City Council

MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 22, 2018 The City Council of DeKalb, Illinois held a Regular City Council meeting on October 22, 2018, in the City Council Chambers of the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois. Mayor Smith called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. A. ROLL CALL City Clerk Lynn Fazekas called the roll, and the following members of City Council were present: Alderman Bill Finucane, Alderman Michael Marquardt, Alderman Pat Fagan, Alderman Kate Noreiko, Alderman Mike Verbic, Alderman Tony Faivre, and Mayor Jerry Smith. Alderman David Jacobson arrived at 6:02 p.m. Also present: Interim City Manager Molly Talkington, City Attorney Dean Frieders, Police Chief Gene Lowery, Fire Chief Eric Hicks, Community Development Director Jo Ellen Charlton, Public Works Director Tim Holdeman, Information Technology Director Marc Thorson, Assistant Public Works Director Bryan Faivre, Streets Superintendent Andy Raih, Transit Manager Marcus Cox, Chief Building Official Thaddeus Mack, and Economic Development Planner Jason Michnick. B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES Officer on Duty Jordan Poulos led the Pledge. C. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – ADDITIONS/DELETIONS MOTION Alderman Finucane moved to approve the agenda. Alderman Marquardt seconded. VOTE Motion was approved by 8-0 roll call vote. Aye: Finucane, Marquardt, Fagan, Noreiko, Verbic, Faivre, Jacobson, Smith. Nay: none. D. PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no public hearings conducted during this meeting. Regular Meeting Minutes October 22, 2018 Page 2 of 7 E. SPECIAL ITEMS OR PRESENTATIONS AND CITIZENS’ COMMENTS 1. Special Items a. Proudly DeKalb. Economic Development Planner Michnick introduced NIU Professor Emeritus Kurt Thurmaier, who described the work of Tanzania Development Support a few days in advance of the 10th anniversary of its founding. b. Annie Glidden North Revitalization Plan Task Force Update. Community Development Director Charlton reported a unanimous favorable recommendation from the Planning & Zoning Commission for the plan, and said the City is still accepting comments about the plan. The City will present the recommendations during the November 13, 2018, Committee of the Whole meeting, with Council deciding on adoption of the recommendations on November 26, 2018. 2. Presentations a. Hope Haven FY2018 Human Services Funding Annual Report by Emergency Shelter Director Mike Newman. Mr. Newman recounted services provided by the organization over the past year, including emergency shelter, meals, job classes, help with Section 8, housing people with mental illnesses/dual diagnoses, and homeless prevention efforts. b. Proclamation: Recognizing and Celebrating DeKalb Native Richard Jenkins. Mayor Smith stated he would present the proclamation and Key to the City to Mr. Jenkins on October 30, 2018. c. Proclamation Youth Outlook 20th Anniversary. Mayor Smith read the proclamation and said it will be presented to the organization during its November event. d. Employee Recognition: Ruth Scott. Mayor Smith read and awarded Executive Assistant/Deputy Clerk Scott with a Certificate of Achievement for her successful efforts in maintaining continuity during the months-long vacancy in the City Clerk’s Office this year.  Regular Meeting Minutes October 22, 2018 Page 3 of 7 3. Approval of Mayor Smith's Appointments a. Appointment of Ron Klein to the Planning and Zoning Commission for the Completion of the Five-Year Term through December 31, 2019. b. Appointment of Rachel Farrell to the Citizens’ Environmental Commission for a Two-Year Term through December 31, 2020. MOTION Alderman Noreiko moved to approve the appointments. Alderman Marquardt seconded. VOTE Motion was approved by 8-0 roll call vote. Aye: Marquardt, Fagan, Noreiko, Verbic, Faivre, Jacobson, Finucane, Smith. Nay: none. Mayor Smith also offered an update on the recruitment of a new City Manager. 4. Public Participation There was none. F. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Smith read each item on the Consent Agenda. MOTION Alderman Faivre moved to approve the consent agenda. Alderman Verbic seconded. 1. Approval of City Council Minutes a. Minutes of the Special Committee of the Whole Meeting September 18, 2018. b. Minutes of the Committee of the Whole Meeting of September 24, 2018. c. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting September 24, 2018. 2. Receive & File a. Accounts Payable and Payroll through October 22, 2018, in the Amount of $2,954,779.87. b. Investment and Bank Balance Summary through August 2018. Regular Meeting Minutes October 22, 2018 Page 4 of 7 c. Year-to-Date Revenues and Expenditures for the General Fund and Water Fund through August 2018. d. Human Services Funding Third Quarter Report. VOTE Motion was approved by 8-0 roll call vote. Aye: Fagan, Noreiko, Verbic, Faivre, Jacobson, Finucane, Marquardt, Smith. Nay: none. G. ITEMS FOR SEPARATE ACTION 1. Resolution 2018-138 Authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement with Northern Illinois University for the Coordination of Integrated Transit Services. Mayor Smith read the resolution by title only. MOTION Alderman Faivre moved to approve the resolution. Alderman Marquardt seconded. Transit Manager Cox outlined the consolidation timeline and implementation of the transportation consolidation along with highlights of the intergovernmental agreement. Council members asked about the $2.5 million and where the funding comes from. John Heckman, Director of Facilities at Northern Illinois University, answered that NIU combed the details meticulously and find its share fair. Manager Cox confirmed that the funding for this project, beyond the local match, comes from DeKalb- Sycamore Area Transportation System (DSATS) grants and not the City’s General Fund. VOTE Motion was approved on 8-0 roll call vote. Aye: Noreiko, Verbic, Faivre, Jacobson, Finucane, Marquardt, Fagan, Smith. Nay: none. 2. Resolution 2018-139 Authorizing the Award of a Bid to D. Ryan Tree and Landscape, LLC for Snow Plowing of Public Sidewalks, Bike Paths, and Alleyways for a Three-Year Period (2019-2021 Snow Seasons). Mayor Smith read the resolution by title only. MOTION Alderman Verbic moved to approve the resolution. Alderman Tony Faivre seconded.  