DeKalb Times

City of Dekalb City Council met Tuesday, May 28.

Here is the agenda provided by the council:

A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

C. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

D. PRESENTATIONS

1. Swearing in of Newly Appointed Fifth Ward Alderman Andre Powell.

E. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

F. APPOINTMENTS

None.

G. CONSENT AGENDA

1. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of April 22, 2024.

2. Minutes of the Special City Council Meeting of April 27, 2024.

3. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of May 13, 2024.

4. Accounts Payable and Payroll through May 28, 2024, in the Amount of $2,542,967.17.

5. Freedom of Information Action (FOIA) Report – April 2024.

6. FY2024 Human Services Funding 1st Quarter Report.

H. PUBLIC HEARINGS

None.

I. CONSIDERATIONS

None.

Assistive services, including hearing assistance devices, available upon request.

J. RESOLUTIONS

1. Resolution 2024-056 Authorizing an Agreement with DeKalb Corn Classic and Kishwaukee Sunrise Rotary Club for the 2024 DeKalb Corn Classic 5/10k and Taste of DeKalb Events on September 29, 2024.

City Manager’s Summary: The DeKalb Corn Classic has been a very successful event in the DeKalb community for many years and draws larger crowds every year to the downtown business district. In September 2018, the Corn Classic partnered with the Kishwaukee Sunrise Rotary Club to conduct the event in coordination with the inaugural Taste of DeKalb. For 2024, the parties want to coordinate the two events again, with the closure of Van Buer Plaza for the Taste of DeKalb, and the temporary closure of a number of streets for the Corn Classic.

The DeKalb Corn Classic and DeKalb Sunrise Rotary Club event organizers have requested the waiver of all fees.

City Council approval is recommended, along with the waiver of fees as requested by the DeKalb Corn Classic and Kishwaukee Sunrise Rotary Club event organizers. (click here for additional information)

2. Resolution 2024-057 Authorizing the Purchase of Three Police Patrol Vehicles from Galena Dodge and Related Upfitting Items from CDS Office Systems, Ray O’Herron’s, And Other Vendors In An Amount Not To Exceed $210,000.

City Manager’s Summary: As Deputy Chief Jason Leverton explains in his background memorandum, the adopted FY2024 City of DeKalb Budget includes four new Police vehicles. One vehicle has already been purchased with prior Council approval, and the City now has a commitment from Galena Dodge to provide three Police patrol vehicles at a cost at or below the state bid price. The make and models include two Dodge Durangos and one Dodge Charger. All are Police package models and require additional upfitting items to be ready for Police patrol purposes.

The make and models are a departure from earlier years. The Police Department has been primarily purchasing Ford Explorers for front-line patrol purposes. However, production of the 2024 Ford Explorers has been delayed until at least August 2024, with Ford filling pre-orders from 2023 first. Illinois Ford dealers have been unable to commit to the provision of the Police Explorers to the City of DeKalb. Furthermore, Ford has not committed to providing the Police Explorers after 2024. Therefore, the Police Department has been searching for suitable alternatives and has found the Dodge Durango and Dodge Charger to be well-suited and equipped for patrol purposes. These vehicles have been produced for a number of years with good reviews from Police departments and mechanical staff.

Although these vehicles fit Police model specifications, they require additional upfitting items to be ready for Police patrol purposes. Primary upfitting costs include a computer system, camera system, emergency lighting and controls, push bumper, radios, prisoner seating accommodations, rear cargo storage racks, and striping. The City uses a variety of vendors to accomplish these purposes, pursuing state bid pricing where applicable.

The requested vehicles and related upfitting are part of the FY2024 adopted budget (Line item funding is provided in 420-00-00-87010, Police Vehicles & Upfitting). The breakdown is as follows:

Galena Dodge: two Dodge Durango’s and one Dodge Charger - $128,000

CDS Office Systems: Computer and Camera Systems - $ 45,000

Ray O’Herron’s: Push Bumpers, Prisoner Seating, Cargo Racks, and Hardware - $ 25,000

Various Vendors: Additional Upfitting Items, Installation, and Striping - $ 12,000

Not to Exceed Net Cost to City - $210,000

The cost of the first squad purchased in February was $41,441.20. With the addition of the three vehicles and related outfitting noted above, the total Police vehicle expenditure for the year will fall within the allocation of $260,000 in Fund 420.

City Council approval of the attached resolution is recommended. (click here for additional information)

K. ORDINANCES – SECOND READING

None.

L. ORDINANCES – FIRST READING

1. Ordinance 2024-024 Amending Chapter 24 “Building Code” to Adopt the 2021 International Mechanical Code with Amendments, the 2021 International Fuel Gas Code with Amendments, the 2023 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) without Amendments, the 2021 Illinois Energy Conservation Code without Amendments, Amendments to Article 9 “State of Illinois Plumbing Code”, and Other Amendments.

City Manager’s Summary: For several generations the City of DeKalb has enforced national and state model codes to provide parameters for built spaces within the City of DeKalb. In the early 2000s, the international codes published by the International Code Council (ICC) replaced the former BOCA (Building Officials and Code Administrators) code series. Historically speaking, individual states have also promulgated model codes for certain trade work, such as plumbing codes and, more recently, energy codes.

The International Code Council – like the BOCA organization before it – publishes overall revisions to their various code books every three years. The City of DeKalb enforces the 2015 ICC series.as well as the Illinois Energy Conservation Code (2015), the Illinois Plumbing Code (2014), the National Electrical Code (2014) and the Illinois Accessibility Code (1997). In all, the City of DeKalb enforces seventeen (17) different specification and performance codes.

The Building Code Review Board has been meeting every other week since January to go through the current code texts and recommend revisions. The Board consists of volunteers appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council who regularly design or perform construction work in the City of DeKalb. The members of the Board are:

▪ Jason Bero (Bero Plumbing)

▪ Steve Doonan (DeKalb Mechanical)

▪ Ken George (Swedberg Electric)

▪ Keith O’Higgins (Consulting Engineer)

▪ Lisa Sharp (Sharp Architects)

▪ Chuck Shepard (Shepard Construction & Board Chair)

Dawn Harper, the City’s Chief Building Official, has been the staff liaison during the Board’s review process.

Early in their deliberations last winter, the Board determined it would be prudent to begin the review process with a focus on specification codes that define materials and methods in great detail and bear on day-to-to-day construction. In addition, the Board realized that several state-imposed codes will need to be adopted soon to meet statutory guidelines. Accordingly, the Board recommended (and the City Manager concurred in) the presentation of code updates in several phases over the Spring and Summer of 2024.

The code upgrades considered in the attached ordinance represent less than one-half of the code documents that will be considered by the Council in the coming months. The largest texts to follow will be the International Building Code, International Residential Code for One and Two-Family Dwellings, the International Fire Code, and the International Property Maintenance Code.

The principal codes and upgrades before the Council on May 28 are listed below, with some notes on the principal changes:

2021 Illinois Energy Conservation Code (IECC). This replaces the 2018 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code. Please note: There is a newly published 2024 International Code Series, but most communities historically adopt the next most recent edition because the impact of the newest codes in terms of cost and performance is typically not fully appreciated for a year or more after the codes are put into practice.

Generally speaking, the 2021 edition of the IECC prescribes methods and materials that will tighten each structure’s thermal envelope (e.g. insulation, energy rating of doors and windows). Among some of the noteworthy changes are the following:

▪ The IECC requires projects to collect 10 points from tables defining ways to achieve additional energy efficiency. Point values are based on occupancy groups (higher values for business than residential, in general).

▪ Buildings with over 25,000 square feet in area are required to have electrical energy monitoring devices to track energy use for HVAC systems, interior lighting, exterior lighting, etc.).

▪ All new commercial buildings in Illinois must be pressure-tested to identify heat loss.

▪ At least 50% of receptacles in all enclosed offices, conference rooms, classrooms, etc. must be controlled to reveal energy use.

▪ Residential heating ducts must be pressure tested during construction to limit leakage of heated air.

▪ Mechanical ventilation systems (e.g. bath fans) need to be tested during construction to verify performance.

▪ Residential lighting controls must have dimmers and occupant sensor controls. Such controls shut off lights unless there is human movement after a certain period of time.

The aforementioned changes are also identified in the Illinois Energy Conservation Code which amends the International Energy Conservation Code as it applies in the State of Illinois. The state enactment is known as a “stretch” code which imposes the legislature’s view of minimum standards in the area of energy conservation. As a result, no home rule communities may apply energy standards which are less stringent than the state code. A copy of the applicable provisions of the Illinois Energy Conservation Code is attached.

2021 International Fuel Gas Code. This replaces the 2015 edition.

▪ All appliance shut-off valves located behind movable appliances such as ranges and clothes dryers have to be easily accessible.

▪ All plastic vent pipe material must be labelled as complying with new specifications imposed on the manufacturers.

