City Council
Regular MeetingDeKalb, IL · April 24, 2023
Minutes
MINUTES
CITY OF DEKALB
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 24, 2023
The City Council of DeKalb, Illinois, held a Regular meeting on April 24, 2023, 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 City Council were
present: Alderman Barb Larson, Alderman Tracy Smith, Alderman Greg Perkins, Alderman Scott
McAdams, Alderman Mike Verbic, Alderman Tony Faivre, and Mayor Cohen Barnes. Alderman
Carolyn Morris was absent.
Others in attendance included City Manager Bill Nicklas, City Attorney Matt Rose, and City
Engineer Zac Gill.
Sasha Cohen was absent.
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Shadow Gentry led the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION: Alderman Larson moved to approve the agenda; seconded by Alderman McAdams.
VOTE: Motion carried by a 7-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic,
Faivre, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: Morris. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.
D. PRESENTATIONS
1. Honoring Elected Officials Leaving Service in 2023 – Alderman Tony Faivre.
Mayor Barnes indicated this would be Alderman Faivre’s last Council meeting.
City Manager Nicklas thanked Alderman Faivre for his professional and dedicated service over
the last seven and a half years.
Alderman McAdams thanked Alderman Faivre for his stoic leadership.
Mayor Barnes commented that Alderman Faivre is the epitome of what an alderman should be
and thanked him for his leadership.
Mayor Barnes then presented Alderman Faivre with a plaque commemorating his service.
City Manager Nicklas presented Alderman Faivre with a street sign named “Faivre Way”.
Alderman Faivre stated it has been an honor to serve the residents of DeKalb.
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April 24, 2023
Page 2 of 6
E. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Bill Callahan thanked Alderman Faivre for his service. He then addressed the Council, stating the
work they do is immeasurable. He further stated that people don’t understand what the Council
does, and he wishes more would show up for meetings to see real leadership. He then addressed
Zac Gill, stating the traffic calming device on Fairview Drive is working as it should.
F. APPOINTMENTS
There were none.
G. CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Barnes read the Consent Agenda items by title only:
1. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of April 10, 2023.
2. Accounts Payable and Payroll through April 24, 2023, in the Amount of $2,177,375.98.
3. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Report – March 2023.
4. Resolution 2023-046 Authorizing a Workers’ Compensation Lump Sum Petition and Order in
the Amount of $35,986.04 (David Delille).
MOTION: Alderman Faivre moved to approve the items on the Consent Agenda; seconded by
Alderman Perkins.
VOTE: Motion carried by a 7-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic,
Faivre, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: Morris. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.
H. PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were none.
I. CONSIDERATIONS
1. Consideration of a Draft Five-Year Program for Annual Street Maintenance for the Years
2024-2028.
MOTION: Alderman Larson moved to bring this item to the floor for discussion; seconded by
Alderman McAdams.
City Manager Nicklas provided an overview of this item based on the information provided in the
agenda packet.
Lengthy discussion ensued regarding the five-year street maintenance plan, which included
comments regarding the Peace Road construction project and providing Council with a list of
projects for the federal funded routes, acceleration of how much the City is investing in street
repair, street repair funding, street lighting costs, grants, and lighting for city streets.
There was also discussion regarding Taylor Street and Malta Road being returned to DeKalb
Township’s Road and Bridge District jurisdiction for repairs. City Engineer Gill explained that the
Township must have jurisdiction over a certain number of miles of road or they would have to
dissolve.
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April 24, 2023
Page 3 of 6
City Engineer Gill stated the plan would be put on the City’s website for public access. He also
reported that mailings would go out this week advising citizens of the road construction and
encouraging them to take this opportunity to update their water pipes, etc.
Alderman Perkins and Alderman Smith thanked City Engineer Gill for the detailed report provided
in the background for this item.
J. RESOLUTIONS
1. Resolution 2023-047 Authorizing a Six-Month Extension through September 19, 2023, of the
Strong Communities Grant from the Illinois Housing Development Authority in the Amount of
$100,000 for Reimbursement of City Expenditures Related to the Demolition of Three
Condemned Residential Properties.
Mayor Barnes read the resolution by title only.
