City of Sandwich City Council met May 1.
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 led by (former alderwoman) Cara Killey
Roll call was taken:
Present: Mayor Latham, City Clerk Ii, Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton
Quorum established
Also present: City Attorney Gottschalk, City Administrator Penman, Interim Chief Bleichner, & EMA Director Ciciora
Audience Comments:
Resident Rev. David Kaul of Our Savior’s Church, spoke in opposition of the proposed solar farm set for a public hearing on Thursday, May 4th at 1 PM in DeKalb. The solar farm will consist of 32.1 acres and will decrease the value of neighboring properties as well as impact any future development and tax revenue for the City. Rev. Kaul also thanked former Alderwoman Killey for her hard work for the betterment of the community, and welcomed Adam Arnett as the new Ward 2 alderman.
Resident Genelle Inman spoke requesting a change in the City’s policy related to leaf burning. She asked that leaf burning hours be similar to other communities or restrict days and hours that burning would be allowed.
Resident Dr. Phyllis Wallington reminded the Council that it has been a year since she first complained about lack of code enforcement. She expressed frustration that junk and refuse had not been addressed nor cleaned up; she stressed she is asking for unilateral of code enforcement adding that the problem is getting worse.
Recognition Outgoing Council Member: Mayor Latham read a proclamation proclaiming May 2nd, 2023 as “Cara Killey Day in the City of Sandwich” in recognition of her 16 years as an alderwoman for Ward 2 and her devotion to residents. During her tenure as alderwoman, she was liaison to the Opera House and was instrumental in the reconstruction of Lisbon Street in 2017 creating additional parking and new sidewalks that benefitted Willow Crest Nursing Pavilion. The Council gifted her with an engraved mantel clock.
Oaths of Office for Newly Elected Officials: Mayor Latham administered oath of office for newly elected Adam Arnett, Ward 2 alderman. Also sworn in were newly re-elected Rich Robinson, Ward 1; Karsta Erickson and Bill Fritsch, Ward 3; and Ward 4 alderman, Fred Kreinbrink.
Consent Agenda:
a. Approval of Regular Meeting minutes of April 17, 2023
b. Approval of Committee-of-the-Whole minutes of April 17, 2023
Alderwoman Erickson moved to accept the Consent Agenda as presented. Alderwoman Johnson seconded. Motion pass unanimously on voice vote.
Mayor’s Report:
a. Contract Ratification: Mayor Latham introduced the new interim police chief, Richard Bleichner who was sworn in privately by the Mayor. He has 30 years of law enforcement and was the former police chief for Normal, IL. His contract commenced on April 24, 2023 and will terminate on August 31st with an option to renew should be needed. There is an overlap clause in the contract encompassing the hiring of a new police chief. Mayor Latham requested the Council ratify the interim police chief contract by vote.
So moved by Alderwoman Johnson, and seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously
b. Resolution 23-07 entitled “A Resolution Defining the City of Sandwich’s Position on Proposed Solar Farm on Pratt Road” was presented for discussion and passage. Rev Kaul had spoke earlier in the meeting against the proposed solar array on Pratt Road. Mayor Latham advised that the City has found itself landlock pertaining to any future expansion. The Resolution also stated that the Sandwich Fire Protection District has purchased land on Pratt Road for future growth that could be rendered useless should the solar farm be approved by DeKalb County.
Alderwoman Johnson moved to approve Resolution 23-07 opposing the development of a solar field on Pratt Road. Motion was seconded by Alderman Robinson. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0
c. Mayoral Appointments were presented for approval with the addition of Rev. David Kaul as City Chaplin (see attachment).
Motion made by Alderwoman Erickson approving the mayoral appointments as amended. Alderwoman Johnson seconded. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously
Foster, Buick, Conklin, Lundgren & Gottschalk Law Group: Attorney Gottschalk advised she is preparing a letter of object related to the proposed Pratt Road solar project. A public hearing will be held on Thursday, May 4th, and she encouraged Council to attend if possible.
City Clerk Ii read the Abstract of Votes from the April 4th election noting that Kendall County voters were included under Alderman Kreinbrink. A total of 633 voters requested and received ballots.
City Treasurer: No candidate
Alderman Ward 1: Richard W. Robinson / 151 votes
Alderman Ward 2: Adam Arnett / 146 votes (declared winner)
Cara Killey / 88 votes
Alderman Ward 3: Karsta A. Erickson / 94 votes (4-year term)
Alderman Ward 3: William D. Fritsch / 98 votes (2-year unexpired term)
Alderman Ward 4: Fred R. Kreinbrink / 86 votes
City Treasurer: Position vacant
City Administrator Penman: April 22nd was Earth Day, and a local resident who is a student at Aurora University pursuing a service project brought friends and cleaned the downtown business district including the railroad right-of-way property.
City Department Reports:
EMA Director Ciciora: No report
Interim Chief Bleichner thanked everyone on his first week in employment and continues to meet staff and people within the community.
Mayor Latham expressed desire that the Police Commission update the lateral transfer list and the regular list of police candidates. One of the sergeants will be retiring, and a replacement will be needed for that vacancy. Mayor Latham recommended that the Council vote and give direction to the Police Commission for updating that list noting that he is not requesting the hiring of anyone at this time.
So moved by Alderman Robinson, and seconded by Alderman Kreinbrink. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously.
Engineering: Mayor Latham announced that the City has been awarded $887,000.00 for improvements to Main Street from the downtown area to Pleasant Avenue. Funds were award by the Kane-Kendall County of Mayors. The City will be responsible for funding from Pleasant Avenue to Knights Road. Overall, the project will cost $4.5 million.
Council Reports:
Alderman Arnett thanked City Administrator Penman and City Official Steffens for assisting in building code questions.
Alderman Robinson wanted to remind the public that brush pick up is every other month. The next brush pickup is not in May but rather June. He noted that people have been setting out their brush thinking there is a pickup in May. Next pickups will be August and October.
New Business:
a. Approval of May invoices totaling $209,356.35
Motion made by Alderwoman Erickson approving May invoices totaling $209,356.35. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Johnson. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant & Whitecotton Nay: Alderman Robinson Motion carried 7:1
b. Resolution 23-06 entitled “Resolution to Close Bank Accounts for the City of Sandwich, Illinois” presented for discussion and approval. Council had previously discussed moving specific funds to Illinois Fund in addition to not renewing CD’s as they mature. Resolution 23-06 lists accounts to be closed.
Motion made by Alderman Kreinbrink to approve Resolution 23-06 as presented. Alderwoman Johnson seconded. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0
c. Municipal Clerks Week Proclamation: Mayor Latham read a Proclamation declaring April 30th - May 6th, 2023 as the 54th Annual Professional Municipal Clerks Week.
d. Ordinance 2023-09 entitled “Ordinance of the City of Sandwich Adopting the Budget for Fiscal Year 20233-2023” presented for passage. The Ordinance is part of the annual budget process to be filed in DeKalb and Kendall Counties.
Alderman Littlebrant moved to adopt Ordinance 2023-09 as presented. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0
Executive Session for collective bargaining under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) “Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of people”.
Motion made by Alderwoman Erickson and seconded by Alderman Robinson, to go into Executive Session at 7:50 PM under Section 120/2(c)(2) for collective bargaining.. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously
Alderman Robinson moved to return to regular session 8:04 PM. Alderman Arnett seconded. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0
Announcements: The next Finance Committee Meeting is May 15th, 2023 at 6:30 PM. The next Regular Council Meeting is May 15th, 2023 at 7:00 PM immediately followed by the Committee-of the-Whole Meeting.
Police Commission Meeting will be held at the public safety complex on Wednesday, May 3rd, at 4:30 PM
Committee Meetings will be held on Thursday, June 8th, 2023:
- 6 PM Technology Committee
- 7 PM Historical Preservation Committee
- 8 PM Citizen’s Advisory Committee
Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Council, motion made by Alderman Robinson and seconded by Alderwoman Johnson to adjourn the Regular Council meeting at 8:07 PM. Motion carried unanimously via viva voce vote.
http://www.sandwich.il.us/MINUTES/rc050123.pdf
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