DeKalb Times

City of Dekalb City Council met April 24.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council of DeKalb, Illinois, held a Regular meeting on April 24, 2023, 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 6:00 p.m.

Recording Secretary Ruth Scott called the roll, and the following members of City Council were present: Alderman Barb Larson, Alderman Tracy Smith, Alderman Greg Perkins, Alderman Scott McAdams, Alderman Mike Verbic, Alderman Tony Faivre, and Mayor Cohen Barnes. Alderman Carolyn Morris was absent.

Others in attendance included City Manager Bill Nicklas, City Attorney Matt Rose, and City Engineer Zac Gill.

Sasha Cohen was absent.

B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Shadow Gentry led the Pledge of Allegiance.

C. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

MOTION: Alderman Larson moved to approve the agenda; seconded by Alderman McAdams.

VOTE: Motion carried by a 7-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: Morris. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.

D. PRESENTATIONS

1. Honoring Elected Officials Leaving Service in 2023 – Alderman Tony Faivre. Mayor Barnes indicated this would be Alderman Faivre’s last Council meeting.

City Manager Nicklas thanked Alderman Faivre for his professional and dedicated service over the last seven and a half years.

Alderman McAdams thanked Alderman Faivre for his stoic leadership.

Mayor Barnes commented that Alderman Faivre is the epitome of what an alderman should be and thanked him for his leadership.

Mayor Barnes then presented Alderman Faivre with a plaque commemorating his service. City Manager Nicklas presented Alderman Faivre with a street sign named “Faivre Way”. Alderman Faivre stated it has been an honor to serve the residents of DeKalb.

E. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Bill Callahan thanked Alderman Faivre for his service. He then addressed the Council, stating the work they do is immeasurable. He further stated that people don’t understand what the Council does, and he wishes more would show up for meetings to see real leadership. He then addressed Zac Gill, stating the traffic calming device on Fairview Drive is working as it should.

F. APPOINTMENTS

There were none.

G. CONSENT AGENDA

Mayor Barnes read the Consent Agenda items by title only:

1. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of April 10, 2023.

2. Accounts Payable and Payroll through April 24, 2023, in the Amount of $2,177,375.98.

3. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Report – March 2023.

4. Resolution 2023-046 Authorizing a Workers’ Compensation Lump Sum Petition and Order in the Amount of $35,986.04 (David Delille).

MOTION: Alderman Faivre moved to approve the items on the Consent Agenda; seconded by Alderman Perkins.

VOTE: Motion carried by a 7-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: Morris. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.

H. PUBLIC HEARINGS

There were none.

I. CONSIDERATIONS

1. Consideration of a Draft Five-Year Program for Annual Street Maintenance for the Years 2024-2028.

MOTION: Alderman Larson moved to bring this item to the floor for discussion; seconded by Alderman McAdams.

City Manager Nicklas provided an overview of this item based on the information provided in the agenda packet.

Lengthy discussion ensued regarding the five-year street maintenance plan, which included comments regarding the Peace Road construction project and providing Council with a list of projects for the federal funded routes, acceleration of how much the City is investing in street repair, street repair funding, street lighting costs, grants, and lighting for city streets.

There was also discussion regarding Taylor Street and Malta Road being returned to DeKalb Township’s Road and Bridge District jurisdiction for repairs. City Engineer Gill explained that the Township must have jurisdiction over a certain number of miles of road or they would have to dissolve.

City Engineer Gill stated the plan would be put on the City’s website for public access. He also reported that mailings would go out this week advising citizens of the road construction and encouraging them to take this opportunity to update their water pipes, etc.

Alderman Perkins and Alderman Smith thanked City Engineer Gill for the detailed report provided in the background for this item.

J. RESOLUTIONS

1. Resolution 2023-047 Authorizing a Six-Month Extension through September 19, 2023, of the Strong Communities Grant from the Illinois Housing Development Authority in the Amount of $100,000 for Reimbursement of City Expenditures Related to the Demolition of Three Condemned Residential Properties.

Mayor Barnes read the resolution by title only.

MOTION: Alderman Larson moved to approve the resolution; seconded by Alderman McAdams.

City Manager Nicklas provided an overview of this item based on the information provided in the agenda packet.

There were no questions or comments from the Council.

VOTE: Motion carried by a 7-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: Morris. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.

2. Resolution 2023-048 Authorizing an Agreement for Construction Engineering Services with Fehr Graham & Associates, LLC for the 2023 General Street Maintenance Program, with a Fee Not to Exceed $163,600.

Mayor Barnes read the resolution by title only.

MOTION: Alderman Verbic moved to approve the resolution; seconded by Alderman Faivre.

City Manager Nicklas provided an overview of this item based on the information provided in the agenda packet.

Brief discussion ensued.

VOTE: Motion carried by a 7-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: Morris. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.

