NW Illinois News

City of Mt. Carroll City Council met May 27.

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 Amy Buss, present, Alderman Jeff Elliott, present, Alderman Paul Kaczmarski, present, Alderman Jeff Soenksen, present, Alderman Jody Wolber, present.

Alderman Buss led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Karen Kromer gave the Invocation.

Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve the minutes from the May 13, 2025 Regular City Council meeting, Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes. Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to authorize the payments of accounts payable in the amount of $43,251.76, Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Risko, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes. Vote: 6 yeses, and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Water and Sewer Committee:

Superintendent Jonathan Armstrong reported the Pool is filled and ready to go. Spoke to several companies about painting the liner and they all advised against it. Had to replace a valve in swimming pool parking lot. Will be digging up a sewer on College Street by Lyle Eaton’s residence. The sewer trash pump needs to be replaced, the is around $1,500.00 and was included in this year’s budget to replace. Starting to get rust on the van & pick-up truck. Mayor asked Armstrong to make sure the water fountain is turned on at Percy Park for the basketball league starting next week.

Finance Committee:

Recommendation to pay 25 accounts payable for a total of $43, 251.76

NEW BUSINESS

1. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Ordinance No. 2025-05-03, Ordinance Amending Title 5 Chapter 3 of the City Code to Provide for Penalties/Fines for Failure to Comply with Weed and Mowing of Grass Orders: Alderman Ellott made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2025-05-03 and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes. Vote:6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

2. Discussion and Approval for Resolution R4-2025, Resolution to Change Signatures at TBK Bank, Removing Mike Risko and Adding Jeff Soenksen: Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve Resolution R4-2025 and Alderman Wolber seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes. Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

3. Discussion and Possible Action for Ordinance No. 2025-05-04, Ordinance Amending Title 8, Chapter 5, Section 5, to Further Outline Parking Restrictions for Commercial Vehicles (Inclusive of Recreational Vehicles): Alderman Soenksen made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2025-005-04, Alderman Wolber seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Buss, yes. Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

4. Discussion and Possible Action on IDOT Transportation Grant Opportunity: Mayor Bates reported Jared Fluhr with MSA, called and said he believes this is a great opportunity to fix Jackson Street, Rapp Street and Benton Street and we should apply. Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to approve for MSA to assist with applying for the Grant and Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Buss yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes. Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Adjourn to Executive Session for Discussion of the Setting of a Price for the Sale of Surplus Property of 302 N. Main Street (PIN# 05-08-01-401-021) at 7:42 p.m. Alderman Elliott made a motion for adjourn and go into executive session and Alderman Soenksen seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Buss, yes. Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Returned to Open Session at 8:06 p.m.

5. Discussion and Possible Action on the Sale of the Kraft Building, 302 N. Main Street (PIN# 05-08- 01-401-021): Alderman Elliott accept the bid off and the propose Contract for $159,900.00. Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Wolber, NO, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Buss, yes. Vote: 5 yeses and 1 nos. Motion carried.

Public Comment

Alderman Wolber said he has spoken with former Alderman Mike Risko and he plans to still head the Save the Stones and will let him know if ever needs anything. Wolber also reported that the Car Show held on the past Sunday had 115 cars, the most they have ever had.

Adjornment

Alderman Elliott made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:08 pm, Alderman Soenksen seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Kaczmarksi, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes. Vote: 6 yeses and 0 nos. Motion carried.

https://cms3.revize.com/revize/mountcarrollil/Documents/Government/City%20Council/Minutes/2025/5-27-25%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf