DeKalb Times

City of DeKalb City Council met Jan. 28.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

Mayor Smith called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

City Clerk Lynn Fazekas called the roll, and the following members of City Council were present: Alderman David Jacobson, Alderman Bill Finucane, Alderman Joyce Stupegia, Alderman Pat Fagan, Alderman Kate Noreiko, Alderman Mike Verbic, Alderman Tony Faivre, and Mayor Jerry Smith.

Also present were: City Manager Bill Nicklas, Police Chief Gene Lowery, Interim Fire Chief Jeff McMaster, Interim Support Services Superintendent Andy Raih, and City Attorney Dean Frieders.

B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES

Alderman Jacobson led the Pledge.

C. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

MOTION

Alderman Finucane moved to approve the agenda. Alderman Jacobson seconded.

VOTE

Motion was approved 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Finucane, Stupegia, Fagan, Noreiko, Verbic, Faivre, Jacobson, Smith. Nay: none.

D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Dwayne Brown spoke to the considerations for personnel changes, saying previous city managers did not address issues of overstaffing. He said he supports staff reductions and reductions to grants, such as to the Chamber of Commerce, and said people should shovel their sidewalks as it’s a safety issue.

Brad Hoey expressed support for maintaining the City’s grant amount to DeKalb County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau (DCCVB) by pointing out steady increases in tourism- related economic activity each year. He said every dollar DeKalb contributes to the organization is matched by the State of Illinois.

Vicki Torres commented that reducing the City’s grant to DCCVB by $10,000 translates into a loss of twice that amount.

E. PRESENTATIONS AND CITIZENS’ COMMENTS

1. ProudlyDeKalb:SergeantKeunteMallettPinningCeremony.

Police Chief Gene Lowery introduced Sergeant Mallett and his family and offered a brief biography of Sergeant Mallett before overseeing the ceremony.

F. APPOINTMENTS

1. AppointmentofEvelinaCichytotheBoardofPoliceandFireCommissionersfor the Completion of a Term through December 31, 2019.

Mayor Smith read the title of the item. MOTION

Alderman Finucane moved to approve the appointment. Alderman Noreiko seconded.

VOTE

Motion was approved 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Stupegia, Fagan, Noreiko, Verbic, Faivre, Jacobson, Finucane, Smith. Nay: none.

G. CONSENT AGENDA

1. Minutes of the Special City Council Meeting of December 18, 2019.

2. Minutes of the Committee of the Whole Meeting of January 14, 2019.

3. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of January 14, 2019.

4. Minutes of the Annie Glidden North Revitalization Plan Task Force Meeting of

May 7, 2018.

5. Accounts Payable and Payroll through January 28, 2019, in the Amount of

$2,800,987.67.

6. Investment and Bank Balance Summary through November 2019.

7. Year-to-Date Revenues and Expenditures through November 2019.

8. FY2018 Human Services Funding Fourth Quarter Report.

9. Omnibus Approval of FY2019 Human Services Funding Resolutions 2019-012 Adventure Works of DeKalb County Inc.; 2019-013 Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA); 2019-014 Community Coordinated Child Care (4C); 2019- 015 DeKalb County Community Gardens; 2019-016 DeKalb County Youth Services Bureau; 2019-017 Elder Care Services; 2019-018 Family Service Agency of DeKalb County; 2019-019 Hope Haven; 2019-020 Kishwaukee YMCA, Camp Power; 2019-021 Nguzo Saba; 2019-022 RAMP (Regional Access and Mobilization Project Inc.); 2019- 023 Safe Passage; and 2019-024 Voluntary Action Center (VAC), Authorizing Human Services Agreements for Human Services Funding Beginning January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2019, in the Amount of $144,500.

Mayor Smith read the title of each item of the Consent Agenda. MOTION

Alderman Noreiko moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Alderman Fagan seconded.

VOTE

Motion was approved 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Fagan, Noreiko, Verbic, Faivre, Jacobson, Finucane, Stupegia, Smith. Nay: none. Mayor Smith declared the motion passed.

H. PUBLIC HEARINGS

There were none.

I. CONSIDERATIONS

1. Consideration of Personnel Changes to Address Fiscal Imbalances in the General Fund.

Mayor Smith read the item by title only.

City Manager Nicklas highlighted budget issues including General Fund balance and rising pension and healthcare expenses. He said time is of the essence for taking action. Four department directors will be laid off, and three vacant positions will remain unfilled. He said he and the Assistant City Manager will step up to help meet service demands, and he will be recommending additional measures to cut costs.

Mayor Smith observed that the City Manager could have just made the decisions without Council input, and said he appreciated the opportunity to discuss them.

Council Members generally expressed appreciation for the work of the staff who face layoffs and support for the City Manager’s recommendations, though Alderman Jacobson cautioned these actions are preliminary to other difficult decisions Council needs to make.

