DeKalb Times

City of Dekalb City Council met Jan. 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council of DeKalb, Illinois, held a Regular meeting on January 8, 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 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 John Donahue, 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

Mayor Barnes asked for a motion to amend the agenda in order to add a brief presentation from City Engineer Zac Gill regarding the Lucinda Street Bridge construction.

MOTION: Alderman Perkins moved to amend and 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. Proclamation Honoring the Northern Illinois University Football Team on Their Win in the Camillia Bowl on December 23, 2023.

Mayor Barnes read the proclamation in its entirety.

2. Presentation Regarding the Lucinda Street Bridge.

City Engineer Gill reported that utility conflicts with the bridge construction is nearing clearance from all utility conflicts. Therefore, the closure and detour will be reestablished the week of January 15, 2024.

Mayor Barnes commented briefly regarding the many aspects of repairing bridges, including coordination of contractors, subcontractors, utility coordination, etc.

E. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

There was none.

F. APPOINTMENTS

1. Appointing Killian Becker, Thomas Skuzinski, and Rob Srygler to the Citizens’ Environmental Commission, Each for a Two-Year Term through December 31, 2025.

Mayor Barnes read the appointments by title only.

MOTION: Alderman Smith moved to approve the appointments; seconded by Alderman Larson.

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.

Mayor Barnes thanked all those who volunteer to serve on the City’s boards, commissions, and committees.

G. CONSENT AGENDA

Mayor Barnes read the following Consent Agenda items by title only:

1. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of December 11, 2023.

2. Accounts Payable and Payroll through December 28, 2023, in the Amount of $3,804,574.70.

3. Accounts Payable and Payroll through January 8, 2024, in the Amount of $1,050,523.37.

4. Investment and Bank Balance Summary through November 2023.

5. Year-to-Date Revenues and Expenditures through November 2023.

6. Crime-Free Housing Bureau Report – December 2023.

MOTION: Alderman Zasada moved to approve items listed under the Consent 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.

H. PUBLIC HEARINGS

There were none.

I. CONSIDERATIONS

There were none.

J. RESOLUTIONS

Mayor Barnes read Resolutions 2024-001, 2024-002, 2024-003, and 2024-004 by title only and asked for a motion to approve them in omnibus form.

1. Resolution 2024-001 Authorizing an FY2024 Funding Agreement with the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) in the Amount of $35,000 for Economic Development Services from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024.

2. Resolution 2024-002 Authorizing an FY2024 Funding Agreement with the DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau in the Amount of $50,000 for Tourism Activities from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024.

3. Resolution 2024-003 Authorizing an FY2024 Funding Agreement with the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce in the Amount of $35,000 for the Purpose of Facilitating Community Events from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024.

4. Resolution 2024-004 Authorizing a Payment to the DeKalb County Community Foundation on Behalf of the DeKalb Municipal Band for Services from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024, in the Amount of $41,088.

City Manager Nicklas indicated he had no further comment regarding the resolutions, and there were no questions or comments from the Council.

MOTION: Alderman Perkins moved to approve the resolutions in omnibus form; 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.

5. Resolution 2024-005 Authorizing the Renewal of the Microsoft Office 365 Subscription Government Cloud Community with Dell Marketing LP through the State of Illinois Joint Purchase Master Contract for a Three-Year Term in the Amount of $66,706.65 Annually.

Mayor Barnes read the resolution by title only.

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

City Manager Nicklas gave an overview of the 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.

6. Resolution 2024-006 A Resolution in Support of Studying the Feasibility of Reviving the Twin Cities Zephyr Amtrak Route from Chicago to East Dubuque.

Mayor Barnes read the resolution by title only.

MOTION: Alderman Zasada moved to approve the resolution; seconded by Alderman

City Manager Nicklas gave an overview of the 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.

7. Resolution 2024-007 Authorizing an Agreement for Preliminary Engineering Services with Fehr Graham & Associates, LLC for the 2024 General Street Maintenance Program in an Amount Not to Exceed $75,000.

Mayor Barnes read the resolution by title only.

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

City Manager Nicklas gave an overview of the 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

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 Perkins moved to approve Second Reading of the ordinance; seconded by Alderman Walker.

Jared De Seife, who works in Lake County where they have enacted similar ordinances, advised the Council that the ordinance will only work if the bus is found before or during disembarkation.

Joe Gastiger, Frankie DiCiaccio, Linh Nguyen, and David Becker spoke in opposition of the ordinance.

Jim Mason spoke in favor of the ordinance.

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

Lengthy discussion ensued, with Alderman McAdams, Alderman Zasada, and Alderman Verbic speaking in opposition of the ordinance.

Mayor Barnes, Alderman Larson, and Alderman Walker spoke in favor of the ordinance. Alderman Larson spoke in favor of the ordinance.

City Manager Nicklas provided information about what would be done for migrants if they were to arrive in DeKalb, which would include a brief stay at a local hotel, if necessary, transportation to the Metra station in Elburn, and funds to purchase a one way train ticket to Chicago if needed.

Further discussion ensued.

VOTE: Motion carried by a 5-3 roll call vote. Aye: Larson, Smith, Perkins, Walker, Barnes. Nay: Zasada, McAdams, Verbic. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.

L. ORDINANCES – FIRST READING

1. Ordinance 2024-002 Approving the Rezoning of Property Located at 122 Cotton Avenue to the “TFR” Two-Family Residential District and Approval of a Special Use Permit to Allow Two Dwelling Units on a Lot That Does Not Meet the Minimum Lot Size Requirements (Neville Gallon).

Mayor Barnes read the ordinance by title only.

MOTION: Alderman Perkins moved to approve First Reading of the ordinance; seconded by Alderman Zasada.

City Manager Nicklas gave an overview of the 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 Perkins 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 2024-003 Approving the Rezoning of Property Located at 1209 Pleasant Street to the “RC-1” Residential Conservation District, Approval of a Special Use Permit to Allow a Two Family Dwelling Unit (Duplex), and Approval of a Minor Subdivision Plat (Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County).

Mayor Barnes read the ordinance by title only.

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

City Manager Nicklas gave an overview of the 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 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.

M. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

1. Council Member Reports.

Alderman Verbic reported on his recent Ward 6 meeting and thanked City Engineer Gill for his participation.

Alderman Larson reported her attendance at the recent promotion of Police Seargent Liz Fabro. She also encouraged citizens to shop locally.

Alderman Zasada reported she is planning to have a ward meeting in the near future.

Alderman McAdams stated that the Public Works Department is ready for the predicted snowstorm. He also reported that he has located housing within the 5th Ward.

Alderman Walker reported on research he conducted regarding the DeKalb Community Unit School District No. 428, their current low rankings within the state, and what he feels are their shortcomings.

Mayor Barnes commented on Ordinance 2024-001, stating it has helped trigger a larger conversation and he hopes for more community participation.

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 Walker.

VOTE: Motion carried by an 8-0 voice vote. Aye: Zasada, Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Walker, Barnes. Nay: None. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed and adjourned the meeting at 7:48 p.m.

https://www.cityofdekalb.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01082024-2470