DeKalb Times

City of Dekalb Regular City Council met Feb. 24.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council of DeKalb, Illinois held a Regular City Council meeting on February 24, 2020, in the City Council Chambers of the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois.

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 Carolyn Morris, Alderman Bill Finucane, Alderman Tracy Smith, Alderman Greg Perkins, Alderman Scott McAdams, Alderman Mike Verbic, Alderman Tony Faivre, and Mayor Jerry Smith.

Staff present included: City Manager Bill Nicklas, Police Commander Craig Woodruff, Engineer Zac Gill, Management Analyst Jason Blumenthal, City Attorney John Donahue, and Management Intern Adam Grubbs.

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

Management Intern Grubbs led the Pledge.

C. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Mayor Smith asked for additions and deletions to the agenda. None were offered.

MOTION

Alderman Faivre moved to approve the agenda. Alderman Morris seconded.

VOTE

Motion carried 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Morris, Finucane, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Mayor Smith. Nay: none. Mayor Smith declared the agenda approved.

D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Paul Borek and Cohen Barnes of DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) expressed appreciation to the City and other units of local government in recruitment of the Ferrara development project.

E. PRESENTATIONS

1. DeKalb Municipal Band FY2019 Annual Report by Director Kirk Lundbeck.

Mr. Lundbeck thanked the City and the community for its support. He presented band highlights for 2019, including a stargazing event and children’s concert, as well as goals for 2020 that involve collaboration with NIU School of Music and the Egyptian Theatre. He said he is recruiting new members for the band board.

2. DeKalb Public Library FY2019 Annual Report by Director Emily Faulkner.

Director Faulkner reported the library in 2019 developed a new strategic plan and mission statement, as well as a survey process to better serve the community. For 2020, she said accessibility is an issue in that the library meets Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines but could still improve, so DKPL is applying for a grant.

3. Census 2020 Complete Count Committee Report.

Management Analyst Blumenthal updated Council on census committee activities, which include print, radio, and social media advertising and involves 50 community partnerships.

F. APPOINTMENTS

There were none.

G.

CONSENT AGENDA

1. Minutes of the Committee of the Whole Meeting of February 10, 2020.

2. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of February 10, 2020.

3. Accounts Payable and Payroll through February 24, 2020 in the Amount of $3,050,593.45.

4. Investment and Bank Balance Summary through December 2019.

5. Year-to-Date Revenues and Expenditures through December 2019.

6. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Report – January 2020.

Mayor Smith read each item of the consent agenda. There were no requests for removal of any item.

MOTION

Alderman Finucane moved to pass the consent agenda. Alderman Perkins seconded.

VOTE

Motion carried 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Finucane, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Morris, Mayor Smith. Nay: none. Mayor Smith declared the consent agenda passed.

H. PUBLIC HEARINGS

1. Public Hearing Regarding the Proposed Vacation of a Portion of Dedicated Right-of-Way at John Street and Lincoln Highway.

Mayor Smith read the title of the hearing and opened the hearing at 6:30 p.m. City Manager Nicklas briefly explained the proposed vacation.

After ascertaining no one else wished to speak, Mayor Smith closed the hearing at 6:32 p.m.

2. Public Hearing Regarding a City Proposal to Create Special Service Area 29 (DeKalb Market Square).

Mayor Smith read the title of the hearing and opened the hearing at 6:32 p.m.

Resident Bessie Chronopoulos noted there are already agreements in place for this area and questioned why they can’t be enforced. Ms. Chronopoulos gave the example that residents not mowing their lawns would be fined and made to comply. She asked what is the next step if 51% of the business owners involved decide to reject the special service area (SSA).

City Manager Nicklas responded that the agreements are insufficient and the SSA would save enforcement time commitment as well. He said business owners have 60 days to object; if that happened there are other options but the SSA is the best one.

Finding that no one else wished to speak, Mayor Smith closed the hearing at 6:38 p.m.

I. CONSIDERATIONS

1. Demonstration of the New “Police-to-Citizen” Software.

Police Commander Woodruff presented the program on the website using a large screen monitor. He explained the balance being maintained between transparency and privacy, showed how to use the event map and search functions, and said minor events could be reported online. Commander Woodruff also announced the Department does bike registrations to use in case a bike is stolen, and security checks by request for residents going out of town.

Mayor Smith read a letter from DeKalb Area Rental Association (DARA) director and former Annie Glidden North Task Force member William Heinisch, who wrote that he supports Police-to-Citizen, but has concerns about the police event mapping feature. In particular, he wrote, areas such as Annie Glidden North has high residential density that would naturally show more activity, which could be misinterpreted.

Jim Mason, also a DARA member, said he would rather have people read about events, not look at red dots on a map. He said he could support this program if the City could “get this map under control.”

Rich Schultz said he doesn’t like the dots on the map and thinks the City should be careful about using mugshots, too.

Council discussion of Police-to-Citizen centered on the following issues:

• Concerns about unintended consequences of publishing the event map, such as impacts to business and to home values.

• Questions about how other communities use this or similar software.

• Questions about flexibility and limitations of this software.

• Impact on the Police Department as concerns time-saving automation and reduction of Freedom of Information Act requests.

There was some concern expressed about publishing arrest reports and making the event search available; however, as discussion continued Mayor Smith noted most aldermen approved of making all functions available except for the controversial map. The Mayor summarized a consensus to roll out the software immediately, minus the map function.

2. Consideration of Changes to Chapter 38 “Intoxicating Liquors” (Underage, BYOB, Beauty/Nail Salons, Fitness Centers).

City Manager Nicklas reported establishment owners do not like the proposal to allow 19- and 20-year-olds as they would incur costs. As for expanded BYOB (“bring your own bottle” rules) there is a little interest but no groundswell, he said.

