NW Illinois News

City of Mt. Carroll City Council met Oct. 14.

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, present, Alderman Jeff Soenksen, absent, Alderman Jody Wolber, present.

Alderman Jody Wolber led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Jeff Davis gave the invocation.

Alderman Elliott made a motion to approve the Amended Minutes from the September 23, 2025 Regular City Council meeting, to add in Correspondence “Mayor Bates read the DAR Proclmation” and approve the minutes from the Police Committee meeting September 23, 2025, with Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Soenksen, absent, Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to authorize the payments of 47 accounts payable in the amount of $61,420.45, Alderman Elliott seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Soenksen, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

Financial Report: Bank Balances total $4,363,334.76

Streets Committee: Street Department Chairman Elliott reported they were continuing to do cold patching. Had all 3 trucks run through shop and had repairs completed. Alderman Elliott said he would still like to see new doors put in before winter. Park road is completed and potholes filled. Swimming pool lot area is seeded down.

Police Committee: Alderman Bergren reviewed the Police Report for September 2025. Introduced Julian Benedict to the council.

Finance Committee: Recommendation to pay 47 accounts payable for a total of $61,420.45.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Discussion and Possible Action to Hire Steven Metzger as Police Chief, starting grade 14, step 3 at $31.05 an hour: Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to approve to hire Steven Metzger as Police Chief and Alderman Wolber seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Soenksen, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

2. Discussion and Possible Action to Hire Part-time Officer Zachary Plum, starting wage of $25.00 an hour: Alderman Elliott made a motion to hire Zachary Plum as a part-time police officer and Alderman Kaczmarski seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Soenksen, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

3. Discussion and Possible Action to hire Savannah Hope at the Davis Community Center, Front Desk Operations, starting wage $15.00: Alderman Kaczmarski made a motion to hire Savannah Hope at the Davis Community Center and Alderman Wolber Seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Soenksen absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

General Audience:

Correspondence

Mayor Bates said there will be a ribbon cutting in November for the opening of Shimer Square

Adjournment: Alderman Elliott made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:37 p.m., Alderman Bergren seconded. Roll Call Vote: Alderman Elliott, yes, Alderman Bergren, yes, Alderman Buss, yes, Alderman Kaczmarski, yes, Alderman Wolber, yes, Alderman Soenksen, absent. Vote: 5 yeses, 1 absent and 0 nos. Motion carried.

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