City Council
Regular MeetingDeKalb, IL · April 12, 2021
Minutes
MINUTES
CITY OF DEKALB
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 12, 2021
The City Council of DeKalb, Illinois held a Regular City Council meeting on April 12, 2021, in the
Yusunas Meeting Room of the DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak Street, DeKalb, Illinois.
A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Smith called the meeting to order at 6 p.m.
City Clerk Lynn Fazekas (attending remotely) called the roll, and the following members of City
Council were present: Aldermen Carolyn Morris, Bill Finucane, Tracy Smith, Greg Perkins, Scott
McAdams, Mike Verbic, and Tony Faivre; and Mayor Jerry smith.
Staff present included: City Manager Bill Nicklas, Transit Manager Marcus Cox, and City Engineer
Zac Gill.
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES
Mayor Smith led the Pledge.
C. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Mayor Smith asked if aldermen had additions and deletions to make to the agenda, but no
changes were requested.
MOTION
Alderman Faivre moved to approve the agenda. Alderman McAdams seconded.
VOTE
Motion carried 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Morris, Finucane, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic,
Faivre, Mayor Smith. Nay: none. Mayor Smith declared the agenda approved.
D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mayor Smith read a comment submitted by resident Pamela Verbic of North Tenth Street, in which
she shared concerns about the proposed location for the new transit facility, including runoff and
the need to mitigate increased flooding, pollution, and traffic issues. Ms. Verbic noted a marsh is
located on the property and disputed the contention that construction would not affect the property
and surroundings. She also maintained that accurate pedestrian and vehicle traffic studies could
not get done until the current situation gets back to normal. Finally, Ms. Verbic questioned the
need to spend $1 million to find out whether the location has a “fatal flaw,” as described in the
agenda backup materials; and she urged Council to locate a more appropriate and cost-effective
property.
Mayor Smith read a comment submitted by Margaret Bassett of Sycamore, who said she is a
member of a local non-profit that helps people having trouble with housing. Ms. Bassett said she
would like for Council to consider putting some of the block grant funding toward housing (also
see items H.1. and J.1.) and specifically toward housing for families headed by women within a
cooperative setting. She said her organization, St. Vincent DePaul, could help with researching
this novel idea, which they believe could also help with program consolidation.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
April 12, 2021
Page 2 of 9
E. PRESENTATIONS
1. National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week Proclamation, April 11-17, 2021.
Mayor Smith read the proclamation and City Manager Nicklas presented it to Communications
Coordinator Sean Woyna.
2. National Fair Housing Month Proclamation – April 2021.
Mayor Smith read the proclamation and City Manager Nicklas presented it to Neeley Erickson of
the Illinois Realtors Association. Ms. Erickson said realtors are working to further fair housing with
education and efforts at culture change.
Andrew Tillotson of DeKalb Tenants Association commented there are many things that could be
done to make housing fairer for DeKalb’s many renters, including improving conditions in
apartments and providing tenants’ protections. He said he will be back and wants to work with the
City.
Sasha Cohen, Edgebrook Drive, called the proclamation “beautiful,” but said words are cheap
when people are dealing with mold issues, ceilings collapsing, and not feeling safe at night. He
questioned why we would proclaim instead of taking time this month to work on some of these
problems.
3. Presentation of a Check for $19,500 to the City of DeKalb from the Kishwaukee Kiwanis
Club to Partially Fund the Fairview Drive Bike Path.
City Engineer Gill accepted the check from Kiwanis, which was explained as seed money to be
combined with federal grants to complete the next phase of the path, to run from Seventh Street
to Macom Drive.
F. APPOINTMENTS
There were none.
G. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Minutes of the March 22, 2021 Regular City Council Meeting.
2. Accounts Payable and Payroll through April 12, 2021 in the Amount of
$2,002,146.09.
3. DeKalb Chamber of Commerce 2020 Annual Report to Council.
4. DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation 2020 Annual Report to Council.
5. DeKalb County Convention & Visitors Bureau 2020 Annual Report to Council.
6. DeKalb Municipal Band 2020 Annual Report to Council.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
April 12, 2021
Page 3 of 9
Mayor Smith read each item of the consent agenda. He asked if there were requests to remove
items for individual consideration and there were none.
MOTION
Alderman Finucane moved to approve the consent agenda. Alderman Morris seconded.
VOTE
Motion carried 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Finucane, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre,
Morris, Mayor Smith. Nay: none. The mayor declared the consent agenda passed.
H. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Public Hearing on the 2021 Community Development Block Grant Annual Action
Plan.
Mayor Smith opened the hearing at 6:42 p.m.
City Manager Nicklas explained the new and carryover allocations for the action plan.
