NW Illinois News

City of Mt. Carroll City Council met Oct. 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Grant Bandemer rang the bell to announce the start of the meeting.

Mayor Carl Bates called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

Roll Call: Mayor Carl Bates, present, Alderwoman Nancy Bandemer, present, Alderman Jeff Elliott, present, Alderman Paul Kaczmarski, present, and Alderman Mike Risko, present, Alderman Doug Bergren, present

Alderman Bergren led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Invocation led by Mary Boelkens

Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 26, 2023 Regular City Council meeting, Alderwoman Bandemer seconded. Roll call vote: Alderman Elliott: yes; Alderwoman Bandemer: yes; Alderman Kaczmarski: yes; Alderman Risko: yes, Alderman Bergren: yes. Vote: 5 yes and 0 no. Motion carried.

Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to authorize the payments of accounts payable dated October 10, 2023, 38 claims payable totaling $865,740.54 as recommended by the Finance Committee, Alderman Risko seconded. Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski: yes; Alderwoman Bandemer: yes; Alderman Elliott: yes; Alderman Risko: yes, Alderman Bergren: yes. Vote: 5 yeses and 0 no. Motion carried.

Mayor Bates reported the bank account balances were totaling $6,299,771.71 as of today.

Streets

Under Committees, Street Superintendent Dauphin reported seal coating is completed. The County’s Chipper broke down with only ½ of N. Carroll to complete. We did get some chips on it but if they do not stick, they will redo the road at no charge next year. We also paved Creamery Hill on Benton Street and plan to do some road edging on Mill Street before the weather gets cold. Library sidewalk will be the main focus this next couple of weeks.

Police

Alderwoman Bandemer reviewed the monthly police report. Chief Cass reported all parts have arrived to repair the Police Dodge Durango, after hitting a coyote and will be scheduling to go in for repairs.

A. Discussion and Possible Action to Hire Part-Time Police Officer

Chief Cass told the Council that recruiting is not going well, but word of mouth is going better. I have a past officer who worked for me in previous towns, Justin Stralow, can work mostly weekends due to having a full time job and young kids at home. Recommendation made to hire Justin Stralow. Chief Cass told the Council to be prepared to have to send officers to the academy. Mayor Bates said that they had this discussion at the Mayors Meeting and that maybe towns could share the cost and the officers.

Finance

Recommendation made to approve to pay 38 claims payable totaling $865,740.54. A. Approval to Set up Auto Pay for ESI Phone Monthly Invoices: City Clerk Dauphin explained they charge $15.00 per check fee when sending a check. If we set up autopay, we will also receive 10% off our bill. Recommendation made to use Autopay for the ESI Phone Bill. B. Discussion and Possible Action to apply for a Credit Card for the Davis Community Center: Recommendation made to apply for a credit card for the Davis Center.

Davis Community Center

Tanner Thompson Director of the Davis Community Center reported that the weight equipment arrives on October 23, 2023. Working with Gwyn on job descriptions and programming. Planning an Open House for October 27th 10-Noon and October 28th 3:00-5:00 p.m. Fire, EMS and Sheriffs Departments will be touring for a safety plan tour.

Recommendations made for Purchases:

Stebbins Appliance: $5,400.00

Gallentine Landscaping: $4,500.00

Direct Fitness: $5,170.00

Purchase of 6 Pollards/Planters for outside the front door.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Discussion and Possible Action on Loan Ordinance No. 2023-10-01 for IEPA Public Water Supply Loan #17-6006 Water Improvements Phase 3. Alderman Kaczmarski made the motion to approve Ordinance No. 2023-10-01 for 20 years and Alderwoman Bandemer seconded. Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski: yes; Alderwoman Bandemer: yes; Alderman Elliott: yes; Alderman Risko: yes, Doug Bergren, yes. Vote: 5 yes and 0 no. Motion carried.

2. Discussion and Authorization for Mayor Bates to sign IEPA Public Water Supply Loan #17-6006 Loan Documents: Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to approve the Authorization for Mayor Bates to sign IEPA Loan #17-6006 Loan Documents. Alderman Risko seconded. Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski: yes; Alderwoman Bandemer: yes; Alderman Elliott: yes; Alderman Risko: yes, Doug Bergren, yes. Vote: 5 yes and 0 no. Motion carried.

3. Discussion and Possible Action on Loan Administration Contract with CFPS, Inc. for Loan Administrative Services on IEPA Loan #17-6006: Alderman Risko made a motion to approve CFPS’s contract and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski: yes; Alderwoman Bandemer: yes; Alderman Elliott: yes; Alderman Risko: yes, Alderman Bergeren, yes. Vote: 5 yes and 0 no. Motion carried.

4. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve MSA’s Construction Engineering Contract for Waterlooping Project Phase 3: Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve MSA’s Contract and Alderman Bandemer seconded. Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski: yes; Alderwoman Bandemer: yes; Alderman Elliott: yes; Alderman Risko: yes, Alderman Bergeren, yes. Vote: 5 yes and 0 no. Motion carried.

5. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Employee Evaluation Forms: Mayor Bates thanked Treasurer Amy Schneider for all her work on the new Evaluation Forms. The only thing we forgot to do was have City Attorney Zollinger’s approval. Alderman Bandemer made the motion to approve new Employee Evaluation Forms pending City Attorney’s approval and Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski: yes; Alderwoman Bandemer: yes; Alderman Elliott: yes; Alderman Risko: yes, Doug Bergren, yes. Vote: 5 yes and 0 no. Motion carried.

6. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Employee Salary Worksheet: Alderman Elliott made the motion to approve the new Employee Salary Worksheet starting with the first payroll in November 2023 and Alderman Bandemer seconded. Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski: yes; Alderwoman Bandemer: yes; Alderman Elliott: yes; Alderman Risko: yes, Doug Bergren, yes. Vote: 5 yes and 0 no. Motion carried.

7. Discussion and Possible Action on Financial Institution Proposals: Discussion of TBK Bank’s proposal of 3.75 Interest rate looked as the best option. Alderman Bandemer made a motion to transfer all Accounts from Savanna-Thomson State Bank to TBK Bank and ammend the motion for signatures to remove Joe Grim and add Nancy Bandemer and Alderman Risko seconded. Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski: yes; Alderwoman Bandemer: yes; Alderman Elliott: yes; Alderman Risko: yes, Doug Bergren, yes. Vote: 5 yes and 0 no. Motion carried.

8. Discussion and Possible Action to Donate to the Mount Carroll Fire Department for watering the grass at the Davis Center: Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve a Donation of $500.00 and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski: yes; Alderwoman Bandemer: yes; Alderman Elliott: yes; Alderman Risko: yes, Doug Bergren, yes. Vote: 5 yes and 0 no. Motion carried.

9. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve the Website Contract with Revise: Alderman Bandemer made a motion to approve the Contract with Revise and Alderman Risko seconded. Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski: yes; Alderwoman Bandemer: yes; Alderman Elliott: yes; Alderman Risko: yes, Doug Bergren, yes. Vote: 5 yes and 0 no. Motion carried.

10. MSA Weekly Updates o Waterlooping Project Phase 2 and Project Updates: Steve Haring of MSA reviewed the updates

11. Discussion and Possible Action for Russell Construction Pay Application #15 for $626,601.00 and Executive Summary: Alderman Elliott made the motion to approve Pay Application #15 for $626,601.00 and Alderman Bandemer seconded. Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski: yes; Alderwoman Bandemer: yes; Alderman Elliott: yes; Alderman Risko: yes, Doug Bergren, yes. Vote: 5 yes and 0 no. Motion carried.

12. Discussion and Possible Action for the 2023 Community Halloween Celebration: Treasurer Schneider told the Council that she spoke with Shaw’s Marketplace and they will donate hot dogs, buns and Chips with the City being responsible for the Paper bags, foil and bottled water. Alderman Risko made the motion to approve the expenses of the Community Halloween Celebration not to exceed $300.00 and Alderman Bandermer seconded. Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski: yes; Alderwoman Bandemer: yes; Alderman Elliott: yes; Alderman Risko: yes, Doug Bergren, yes. Vote: 5 yes and 0 no. Motion carried.

General Audience

General Audience: Linda Anderson thanked Treasurer Amy Schneider for her design of the Stonehouse stickers with a QR-code that takes you to the website. Also, remember ribbon cutting for the Stonehouse Outhouse is October 21, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.

Correspondence

1. 2023 Toys for Tots Donation Request

2. Sand Prairie Install Update

3. United Healthcare Notice of Increased Benefits

Adjournment: Alderman Elliott made a motion to adjourn at 8:00 p.m., Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll call vote: Alderman Elliott: yes; Alderman Kaczmarski: yes; Alderwoman Bandemer: yes; Alderman Risko: yes, Alderman Bergren, yes. Vote: 5 yes - 0 no. Motion carried.

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