Kendall County Times

City of Sandwich City Council met June 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. Call to Order: Mayor Latham called the meeting to order at 9:24 PM

2. Roll Call

Present: Mayor Latham, City Clerk Ii, Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum Kreinbrink, & Robinson

Also present: Attorney Gottschalk, City Administrator Penman, EEI Engineer Dettmann, & SEMA Director Eberle

Absent: Chief Senne; City Treasurer Koehler

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 Minutes from the Budget Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting of 3/29/2025 B. Approval of Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting Minutes of 6/02/2025

C. Approval of Minutes for the Regular Council Meeting of 6/02/2025

D. Approval of May’s Treasurers & Financial Reports removed

At the request of Finance Committee Chair, Alderwoman Erickson, requested that Item “D” be removed from the Consent Agency, and voted as a separate item. Motion made by Alderman Kreinbrink, and seconded by Alderman Arnett, adopting the consent agenda as amended by removing Item “D”. Motion passed unanimously on voice vote.

Alderman Kreinbrink made a motion approving the May’s Treasurers & Financial Reports as presented. Motion failed for lack of second.

5. Mayor’s Report:

A. Superintendent of Water Appointment & Approval: Mayor Latham will appoint Brad Eade as water superintendent and still maintain his position as sewer superintendent. Attorney Gottschalk interjected advising that there should be a motion, followed by a second, and a roll call taken whether to approve the motion. She added that is it acceptable if someone makes the motion, and then votes against it. If a motion is voted down, it can only be brought back up under a motion to reconsider.

Motion made by Alderman Kreinbrink approving the appointment of Brad Eade to the position of Superintendent of Water. Motion failed to lack of a second.

B. Street Closure for “The Blaze”: This is an annual event to be held on July 5th from 6 AM – 3 PM. The street closure has been reviewed by public works, EMA, and fire department. There was no objection to the street closings.

C. Proclamation – Illinois State Scholars: Read a proclamation recognizing the achievements of the following as Illinois State Scholars – Payton DeWitt, Raegan Fischer, Keegan Herren, Sofia Hill, Lillian Mitchell, Joanna, Rivera, Nigel Sajulan, and Charlotte Wortman.

D. Citizens Advisory Committee Appointment: A request has been received from Brandi Fanning to be appointed to the Citizens Advisory Committee. Mayor Latham requested a motion approving the appointment.

So moved by Alderman Arnett, and seconded by Alderwoman Inman. Motion carried unanimously on voice vote.

E. Interim Water Operator Contract: Mayor Latham provided two proposals to be considered. One company proposes $700/month. They would perform basic requirements by the Illinois EPA; and also make sure they collect and submit testing. The City already has a vendor that submits testing. The other proposal is a former employee, Jeremy Moss, that is for $1,000/month, and he would work and assist the other City Class C and D operators as they continue to get their licenses. City Administrator Penman advised that the proposal from Test, Inc. includes an additional $9,056 for testing, and they were insistent they conduct the testing as opposed to using the City’s existing vendor for testing. After further discussion, a contract with Jeremy Moss would expire in 120 days. No vote was taken.

6. Attorney’s Report: No report

7. City Clerk Ii: No report

8. Treasurer Koehler: Absent

9. City Administrator Penman updated Council on current matters:

• The air conditioning for the Council Chambers is not repairable, and the replacement cost would be $27,000-$30,000. The City is still working with a grant from (former) Representative Demmer through the Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. The option is to wait until the City receives approval on the grant money, or to move forward with the replacement now. He considers the air conditioning as an emergency repair, and that the City could probably waive bidding. The repair would be a replacement of both the furnace and air conditioning due to new freon regulations.

• Regarding the gutter repairs for the Opera House, as explained by Bill Fritsch at the COW meeting held previously, multiple contractors will be required. The estimate is $22,000. City Administrator Penman will engage the architect to start the necessary paperwork.

10. City Department’s Reports: No reports

11. Council Reports: Alderman Robinson voiced his opinion that had the council understood restricted funds at the time of endorsing the new budget, the budget would not have passed. He added that in past conversations, he felt led astray on itemsthat were restricted for new hire vehicles.

12. Old Business:

A. D Construction Final Payout: Motion approving final payout to D Construction for the 2024 Road Program in the amount of $21,029.43.

