DeKalb Times

City of DeKalb City Council met April 8.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

Mayor Smith called the meeting to order at 6 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 Tony Faivre, and Mayor Jerry Smith. Alderman Mike Verbic was absent.

Also present were: City Manager Bill Nicklas, Assistant City Manager Ray Munch, City Attorney Dean Frieders, Assistant Public Works Director Bryan Faivre, Principal Planner Dan Olson, Police Chief Gene Lowery, Fire Chief Jeff McMaster, and Assistant Public Works Director Bryan Faivre.

Mayor Smith noted the passing of local resident Averil Schreiber at 85 years of age.

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

Mayor Smith led the Pledge.

C. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Mayor Smith asked for additions and deletions to the agenda. There were none. MOTION

Alderman Finucane moved to approve the agenda. Alderman Faivre seconded. VOTE

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

D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Dwayne Brown commented on the marijuana legalization legislation and related developments, such as changes in banking regulations. He said he would like to see DeKalb granted a license for a dispensary.

E. PRESENTATIONS

1. Proclamation: Earth Day – April 22, 2019.

Mayor Smith read the proclamation and presented it to Assistant Public Works

Director Bryan Faivre.

2. Proclamation: Administrative Professionals Day – April 24, 2019.

Mayor Smith read the proclamation and said he would pass it on to Executive

Assistant Ruth Scott for appropriate distribution.

3. Proclamation: Arbor Day – April 26, 2019.

Mayor Smith read the proclamation and presented it to Assistant Public Works

Director Faivre.

4. Family Service Agency FY2019 Human Services Funding Report by Community Program Director Erin Tamms.

Director Tamms reported on her agency’s partnerships and programs, such as Club 55 and a food distribution program, which help improve quality of life of older adults.

F. APPOINTMENTS

There were none.

G. CONSENT AGENDA

1. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of March 11, 2019.

2. Minutes of the Committee of the Whole Meeting of March 25, 2019.

3. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of March 25, 2019.

4. Minutes of the Special City Council Meeting of April 3, 2019.

5. Accounts Payable and Payroll through April 8, 2019 in the Amount of $2,482,883.61.

Mayor Smith read each item of the Consent Agenda.

MOTION

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

VOTE

Motion carried 7-0-1 on roll call vote. Aye: Stupegia, Fagan, Noreiko, Faivre, Jacobson, Finucane, Smith. Nay: none. Absent: Verbic.

H. PUBLIC HEARINGS

There were none.

I. CONSIDERATIONS

1. Status Report on General Fund Reserve Projections.

Bessie Chronopoulos urged Council to wait until the audit is finished and the City has obtained advice from the Finance Advisory Committee to make decisions. She voiced concern about hiring and fund transfers before having more complete information.

City Manager Nicklas acknowledged the need to have the best data available and said he was presenting unaudited projections to follow through on Alderman Jacobson’s request for an update. He reported reserves have fallen to less than the target of 25% of expenditures but is expected to improve until 2020, when it drops again if no further measures are taken to address pension funding. He said the annual audit is more than 75% finished and he will be able to present the audit in about a month.

J. RESOLUTIONS

1. Resolution 2019-058 Authorizing an 18-Month Agreement Extension with Competitive Yard Worx for Citywide Landscape and Cul-de-Sac Maintenance from July 1, 2019 through December 31, 2020.

Mayor Smith read the resolution by title only.

MOTION

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

Alderman Fagan expressed the desire to authorize 12 months instead of 18 months due to questions about Workers Compensation and how Heritage Ridge common areas are handled.

MOTION

Alderman Fagan moved to amend the resolution from 18 months to 12 months.

City Attorney Frieders noted the contract specifies what needs to be included on the insurance certificate. Otherwise, discussion centered on how the contract term should be 6 months or 18 months to end it at the end of a fiscal year.

Motion failed for lack of a second. MOTION

Alderman Fagan moved to amend the contract to a 6-month term. Alderman Stupegia seconded.

VOTE

Motion to failed 2-4-1 on roll call vote. Aye: Fagan, Stupegia. Nay: Noreiko, Faivre, Jacobson, Finucane. Absent: Verbic. Mayor Smith declared the amendment failed.

VOTE

Original motion carried 6-1-1 on roll call vote. Aye: Noreiko, Faivre, Jacobson, Finucane, Stupegia, Smith. Nay: Fagan. Absent: Verbic. Mayor Smith declared the resolution passed.

2. Resolution 2019-062 Resolution 2019-062 Authorizing a Revised Social Services Agreement for University Village.

Mayor Smith read the resolution by title only.

MOTION

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

Lynnette Spencer spoke in favor of the resolution, noting that the need for funding will grow and the collaborative is working with its public and private donors.

Dan Kenney enumerated the events and services provided in University Village, and he complimented its new management on efforts to collaborate.

City Manager Nicklas complimented DeKalb County Community Gardens and Adventure Works for continuing their programs during a time when they could not be certain they would be reimbursed for their work.