Bessie Chronopoulos said she sees potential danger for 19- and 20-year olds and more resources required for the police department. She said she was concerned for the safety of patrons, owners, staff, and officers, and it would take a great deal of time to do it right.

Consensus of council was identified as supporting no relaxation of rules about age, though there was some support for allowing expanded BYOB.

J. RESOLUTIONS

1. Resolution 2020-017 Authorizing a Social Services Agreement with Adventure Works for the Continued Provision of Social Services at University Village Effective January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.

Mayor Smith read the resolution by title only.

MOTION

Alderman Morris moved to approve the resolution. Alderman Verbic seconded.

VOTE

Motion carried 7-0-1 on roll call vote. Aye: Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Morris, Mayor Smith. Nay: none. Absent: Finucane. Mayor Smith declared the resolution passed.

2. Resolution 2020-018 Authorizing the Waiver of Competitive Bidding and Approving the Purchase of One Ambulance from Fire Service Inc. with Additional Items Necessary to Place the Ambulance in Service in an Amount Not to Exceed $155,000.

Mayor Smith read the resolution by title only.

MOTION

Alderman Smith moved to pass the resolution. Alderman McAdams seconded.

VOTE

Motion carried 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Morris, Finucane, Smith, Mayor Smith. Nay: none. Mayor Smith declared the resolution passed.

K. ORDINANCES – SECOND READING

1. Ordinance 2020-009 Authorizing a Tax Increment Financing Development Incentive Agreement with 206 E. Lincoln, LLC (Rosa Balli) for the Rehabilitation of the Property Located at 206 E. Lincoln Highway.

Mayor Smith read the ordinance by title only.

MOTION

Alderman Finucane moved to approve the ordinance. Alderman Smith seconded.

VOTE

Motion carried 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Morris, Finucane, Smith, Perkins, Mayor Smith. Nay: none. Mayor Smith declared the ordinance passed.

L. ORDINANCES – FIRST READING

1. Ordinance 2020-010 Authorizing the Vacation of 5,774 Square Feet of Public Right-of-Way at John Street and Lincoln Highway, and Sale of Same to Richoz Enterprises, LLC in the Amount of $8,500.

Mayor Smith read the ordinance by title only.

MOTION

Alderman McAdams moved to approve first reading. Alderman Perkins seconded.

City Manager Nicklas summarized the history of this piece of property, including the information about the Richoz family’s having leased the land for parking purposes for years and their having improved and maintained it at their own expense during that time.

VOTE

Motion carried 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Verbic, Faivre, Morris, Finucane, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Mayor Smith. Nay: none.

MOTION

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

VOTE

Motion carried 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Faivre, Morris, Finucane, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Mayor Smith. Nay: none.

2. Ordinance 2020-011 Amending Chapter 51 “Traffic”, Schedule C “Parking Prohibited”, Section 18 “No Parking at Any Time Except For Residents: Tow Zone”, and Schedule E “Limited Parking”, Subsection “Ten Minutes, for the Purpose of Loading and Unloading Persons”, as it Pertains to a Parking Restriction for Portions of Barb Boulevard, and the Entirety of Hedge Drive, Loren Drive, Northern Court, and University Drive.

Mayor Smith read the ordinance by title only.

MOTION

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

Mike Tritle spoke generally in support of the measures applying to Barb Boulevard, saying he’d worked with the school district and former aldermen on these issues. He said Huntley’s change from a high school to a middle school has led to clogged streets and safety concerns, such as residents having a difficult time getting out of their driveways safely. He detailed close calls and said the measure is a good start, though he would like to discuss the specifics more with Alderman McAdams and his neighbors.

Peter Vander Bleek said he lives on the west end of Barb Boulevard, where it gets very busy and people’s driveways are blocked. He said he’s concerned he will forget a guest permit, and he’s also concerned the permit situation won’t affect the people who park for 20 minutes. He said the proposed unloading zone is not shown where the actual need is.

Mayor Smith said he heard from a neighbor who is also interested in discussing the ordinance.

Alderman Faivre moved to table discussion. Alderman Morris seconded.

VOTE

Motion carried 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Morris, Finucane, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Mayor Smith. Nay: none.

3. Ordinance 2020-012 Approving a Special Use Permit for the Co-Location of Cell Antennas and Associated Equipment at 1500 S. 7th Street (Verizon Wireless).

Mayor Smith read the ordinance by title only.

MOTION

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

VOTE

Motion carried 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Finucane, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Morris, Mayor Smith. Nay: none.

M. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

1. Council Member Reports

Alderman Finucane asked that residents complete census forms as close to April 1 as possible.

Aldermen Smith, McAdams, and Faivre announced upcoming ward meetings.

Alderman Perkins thanked firefighters for their hard work on the fire the week before.

Alderman Verbic said he was walking his ward and topics were the Annie Glidden North (AGN) neighborhood and intersection safety.

Mayor Smith said he had sworn in new officers today and declared his pride in the police and fire departments.

2. City Clerk Report

City Clerk Fazekas announced the DeKalb County Clerk’s new resource for voters, a website called voteranow.com, and described some of its features.

3. City Manager Report

City Manager Nicklas announced the resignation of airport manager Tom Cleveland.

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

No session was authorized during this meeting.

O. ADJOURNMENT

MOTION

Alderman Morris moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:38 p.m. Alderman Verbic seconded.

VOTE

Motion carried on majority voice vote. Mayor Smith declared adjournment at 8:38 p.m.

https://www.cityofdekalb.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02242020-1775