MOTION: Alderman Larson moved to approve the resolution; seconded by Alderman McAdams.
City Manager Nicklas provided 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 a 7-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic,
Faivre, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: Morris. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.
2. Resolution 2023-048 Authorizing an Agreement for Construction Engineering Services with
Fehr Graham & Associates, LLC for the 2023 General Street Maintenance Program, with a
Fee Not to Exceed $163,600.
Mayor Barnes read the resolution by title only.
MOTION: Alderman Verbic moved to approve the resolution; seconded by Alderman Faivre.
City Manager Nicklas provided an overview of this item based on the information provided in the
agenda packet.
Brief discussion ensued.
VOTE: Motion carried by a 7-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic,
Faivre, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: Morris. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.
3. Resolution 2023-049 Authorizing a Supplemental Sum of $398,600 of Motor Fuel Tax Funds
for Maintaining Various Streets and Highways Under the Applicable Provisions of the Illinois
Highway Code (Section 23-00000-00-GM) from January 1, 2023, through December 31,
2023.
Mayor Barnes read the resolution by title only.
MOTION: Alderman Smith moved to approve the resolution; seconded by Alderman McAdams.
City Manager Nicklas provided an overview of this item based on the information provided in the
agenda packet.
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April 24, 2023
Page 4 of 6
There were no questions or comments from the Council.
VOTE: Motion carried by a 7-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic,
Faivre, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: Morris. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.
4. Resolution 2023-050 Approving a Hospitality Liquor License for Volume Services, Inc., d/b/a
Sodexo Live!, for the Northern Illinois University Convocation Center Located at 1525 W.
Lincoln Highway.
Mayor Barnes read the resolution by title only.
MOTION: Alderman McAdams moved to approve the resolution; seconded by Alderman Faivre.
City Manager Nicklas provided 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 a 7-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic,
Faivre, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: Morris. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.
5. Resolution 2023-051 Approving a Hospitality Liquor License for Volume Services, Inc., d/b/a
Sodexo Live!, for the Northern Illinois University Stadium Located at 1245 Stadium Drive.
Mayor Barnes read the resolution by title only.
MOTION: Alderman Perkins moved to approve the resolution; seconded by Alderman Faivre.
City Manager Nicklas provided 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 a 7-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic,
Faivre, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: Morris. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.
6. Resolution 2023-052 Approving a Restaurant/Low Alcohol by Volume (ABV) Liquor License
for Redjepi LLC, d/b/a Zana’s Woodfired Pizza, Located at 1406 Sycamore Road, Suite A.
Mayor Barnes read the resolution by title only.
MOTION: Alderman Smith moved to approve the resolution; seconded by Alderman McAdams.
City Manager Nicklas provided an overview of this item based on the information provided in the
agenda packet.
Alderman Smith asked for a definition of a Low ABV liquor license. City Manager Nicklas stated
that businesses with this type of liquor license can only serve drinks containing 20% or less
alcohol.
VOTE: Motion carried by a 7-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic,
Faivre, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: Morris. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.
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April 24, 2023
Page 5 of 6
7. Resolution 2023-053 Approving a Retail Tobacco Store License for The Smoke Shop NIU
818, Inc., d/b/a The Smoke Shop, Located at 818 W. Lincoln Highway, Suite 3.
Mayor Barnes read the resolution by title only.
MOTION: Alderman Verbic moved to approve the resolution; seconded by Alderman Faivre.
City Manager Nicklas provided 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 a 7-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic,
Faivre, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: Morris. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.
K. ORDINANCES – SECOND READING
There were none.
L. ORDINANCES – FIRST READING
1. Ordinance 2023-018 Amending the Fiscal Year-End December 31, 2022, Budget.
Mayor Barnes read the ordinance by title only.
MOTION: Alderman Faivre moved to approve first reading of the ordinance; seconded by
Alderman McAdams.
City Manager Nicklas provided 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 a 7-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic,
Faivre, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: Morris. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.
MOTION: Alderman Smith moved to waive second reading and approve the ordinance; seconded
by Alderman Perkins.
VOTE: Motion carried by a 7-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic,
Faivre, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: Morris. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed.
M. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
1. Council Member Reports.
Alderman Larson reported her attendance at the recent swearing in of new Firefighter Brennan
Peters and the promotional pinning of Captain Brian Andrus, Lieutenant Jared Thorp, and
Lieutenant Kevin Palazzola.
Alderman Faivre reported that the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) will be hosting plane
rides for children on June 4.
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April 24, 2023
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Mayor Barnes reported on recent activities with the Illinois Municipal League, his attendance at
the Northern Illinois University Interfraternity Council (IFC) Tugs event on April 22, and a visit to
the commercial kitchen food hub in Genoa.
2. City Manager Report.
City Manager Nicklas thanked Mayor Barnes for his representation of the City of DeKalb at events.
He also thanked Alderman Larson for attending Fire and Police swearing in and pinning
ceremonies, noting it means a lot to City staff.
N. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mayor Barnes read the Executive Session exception for the record:
1. Approval to Hold an Executive Session in Order to Discuss the Sale or Lease of Real Property
as Provided for in 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6).
MOTION: Alderman Faivre moved to recess for Executive Session; seconded by Alderman
Perkins.
VOTE: Motion carried by a 7-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic,
Faivre, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: Morris. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed and
recessed the meeting at 7:11 p.m.
Following adjournment of the Executive Session, Mayor Barnes opened the meeting to the public
at 8:41 p.m.
O. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Alderman Faivre moved to adjourn the Regular meeting; seconded by Alderman Smith.
VOTE: Aye: Larson, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent:
Morris. Mayor Barnes declared the motion passed and adjourned the meeting at 8:41 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________________
Ruth A. Scott, Recording Secretary
Minutes approved by the City Council on May 8, 2023.
Click here to view the agenda packet for the April 24, 2023, Regular City Council meeting.
Click here to view the video recording of the April 24, 2023, Regular City Council meeting.
Agenda
DEKALB CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 24, 2023
6:00 P.M.
DeKalb Public Library
Yusunas Meeting Room
309 Oak Street
DeKalb, Illinois 60115
Pursuant to Chapter 2 “City Council”, Section 2.04 “Council Meetings”, persons wishing to address the City
Council during this meeting are required to register with the Recording Secretary by filling out and
submitting a Speaker Request form, copies of which are located on the table just outside the meeting room,
along with copies of the agenda. Comments will be limited to three (3) minutes. Further information for
addressing the City Council can be found on the Speaker Request form.
A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
C. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
D. PRESENTATIONS
1. Honoring Elected Officials Leaving Service in 2023 – Alderman Tony Faivre.
City Manager’s Summary: Alderman Faivre has served as Seventh Ward Alderman since
December 2015 – almost seven and a half years. On December 14, 2015, he was appointed
by former Mayor John Rey to replace former Seventh Ward Council member Monica O’Leary
upon her resignation. On April 4, 2017, he was elected to complete the term of the former
Council member. On April 2, 2019, he was re-elected to serve a full, four-year term to May
2023. Alderman Faivre has served through recession and pandemic, and has been very
instrumental in promoting fiscal responsibility, responsive government, public safety,
transformative economic development, and family-centered entertainment in the City of
DeKalb. As much as anything, his kind nature and innovative thinking have brought much
value to the Council’s regular discourse on a wide range of projects and topics. He has served
ably and well.
E. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
F. APPOINTMENTS
None.
G. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of April 10, 2023.
2. Accounts Payable and Payroll through April 24, 2023, in the Amount of
$2,177,375.98.
Assistive services, including hearing assistance devices, available upon request.
COVID-19 Notice: The corporate authorities of the City of DeKalb intend to conduct this meeting in-person with a physically present quorum that is open
to the public and in compliance with all applicable public health requirements. Pursuant to current public health guidelines, persons attending this meeting
are not required to wear protective face masks/coverings.
Regular Meeting Agenda
April 24, 2023
Page 2 of 10
3. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Report – March 2023.
4. Resolution 2023-046 Authorizing a Workers’ Compensation Lump Sum Petition and
Order in the Amount of $35,986.04 (David Delille).
