City Dekalb Committee of the Whole met March 25.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Smith called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
City Clerk Lynn Fazekas called the roll, and the following members of the City Council were present: Alderman Bill Finucane, Alderman Joyce Stupegia, Alderman Pat Fagan, Alderman Kate Noreiko, Alderman Mike Verbic, Alderman Tony Faivre, and Mayor Jerry Smith.
Alderman David Jacobson arrived at 5:14 p.m.
Also present were: City Manager Bill Nicklas, Police Commander Craig Woodruff, Assistant City Manager Ray Munch, and City Attorney Dean Frieders.
B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION
Alderman Noreiko moved to approve the agenda. Alderman Fagan seconded.
VOTE
Motion carried 7-0-1 on roll call vote. Aye: Stupegia, Fagan, Noreiko, Verbic, Faivre, Finucane, Smith. Nay: none. Absent: Jacobson.
C. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There was none.
D. CONSIDERATIONS
1. Suggested Revisions to the City’s Downtown Parking Regulations.
City Manager Nicklas summarized the proposal and noted that a lot of the signage for parking would need to change correspondingly.
Police Commander Woodruff gave an overview of the projected permitting process that would accompany the new regulations if passed. Parking permits currently cost $120 annually.
Council considered possibly spreading out annual payments for permits and whether a smart phone “parking app” is feasible. Impacts of the new residential developments downtown were also discussed, as was “user-friendly” parking signage and anticipation of increased enforcement thanks to two employees newly assigned to that detail.
Final consensus of Council was to direct staff to plan for a $75 annual permit fee, a suggestion made at a downtown meeting for public input, and to pro-rate parts of a year at $7 per month.
2. Suggested Revisions to the City’s Sign Codes.
City Manager Nicklas explained that decisions made in the higher courts have rendered content-related sign regulations being considered unconstitutional. He estimated a rewrite would take 90 days and he would seek an updated ordinance from another community that would serve as a model for DeKalb’s.
Council members expressed the desire to revise the sign code to something more enforceable, fair, and less open to criticism.
E. EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO 5 ILCS (120/2)
No Executive Session took place during the Committee of the Whole.
F. Adjournment
MOTION
Alderman Noreiko moved to adjourn at 5:53 p.m. Alderman Verbic seconded.
VOTE
Motion carried by majority voice vote. Mayor Smith declared the Committee of the Whole adjourned at 5:53 p.m.
https://www.cityofdekalb.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03252019-1597
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