So moved by Alderman Arnett, and seconded by Alderman Chunn. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum, Kreinbrink & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously

13. New Business

A. Monthly Bills: Motion requested approving payment of monthly bills totaling $168,965.34. Alderwoman Erickson, chairwoman, amended the amount to read $168,698.34.

Alderwoman Inman made a motion approving payment of monthly bills, as amended. Alderwoman Erickson seconded. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum, Kreinbrink & Robinson Nay: 0 Motion carried 8:0

B. Ordinance 2025-03 entitled “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 38, “Historical Preservation” of the City of Sandwich, Illinois Municipal Code” presented for passage. Alderman Arnett pointed out there was no opt-out clause in the ordinance. Attorney Gottschalk advised that a motion needs to be called for a vote or a motion to table. This matter will be brought back at the July meeting with the amended ordinance. Both Aldermen Kreinbrink and Arnett withdrew their motions to approve; there was no motion to table.

C. Ordinance 2025-09 entitled “An Ordinance Implementing a Municipal Grocery Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax for the City of Sandwich, Illinois” presented for passage. Motion to adopt.

Motion made by Alderwoman Inman, and seconded by Alderman Robinson. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Danko, Inman, Ketchum, Kreinbrink & Robinson Nay: Aldermen Chunn & Erickson Motion carried 6:2

D. ComEd’s Curbside EV Make-Ready Pilot Program: Mayor Latham requested a motion approving the installation of EV stations in the business district. Attorney Gottschalk said the agreement was not specific as to location of the stations. The question was if the City was committing to provide space to be later designated, or was the City agreeing to show interest only.

Alderwoman Inman moved authorizing the mayor to sign necessary documentation. Alderman Kreinbrink seconded. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum, Kreinbrink & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0

E. Constellation Energy Contract: Motion to enter into a 36-month contract renewal with Constellation Energy for city facilities.

So moved by Alderman Kreinbrink. Motion was seconded by Alderman Arnett. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Danko, Inman, Ketchum, Kreinbrink & Robinson Nay: Aldermen Chunn & Erickson Motion carried 6:2

F. Ratification of Indemnification Agreement: Attorney Gottschalk had explained during the previous COW meeting that it is not unusual for a developer to use the City’s tax exempt status so that they can utilize and return the property back to the City. This affects Fairwinds Subdivision, Phase IV. Mayor Latham requested a motion to ratify the agreement.

Motion made by Alderwoman Inman, and seconded by Alderman Ketchum. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum, Kreinbrink & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously

G. Sunset Lift Station: Motion to accept the proposal from Gasvoda & Associates for the Sunset lift station improvements in the amount of $23,495.00, to be used from the sewer fund.

So moved by Alderman Chunn, and seconded by Alderman Arnett. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum, Kreinbrink & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0

H. Contract for Interim Water Operation – Test, Inc / Jeremy Moss: Council was instructed to choose an interim water operator between Test, Inc. or Jeremy Moss, as discussed earlier in the meeting previously held. Contract for Jeremy Moss will be for 120 days, or September 19th.

Motion made by Alderman Kreinbrink made a motion approving the appointment of Jeremy Moss as interim water operation. Alderman Danko seconded. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Danko, Inman, Ketchum & Kreinbrink Nay: Aldermen Chunn, Erickson & Robinson Motion carried 5:3

14. Executive Session:

Motion made by Alderman Chunn to enter into closed session at 10:07 PM pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) personnel “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”; pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) collective bargaining “Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees”; and

5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) pending litigation “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 was seconded by Alderman Ketchum.

Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum, Kreinbrink, & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0 Mayor Latham advised that no action would be entertained from the closed session.

Alderwoman Erickson moved to return to regular session at 10:46 PM. Motion was seconded by Alderman Ketchum. Aye: Aldermen Arnett, Chunn, Danko, Erickson, Inman, Ketchum & Robinson Nay:0 Motion carried unanimously

15. Announcements:

A. Next Finance Committee Meeting will be held on Monday, July 7th, 2025 at 6:30 PM.

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

16. Adjournment: Prior the motion, Alderman Robinson recommended that the treasurer should be allowed, without question, any financial reports/documents that she requests that could be used for check and balances. There was no further discussion.

Motion made by Alderman Robinson to adjourn at 10:50 PM. Motion was seconded by Alderman Chunn. Motion passed unanimously on voice vote.

https://www.sandwich.il.us/media/3731