DeKalb Times

City of Dekalb City Council met Sept. 28.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council of DeKalb, Illinois held a Regular City Council meeting in the Yusunas Meeting Room of the DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak Street, DeKalb, Illinois.

A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

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

Mayor Smith announced that Alderman Carolyn Morris and City Clerk Lynn Fazekas were attending remotely.

City Clerk 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.

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. None were offered.

MOTION

Alderman Finucane moved to approve the agenda. Alderman Faivre 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

Michael Embrey spoke in person. He offered an update about latest placements of a flag and veterans’ banners downtown at First and Locust streets and the establishment of “Honorary Veterans Way.”

Mayor Smith read a comment submitted online by Pamela Verbic, who commented on the proposal to issue Taxable General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2020 (which, later in the meeting, was to be the subject of a public hearing and ordinance). Ms. Verbic called the bond proposal premature and said the situation required more discussion by Council, Finance Advisory Committee, and citizens. Following an accounting of the additional costs of borrowing, Ms. Verbic acknowledged it would be a difficult decision whether to use reserves or to incur more debt to cover shortfalls, but said the pandemic- related economic downturn appears to be a legitimate use of the General Fund reserve. She asked if bond writers look at overall debt, as well as reserves, as an indicator of fiscal responsibility.

E. PRESENTATIONS

There were none.

F. APPOINTMENTS

1. Appointment of Ann Shult to the Citizens’ Environmental Commission for the Completion of a Two-Year Term through December 31, 2021.

Mayor Smith read the subject of the appointment.

MOTION

Alderman McAdams moved to approve the appointment. 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 approval of the appointment.

G. CONSENT AGENDA

1. Minutes of the Joint City Council and Finance Advisory Committee Meeting of August 17, 2020.

2. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of September 14, 2020.

3. Accounts Payable and Payroll through September 28, 2020, in the Amount of $1,306,469.47.

4. Investment and Bank Balance Summary through July 2020.

5. Year-to-Date Revenues and Expenditures through July 2020.

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

7. Hospitality Recovery Program Update.

Mayor Smith read each item of the consent agenda and asked for requests to remove items for separate approval. No such requests were made.

MOTION

Alderman Smith moved to approve the consent agenda. Alderman Verbic seconded.

VOTE

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

H. PUBLIC HEARINGS

1. Public Hearing on the Taxable General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2020.

Mayor Smith read the subject of the public hearing and opened the hearing at 6:14 p.m.

City Manager Nicklas explained what he called a “scoop and toss” proposal, which would give the City short-term relief from debt service to help make up for revenue shortfalls caused by the COVID-19 emergency.

After ascertaining no one else wished to speak to the proposal, Mayor Smith closed the hearing at 6:25 p.m.

I. CONSIDERATIONS

There were none.

J. RESOLUTIONS

1. Resolution 2020-107 Authorizing the Sale of Real Property Located at 805 E. Locust Street (PIN: 08-23-329-004) in the Amount of $1,500.

Mayor Smith read the resolution by title only.

MOTION

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

City Manager Nicklas said the property is two-tenths of an acre and would be used for storage of wire spindles. He said the installation of an eight-foot fence is anticipated and the Building Department recommends approval.

VOTE

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

2. Resolution 2020-108 Authorizing Payment to Syndeo Networks Inc. in the Amount of $62,345 to Relocate City-Owned Fiber from the Former City Hall Building at 200 S. Fourth Street to 223 S. Fourth Street, and Move an Existing Fiber Handhole into the Right of Way at 200 S. Fourth Street.

Mayor Smith read the resolution by title only.

MOTION

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

City Manager Nicklas reminded Council of the City’s established relationship with Syndeo, and he noted there were two bids with Syndeo’s coming in significantly lower.

VOTE

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

3. Resolution 2020-109 Authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement with DeKalb Township Regarding the Ownership and Maintenance of the Roundabout at Peace Road and Gurler Road.

Mayor Smith read the resolution by title only.