After ascertaining no one else wished to speak to the public hearing topic (there had been one
related public comment made in D. above), Mayor Smith closed the hearing at 6:45 p.m., noting
there would be a resolution on it to consider later in the meeting.
I. CONSIDERATIONS
1. Consideration of a Staff Report on the Status of 5G Regulation in DeKalb.
Mayor Smith said the Illinois Municipal League is monitoring at least six bills ahead of the
sunsetting of current law June 1.
Alderman Verbic said two House bills need to be vetted and he brought up safety-related issue,
specifically radiation and the need for insurance. He suggested in protecting the community, the
City could consider turning further to alternatives such as fiber.
Alderman Faivre talked about meeting the challenges to approve permits in 60 or 90 days. He
said some of the antennas are ugly, and he brought up the question of where to install the boxes
where there are no light or telephone poles. He said he wants to see what zoning regulations the
City can enact to protect aesthetics.
The group agreed to continue monitoring developments over the next six weeks.
J. RESOLUTIONS
1. Resolution 2021-027 Approving the Community Development Block Grant 2021
Annual Action Plan for Program Year 28 (April 1, 2021 - March 31, 2022).
Mayor Smith read the resolution by title only.
MOTION
Alderman Perkins moved to approve the resolution. Alderman Faivre seconded.
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April 12, 2021
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VOTE
Motion carried 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Morris,
Finucane, Mayor Smith. Nay: none. Mayor Smith declared the resolution approved.
2. Resolution 2021-028 Authorizing the Sale of Real Property Located at 624 N. Eleventh
Street (PIN 08-23-209-003) in the Amount of $64,500.
Mayor Smith read the resolution by title only.
MOTION
Alderman Faivre moved to approve the resolution. Alderman Morris seconded.
Alderman Morris asked how the City came to acquire the property. The city manager said it had
been a police officer-in-residence property.
VOTE
Motion carried 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Morris, Finucane,
Smith, Mayor Smith. Nay: none. Mayor Smith declared the resolution passed.
3. Resolution 2021-029 Authorizing a Professional Services Agreement with Stantec
Architecture, Inc. for Architectural and Engineering Design of a Transit Maintenance
and Operations Facility in an Amount Not to Exceed $1,002,000.
Mayor Smith read the resolution by title only.
MOTION
Alderman Faivre moved to approve the resolution. Alderman Smith seconded.
Alderman Finucane noted he has opposed this location in earlier discussions due to anticipated
environmental impact as well as impact on the buildout of a residential area. He suggested a
location on Peace Road.
Alderman Morris said she supported the plan in December but has since changed her mind and
would like to consider a more industrial location for the facility.
Alderman Smith said he is not overly pleased with the proposed location but wants vehicles under
cover sooner rather than later. The alderman asked about wetland status, and Engineer Gill
answered the marsh is not entirely natural to the location and not delineated as wetland by state
and national governments.
Alderman Verbic noted the proposed site is in the middle of residential and suggested it could be
recreational instead. He said he would prefer a location on a main arterial county or state road
and suggested the possibility of collaboration with other authorities.
The city manager said if this contract is rejected, he would recommend the City talk to Stantec
about a proposal to generate three or four other options with pros and cons.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
April 12, 2021
Page 5 of 9
Council began to generate location ideas and were reminded that a location close to NIU would
shorten the commute from transit facility to start of bus routes. Transit Manager Cox said 70-80%
of routes need to start on campus.
Council members expressed interest in revisiting the issue with Stantec.
VOTE
Motion was defeated 1-6 on roll call vote (mayor not voting). Aye: Faivre. Nay: McAdams, Verbic,
Morris, Finucane, Smith, Perkins. Mayor Smith declared the resolution defeated.
4. Resolution 2021-030 Approving the Regulation of Traffic for the Purpose of Holding
the Annual DeKalb Corn Festival on Illinois Route 38 Between First Street and Fourth
Street Beginning Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. through Sunday, August 29,
2021 at 10:00 p.m.
Mayor Smith read the resolution by title only.
MOTION
Alderman Morris moved to approve the resolution. Alderman Smith seconded. Following brief
discussion of the option to combine all three resolutions relating to Corn Fest in one omnibus
motion, Aldermen Morris and Smith withdrew their motion and second.
MOTION
Alderman Morris moved to combine resolutions 4, 5, and 6 (2021-030, 2021-031, and 2021-032)
to vote on them in omnibus fashion.
VOTE
Motion carried 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Morris, Finucane, Smith,
Perkins, Mayor Smith. Nay: none.
MOTION
Alderman Perkins moved to approve the omnibus package of resolutions. Alderman Faivre
seconded.
VOTE
Motion carried 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Verbic, Faivre, Morris, Finucane, Smith, Perkins,
McAdams, Mayor Smith. Nay: none. The mayor declared approval of the resolutions.
