City of Dekalb City Council met July 24.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
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 the City Council were present: Alderman Carolyn Zasada, Alderman Barb Larson, Alderman Tracy Smith, Alderman Greg Perkins, Alderman Scott McAdams, Alderman Mike Verbic, Alderman John Walker, and Mayor Cohen Barnes.
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 Walker.
VOTE: Motion carried by an 8-0 roll call vote. Aye: Zasada, Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Walker, Barnes. Nay: None. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.
D. PRESENTATIONS
1. Celebrating the Retirement of Maureen Gerrity after 28 Years with Barb City Manor, 1995 - 2023.
City Manager Nicklas provided a brief history of Barb City Manor.
Ms. Gerrity introduced Sarah Davis, who will replace her as Executive Director. Ms. Gerrity thanked City Manager Nicklas and the City Council for the recognition and added she is grateful to the staff at Barb City Manor for their service.
Mayor Barnes presented Ms. Gerrity with a key to the City, and City Manager Nicklas presented her with a personalized (Gerrity Way) street sign.
2. Proclamation: Uke Day – August 13, 2023.
Mayor Barnes read the proclamation in its entirety and presented it to Jen Conley, director of the Wild Blue Ukulele Orchestra, who briefly spoke of the organization and the history of the ukulele.
E. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There was none.
F. APPOINTMENTS
Mayor Barnes read each of the following by title only:
1. Reappointing Steve Becker to the Planning and Zoning Commission for the Completion of a Five-Year Term through December 31, 2027.
2. Reappointing Lynn Neeley to the Finance Advisory Committee for the Completion of a Four Year Term through December 31, 2026, and as Chair for the Completion of a Two-Year Term through December 31, 2024.
MOTION: Alderman McAdams moved to approve the appointments; seconded by Alderman Perkins.
VOTE: Motion carried by an 8-0 roll call vote. Aye: Zasada, Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Walker, Barnes. Nay: None. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.
G. CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Barnes read each of the following by title only:
1. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of July 10, 2023.
2. Accounts Payable and Payroll through July 24, 2023, in the Amount of $2,892,175.87.
3. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Report – June 2023.
4. FY2023 Human Services Funding 2nd Quarter Report.
MOTION: Alderman Verbic moved to approve the appointments; seconded by Alderman Zasada.
VOTE: Motion carried by an 8-0 roll call vote. Aye: Zasada, Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Walker, Barnes. Nay: None. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.
H. PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were none.
I. CONSIDERATIONS
1. Consideration of a Preliminary Five-Year Fire Department Plan.
Prior to the overview of this item, Mayor Barnes complimented City Manager Nicklas on the narrative/summary provided in the agenda background for this item.
City Manager Nicklas proceeded to provide an overview of this item based on the information provided in the agenda packet, which included the history of the land purchased in the 1990s where the proposed station would be built, service response models, station configuration, call history, and the fiscal impact of a new station.
Alderman Zasada offered her support of the plan and noted a conversation with a constituent regarding the lack of diversity in the Fire Department.
City Manager Nicklas provided an explanation of the recruiting and hiring process for the Fire and Police Departments and noted that the City is trying very hard to diversify personnel.
Brief discussion ensued.
Alderman Walker expressed his concern over the lack of diversity at the Fire Department.
Discussion continued about ways to diversify staffing within the Fire Department, current response times, extended care to DeKalb’s residents, the needed growth of safety services, what a new fire station would do for the City’s ISO rating, and the potential need for a fifth fire station in the future due to the rapid growth of DeKalb’s south side, testing parameters for potential firefighter candidates, and where someone interested becoming a firefighter and/or paramedic would go for the specialized training needed.
There was consensus among the Council to move forward to the next steps.
J. RESOLUTIONS
1. Resolution 2023-074 Authorizing the Waiver of Competitive Bidding and Approving an Agreement with Layne Christensen Company for Maintenance Inspection and Repair to Well No. 16 and Well No. 17 in the Amount of $130,000 with Staff Authority to Approve Miscellaneous Repairs in an Amount Not to Exceed $140,000.
Mayor Barnes read the resolution by title only.
MOTION: Alderman Smith moved to approve the resolution; seconded by Alderman Walker.
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 an 8-0 roll call vote. Aye: Zasada, Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Walker, Barnes. Nay: None. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.
2. Resolution 2023-075 Authorizing the Award of a Contract to Curran Contracting Inc. in the Amount of $178,892.05 for the Resurfacing of Greenbrier Road with Staff Authority to Approve Change Orders Up to a Combined Project Total Not to Exceed $184,000.
Mayor Barnes read the resolution by title only.
MOTION: Alderman Perkins moved to approve the resolution; seconded by Alderman Walker.
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 an 8-0 roll call vote. Aye: Zasada, Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Walker, Barnes. Nay: None. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.
K. ORDINANCES – SECOND READING
There were none.
L. ORDINANCES – FIRST READING
1. Ordinance 2023-029 Approving the Rezoning of Parcels Along E. Lincoln Highway, E. Locust Street, N. Seventh Street, N. Eighth Street, and N. Tenth Street, from the “SFR-1” Single Family Residential District, “SFR-2” Single Family Residential District, “LC” Light Commercial District, “LI” Light Industrial District, and “HI” Heavy Industrial District to the “PD-I” Planned Development Industrial District (Nehring Electrical Works Company).
