NW Illinois News

City of Mt. Carroll City Council met Nov. 26.

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

Alderman Jeff Soenksen led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Jeff Davis gave the Invocation

Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve the minutes from the November 12, 2024 Regular City Council meeting Alderman Risko seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, and Alderman Kaczmarski, absent, Alderman Soenksen, yes. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Alderman Elliott made a motion to authorize the payments of 30 claims Payables for $452,265.80 and Alderman Risko seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, absent, Alderman Soenksen, yes. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Bank Account Balances $4,613,890.72.

Water and Sewer

Superintendent Jonathan Armstrong thanked the Council for the new sewer Jetter, we have used it a couple of times now for maintenance and it is going to help a lot. Replaced a fire hydrant on Washington Avenue to help with issues of the water quality.

Phase 3 punch list is complete just need to test the continuity yet. Well #3 issues are within the budget and photos were shown to the Council. Well #3 has been only running at 50% consistency.

Finance

Recommendation to pay accounts 30 payables for a total of $452,265.80. A. Open bids for demolition of the Vacant Property at 105 W. Washington Street: 1st Bid was from Matt Kleckner for $8,650.00 with just dirt and $10,900.00 with rock. 2nd Bid was from Tautz Excavating for $6,400.00 plus $1,000.00 more if needed for dirt and leveling. Consensus was made to go with the lower bid from Tautz Excavating for bids for demolition. Will add to the Agenda for the next Council Meeting

Old Business

1. Discussion and Possible Action on MSA Amendment #1 Watermain Project Phase 3 Extension: Alderman Risko asked Jared Fluhr from MSA if the extension is due to Law Excavating not working on site and should Law Excavating be paying for the extension? Jared said every project runs behind schedule for many reasons, weather or equipment and supply issues. City Attorney Zollinger spoke that this contract has nothing to do with the contractor at this point, this is a contract with MSA, at a later time when the project closes is when you would decide if they were responsible for the extension. Alderman Risko made a Motion to approve the extension and Alderman Soenksen seconded. Roll Call Vote Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Soenksen, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes and Alderman Kaczmarski, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Discussion and Possible Action to Amend Ordinance No. 2024-08-02, Ordinance Amending Authorizing Execution of Loan Agreement with Mount Carroll Banking Center (Pearl City State Bank) to assist the purchase of Police Vehicle, Amending the amount from $60,000.00 to the full amount of $70,424.62: Alderman Risko made a motion to approve Amended Ordinance 2024-08-02 and Alderman Soenksen seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes and Alderman Kaczmarksi, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

2. Discussion and Possible Action to Amend Ordinance No 2024-11-06 Amending Ordinance Levying for Taxes for the city of Mount Carroll, Carroll County, Illinois, for the Fiscal Year Beginning May 1, 2024 and Ending April 30, 2025: City Clerk Dauphin told the Council that when she spoke with County Clerk Amy Buss in further detail that we could set with the max rate at this time and were able to raise the preliminary levy $17,100.00. Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve amending Ordinance No. 2024-11-06 and Alderman Risko seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott yes, Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes and Alderman Kaczmarski, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

3. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Ordinance No. 2024-11-01, Ordinance Amending Title 3, Chapter 3 to Implement a Municipal Grocery Retailers Occupation Tax and Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax for the City of Mount Carroll: Alderman Risko made at motion to approve Ordinance No. 2024-11-01 and Alderman Bergen seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes and Alderman Kaczmarski, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

4. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Ordinance No. 2024-11-02, Ordinance Amending Title 3 by Addition of New code Provisions to Adopt and Implement a Hotel/Motel Tax: Alderman Elliott made a motion to Approve Ordinance 2024-11-02 and Alderman Risko seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Risko, yes Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes and Alderman Kaczmarski, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

5. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Ordinance No. 2024-11-03, Ordinance Amending Title 8, Chapter 5, Section 7, to Implement New Fees or Penalties Related to Unlawful Parking: Alderman Risko made a motion to Approve Ordinance No. 2024-11- 03, and Alderman Soenksen seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes and Alderman Kaczmarski, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

6. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Ordinance No. 2024-11-04, Ordinance Amending Title 11, Chapter 1, Section 1 (Lot Alteration) and Issue Building Permit Fees: Alderman Risko made a motion to Approve Ordinance No. 2024-11-04 and Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes and Alderman Kaczmarski, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

7. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Ordinance No. 2024-11-05, Ordinance Amending Title 4 to Adopt Provisions Relating to Mobile Food Vendors by an Addition of a New Chapter 11: Alderman Bergren made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2024-11-05 and Alderman Soenksen seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes and Alderman Kaczmarski absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion Carried.

8. Discussion and Possible Action on a request from Republic Services to change the Citywide Garbage Collection Day from Tuesday to Wednesday: Alderman Risko asked why are we being asked to change it has always been Tuesdays, maybe we should get feedback from the residents as to what they think. Alderman Risko made a motion to table this item and Alderman Bergren seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes and Alderman Kaczmarski, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion Carried.

9. Discussion and Possible Action to Hire Part-Time Police Officers Ryan Guenzler and Justin Hackbarth: Alderman Bergren made a motion to approve hiring Ryan Guenzler and Justin Hackbarth and Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Risko, yes and Alderman Kaczmarski, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion Carried.

10. Discussion and Possible Action to Implement and Employee Discount for Room Rental at the Davis Community Center: Alderman Risko asked why when we are trying to make the Davis Center profitable would we take away revenue? What does Director Bandemer think about this request? Mayor Bates said he didn’t ask her and that we had a discount for the Kraft Building so I thought we would continue that discount at the Davis Center. Alderman Risko said this should be tabled and brought up to the Finance Committee and Director Bandemer to discuss for financial reasons. Alderman Risko made a motion to table this item and Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Bergren, no, Alderman Wolber, no, Alderman Soenksen, yes and Alderman Kaczmarski, absent. Vote: 3 yeses, 1 absent and 2 nos. Motion Carried.

11. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve 2024 TIF Payments: Alderman Soenksen made a motion to approve all 2024 TIF Payments and Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Risko, yes and Alderman Kaczmarski, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion Carried.

12. Discussion and Possible Action to Cancel the Regular City Council Meeting on December 24, 2024 and have the Finance Committee approve the Accounts Payables to be paid. Alderman Risko made a motion to cancel the December 24, 2024 and Alderman Soenksen seconded. Roll Call vote: Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes and Alderman Kaczmarski, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion Carried.

Public Comment

None

Correspondence

1. JCE CO-OP starting ROW Service Work in Mount Carroll

Adjournment

Alderman Elliott made the motion to adjourn the meeting 8:02 pm and Alderman Risko seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, , Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, absent 1 and 0 nos. Motion carried.

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