5. Resolution 2021-031 Approving a Non-Profit Special Event Liquor License for the 2021
Corn Fest.
This resolution was approved as part of an omnibus package as described in Item 4 above.
6. Resolution 2021-032 Authorizing a Special Event Agreement with DeKalb Corn Fest,
Inc. for the 2021 Corn Fest.
This resolution was approved as part of an omnibus package described in Item 4 above.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
April 12, 2021
Page 6 of 9
7. Resolution 2021-033 Authorizing an Engineering Services Agreement with Fehr
Graham for Design Engineering of 7,900 Feet of Water Main in an Amount Not to
Exceed $154,000.
Mayor Smith read the resolution by title only.
MOTION
Alderman Smith moved to approve the resolution. Alderman McAdams seconded.
VOTE
Motion carried 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Faivre, Morris, Finucane, Smith, Perkins, McAdams,
Verbic, Mayor Smith. Nay: none. The mayor declared the resolution passed.
K. ORDINANCES – SECOND READING
There were none.
L. ORDINANCES – FIRST READING
1. Ordinance 2021-014 Amending Chapter 7, “Water Service,” Section 7.18-6, “Water
Service Fee,” to Include Water Meter Sizes Not Currently Contained in the Fee
Schedule.
Mayor Smith read the ordinance by title only.
MOTION
Alderman Verbic moved to approve first reading. Alderman Morris seconded.
VOTE
Motion carried 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Morris, Finucane, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic,
Faivre, Mayor Smith. Nay: none.
MOTION
Alderman Perkins moved to waive second reading and approve the ordinance. Alderman Faivre
seconded.
VOTE
Motion carried 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Finucane, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre,
Morris, Mayor Smith. Nay: none. Mayor Smith declared the ordinance passed.
2. Ordinance 2021-015 Approving an Amendment to Ordinance 2020-029 to Extend the
Time Limit to July 1, 2022 to Obtain a State-Issued Cannabis Dispensary License for
the Property Located at 818 W. Lincoln Highway (NuMed Partners).
Mayor Smith read the ordinance by title only.
MOTION
Alderman McAdams moved to approve first reading. Alderman Finucane seconded.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
April 12, 2021
Page 7 of 9
A company representative was on hand to explain a delay at the state level in issuing licenses,
but the company believes it has strong applications and hopes to have an answer by the fall, she
said.
VOTE
Motion carried 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Morris,
Finucane, Mayor Smith. Nay: none.
MOTION
Alderman Finucane moved to waive second reading and approve the ordinance. Alderman
McAdams seconded.
VOTE
Motion carried 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Morris, Finucane,
Smith, Mayor Smith. Nay: none. Mayor Smith declared the ordinance approved.
M. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
1. Council Member Reports
Alderman Morris congratulated the winners of last week’s elections.
Alderman Finucane announced he received his second COVID shot.
Alderman Verbic reported traffic counts at the NIU Convocation Center are up due to vaccination
activity.
Mayor Smith announced grants received for art and other engagement projects in continuing the
“Belonging” initiative, as well as a virtual program offered by the Pick Museum of Anthropology
called “Hateful Things.” He said the next Council meeting will be his last, and he will offer
reflections on his tenure at that time.
2. City Clerk Report
City Clerk Fazekas gave no report.
3. City Manager Report
City Manager Nicklas reported ongoing efforts to work with Nehring Electric to improve the parking
situation near the plant, with continued congestion at Eighth Street and Locust due mostly to
trucks but not entirely. The city manager advised a revised approach is being developed and he
will have more information for council next meeting.
N. EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO 5 ILCS (120/2)
1. Approval to Hold an Executive Session in Order to Discuss Pending or
Imminent Litigation as Provided for in 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11).
MOTION
Alderman Smith moved to recess for executive session. Alderman Verbic seconded.
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April 12, 2021
Page 8 of 9
Mayor Smith noted that the remote part of the meeting would be disconnected due to security
concerns.
VOTE
Motion carried 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Morris, Finucane, Smith,
Perkins, Mayor Smith. Nay: none. Mayor Smith declared a recess at 8:02 p.m.
O. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION
Following executive session, Alderman Morris moved to adjourn the regular meeting. Alderman
Faivre seconded.
VOTE
Motion carried 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Morris, Finucane, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic,
Faivre, Mayor Smith. Nay: none. Mayor Smith declared adjournment at 8:25 p.m.
_____________________________________
LYNN A. FAZEKAS, City Clerk
Approved by the City Council on April 26, 2021.
Agenda
DEKALB CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 12, 2021
6:00 P.M.