MOTION

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

VOTE

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

K. ORDINANCES – SECOND READING

1. Ordinance 2020-055 Amending Chapter 38 “Intoxicating Liquors,” Section 38.07 “Classifications of Liquor Licenses,” by Adding a New Classification, “Laundromats.”

Mayor Smith read the ordinance by title only.

MOTION

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

City Manager Nicklas said the school board is not supporting the ordinance, perhaps because the driveway of the laundromat in question touches Barb Boulevard and therefore technically does not meet the 100-foot distancing requirement from schools.

Alderman Finucane pointed out the change to Chapter 38 does not automatically grant anyone a liquor license; the laundromat owner who wants one will still need to undertake the licensing process.

VOTE

Motion carried 7-1 on roll call vote. Aye: Faivre, Morris, Finucane, Smith, Perkins, Verbic, Mayor Smith. Nay: McAdams.

L. ORDINANCES – FIRST READING

1. Ordinance 2020-062 Amending the Fiscal Year-End December 31, 2020 Budget. Mayor Smith read the ordinance by title only.

MOTION

Alderman McAdams moved to pass first reading. Alderman Verbic 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 passage of first reading.

MOTION

Alderman Finucane moved to waive second reading and pass the ordinance. Alderman McAdams 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 ordinance passed.

2. Ordinance 2020-063 Authorizing the Issuance of Not to Exceed $2,000,000 in General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Taxable Series 2020, of the City of DeKalb, Illinois.

Mayor Smith read the ordinance by title only.

MOTION

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

Council members discussed the General Fund reserve balance and whether it is more beneficial to the City’s bond rating to follow the 25% fund balance reserve policy rigidly or to avoid more long-term debt in addressing the budget hole created by the pandemic. However, the city manager asserted the most important factor is the pension crisis, as the pensions require a growing share of property taxes, the most stable revenue source.

VOTE

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

MOTION

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

VOTE

Motion carried 6-2 on roll call vote. Aye: McAdams, Faivre, Morris, Finucane, Smith, Mayor Smith. Nay: Perkins, Verbic. Mayor Smith declared the ordinance passed.

M. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

Mayor Smith reported the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have categorized Halloween trick-or-treating as a high-risk activity in terms of potential COVID-19 transmission. He asked Council to discuss how it might be conducted. Consensus was to acknowledge the difficulty in enforcing restrictions citywide, though most supported communication of guidance measures and/or referring parents/guardians to CDC guidelines. Other suggestions included coordination with other communities in the county and reducing the number of official trick-or-treat hours. Alderman Morris said she had circulated a survey of about 425 residents and found 79% support traditional Halloween trick-or-treating.

1. Council Member Reports

Alderman Morris reported a family member had tested positive for COVID-19. She said her family is following a health department recommendation to quarantine for 24 days.

Alderman Finucane reminded the audience to wear their masks. Alderman McAdams urged residents to complete their census forms. Alderman Verbic welcomed Home2Suites and Pizza Hut to his ward.

2. City Clerk Report

City Clerk Fazekas made no report.

3. City Manager Report

City Manager Nicklas made no report.

N. EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO 5 ILCS (120/2) Approval to Hold an Executive Session in Order to Discuss:

1. Personnel as Provided for in 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1); and

2. Pending or Imminent Litigation as Provided for in 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11).

Mayor Smith read the items to be authorized for executive session and asked for a motion to recess.

MOTION

Alderman Verbic moved to recess. Alderman Faivre seconded.

VOTE

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

Mayor Smith announced that Alderman Morris and City Clerk Fazekas would be excluded from executive session for security reasons related to their remote participation. He then declared recess for executive session at 7:13 p.m.

O. ADJOURNMENT

MOTION

Following adjournment of executive session, Alderman McAdams moved to adjourn the regular meeting. Alderman Perkins seconded.

VOTE

Motion carried 7-0-1 on roll call vote. Aye: Finucane, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Mayor Smith. Nay: none. Absent: Morris. Mayor Smith declared adjournment at 7:52 p.m.

https://www.cityofdekalb.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09282020-1891