DeKalb Times

City of Dekalb City Council met May 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council of DeKalb, Illinois, held a Regular meeting on May 28, 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 Mike Verbic, Alderman John Walker, and Mayor Cohen Barnes.

Others in attendance were City Manager Bill Nicklas and City Attorney Matt Rose.

B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Shadow Gentry led the Pledge of Allegiance.

C. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

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

VOTE: Motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote. Aye: Zasada, Larson, Smith, Perkins, Verbic, Walker, Barnes. Nay: None. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.

D. PRESENTATIONS

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

Mark Charvat congratulated Alderman Powell on his appointment. He then expressed his position on the process used by Mayor Barnes, stating best practices were not used.

Mr. Charvat also spoke of a FOIA filed with the City for a list of names of those citizens that expressed interest in filling the role of Fifth Ward Alderman, which was originally denied by the City, but then overturned by the State of Illinois Public Access Counselor (PAC) for non compliance.

Continuing, Mr. Charvat claimed that Mayor Barnes made false statements at the May 13, 2024, City Council meeting about certain citizens vilifying those who apply for roles on the City’s boards, commissions, and committees.

Concluding his comments, Mr. Charvat stated he has nothing but admiration for those that applied for the Fifth Ward Alderman appointment.

In response to Mr. Charvat’s comments, Mayor Barnes stated he mentioned vilification at the last Council meeting due to a local blogger (Mr. Charvat) that he believes has repeatedly vilified those in the community who want to volunteer for roles on the City’s boards, commissions, and committees, which is why there was reluctance to release the names of those who applied for the Fifth Ward Alderman seat as the resumes submitted contained personal information. He noted that he’s heard numerous times throughout the community that citizens are deterred from service to the City due to said blogger’s negative comments.

Chris Boyes commended Alderman Powell for his former service to the DeKalb School Board and his work throughout the community.

Alderman Powell was sworn in by Recording Secretary Scott and took his seat among the other Council members.

Mayor Barnes stated he’s known Alderman Powell for many years, noting his community service record is phenomenal and he will make an incredible addition to the Council.

E. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Mark Charvat claimed that Mayor Barnes falsely told listeners on the WLBK radio program that he contacted all the applicants for the Fifth Ward Alderman seat and acknowledged receipt of their applications. He then noted the names of those who applied for the role: Shaun Langley, Mike Tritle, David Galica, Killian Becker, Alexa Carifio, Steven Johnson, Melissa Garman, and Gwendolyn Marshall. Mr. Charvat also stated it’s his understanding that none of the applicants received interviews for the role, adding it sets poor precedence, especially for those wishing to apply for roles on the City’s boards, commissions, and committees in the future. He added that comments made by Alderman Zasada and Alderman Walker to the Daily Chronicle noted their disappointment in the process as well.

Concluding his comments, Mr. Charvat stated he has nothing bad to say about Alderman Powell and feels he will do an excellent job on the Council and for the Fifth Ward if he remains independent.

There was a brief comment from Mayor Barnes regarding future artificial intelligence and its capability to fact check.

F. APPOINTMENTS

There were none.

G. CONSENT AGENDA

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

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.

MOTION: Alderman Smith moved to approve the Consent Agenda; seconded by Alderman Perkins.

VOTE: Motion carried by an 8-0 roll call vote. Aye: Zasada, Larson, Smith, Perkins, Powell, Verbic, Walker, Barnes. Nay: None. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.

H. PUBLIC HEARINGS

There were none.

I. CONSIDERATIONS

There were none.

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.

Mayor Barnes read the resolution by title only.

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

City Manager Nicklas gave 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 6-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Larson, Smith, Perkins, Powell, Verbic, Walker. Nay: None. Abstain: Zasada, Barnes. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.

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.

Mayor Barnes read the resolution by title only.

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

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

Alderman Walker asked if the City’s current Ford police vehicles would also need to be replaced since there’s an issue with delivery. City Manager Nicklas replied it’s too early to tell. He also stated there’s an urgency to replace these vehicles due to the condition of the City’s fleet, noting that replacement of the oldest vehicles in the fleet is a priority.

VOTE: Motion carried by an 8-0 roll call vote. Aye: Zasada, Larson, Smith, Perkins, Powell, Verbic, Walker, Barnes. Nay: None. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.

K. ORDINANCES – SECOND READING

There were 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.

Mayor Barnes read the ordinance by title only.

MOTION: Alderman Verbic moved to approve First Reading of the ordinance; seconded by Alderman Powell.

Chuck Shephard, Chair of the Building Code Review Board (BCRB) provided comments regarding the proposed Chapter 24 amendments, the process used, what still needs to be done, and efforts being made with surrounding communities to ensure everyone is using the same building codes. He also thanked members of the BCRB – Jason Bero, Steve Doonan, Ken George, Keith O’Higgins, Lisa Sharp, and the City’s Chief Building Officer Dawn Harper – for their assistance and commitment to the process.

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

Alderman Perkins asked about the permitting process moving forward. There was clarification that someone applying for a building permit tomorrow will be required to use the newly revised code, while someone that applied yesterday would still be allowed to use the former code.

Brief discussion ensued.

VOTE: Motion carried by an 8-0 roll call vote. Aye: Zasada, Larson, Smith, Perkins, Powell, 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, Powell, Verbic, Walker, Barnes. Nay: None. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.

2. Ordinance 2024-025 Amending the Fiscal Year-End December 31, 2023, Budget. Mayor Barnes read the ordinance by title only.

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

City Manager Nicklas gave 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, Powell, Verbic, Walker, Barnes. Nay: None. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.

MOTION: Alderman Smith moved to waive Second Reading of the ordinance; seconded by Alderman Smith.

VOTE: Motion carried by an 8-0 roll call vote. Aye: Zasada, Larson, Smith, Perkins, Powell, Verbic, Walker, Barnes. Nay: None. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.

M. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

1. Council Member Reports.

Alderman Walker reported on the groundbreaking ceremony held on May 24 for new Fire Station #4, noting it was an honor to be in attendance.

Alderman Verbic also reported on the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Fire Station and thanked everyone who was in attendance, as did Alderman Smith.

Alderman Smith welcomed Alderman Powell to the Council.

Alderman Powell reported he has been visiting business within the Fifth Ward to introduce himself to business owners and their staff. He noted that he looks forward to being on the Council and can’t wait to get to work.

Mayor Barnes reported on recent events and meetings he’s attended, including the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) mentor match up event, a recent Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission (CCEC) meeting, the nuEra dispensary grand opening, a MetroWest networking event, a WLBK radio interview, the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Fire Station, time spent with Citizen Police Review Board (CPRB) Chair Maurice McDavid, the Memorial Day Parade and program, and Memorial Day events with Amvets and the American Legion.

2. City Manager Report.

City Manager Nicklas thanked Management Analyst Scott Zak for his role behind the scenes of the Memorial Day Parade and other community events.

N. EXECUTIVE SESSION

There was none.

O. ADJOURNMENT

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

VOTE: Motion carried by an 8-0 roll call vote. Aye: Zasada, Larson, Smith, Perkins, Powell, Verbic, Walker, Barnes. Nay: None. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed and adjourned the meeting at 6:51 p.m.

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