At a recent meeting, the Sandwich Committee of the Whole heard a resident's request to allow the raising of chickens within city limits.
Below are the minutes from this meeting, as provided by the committee.
City ofSandwich, Illinois
City Hall Annex •128 East Railroad Street
Committee-of-the-Whole Council Meeting
May 16, 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, Alderman Dell, Fraser, Killey, McMahon, Moran,
Redden, Robinson & Scheidecker
Also present: Attorney Buick, Department of Public Works / City Engineer Horak, Chief
Bianchi & EMA Director Ciciora
Absent: City Treasurer Webber
Mayor Olson
Police Benevolent Presentation: Presenters representing the Sandwich Police Benevolent wereSergeant Sal Paletta, Records Clerk Pennie Van Pelt and Community Officer Mike Nelson. A checkin the amount of $16,950.00 was presented to Mayor Olson to help offset costs for the new K-9 unit.
Alderman Scheidecker noted that this week is National Police Week and encouraged residents toturn on a blue porch light showing appreciation to local police enforcements.
Eric Fletcher / Petition to Allow Raising of Chickens: Resident Eric Fletcher addressed the Council ina bid to have the current ordinance forbidding the raising of chickens revoked. Supported by anaudience of nearly thirty (30) people, Mr. Fletcher said the goal was to have chickens recognized asa household pet. He distributed a packet outlining a proposed ordinance change, copies ofordinances from municipalities that have approved backyard chickens, and a petition withapproximately 200 local and non-local signatures supporting backyard chickens. Westmont, Batavia,
Naperville and Downers Grove are the only cities that allow hens. Mr. Fletcher expressed thebenefits of backyard chickens that included a more nutritious egg, educational value for children,great fertilizer, insect control, reduction of food waste (chickens will eat kitchen scraps) and selfsustainability.
The group proposed an ordinance change allowing a maximum of eight (8) hens (no
roosters), free range with approved fencing, and coop restrictions as mandated by the City. Theyalso suggested a required permit fee for the coop.
Alderman Fraser voiced concerned that chickens would attract predators that are already a concernfor the City. Audience member George Van Dee addressed the Council cautioning of rabies andasked the Council to contact animal control when making their final decision if backyard chickens
Committee-of-the-Whole Council Meeting May 16, 2016
? Page 2were to be allowed. Pro-chicken commentaries were provided by Benny Burkett, Sue Puehler, and
Stephanie Beery.
Council thanked Mr. Fletcher for a well-informed presentation and organized packet that wasdistributed. This discussion will be continued to June 20th offering the Council an opportunity toresearch those communities in Kane and DuPage Counties that allow backyard chickens.
Randolph Street Drainage Issues: Wayne & Margaret Valley, owners of 421 E. Church Street,addressed the Council regarding ongoing drainage issues that is causing pooling in their parking lot.
At the time of purchase in 1997, the single family residence was re-designed into a business site.
Their architecturally designed parking lot was approved to encompass private and city property.
Approximately eight (8) years ago, Aurora Blacktop resurfaced Randolph Street that apparently
affected the road elevation causing water runoff to pool in their parking lot. Swanson Realty hassince relocated across the street from the Valley property and recently paved their new parking lotthat also encompasses private and city property. With the recent heavy rains, the ponding of runoffwater onto the Valley property has escalated, and the Valley’s are asking for a resolution to thecontinued problem. Alderman Redden firmly reminded the Council that he had predicted this problemwhen the Council approved the installation of paved parking on the City’s green area for SwansonRealty. Mr. Valley offered to share costs to have the problem resolved. Mayor Olson suggested thatan appointment be made with Engineer Horak to discuss a resolution.
Sportsman’s Club “Kids Fishing Derby”: Representing the Sportman’s Club, George Van Dee waspresent to promote the upcoming 8th Annual “Kids Fishing Derby” on June 4th. He emphasized it is acommunity event for the family, and would welcome members of the Council to assist with theactivities.
Resolution 16-03 entitled “A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Approve a Contract with the Lowest
Cost Electricity Provider for a Period Up to 36 Months” was presented for review. The new contractwill affect electricity costs to City owned buildings, and is not to be confused with the citywideelectrical aggregation program. The resolution will be place on next week’s agenda for adoption.
Resolution 16-04 entitled “A Resolution of Support to the DeKalb County Emergency TelephoneSystem Board (ETSB) to Request a Waiver form the State of Illinois to Allow Four (4) Public SafetyAnswering Points (PSAP’s) in DeKalb County”. Chief Bianchi explained that several months ago, the
Governor proposed closing or consolidating 911 call centers. By doing so, the 911 call centers forNIU (Northern Illinois University), DeKalb County, City of DeKalb and City of Sandwich would beaffected because each maintains their own 911 dispatching. Resolution 16-04 requests that there isa consolidation exemption for these four (4) entities under the Governor’s proposal. The waiverrequest must be submitted by July 1st
.
Motion made by Alderman Scheidecker, and seconded by Alderman Robinson, to adopt
Resolution 16-04 as presented. Aye: Aldermen Dell, Fraser, Killey, McMahon, Moran, Redden,Robinson & Scheidecker Nay:0 Motion carried 8:0
International Yoga Day: The unveiling of the International Yoga Day logo will be held in Chicago onTuesday, May 17th. Mayor Olson will be attending the event, and encouraged Council members toattend, if available. He added transportation will be provided
Foster & Buick Law Group: No report
Committee-of-the-Whole Council Meeting May 16, 2016
? Page 3
City Clerk: No report
City Treasurer: Absent
Director of Public Works / City Engineer Horak:
Brush Pickup: Brush pickup is complete for Ward 3. The next scheduled brush pickup will be theweek of June 20th
.
BNSF ROW (Right of Way) / Main Street – Pipeline License 16-55042 and BNSF ROW / LafayetteStreet – Pipeline License 16-55043: The agreement for installation of the replacement water mainwill need to be approved next week and mailed to BNSF (Burlington Northern Santa Fe) with a checkfor $3,600 per location. It will be several weeks before the City can proceed putting the utilities backinto the ground.
Hall Street Lofts – Plan Review: City Engineer Horak has met with Rick Menth of the Sandwich Fire
Protection District and Tim Karpus, Director of Building, Planning & Zoning in Plano, to review plansfor the new Hall Street Lofts project. Engineer
Electronic Recycling was held this past Saturday without incident. DeKalb County will be hostinganother tube TV collection on Thursday, May 26th through Saturday, May 28th. Unlike the previousCounty collection held last month, the 3-day collection will be by reservation only at DC Trash inCortland. There will be a two (2) TV limit, but arrangements can be made for additional TV sets for
an additional cost. Collection is limited to approximately 1300 television sets.
Chief Bianchi: No report
EMA reported that a call had been received advising of a siren malfunction near the school campuson the south side of town. Upon investigation, no one had reported the siren except for the caller.
Director Ciciora has placed a service call as a preventive measure.
Alderman Dell: No report
Alderman Fraser: No report
Alderwoman Killey advised that the finance committee would meet immediately following thisevening’s Committee-of-the-Whole meeting.
Alderman McMahon: No report
Alderman Moran: No report
Alderman Redden: No report
Alderman Robinson advised that Officer Todd Russell has requested a payout of 120 unused sickhours. No motioned was required.
Alderman Scheidecker - No report
Committee-of-the-Whole Council Meeting May 16, 2016
? Page 4
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 meeting
at 8:15 PM. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
/s/ Denise Ii – City Clerk
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