DeKalb Public Library
Yusunas Meeting Room
309 Oak Street
DeKalb, Illinois 60115
COVID-19 Notice: This meeting will be conducted in-person with a physically present quorum and open to the
public. The corporate authorities of the City of DeKalb intend to conduct this meeting in compliance with all
applicable social distancing and public health requirements. All persons attending this meeting in-person shall
be required to wear protective face masks/coverings. Furthermore, the corporate authorities of the City of DeKalb
intend to conduct this meeting pursuant to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s Executive Order 2021-4 dated February
5, 2021 (the “Executive Order”), which prohibits meetings of more than 50 people for Phase 4 mitigations, unless
the City of DeKalb determines that it is necessary to invoke the Governmental Functions exemption “to ensure
the operation of government agencies or to provide for or support the health, safety and welfare of the public.”
As a convenience to the public, the City of DeKalb may also provide video, audio, telephonic or internet access
for the public to monitor this meeting. The provision of any such remote means of access is not intended to
provide for attendance by a means other than physical presence due to the COVID-19 public health emergency,
nor is it intended to provide an opportunity for the public to address public officials, make public comment or
otherwise participate in the meeting.
Persons wishing to provide public comment or otherwise address public officials in person during this meeting
must comply with all applicable rules governing the conduct of this meeting including, but not limited to, the
aforementioned social distancing and face covering requirements.
The City of DeKalb is providing the following conveniences for the public to monitor and participate in this
meeting:
Persons wishing to view the meeting from home or elsewhere can tune in to Channel 14 or by following the
link provided here.
Persons wishing to provide public comment but are unable to attend the meeting in person or remotely may
forward their comments by clicking on the link provided here. Note that all submissions must be received no
later than 12:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting in order to ensure dissemination to the City Council before the
meeting convenes.
Zoom Meeting Information
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87827527537?pwd=K2NFNUpDdEpJVTZiRWRhZ0pPbVRGdz09
Meeting ID: 878 2752 7537
Passcode: 728319
One Tap Mobile: +13126266799,,87827527537#,,,,*728319# US (Chicago)
For those participating via Zoom and wishing to comment during the public participation portion of the meeting,
or prior to Council’s discussion of a particular item, please click on the link provided here and add in the
Comment Section that you wish to address Council verbally. Note that all submissions must be received no
later than 12:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting in order to ensure your name is added to the list of remote
speakers.
Assistive services, including hearing assistance devices, available upon request.
Regular Meeting Agenda
April 12, 2021
Page 2 of 11
A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
C. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
E. PRESENTATIONS
1. National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week Proclamation, April 11-17,
2021.
City Manager’s Summary: It is fitting that the Mayor and Council should recognize the
dedicated work of the City’s telecommunicators, who are nearly always the ones to
receive emergency calls, dispatch help, and provide support to those in peril.
2. National Fair Housing Month Proclamation – April 2021.
City Manager’s Summary: The attached resolution presented by the Illinois Board of
Realtors declares April as National Fair Housing Month in DeKalb, to promote our city
as an open and inclusive community committed to fair housing and equal housing
opportunities for all residents and prospective residents of DeKalb County.
3. Presentation of a Check for $19,500 to the City of DeKalb from the Kishwaukee
Kiwanis Club to Partially Fund the Fairview Drive Bike Path.
City Manager’s Summary: Former Kiwanis Club president Susan Doubler will be on
hand to make the check presentation.
F. APPOINTMENTS
None.
G. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Minutes of the March 22, 2021 Regular City Council Meeting.
2. Accounts Payable and Payroll through April 12, 2021 in the Amount of
$2,002,146.09.
3. DeKalb Chamber of Commerce 2020 Annual Report to Council.
4. DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation 2020 Annual Report to
Council.
5. DeKalb County Convention & Visitors Bureau 2020 Annual Report to Council.
6. DeKalb Municipal Band 2020 Annual Report to Council.
Assistive services, including hearing assistance devices, available upon request.
Regular Meeting Agenda
April 12, 2021
Page 3 of 11
H. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Public Hearing on the 2021 Community Development Block Grant Annual Action
Plan.
City Manager’s Summary: This public hearing provides an opportunity for the public to
comment on the proposed 2021 CDBG Annual Action Plan which coincides with the
federal fiscal year (April 1 – March 31).
The annual plan must be consistent with a longer-term action plan of five years. The
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Consolidated Plan is that five-year
plan, and on February 10, 2020, the City Council approved the CDBG Five-Year
Consolidated Plan 2020-2024/2020 Annual Action Plan. The 2020 Annual Action Plan
was amended twice during the last program year to add additional COVID-related
(CDBG-CV) funds that were granted to the City by the CARES Act to prevent, prepare
for, and address needs that are a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
For the new federal Program Year of April 1, 2021 – March 31, 2022 the City will
receive $420,572 in CDBG Entitlement funds. The table below details the proposed
uses of the new CDBG Entitlement funds plus unused carryover Entitlement funds. It
does not include the CDBG-CV funds which are tracked separately due to the
restrictions on their use.
