NW Illinois News

City of Mt. Carroll City Council met March 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Jeff Sinkson 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, present, Paul Kaczmarski, present, Doug Bergren, present.

Alderman Kaczmarski led the Pledge of Allegiance

Invocation was led by Bob Hatheway

Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve the minutes from the February 27, 2024 Regular City Council meeting Alderman Risko seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Risko, yes, Kaczmarski, yes, Bergren, yes, Vote: 4 yeses, and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to authorize the payments of 35 claims payable for $40,288.54 Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Elliott, yes, Risko, yes, Bergren, yes, Vote: 4 yeses, and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Mayor Bates reported the bank account balances were totaling $3,770,653.32 as of March 8 2024

Streets

Under Committees, Street Superintendent Dauphin said with the warmer weather they would be finishing the Library Sidewalk Project by completing the drain, also fixing the sidewalk at the Anthony Timm residence. Tree trimming on Southeast Lane is completed. Discussion of the extended paving on Mill Street and the cost, Mayor Bates is waiting for numbers from MSA. Weather permitting they will work on installing culverts that also need drop boxes.

Police

Reviewed monthly Police Report and Chief Cass reported he is still looking for quotes for replacing the Tahoe.

Davis Community Center

A. Alarm System from Lectronics, Inc.

Alderman Kaczmarski went over what was included in the contract; recomendation made to approve the contract at the cost of $6,474.86. Alderman Elliott made the motion to approve and Alderman Risko seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Risko, yes, Kaczmarski, yes, Bergren, yes, Vote: 4 yeses, and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Finance

Recommendation to pay 35 accounts payable for a total of $40,288.54

Mayor Bates spoke about setting up a Finance Committee meeting to go over the sale of Surplus Property; Kraft Building and land for a residence and an office building.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Discussion and Possible Action on Mill Street Water Main Bid Results and Consideration of Notice of Intent to Award Water Looping Project Phase 3: Alderman Kaczmarski said he spoke with Reid Law of Law Excavating and he is satisfied with all questions and that Mr. Law said he would meet with everyone once a week to go over the project. Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to accept the bid from Law Execating for $949,71.00 for the Water Looping Project Phase 3 on Mill Street and Alderman Risko seconded: Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Risko, yes, Elliott, yes, Bergren, yes, Vote: 4 yeses, and 0 nos. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Discussion and Possible Action on Employee Health Insurance Renewal: Mayor Bates said he met with John Bickelhaupt from Country Companies Insurance and Derek Carroll from Clark Carroll Insurance and would like to stay with United Health Care that the City currently has with a 5.1% increase and that Mr. Bickelhaupt said he could reduce by 2% or 3%. Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to renew the City Health Insurance Renewal with United Health Care with John Bickelhaupt of Country Companies and Alderman Risko seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Risko, yes, Kaczmarski, yes, Bergren, yes, Vote: 4 yeses, and 0 nos. Motion carried.

2. Discussion and Possible Action to Hire Water and Sewer Superintendent: Alderman Kaczmarksi made the motion to hire current employee John Armstrong and Alderman Elliott seconded, with a pay of Grade 11/Step 1. Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes. Vote: 4 yeses, and 0 nos. Motion carried.

3. Discussion and Possible Action to Hire a DCC Front Desk Supervisor and Program Director: Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to approve to hire Jennifer Plastiak at Grade 1/Step 1 and Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Risko, yes. Vote: 4 yeses, and 0 nos. Motion carried.

4. Discussion and Possible Action of the BDD Façade Guideline Updates: Alderman Risko went over the guidelines that he and TIF Attorney Kathy Orr worked on. Mary Cummins of the View from Vahalla spoke of her concerns regarding the criteria on how the applicants will be evaluated. Alderman Risko made a motion to approve the guidelines and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes. Vote: 4 yeses, and 0 nos. Motion carried.

5. Discussion and Possible Action on Development Agreement-Early Childhood Development Center at Shimer Square: Mayor Bates spoke to Council that he asked that they look over the agreement and table discussion to the next Council Meeting. Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve to table this motion and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Risko yes, Vote: 4 yeses, and 0 nos. Motion carried.

6. Discussion and Possible Action to proclaim the Month of May as Motorcycle Awareness Month: Alderman Kaczmarski made the motion to approve the Proclomation and Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, and Alderman Risko, yes. Vote: 4 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried

7. Approve Mayor Bates’s Appointments: Mayor Bates said he would like the Council to possible appoint Jody Wolber as Alderman Ward 2 at the next Council Meeting. He also introduced Jeff Sinkson as a possible Alderman Ward 1.

General Audience:

Len Anderson said that they would be doing some repairs at the Stonehouse with windows, painting and lighting.

Mayor Bates reminded everyone of Superintendent Bill Zink’s retirement Party March 24, 2024

Adjournment

Alderman Risko made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 p.m., Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes Vote: 4 yeses, and 0 nos. Motion carried.

https://www.mtcarrollil.org/vertical/sites/%7BBF753C4F-C5AD-4CAB-8423-6FB6A24CA4F7%7D/uploads/Meeting_Minutes_2024-03-12(1).pdf