DeKalb Times

City of Dekalb City Council met July 12.

Here are 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 Barnes called the meeting to order at 6:00PM.

Present were: Ald. Morris, Larson, Smith, Perkins, Verbic, Mayor Barnes, Clerk Cohen Ald. Mcadams, Faivre not in attendance

Staff present included CM Nicklas, ACM Josh Boldt, Fire Chief Jeff McMaster, Police Chief David Byrd. Executive assistant Ruth Scott, Transit manager Marcus Cox, and City Attorney Matt Rose.

B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

A citizen was asked to lead the pledge

C. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Alderman Morris moved to approve the agenda, Alderman Larson seconded. Passed 6-0

D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

JJ Wett Addressed the council regarding disability pride month. Explaining the difference between disability awareness month and disability pride month, and how this is a month to celebrate those with disabilities and all they do. He expressed thanks to Mayor Barnes and the city council on his upcoming appointment to the HRC

E. PRESENTATIONS

1.Proclamation: Declaring Juneteenth (June Nineteenth) a Day to Commemorate the End of Slavery in the United States, and a Day of Racial Reconciliation and Healing in the City of DeKalb.

Mayor Barnes read the proclamation.

F. APPOINTMENTS

1. Appointment of Joe Gastiger as Chair of the Human Relations

Commission for the Completion of a Two-Year Term through

December 31, 2023.

2. Appointment of J.J. Wett to the Human Relations Commission for the Completion of a Three-Year Term through December 31, 2024.

3. Appointment of Shannon Stoker to the Planning and Zoning

Commission for the Completion of a Five-Year Term through

December 31, 2026.

Ald. Verbic moved Ald. perkins seconded to approve as omnibus, passed 6-0

G. CONSENT AGENDA

1. . Accounts Payable and Payroll through July 12, 2021, in the Amount of $2,110,371.

Moved by Ald. Smith, seconded by Ald. Morris. Carried on a roll call vote 6-0

H. PUBLIC HEARINGS

1. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (“CAPER”) for Program Year 2020 (April 1, 2020 - March 31, 2021).

Mayor Barnes opened the hearing at 6:06

No citizens spoke

Mayor Barnes closed the hearing at 6:07

I. CONSIDERATIONS

1. Consideration of the City’s Public Transit Fares.

CM Nicklas gave an overview of our transit fares, explaining that they have been suspended since march of 2020. The question for this evening's meeting is shall we reinstate them. The city manager additionally explained that the fees make up a miniscule portion of the overall funding of the transit system. There are a multitude of reduced fare eligible people, as well as NIU

students who do not pay at point of service, but pay via a block payment in their tuition which the university provides to the school.

Ald Perkins thanked the CM for the inclusion of data on other transit agencies, and asked if we had spoken to the other cities' agencies.

J. RESOLUTIONS

1. Resolution 2021-052 Authorizing a Restaurant/Bar Liquor License for Jerk Fuzion Sports Bar & Grill, 930 Pappas Drive.

Moved by Ald. Larson, seconded by Ald. Morris

We have a new owner for this business, which will require council approval. Their applications are in order, and approval is recommended

Carried 6-0 with Ald. Morris, Larson, Smith, Perkins, Verbic, Mayor Barnes, voting Aye

2. Resolution 2021-053 Authorizing a Contract with ICMA-TV in the Amount of $22,500 to Produce a Film About the City of DeKalb for a Nationwide Audience.

Moved by Ald. Smith, seconded by Ald. Morris

CM Nicklas explained that there is an opportunity to have a film made about DeKalb, both for an upcoming conference and for general marketing and information about DeKalb. We have been selected, and if we want it we can have our video made and played during the 2021 ICMA annual conference.

The production team has been vetted by the ICMA and has put forth the proposal before council- $22,500, which exceeds CM Nicklas’ $20,000 spending authority.

Ald. Verbic is curious about how this will be used in the greater context of marketing our city

Ald. Larson likes the idea of us being ‘out there’ in a target rich environment, the exposure of being at the ICMA conference.

Ald. Smith asked what level of creative control we have over what they shoot. He also expressed support

Ald. Perkins asked about time frame, 6 weeks

Carried 6-0 Ald. Morris, Larson, Smith, Perkins, Verbic, Mayor Barnes, voting Aye

K. Ordinances second reading

None

L. Ordinances first reading

1. Ordinance 2021-023 Amending the Fiscal Year-End December 31, 2021, Budget. Moved by Ald. Morris, seconded by Ald. Verbic

This includes the formal identification of fund 110, a repository for ARP funds. It also explains where and how that money has been parked.

This also explains some of the first half of the years spending and revenue differences from expectations. We were very conservative about revenue projections, which were exceeded, and there was also additional spending to address real needs- including workers comp, insurance, and other things. The general fund is now in a position to shift some funds out.

