NW Illinois News

City of Mt. Carroll City Council met Oct. 8.

Here is the agenda provided by the council:

Mayor 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, Mike Risko, present, Alderman Jeff Soenksen, present, Jody Wolber, present.

Alderman Mike Risko led the Pledge of Allegiance

Invocation was led by Rhett Simkins

Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve the minutes from the September 24, 2024 Regular City Council meeting seconded by Alderman Risko. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Risko, yes, Wolber, yes, Bergren, yes, Kaczmarski, yes, Soenksen, yes. Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to authorize the payments of 31 claims payable for $37,675.44, Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Soenksen, yes, Bergren, yes, Wolber, yes, Risko, yes. Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Mayor Bates reported the bank account balances were totaling $4,260,392.46

Streets

Under Committees, Street Superintendent Eric Dauphin reported they poured concrete on Jackson Street today for a V gutter storm run off and will be finished by Friday. Rapp Street hill by the Library is wrapping up. We have the storm runoff completed, blacktopped and got the rock put in. Talked with Erickson Paving and they are going to give me an estimate for paving the street, which they will not be able to do it until next year. Plan to continue fixing tubes until the weather changes. The 1996 backhoe cab is completely rusted out, the mechanic said he can get us a used cab and change it out for around $4,500.00. Alderman Risko asked about the Reid Law Lot Alteration Permit was coming. Superintendent Dauphin said he doesn’t have anything to with that. The Council agreed to hold a License and Ordinance Committee Meeting soon.

Police

Reviewed monthly Police Report. Chief Cass and Police Chairman Bergren reported the new tahoe will be here in a couple weeks. Mayor Bates asked the Chief why we are driving the City of Lanark’s Tahoe. Cass responded that with the Tahoe stripped of the computers and etc. they can’t drive it. The Durango brakes went out and we were waiting for parts. It is fixed and we just got it back late today.

Davis Community Center

Director Bandemer reported with the weather change we have seen an increase in memberships. Upcoming events are free community day, Silver Sneakers potluck, 5K Pumpkinfest walk/run and another pickleball tournament. She discussed purchasing a battery operated snowblower for the sidewalks, especially for the Mini Food Center. She found one at Savanna True Value for $699.00.

Acoustic sound still needs to be installed for the work out room; estimated cost is around $6500.00. Pick up for the Mini Food Center at Sauk Valley is going well and have had several voluteers to help drive and unload the items. Director Bandemer also wanted to thank Shaw’s Marketplace for their donation of 60 loaves of bread. Plus they have a donation can at the store for donations. Finance

Recommendation to pay 31 accounts payable claims for a total of $54,175.44.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve the 2023-2024 Audit: Matt Schueller from WIPFLI reviewed the Audit highlights and told the Council there was no concerns. Alderman Kaczmarski wanted to thank Amy and Lisa for their great work in the office and Alderman Risko agreed. Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to approve and Alderman Soenksen seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Risko, yes, Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

2. Discussion and Possible Action of Elected Officials Pay Increase: Mayor Bates said that he didn’t think that there needed to be an increase for the Mayor or Council but would like to have the Finance Committee review the Clerks salary since it hadn’t been increased in 2020 when we last increased ours. Council agreed no increases for Mayor or Alderman so No action was taken.

3. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve for Halloween Activites: Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to approve Halloween Activites expenses not exceed $400.00 and Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Soenksen, yes, Bergren, yes, Wolber, yes, Risko, yes. Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

General Audience:

Alderman Risko update that the Kraft Building as been shown a couple times in the last month and will update again if they are interested.

Alderman Wolber asked if there could be a ban burning leaves and have street department sweep them up. People have allergies or can’t have windows open due to the burning. Mayor Bates said we had looked into getting the attachment several years agot but at the time it wasn’t feasable, but we it is time to at look into again.

Amy Buss from the Rotary announced they are hosting a walk to raise awareness for Human Trafficking on October 19, 2024.

Correspondence

1. MSA Water Main Project Phase 3 Weekly Updates

Adjournment

Alderman Elliott made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:51 p.m., Alderman Risko seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes. Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

https://cms3.revize.com/revize/mountcarrollil/Meeting%20Minutes%202024-10-08.pdf