City of Sandwich Council met July 24.
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 Chmielewski, Dell, Kelleher, Killey, O’Sullivan, Redden & Robinson
Also present: Attorney Buick & EMA Director Ciciora
Absent: City Treasurer, Alderman McMahon, Chief Bianchi & Director of Public Works Horak
Approval of Minutes:
Motion was made by Alderman Dell and seconded by Alderman Kelleher to approve the Regular Council Meeting of July 10th, 2017 and the Committee-of-the-Whole Council Meeting for July 17th, 2017. Aye: Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Kelleher, Killey, O’Sullivan, Redden & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0
Approval of July Semi-Monthly Bills:
Motion was made by Alderwoman Killey, and seconded by Alderman Kelleher approving payment of the July semi-monthly bills in the total amount of $44,705.07. Aye: Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Kelleher, Killey, O’Sullivan, Redden & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0
Mayor Olson:
Sandwich Park District Bike Trails Proposal: Sandwich Park District Vice President, Todd Latham, proposed a conceptual plan with the park district, school district, and the City to provide additional and connections to existing walking and bike paths within the community. He provided a bikeway and trail map that illustrated both current and suggested routes that would benefit the community. Future connections would include a bike route to Somonauk and Plano. Concern was voiced of the Route 34 (Church Street) crossings. CMAP (Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning), of which the City is a member, is proactive toward bike trails, and long range planning is an option for additional funding. Currently, the City is proposing a bike trail extension from Lisbon Street to Center Street via Fairwind Boulevard.
Proposed Williams Architects Contract: Mayor Olson requested a motion approving authorization to enter into a contract with Williams Architects for the proposed police station in the former Designed Stairs building on 6th Street. The first phase of the contract will be the schematic design that can take up to 8 weeks to complete.
Motion made by Alderman Redden, and seconded by Alderman Robinson, approving the Mayor to enter into a contract agreement with Williams Architects located in Itasca, IL. Aye: Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Kelleher, Killey, O’Sullivan, Redden & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0
Main Street Pub Road Closure: Main Street Pub (formerly Knuckle Hedz) will be hosting a grand opening on Sunday, August 6th. They have requested that Center Street be closed between Main and Green Streets from 8:30 am until 10 pm. Request was approved.
Proposed Financial Assistant Position: The job description for the new position of “financial assistant” includes management of the City’s financial records, preparation and monitoring of the City’s budget, and assist with incoming telephone inquiries and front desk monitoring. Technical skills required would be excellent math skills and formal education pertaining to business or financial accounting. In a show of hands, Council was 5:2 in favor that the position be advertised as full time.
Announcements: Due to next week, July 31st, being the 5th Monday of the month, the next meeting for the City Council will be Monday, August 7th, as a Committee-of-the-Whole Council Meeting.
The annual 104th IML (Illinois Municipal League) Conference will be held in Chicago on September 21st thru 23rd. Mayor Olson encouraged Council to attend and provide him a list of interested participants.
Foster, Buick, Conklin, Lundgren & Tritt LLC Law Group: Attorney Buick introduced new staff member Attorney Carrie Thompson who was a former prosecutor for DeKalb County’s State Attorney’s Office.
City Clerk Ii remarked that after attending the recent IML seminar for newly elected officials, she was impressed with a book provided attendees entitled “You’ve Been Elected! Now What Do You Do?” She obtained copies for each alderman encouraging them to use as an easy reference guide.
City Treasurer – Absent
Director of Public Works & City Engineer Horak - Absent
Chief Bianchi: In the Chief’s absence, Sergeant Sal Paletta, reminded Council on the upcoming National Night Out to be held on Tuesday, August 1st.
EMA Director Ciciora reported that the official rain accumulation for the City was 5 inches over July 21st & 22nd.
Alderwoman Chmielewski – No report
Alderman Dell - No report
Alderman Kelleher thanked Brian Voekel, Water Department Supervisor, for addressing a contractor problem in his ward in a timely and courteous manner.
Alderwoman Killey announced that the next finance committee meeting will be on Monday, August 7th, immediately following the COW meeting.
Alderman McMahon - Absent
Alderman O’Sullivan – No report
Alderman Redden expressed his gratitude for the efficiency of City staff, police department and EMA department during the rains and subsequent flooding last week.
Alderman Robinson withdrew his request for executive session for personnel, under Section 2(c)(1), and collective negotiations under Section 2(c)(2).
Alderman Robinson praised the police department on the cleanup in progress of a residence on N. Main Street that has been the subject of numerous complaints. He requested the police department to contact the homeowner at the corner of Arnold and Eddy Streets who has decorative foliage encroaching into the City’s right of way creating safety and line of sight issues. With the many detours on Main Street, traffic has increased significantly on Eddy Street as an alternative route.
Audience Comments: None
New Business: Announcement was made that the Open Door golf outing will be held on Wednesday (July 26th) and the Chamber of Commerce golf outing will be held on Friday, August 4th.
Adjournment:
There being no further business to come before the Council, motion made by Alderman Robinson and seconded by Alderman Redden to adjourn the Regular Council meeting at 7:48 pm. Motion carried unanimously by viva voce vote.
http://www.sandwich.il.us/minutes/rc072417.pdf
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