Alderman Jacobson asked about funding from the original $200,000 set aside for it, noted the purchase of an $800 phone, and said he thought phone service could be scaled back.

VOTE

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

3. Resolution 2019-063 Authorizing an Amendment to a Communications Site Lease Agreement with T-Mobile Central LLC for Two Hundred and Forty Additional Square Feet of Land for the Purpose of Installing a Generator and Supporting Equipment at the City’s North Water Tower Located at 900 W. Dresser Road.

Mayor Smith read the resolution by title only.

MOTION

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

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

4. Resolution 2019-064 Authorizing the City Manager to Submit a Letter of Intent to Participate in a Grant Opportunity with the Illinois Board of Higher Education to Fund Three Northern Illinois University Work Study Interns Between January 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020 and Commit to $15,000 in the FY2020 Budget as Matching Funds.

Mayor Smith read the resolution by title only.

MOTION

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

Assistant City Manager Munch reported management interns would work in Human Resources and the Airport. He said two to six interns are on staff at any given time.

Several Council members commented that the work study internship program offers a great value for the City.

VOTE

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

5. Resolution 2019-065 Authorizing the Staffing of One Administrative Assistant Position and One Account Technician I Position.

Mayor Smith read the resolution by title only.

MOTION

Alderman Stupegia moved to pass the resolution. Alderman Noreiko seconded.

City Manager Nicklas noted that these hires would fill full-time vacancies in the Fire Department and Finance created by upcoming retirements.

Alderman Jacobson voiced support for filling these positions with part-time employees to save on benefit costs.

VOTE

Motion carried 6-1-1 on roll call vote. Aye: Stupegia, Noreiko, Faivre, Jacobson, Finucane, Smith. Nay: Fagan. Absent: Verbic. Mayor Smith declared the resolution passed.

6. Resolution 2019-066 Authorizing an Architectural Improvement Program Economic Incentive Grant in the Amount of $750 for the Property Located at 248 E. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, Illinois (Chilton’s Sporting Goods).

Mayor Smith read the resolution by title only.

MOTION

Alderman Finucane moved to pass the resolution. Alderman Stupegia seconded. VOTE

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

K. ORDINANCES – SECOND READING

There were none.

L. ORDINANCES – FIRST READING

1. Ordinance 2019-032 Approving a Special Use Permit for an Amusement Establishment (Indoor Sports Simulation Facility) at 1500-1504 Sycamore Road.

Mayor Smith read the ordinance by title only.

MOTION

Alderman Finucane moved to pass first reading. Alderman Faivre seconded.

City Manager Nicklas summarized the approval process, noting that Planning & Zoning had voted in favor of the special use permit with conditions imposed for an enclosed trash dumpster, parking, and landscaping.

VOTE

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

MOTION

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

VOTE

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

2. Ordinance 2019-033 Amending the FY2019 Budget and Authorizing the Purchase and Equipping of One Police Vehicle Based on the Illinois Central Management Services Contract Pricing in an Amount Not to Exceed $55,000.

Mayor Smith read the ordinance by title only.

MOTION

Alderman Stupegia moved to pass first reading. Alderman Faivre seconded.

City Manager Nicklas observed that the ordinance includes a budget amendment.

Council discussed how the new vehicle, an SUV, might lead to the department’s buying hybrid vehicles in the future. Council members rejected a suggestion to buy a used, equipped vehicle to save money to update the fleet more quickly.

VOTE

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

MOTION

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

VOTE

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

M. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

1. Council Member Reports

Mayor Smith thanked the outgoing Aldermen for their service.

2. City Clerk Report

City Clerk Fazekas announced a project to craft a proposal for an improved ethics code for the City and asked that residents who are interested contact her.

3. City Manager Report

The City Manager did not make a report.

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

1. Approval to Hold an Executive Session to Discuss Personnel as Provided for in 5 ILCS (120/2)(c)(1).

2. Approval to Hold an Executive Session to Discuss Security Procedures as Proved for in 5 ILCS (120/2)(c)(8).

3. Approval to Hold an Executive Session to Discuss Pending Litigation as Provided for in 5 ILCS (120/2)(c)(11).

Mayor Smith read each of the above items in requesting authorization to recess for Executive Session.

MOTION

Alderman Noreiko moved to authorize an Executive Session. Alderman Faivre seconded.

VOTE

Motion carried 7-0-1 on roll call vote. Aye: Stupegia, Fagan, Noreiko, Faivre, Jacobson, Finucane, Smith. Nay: none. Absent: Verbic. Mayor Smith declared a recess for Executive Session at 7:32 p.m.

O. ADJOURNMENT

MOTION

Alderman Faivre moved to adjourn the Regular Meeting at 8:08 p.m. Alderman Noreiko seconded.

VOTE

Motion carried on majority voice vote. Mayor Smith declared adjournment at 8:08 p.m.

https://www.cityofdekalb.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_04082019-1605