NW Illinois News

City of Mt. Carroll City Council met May 13.

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

Alderman Risko led the Pledge of Allegiance

Invocation was led by Sophia Anderson

Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve the minutes from the April 22, 2025 Regular City Council meeting and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Kaczmarski, yes, Bergren, yes, Wolber, yes, Soenksen, yes, Risko, yes. Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to authorize the payments of 37 claims payable for $64,850.57 Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski yes, Elliott, yes, Bergren, yes, Wolber, yes, Risko, yes, Soenksen, yes. Vote: 6 yeses, and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Mayor Bates reported the bank account balances were totaling $4,025,288.17 as of May 13, 2025

Streets

Under Committees, Street Chairman reported they had a tree down in the back of the park the are working on cleaning up. Filling dirt at the property by the pool house and will be painting lines downtown and hopefully replacing the bricks from the watermain break this week. Cemetery mowing started and we have had lots of compliments on how nice it looks.

Police

Reviewed monthly Police Report and Chief Cass and Police Chairman Bergren discussed the Durango not in service yet from the accident. Chief Cass said he hasn’t had the time to go out and talk with Northwest Auto Body but will try to do so tomorrow. Body camera training is almost complete. Due to the lack of working plug-ins for charging the cameras, Herrell Electric updated the breaker box from fuses to a breaker system.

Davis Community Center

Director Bandemer thanked the class of 1965 for their donations of 2 benches for out front. Also, thanked the Kaczmarski’s for their donation of a bench for the patio in honor their 50Th Anniversary. Signed the contract with Daxko today for us to be open 24 hours, may take up to 45 days to be ready for the public. Excited for the upcoming camps this summer and we are getting the 2nd Annual Harvest Hustle 5K planned. Room rental brochures have been updated with the new rates and the information for liquor permits.

Finance

Recommendation to pay 37 accounts payable for a total of $64,850.57.

A. West Carroll High School request for watering the football field: Recommendation to not charge for watering the football field. Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve the recommendation and Alderman Wolber seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

B. Discussion and possible Recommendation regarding bank terms to borrow $376,000.00 for the Shimer Square Daycare Center commitment with Economic Growth: Council agreed that First State Bank of Shannon was lowest rate at 4.25%. Recommendation to sign loan with First State Bank of Shannon at 4.25% for 8 years.

OLD BUSINES

1. Discussion and Possible Action on Ordinance No. 2025-05-01, An Ordinance of the City of Mount Carroll, Carroll County, Illinois, Approving a $376,000.00 loan with First State Bank of Shannon at 4.25% for 8 years. Alderman Risko made the motion to approve the recommendation and Alderman Soenksen seconded. Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Approval of Election Results of April 1, 2025, Resolutions R2-2025: Alderman Risko made a motion to approve Resolution R2-2025 and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

• Oath of Office Administered for the Newly Elected Appointments

• Second Roll Call: Roll Call: Mayor Carl Bates, present, Alderman Doug Bergren, present, Alderman Buss, present, Alderman Jeff Elliott, present, Alderman Paul Kaczmarski, present, Alderman Jeff Soenksen, present, Jody Wolber, present.

2. Discussion and Approval for Mayor Bates’s Committee Appointments: Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to approve committee appointments and Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

3. Discussions and Possible Action on Updates with West Carroll High School Board President: West Carroll Board Member Jeff Woodside thanked the Council for the donation for the track and what an amazing opportunity for these athletes and students to have such an amazing facility to practice on. Spoke of the 8th grade boys track relay won state and how Emma Randecker is having a great year and should do well at State again this year. With the changes happening we hope to be lowering the tax rate to help attract more students to West Carroll School District. President Fred Tipton said he is happy of the relationship the school has with the City and Davis Community Center and hopes we can continue it with High School coming to Mt. Carroll.

4. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Appropriation Ordinance No. 2025-05-02: Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to approve and Alderman Soenksen seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

5. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Resolution R3-2025, Resolution to return Year End Temporary Transfers: Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve Resolution R3-2025 and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

6. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve the Updated Job Descriptions for Water/Waste Water/Streets Operator and Seasonal Maintenance for the Park and Cemetery: Alderman Elliott thanked City Treasurer Amy Schneider for her hard work on updating the job descriptions for the Employee Handbook. Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve the updates and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

7. Discussion and Possible Action to Hire the Following Employees: Street Department Foreman, Chief Operator Streets & Parks, Seasonal Maintenance for cemetery and park,

Pool manager and Pool Lifeguards: Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to hire all employees on the list provided: Street Department Foreman: Mark Traum, Chief Operator Streets & Parks: Tyler Bausman, Cemetery Maintenance: Matt Updike, Park Maintenance: Bob Irons, Pool Manager: Stephanie Hughes, Lifeguards: AnnBrielle Young, Natalie Hughes, Celine Bogue, Alyson Knutti, Addyson Hartman, Olvia Kloepping, Ryker Budimlija, Justus Denomy, Winter Harrington, Brana Robertson, Riley Runions, and Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

8. Discussion and Possible Action to refer to the Planning Commission consideration of a Zoning Text Amendment permitting residential units on the first floor in the downtown business district when granted by special use permit: Mayor Bates told the Council that the Ordinance Committee agreed to make the change and allow by Special Use. This is the first step in changing it and now we discuss details of the wording with the Attorney. Alderman Soenksen made a motion to approve and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

9. Discussion and Possible Action for a Roadblock Application from Heatland Pet Welfare, Inc. at the Route 52 and Route 78 4-way on May 17 ,2025 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.: Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve the Roadblock and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

10. Discussion and Possible Action on TIF Incentive Ordinance No. 2025-05-03 with the City of Mount Carroll and Economic Growth for Shimer Square Daycare Center: Mayor Bates reviewed that the TIF Funds will pay the Loan for the $376,000.00 daycare center incentive. Alderman Kacmarski made a motion to approve and Alderman Soenksen seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

General Audience:

Alderman Bus wanted to Thank Mike Risko for his years as an Alderman and for his dedication to the city. Alderman Bergren asked what the city is going to do with the vacant homes that need to come down, especially on Pleasant Street. Mayor said we have looked into that but with the owner paying

the real estate taxes it makes it more difficult to vacate the property, the Attorney has had contact with the owner.

Correspondence

1. Thank-You card from West Carroll Education Foundation

Adjournment

Alderman Elliott made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:58 p.m., Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Risko, yes. Vote: 6 yeses, and 0 nos. Motion carried

https://cms3.revize.com/revize/mountcarrollil/Documents/Government/City%20Council/Minutes/2025/5-13-25%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf