City of Sandwich City Council met May 15.
Here is the agenda provided by the council:
Mayor Latham called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by (new alderman) Adam Arnett
Roll call was taken:
Present: Mayor Latham, Deputy City Clerk/City Administrator Penman, Aldermen Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Robinson & Whitecotton
Absent: Alderman Littlebrant
Quorum established
Also present: City Attorney Gottschalk, Interim Chief Bleichner, Building Official Steffens and EMA
Director Ciciora
Audience Comments:
Resident Jeremy Bousselot, of 614 Charlotte Street in favor of banning leaf burning throughout the community. Has a history with his neighbor who has burned trash in a barrel in the backyard, had to contact police to get compliance in past. Stated that no one currently follows the ordinance willingly. Suggested that burning be banned outright and go from there.
Resident Genelle Inman of 504 Northwest spoke in favor of banning leaf burning. She stated that she conducted several polls online about leaf burning, there were many respondents including non-residents (from Lake Holiday) that shared thoughts about leaf burning. She said more than one person commented that enforcement of the ordinance in Ward 2 is needed. She encouraged the Council that if they do not like it, vote no.
Resident Becky Nelson of 1504 Ronie welcomed new Alderman Adam Arnett, spoke about an upcoming Real Estate Tax Seminar that is being held Thursday May 18th at 6:30pm at the Fox Valley Community Center. They intend to have contact information for Tax Assessors and answer questions about exemptions, etc.
Resident Kim Miner of 716 Castle Street shared thoughts on Leaf burning. She referenced the Illinois Smoke Free act, cited that there are devastating health consequences to breathing particulate matter that can result in respiratory complications. She stated that the American Lung Association supports laws to prohibit leaf burning.
Regular Council
Consent Agenda:
a. Approval of Regular Meeting minutes of May 1, 2023
b. Approval of Committee-of-the-Whole minutes of May 1, 2023
May 15th, 2023
Alderwoman Erickson moved to accept the Consent Agenda as presented. Alderman Fritsch seconded. Motion passed unanimously 7-0 on voice vote.
Mayor's Report:
a. Proclamation for Older Americans Month: Mayor Latham read a Proclamation Declaring May as Older Americans Month.
Foster, Buick, Conklin, Lundgren & Gottschalk Law Group: Attorney Gottschalk advised that she has set two dates for mandated sexual harassment training for staff and elected officials. The first date is May 25th at 10:00 am and the second is June 5 at 5pm. This is a state mandated training for all staff and elected officials in Illinois.
City Clerk li submitted a monthly FOIA report and a revenue report for the Council to review.
City Treasurer: Position vacant
a. April Treasurers Report arrived too late to vote on and will be added for approval at the June 5 Regular
Council Meeting
City Administrator Penman: Reported on the Latham Street project, that it has continued to be delayed due to engineering complications with utility companies. Specifically, Commonwealth Edison and NICOR. Staff is still working toward getting things moving as soon as possible.
City Department Reports:
EMA Director Ciciora: No report
Interim Chief Bleichner stated that he has working to get to know staff, including conducting ride-a longs. Training was completed last week with officers to completed mandated SAF-T Act training. Chief is looking at data and trying to develop a brief monthly report that can provide a clear concise picture of the activities for the department.
It was stated that one of the Patrol Sergeants has submitted notification of his upcoming retirement (June 22, 2023). The Police Commission will submit a recommendation from the Sergeant List and is moving forward to advertise for additional lateral candidates for Patrol Officers as the lateral list has been exhausted. Currently there are three candidates on the Regular List that the commission is vetting at this time.
Engineering: Mayor Latham mentioned that EEI is working on a water rate study that he is hoping to have available for the Council in June.
Council Reports:
No Comments.