2020 New 2021 Total
Activity Notes
Carryover Funds Funds
2020 Owner Occupied $88,000 $0 $88,886 Remaining funds
Housing Rehab Program from 2020 will be
carried over to fund
program in 2021
2021 Public Services $0 $63,000 $63,000 HUD caps this
amount at 15% of
total grant
2021 Public Facilities – $0 $73,458 $73,458 Funds will be
AGN Streets carried over to 2022
to fund a larger
street repair project
2021 Acquisition NA $100,000 $100,000 New program to
foster revitalization
in AGN
2021 Economic NA $100,000 $100,000 New program to
Development support
redevelopment in
AGN
2021 Administration $0 $84,114 $84,114 HUD caps this
amount at 20% of
total grant
Total: $88,886 $420,572 $509,458
Assistive services, including hearing assistance devices, available upon request.
Regular Meeting Agenda
April 12, 2021
Page 4 of 11
The City also has two projects from 2020 that are funded and will remain open in 2021:
2020 2021 Total
Activity Notes
Carryover Funds Funds
2020 Optional $25,000 $0 $25,000 Provides relocation
Relocation Assistance assistance to renters
dislocated by City
condemnations of MF
structures
2020 Public Facilities – This project is
Twombly Road $110,000 $0 $110,000 scheduled to take
Sidewalks place during the 2021
construction season
Additional information is presented in the Council background reports.
I. CONSIDERATIONS
1. Consideration of a Staff Report on the Status of 5G Regulation in DeKalb.
City Manager’s Summary: On August 24, 2020, the Council considered how “5G”
installations might be regulated. In the telecommunication industry, “5G” is the fifth-
generation technology standard for cellular networks. Cellular phone companies
began deploying 5G technology in 2019. Like their 4G and 3G predecessors, 5G
networks divide service areas into geographical zones known as cells. Wireless
devices operating in a cell are connected to the internet by radio waves through local
antennas within the cell.
The 5G networks have greater bandwidth, giving higher download speeds, often up to
10 gigabits per second. With increased bandwidth, the new networks will not just serve
cellphones but also laptops and desktop computers and compete with existing internet
service providers (ISPs) such as cable internet. Eventually, the 4G cellphones which
are still more numerous in the market will not be able to use the new 5G networks,
which will spur further development of new cells in all geographic areas. The 5G
networks can also support more devices per square mile; it is expected that 5G
networks will support 8-10 times as many devices as their 4G counterparts.
As communication companies expand their 5G networks throughout established
market areas, their interest in new antenna locations will explode. The City of DeKalb’s
Municipal Code does not anticipate such a flurry of technical installations on poles and
buildings of various descriptions.
Whether the City wants to further regulate such installations, and for what purposes,
is a matter for Council consideration. Federal regulation prevails over bandwidth. At
the state level, the ability of municipalities to impose fees for small wireless facilities
was restricted by the Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act of 2018. This
enactment sunsets on June 1, 2021 and numerous new measures have been
introduced in the Illinois General Assembly, including one from the Illinois Municipal
League (see the attached article from the April IML magazine).
However, some local authority remains over the use of public rights-of-way for 5G
antenna installations, and how such installations can be safely made on buildings.
Assistive services, including hearing assistance devices, available upon request.
Regular Meeting Agenda
April 12, 2021
Page 5 of 11
According to City Attorney Matthew Rose and his colleague Barbara Adams who have
both participated in the drafting of suburban ordinances, the City of DeKalb might
consider the following:
Revising the application section that is defined in Section 6.60 of the Municipal Code
(attached) to establish clearer credentials for work in the public way;
Discussing aesthetic standards for the kinds of pole-hung boxes that vendors will
want to place in our public ways;
Protecting any designated historic areas from garish pole boxes.
Given the pending emergence of new state rules by the end of the Illinois Legislative
session in June, the City Manager recommends support of the IML bill (HB 2439)
and further Council discussion about local options once the Spring legislative
dust settles. (Click here for additional information).
J. RESOLUTIONS
1. Resolution 2021-027 Approving the Community Development Block Grant 2021
Annual Action Plan for Program Year 28 (April 1, 2021 - March 31, 2022).
