NW Illinois News

City of Mt. Carroll City Council met June 25.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Alderman Jeff Elliott 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 Doug Bergren, present, Alderman Jeff Elliott, present, Alderman Paul Kaczmarski, present, Alderman Mike Risko, present, Alderman Jeff Soenksen, present, Jody Wolber, present.

Alderman Risko led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Jeff Frederick gave the Invocation

Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve the minutes from the June 11, 2024 Regular City Council meeting Alderman Wolber seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Risko,

yes. Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to authorize the payments of 30 claims for $89,936.02 Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Wolber Vote: 6 yeses, and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Bank account balances: Due to the change software change over we were unable to provide an accurate report, so the City Clerk chose not to provide one.

Water/Sewer

Superintendent Jonathan Armstrong reported they completed the tie on on Seminary Street at Shimer Square. Alex Handel has scheduled to take his test. Phase 3 Mill Street project should start this week, equipment and supplies have arrived. We were able to find the turn on for Percy Park water fountain. Will have estimated for sewer hook up at Shimer Square for Deerborn and the Day Care Center, plus the USDA new building on Benton Street.

Finance

Recommendation to pay accounts 30 payables for a total of $89,936.02. Alderman Risko updated that Jim Sullivan Realty came in & took pictures and will be getting ready to put on the market.

BDD

Chairman Risko made a recommendation to approve the Resolutions from the BDD Committe for the Façade Program Grant. Due to an applicant being able to use TIF Funds for part of the request the amounts for grants have changed to the following: The Copper Cow, $20,000.00, Grant and Nancy Bandemer, $16,000.00, The Sewing Room and Workshop, $16,000.00, Doug Sherf and Lori Mostad, $1,000.00 Mt. Carroll Pub and Gaming, $1,000.00, Joe and Mary Cummins, $6,000.00, total of $60,000.00. Mary Cummins asked Alderman Risko how they came to their decision for the amounts rewarded? Alderman Risjo responded that this is what the Committee decided. Alderman Risko made a motion to approve the recommendation and Alderman Soenksen seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Wolber, NO Vote: 5 yeses, and 1 nos. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Resolution No. R16-2024, Resolution Authorizing Replacement Signatory on Bank Accounts of the City of Mount Carroll, removing Nancy Bandemer and adding Jeff Elliott: Alderman Risko made a motion to approve Resolution R16-2024 and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Elliott, here, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 abstain and 0 nos. Motion carried.

2. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve SBM Printer Lease Contract for the Davis Community Center: Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve the SBM Contract and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Risko, yes Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Soenkeson, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes. Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

3. Discussion and Possible Action for Purchase of Business Signs for Downtown, not Exceed $1,500.00: Alderman Risko made at motion to approve the purchase of the signs and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Soenksen yes, Alderman Wolber Vote: 6 yeses, and 0 nos. Motion carried.

4. Update from the Prison Community Relation Board Meeting: Alderman Risko reported that they now have fewer prisoners and have changed their mission to help the prisoners for reentry into society. Still reporting prison guard families struggle with childcare issues, Alderman Risko told the Prison Board of the current Daycare Center breaking ground at Shimer Square.

5. Discussion and Possible Action on Mill Street Additional Paving: Discussion of where the funds would come from and the possible need for a change order or to bid out the additional paving, Alderman Risko mad a motion to table this action and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Alderman Rikso, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes. Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

General Audience

Mary Cummins asked for explanation for the TIF Agreement at Doug Sherf and Lori Mostad's building. She also asked if Alderman Risko completed the Ethics Requirement, Alderman Risko responded yes. She asked the Mayor why her Ethics complaint went unnoticed when she complained. Mayor said he spoke with Risko and that was the end of it. City Attorney Tim Zollinger asked Mary Cummins if this was a formal complaint? No, it was verbal. Attorney Zollinger said she would need to make a formal complaint.

Adjournment to Executive Session:

Alderman Elliott made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:58 pm and Alderman Soenksen seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Ellott, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes. Vote: 6 yeses, and 0 nos.

Motion carried.

Returned from Executive Session at 8:24 p.m.

Mayor Bates spoke about the Letter to the Editor from Bob Sievert regarding keeping the Kraft Building and moving City Hall there. Discussion made to move forward and see what kind of response we get and we can decide at a later.

Adjourn

Alderman Elliott made a motion to adjorn at 8:31 p.m. and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Risko, yes Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Soenkeson, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes. Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

https://cms3.revize.com/revize/mountcarrollil/Documents/Government/City%20Council/Minutes/2024/Meeting%20Minutes%202024-06-25.pdf