At a recent meeting, the Sandwich Committee of the Whole discussed possible provisions of a planned ordinance that would let homeowners in the city raise live chickens.
Below are the minutes from this meeting, as provided by the committee.
City of
Sandwich, Illinois
City Hall Annex •128 East Railroad Street
Committee-of-the-Whole Council Meeting
July 5, 2016 @ 7:00 PM
MINUTES
Mayor Olson called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Roll call was taken:
Present: Mayor Olson, City Clerk Ii, Aldermen Dell, Fraser, Killey & Redden
Alderman Robinson arrived at 7:04 PM
Also present: Attorney Palasiewicz, Chief Bianchi, EMA Director Ciciora &
Department of Public Works / City Engineer Horak,
Absent: City Treasurer Webber, Aldermen McMahon, Moran & Scheidecker
Mayor Olson
Discussion on proposed chicken ordinance: Mayor Olson requested the Council to considerrequirements for a chicken ordinance to include type and size of coop, licensing and fees, number ofegg-laying hens, and electrical issues. He added that many of the newer subdivisions havecovenants that are more restrictive than the local ordinances that may prohibit farm animals.
Alderman Fraser questioned the sale of eggs, and Mayor Olson advised that is restricted by theDeKalb County Health Department. Eggs can be given away, but there are restrictions that must beadhered to for the private sale of eggs.
Alderman Robinson admitted he was not ready to discuss regulations for backyard chickens and feltthe drafting of an ordinance will be a long, drawn-out process to assure all rules and regulations havebeen considered thoughtfully. There were no pro-chicken representatives in the audience to offersuggestions or discussion. Alderman Redden, noting the absence of the aldermen that favoredbackyard chickens, felt there was no need to discuss an ordinance at this time until the Council madea decision which department will be responsible for enforcing the ordinance. He cautioned theCouncil it will be a challenge to draft an ordinance with so many differing opinions. Mayor Olsonsuggested the formation of a committee to address these concerns and review the proposedordinance.
Foster & Buick Law Group: Attorney Palasiewicz announced that the law firm is now known asFoster, Buick, Conklin & Lundgren, LLC.
Committee-of-the-Whole Council Meeting July 5, 2016
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City Clerk: No report
City Treasurer: Absent
Director of Public Works / City Engineer Horak:
Electronics Recyling Program: The e-waste collection will resume on Saturday, July 9th between thehours of 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM at the water tower located on Duvick Avenue. DC Trash will be thenew host and will accept television sets and monitors at a cost. Computer monitors are $10, TV’sless than 19 inches are $20, and televisions larger than 19 inches are $30.
Ward 1 brush pickup is complete. The next scheduled brush pickup for Ward 1 will be Monday,
August 1st.
Bid Results Presentation: Bids for the 750,000 gallon spheroid, exterior overcoat, wet interior repaint,dry interior partial repaint, and miscellaneous repairs (2016 Water Tower Painting) were opened onJune 28, 2016, and results as follows:
L&T, Shelby Township, MI $251,000.00
Seven Brothers, Shelby Township, MI $271,800.00
LC United, Sterling Heights, MI $299,000.00
Tecorp, Joliet, IL $384,300.00
Jetco, Hawthorn Woods, IL $426,300.00
Maxcor, New Lenox, IL $434,365.00
Amcoat, Homer Glen, IL $449,000.00
Maquire Iron, Sioux Falls, SD $587,224.00
The estimate cost on this project was approximately $300,000.00. A letter of Recommendation of
Award from Dixon Engineering & Inspection Services, the City’s consultant on the project, endorsed
L&T Painting Inc. They are a pre-qualified contractor with Dixon Engineering and have completedmany similar projects in the Chicago-land area. This matter will be placed on next week’s agenda toaward the project to L&T Painting Inc.
Clark Street WTP (Water Treatment Plant) Emergency Generator: Engineer Horak met with HalmElectrical Contracting to discuss the generator type, and who have now requested Change Order #1for a change in the final completion date. The final completion date has been changed fromSeptember 22, 2016 to December 9, 2016. The change in date affords the City additional time to getthe generator completed and not impact the water tower project or vice-versa. The City will rent agenerator during the time period the generator is down at the water treatment plant. On next week’sagenda, the Council will approve Change Order # 1 followed by the Notice to Proceed.
Zoning Board of Appeals public hearing is continued from June 28, 2016 to July 20, 2016. Applicanthad failed to send notices to neighboring properties via certified mail. As part of the public hearingprocess, the applicant must present the green return receipt cards to the City as proof of notification.
Chief Bianchi: The police department will be purchasing through a leasing program two new units.Unit 1 has high mileage and will be exchanged for a new squad car for $24,900.00. Unit 2 will be anew SUV for the K-9 program at a cost of $29,500.00. Money has been raised for equipment for theK-9 unit. Alderman Dell expressed concern about the expanding fleet and the additional expense.
Committee-of-the-Whole Council Meeting July 5, 2016
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Alderwoman Killey reported that the principal at Dummer School, Lynette Ford, has requested anadditional crossing guard. Chief Bianchi advised he had received an e-mail from Ms. Ford requestingtwo (2) additional crossing guards. Funding for the crossing guards is levied annually, and there isnot enough funding at this time to honor the request.
EMA: Director Ciciora reported that two (2) warning sirens did not activate during testing Tuesdaymorning. On Wednesday, a contractor will be doing repairs on the Sandy Bluff and Duvick sirens.
Alderman Dell: No report
Alderman Fraser: No report
Alderwoman Killey advised that the finance committee would meet immediately following thisevening’s meeting to review July bills.
Alderman McMahon: Absent
Alderman Moran: Absent
Alderman Redden reported that the BUILD program will end in November, and asked the Council ifthey want to discontinue, modify or keep the program in place. He reluctantly acknowledged that theprogram had not stimulated housing growth as anticipated.
Alderman Robinson wanted to remind residents to keep sidewalks clear of debris and hangingoverhead limbs as more and more residents are walking.
Alderman Scheidecker: Absent
New Business: None
Audience Comments: None
Adjournment:
There being no further business to come before the Council, motion made by Alderman Robinsonand seconded by Alderman Redden to adjourn the Committee-of-the-Whole Council meetingat 7:30 PM. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
/s/ Denise Ii – City Clerk
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