City Council

MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MAY 9, 2016 The City Council of DeKalb, Illinois, held a Committee of the Whole meeting on May 9, 2016 in the City Council Chambers of the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois. Mayor Rey called the meeting to order at 5:08 p.m. A. ROLL CALL City Clerk Jennifer Jeep Johnson called the roll, and the following members of the City Council were present: Alderman Bill Finucane, Alderman Michael Marquardt, Alderman Kate Noreiko, Alderman Dave Baker, Alderman Tony Faivre and Mayor John Rey. Absent: Alderman Dave Jacobson and Alderman Bob Snow. Also present were: City Manager Anne Marie Gaura, Assistant City Manager Patty Hoppenstedt, City Attorney Dean Frieders, Finance Director Cathy Haley, Deputy Police Chief John Petragallo, Fire Chief Eric Hicks, Public Works Director Tim Holdeman, City Engineer John Laskowski, and City Clerk Jennifer Jeep Johnson. B. ITEMS ALSO ON THE REGULAR AGENDA There were none. C. CONSIDERATIONS 1. Proposed Updates to Chapter 52 (Elimination/Clarification of Certain Ordinances). City Attorney Frieders explained that there are several sections of the code that are not current, and there are several changes and deletions recommended. Most of the needs for change are due to not having been examined in a very long time. Some of the changes have been viewed as unconstitutional, largely due to vagueness. Regarding other changes, noise ordinances have many redundancies. He offered several more examples of where the code requires updates and language changes in order to best notify the public of the laws. Committee of the Whole Minutes May 9, 2016 Page 2 of 3 City Attorney Frieders explained this is being brought to a Committee of the Whole meeting for consideration by Council, but the codes are largely unused. Alderman Noreiko asked for a language change to the code, from “natural” parent, to “biological” parent. Alderman Marquardt asked whether there were any alternatives for the “loafing on the streets” section of code that City Attorney Frieders referenced. City Attorney Frieders explained there isn’t a lot that can be done about loitering, given the right to peaceably assemble. He does not have a recommendation to bring forth for an update to this section. Alderman Marquardt explained that it can be difficult to navigate the sidewalk at times, due to people gathering there. City Attorney Frieders explained there are measures that can be taken, and will hold a discussion. Mayor Rey offered that Council is satisfied with the direction and they will reexamine the langue they come up with at a future meeting. D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Bessie Chronopoulos offered that perhaps some measures need to be looked at more closely, rather than changing all of this language in one fell swoop. She expressed that the citizen boards should be utilized, and that she believes it would be a huge mistake not to have Council vet the language more thoroughly, and offer more concrete direction. E. RECESS FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL Mayor Rey read the following by title only: 1. Approval to Hold an Executive Session to discuss Personnel as Provided for in 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1). MOTION Alderman Finucane moved to hold an Executive Session; seconded by Alderman Noreiko. VOTE Motion carried on a 6-0-2 voice vote. Mayor Rey declared the motion passed, and closed the meeting to the public at 5:21 p.m. During the Executive Session portion of the Committee of the Whole meeting, Alderman Jacobson arrived at 5:26 p.m. Alderman Snow arrived at 5:44 p.m.  Committee of the Whole Minutes May 9, 2016 Page 3 of 3 Mayor Rey opened the meeting to the public at 6:09 p.m. F. ADJOURNMENT MOTION Alderman Jacobson moved to adjourn the Committee of the Whole meeting; seconded by Alderman Faivre. VOTE Motion carried on an 8-0 voice vote. Aye: Jacobson, Finucane, Marquardt, Snow, Noreiko, Baker, Faivre, Rey. Mayor Rey declared the motion passed, and concluded the meeting at 6:09 p.m. _____________________________________ JENNIFER JEEP JOHNSON, City Clerk Approved by City Council on May 23, 2016.