DeKalb Times

City of Dekalb City Council Met May 10.

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 6:00 p.m.

City Clerk Lynn Fazekas (attending remotely) called the roll, and the following members of City Council were present: Aldermen Carolyn Morris, Tracy Smith, Greg Perkins, Scott McAdams, Mike Verbic, Tony Faivre, and Mayor Jerry Smith. Absent: Alderman Bill Finucane.

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 said he was aware of a request from Mayor-Elect Cohen Barnes to add an item to the agenda and asked Council for any additions.

MOTION

Alderman Faivre moved to amend the agenda by adding a City Clerk report following Council Member reports. Alderman McAdams seconded.

VOTE

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

MOTION

Alderman Faivre moved to approve the agenda as amended. Alderman McAdams seconded. 

VOTE

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

D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Mayor Smith read a comment submitted by Peter Vander Bleek of Barb Boulevard, who paid compliments to his neighbor Mike Tritle and to City staff for their work on the proposed Barb Boulevard parking ordinance.

Mark Charvat, commenting in person, called it a wise move for Council to restore the City Clerk report to the agenda, and he suggested adding reports by Police and Fire chiefs as well. Mr. Charvat also said he had ranked local governments by how much their property tax levies had increased, saying DeKalb Public Library was “worst” with a 21.4% increase and City of DeKalb “best” because the City saw a decrease in tax rate.

Ging Smith, attending in person, thanked citizens of DeKalb for their support of Mayor Smith and herself during rough times.

Mark Charvat commented separately on the topic of swearing in the newly elected City officers. He asked for them to hold mayoral forums, practice fiscal restraint, and answer their email.

E. PRESENTATIONS

1. Swearing in of Newly Elected Officials by the Honorable Judge Ronald G. Matekaitis:

a. Cohen Barnes, Mayor (2021-2025)

b. Barb Larson, Second Ward Alderman (2021-2025)

c. Greg Perkins, Fourth Ward Alderman (2021-2025)

d. Mike Verbic, Sixth Ward Alderman (2021-2025)

e. Sasha Cohen, City Clerk (2021-2025)

Judge Matekaitis administered the oath to each newly elected officer individually, and the newly sworn-in took their seats immediately after.

2. Proclamation: International Firefighter’s Day – May 4, 2021.

Mayor Barnes read the proclamation,

3. Proclamation: National Police Week, May 9 – 15, 2021.

Mayor Barnes read the proclamation

4. Proclamation: National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week, May 16 – 22, 2021.

Mayor Barnes read the proclamation

Mayor Barnes thanked former Mayor Smith for his term of service to the city, as well as former Alderman Finucane and former City Clerk Fazekas. He expressed a hope to work together to continue their work and grow this beautiful city.

F. APPOINTMENTS

There were none.

G. CONSENT AGENDA

Mayor Barnes read the following Consent Agenda items for the record:

1. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of April 26, 2021.

2. Accounts Payable and Payroll through May 10, 2021, in the Amount of $1,718,659.66.

3. Minutes of the Joint Review Board Meeting of January 22, 2021.

4. FY2021 Human Services Funding 1st Quarter Report.

5. 2021 Liquor License Renewal Update.

MOTION

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

VOTE

Motion carried by an 8-0 roll call vote. Aye: Morris, Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Barnes. Nay: None. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.

H. PUBLIC HEARINGS

There were none.

I. CONSIDERATIONS

There were none.

J. RESOLUTIONS

There were none.

K. ORDINANCES – SECOND READING

1. Ordinance 2021-016 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 Parking Restrictions for Portions of Barb Boulevard.

Mayor Barnes read the ordinance by title only.

MOTION

Alderman McAdams moved to take up the resolution; by seconded by Alderman Faivre.

Thomas Riley of Barb Blvd spoke as a public commenter, regarding concerns about parking during the winter months, specifically during 2” or more of snow. He expressed that neighbors parking in front of his driveway has resulted in plows missing his driveway, and requests the Council reinstate the old provision prohibiting street parking during times of 2” or more of snow.

Mike Tritle spoke to the process of putting together this ordinance and thanked all involved in drafting and making it work.

City Manager Nicklas pointed out that the 2” rule could be handled separately from the ordinance on the floor, but that he shares with Mr. Riley’s sentiment, and will work to ensure signage is updated to reflect such a restriction.

Furthermore, City Manager Nicklas asked for an amendment to change the ordinance, namely, move to amend Ordinance 2021-016 to require only one (1) placard of identical size, color, wording, and shape, for residents and guests alike.

VOTE

Motion carried on an 8-0 roll call vote. Aye: Morris, Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Barnes. Nay: None. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.

MOTION

Alderman Morris moved to waive second reading and approve; seconded by Alderman McAdams.

VOTE

Motion carried on an 8-0 roll call vote. Aye: Morris, Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Barnes. Nay: None. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.

L. ORDINANCES – FIRST READING

There were none.

M. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

1. Council Member Reports

Alderman Morris congratulated all the newly elected officials.

Alderman Larson stated she is excited to be here.

Alderman Smith welcomed all incoming elected officials.

Alderman Perkins had no report.

Alderman McAdams had no report.

Alderman Verbic said welcome aboard to all the newly elected officials. He also reported that he would be hosting a sixth ward meeting on May 12, 2021, noting that Julie Jesmer of the Dekalb Trash Squirrels would be in attendance, as well as Police Chief Byrd.

Alderman Faivre welcomed all the newly elected officials.

2. City Clerk Report

City Clerk Cohen said he will be keeping full time hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, thanked the voters for electing him, and welcomed and congratulated the new elected officials.

Mayor Barnes reiterated his thanks for former Mayor Smith, as well as his work to move the city forward.

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

For the record, Mayor Barnes read the following:

Approval to Hold an Executive Session in Order to Discuss:

1. Purchase or Lease of Real Property as provided for in 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5); and 2. Real Estate as Provided for in 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6).

MOTION

Alderman Verbic moved to recess for executive session. Alderman Perkins seconded. 

VOTE

Motion carried by an 8-0 roll call vote. Aye: Morris, Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Barnes. Nay: None. Mayor Barnes declared a recess at 6:45 p.m.

O. ADJOURNMENT

MOTION

Following executive session, Alderman Perkins moved to adjourn the regular meeting. Alderman Morris seconded.

VOTE

Motion carried by an 8-0 roll call vote. Aye: Morris, Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Barnes. Nay: None. Mayor Barnes declared adjournment at 8:12 p.m.

https://www.cityofdekalb.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05102021-1998