City Manager’s Summary: The attached resolution would approve the 2021 CDBG
Action Plan detailed by Community Services Coordinator Joanne Rouse in her
background memorandum. The proposed uses of the new CDBG entitlement funds
are identified in the following table:
2020 New 2021 Total
Activity Notes
Carryover Funds Funds
2020 Owner Occupied $88,000 $0 $88,886 Remaining funds
Housing Rehab Program from 2020 will be
carried over to fund
program in 2021
2021 Public Services $0 $63,000 $63,000 HUD caps this
amount at 15% of
total grant
2021 Public Facilities – $0 $73,458 $73,458 Funds will be
AGN Streets carried over to 2022
to fund a larger
street repair project
2021 Acquisition NA $100,000 $100,000 New program to
foster revitalization
in AGN
2021 Economic NA $100,000 $100,000 New program to
Development support
redevelopment in
AGN
2021 Administration $0 $84,114 $84,114 HUD caps this
amount at 20% of
the total grant
Total: $88,886 $420,572 $509,458
Assistive services, including hearing assistance devices, available upon request.
Regular Meeting Agenda
April 12, 2021
Page 6 of 11
The City also has two projects from 2020 that are funded and will remain open in 2021:
Activity 2020 2021 Total
Notes
Carryover Funds Funds
2020 Optional $25,000 $0 $25,000 Program to provide
Relocation Assistance relocation assistance
to permanently
dislocated renters as
a result of City action
for condemnation of
a multi-family
structure
2020 Public Facilities – This project is
Twombly Road $110,000 $0 $110,000 scheduled to take
Sidewalks place during the 2021
construction season
City Council approval is recommended. (Click here for additional information).
2. Resolution 2021-028 Authorizing the Sale of Real Property Located at 624 N.
Eleventh Street (PIN 08-23-209-003) in the Amount of $64,500.
City Manager’s Summary: This city property on N. Eleventh Street is a small, two-story
single-family home, which suffered serious water damage when electric power to the
basement furnace was shut off. The estimated cost of repair to the floors, walls,
plumbing and basement exceeds $20,000. However, the “as is” condition is not so
serious that the home has lost its market value. In fact, it is the classic “fixer-upper”
which has market value to a skilled craftsman. The City recently listed the property
and received an offer of $64,500, which is consistent with the listing agent’s estimate
of present value.
City Council approval for the sale of this property to Mr. Garcia in the amount of
$64,500 is recommended. If the Council approves, the City Attorney will take the lead
in proceeding to a real estate closing. (Click here for additional information.)
3. Resolution 2021-029 Authorizing a Professional Services Agreement with
Stantec Architecture, Inc. for Architectural and Engineering Design of a Transit
Maintenance and Operations Facility in an Amount Not to Exceed $1,002,000.
City Manager’s Summary: The attached resolution authorizes a professional services
agreement with Stantec Architecture, Inc. in the amount of $1,002,000.00 for the
architectural and engineering design work on a transit maintenance and operations
facility capable of housing all the transit assets for the DeKalb Urbanized Area.
The City currently owns 25 transit vehicles and leases another 25 transit vehicles from
the contracted transit provider, Transdev Services Inc. Because the City does not
have a designated transit facility to house its vehicles and equipment, the City relies
on Transdev to lease their own facility in order to maintain the City’s assets. Most of
the 50 vehicles used for transit services are parked outside and exposed to the
elements year-round. With little to no weather protection, the vehicles are more prone
to costly maintenance issues that could be minimized if the vehicles were stored in a
climate-controlled environment when not in service. Most transit systems in the state
Assistive services, including hearing assistance devices, available upon request.
Regular Meeting Agenda
April 12, 2021
Page 7 of 11
and across the country have a dedicated transit operations and maintenance facility
that houses all transit related assets including equipment and personnel.
On May 16, 2019, the City released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for
Architectural, Engineering, and Construction Management Services for a Transit
Maintenance and Operations Facility to support the City of DeKalb’s public transit
system. The City received fourteen responses from various local and national firms.
At the conclusion of the evaluation process, the RFQ evaluation committee identified
Stantec Architecture, Inc. as the most suitable and experienced vendor to complete
the architectural and engineering design process. Stantec will focus their efforts on
completing Part One and Part Two of the RFQ that include:
Site Selection and a Corresponding Master Plan
Preparation of NEPA Documents in Accordance with FTA Regulations
Facility Schematic and Site Layout
Detailed Cost Estimate
At the December 14, 2020 City Council Meeting, the Council directed City staff to focus
the site selection process on the City-owned Dresser Road parcel of land situated
between the DeKalb County Health Department and the DeKalb High School. The
land is 30 acres in size with approximately 15 usable acres for a transit facility. This
would provide ample space for the construction of an environmentally friendly and
sustainable facility to assist with the needs of the current transit system and into the
future. The location of the City-owned Dresser Road site is in close proximity to the
heart of the campus of Northern Illinois University, which creates most of the rider
demand. Stantec and their subcontractors will evaluate the Dresser Road site in
various categories including deadhead analysis, vehicular access, impact on adjacent
roadways, easements, access to utilities, general topography, drainage with field
verification, general soils, floodplains, and other areas such as wetland impact,
ecological resources, and historical resources. Should Stantec or their subcontractors
identify a fatal flaw with the Dresser Road site, an alternative site will need to be
considered.