J. RESOLUTIONS

1. Resolution 2019-001 Authorizing an FY2019 Tourism Agreement with the DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau in the Amount of $50,000 for Tourism Activities Beginning January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019.

Mayor Smith read the resolution by title only.

MOTION

Alderman Finucane moved to approve the resolution. Alderman Stupegia seconded.

City Manager Nicklas noted the City has contributed $425,000 to DCCVB over the past nine budget years, and he recommended a grant of $40,000 for this year.

MOTION

Alderman Faivre moved to amend the resolution by changing the grant to the recommended amount of $40,000. Alderman Finucane seconded.

Brad Hoey confirmed for Council that the state match applies to private donations also.

VOTE

Motion to amend was approved 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Noreiko, Verbic, Faivre, Jacobson, Finucane, Stupegia, Fagan, Smith. Nay: none. Mayor Smith declared the amendment passed.

VOTE

Motion to pass the resolution as amended was approved 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Verbic, Faivre, Jacobson, Finucane, Stupegia, Fagan, Noreiko, Smith. Nay: none. Mayor Smith declared the resolution passed.

2. Resolution 2019-002 Authorizing a Funding Agreement with the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce in the Amount of $45,000 for the Purpose of Facilitating Community Events Beginning January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019.

Mayor Smith read the resolution by title only.

MOTION

Alderman Finucane moved to approve the resolution in the amount of $35,000 as recommended by the City Manager. Alderman Faivre seconded.

VOTE

Motion was approved 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Faivre, Jacobson, Finucane, Stupegia, Fagan, Noreiko, Verbic, Smith. Nay: none. Mayor Smith declared the motion passed.

3. Resolution 2019-003 Authorizing a Funding Agreement with the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation in the Amount of $45,000 for Economic Development Services Beginning January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019.

Mayor Smith read the resolution by title only, except he replaced the $45,000 amount with the recommended amount of $35,000.

MOTION

Alderman Verbic moved to approve the resolution as stated by the Mayor. Alderman Stupegia seconded.

VOTE

Motion was approved 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Jacobson, Finucane, Stupegia, Fagan, Noreiko, Verbic, Faivre, Smith. Nay: none. Mayor Smith declared the motion passed.

4. Resolution 2019-025 Authorizing the Appointment of Jeff McMaster as Fire Chief Effective February 1, 2019.

5. Resolution 2019-026 Authorizing the Appointment of Raymond Munch to Assistant City Manager Effective February 1, 2019.

6. Resolution 2019-027 Authorizing the Appointment of Andy Raih to Street Department Superintendent Effective February 1, 2019.

MOTION

Alderman Finucane moved to approve the above appointments, Items 4, 5, and 6, via omnibus vote. Alderman Jacobson seconded. Mayor Smith read each of the above resolutions by title.

VOTE

Motion was approved 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Finucane, Stupegia, Fagan, Noreiko, Verbic, Faivre, Jacobson, Smith. Nay: none.

7. Resolution 2019-028 Authorizing a Retail Tobacco Store License for The Smoke Shop NIU Inc., Located at 818 W. Lincoln Highway, Suite 3.

Mayor Smith read the resolution by title only.

MOTION

Alderman Noreiko moved to approve the resolution. Alderman Faivre seconded.

VOTE

Motion was approved 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Stupegia, Fagan, Noreiko, Verbic, Faivre, Jacobson, Finucane, Smith. Nay: none.

8. Resolution 2019-029 Authorizing the City Manager to Sign Loan Application Forms and Supporting Documents on Behalf of the City to Apply for Funds from the Public Water Supply Loan Program through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in an Amount Not to Exceed $1,700,000.

Mayor Smith read the resolution by title only.

MOTION

Alderman Stupegia moved to approve the resolution. Alderman Verbic seconded. City Manager Nicklas said the funds are for water main work.

VOTE

Motion was approved 7-0-1 on roll call vote. Aye: Noreiko, Verbic, Faivre, Jacobson, Finucane, Stupegia, Smith. Nay: none. Absent: Fagan. Mayor Smith declared the resolution passed.

9. Resolution 2019-030 Authorizing a Professional Services Agreement with B&F Construction Code Services Inc. for the Provision of Plumbing Plan Review, Inspection, and Related Services.

Mayor Smith read the resolution by title only.

MOTION

Alderman Faivre moved to approve the resolution. Alderman Noreiko seconded.

City Manager Nicklas reported two bidders responded to the Request for Proposal, and recommendation is based on price point and experience with level of service.

VOTE

Motion was approved 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Verbic, Faivre, Jacobson, Finucane, Stupegia, Fagan, Noreiko, Smith. Nay: none. Mayor Smith declared the motion passed.

10. Resolution 2019-031 Authorizing the Transportation Improvement Program for Federal Fiscal Years 2020 – 2024 for the DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport.

Mayor Smith read the resolution by title only.