City Manager’s Summary: On March 12, 2020, David DeLille was injured while working as a
Firefighter/Paramedic with the City’s Fire Department. Mr. DeLille underwent medical
treatment for his injury.
The City has reached a tentative agreement on a proposed settlement of the Workers’
Compensation claim, which is subject to approval by the City Council, and also subject to
approval by the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission Arbitrator.
The proposed settlement contemplates all future medical treatment would be closed and the
City would pay a full and final settlement payment in the amount of $35,986.04. In the absence
of settling this claim, the matter will likely proceed to a contested hearing, with an uncertain
outcome and further defense costs.
City Council approval is recommended. (click here for additional information)
H. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
I. CONSIDERATIONS
1. Consideration of a Draft Five-Year Program for Annual Street Maintenance for the
Years 2024-2028.
City Manager’s Summary: The City’s five-year street maintenance plan expires at the end of
2022. In advance of the preparation of a draft plan for the next five years (2023-2028), the
City participated with DeKalb County and the City of Sycamore in a pavement rating study in
2022 that was funded by DeKalb County’s metropolitan planning organization, DSATS
(DeKalb-Sycamore Area Transportation Study), which also includes Cortland, Northern Illinois
University, and IDOT District #3. The DSATS-funded field work was done in 2022 and the
findings have been released for local engineers to plan priority projects subject to the review
of their corporate authorities.
Background
From the middle of the nineteenth century through the middle of the twentieth century,
America excelled in the creation of infrastructure, beginning with canals and post roads then
roaring through a railroad-building surge that linked major cities and the Atlantic and Pacific
coasts, and finishing with an interstate highway system that tied every corner of the country
together with high-speed vehicular traffic. However, overall public investment in transportation
declined from 2.3 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the 1960s to about 1.7 percent
in 2018. A 2017 report card from the American Society of Civil Engineers estimated that
American cities experienced 240,000 water main breaks a year (DeKalb has an average of
50-60) wasting more than 2 trillion gallons of treated water. Four in ten of the country’s
625,000 bridges are more than fifty years old and one in nine is structurally deficient.
In the City of DeKalb, the report card has slightly improved in terms of street maintenance
since the bold and controversial increase in home rule motor fuel taxes on November 25, 2019
(Ordinance 2019-077). In March 2008 the City of DeKalb established a local motor fuel tax on
Assistive services, including hearing assistance devices, available upon request.
COVID-19 Notice: The corporate authorities of the City of DeKalb intend to conduct this meeting in-person with a physically present quorum that is open
to the public and in compliance with all applicable public health requirements. Pursuant to current public health guidelines, persons attending this meeting
are not required to wear protective face masks/coverings.
Regular Meeting Agenda
April 24, 2023
Page 3 of 10
gallons of fuel pumped at motor fuel retailers within the City’s corporate limits for the purpose
of funding road maintenance. In late 2019, the rate was increased from five and one-half cents
($0.055) per gallon or fraction thereof to nine and one-half cents per gallon ($0.095). At that
time, the City Council and Finance Advisory Committee jointly agreed that additional annual
dedicated revenue was necessary to address serious deficiencies in the condition of the City’s
streets and alleys, as well as the declining and critical condition of much of the City’s fleet of
Police, Fire and Public Works vehicles, in particular. Since 2019, the local fuel tax rate has
been split between road expenditures (7 cents), airport expenditures (1.5 cents), and vehicle
replacement (1 cent). For street maintenance purposes, the local fuel tax is not the only
source of revenue, but it is the largest recurring source of general revenue. IDOT grant
support has been critical in upgrading streets and intersections in prime development areas
since 2019 and will be critical in the reconstruction of the North First Street and Lucinda
Avenue bridges in the current fiscal year, but such state grants are by no means guaranteed
going forward.