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Regular Meeting Agenda
April 12, 2021
Page 8 of 11
The work performed by Stantec through this agreement will generate the necessary
design concepts and cost estimates to allow the City to proceed with the design,
bidding, and construction management for the project. The City, per the Purchasing
Manual and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requirements, will be required to
issue a Request for Qualifications to continue with the construction/build portion. In
addition, our transit staff will utilize the documentation provided by Stantec for
supportive FTA grant applications such as Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage
Development (BUILD) and the 5339(b) grant program for bus facilities to obtain the
necessary supplemental funding for the remaining estimated costs of the project.
City Council approval of the Stantec contract is recommended. (Click here for
additional information.)
4. Resolution 2021-030 Approving the Regulation of Traffic for the Purpose of
Holding the Annual DeKalb Corn Festival on Illinois Route 38 Between First
Street and Fourth Street Beginning Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.
through Sunday, August 29, 2021 at 10:00 p.m.
City Manager’s Summary: In the hope that Corn Fest will be held this year, the
attached resolution is required to formally request permission of the Illinois Department
of Transportation (IDOT) to close Illinois Route 38 between First Street and Fourth
Street beginning Thursday, August 26 at 4:00 p.m. and continuing through Sunday,
August 29 at 10:00 p.m. to afford protected downtown space for the annual Corn Fest
celebration.
City Council approval is recommended. (Click here for additional information.)
5. Resolution 2021-031 Approving a Non-Profit Special Event Liquor License for
the 2021 Corn Fest.
City Manager’s Summary: The attached resolution seeks authorization for the Corn
Fest committee to sell alcoholic beverages within prescribed parameters during the
Corn Fest festival. This resolution is identical with those approved for many decades.
City Council approval is recommended. (Click here for additional information).
6. Resolution 2021-032 Authorizing a Special Event Agreement with DeKalb Corn
Fest, Inc. for the 2021 Corn Fest.
City Manager’s Summary: This resolution approves a special event agreement similar
to one approved by the Council in recent years. It permits DeKalb Corn Fest, Inc. to
conduct their event in the Central Business District and obtain a street closure on
Lincoln Highway. The agreement also defines hours of operation, insurance
coverages, etc.
City Council approval is recommended. (Click here for additional information).
7. Resolution 2021-033 Authorizing an Engineering Services Agreement with Fehr
Graham for Design Engineering of 7,900 Feet of Water Main in an Amount Not to
Exceed $154,000.
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Regular Meeting Agenda
April 12, 2021
Page 9 of 11
City Manager’s Summary: As part of the Utility Department’s Capital Improvement
Plan, several water main replacement projects are scheduled to be completed in 2021
and 2022. These projects include:
Joanne Lane, between Ilehamwood Drive and Tilton Park Drive (Fall 2021);
North 13th Street, between Sycamore Road and Clark Street (Spring 2022);
North 14th Street, between Dresser Road and Clark Street (Spring 2022).
All three water main projects listed above would be performed in conjunction with the
City’s Street Maintenance Program and would be completed before scheduled
pavement resurfacing occurs. The installation of new 1” copper service lines is
included as part of the projects for the properties served by these water mains.
The water main on Joanne Lane is cast iron piping that is 67 years old. It is mostly 6
inches in diameter and transitions to an 8-inch main as it travels north towards
Ilehamwood Drive. The water main has an extensive history of failure (i.e. water main
breaks) resulting in disruption in service and costly restoration work. The replacement
project would include installation of 2,800 feet of new 8-inch ductile iron water main.
The upsizing of water service lines from ¾-inch to 1-inch copper would be included as
part of this project. The Joanne Lane project would be completed in the fall of 2021.
Temporary patching of the roadway would occur at completion, with full pavement
resurfacing in 2022 as part of the City’s Street Maintenance Program. The estimated
cost of the water main replacement for this project is $840,000. Fehr Graham’s
proposal for design engineering services for this project is $56,000.
The estimated costs of the 2022 water main replacement projects on N. Thirteenth
and N. Fourteenth Streets are similar and the combined design engineering costs for
N. Thirteenth and N. Fourteenth Streets is $98,000 (see the attached memorandum
from Zachary Gill).
The total not-to-exceed Fehr-Graham design costs for the water main replacement
projects for all three streets is $154,000. The City Manager recommends City
Council approval of this resolution to secure the professional services costs
through the end of 2022. (Click here for additional information).
