NW Illinois News

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

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

Alderman Amy Buss led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mary Boelkens gave the invocation.

Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve the Minutes from the July 22, 2025 Regular City Council meeting, Alderman Wolber seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, absent, Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Alderman Elliott made a motion to authorize the payments of 51 accounts payable in the amount of $443,331.78, Alderman Wolber seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Financial Report: Bank Balances total $4,544,520.89

Streets Committee: Street Department Foreman Mark Traum wanted to thank Eric Eberle and the American Legion for donating and installing 2 new grills at the park. We have been busy cold patching roads after all the rain. Tyler and Dillion repaired the playground equipment at the front of the park. Hauled in 20 ton of cold patch on Madison Street to get it back up to where it should be. Foreman Traum told the Council that on Madison Street going into Silk Street has had trouble with rain water running down into the homes. He plans to put in 250 of gutter with a drop box grate on top at Silk and Jackson Street, estimated cost is going to be around $3,500.00, which we have in the budget. Talked about fixing the issue with water standing on the road at the park, will shaving off the sod the sides of the streets so it runs into the drainage ditch.

Police Committee: Alderman Bergren reviewed the Police Report for June 2025. The replacement Durango has arrived and waiting for it to be outfitted with equipment. Maria Krull asked if the City is prepared for when Shimer Square Apartments and Daycare open and with the High School now in Mt. Carroll. Chief Cass said we are prepared; we work with the SAR at the school and we wait to see what changes the apartments and daycare bring and handle it from there.

Finance Committee: Recommendation to pay 51 accounts payable for a total of $443,331.78.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Ordinance No. 2025-08-01, Ordinance Amending Title 4 to Modify Fee Provisions Relating to Mobile Food Vendors: Clerk Dauphin said that we amending the fee from $100.00 to $25.00. Alderman Soenksen made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 20205-08-01 and Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

2. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Ordinance No. 2025-08-04, Ordinance Amending Prior Ordinance which adopted a Grocery Retailers’ Occupation Tax and Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax for the City of Mount Carroll. Alderman Soenksen made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2025-08-04 and Alderman Bergren seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

3. Discussion and Possible Action to Accept Bids on Surplus Property at 105 W. Washington Street, Mount Carroll, IL 61053 (PIN 05-08-01-402-020). Deadline to accept bids will August 26, 2025 4:00 p.m. with bid opening at the Council Meeting August 26, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. Mayor Bates reported that he received the Appraisal this afternoon and it appraised at $2,500.00 and we have to sell it with the minimum price being 80% of appraised price, making the minimum bid $2,000.00. Alderman Bergren made a motion to approve accepting bids and Alderman Elliott Seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

General Audience:

Alderman Buss reminded that there will be a License and Ordinance Meeting held on August 19, 2025 9:00 a.m. at City Hall.

Correspondence

1. Carroll and Jo Daviess County Job Fair August 20, 2025 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Davis Community Davis Center

2. Tyler’s Justice Center for Children Gala, November 1, 2025 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. in Galena, IL. Tickets are $75.00.

3. Northern Illinois Mayors’ Association Meeting August 21, 2025 6:00 p.m. at the Davis Community Center.

Adjournment: Alderman Elliott made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:43 p.m., Alderman Bergren seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

https://cms3.revize.com/revize/mountcarrollil/Documents/Government/City%20Council/Minutes/2025/8-12-25%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf?t=202508221727180&t=202508221727180