NW Illinois News

City of Mt. Carroll City Council met Feb. 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Anthony Herrell 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, Alderman Mike Risko, absent, Alderman Paul Kaczmarski, present, Alderman Doug Bergren, present.

Alderman Bergren led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Kurt Frederick gave the Invocation

Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve the minutes from the February 13, 2024 Regular City Council meeting Alderman Kczmarski seconded the motion, all approved. Roll Call Vote Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Mayor Bates, yes, Alderman Risko, absent, Vote: 4 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Alderman Elliott made a motion to authorize the payments of claims payable for $41,050.84, Alderman Kaczmarski seconded, all approved. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Mayor Bates, yes, Alderman Risko, absent Vote: 4 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Mayor Bates reported the bank account balances were totaling $3,912.757.06 as of Febraury 27, 2024.

Water/Sewer

Superintendent Bill Zink reported that they have fixed the check valves themselves and saved over $400.00. Replaced a Fire Hydrant at Miller and Benton Streets after a car accident, will be turning over to insurance for reimbursement. Will be replacing 2 fire hyrdants during the Clay Street improvement project starting on April 15, 2024, with the State of Illinois Transportation. Fixed another sewer lateral on Washington Street due to tree roots.

Finance

Recommendation to pay accounts payable for a total of $41,050.84

OLD BUSINESS

1. Discussion and Possible Action on Flood Insurance for the Park: City Treasurer Amy Schneider explained to the council that the current policy is for the Sewer Plant and the Park. We no longer need the flood insurance for the Sewer Plant but have a $25,000.00 for the Park. Treasurer Schneider presented a quote for a new policy that would be for the Park, $110,000.00 for the buildings and $5,000.00 for contents, with a $5,000.00 deductible and an annual fee of $1,724.00. Our current policy is $1,500.00. Alderman Elliott made a motion to proceed with a new policy that was quoted and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Mayor Bates, yes, Alderman Risko Absent Vote: 4 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Discussion and Possible Action on Ordinance No. 2024-02-01, An Ordinance Authorizing Placement of a Stop Sign at the Intersection of Davis Center Way and East Street: Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2024-02-01, Ordinance Authorizing Placement of Stop Sign at Intersection of Davis Center Way and East Street. Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Mayor Bates, yes, Alderman Risko, absent, Vote: 4 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

2. Discussion and Possible Action for Ordinance No. 2024-02-01, An Ordinance Amending Title 4, Chapter 4, to Modify Limits Permitted under the Raffle code and Amend Reporting Requirements: Alderman Risko made a motion to approve Resolution No. R1-2024 Resolution supporting efforts to obtain a Federally or State funded feasibility study on the return of passenger rail service to Northwest Illinois and City of Mount Carroll, Alderman Kaczmarski seconded, all approved. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes. Vote: 4 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

3. Discussion and Possible Action on Mill Street Water Main Bid Results and Consideration of Notice of Intent to Award Water Looping Project Phase 3 Mill Street: After a small discussion that the Council felt they needed more questions answered and to have a Water/Sewer Committee Meeting Tueday March 5, 2024 3:00 p.m. held at the WWTP. Alderman Elliott made a motion to table the discussion, Alderman Kaczmarski seconded.

4. Discussion and Possible Action on Handbook Job Description Updates: Davis Director Nancy Bandemer handed out her updates and City Treasurer had the Water and Sewer updates. No one had any questions. Alderman Elliott made the motion to approve all updates and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Mayor Bates, yes, Alderman Risko, absent. Vote: 4 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

5. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Street Closure on Market Street for a Street Dance on July 19, 2024: Alderman Elliott asked about the event insurance needed and City Clerk Dauphin said she would reach out to him to apply for one. Alderman Kaczmarski made the motion to approve the street closure pending Insurance Certificate and Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Ellott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Mayor Bates, yes, Alderman Risko, absent. Vote: 4 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

6. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Resolution R2-2024, Resolution Authorizing Transfer of Earnings Generated from the funds held with the William J. Davis Community Center Operating Fund for the Use and Operation of the William J. Davis Community Center: Alderman Kaczmarski made the motion to Approve Resolution R2-2024 and Alderman Bergren seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Ellott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Mayor Bates, yes, Alderman Risko, absent. Vote: 4 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Correspondence:

1. NW Illinois Economic Development Collaboratio Award Community of 2024

General Audience:

Tony Timm spoke about a sidewalk issue in front of his hous on Clay Street, the tree root is raising the sidewalk. Plus, he wanted to know where should he park now that there is no parking on the west side of his street block? He would like to gravel part of his yard to help with this issue. Mayor Bates said he would have Superintendent Dauphin stop by and talk to him.

Tony Herrell wanted to say that why thinking of accepting Bids for the Waterlooping Phase 3 Project he wanted to let the Council know that he had an issue with the Company that did Phase 1 left a mess behind with the reseeding of his property.

Dan Kruse presented a FOIA Request for a Police Department Report

Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to adjourn and go into Executive Session at 8:02 p.m., Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Mayor Bates, yes. Vote: 4 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Returned to Open Session at 8:16

Alderman Kaczmarski made the motion to approve Bill Zink’s Retirement Letter effective April 1, 2024, with Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Ellott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Mayor Bates, yes, Alderman Risko, absent. Vote: 4 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Alderman Elliott made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:21 pm and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Ellott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Mayor Bates, yes, Alderman Risko, absent. Vote: 4 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

https://www.mtcarrollil.org/vertical/sites/%7BBF753C4F-C5AD-4CAB-8423-6FB6A24CA4F7%7D/uploads/Meeting_Minutes_2024-02-27(1).pdf