DeKalb Times

City of Dekalb City Council met Jan. 4.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council of DeKalb, Illinois, held a Special meeting on January 4, 2024, 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 5:00 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 Mike Verbic, Alderman John Walker, and Mayor Cohen Barnes. Alderman Greg Perkins arrived at 5:12 p.m. Alderman Scott McAdams was absent.

Others in attendance included City Manager Bill Nicklas and City Attorney Matt Rose. Sasha Cohen was absent.

B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Approval of the Agenda took place following public participation.

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

VOTE: Motion carried by a 6-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Zasada, Larson, Smith, Perkins, Walker, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: McAdams, Verbic (Alderman Verbic left the meeting at 5:45 p.m. for a previously scheduled Ward 6 meeting). Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.

C. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Prior to public participation, Mayor Barnes provided a statement regarding the proposed ordinance and why it’s needed in the City of DeKalb.

Cris Luna, Dwayne Brown, Bill Feithen, and Jim Mason expressed their support for the ordinance.

Amy Levin, Joe Gastiger, Catherine (last name illegible), Sandy Lopez, Luis Amezquita, Sarah Moses, and Derek VanBuer spoke against the ordinance.

Mark Charvat spoke of the proposed process, indicating he wasn’t going to take a position either way.

Derek VanBuer also spoke regarding a recent court case involving Alderman McAdams.

D. ORDINANCES – FIRST READING

1. Ordinance 2024-001 Amending Chapter 51 “Traffic” of the City of DeKalb Municipal Code to Provide for the “Regulation of Unscheduled Bus Stops” in the City of DeKalb.

Mayor Barnes read the ordinance by title only.

MOTION: Alderman Walker moved to approve First Reading of the ordinance; seconded by Alderman Smith.

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

Following City Manager Nicklas’ overview, a lengthy discussion ensued.

Alderman Perkins, Alderman Larson, Alderman Smith, and Alderman Walker spoke in support of the ordinance.

Alderman Zasada spoke against the ordinance.

VOTE: Motion carried by a 5-1-2 roll call vote. Aye: Larson, Smith, Perkins, Walker, Barnes. Nay: Zasada. Absent: McAdams, Verbic. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.

It was noted this ordinance would be placed on the January 8, 2024, regular City Council meeting agenda for Second Reading.

E. ADJOURNMENT

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

VOTE: Motion carried by a 6-0-2 voice vote. Aye: Zasada, Larson, Smith, Perkins, Walker, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: McAdams, Verbic. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed and adjourned the meeting at 6:37 p.m.

https://www.cityofdekalb.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01042024-2468