No report
Alderman Redden – No report
Alderman Robinson – No report
Audience Comments: Economic Director Jim Teckenbrock announced that the “Wall That Heals” moving Vietnam Veterans Memorial will be passing through Sandwich on Wednesday, July 12th, on its journey to Sycamore for display. Sandwich will be providing a color guard, and anticipated drive- through is between 10:15 – 10:45 am.
New Business – None
Executive Session – Action may be taken after the Executive Session
Motion made by Alderman Dell and seconded by Alderman Robinson to go into executive session at 7:40 PM, pursuant to Section 2(c)(21) “Discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under this Act, whether for purposes of approval by the body of the minutes or semi- annual review of the minutes as mandated by Section 2.06”. Aye: Aldermen Dell, Killey, McMahon, O’Sullivan & Redden Nay: Alderman Robinson Motion carried 5:1
Motion to return from Executive Session: Motion made by Alderman Redden and seconded by Alderman McMahon to return to regular session at 7:56 PM. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Action taken after Executive Session:
Motion made by Alderman Robinson, and seconded by Alderman Redden, to release closed minutes to the public: August 24, 2015; November 2, 2015; November 9, 2015; November 16, 2015; January 1, 2016; February 1, 2016; and May 23, 2016. Aye: Aldermen Dell, Killey, McMahon, O’Sullivan, Redden & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried 6:0
Alderman Robinson made a motion to approve unapproved closed session minutes not to be released to the public due to the need of confidentiality: November 21, 2016; May 1, 2017; May 22, 2017; June 12, 2017; June 26, 2017; and July 3, 2017. Motion was seconded by Alderman Redden Aye: Aldermen Dell, Killey, McMahon, O’Sullivan, Redden & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried 6:0
Adjournment:
There being no further business to come before the Council, motion made by Alderman Redden and seconded by Alderman Robinson to adjourn the Regular Council meeting at 8:05 pm. Motion carried unanimously by viva voce vote.
http://www.sandwich.il.us/minutes/rc071017.pdf
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