Kendall County Times

City of Sandwich Committee of the Whole met April 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Mayor Latham called the meeting to order at 9:07 PM

Roll call was taken:

Present: Mayor Latham, Clerk Ii, Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson,

Robinson & Whitecotton

Absent: Aldermen Kreinbrink & Littlebrant

Quorum established

Also Present: Attorney Gottschalk, City Administrator Penman, Police Chief Senne, EEI Engineer Dettmann & EMA Director Eberle

Mayor Latham reported on April 5th he addressed Haskin students on citizenship.

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

City Clerk Ii: No Report

City Treasurer: Open Position

City Administrator Penman reported the City has been working with EEI on the lead service pipes. Surveys have been mailed to residents. Additionally, Penman has been working on the economic development director position. He also reported that there were two workmen comp cases filed last week due to injuries. Both employees are currently on light duty. On a DeKalb County Board of Review findings, the business objector disagrees with the ruling, and additional reporting will be forthcoming. The DeKalb County Community Foundation has awarded the City a $30,000 grant, and will present at the next council meeting. With the City Clerk, Penman attended a training meeting on agenda software with CivicPlus. Penman noted that the website reformatting is still in progress.

City Department Reports: Chief Senne reported that the City was reimbursed for academy costs for Hegland and Beatty.

Aldermen Reports:

Alderwoman Johnson expressed concerns with non-sanctuary issues and issues facing the Country and City. She stressed that it is the council’s goal to represent the citizens of Sandwich. There have been multiple discussions among the council regarding non-sanctuary matters and home rule. She said it is correct that if you do not declare yourself as a sanctuary town, you are considered a non-sanctuary town. Johnson also said she supports home rule but that it will take time and a lot of work to achieve.

Alderman Arnett read a definition of a sanctuary city noting that only Chicago and Cook County have been declared sanctuary cities. Promoting home rule as a means to get around State laws and mandates, he said the City is caught in a legal labyrinth.

Alderman Robinson is against a non-sanctuary resolution viewing that by definition, Sandwich is already a non-sanctuary city.

Alderwoman Erickson stated she is on the fence, but added she does not have all the necessary information to make a decision.

Alderman Whitecotton stated Sandwich is a non-sanctuary city by definition and legally has no effect if a resolution is passed declaring the City a non-sanctuary community.

Alderman Fritsch understood from previous meetings that the police would have no legal right to enforce a non-sanctuary proclamation. Attorney Gottschalk replied that the non-sanctuary issue is currently a hotly, debated topic and felt that such a resolution is not necessary because it doesn’t do anything. Alderman Fritsch concurred with the attorney.

Chief Senne explained that a lot of what is happening falls under the safety act. If there is no crime, there is no detainable offense.

Mayor Latham concluded that the Council review the original intent of home rule. He feels that Sandwich is not ready for home rule at this point in time. Home rule information is available through IML (Illinois Municipal League). 221 cities in Illinois are home rule

New Business: None

Announcements: Next meeting for the Finance Committee will be on Monday, May 6th, 2024, at 6:30 PM. The Regular Council meeting will meet at 7:00 PM on the same date immediately followed by the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting.

Audience Comments: Resident, Becky Nelson, had comments on the non-sanctuary resolution and home-rule dialogue under Alderwoman Johnson’s report. Comment had been made that the resolution is “just paper”, and the question is why so many communities are signing them. Communities are advocates for legal immigration. She felt the proclamation could be a working document, and to least have the courtesy to create a plan.

Resident, Elsie Morrisey, said there was a false rumor this week that illegals were being housed at the Montcler Hotel. She spoke with the manager who stated that there were no illegals “yet”. The manager continued saying that the city council is against it.

Republican candidate for 14th Congressional District, Jim Marter, stated there is an invasion along the southern border created by the current administration, and the Governor is not handling it. Immigration is federal authority, not state authority. He recommended creating a committee of citizens, providing some resources, and let them recommend a solution for illegal immigration.

Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Council, motion made by Alderman Robinson and seconded by Alderwoman Erickson to adjourn the Committee-of-the-Whole Council Meeting at 9:42 PM. Motion carried unanimously on voice vote.

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