NW Illinois News

City of Mt. Carroll City Council met Aug. 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 Amy Buss, present, Alderman Jeff Elliott, present, Alderman Paul Kaczmarski, present, Alderman Jeff Soenksen, present, Alderman Jody Wolber, absent.

Alderman Kaczmarski led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Bob Hatheway gave the Invocation.

Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve the minutes from the August 12, 2025 Regular City Council meeting, Alderman Soenksen seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Wolber, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to authorize the payments of accounts payable in the amount of $67,336.43 Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Wolber, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Financial Report: $4,120,298.71

Water and Sewer Committee:

Superintendent Jonathan Armstrong reported of a water main leak on Mill Street, good thing about it was it was in the grass and we didn’t have to dig up the new pavement. The abandoning of the old school water line and replacement of hydrant on Benton and Main went very smooth. Pool pump had to be rebuilt and needed a new motor to get back running to finish the year, which will close on August 31, 2025. Armstrong also made a list of the what would be needed to bring the pool up to date and will make copies for everyone to have. Two quotes for replacing the transducers at the WWTP. First one will be to replace as is, will be $6,800.00 and the second is the newer version at $11,200.00. Water and Sewer Chairman Soenksen said he would like to do some research to decide between the two. Received two quotes for the Electrical Testing at the WWTP; MSA $6,350.00 and Morse Electric $4,677.00. Recommendation was made to approve the quote from Morse Electric.

Alderman Elliott made the motion to approve the recommendation and Alderman Soenksen seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Wolber, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Davis Community Center:

Director Nancy Bandemer spoke of the busy summer programs and what was happening in the Fall. 24-hour gym access has started and already have 50 members signed up in the first 3 weeks. Trivia Night fundraiser will be on September 27, Blood Drive and Harvest Hustle in October. Thank you to the community that helped supply with the kid meals for the summer.

Finance Committee:

Recommendation to pay 32 accounts payable for a total of $67,336.43.

A. Matt Schueler from WIPFLI reviewed the 2024-2025 Audit. Recommendation to approve 2024-2025 Audit. Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to approve the recommendation and Alderman Bergren seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Wolber, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

B. Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve the minutes from the July 29, 2025 Finance Meeting and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Seonksen, yes, Alderman Wolber, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Update from Economic Growth Corporation on Shimer Square and Honey Bee Child Development center at Shimer Square: Beth Payne spoke that they nearing completion are hope to hold an open house in September or October. Applications are open again and are available online. Susan Peterson from the 4 C’s daycare center operator told the council what 4 C’s does for the 60 spots available for the kids that will be attending the daycare center. Also, what the process left to do for them to open up possibly in December or January. Job openings are posted online for anyone who would like to apply. Hours will be 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for children 6 weeks old to 5 years old.

2. Discussion and Possible Action to approve a Roadblock Application for the Percy Park League to close the 200 block of State Road and 400 Block Jackson Street from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during Percy Fest on September 13, 2025: Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to approve the Roadblock Application and Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Wolber, absent. 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

3. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve a Roadblock Application for Mt. Carroll Pub & Gaming to close off a section of sidewalk and parking spaces on Market Street from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. during Pumpkin Fest on October 25, 2025. Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve the Roadblock Application and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Wolber, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

4. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve a Roadblock Application for the Mt. Carroll Chamber of Commerce to close off 7 Parking spaces on Main Street from 7:00 a., to 2:00 p.m. and Main Street from Rapp to Market from 12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. during Pumpkin Fest on October 25, 2025: Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to approve the Roadblock application and Alderman Soenksen seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Wolber, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

5. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Ordinance No. 2025-08-05, Ordinance Amending Title 8, Chapter 10, Section 4, of the City of Mount Carroll City Code to modify age and equipment requirements of non-highway vehicles: Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2025-08-05 and Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Wolber, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

6. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Ordinance No. 2025-08-06, Ordinance Amending Title 12, Chapter 7, Section 17, to add a new Subsection (E) permitting first floor apartments by special use permit in the C-2 Downtown Commerce District: Alderman Soenksen made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2025-08-06 and Alderman Buss seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Wolber, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

7. Discussion and Possible action to donate to the Mt. Carroll Fire Department for the Les Myers Golf Tournament to raise funds for the continued improvements to the NW Carroll County Fire Training Center: Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve a donation of $100.00 and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Wolber, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

8. Discussion and Possible Action to donate to the Mount Carroll Chamber of Commerce for Pumpkin Fest: Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to approve a donation of $100.00 and Alderman Soenksen seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Wolber, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

9. Discussion and Possible Action to Donate to the Carroll County Transit for their Annual Fall Pork Chop Fundraiser: Discussion to donate supplies off the list provided not to exceed $100.00 rather than doing a cash donation. Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to donate supplies not to exceed $100.00 and Alderman Soenksen seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Wolber, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

10. Bid Opening, Discussion and Possible Action to Accept a Bid for the Sale of Property Located at 105 W. Washington Street, Mount Carroll, IL 61053, PIN: 05-008-01-402-020. Mayor Bates asked for the bids received from the City Clerk and reminded the Council the minimum bid is $2,000.00. Clerk Dauphin said we only had one bid dropped off. Mayor Bates opened the bid from Grant and Nancy Bandemer for the amount $2,900.00. Alderman Elliott made a motion to accept the bid of $2,900.00 from Grant and Nancy Bandemer and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Wolber, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Public Comment

No Public Comment

Correspondence:

1. Fall Festival at Allure of Mt. Carroll on September 28, 2025 from 11am to 2pm Adjourn to Executive Session for Discussion of Personal at 8:11 p.m.

Return to Open Session at 8:36 p.m.

Adjournment

Alderman Elliott made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:36 pm, Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Soenksen, yes, Alderman Wolber, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

https://www.mtcarrollil.org/government/city_council/minutes.php