Kendall County Times

City of Sandwich City Council met April 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. Call to Order: Mayor Latham called the meeting to order at 9:30 PM

2. Roll Call

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

Absent: Alderman Erickson & Kreinbrink

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

Quorum established

3. Public Hearing on City’s Tentative Annual Budget

A. Motion made by Alderman Littlebrant, and seconded by Alderwoman Johnson, to open the public hearing at 9:30 PM on the City’s tentative 2025-2026 Annual Budget. Motion passed unanimously on voice vote.

B. Budget and any proposed increase or decrease or additional or deleted programs: City Administrator Penman explained changes to the budget included a hiring freeze in some departments, money was budgeted for the Latham Street ditches as well money for the street department building. Other changes to the budget were minor. Mayor Latham added that cash on hand as of May 1, 2025 will be $10,998,379, and anticipated revenue for the next fiscal year will be $11,247,664. A deficit of $3,560,767 is reflected due to projects the city proposing. The estimated ending cash balance is $7,437,612

C. Persons desiring to be heard with an opportunity to present testimony and examine witnesses: There were no council nor audience comments

D. Motion made by Alderwoman Johnson, and seconded by Alderman Littlebrant, to close the public hearing at 9:34 PM. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote.

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). Item B, Regular Meeting minutes and Item C, Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting minutes were removed at the request of City Clerk Ii.

A. Approval of Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting Minutes of March 17, 2025

B. Approval of Minutes for the Regular Council Meeting of April 7, 2025 removed

C. Approval of Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting Minutes of April 7, 2025. removed

D. Approval of monthly Treasurer & Financial Reports for March

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 consisted of meetings he recently attended that included BNSF Railroad regarding leased property cleanup, Kane County Council of Mayors meeting regarding the City’s road improvements, and he attended a Civil Ward dinner hosted by the Sandwich Park District and the historical society. He recognized that April is Children & Youth Month and also Month of the Military Child. Mayor Latham read a proclamation proclaiming May as Motorcycle Awareness Month.

6. Attorney’s Report: None

7. City Clerk Ii: None

8. Treasurer’s Report: Vacancy

9. City Administrator Penman: None

10. City Department’s Reports: No reports

11. Council Reports:

Alderman Fritsch thanked everyone for the opportunity to serve on the council. He has been named as a board member for the Opera House, and looking forward to working with the new council in repair work to the city hall building.

Alderwoman Johnson thanked everyone, and that she will be representing the city serving on the DeKalb County Board.

Alderman Littlebrant expressed his thank you adding that he was proud of the accomplishments of the council.

Alderman Robinson requested that the continued discussion on late fees be placed on the COW agenda for May 5th. Mayor Latham suggested investigating a sliding scale for rates, placing a cap on the late charge, and consider the different types of users.

Alderman Whitecotton said it has been a pleasure working with the council, and it has been an honor representing the residents of Ward 4.

12. Old Business:

A. Resolution 25-09 entitled “A Resolution Authorizing Intervention in a Pending Property Tax Assessment Appeal Before the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board” presented for passage.

So moved by Alderman Johnson, and seconded by Alderman Littlebrant. Aye: Alderman Arnett, Fritsch, Johnson, Littlebrant & Robinson Nay: Alderman Whitecotton Motion carried 5:1

B. Ordinance 2025-05 entitled “An Ordinance to Define the Role of the City Administrator” presented for passage. Motion made by Alderwoman Johnson; motion died due to lack of a second.

13. New Business:

A. Monthly Bills: Motion requested authorizing payment of invoices as recommended by the Finance Committee, in the total amount of $160,927.79.

Alderwoman Johnson moved authorizing payment of invoices, as presented, totally $160,927.79. Alderman Littlebrant seconded. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Fritsch, Johnson, Littlebrant & Whitecotton Nay: Alderman Robinson Motion carried 5:1

B. Ordinance 2025-06 entitled “Ordinance of the City of Sandwich Adopting the Budget for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026” presented for passage. Mayor Latham thanked the Council for their work, and special meetings held to have a passed budget.

So moved by Alderwoman Johnson. Motion was seconded by Alderman Fritsch. Aye: Alderman Arnett, Fritsch, Johnson, Littlebrant & Robinson Nay: Alderman Whitecotton Motion carried 5:1

C. Resolution 25-10 entitled “A Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Out-of-State Service for Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF)” for passage.

Motion to table was made by Alderman Littlebrant, and seconded by Alderman Robinson. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Fritsch, Johnson, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously

14. Executive Session: Motion made by Alderwoman Johnson to enter closed session at 9:45 PM pursuant to 5 ILCS 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”; 5 ILCS 120/2(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 probable of imminent”; and under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21) “Discussion of minutes lawfully closed under this Act, whether for purposes of approval by the body of the minutes or semi annual review of the minutes as mandated by Section 2.05”. Motion was seconded by Alderman Littlebrant. Noted that possible action would be taken. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Fritsch, Johnson, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 6:0

Alderwoman Johnson moved to return to regular session at 10:18 PM. Motion was seconded by Alderman Littlebrant. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Fritsch, Johnson, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously

Clerk Ii read the list of Executive Session minutes to be approved: For 2024, dates were May 20, September 3, July 1, August 19, September 3 & 16, October 21, and December 16. For 2025, dates were January 6 & 20, February 3, and March 3. Motion made by Alderman Robinson and seconded by Alderman Whitecotton, to approve but not release the closed sessions minutes, as per dates cited by Clerk Ii. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Fritsch, Johnson, Littlebrant, Robinson & Whitecotton Nay:0 Motion carried 6:0

15. Announcements:

A. Next Finance Committee Meeting will be held on Monday, May 5th, 2025 at 6:30 PM

B. The next Committee-of-the-Whole Council Meeting will be held on May 5th, 2025 at 7:00 PM followed immediately by the Regular Council Meeting.

16. Adjournment: Motion made by Alderman Robinson to adjourn at 10:22 PM. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Johnson. Motion passed unanimously on voice vote.

https://www.sandwich.il.us/media/3381