NW Illinois News

City of Mt. Carroll City Council met July 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

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 Bergren led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Jeff Davis gave the Invocation

Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve the minutes from the July 9, 2024 Regular City Council meeting Alderman Risko seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes. Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to authorize the payments of Amdended Payables removing Russell Construction of $51, 358.36 making it 25 claims for $30,387.12 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 $3,849,306.68.

Water and Sewer

Superintendent Jonathan Armstrong gave an update on Phase 3 Water Project. Shimer Square Tie-In is almost completed and meters are ordered. Alex Handel will take his Class 2 test on August 27, 2024. We are having trouble with algea in the deep end of the pool, going to up the Chlorine and clean the liner. Fire Department Tie-In for their new extension is too late to do before IDOT does the paving, they will have to include it in their construction plans.

Finance

Recommendation to pay accounts 25 payables for a total of $30,386.99, removing the Russell Construction payable of $51,358.6. Chairman Kaczmarski reported that the Finance Committee met with First Shannon State Bank and we are leaving the investments as they are now.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Discussion and Possible Action for Resolution No. R17-2024, Resolution Authorizing Opening New Bank Accounts of the City of Mt. Carroll for Mini Fridge Donation: Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to approve Resolution No. R17-2024 and Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderma Soenksen, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes. Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

2. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Pay Application #2 for Water Improvement Project Phase 3: MSA $23.611.96 & Law Excavating $81,360.00 Total $104,971.96 : Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve Pay Application #2 and Alderman Risko seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott yes, Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Soenkeson, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes. Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

3. Discussion and Possible Action on Ordinance 2024-07-01, Ordinance Amending Title 1, Chapter 5 of the City Mount Carroll Code (Public Comment): Alderman Kaczmarski made at motion to approve Amdending Ordinance 2024-07-01 and Alderman Soenksen seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Wolber Vote: 6 yeses, and 0 nos. Motion carried.

4. Kraft Building Update: Alderman Risko asked City Attorney for the proper wording to be added to the Realtor Contract that reserves the right to not accept a bid if it’s not what the Council wants for the Kraft Building. Attorney Zollinger answered “we reserve the right to reject any or all bids or buyers”. Alderman Risko made a motion to approve to include the added wording in the contract and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Wolber, NO Vote: 5 yeses and 1 nos. Motion carried.

5. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Amended Resolution R11-2024, Façade Grant Resolution for Michelle and Ken Hubb: Small discussion was agreed that if they made ammendments to one they would have to it fall the applicants. Alderman Kaczmarksi made a motion to deny the Amended Resolution R11-2024 and Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Alderman Kaczmarski, yes,, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes. Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

6. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Resolution R18-2024, Resolution to Transfer funds from Davis Investment to Davis Operating Fund: Alderman Elliott made a motion to Table this item and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Bergren, NO, Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Vote: 5 yeses and 1 nos. Motion carried.

General Audience

Mary Cummins spoke that she did not agree with the Council not approving Michelle Hubb’s Amended Façade Grant Resolution. She also addressed the issues she is having with the some of the BDD Committee, an Alderman and Mayor, Attorney Zollinger handled the situation. Jill Bess asked the Council to consider moving Farmers Market away from the busy street of Market in front of her building and the fact that her renters have to move their vehicles every week is inconvenient.

Brian Krull asked what the criteria the Council has for the Kraft Building, what is your expectations? He also asked if the City paid for the concrete wall at the Library addition? Mayor Bates said yes we did due to the fact it’s on City Property.

Len Anderson worries that we are losing business and suggested meeting with Chamber and all Business owners.

Alderman Risko spoke about Save the Stones Event and donations.

Correspondence:

1. Mayor Bates is looking into a Sidewalk Grant through Blackhawk Hills to help repair sidewalks

Adjornment to Executive Session

Alderman Elliott made the motion to adjourn into Executive Session to discuss Litigation at 8:14 pm and Alderman Risko seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Ellott, yes, Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes. Vote: 6 yeses, and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Returned to Open Session at 8:35 p.m. No actions was taken

Adjornment

Alderman Bergren made the motion to adjourn the meeting 8:36 pm and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Bergen, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Soenksen, 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%202024-07-23.pdf