We have an overall excess of revenues over expenditures of approximately 2.4 million, of which 2.1 is in the general fund (excluding the additional millions in ARP funds)

Ald. Perkins gave thanks for the update

Ald. Larson asked if we have a limit to how much excess we’d want in the general fund before moving funds elsewhere.

Mayor Barnes thanked the council for their stewardship getting us here. Additional thanks given to the CM and city staff

Carried 6-0 Ald. Morris, Larson, Smith, Perkins, Verbic, Mayor Barnes, voting Aye

Ald. Morris moved to waive second and approve, seconded by Ald. Smith Carried 6-0 Ald. Morris, Larson, Smith, Perkins, Verbic, Mayor Barnes, voting Aye

2. Ordinance 2021-024 Authorizing a Zoning Map Amendment from the “RC-1” Residential Conservation District to the “PD-C” Planned Development- Commercial District and Approval of a Preliminary and Final Development Plan for 304 N. Tenth Street (Elias Ramos).

Moved by Ald. Smith, seconded by Ald. Perkins

CM Nicklas states that the petitioner, Elias Ramos, is in the audience, and is looking to make an oasis out of a very old property that has been used over the last century for both commercial and residential purposes. He and his family have owned the property for several years, and have been making updates. Bringing a building of this age to modern zoning is nearly impossible, and so reasonable waivers can be made.

Ald. Smith said he supports this, and that he drives by regularly, and thinks it's already looking far better.

Carried 6-0 Ald. Morris, Larson, Smith, Perkins, Verbic, Mayor Barnes, voting Aye

Ald. Morris moved to waive second and approve, seconded by Ald. Smith Carried 6-0 Ald. Morris, Larson, Smith, Perkins, Verbic, Mayor Barnes, voting Aye

3. Ordinance 2021-025 Amending the City’s Holiday Schedule to Recognize June Nineteenth (“Juneteenth”) as an Official Paid Employee Holiday.

Moved by Ald. Verbic, seconded by Ald. Larson

CM explains that this is built on the proclamation earlier made, and amends the municipal code to include Juneteenth as a paid employee holiday, which would then be negotiated into the new collective bargaining agreements. We are not proposing to trade it for another day, but to grant this as an extra day

Ald. Morris said she is really pleased to see this come forward, and appreciates it.

Ald. Perkins clarified that there are 11 currently, and then stated he had an issue with this. First the number of holidays were going to have, and where are they going to be. He questioned the importance of this holiday versus others that are observed, asking about Casimir Pulaski day, columbus day, etc.

Ald Morris highlighted that doing a trade is diminishing to what the holiday is. The symbolism is important, and it carries deep meaning.

Carried 5-1, with Ald. Morris Larson Smith Perkins and Mayor Barnes voting aye, Ald Perkins voting nay

Moved to waive second reading and pass by Ald. Morris, seconded by Ald. Verbic.

Carried 5-1 with Ald. Morris Larson Smith Perkins and Mayor Barnes voting aye, Ald Perkins voting nay

4. Ordinance 2021-026 Amending Chapter 51 “Traffic”, Schedule A “One Way Traffic”, as it Pertains to Establishing One Way Traffic on N. Sixth Street from E. Lincoln Highway to Pine Street.

Moved by Ald. Smith seconded by Ald. Verbic

CM Nicklas explains that this new proposal conforms to the specifications given at the last council meeting, with a caveat regarding exits from mcdonalds. “But excluding that portion at the intersection of North Sixth Street and East Lincoln Highway used as an exit from the establishment at 545 East Lincoln Highway.”

Ald. Smith asked about local business buy-in to this.

Ald. Morris reiterated to ensure local businesses are happy

Carried 6-0 Ald. Morris, Larson, Smith, Perkins, Verbic, Mayor Barnes, voting Aye Ald. Verbic moved to waive second and approve, seconded by Ald. Larson Carried 6-0 Ald. Morris, Larson, Smith, Perkins, Verbic, Mayor Barnes, voting Aye

M. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

1. Council Member Reports.

Alderman Morris: No report

Alderman Larson: No report

Alderman Smith: No report

Alderman Perkins: No report

Alderman Verbic: No report

Mayor Barnes: Thanks to Chief Byrd for being great at all the things he’s passed to him. Thanks to Marcus Cox for same. Thanks to city attorneys, Scott, Zach, for all the work they do. He had a meeting with NI food bank to learn about their organization, which was a great conversation. There was an Ice Cream social Ald Morris and he attended, along with CM Nicklas and Chief Byrd. Did a golf outing with the DPD, partnering with ACM Boldt. Got to meet Dawn and her team at city hall. He also had to present the colors at a swing dance event on Sunday, for which he was very underdressed.

N. EXECUTIVE SESSION

None

O. ADJOURNMENT

Ald. Smith moved to adjourn seconded by Ald. Larson

Motion carried 6-0 Ald. Morris, Larson, Smith, Perkins, Verbic, Mayor Barnes, voting Aye 

Meeting Adjourned 7:06

https://www.cityofdekalb.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07122021-2026