City of Sandwich City Council met Feb. 6.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor Latham called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance Roll call was taken:
Present: Mayor Latham, City Clerk Ii, Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton
Quorum established
Also present: City Attorney Gottschalk, City Administrator Penman, City Treasurer Schwemlein, Chief Bianchi & EMA Director Ciciora
Absent: Building Official Steffens
Audience Comments: Audience comments continued against the February 18th drag queen production “Illusions” to be held at the Opera House. Six members of the audience voiced their concerns that the show violated the City’s ordinances, liquor ordinances, zoning usage and stressed that obscenity laws be upheld. Mayor Latham refused the request of Yorkville resident, Molly Krempski, to show a video compilation she had created of similar productions. Opera House Media Director, Christine Williams, spoke in defense of the programming noting the program is advertised as adult entertainment over the age of 18, and that the performers are celebrity impersonators of Madonna and Lady Gaga, as examples.
Resident, Deb Peterson, commented she had filed a FOIA request with City Hall that had not been honored.
Consent Agenda:
a. Approval of Regular Meeting & COW Meeting minutes of 01-16-2023
Alderwoman Johnson moved to accept the consent agenda as presented. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Motion carried unanimously on voice vote.
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Latham reported that he attended the DeKalb Mayor’s Meeting discussing economic development. He also met with the City engineers about upcoming projects that will become part of the budget process. Mayor Latham also attended the Midwest Mayor’s meeting noting he is trying to connect with other mayoral groups because the City is located in two different counties and subsequently, fall under different mayoral groups.
Foster, Buick, Conklin, Lundgren & Gottschalk Law Group: Attorney Gottschalk is looking to other communities for a code enforcement officer job description. Section 2-5.8 (paragraph 2) allows the Council to appoint a Code Enforcement Officer. The current Code gives the Mayor authorization to appoint someone to conduct code enforcement. The mayor envisions this would be a part time position working with the City’s building official, and would not impede the duties of the police department.
City Clerk Ii requested toward the end of the meeting for Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21) for review of executive session minutes
Clerk Ii addressed audience member, Deb Peterson, that her FOIA request had been satisfied and was available for pick up at City Hall. Under Audience Comments, Deb Peterson had said the City failed to fulfil a FOIA request. It appears an email was not received by Ms. Peterson.
City Clerk Ii reported on the Amnesty Program noting City Hall is a bit behind in the timeline scheduled but that landlords and delinquent water accounts are being notified of the program.
City Treasurer Schwemlein: No report
City Administrator Penman:
a. Permit Rate Increase: Council discussed raising building permit fees, and the last increase was in 2017 via Resolution 17-01. Updated proposed fee increases were distributed to the Council for further review. The goal is to review the fee structure on an annual basis via resolution so that the Municipal Code does not require annual updating for building fees.
b. New Audio Video Improvement: The new system has been installed with all aldermen having their own mics. Audio is working but training is still needed for the video capabilities. It is much needed improvement, and audience will be able to better hear the meetings.
City Department Reports:
EMA Director Ciciora - No report
Police Department: Mayor Latham advised funds were budgeted to purchase a squad car, and requested a motion to pursue the purchase. Once a purchase price has been determined, a motion will be required at the February 20th approving the purchase. Chief Bianchi explained the specifics on the purchase.
Motion made by Alderman Robinson authorizing Chief Bianchi to move forward with the purchase of a 2023 squad car replacement. Alderwoman Erickson seconded. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Killey, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay: Aldermen Johnson & Kreinbrink Motion passed 6:2.
Engineering: EEI (Engineering Enterprises Inc) will be at the February 20th meeting to discuss year end review and goals for the upcoming fiscal year.
Aldermen Reports:
Alderwoman Johnson thanked the audience for comments made regarding the upcoming drag queen performance at the Opera House.
Alderman Robinson requested Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) for personnel.
Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2(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; and for personnel under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)1 “Matters pertaining to the appointment, employment, compensation or 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 validly”:
Motion made by Alderman Robinson, and seconded by Alderwoman Erickson to go into Executive Session at 7:55 PM under Section 120/2(c)1 for personnel and Section 120/2(c)(21) for review of executive session minutes. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously
Alderwoman Johnson moved to return to regular session at 8:13 PM. Alderman Robinson seconded. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0
New Business:
a. Approval of February invoices totaling $369,070.15
Motion made by Aldermen Kreinbrink, and seconded by Alderwoman Johnson, approving the payment of February invoices in the amount of $369,070.15. Aye: Aldermen Fritsch, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrink & Littlebrant Nay: Aldermen Erickson, Robinson & Whitecotton Motion carried 5:3
b. Approval of payout to Harbour Construction in the amount of $375.44
Motion made by Alderwoman Killey approving the payout to Harbour Construction in the amount of $375.44. Alderwoman Erickson seconded. Aye: Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Killey, Kreinbrinnk, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0
Announcements: The next Regular Council meeting will be Monday, February 20th, at 7:00 PM followed immediately by the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting.
Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Council, motion made by Alderwoman Erickson and seconded by Alderman Robinson to adjourn the Regular Council meeting at 8:16 PM. Motion carried unanimously via viva voce vote.
http://www.sandwich.il.us/MINUTES/rc020623.pdf
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