Kendall County Times

City of Sandwich City Council met March 18.

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 Police Officer Joel French

Roll call was taken:

Present: Mayor Latham, City Clerk Ii, Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Littlebrant & Whitecotton

Absent: Aldermen Kreinbrink & Robinson

Quorum established

Also present: City Attorney Gottschalk, City Administrator Penman, Police Chief Senne & EMA Director Eberle

Audience Comments:

Resident, Becky Nelson, is promoting home-rule and would like to see more open discussion by the Council. With the recent water rate increases, she suggests that the public is advised that they can make monthly payments toward their quarterly billings that would soften the blow to a household’s budget.

Resident, Sandra Koehler, echoing the previous public comment, adding that more research is needed for the home-rule concept. She felt that the history of Sandwich has been out of control, and the City lacks accountability. She spoke that taxes are becoming are no longer affordable.

Resident, Dr. Phyllis Wallington, spoke that it has been two years since she has objected to neighbors hoarding and accumulating more junk. The City is not enforcing their own ordinances, and the lack of enforcement is spreading to the downtown area by unlicensed vehicles in parking areas.

Resident, Elsie Morrissey, wanted to talk on the reality of illegal immigration and the dangers the City would face should the migrants come to Sandwich. She asked the City to stop the invasion into Sandwich that has already overwhelmed Chicago by passing a non-sanctuary resolution.

Consent Agenda:

a. Approval of COW Meeting minutes of March 4th. 2024. Regular Meeting minutes for March 4th were not available and subsequently removed from the Consent Agenda

b. Approval of February’s Financial Report & Treasurer’s Report

Alderwoman Johnson moved to accept the Consent Agenda as amended. Alderman Arnett seconded. Motion passed unanimously on voice vote

Mayor:

Police Officer Swearing In: Mayor Latham administered the Oath of Office to Police Officer Steven Mumbower.

“Purple Up” for the Military Child Proclamation: Mayor Latham read a proclamation in support of miliary children by the wearing of purple on April 15, 2024. The colors of all miliary branches, if combined, creates the color purple.

Foster, Buick, Conklin, Lundgren & Gottschalk Law Group: No report

City Clerk II: No report

City Treasurer: Vacancy

City Administrator Penman reported that Latham Street construction is underway and thanked everyone for their patience. He also reported that hydrant flushing will be conducted April 8th – April 12thm and brush collection will start again on April 1st in Ward 1. Ward 2 will be the second Monday of the month, and so forth for each ward. Bush collection will be in June, August, and October.

City Department Reports:

EMA Director: No report

Police Chief Senne report consisted of:

- Events attended include Coffee Before Business through the Chamber of Commerce and meeting the Easter Bunny at Angie’s Sugar Buzz

- Bi-monthly meeting with the Police Chief will be on March 27th at 6 PM

- Officer Hegland and Officer Beatty will be released on sole patrol on March 23rd

- Officer French and Officer Favela will be released on sole patrol on April 1st

- Six candidates remain on the list for officer openings; May 6th – August 23rd is the next

- Police Academy. Two officers are registered for the class.

- Sergeant testing will be held on March 29th with the intention to promote on April 15th

- Body cameras have been deployed, and everyone has been trained; squad cameras are scheduled to be installed on March 27th and 28th

- K-9 donations are over $11,000.00

- Monthly reports were distributed to Council members; spam and fraud investigations have increased

Engineering: No report

Council Reports: Alderwoman Erickson thanked the police department for increasing patrol coverage in and about the school campuses.

Old Business: None

New Business:

a. Motion to approve March, 2024 bills totaling $681,990.12.

Alderwoman Johnson made a motion approving March bills totaling $681,990.12 Alderman Arnett seconded. Aye: Alderman Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Littlebrant & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 6:0

b. Ordinance 2024-05 entitled “Ordinance Increasing Licensing Fees” presented for discussion and possible action. Council reserves the right to waive first reading related to time constraints in meeting licensing renewal timeline.

Alderman Littlebrant moved to waive first reading of Ordinance 2024-05. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Littlebrant & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously

Motion made by Alderman Littlebrant approving Ordinance 2024-05 as presented. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson & Littlebrant Nay: Alderman Whitecotton Motion carried 5:1

c. State of Illinois Bulk Salt Contract: Discussion and possible approval for the Mayor to enter into a State of Illinois contract with JPMC Rock Sale Bulk, FY 2024. Cost will be $90 / ton with delivery.

Alderman Whitecotton moved to approve Mayor Latham to enter into a State of Illinois bulk. Alderwoman Johnson seconded. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Littlebrant & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously

d. Resolution 24-06 entitled “A Resolution Providing for Collateralization of Deposits and Designating Signatories for Banking Transactions” presented for approval. The Resolution will remove former treasurer, Colanne Schwemlein, as an authorized signatory and replace with City Administrator, Geoff Penman.

So moved by Alderwoman Johnson, and seconded by Alderman Fritsch. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Littlebrant & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 6:0

Executive Session for personnel under 5 ILCD 120/ 2(c)(1) “The appointment, employment, compensation, 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 validity; for collective bargaining under Section 2(c)(2) “Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representative, or deliberations concerning salary schedule for one or more classes of employees; for land acquisition under Section 2(c)5 “The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body”; and for pending litigation under 5 ILCS 120(c)(11) “Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probably or imminent”.

Motion made by Alderwoman Erickson, and seconded by Alderman Arnett to go into Executive Session at 7:32 PM under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) for collective bargaining, under Section 2(c)(1) for personnel, pending litigation under Section 2(c)(11) and under Section 2(c)5 for land acquisition. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Littlebrant & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously

Alderwoman Johnson moved to return to regular session at 8:55 PM. Alderwoman Erickson seconded. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Littlebrant & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 6:0

Announcements:

a. City Hall is closed on Friday, March 29th, 2024 in recognition of Good Friday

b. The next Finance Committee Meeting is Monday, April 1st, 2024 at 6:30 PM.

c. The next Regular Council Meeting is April 1st, 2024 at 7:00 PM immediately followed by the Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting.

d. Police Commission Meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024 at 4 PM at the Public Safety Building

e. Upcoming Committee Meetings:

Technology Commission 6 PM – April 13th, 2024

Historical Preservation Committee 7 PM – April 13th, 2024

Citizens Advisory Committee 8 PM – April 13th, 2024

Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Council, motion made by Alderwoman Erickson and seconded by Alderwoman Johnson to adjourn the Regular Council meeting at 8:59 PM. Motion carried unanimously via viva voce vote.

http://www.sandwich.il.us/council-minutes.html