MOTION

Alderman Verbic moved to approve the resolution. Alderman Fagan seconded. VOTE

Motion was approved 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Faivre, Jacobson, Finucane, Stupegia, Fagan, Noreiko, Verbic, Smith. Nay: none. Mayor Smith declared the motion passed.

11. Resolution 2019-032 Authorizing the Waiver of Competitive Bidding and Approving the Purchase of Water Meters and Radio Transmitters from Badger Meter Inc. and Core & Main in an Amount Not to Exceed $70,000.

Mayor Smith read the resolution by title only.

MOTION

Alderman Stupegia moved to approve the resolution. Alderman Noreiko seconded. VOTE

Motion was approved 8-0 on roll call vote: Aye: Jacobson, Finucane, Stupegia, Fagan, Noreiko, Verbic, Faivre, Smith. Nay: none. Mayor Smith declared the motion passed.

12. Resolution 2019-033 Ratifying an Intergovernmental Agreement with DeKalb County Pertaining to Sales Tax Sharing and a Memorandum of Understanding Relating to Emergency Telecommunications.

Mayor Smith read the resolution by title only.

MOTION

Alderman Stupegia moved to approve the resolution. Alderman Fagan seconded.

VOTE

Motion was approved 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Finucane, Stupegia, Fagan, Noreiko, Verbic, Faivre, Jacobson, Smith. Nay: none. Mayor Smith declared the motion passed.

K. ORDINANCES – SECOND READING

1. Ordinance 2019-002 Authorizing a Zoning Map Amendment from the “HI” Heavy Industrial District to the “PD-I” Planned Development – Industrial District and Approval of a Planned Development Preliminary Plan for a Community Solar Garden to be Located Along the North Side of Gurler Road, Approximately 500 Feet East of South First Street (SunVest Solar Inc.). (Second Reading)

Mayor Smith read the ordinance by title only.

MOTION

Alderman Stupegia moved to approve the ordinance. Alderman Finucane seconded. VOTE

Motion was approved 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Stupegia, Fagan, Noreiko, Verbic, Faivre, Jacobson, Finucane, Smith. Nay: none. Mayor Smith declared the ordinance passed.

L. ORDINANCES – FIRST READING

1. Ordinance 2019-006 Amending Chapter 2 “City Council.” (First Reading) Mayor Smith read the ordinance by title only.

MOTION

Alderman Verbic moved to approve first reading. Alderman Faivre seconded.

Council discussed the proposed removal of quarterly planning/visioning meetings from the Municipal Code because they haven’t been meeting as often as the regulation calls for. Several Council members said they find value in holding an informal meeting or retreat at least once per year for longer-range planning.

Several Council members opposed the proposal to limit public comments to one public participation portion of the meeting, saying they want to preserve the option for comments to be made to agenda items as they come up for consideration. The Mayor and several Aldermen invited public input into the question of changing public comment.

VOTE

Motion to approve first reading carried 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Fagan, Noreiko, Verbic, Faivre, Jacobson, Finucane, Stupegia, Smith. Mayor Smith declared the motion passed.

2. Ordinance 2019-007 Amending the Fiscal Year-End December 31, 2018 Budget in the Amount of $171,669.20 for the Remainder of the 2018 Street Maintenance Program with Curran Contracting Company. (Passage on First Reading, Waiver of Second Reading)

Mayor Smith read the ordinance by title only.

MOTION

Alderman Finucane moved to approve first reading. Alderman Fagan seconded. VOTE

Motion was approved 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Noreiko, Verbic, Faivre, Jacobson, Finucane, Stupegia, Fagan, Smith. Nay: none. Mayor Smith declared the motion passed on first reading.

MOTION

Alderman Finucane moved to waive second reading and approve the ordinance. Alderman Fagan seconded.

VOTE

Motion was approved 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Verbic, Faivre, Jacobson, Finucane, Stupegia, Fagan, Noreiko, Smith. Nay: none. Mayor Smith declared the motion passed.

M. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

1. Monthly Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Summary.

Mayor Smith read this item by title only.

City Manager Nicklas said he anticipates the report will be given on the second meeting of each month and will track staff time spent fulfilling requests for information under FOIA.

2. Other Reports and Communications.

Mayor Smith and several Council members spoke in anticipation of the extreme cold coming the next several days of that week, including announcing various cancellations and offering of cold weather safety information, and expressing appreciation for Public Works and other public safety employees.

Mayor Smith announced that the swearing-in ceremony of newly-appointed Fire Chief Jeff McMaster, originally scheduled for the next morning, had changed due to the dire weather forecast. Chief McMaster’s family being present, City Clerk Fazekas administered the Oath of Office at that point in the meeting.

N. EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO 5 ILCS (120/2)

Council did not hold an Executive Session during this meeting.

O. ADJOURNMENT

MOTION

Alderman Jacobson moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:03 p.m. Alderman Verbic seconded.

VOTE

Motion was approved on majority voice vote. Mayor Smith declared the Regular Meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.

https://www.cityofdekalb.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01282019-1567