Kendall County Times

City of Sandwich Committee of the Whole met April 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

1. Call to Order: Mayor Latham called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM

2. Pledge of Allegiance was led by Alderman Littlebrant

3. Roll Call

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

Also present: Attorney Gottschalk, City Administration Penman, Police Chief Senne, EEI Engineer Dettmann & SEMA Director Eberle

Absent: Alderman Kreinbrink

Quorum established

4. Mayor’s Report: The City was going to recognize high school achievements, but at the request of the school, the City will move to another meeting to have better attendance.

5. Attorney’s Report: Attorney Gottschalk recognized there have been questions regarding the railroad property cleanup. After reviewing the current lease, there are provisions for the city to maintain property designated by the railway. Additionally, there is a lease provision that specifically states that the railroad will not make any payments for anything related to the premises or maintenance. The City had received a $14,000 quote to cleanup the area, but was decided to have city workers conduct the maintenance.

6. City Clerk Ii reminder everyone that Economic Statements are due May 1st, adding that sitting council members must submit even if they were candidate. She shared sad news that former City Engineer, Tom Horak, recently passed adding that prior to a City Administrator, Tom was the closest thing to a City Administrator.

7. Treasurer’s Report: Vacancy

8. City Administrator Penman reported that the City received payment from the federal government regarding the in-car camera grant. It has been nearly two years, and the payment was $119,999.70. 9. City Department’s Reports:

A. SEMA Report: Director, Tony Eberle, thanked Chief Senne for inviting RMA to the egg hunt this past Saturday.

B. Police Chief Senne shared highlights of the police department since the last council meeting:

• Events: ribbon cutting at Midland Bank, Pop with a Cop, Deputy Christina Musil candlelight vigil, Easter Bunny at Angie’s (twice), Coffee Before Business, Library Mural event, and Easter Bunny at fire department

• The St. Patrick’s Day campaign ends; the month of April is “distracted driver” campaign

• April is Autism Awareness Month. The Autism Awareness flag is flying outside the police department

• A new crossing guard started on March 31, 2025

• Backgrounds are completed, and the testing process will be completed on Tuesday. One candidate is taking the power test on Tuesday. Chief will be meeting with him on Thursday with the possibility of him starting the week of April 28th; the other candidate, a new officer, removed himself due to another police offer.

• The Easter egg hunt went well, and had a very good turnout. Chief said they will look to improve the event next year. He extended a thank you to Wendy Flowers, Mary Bryant, Officers Hegland and French, and the Explorers for their help with the event

• Chief share two letters of appreciate

• Thanked the officers for the job they are doing

C. EEI Engineer Dettmann’s report consisted of:

• Regarding the pavement project that was Dayton and Center Streets, final paperwork was coordinated with the contractor and submitted to IDOT. City will go through the approval process which is another step to get the project closed. The City is still waiting for payback on retainage which might be later summer.

• Fisher Excavating was the low bid on the Main Street improvements. The City has given approval to IDOAT to move forward with the contracting process which may be a couple more weeks coordination. Once coordinated, a pre-construction meeting can be scheduled.

Questions by the council were the length of the project? Response was until June, 2026. What is the timeline or traffic pattern adding if it will be similar to the Latham Street project? Response was there will be one-way traffic, but Main Street is much wider road, and no ditches.

10. Council Reports:

Alderman Arnett reported that ComEd will be in town over the next several month conducting tree trimming around the power lines. He added that the City has not control over ComEd nor the tree trimming.

Alderman Fritsch expressed he felt it was money well spent in the cleanup concerning the railroad property that has been an eyesore for years.

Alderwoman Johnson has spoken with City Administrator Penman regarding the low water pressure in Fairwinds that seems to be ongoing for the past 2 years. She said something must have changed, and concluded that the water tower was painted, and at that time, water was cut off to Fairwinds and redirected to the Duvick Avenue water tower. She requested that the problem be explored further.

11. Old Business:

A. Discussion on Demolition Contract Award: At the Regular Meeting to follow, council will be voting on the demolition of the structure located at 724 N. Main Street. The low bid will be announced at that meeting. Once the council approved, the bidder will be contacted to schedule the demotion. B. Discussion on Rejection of Bids: The downtown street light project was increased and was submitted as a larger grant. The grant was denied, and the project was contingent on receiving these funds. The council will be voting on rejecting all bids received on that project.

C. Discussion on Airport Area Development: Discussion concentrated on Section 98-145 of the Municipal Code. The airport has gone through changes going from a public airport to a private airport. Adjacent landowners are looking to see if the City can make adjustments to make their property more attractive and feasible. The City has received some information from the State’s Aviation Regulatory Agency to determine might be done under the current zoning. Economic Director Alesky is also working on the inquiry. Question was raised about the height ratio, and for a private airport that ratio is 1:20. He continued that the City can allow someone to build on adjacent property, but if it’s too high, the State will shut down the runway. Attorney Gottschalk added that the City does not have the ability to ascertain what is acceptable to be built, and would have to fulfil requirements of the State and Federal agencies to obtain permits. The City continues to obtain additional information.

D. Discussion on Police Squad Vehicle Purchase: Chief Senne is requesting clarification for the purchase of a new vehicle at a total cost of $63,294.00 that includes the upfitting associated equipment. A motion to approve will be addressed at the Regular Council Meeting following.

E. Discussion of Proposed City Administrator Ordinance: Mayor Latham explained that the City Administrator’s job description is what he does, and the purposes of this proposed ordinance is “when and how” he does the job. This is a first reading, and the council will not be voting on it until the next meeting. Alderman Arnett expressed concerns that the ordinance skirts close to a council management form of government, and is not in favor of changing the City’s form of government in place since 1872. In reviewing the ordinance, Alderman Arnett does not see the city council being a part of the government creating a less informed council. Mayor Latham disagreed citing the council would have to take action to change the form of government. The manager has the powers and duties enforce all the laws and ordinances; currently, that is not the case. Mayor Latham noted they are separated between himself as Liquor Commissioner, Chief of Police duties, Code Enforcement Officer, Building Official, as well as other powers of the city. The mayor makes appointments that are approved by the council. By adopting the City Administrator Ordinance, it would give the opportunity for the mayor to place the executive role, to play the legislative role, essentially to approve laws, to approve expenditures, and basically appoint funds and appropriations. The mayor added that the proposed ordinance is modeled after other municipalities, and further clarifies the “when and who”. The appointed council liaisons would still remain according to the City’s Municipal Code. Alderman Robinson stated he agrees with the ordinance to an extent but not at this time. He feels there is too much in the job description, and he would need a staff that the City cannot afford at this time, adding it is just his opinion. Prior to the hiring of a City Administrator, duties were conducted by the sitting mayor and City Engineer Tom Horak.

12. New Business:

A. Discussion on Proposed Historical Preservation Ordinance: Mayor Latham stated the proposed ordinance identifies what the Historical Commission does according to the Municipal Code. The ordinance is being presented as first reading, and Attorney Gottschalk assisted the mayor in the draft preparation. Alderman Arnett, speaking to the public, that anyone who has an older, historical building, that they obtain a copy of this ordinance. He added it is 13-pages long and there has been a lot of modifications to the ordinance. The Mayor noted there is historical area in the community, and the ordinance is not as restrictive as other municipalities. It will the council’s responsibility to approve a historical district as recommended by the Historical Commission.

B. Discussion of Adoption of Solar Fees: City Administrator Penman updated on the solar field project that was first approached in 2023. The property is located on the north side of the tracks on Sandy Bluff Road. The City has been working with company that will be building the array, and it was realized that the City did not have good fees that were similarly charged by the counties and other municipalities. He asked the council to approve the fees as recommended for this particular development, and later expand on costs as other projects come into city limits.

C. Discussion of License Fees: City Administrator Penman said fees should be reviewed annually but not necessarily raising the cost of said fees. He asked the council to review the current licensing fees to see if the City is charging the right amounts. City Clerk Ii recommended that liquor licensing fees be reviewed as those fees have not increased since 2018. Alderman Arnett added that from a previous meeting, roadside stands and food trucks should be reviewed.

D. Discussion of WWTP Change Order: EEI Engineer Dettman explained changes on the engineering side are minimal. Changes included sidewalk and curbing issues, increasing the amount of asphalt, and the addition of remote level sensing to the aerobic digestors. An old unknown foundation was discovered and had to be excavated The amount of the increase will be $31,340 The overall overage on the project at 1.2% is about $142,000 on almost a $14 million loan. This matter will be brought before the council at the next Regular Council meeting.

13. Announcements: None

14. Audience Comments: None

15. Adjournment: Alderman Robinson moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:47 PM. Alderwoman Johnson seconded. Motion carried unanimously via voice vote.

https://www.sandwich.il.us/media/3371