DeKalb Times

City of Dekalb City Council met June 24.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council of DeKalb, Illinois, held a Regular meeting on June 24, 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 Andre Powell, 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 Verbic moved to approve the agenda; seconded by Alderman Powell.

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.

D. PRESENTATIONS

There were none.

E. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Karamjeet Singh, owner of the three Sav Marketplace gas stations in DeKalb, asked the Council to consider issuing liquor licenses to gas stations for the sale of beer and wine. He noted that business has declined since Northern Illinois University (NIU) closed for the summer and he feels a liquor license would help bring in more revenue for the businesses.

Mayor Barnes stated this topic would be discussed at a liquor summit to be held in the near future, possibly July or August of this year.

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 June 10, 2024.

2. Accounts Payable and Payroll through June 24, 2024, in the Amount of $3,303,207.17.

3. Freedom of Information Action (FOIA) Report – May 2024.

4. Resolution 2024-068 Authorizing a Workers’ Compensation Lump Sum Petition and Order in the Amount of $44,069.41 (Ramain Schaeffer-Carrington).

MOTION: Alderman Larson 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

Mayor Barnes read the following by title only and opened the Public Hearing at 6:05 p.m.

1. Public Hearing: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for Program Year 2023 (April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024).

No one from the public spoke to this item.

City Nicklas gave a brief overview of this item based on the information provided in the agenda packet. Mayor Barnes closed the Public Hearing at 6:07 p.m.

I. CONSIDERATIONS

There were none.

J. RESOLUTIONS

1. Resolution 2024-069 Approving the Sale of the Property at 509 Davy Street to Jose Barrera Nieves in the Amount of $7,000.

Mayor Barnes read the resolution by title only.

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

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

Alderman Smith asked how many City owned properties like this are left to sell. City Manager Nicklas replied there aren’t many.

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. Resolution 2024-070 Authorizing the Renewal of an Airport Hangar and Office Building Lease Agreement with Commonwealth Edison.

Mayor Barnes read the resolution by title only.

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

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.

3. Resolution 2024-071 Approving a Restaurant-Full Liquor License for Floga LLC, d/b/a The Flame, 209 E. Lincoln Highway (Salvador Castro Arellano).

Mayor Barnes read the resolution by title only.

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

4. Resolution 2024-072 Authorizing Central Square to Rehost OneSolution Public Safety and Justice Applications for the DeKalb Police Department in an Amount Not to Exceed $30,000.

Mayor Barnes read the resolution by title only.

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

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.

5. Resolution 2024-073 Authorizing the Amendment of Resolution 2023-045 that Awarded a Contract to Curran Contracting, Inc. for Annual Street Maintenance with a Revised Total Amount of $2,603,000.

Mayor Barnes read the resolution by title only.

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

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.

K. ORDINANCES – SECOND READING

There were none.

L. ORDINANCES – FIRST READING

1. Ordinance 2024-027 Approving the Rezoning of Property Located at 1104-1124 S. Fourth Street from the “GC” General Commercial District to the “PD-C” Planned Development Commercial District (A.H. Auto Repair).

Mayor Barnes read the ordinance by title only.

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

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

Alderman Walker stated he likes this idea and is glad that money is being put back into the S. Fourth Street area.

Alderman Zasada congratulated Mr. Rodriguez.

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 Zasada 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.

Mayor Barnes thanked Mr. Rodriguez for investing in the community.

2. Ordinance 2024-028 Approving the Final Plat of the Algus Subdivision at 200 Peace Road (Mereo Capital Partners).

Mayor Barnes read the ordinance by title only.

MOTION: Alderman Zasada 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.

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 Larson.

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.

4. Ordinance 2024-029 Amending Chapter 51 “Traffic”, Schedule B “Through Streets, Stop Intersections, and Yield Intersections”, to Establish Yield Conditions for Birchwood Lane at Each of its Intersections.

Mayor Barnes read the ordinance by title only.

MOTION: Alderman Powell 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.

Alderman Walker stated this is a great place to put up a much needed sign.

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 Verbic.

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.

5. Ordinance 2024-030 Amending Chapter 51 “Traffic”, Schedule B “Through Streets, Stop Intersections, and Yield Intersections”, to Establish a Three-Way Stop Condition for Knolls Avenue South as it’s Intersected by Knolls Street West.

Mayor Barnes read the ordinance by title only.

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

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

Alderman Verbic thanked City Engineer Zac Gill for the outstanding work on getting this done, as did 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.

MOTION: Alderman Verbic 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, Powell, Verbic, Walker, Barnes. Nay: None. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.

M. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

1. Council Member Reports.

Alderman Walker thanked Community Services Coordinator Jennifer Yochem for getting back to him in a timely manner regarding a recent issue.

Alderman Verbic advised Ward 6 residents to be beware of aggressive solicitors who are not taking no for an answer and will not leave property until the resident listens to their sales pitch. He further stated that residents should call the DeKalb Police Department non-emergency number to report incidents should they occur.

Alderman Perkins reported that roads south of Fairview Drive are being resurfaced and things are moving along great.

Alderman Larson reported on her attendance at today’s swearing in ceremony of a new firefighter. She also thanked the DeKalb Fire Department for sending a truck to a recent funeral service in Maple Park.

Alderman Smith noted the ongoing construction at the Kraft-Heinz site.

Alderman Powell reported his attendance at the DeKalb Pride Fest, the Fun Jam in the Park sponsored by the DeKalb Police Department, and the Flag Day event at the DeKalb Elks Club. He noted they were all great events where he was able to meet a lot of people.

Mayor Barnes reported on recent events and meetings he’s attended, including the Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy graduation ceremony, the DeKalb Pride Fest, a DCEDC Enterprise Zone meeting, the Fun Jam in the Park event, an Opportunity DeKalb event, the Flag Day ceremony at the DeKalb Elks Club, and a Metro West board meeting. He also thanked those Council members who met with him recently.

2. City Manager Report.

City Manager Nicklas had no report.

N. EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mayor Barnes read the following Executive Session exceptions for the record: Approval to hold an Executive Session in order to discuss:

1. Worker’s Compensation as Provided for in 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(12); and

2. The Purchase or Lease of Real Property as Provided for in 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5).

MOTION: Alderman Larson moved to recess for Executive Session; seconded by Alderman Verbic.

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 recessed the Regular meeting at 6:39 p.m.

Following adjournment of the Executive Session, Mayor Barnes opened the meeting to the public at 7:06 p.m.

O. ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: Alderman Perkins moved to adjourn the Regular meeting; seconded by Alderman Verbic.

VOTE: Motion carried by an 8-0 voice vote. Aye: Zasada, Larson, Smith, Perkins, Powell, Verbic, Walker, Barnes. Nay: None. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed and adjourned the Regular meeting at 7:07 p.m.

https://www.cityofdekalb.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_06242024-2545