NW Illinois News

City of Mt. Carroll City Council met Nov. 12.

Here are the minutes 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 Jody Wolber led the Pledge of Allegiance

Invocation was led by Mary Boelkens

Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve the minutes from the October 22, 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 41 claims payable for $82,687.18, 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 $4,016,135.15

Ordinances and License

Chairman Alderman Elliott asked if anyone had any questions or changes on any of the presented Ordinances.

1. Ordinance 2024-11-01, Grocery Tax, no changes. Ordinance 2024-11-02, Hotel/Motel Tax, Treasurer Amy Schneider will review with City Attorney before next meeting. Ordinance 2024-11-03, Unlawful Parking, no changes. Ordinance 2024-11-04, Lot Alterations and Building Permits. Alderman Risko asked to remove the sentence in Section 2C, “on more than two (2) occasions within a twenty four (24) month period. I feel that if that can’t follow the ordinance when asked as a business than it should apply right away. Recommendation was made to remove that sentence. Ordinance 2024-11- 05, Mobile Food Vendors. Alderman Soenksen brought up that in section 4-11-3 H #1, Double parking is not allowed. He said some of the food trucks are double wide and would need the extra room. Recommendation made to add “prior approval received by Mayor or Police Chief.

2. Recommendations for Permit Ordinance Violations: Alderman Risko asked Attorney Zollinger what are our options for the said person not following the process. Attorney Zollinger said you can fine him now without going to court. Risko responded that he just thumbs his nose at us and continues to do what he wants. We have a Cease and Disist Order and he continued to work on the project. Didn’t complete his Lot Alteration Permit Application and was denied by the Zoning Officers. Consensus was to proceed to prosecute him through the court.

Streets

Under Committees, Street Superintendent Eric Dauphin reported they need to have a new furnance put in building for the front office and have an estimate from Plattenberger Plumbing and Heating. Consunsus to have Plattenberger’s install a new furnance. Street sweeper needed a new hydraulic hose. Plan to get the trucks ready for snow removal. Alderman Elliott reported that the rain still backs up on Clay Street by the Lutheran Church; Mayor Bates said he would talk to the State of Illinois about the issue. Maria Krull asked if the ditch in front of their property on Mill Street was going to be fixed? That is not part of the Watermain Phase 3 Project.

Police

Reviewed monthly Police Report. Chief Cass said he is looking at replicating the Durango decal work. They were able to piece together with parts from other departments to get the camera working. Alderman Bergren said we need to look into getting new ones before the January 1, 2024 mandate. City Clerk Dauphin said she reached out to Jill Pepin on finding grants to help with the cost.

Davis Community Center

Director Bandemer reported that wrestling and basketball practices have started using the gym. We had great attendance at the Halloween parade and holiday fair. Online apparel has started. We are now the host for a vision machine purchased by the Lions Club. The Lion’s Club will also be hosting a

hearing and vision test on December 4th at the DCC. Mini Food Center is staying very busy and we received a sizable donation this week. Boss Roofing will be here on Saturday to check the leaks on the roofs.

Finance

Recommendation to pay 41 accounts payable claims for a total of $82,687.18.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Discussion and Possible Action on the selling of the 2019 Tahoe: Chief Cass told the Council that the website we were going to use to sell the Tahoe did not have a reserve. Mayor Bates said I think we should put it out for bids and see what we get. Alderman Elliott made a motion to declare the 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe surplus property and to take bids for sale and Alderman Risko seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

2. Discussion and Possible Action on MSA Amdenment #1 for the Watermain Project Phase 3 Mill Street Extension: Alderman Risko asked why we the City have to pay for the extension when Law Excavating is not showing up and doing the work. Mayor Bates said that all projects get extented. Alderman Risko made a motion to table the Amemdent until we get more information and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, Alderman Elliott, yes, Soenksen, yes, Bergren, yes, Wolber, yes,. Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

3. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Ordinance 2024-11-06, An Ordinance Levying Taxes for all Corporate Purposes for the City of Mount Carroll, Carroll County, Illinois, for the Fiscal Year beginning May 1, 2024 and ending April 30, 2025: Alderman Risko made a motion to approve ordinance No. 2024-11-06 and Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Soenksen, yes, Bergren, yes, Wolber, yes, Kaczmarski, yes. Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Public Comment:

Amy Buss shared the Rotary Club is hosting a Trivia Night on November 23, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. held at Timberlake Playhouse, $20.00 a team.

Bill Hilgendorf reported that Forster Court Apartments are replacing all heating, A/C, windows and roof.

Correspondence

1. MSA Water Main Project Phase 3 Weekly Updates

2. Girl Scout Cookie Sales will start on January 3, 2025.

3. Drawings on Mount Carroll historic buildings from Dan Smith

Adjourn to Executive Session:

Alderman Elliott made a motion to adjourn to executive session and Alderman Wolber seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Soenksen, yes, Bergren, yes, Wolber, yes, Risko, yes, Kaczmarski, yes. Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Returned to Open Session at 8:08 p.m.

4. Discussion and Possible Action on Pending Litigation: Alderman Risko made a motion to reject the current offer and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, Alderman Elliott, yes, Soenksen, yes, Bergren, yes, Wolber, yes. Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Adjournment

Alderman Elliott made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m., Alderman Soenksen seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes. Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

https://cms3.revize.com/revize/mountcarrollil/Documents/Government/City%20Council/Minutes/2024/Meeting%20Minutes%202024-11-12.pdf