New Business:
a. Approval of May invoices totaling $103,626.19
Motion made by Alderwoman Johnson to approve May invoices totaling $103,626.19. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink & Whitecotton Nay: Alderman Robinson Absent: Alderman Littlebrant - Motion carried 6:1
b. Ordinance 2023 - 11 "An Ordinance approving a Special use Permit to allow solar power generation on property located at 599 Sandy Bluff Road, Sandwich, IL
Alex Mendleson and Kyle Berry of Turning Point Energy presented to Council the plans they have to install a 43 acre solar field at the SW corner of the property at 599 Sandy Bluff Road. They stipulated how Turning Point believes in investing in local communities and doing good works. The plan is to make solar field subscription (a built-in discount on energy for subscribers) available to veterans, senior citizens, and disadvantaged citizens first. The array will be 43 acres and is rated to produce 3.5 MwH, Turning Point has conducted a glare study, negotiated agreements with the pipeline, have a signed agreement with Commonwealth Edison. Plans still include native plantings for pollinators as well as sheep to perform prescribed grazing on the site. Tax revenue is anticipated to climb from $5,800 per year as farm land to over $24,000 per year as solar installations are taxed higher than farm ground. Building Official Steffens was asked how Turning Point Energy has been to work with, and they were described as "Cooperative" Alderman Kreinbrink requested that a visual rendering of the project layout be included in the Ordinance in addition to the Legal Description.
Alderman Fritsch moved to waive the first reading for Ordinance 2023-11. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Johnson Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Absent: Alderman Littlebrant
Motion carried 7:0
Alderman Whitecotton moved to adopt Ordinance 2023-11 as presented. Motion was seconded by Alderman Arnett. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Absent: Littlebrant Motion carried 7:0
c. Agreement for Professional Services Advanced Internet Development Group (AID) for Information Technology Support Services.
Motion made by Alderman Kreinbrink to renew 1 year agreement with Advanced Internet Development Group (AID) for Information Technology Support Services. Alderwoman Erickson seconded. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Absent Littlebrant Motion carried 7:0
d. Request to waive competitive bid process to upgrade UV System at Wastewater Treatment Plant
Alderwoman Erickson moved to waive the competitive bid process to upgrade the UV system at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, Motion was seconded by Alderman Fritsch Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Robinson & Whitecotton Littlebrant
Motion carried 7:0
Nay:0
Absent: Alderman
e. UV System upgrade at the Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade
Alderwoman Johnson moved to accept the proposal from Trojan Technologies of London, Ontario Canada to make needed repairs to the UV system at the wastewater treatment plant not to exceed $40,000 plus shipping and freight costs. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Robinson & Whitecotton Alderman Littlebrant - Motion carried 7:0
Nay:0 Absent:
f. Memorandum of Understanding for Mutual Aid with Sandwich Township
Alderman Kreinbrink moved to renew the Memorandum of Understanding with Sandwich Township for Mutual Aid seconded by Alderwoman Johnson. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Absent: Alderman Littlebrant Motion carried 7:0
g. Award bid for 2023 Pavement Management Program
Alderman Kreinbrink moved to award the bid for the 2023 Payment Management Program to Universal Asphalt of Peru, IL, in an amount not to exceed $440,000 seconded by Alderwoman Erickson Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Absent: Alderman Littlebrant Motion carried 7:0
h. Resolution 23-08 "A Resolution designating Freedom of Information Officers"
Alderwoman Johnson moved to approve Resolution 23-08, seconded by Alderwoman Erickson Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Absent: Alderman Littlebrant Motion carried 7:0
i. Fair Housing Ordinance 2023 – 11 (First Reading)
Fair Housing Ordinance 2023-11 was presented for consideration for first reading. Ordinance will be placed on Regular Meeting Agenda for the June 5th meeting for second reading.
j. Approval of 3-year agreement to provide Auditing Services with Sikich LLP of Naperville, IL
Alderwoman Johnson moved to enter into a 3-year agreement with Sikich LLP of Naperville, IL to provide Auditing services for the City of Sandwich. seconded by Alderman Arnett Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Absent: Alderman Littlebrant Motion carried 7:0
Announcements: The next Finance Committee Meeting is June 5th, 2023 at 6:30 PM. The next Regular Council Meeting is June 5th, 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, June 7th, at 4:30 PM at the Public Safety Building.
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 Erickson to adjourn the Regular Council meeting at 8:04 PM. Motion carried unanimously via voice vote.
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