3. Resolution 2023-049 Authorizing a Supplemental Sum of $398,600 of Motor Fuel Tax Funds for Maintaining Various Streets and Highways Under the Applicable Provisions of the Illinois Highway Code (Section 23-00000-00-GM) from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023.

Mayor Barnes read the resolution by title only.

MOTION: Alderman Smith moved to approve the resolution; seconded by Alderman McAdams.

City Manager Nicklas provided an overview of this item based on the information provided in the agenda packet.

There were no questions or comments from the Council.

VOTE: Motion carried by a 7-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: Morris. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.

4. Resolution 2023-050 Approving a Hospitality Liquor License for Volume Services, Inc., d/b/a Sodexo Live!, for the Northern Illinois University Convocation Center Located at 1525 W. Lincoln Highway.

Mayor Barnes read the resolution by title only.

MOTION: Alderman McAdams moved to approve the resolution; seconded by Alderman Faivre.

City Manager Nicklas provided an overview of this item based on the information provided in the agenda packet.

There were no questions or comments from the Council.

VOTE: Motion carried by a 7-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: Morris. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.

5. Resolution 2023-051 Approving a Hospitality Liquor License for Volume Services, Inc., d/b/a Sodexo Live!, for the Northern Illinois University Stadium Located at 1245 Stadium Drive.

Mayor Barnes read the resolution by title only.

MOTION: Alderman Perkins moved to approve the resolution; seconded by Alderman Faivre.

City Manager Nicklas provided an overview of this item based on the information provided in the agenda packet.

There were no questions or comments from the Council.

VOTE: Motion carried by a 7-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: Morris. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.

6. Resolution 2023-052 Approving a Restaurant/Low Alcohol by Volume (ABV) Liquor License for Redjepi LLC, d/b/a Zana’s Woodfired Pizza, Located at 1406 Sycamore Road, Suite A.

Mayor Barnes read the resolution by title only.

MOTION: Alderman Smith moved to approve the resolution; seconded by Alderman McAdams.

City Manager Nicklas provided an overview of this item based on the information provided in the agenda packet.

Alderman Smith asked for a definition of a Low ABV liquor license. City Manager Nicklas stated that businesses with this type of liquor license can only serve drinks containing 20% or less alcohol.

VOTE: Motion carried by a 7-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: Morris. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.

7. Resolution 2023-053 Approving a Retail Tobacco Store License for The Smoke Shop NIU 818, Inc., d/b/a The Smoke Shop, Located at 818 W. Lincoln Highway, Suite 3.

Mayor Barnes read the resolution by title only.

MOTION: Alderman Verbic moved to approve the resolution; seconded by Alderman Faivre.

City Manager Nicklas provided an overview of this item based on the information provided in the agenda packet.

There were no questions or comments from the Council.

VOTE: Motion carried by a 7-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: Morris. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.

K. ORDINANCES – SECOND READING

There were none.

L. ORDINANCES – FIRST READING

1. Ordinance 2023-018 Amending the Fiscal Year-End December 31, 2022, Budget. Mayor Barnes read the ordinance by title only.

MOTION: Alderman Faivre moved to approve first reading of the ordinance; seconded by Alderman McAdams.

City Manager Nicklas provided an overview of this item based on the information provided in the agenda packet.

There were no questions or comments from the Council.

VOTE: Motion carried by a 7-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: Morris. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.

MOTION: Alderman Smith moved to waive second reading and approve the ordinance; seconded by Alderman Perkins.

VOTE: Motion carried by a 7-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: Morris. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.

M. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

1. Council Member Reports.

Alderman Larson reported her attendance at the recent swearing in of new Firefighter Brennan Peters and the promotional pinning of Captain Brian Andrus, Lieutenant Jared Thorp, and Lieutenant Kevin Palazzola.

Alderman Faivre reported that the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) will be hosting plane rides for children on June 4.

Mayor Barnes reported on recent activities with the Illinois Municipal League, his attendance at the Northern Illinois University Interfraternity Council (IFC) Tugs event on April 22, and a visit to the commercial kitchen food hub in Genoa.

2. City Manager Report.

City Manager Nicklas thanked Mayor Barnes for his representation of the City of DeKalb at events. He also thanked Alderman Larson for attending Fire and Police swearing in and pinning ceremonies, noting it means a lot to City staff.

N. EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mayor Barnes read the Executive Session exception for the record:

1. Approval to Hold an Executive Session in Order to Discuss the Sale or Lease of Real Property as Provided for in 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6).

MOTION: Alderman Faivre moved to recess for Executive Session; seconded by Alderman Perkins.

VOTE: Motion carried by a 7-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: Morris. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed and recessed the meeting at 7:11 p.m.

Following adjournment of the Executive Session, Mayor Barnes opened the meeting to the public at 8:41 p.m.

O. ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: Alderman Faivre moved to adjourn the Regular meeting; seconded by Alderman Smith.

VOTE: Aye: Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: Morris. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed and adjourned the meeting at 8:41 p.m.

https://www.cityofdekalb.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_04242023-2352