Kendall County Times

City of Sandwich City Council met Feb. 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. Call to Order: Mayor Latham called the meeting to order at 8:20 PM

2. Roll Call

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

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

Absent: Alderman Littlebrant

Quorum established

3. Audience Comments: None

4. Consent Agenda:

Motion to adopt the Consent Agenda as a whole. (All matters listed are considered to be routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. If discussion is desired, that item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately).

A. Approval of Regular Council Meeting Minutes of January 20, 2025

Motion made by Alderman Fritsch, and seconded by Alderwoman Johnson, adopting the consent agenda as amended. Motion passed unanimously on voice vote.

5. Mayor’s Report: No report

6. Attorney’s Report: Attorney Gottschalk clarified that the next adjudication hearing will be on Wednesday, February 19th at 1:00 PM. All adjudication hearings are held the third Wednesday of each month at 1:00 PM. Alderman Arnett questioned if the City should move forward with a lawsuit as opposed to having month adjudication hearings. The fine is upwards of $200,000, and Attorney Gottschalk cautioned a lawsuit is more effective but also more costly. It was felt if the matter is not resolved by the February 19th adjudication hearing, the next move would be litigation through the court system.

7. City Clerk Ii: No report

8. Treasurer’s Report: Vacancy

9. City Administrator Penman explained further on an audience comment previously made during the Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting regarding denied insurance claims resulting from an October broken water main in the business district. He explained that he filed the claims in October but that the City’s insurance provider has recently changed adjustors that appears to be part of the problem. He is continuing to work on the claims for the downtown businesses.

10. City Department’s Reports: SEMA Director Eberle advised that siren testing will be conducted tomorrow at 10:00 AM.

11. Council Reports:

Alderman Kreinbrink advised that the first budget committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 18th at 4:30 PM.

Alderman Robinson stated he wants to revisit late charges that had been previously discussed in October.

Alderman Whitecotton commented to keep pushing forward on the house demolition on N. Main Street.

12. Old Business:

A. Ordinance 2025-01 entitled “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 82 – “Traffic And Vehicles”, Article II – “Operation of Vehicles”, Division 3 – “Through, One-Way and Yield Streets; Stop Intersections”, Section 82-81 – “Stop Streets” of the City of Sandwich Municipal Code” presented for passage.

Motion made by Alderman Arnett, and seconded by Alderman Kreinbrink, to pass Ordinance 2025-01 as presented. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously

13. New Business:

A. Monthly Bills: Discussion and possible approval of monthly bills in the amount of $316,169.45 as recommended by the Finance Committee.

Motion made by Alderwoman Johnson to approve payment of monthly bills as presented. Alderman Fritsch seconded. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Fritsch, Johnson & Kreinbrink Nay: Aldermen Erickson, Robinson & Whitecotton Mayor Latham voted aye Motion carried 5:3

B. SRF Funding: Discussion and possible action to authorize the mayor to sign final documents for submittal to the IEPA for SRF (State Revolving Fund) funding for future water projects. Projects to be submitted for consideration include demolition of the Railroad Street water treatment plant, expansion of Clark Street water treatment plant, installation of new booster / pressure reducing valve station, and watermain replacement. By submitting documentation, the city will be in line to receive funding if projects are approved by the IEPA.

So moved by Alderman Whitecotton. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0

14. Executive Session:

A. Executive Session pursuant to ILCS 120/2(c)(5) “The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including meetings held for the purposes of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired”.

Motion made by Alderwoman Johnson at 8:37 PM to enter into closed session; motion seconded by Alderwoman Erickson. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously

Alderwoman Erickson moved to return to open session 9:15 PM. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Johnson. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Erickson, Fritsch, Johnson, Kreinbrink, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 7:0

15. Announcements:

A. Next Finance Committee Meeting will be held on Monday, February 17, 2025 at 6:30 PM

B. The next Committee-of-the-Whole Council Meeting will be held on February 17, 2025, at 7:00 PM followed immediately by the Regular Council Meeting.

C. Committee meetings will meet on Thursday, February 13th, 2025: Technology Improvement Committee at 6 PM; Historical Preservation Committee at 7 PM; and Citizens Advisory Committee at 8 PM.

16. Adjournment: Motion made by Alderman Robinson to adjourn at 9:18 PM. Motion was seconded by Alderman Arnett. Motion passed unanimously on voice vote.

https://www.sandwich.il.us/media/3111