Regular Meeting Minutes October 22, 2018 Page 5 of 7 Mayor Smith announced Alderman Fagan’s recusal from voting on this item. Assistant Public Works Director Bryan Faivre noted that D. Ryan was the only bidder, that the price reflects a small increase over what the City is currently paying, and that the contract includes a 7-day termination clause. Council members discussed contracting for these services versus handling them in-house, and responsibility for bike paths. Streets Superintendent Andy Raih said timeliness would be an issue in-house, because City trucks prioritize clearing streets above all else. Interim City Manager Talkington said an additional $10,000 was available in the budget for in-house pay and benefits should Council reject the contract. Superintendent Raih said there is about a quarter mile of bike path that the City owns and maintains. VOTE Motion passed on 7-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Verbic, Faivre, Jacobson, Finucane, Marquardt, Noreiko, Smith. Nay: none. Absent: Fagan (recusal). Mayor Smith declared the motion passed. 3. Resolution 2018-140 Authorizing Support for DeKalb County Case No. DK-18- 32 for a Solar Garden on Properties Located on Twombly Road, Approximately 1,300 Feet West of Annie Glidden Road in DeKalb Township, DeKalb County, Subject to Conditions Recommended by the City of DeKalb. Mayor Smith read the resolution by title only. MOTION Alderman Verbic moved to approve the resolution. Alderman Faivre seconded. Community Development Director Charlton reported that DeKalb County had granted the City’s request last month to delay the zoning hearing by 30 days to allow the City to address concerns with the applicant’s plan, such as emergency access and setbacks. City and applicant have agreed to conditions, hence the City’s resolution of support for the project, which must also be approved by the County and State. Alderman Fagan asked what happens if the property is not properly maintained over its 20- or 25-year lifespan. Director Charlton said the county holds a bond to ensure it. VOTE Regular Meeting Minutes October 22, 2018 Page 6 of 7 Motion was approved on 8-0 roll call vote. Aye: Faivre, Jacobson, Finucane, Marquardt, Fagan, Noreiko, Verbic, Smith. Nay: none. H. NEW OR UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Sale of City Owned Properties Discussion. Community Development Director Charlton explained the list presented to Council is not exhaustive; it includes properties that could be subject to transfer sales for which the City would save money on maintenance, and saleable properties for revenues. Council members discussed marketing of residential properties to get them back on the tax rolls, including considering zoning changes to make them more attractive to buyers. Consensus was for staff to concentrate only on marketable properties for now. Director Charlton asked for feedback on the City-owned site used by not-for-profits. Leasing it was discussed, though staff would have to investigate what needs to be done to make it rentable, including evaluation of accessibility issues. 2. Vacant Building Regulations and Requirements Discussion. Chief Building Official Mack described findings following his research into what other communities do for definitions, inspections, and registrations of vacant properties. Glenn Goering had questions about what constitutes vacant and how that might affect snow removal downtown. He tied this move to approval of a new downtown tax increment financing (TIF) district, blight and redevelopment, and expressed concern. Council members discussed timelines, partial occupancy, enforcement with limited resources, and an option of third-party assistance that is cost-neutral for the City. Stan Urban of ProChamps recommended targeting the filing of foreclosures, a precursor to vacancy that is public information and makes property ownership easier to track. Consensus was to further investigate property registration at the foreclosure stage. I. REPORTS – COMMUNICATIONS Alderman Finucane reminded the community about Halloween safety.  Regular Meeting Minutes October 22, 2018 Page 7 of 7 Alderman Noreiko thanked Mayor Smith for comments about her Woman of Achievement award, and greeted her sister on her surprise visit from Florida. City Clerk Fazekas announced her recent office move to Room 213. City Attorney Frieders reported the new administrative hearing process is going well. Interim City Manager Talkington updated council on budget prep activities. Community Development Director Charlton said sign code discussions start in January. Public Works Director Holdeman announced start of leaf collection and acceptance of PRIDE (People Responsible for Improving DeKalb’s Environment) Award nominations. Information Technology Director Thorson announced Cyber Safety month and a series of public forums to gather input for the upcoming website refresh. J. RECESS FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION OF CITY COUNCIL No executive session occurred during this meeting. K. ADJOURNMENT MOTION Alderman Verbic moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Faivre seconded. VOTE Motion was approved on majority voice vote. Mayor Smith declared the regular meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m. _____________________________________ LYNN A. FAZEKAS, City Clerk Approved by City Council: November 13, 2018.