NW Illinois News

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

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, absent, Alderman Jeff Soenksen, present, Jody Wolber, absent.

Alderman Bergren led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Karen Kromer gave the Invocation

Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve the minutes from the August 13, 2024 Regular City Council meeting Alderman Kaczmarsi seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Aldermena Risko, absent, and Alderman Wolber, absent. Vote: 4 yeses, 2 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to authorize the payments of 24 claims Payables for $262,423.09 with Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Risko, absent, Alderman Wolber, absent. Vote: 4 yeses, 2 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Bank Account Balances $3,983,374.56.

Water and Sewer

Superintendent Jonathan Armstrong reported the pool is drained and winterized and will be pressure washed this fall. We will also be taking out the trees to help reduce the algea for next year. Shimer Square Tie-In is completed and will be doing the pressure test soon. Alex Handel took his Class 2 test today. Materials for the new USDA and Daycare buildings are ordered. Conducted pressure test for the watermain phase 3 project. There was a watermain break up on Jefferson Street. Will do hyrdant flushing in October and will need an ad in the paper at the end of September. Well #3 is that last to have maintenance done. Plan to replae a fire hyrdrant on Washington Avenue.

Finance

Recommendation to pay accounts 24 payables for a total of $262,423.09, Chairman Kaczmarski reported he spoke with City Treasurer, Amy Schneider and with the new software it would be easier to consolidate all accounts into 1 checking, leaving MFT, TIF and the Davis Center accounts alone. Recommendation was made by Alderman Elliott and seconded by Alderman Soenksen. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Risko, absent, Alderman Wolber, absent. Vote: 4 yeses, 2 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Discussion and Possible Action to approve the additional paving of South Mill Street: Alderman Elliott said we discussed this in length at the Finance Meeting and we just don’t have the funds to do it. Jared Fluhr from MSA spoke to the Council that if we only do 1 coat that it will cut the costs. Alderman Elliott said it doesn’t matter if it costs 60,000 or 20,000 we just don’t have the funds. Alderman Elliott made a motion to not proceed paving South Mill Street and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Aldermena Risko, absent, and Alderman Wolber, absent. Vote: 4 yeses, 2 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Discussion and Possible Action for Odinance NO. 2024-08-01, Ordinance Amending the Zoning Map to Reclassify Property at 209 South College Street (#05-09-06-303-020) owned by Kelly and Elizabeth Straight from R2 Residential to R2 Residential with a Special Use Permit of Home Based Business College Street Creations: Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2024-08-01 and Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderma Soenksen, yes, Alderman Risko, absent, Alderman Wolber, absent. Vote: 4 yeses, 2 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

2. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Pay Application #3 for Water Improvement Project Phase 3: MSA $27,205 & Law Excavating $229,968 Total $257,173 : Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to approve Pay Application #3 and Alderman Soenksen seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Risko, absent, Alderman Wolber, absent. Vote: 4 yeses, 2 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

3. Discussion and Possible Action for Change Order #1 for Phase 3 Water Main Replacements- Mill Street and review weekly updates from MSA: Alderman Elliott made at motion to approve Change Order #1 and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Risko, absent, Alderman Wolber, absent. Vote: 4 yeses, 2 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

4. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Roadblock Permit from the Mt. Carroll Chamber of Commerce for Pumpkin Fest: Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to approve the Road Block and Alderman Soenksen seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Risko, absent, Alderman Wolber, absent. Vote: 4 yeses, 2 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

5. Discussion and Possible Action for a Donatin from the Mt. Carroll Chamber of Commerce for the Pumpkin Fest: Alderman Kaczmarksi made a motion to donate a $100.00 and Alderman Soenksen seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Alderman Kaczmarski, yes,, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes Alderman Risko, absent, Alderman Wolber, absent. Vote: 4 yeses, 2 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

6. Discussion and Possible Action for a Donation for the 13th Annual Walking to Gro Fundraiser: Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to donate $50.00 and Alderman Bergen seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Risko, absent, Alderman Wolber, absent. Vote: 4 yeses, 2 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

7. Discussion and Possible Action for Russell Construction Pay Application #19 for $51,358.36: Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to approve pay application #19 and Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Risko, absent, Alderman Wolber, absent. Vote: 4 yeses, 2 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

8. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Ordinance No. 2024-08-02, Ordinance Authorizing Execution of Loan Agreement with Mount Carroll Banking Center (State Bank of Pearl City) to assist with purchase of Police Vehicle: Jeff Soenksen made a motion to approve the loan with Mount Carroll Banking Center and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Risko, absent, Alderman Wobler, absent. Vote: 4 yeses, 2 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

9. Discussion and Possible action to Approve Ordinance No. 2024-08-02, Ordinance Authorizing Execution of Loan Agreement with First State Bank of Shannon-Polo to Assist with Operating Funds for the Davis Community Center: Alderman Elliott voiced his concerns regarding the loan. Alderman Kaczmarski said we talked at length about this situation in the Finance Meeting. Alderman Bergren made a motion to approve Ordinance 2024-08-03 and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Elliott, NO, Alderman Risko, absent, Alderman Wolber, absent. Vote: 3 yeses, 2 absent and 1 nos. Motion carried

General Audience

Alderman Elliott asked about Law Excavating dumping dirt and materials on Market/Mill Street and that the gaurdrail has been taken out. Mayor Bates said he would talk with City Attorney Zollinger and Law Excavating.

Brian Krull aquired about the Kraft Building updates and Agenda item #9 Davis Center Operating Loan

Correspondence:

1. Northwest Illinois 2024 Annual Social Bask

2. NWILED 2024 Manufacturing & Trades Day

Adjornment to Executive Session

Alderman Soenksen made the motion to adjourn into Executive Session to discuss Litigation at 8:00 pm and Alderman Bergren seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Risko, absent, Alderman Wolber, absent. Vote: 4 yeses, 2 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Returned to Open Session at 8:17 p.m. No action was taken

Adjornment

Alderman Elliott made the motion to adjourn the meeting 8:18 pm and Alderman Bergen seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Elliott, Kaczmarski, Alderman Risko, absent, Alderman Wolber, absent. Vote: 4 yeses, 2 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

https://cms3.revize.com/revize/mountcarrollil/Documents/Government/City%20Council/Minutes/2024/Meeting%20Minutes%202024-08-27.pdf