NW Illinois News

City of Mt. Carroll City Council met April 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Alderman Paul Kaczmarski called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

Roll Call: Mayor Carl Bates, absent, Alderman Doug Bergren, present, Alderman Jeff Elliott, present, Alderman Paul Kaczmarski, present, Alderman Mike Risko, absent, Alderman Jeff Soenksen, present, Jody Wolber, present.

Alderman Doug Bergren led the Pledge of Allegiance

Mary Boelkens gave the Invocation

Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve the minutes from the March 25, 2025 Regular City Council meeting Alderman Wolber seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Risko, absent Vote: 5 yeses, 0 no’s and 1 absent. Motion carried.

Alderman Elliott made a motion to authorize the payments of 225claims Payables for $28,959.73 and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes and Alderman Risko, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 0 no’s and 1 absent. Motion carried.

Bank Account Balances: $3,988,096.64

Streets

Superintendent Eric Dauphin reported they have been street sweeping, filling potholes and doing some spring clean-up. Once weather gets warmer, we will start on the tubes that need to be put in. Met with David Handel from Erickson Paving on the cost of asphalting Rapp Street by the Library. The estimated cost will be around $28,000.00. City Clerk Lisa Dauphin said we will be attending a MFT meeting at the County Building with IDOT tomorrow and we are going to ask how we can use MFT funds for this project. Had the breaks done on the 2007 dump truck. Thank You for putting back up the speed limit sign in front of the new USDA building. The Council thanked Superintendent Dauphin for all his years of work for the City and wished him well. Also, there will be cake served after the meeting to celebrate his retirement.

Police

Reviewed monthly police report. We have had a few nibbles of the 2019 Tahoe since moving it up by the Fire Station. Getting closer to having the new body and car cameras in use as we had a conference call about the installation process today.

Davis Community Center

Director Bandemer gave an update on upcoming events for this month. The Spring Fling Market held last weekend doubled in revenue, we had 45 vendors and a few hundred people attended. Getting the Summer camps ready for sign up. Received a $12,000.00 grant for kid programs to use. We are also working with the School District to plant a tree near the Davis Community Center.

Finance

Recommendation to pay accounts 25 claims for $28,959.73. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Risko, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 0 no’s and 1 absent. Motion carried.

A. Recommendation to approve Davis Community Center Operation Fund budget. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Risko, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 0 no’s and 1 absent. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve a Donation for the Farmers Market Music: Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve the request of a donation of $1,400.00 and Alderman Wolber seconded. Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Risko, absent Vote: 5 yeses, 0 no’s and 1 absent. Motion carried.

2. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve a Roadblock Permit from the Mount Carroll Chamber of Commerce for Farmers Market, May 24, 2025 through October 25, 2025: Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to approve the Roadblock Permit and Alderman Soenksen seconded. Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Risko, absent Vote: 5 yeses, 0 no’s and 1 absent. Motion carried.

3. Discussion and Possible Action to approve Ordinance No. 2025-04-01, Ordinance Increasing Water, Sewer and Garbage Rates: Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2025-04-01 and Alderman Soenksen seconded. Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Risko, absent Vote: 5 yeses, 0 no’s and 1 absent. Motion carried.

4. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve the Employee Health Insurance Renewal Rate: Alderman Kaczmarski made the motion to approve the employee health insurance renewal with United Healthcare and Alderman Elliott seconded. Alderman Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Elliott, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Risko, absent Vote: 5 yeses, 0 no’s and 1 absent. Motion carried.

5. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve the Health Insurance Benefit Rates to Amend the Employee Handbook: Alderman Elliott made the motion to approve and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Risko, absent Vote: 5 yeses, 0 no’s and 1 absent. Motion carried.

Public Comment

Randy Remrey asked the Council to consider purchasing equipment to have the Council Meetings recorded. He spoke with the City of Morrison and the use 360 Owl and the estimated cost is around $1,000.00.

Correspondence

1. Sinnissippi Center’s Annual “Gathering for Good” Fundraiser Invitation 2. Business Owners Lunch & Learn with NWILED on April 30, 205

Adjournment

Alderman Elliott made the motion to adjourn the meeting 7:43 pm and Alderman Bergren seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes and Alderman Risko, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 0 no’s and 1 absent Motion carried.

https://cms3.revize.com/revize/mountcarrollil/Documents/Government/City%20Council/Minutes/2025/4-8-25%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf