City of Sandwich Committee of the Whole met September 18.
Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:
Mayor Olson called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm
Roll call was taken:
Present: Mayor Olson, City Clerk Ii, Aldermen Chmielewski, Dell, Killey, Kelleher, McMahon, O’Sullivan, Redden & Robinson
Also present: Department of Public Works / City Engineer Horak, Chief Bianchi & Building Official Todd Steffens
Absent: City Attorney; City Treasurer Webber & EMA Director Ciciora
Mayor Olson:
“Takin’ It to the Streets!”: Marsha Davis, representing the First Apostolic Church of Sandwich, addressed the Council with a request to close a portion of 3rd Street on Sunday, October 1st between the hours of 3-6 PM. The event will consist of family activities such as sack races and pumpkin decorating, and prayer sessions for the community, including City Council, police department, city schools, and fire department. Council agreed to the request for the road closure.
Discussion on Parking Lots & City Parkway Parking; Under the Illinois Administrative Code, Ch. 1, Section 400.510, subchapter b (10)(C), all changes, improvements and maintenance to existing parking lots, including sealcoating, resurfacing, among others, shall provide curb ramps to provide accessible route to an accessible entrance. Additionally, in the City’s zoning ordinance 3-4-3 (A) a site plan shall be submitted to the City Engineer for his approval when required off-street parking is for more than 3 spaces. Two businesses in town recently resealed their parking lots that have enhanced their business, however proper protocol was not followed. One business had made contact with the City with questions, but chose to resurface the parking lot without filing required documentation. The City has not yet made an inspection to determine if the parking space striping is compliant to code, and if handicapped parking spaces meeting ADA requirements. The City is plagued with contractors who are well versed with the Municipal Code, and choose to ignore requirements and the permit process. The City will be contacting the businesses that are in violation.
Parking on the City’s parkway has become problematic that affects nearly 400 households in the older sections of town. Streets are too narrow to add curb and gutter in most cases, and smaller lots have created issues for multi-vehicle households. Many residents have requested that the City provide gravel to the parkway allowing additional off-street parking. Mayor Olson added that the City has applied for 2 grants (DeKalb County Foundation and CMAP) for funding the comprehensive plan that might offer some relief to the ongoing problem. Engineer Horak added that as the City upgrades storm sewer, there is no place for the water to go without curb and guttering causing localized flooding. For the present, Council will make recommendations to the engineering department based on individual requests.
Chief Bianchi Vacation Hours: Chief Bianchi has requested to carryover 72 hours of unused vacation time. Council was in agreement and no action was required.
DeKalb County Economic Development Dues: The annual dues are $1,000.00. It was noted that funds were not budgeted this fiscal year; however, Mayor Olson reported that Sandwich is currently leading in the county for Enterprise Zone applications, citing some applicants such as Meadowvale and Gjovik dealership. No action was taken.
“Taste of Sandwich” will be held on Wednesday, September 27th. Alderman Robinson is coordinating the City’s participation this year. The following day, September 28th, will be a city-wide craft show at the fairgrounds, downtown Sandwich, and at Indian Springs Shopping Center. Mayor Olson added that October 24th is “International Bologna Day” and is hoping to co-host a fun community celebration with Plano
Foster, Buick, Conklin, Lundgren & Tritt, LLC: Absent
City Clerk Ii: No report
City Treasurer: Absent
Director of Public Works / City Engineer Horak:
Brush pickup was conducted in Ward 3.
2017 Lisbon Street – Green to Main Reconstruction Project: Pay Request #2 in the amount of $252,301.50 to H. Linden & Sons Sewer and Water will be presented next week for Council’s approval. An update on the northwest corner of Lisbon and Main Streets, repairs to the curb and gutter should be finalized this week following with striping. The remaining balance left on the contract is $170,000.00.
2017 6th Street Water Main Project: Bid opening was held on Wednesday, September 13th with the following results:
Performance Construction – 217 W. John Street, Plano, IL $380,000.00
Brandt Excavating – 385 E. Hoover Street, Morris, IL $416,224.50
H. Linden & Sons – 722(D) E. South Street, Plano, IL $451,180.00
Patnick Construction – 432 (B) Podlin Drive – Franklin Park, IL $454,701.00
Elliott & Wood – 210 Industrial Drive, DeKalb, IL $544,044.00
Engineer Horak said Performance Construction is being checked as a responsible bidder, and based on the findings, a recommendation will be brought before the Council to award the bid. The estimate Engineer’s cost on this project was $518,000.00.
Plan Commission regular meeting was held on Tuesday, September 12th, 2017. Hearings were held on two (2) special use requests. Building Official Todd Steffens was present to answer any questions.
A. PC 2017-03 (430 S. Dayton Street) – Plan Commission made a recommendation of approval for a special use to host weddings and celebrations in an outdoor setting in the O-1 zoning district by a vote of 3-1.
Audience members Scott Neidigh, Bill Keeton, and Kiley Allen spoke against the wedding venue saying it is not appropriate for a residential area. Complaints included excessive noise past midnight, strewn litter in neighboring yards and use of tax payer’s money via use of high school parking lot. The Mayor read a letter received from the Sandwich Park District voicing their concerns of litter, safety, overflow parking on park property, and any activity on park property after the park closes at dusk. Council shared concerns of safety, sanitation, and ADA issues.
Property owners, Doctors Lerohl and Landers, have 45 parking spaces at their dental office, as well as indoor and outdoor bathroom facilities. They advised the Plan Commission that they have spoken with the high school and have been given permission for overflow parking in exchange for a monetary donation. It was noted that the fire department is also reviewing the plan. At the time of the initial request, the doctors felt that several weddings would be held monthly at the proposed facility.
B. PC2017-04 (1210 E. Church Street) – Plan Commission made a recommendation of approval of a special use for a drive-up window for a fast food restaurant in the B-3 zoning district by a vote of 4-0.
Chief Bianchi: No report
EMA Director Ciciora: Absent
Alderwoman Chiemlewski requested Engineer Horak to consider the street marking and striping on Lions Road be replaced with a reflective paint. The visibility of the current white paint is difficult to view at night.
Alderman Dell: No report
Alderman Kelleher requested of Chief Bianchi more patrol at the intersection of Lions Road and Wells Street. There have been many complaints that drivers are not stopping.
Alderwoman Killey advised that the finance committee would meet immediately following this evening’s meeting.
Alderman McMahon: No report
Alderman O’Sullivan: No report
Alderman Redden: No report
Alderman Robinson requested, as Personnel Chair, that Officer Jake Goss carryover 42 hours of unused vacation time, and that Officer Jeremy Eisenberg carryover 42 hours of unused vacation time. No vote was required by Council.
New Business: None
Audience Comments:
Adjournment:
There being no further business to come before the Council, motion made by Alderman Robinson and seconded by Alderman Redden to adjourn the Committee-of-the-Whole Council meeting at 8:57 pm. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
http://www.sandwich.il.us/minutes/cw091817.pdf
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