▪ Greater clearances are required between direct vent pipes and openings (e.g. doors and windows) in nearby wall surfaces to prevent combustion gases from entering the building.

Illinois Plumbing Code. The 2014 edition has not been updated by the State of Illinois, but the Board recommends revising the City’s prior amendments to the Illinois Plumbing Code to better conform to the State code and best practices.

The most up-to-date text shows the following:

▪ Section 890.140. Health and Safety. This new section pertains to health and safety. For example, if a building sewer is found to be made of “bituminized fiber pipe” (i.e. “Orangeburg”) and it is failing, then the entire building sewer from the house to the main shall be replaced with approved material unless the plumbing inspector determines that the repair cannot be achieved because of site constraints or other extraordinary conditions.

▪ Section 890.1200. Water Service Piping. The water serviced from the street main (including the tap) shall be at least one inch in diameter. Plastic services are prohibited. Brass, cast iron, ductile iron, copper (Type K) are approved materials.

▪ Distribution System. All new family dwellings shall have provisions made for soft water hookup, shall have three (3) valves for bypass (except for outside lawn hydrants, sill cocks, and cold water to the kitchen sink). Properly sized and vented traps shall be installed within five (5) feet of a water softener.

2021 International Mechanical Code. This replaces the 2015 edition.

▪ Clothes dryer exhaust vents must be 3 feet from any opening in the outer building shell.

▪ Polyurethane spray-applied foam is required on the exterior of ductwork in attics and crawl spaces to meet smoke and flame index limits.

▪ Fire and smoke dampers must be installed with approved access for inspection and maintenance.

▪ Refrigerant tables must be upgraded to include the newest refrigerants. ▪ Markings are required for condensate vents or discharge piping.

▪ Air intake systems are required for fireplaces.

▪ A 30% reduction is required for minimum mechanical ventilation with whole-house balanced ventilation systems.

▪ Grease ducts must have horizontal cleanouts within 3 feet of a horizontal discharge fan.

2023 National Electrical Code. This replaces the 2014 edition. Like the state plumbing code, this national code is revised on a different annual schedule than the IECC.

▪ All receptacles must have GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interruption) circuits and receptacles.

▪ In residential occupancies, except in a dining room, all ceiling lights must be operated separately from a fan.

▪ Whenever a service entrance panel is upgraded, the minimum number of poles in the circuit panel shall be 16.

▪ The use of BX cable is prohibited.

Summary:

The Building Code Review Board has estimated that the adoption and enforcement of these state or national-imposed codes will add approximately $10,000-$12,000 to the cost of a new single family home with about 2,000 square feet in area. Nevertheless, either because of state mandates or insurance standards (e.g. the IS0 rating), which now require upgrades in the older versions that the City has been enforcing,

City Council approval is recommended. (click here for additional information) 2. Ordinance 2024-025 Amending the Fiscal Year-End December 31, 2023, Budget.

City Manager’s Summary: The independent audit of the FY2023 Fiscal Year Budget is nearly complete. Only six fund accounts need to be “trued up” before the final audit numbers are recorded in the 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. None of these adjustments impact the General Fund.

The audit adjustments shown on the attached spreadsheet are summarized below:

a. American Rescue Plan Act (Fund 110). A net increase of $95,000 in fund balance owing to unbudgeted interest accrual.

b. GEMT Fund (Fund 130). A net increase in revenue of $97,534.

c. Station 4 Construction Fund (Fund 150). The original FY2023 Budget did not anticipate the new 2023 general obligation bond for Fire Station #4. The amended budget will show a new Fund 150 to serve as the repository of $4,410,501 in bond revenue (including bond premium) and the allocation of $102,522 in bond issuance costs, or a net of $4,307,979.

d. Special Service Area #3 (Fund 223). This is the Heritage Ridge Subdivision SSA. The fund balance was reduced by $56.

e. The Capital Equipment Replacement Fund (Fund 420). The fund balance increased by $112,388 with the sale of additional surplus property.

f. Refuse and Recycling Fund (Fund 680). Typically, in this pass-through fund revenues largely match expenditures over each monthly cycle. However, street sweepings disposed through the refuse contract in 2023 increased by about $25,000 and a contractual increase in charges that followed the new LRS contract resulted in a shortfall of $37,051.

City Council approval is recommended. (click here for additional information)

M. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

1. Council Member Reports.

2. City Manager Report.

N. EXECUTIVE SESSION

None.

O. ADJOURNMENT

https://www.cityofdekalb.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05282024-2535