NW Illinois News

City of Mt. Carroll City Council met Oct. 24.

Here is the agenda provided by the council:

Reporter Samantha Pidde rang the bell to announce the start of the meeting. Alderman Nancy Bandemer called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.

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

Alderman Risko led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Superintendent Bill Zink gave the Invocation.

Alderman Elliott moved and Alderman Risko seconded to approve the minutes of the October 10, 2023, Regular Council meeting. Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Risko, yes, Elliott, yes, Bandemer, yes, Bergren, yes. Vote: 5 yeses, 0 nos. Motion carried.

Alderman Kaczmarski moved and Alderman Elliott seconded to authorize the payments of accounts payable dated October 24, 2023 of 32 claims for $509,018.75 as recommended by the Finance Committee. Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Risko, yes, Elliott, yes, Bandemer, yes, Bergren, yes. Vote: 5 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Alderman Bandemer reported the bank account balances were totaling $5,552,333.85 as of today.

Water

Under Committees, the Water/Sewer Committee Superintendent Zink asked the Council if they plan to open the pool next year, if yes than we need to rebuild the pump this winter. Learned a lot of information at the IRWA Conference. Will meet with the owners of Shaw’s Express on Thursday to go over the grease trap issue and fees. The Cross-Connection survey letter will be going out next week and a big Thanks to Amy for helping me get the letter ready. Stonehouse water is now attached and working. Len Anderson said they would get in touch with Bill to shut it off for the winter. Hyrdant flusing should be finished by end of the week or early next week. Phase 2 Waterlooping project is working on their punch list. Hope to be able to work on the Davis Center Waterloop next week, now that Law Excavating completed the dirt work for the School in that area. Jonathan and Alex will be attending pump float school on December 8, 2023 in Frankford, IL. Alex will take his grade 4 water test on November 8, 2023. Steve Haring also went over the MSA updates on all Water and Sewer projects.

Davis Community Center

Chairman Alderman Nancy Bandemer gave a small update and went over the recommendations that will on next meeting agenda for Council approval. Cardio Equipment arrived on Monday and is ready for the open house this weekend on Friday 10-12 and Saturday 3-5.

Police

Chief Cass addressed the Council on the cost of $30,349.00 to send an applicant to the Police Academy; this total includes salary, benefits, and uniforms. He has received some interest from 1 other community in cost sharing. He will be performing a agility test on 11/26/23 before sending the applicant with this being a non-refundable course if the don’t complete the program. Jill Pepin from CFPS reported that she heard back from USDA and they asked for the City to fill out a full application for the Grant. Currrently the City would receive 55% of the cost, not to exceed $30,000.00. Chief Cass heard from Carl Automotive and he needs to get all 2023 vehicles off the lot by end of November and would need a signature by November 10, 2023, with payment due in 30 days. Unfortunately, 0% of the grant funds will be available by November 10 and it is just a waiting game for the government to release all grant funding. Made a recommendation to have Jill Pepin ask to change to a 2024 Police Tahoe to extend the time.

Finance

Recommendation made to approve to pay 32 claims totaling $503,019.75.

A. Discussion and Possible Action on Employee COLA Increase: Alderman Elliott made the recommendation and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Risko, present, Elliott, yes, Bandemer, yes, Bergren, yes. Vote: 5 yeses, 0 nos and 1 absent. Motion carried. B. Discussion of User Rates for Waterlooping Project Phase 3: Jill Pepin from CFPS reported that we would need to increase our Debt Service fee by $4.00 to cover the Phase 3 IEPA Loan payments. Recommendation made to have an Ordinance ready for the November meeting to start raising the rate slowly each year.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Discussion and Possible Action for 2022-2023 Audit Review with WIPFLI: Matt Schueler went over the highlights of the Audit with the audit Recap. Alderman Kaczmarski made the motion to approve the 2022-2023 and Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Risko, yes, Elliott, yes, Bandemer, yes, Bergren, yes. Vote: 5 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

2. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Resolution R13-2023, Resolution Authorizing Closure of Accounts at Savanna-Thomson State Bank and Opening new Accounts at the TBK in Mount Carroll: Alderman Elliott made the motion to approve Resolution R13-2023 and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. . Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Risko, yes, Elliott, yes, Bandemer, yes, Bergren, yes. Vote: 5 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

3. Discussion and Possible Action on Waterlooping Project Phase 2 Pay Application #3 Martin & Company $99,412.31, MSA: $12,795.18, CFPS: $10,000.00. Total Loan Request Amount $122,237.49 Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve Pay Application #3 and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Risko, yes, Elliott, yes, Bandemer, yes, Bergren, yes. Vote: 5 yeses, and 0 nos Motion carried.

4. Discussion and Possible Action to Donate $100.00 to the Mount Carroll Fire Department Les Myers Golf Invitational Fund Raiser: Alderman Kaczmarski made the motion to approve the donation of $100.00 and Alderman Risko seconded. Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Risko, yes, Elliott, yes, Bandemer, yes, Bergren, yes. Vote: 5 yeses, and 0 nos. Motion carried.

5. Discussion and Possible Action Donate an Individual Pool Pass to the Mount Carroll Rotary Club for the Trivia Night Fundraiser: Alderman Kaczmarski said he would like to see the pass be a Family Pool Pass instead of Individual. All agreed. Alderman Kaczmarski made the motion to ammend the request to a Family Pool Pass Donation instead of an Individual Pool Pass and Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Risko, abstain, Elliott, yes, Bandemer, yes, Bergren, yes. Vote: 4 yeses, 1 abstain and 0 nos. Motion carried.

6. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve the Sale of Girl Scout Cookies from January 5, 2024 to January 21, 2024: Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to approve the sale of Girl Scout Cookies and Alderman Risko seconded. Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Risko, yes, Elliott, yes, Bandemer, yes, Bergren, yes. Vote: 5 yeses, and 0 nos. Motion carried.

7. Discussion and Possible Acion to Approve the Road Block Application from the Mount Carroll Chamber of Commerce for Pumpkin Fest on October 28, 2023: Alderman Risko made the motion to approve the Road Block Application for October 28, 2023 and Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Risko, yes, Elliott, yes, Bandemer, yes, Bergren, yes. Vote: 5 yeses, and 0 nos. Motion carried.

8. Discussion and Possible Action for Facility Use Agreement and Fee Schedule: Alderman Elliott made the motion to approve the Agreeement and Fee changes and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Risko, yes, Elliott, yes, Bandemer, yes, Bergren, yes. Vote: 5 yeses, and 0 nos. Motion carried.

9. MSA Weekly Updates

10. Discussion and Possible Action for a Road Block Request for the Community Halloween Parade and Middle School Marching Band: Alderman Kaczmarski made the motion to approve the Road Block Application for October 28, 2023 and Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Risko, yes, Elliott, yes, Bandemer, yes, Bergren, yes. Vote: 5 yeses, and 0 nos. Motion carried.

General Audience:

Resident Dayne Coursey addressed his concerns on the condition of Lincoln Street after the seal coating. Chairman Jeff Elliott said he would meet with Street Superintendent Dauphin and address the issue.

Correspondence

1. Thank You card from GRO Event for the Donation

2. Mount Carroll Chamber Pumpkin Fest Schedule

Adjorned at 8:29 p.m. for Executive Session

Alderman Kaczmarksi made a motion to adjorn into Executive Session and Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll call vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Risko, yes, Elliott, yes, Bandemer, yes, Bergren, yes. Vote: 5 yeses, and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Returned to Regular Session at 8:49 p.m.

No Action taken

Adjourned at 8:49 p.m.

Alderman Elliott made the motion to adjourn and Alderman Bergren seconded. Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Risko, yes, Elliott, yes, Bandemer, yes, Bergren, yes. Vote: 5 yeses, and 0 nos. Motion carried.

https://www.mtcarrollil.org/vertical/sites/%7BBF753C4F-C5AD-4CAB-8423-6FB6A24CA4F7%7D/uploads/Minutes_2023-10-24.pdf