Local motor fuel tax is augmented by a share of the state motor fuel tax. The 19-cent increase
in the state motor fuel tax revenue that took place in 2020 is restricted by state statute for road
and bridge repairs, and such ancillary costs as salt and street lighting. This funding increase
has also helped in building the City’s annual street maintenance war chest. In 2017-2018, the
annual street maintenance allocation was stuck on about $750,000. According to the research
in the City’s 2018-2022 Plan, the funding for street maintenance had averaged $860,000 for
the previous 25 years. The annual war chest for street maintenance is now about $2.2 million
in combined state MFT (Fund 210) and local MFT (Fund 400) monies, but the average annual
street maintenance budget needed to address pavement surfaces in the “poor” range is $2.6
million over the next five years. The glossary below illustrates the various rating thresholds:
Pavement Condition Index (PCI)
Failing (less than 40)
Poor (41-55)
Fair (56-70)
Satisfactory (71-85)
Good (86-100)
Despite the more aggressive and strategic allocation of street maintenance funding for the
upgrade of key City arterials and residential collector streets (e.g., North and South First
Street, North and South Seventh Street, West Taylor Street, N. 13th and N. 14th) in 2019,
2020, 2021, and 2022 the City’s many residential road miles continue to steadily deteriorate.
Additionally, street-related costs such as sidewalk repairs and alley improvements often get
less than desired attention as limited funds are spread further on the more compelling
distressed road surfaces.
Upon the completion of the City’s bridge projects in 2023, the City’s average annual capacity
for street maintenance will be about $2.5 million (State MFT: $1,650,000; Local MFT:
$850,000). Of that $2.5 million, over $500,000 will be needed annually for de-icing materials,
electrical costs for street lighting, and traffic signal parts and repairs. The remaining $2 million
would drop over $1.5 million below the optimal annual funding level of $3.8 million determined
in 2018.
The Proposed Five-Year Plan
The Five-Year Plan drafted by City Engineer Zac Gill is presented in full in the background to
this Agenda item. The following summary graphically portrays the annual components of that
Assistive services, including hearing assistance devices, available upon request.
COVID-19 Notice: The corporate authorities of the City of DeKalb intend to conduct this meeting in-person with a physically present quorum that is open
to the public and in compliance with all applicable public health requirements. Pursuant to current public health guidelines, persons attending this meeting
are not required to wear protective face masks/coverings.
Regular Meeting Agenda
April 24, 2023
Page 4 of 10
draft Plan. It should be noted that the Plan does not include expenditures for streets that are
part of larger development projects eligible for Surface Transportation Urban (“STU”) funds
administered through the Illinois Department of Transportation, legislative earmarks,
competitive grants, or public/private partnerships with developers through development
agreements. It should also be noted that the proposed annual hot-mix-asphalt resurfacing
program does not sufficiently address actual annual need. Over the next five years, the
Plan cannot be funded with available resources to provide a path to a “satisfactory” or even a
“fair” pavement condition rating for most City streets. In fact, the program is designed to target
those streets needing immediate attention (“failing” or “poor”).
On April 10, the 2023 street maintenance allocation of $2,560,000 was approved by the City
Council. The proposed 2024-2028 programs are highlighted below. As always, the City staff
will review annual street conditions that may require some changes in the annual allocations,
but the streets noted below are all in need of urgent attention:
YEAR DESCRIPTION LENGTH (FT) SQ YARDS $/S.Y. COST
2024 Fairview 3,600 10,400 $20.00 $208,000
Heritage Ridge 12,000 42,667 $23.00 $981,333
"South Loops" off W. Hillcrest 4,460 15,858 $23.00 $364,729
(Sunnymeade/Fox Hollow)
NIU campus area (near north) 10,020 35,627 $23.00 $819,413
Loren Loop 2,350 8,617 $24.00 $206,800
32,430 113,168 $2,580,276
2025 Tilton Pk side streets and 13,860 43,120 $ 24.00 $1,034,880
"North Loops" (off W. Hillcrest) 15,080 55,293 $ 24.00 $1,327,040
Barb Blvd and Residential in vicinity
28,940 98,413 $2,361,920
2026 Greenwood Acres N & Fairway loop 8,120 27,067 $ 25.00 $676,667
Eden's Garden (all) 12,570 44,693 $ 25.00 $1,117,333
W. Hillcrest Sycamore Rd to Normal 6,420 22,827 $ 25.00 $570,667
(remove speed tables—use other traffic
calming methods)
27,110 94,587 $2,364,667
2027 3rd Ward Center 13,420 35,787 $ 26.00 $930,453
SW Residential 16,200 54,000 $ 26.00 $1,404,000
29,620 89,787 $2,334,453
2028 Major Collectors/Industrial 18,750 70,833 $ 30.00 $2,125,000
Sweep of Sub-25 Rated Streets 3,000 10,667 $ 27.00 $288,000
21,750 81,500 $2,413,000
FINAL 139,850 477,455 $12,054,316
Assistive services, including hearing assistance devices, available upon request.
