NW Illinois News

City of Mt. Carroll City Council met Jan. 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Gerold Podroza 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, Alderman Jeff Elliott, present, Mike Risko, absent, Paul Kaczmarski, present, Doug Bergren, present.

Alderman Elliott led the Pledge of Allegiance

Invocation was led by Mary Boelkens

Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve the minutes from the December 12, 2023, Regular City Council meeting and December 21, 2023 Special Council Meeting Alderman Bergren seconded, all approved. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Risko, absent, Elliott, yes, Bergren, yes, Mayor Bates, yes, Vote: 4 yeses, 1 Absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to authorize the payments of 26 claims payable in the amount of $394,929.07, Alderman Elliott seconded, all approved. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Risko, yes, Elliott, yes, Mayor Bates, yes, Bergren, yes. Vote: 4 yeses, 1 Absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Mayor Bates reported the bank account balances were totaling $4,303,506.45 as of January 9, 2024.

Streets

Under Committees, Street Superintendent Dauphin did not attend due to the snow storm. Chairman Elliott reported that they had been getting salt ready and have had no equipment issues,.

Police

Viewed the Monthly Police Report. Chief Cass reported his cadet had completed his first week of training.

Davis Community Center

Davis Director Nancy Bandemer reported they continue to give around 4-5 tours a day. AED/CPR training is completed and have several dates reserved already for the meeting rooms. Recommendation to hire several part-time employees: Mary Jo Decker, Jennifer Plastiak, Victoria Medal, Tanner Dieselmyer at $15.00 an hour

Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to authorize the following: hire the recommendations from Director Bandemer at $15.00 and hour and Alderman Elliott seconded, all approved. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Mayor Bates, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Risko, absent. Vote: 4 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Finance

Recommendation to pay 26 accounts payable for a total of $394,929.07

OLD BUSINESS

1. Discussion and Possible Action for C-PACE Ordinance 01/01/2024: Mayro Bates asked to have this item tabled until the January 23, 2024 meeting when the City Attorney was in attendance. Alderman Elliott made the motion to approve to table this item and Alderman Bergren seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Mayor Bates, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Risko, absent. Vote: 4 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Discussion and Approve of Police Offer Resignations: Chief Cass announced the resignations of Donald Stephens effective immediately and Courtney Grinnall effective February 2, 2024. Alderman Elliott made a motion to accept the resignations and Alderman Bergren seconded, all approved. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Risko, absent, Alderman Elliott, yes, Mayor Bates, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes. Vote: 4 yeses, 1 Absent abd 0 nos. Motion carried.

2. Discussion and Possible Action to Hire Steven Metzger as full time police officer: Chief Cass said Steven has been working part-time for the City and had worked for him under another City and will be a great addition to the force, we will have a hire agreement available soon. Alderman Kaczmarksi made the motion to hire Steven Metzger and Alderman Elliott seconded. Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Risko, absent, Alderman Elliott, yes, Mayor Bates, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes. Vote: 4 yeses, 1 Absent abd 0 nos. Motion carried.

3. Discussion and Possible Action for no Parking on the 500 Block of North Clay Street: Chief Cass told the Council that due to the new curb installed during the Waterlooping Project there is not enough room for parking on both sides of the road for a large vehicle to go through. Recommendation was made to have City Attorney Zollinger to provide an Ordinance for no parking on North Clay Street for the next meeting. Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve the Recommendation and Alderman Bergren seconded, all approved. Roll Call Vote: Mayor Bates, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Absent. Vote: 4 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

4. Discussion and Possible Recommendation for a Resolution to Support a Federal or State of Illinois Funded Feasibility Study on Passenger Rail Service in Carroll County: Gerold Podroza spoke to the council of his plan and research for this project and the other towns that have an approved a Resolution in support. Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to approve a Resolution of support and Alderman Bergren seconded, all approved. Roll Call Vote: Mayor Bates, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Risko, absent. Vote: 4 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

5. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Pay Application #5 for Waterlooping Phase 2, Marting & Company: $88,555.30, MSA: $6,392.36 and CFPS: $15,000.00 Total Request Amount $108,229.14: Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve Pay Application #5 and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded, all approved. Roll Call Vote: Mayor, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman absent, Vote: 4 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

6. Discussion and Possible Action on a Street Closure for a Street Dance on July 19, 2024 at the 100 Block of Market Street: After some discussion of the days events, the council will follow up closer to the date.

7. Discussion and Possible Action for Russell Construction Pay Application #17 $6,661.70 and GMP Amendment #1, Invoice #17 $300,317.45 totaling $306,979.15: Alderman Kaczmarski made the motion to approve Pay Application #17 and GMP Amendment #1 and Alderman Elliott seconded. Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Risko, absent, Alderman Elliott, yes, Mayor Bates, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes. Vote: 4 yeses, 1 Absent abd 0 nos. Motion carried.

8. Discussion and Possible Action to allow Liquor at the Davis Community Center: Mayor Bates asked the Council to thing on this item and we would discuss it again when City Attorney Zollinger is present to answer all questions on this matter.

9. Approval of Mayor Bates’s Appointments: Mayor Bates appointed Paul Kaczmarski Chairman of the Board to conduct Council Meetings when the Mayor is not present. Doug Bergren Chairman of the Police Committee. Alderman Elliott mad the Motion to Approve Mayor Bates’s Appointments and Mayor Bates seconded. Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Risko, absent, Alderman Elliott, yes, Mayor Bates, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes. Vote: 4 yeses, 1 Absent abd 0 nos. Motion carried

General Audience:

• Treasurer Amy Schneider gave an update with the new software issue

Alderman Elliott made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 p.m., Alderman Bergren seconded, all approved. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Mayor Bates, yes, Alderman Risko, absent. Vote: 4 yeses, 1 absent 0 nos. Motion carried.

https://www.mtcarrollil.org/vertical/sites/%7BBF753C4F-C5AD-4CAB-8423-6FB6A24CA4F7%7D/uploads/Minutes_of_the_January_11_2024_Meeting.docx