Mayor Barnes read the ordinance by title only.
MOTION: Alderman McAdams moved to approve First Reading of the ordinance; seconded by Alderman Perkins.
City Manager Nicklas provided an overview of this item based on the information provided in the agenda packet.
Alderman Perkins thanked Nehring for their continued investment in the community, to which Mayor Barnes agreed.
VOTE: Motion carried by an 8-0 roll call vote. Aye: Zasada, Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Walker, Barnes. Nay: None. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.
MOTION: Alderman Larson moved to waive Second Reading of the ordinance; seconded by Alderman Walker.
VOTE: Motion carried by an 8-0 roll call vote. Aye: Zasada, Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Walker, Barnes. Nay: None. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.
2. Ordinance 2023-030 Regulating Vehicular Traffic on Normal Road Between W. Locust Street and Lucinda Avenue by Prohibiting Access and Use by Motor Vehicles Except Those Authorized for Emergency Response or Critical Maintenance.
Nancy Dougherty asked how many cars currently access N. Normal Road and Lucinda Avenue by Lincoln Highway, how many drivers will be inconvenienced by this change, and what will be that revised traffic scheme from N. Normal Road to Lincoln Highway.
Mayor Barnes read the ordinance by title only.
MOTION: Alderman Walker 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.
City Engineer Zac Gill provided information regarding a recent traffic study, the current traffic flow on Normal Road on average is approximately 500 cars per day, although it’s difficult to determine a driver’s destination. For instance, a driver may just be going to the parking garage on Normal Road.
Noting the assistance City Engineer Gill has provided to him regarding this topic, Alderman Walker encouraged citizens to contact Mr. Gill with questions.
Brief discussion ensued.
Alderman Larson noted that displaying signage ahead of time would assist citizens with adjusting their driving route.
Alderman Walker asked if the traffic light at W. Lincoln Highway and Normal Road would be needed after this change is made. City Engineer Gill stated it would be unnecessary, but the City would have to wait for clearance from the State of Illinois to make Normal Road one-way before removing it.
Discussion ensued regarding the effect the change will have on the bus turnaround on Carol Avenue. City Engineer Gill stated that three routes will be interrupted by the change, with only one utilizing the bus turnaround, adding the roundabout will allow buses some flexibility.
Further discussion ensued.
Alderman Perkins asked how the City will ensure that Northern Illinois University will maintain accessibility for emergency traffic. City Manager Nicklas replied that an intergovernmental agreement would be put in place with language to that effect.
VOTE: Motion carried by an 8-0 roll call vote. Aye: Zasada, Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Walker, Barnes. Nay: None. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.
MOTION: Alderman Larson moved to waive Second Reading of the ordinance; seconded by Alderman Zasada.
VOTE: Motion carried by an 8-0 roll call vote. Aye: Zasada, Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Walker, Barnes. Nay: None. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.
3. Ordinance 2023-031 Amending Chapter 51 “Traffic”, Schedule A “One Way Traffic”, as it Pertains to Establishing One Way Traffic on Normal Road from Lincoln Terrace to W. Locust Street.
Nancy Dougherty asked how she would get to the church she attends on Normal Road with this proposed change. Mayor Barnes recommended using Annie Glidden Road.
Mayor Barnes read the ordinance by title only.
MOTION: Alderman Verbic moved to approve First Reading of the ordinance; seconded by Alderman Walker.
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 an 8-0 roll call vote. Aye: Zasada, Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Walker, Barnes. Nay: None. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.
MOTION: Alderman Walker moved to waive Second Reading of the ordinance; seconded by Alderman Perkins.
VOTE: Motion carried by an 8-0 roll call vote. Aye: Zasada, Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Walker, Barnes. Nay: None. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.
M. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
1. Council Member Reports.
Alderman Zasada announced her plan to host a Ward 1 meeting on September 12, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The location has yet to be determined.
Alderman Smith also announced his plan to host a Ward 3 meeting this Fall; details are still pending.
Alderman Verbic announced his scheduled Ward 6 meeting on August 3, 2023, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and noted the topics for discussion, one of which will be the proposed Station 4 for the Fire Department.
Alderman Larson reported that the Citizens’ Environmental Commission continues to work on a new sustainability plan, the DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau is working to become 501c3 organization, and University Village will be hosting a job fair in August 2023.
Mayor Barnes reported on recent meetings and events he’s been a part of, which included attending a Voluntary Action Center legislative luncheon, a ceremony at Meta to award grants to various not-for-profit organizations in the community and surrounding areas, a meeting with Paul Castle, and a discussion he had with the new owner of the United Methodist Church.
2. City Manager Report.
City Manager Nicklas had no report.
N. EXECUTIVE SESSION
There was none.
O. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Alderman Perkins moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Alderman McAdams.
VOTE: Motion carried by an 8-0 roll call vote. Aye: Zasada, Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Walker, Barnes. Nay: None. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed and adjourned the meeting at 7:30 p.m.
https://www.cityofdekalb.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07242023-2389
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