City Council

MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE JUNE 13, 2016 The City Council of DeKalb, Illinois, held a Committee of the Whole meeting on June 13, 2016 in the City Council Chambers of the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois. Deputy City Clerk Ruth Scott called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. Noting the absence of Mayor Rey, Alderman Noreiko made a motion to appoint Alderman Finucane as Temporary Chair; seconded by Alderman Jacobson. The motion was carried by a 6-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Jacobson, Finucane, Marquardt, Snow, Noreiko, Faivre. Nay: None. Absent: Baker, Rey. A. ROLL CALL Deputy City Clerk Ruth Scott called the roll, and the following members of the City Council were present: Alderman David Jacobson, Temporary Chair Bill Finucane, Alderman Michael Marquardt, Alderman Bob Snow, Alderman Kate Noreiko, and Alderman Tony Faivre. Absent: Mayor John Rey. Alderman Baker joined the meeting at 5:07 p.m. Also present were: City Manager Anne Marie Gaura, Assistant City Manager Patty Hoppenstedt, City Attorney Dean Frieders, Finance Director Cathy Haley, Police Chief Gene Lowery, Fire Chief Eric Hicks, Long Range Planner Derek Hiland, Public Works Director Tim Holdeman, Transportation Planner Brian Dickson, and Deputy City Clerk Ruth Scott. B. ITEMS ON THE REGULAR AGENDA There were none. C. CONSIDERATIONS 1. Request for Proposal (RFP) for Professional Consulting Services for the Preparation of a Neighborhood Revitalization Plan of the Annie Glidden North Neighborhood. Long Range Planner Hiland provided an overview of the RFP. The project started in 2013 when the City collaborated with NIU’s Center for Governmental Studies on the DeKalb Housing Information Project (DHIP). That study examined the City as a whole and broke it up in to individual neighborhoods. It was at that point that some neighborhoods started to stand out, including the AGN neighborhood. Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes June 13, 2016 Page 2 of 5 The AGN revitalization plan will invite consultants to examine and analyze the subject area, located in the northwest corner of DeKalb, including neighborhood planning, an inventory of transport systems, parking, parks, housing, streetscape, and public and social services. The chosen firm will also be asked to complete a real estate marketing analysis that will examine housing stock and areas of neighborhoods that could be redeveloped or primed for development. The firm will be asked to analyze what would make sense for student, workforce, and mixed income housing as well as housing for the elderly, disabled and other economic classes. The chosen firm will also be asked to look at the current commercial and professional businesses in the neighborhood, as well as any zoning recommendations for the City. Alderman Noreiko asked how the use of consultants could go above and beyond what staff is capable of doing. Long Range Planner Hiland replied that a consultant would have the ability to look at the bigger picture not identified internally. There was a brief discussion between Aldermen regarding the wards included in the study. It was concluded that the First and Seventh wards would be included, as well as some of the Second. Alderman Jacobson stated the subject neighborhood is at a breaking point. Without planning and direction, he worries what it may become in a few years. While he’s typically opposed to hiring independent consultants, if that’s what’s needed to provide a positive and bright future for the neighborhood, he’s in support of it. Alderman Faivre asked for the definition of a food desert, with Long Range Planner Hiland replying it includes those areas where the only means of getting a full variety of daily groceries may require a resident to take the bus or ask a friend for transportation. There was a brief discussion between Alderman Baker and Long Range Planner Hiland regarding bus routes to Schnuck’s and concern about building another full service grocery store. Alderman Baker mentioned he doesn’t think another full time grocery store in the area would be successful. There was discussion between Alderman Baker and City Attorney Frieders regarding disclosure. Temporary Chair Finucane mentioned to Alderman Baker that, regarding bus service, some residents are unable to take advantage of Trans-Vac due to the long commute involved. Temporary Chair Finucane stated the RFP will delve into a number of issues. Temporary Chair Finucane inquired how many firms would be asked to review the RFP. Long Range Planner Hiland stated the American Planning Association has a website where the RFP will be published. He also has a list of approximately 20 firms in Illinois and surrounding states that will be contacted.  Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes June 13, 2016 Page 3 of 5 Alderman Faivre asked about the progression of an RFP, with Long Range Planner Hiland providing information on the process. Alderman Faivre asked if there had been any neighborhood engagement on this topic in the past, with Long Range Planner Hiland stating not globally, but during discussions with University Village, NIU student leaders, and various other organizations, it was established that the process of continuing the planning should move forward. City Manager Gaura built on Long Range Planner Hiland’s response, stating that extensive discussions with a number of community groups has taken place and include the DeKalb Park District, School District 428, and the University Village Tenants Association Board. Discussion with other organizations such as the DeKalb Area Renters Association, DeKalb Hometown Realtors Association, the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, and DCEDC have also taken place. She also stated that as the task force is built, these organizations