K. ORDINANCES – SECOND READING
None.
L. ORDINANCES – FIRST READING
1. Ordinance 2021-014 Amending Chapter 7, “Water Service,” Section 7.18-6,
“Water Service Fee,” to Include Water Meter Sizes Not Currently Contained in
the Fee Schedule.
City Manager’s Summary: At the regular City Council meeting of March 22, the Council
considered an update to the water service fee schedule to (1) more accurately reflect
the true meter costs for the larger commercial meters in the City and to (2) establish a
water service fee for 10-inch metered accounts. Currently, there is no 10-inch meter
charge in the City’s fee schedule.
Assistive services, including hearing assistance devices, available upon request.
Regular Meeting Agenda
April 12, 2021
Page 10 of 11
The changes in the proposed water service fee schedule (see below) would impact
118 of the City’s 11,000 metered accounts which feature meters that are 3” or greater
in size, including larger buildings on the NIU campus as well as the City’s business
parks and industrial-zoned lots. The revisions would not impact single-family
homeowners or smaller businesses. The future Facebook accounts will also likely
feature meters with orifices in larger sizes than those in the current fee schedule. The
embedded capital cost fractionally accounts for fixed system costs of providing
service, including fire protection.
The proposed revisions to the water service fee schedule in Chapter 7.18-6 of the
Municipal Code are shown in the table below:
Proposed
Meter Size Current Bi-Monthly Fee Bi-Monthly Fee
5/8”-3/4” $13.12 $ 13.12
1” $13.12 $ 13.12
1.5” $20.68 $ 20.68
2” $29.41 $ 29.41
3” $37.37 $ 52.75
4” $54.07 $ 63.00
6” $70.76 $104.00
8” $83.48* $193.00
10” N.A.* $365.00
*There are currently no 8” or 10” meters in the system.
The fee changes would be proportional to the meter’s actual replacement cost,
amortized over an 8-year meter life, which is more typical of the useful life of larger
meters that pass larger volumes of water on a routine operating basis.
In advance of the Council’s consideration on March 22, Mr. Faivre and his staff mailed
a letter to those 118 properties with meters in excess of 3 inches in size. A copy of that
letter is attached.
The City Manager recommends the City Council’s support for this ordinance
revision. The present ordinance language annually adjusts the bi-monthly water
service fee according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the Chicago, Gary and
Kenosha region, which is the most applicable CPI urban reference point for DeKalb.
The City staff do not recommend changing this provision. (Click here for additional
information).
2. Ordinance 2021-015 Approving an Amendment to Ordinance 2020-029 to Extend
the Time Limit to July 1, 2022 to Obtain a State-Issued Cannabis Dispensary
License for the Property Located at 818 W. Lincoln Highway (NuMed Partners).
City Manager’s Summary: On April 27, 2020, the City approved Ordinance 2020-029
which granted a special use permit for an adult use and medical cannabis dispensary
at 818 W. Lincoln Highway (the Junction Shopping Center) for NuMed Partners. The
ordinance required the applicant to obtain a state-issued license within one year of the
approval of the ordinance. Due to COVID-19 restrictions the review process was
delayed for state dispensary licenses. The process has been reactivated and NuMed
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Regular Meeting Agenda
April 12, 2021
Page 11 of 11
recently submitted a petition requesting Council approval to extend the time period for
obtaining the State license to July 1, 2022.
The Council will recall that NuMed Partners, LLC is an Illinois-based pharmaceutical
grade cannabis producer and retailer and currently operates three medical and adult
use cannabis dispensaries in Illinois (Chicago, East Peoria and Urbana). The subject
location at 818 W. Lincoln Highway is a 6,600 sq. ft. tenant space in The Junction
Shopping Center. The space is in the corner of the shopping center building and was
the former location of Book World. NuMed has continued to pay rent on the space
since their initial interest in the location. The proposed operation will have a high level
of security meeting all State requirements and industry standards. The proposed
location will also have related retail operations including selling logo apparel and other
merchandise.
The Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing regarding the petition at
their meeting on April 5, 2021. By a vote of 4 to 1, the Commission recommended
City Council approval of an amendment to Ordinance 2020-029 to extend the time limit
to July 1, 2022 to obtain a State-issued cannabis dispensary license for the property
located at 818 W. Lincoln Highway.
City Council approval of the Planning & Zoning Commission recommendation
is requested. (Click here for additional information).
M. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
1. Council Member Reports
2. City Clerk Report
3. City Manager Report
N. EXECUTIVE SESSION
1. Approval to Hold an Executive Session in Order to Discuss Pending or Imminent
Litigation as Provided for in 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11).
O. ADJOURNMENT
FULL AGENDA PACKET
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