will be included in the discussions for their knowledge and input. City Manager Gaura continued by stating it would be key to address the requirement of having sprinkler systems in all sororities and fraternities by January 1, 2019. Alderman Baker asked what rules the City follows for annexing property. City Attorney Frieders replied that the City has historically used the “doughnut hole” rule, which means City property completely surrounds the proposed annexed property, which is typically small in size. There was a brief discussion between Alderman Baker and City Attorney Frieders regarding annexation. There was no further discussion and it was concluded that the general consensus of Council was to move forward with the RFP. 2. Request for Proposal for Public Transit Services for the DeKalb Urbanized Area. Transportation Planner Dickson provided an overview of the RFP. The Voluntary Action Center (VAC) has a contract to provide transit services in the area that expires on December 31, 2016. Due to federal regulations, the contract must be competitively bid on a timely basis. The City is seeking bids for the next one year contract with an option to renew for three additional one year periods. The City is looking for a contractor to continue with the existing bus service as it is now which includes the circular City of DeKalb route, the circular City of Sycamore route, and paratransit and Med-Vac services for all residents of the metropolitan planning area. The contract will be funded through the Downstate Operating Assistance Program through IDOT that funds 65% of operating costs in the DeKalb area, which is currently approximately $4 million a year. The remaining funds come from local contributions and Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes June 13, 2016 Page 4 of 5 Federal Transit Administration (FTA) operating assistance funding. The City will be the fiscal agent and oversee the contractor. Transportation Planner Dickson mentioned that the chosen vendor would have to have a facility in the region to house the buses as the City doesn’t have its own transit facility. The City continues to apply for TIGER grants for a new facility as the current transit facility is owned by DeKalb County. All RFP bids are expected by August 1st. Staff will begin reviewing the bids right away in order to make a selection recommendation to Council in September. Alderman Noreiko asked if the route to and from Kishwaukee College is included. Transportation Planner Dickson stated that particular route is a contractual obligation between the college and VAC. Temporary Chair Finucane asked if the determination of the winner would be economic only or if it would include an evaluation of services provided as well. Transportation Planner Dickson explained there’s an extensive listing of scoring areas that must be followed when choosing a contractor, including the ability to continue the current operation and be knowledgeable in federal funds. Alderman Finance stated that, as grant holder, the City has title to the majority of the bus fleet at VAC and asked how a new vendor would impact that. Transportation Planner Dickson replied that if a new vendor was selected, they would have access to the fleet vehicles as a service provider, which is required by the FTA. There was no further discussion and it was concluded that the general consensus of Council was to move forward with the RFP. D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Ms. Bessie Chronopoulos expressed her concern regarding outside consulting. However, regarding the transit RFP, she agreed that the City may need outside assistance. She further stated that VAC has been an integral part of the community and she would hate to see that relationship damaged. She mentioned that perhaps the Huskie bus line and VAC should discuss how they might share services. Ms. Chronopoulos stated she is opposed to consulting for the AGN study and feels that City staff could gather that information on their own by looking at past studies and garnering the advice of the City’s boards, commissions and committees. She also questioned the median annual income in the backup material of $59,000 and feels that’s high. Ms. Chronopoulos also questioned whether or not Council members had been involved in individual meetings with City staff regarding the AGN RFP.  Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes June 13, 2016 Page 5 of 5 E. RECESS FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION Temporary Chair Finucane read the following by title only: 1. Approval to hold an Executive Session to discuss Collective Bargaining as provided for in 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2). 2. Approval to hold an Executive Session to discuss Pending Litigation as provided for in 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11). 3. Approval to hold an Executive Session to discuss Executive Session Minutes as provided for in 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21). MOTION Alderman Noreiko moved to recess the Committee of the Whole meeting for Executive Session; seconded by Alderman Faivre. VOTE Motion carried on a 7-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Jacobson, Finucane, Marquardt, Snow, Noreiko, Baker, Faivre. Nay: None. Absent: Rey. Temporary Chair Finucane closed the meeting to the public at 5:44 p.m. Temporary Chair Finucane opened the meeting to the public at 6:05 p.m. F. ADJOURNMENT MOTION Alderman Jacobson moved to adjourn the Committee of the Whole meeting; seconded by Alderman Snow. VOTE Motion carried on a 7-0-1 voice vote. Aye: Jacobson, Finucane, Marquardt, Snow, Noreiko, Baker, Faivre. Nay: None. Absent: Rey. Temporary Chair Finucane adjourned the Committee of the Whole meeting at 6:05 p.m. ________________________________ RUTH A. SCOTT, Deputy City Clerk Approved by City Council July 11, 2016