COVID-19 Notice: The corporate authorities of the City of DeKalb intend to conduct this meeting in-person with a physically present quorum that is open
to the public and in compliance with all applicable public health requirements. Pursuant to current public health guidelines, persons attending this meeting
are not required to wear protective face masks/coverings.
Regular Meeting Agenda
April 24, 2023
Page 5 of 10
The streets generally described in the foregoing table have a “failing” or “poor” rating and are
shown on the map below:
The proposed Five-Year Plan allocates approximately $12 million to service about 26 miles
(centerline) of local streets.
City Council direction is recommended. (click here for additional information)
J. RESOLUTIONS
1. Resolution 2023-047 Authorizing a Six-Month Extension through September 19,
2023, of the Strong Communities Grant from the Illinois Housing Development
Authority in the Amount of $100,000 for Reimbursement of City Expenditures
Related to the Demolition of Three Condemned Residential Properties.
City Manager’s Summary: On February 8, 2021, the City Council authorized the Mayor to sign
a program funding agreement with the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA to enable
the City to receive up to $100,000 in grant funding from the IHDA Strong Communities
Program (Resolution 2021-014). The program is designed to provide funds to reimburse City
expenditures associated with the demolition of condemned residential properties. The clearing
of such sites removes blight that diminishes property values in neighborhoods and also
Assistive services, including hearing assistance devices, available upon request.
COVID-19 Notice: The corporate authorities of the City of DeKalb intend to conduct this meeting in-person with a physically present quorum that is open
to the public and in compliance with all applicable public health requirements. Pursuant to current public health guidelines, persons attending this meeting
are not required to wear protective face masks/coverings.
Regular Meeting Agenda
April 24, 2023
Page 6 of 10
eliminates structures that are “attractive nuisances” for persons bent on mischief. Several
structures have been razed over the past two years; about $63,000 remains to be spent.
More often than not, legal permission to raze abandoned structures requires lengthy
negotiations with third parties – often financial institutions – that do not want to maintain the
structures but also want to find a way to realize some return on their “asset” before a
demolition action is enforced by the City. By approval of the attached resolution, the Council
provides a six-month extension for the City to legally pursue demolition of at least two of the
structures on the Building Department’s short list of failed and vacant houses.
City Council approval is recommended. (click here for additional information)
2. Resolution 2023-048 Authorizing an Agreement for Construction Engineering
Services with Fehr Graham & Associates, LLC for the 2023 General Street
Maintenance Program, with a Fee Not to Exceed $163,600.
City Manager’s Summary: On April 10, the Council awarded the 2023 Street Surfacing
contract to Curran Construction for up to $2,560,000 including a 5% contingency and two
alternates. The City will also need construction inspection and contract management services
as in years past. Typically, fees for such engineering services are 6% of the construction costs
plus testing fees, per state MFT parameters.
Fehr-Graham previously performed well during the 2018 through 2022 Street Maintenance
Program with a high level of satisfaction expressed by residents of numerous neighborhoods.
The firm also did well as the engineering project manager for the 2022 Downtown streetscape
reconfiguration. In addition, Fehr-Graham project managers typically complete their
contractual services under budget.
The City Engineer had estimated $175,000 for construction engineering services from the
City’s MFT Fund to cover these professional service costs. The proposed $163,600 will cover
observation, testing, and administrative services for approximately $2.56 million in street
maintenance work.
City Council approval is recommended. (click here for additional information)
3. Resolution 2023-049 Approving a Supplemental Sum of $398,600 of Motor Fuel Tax
Funds for Maintaining Various Streets and Highways Under the Applicable
Provisions of the Illinois Highway Code (Section 23-00000-00-GM) from January 1,
2023, through December 31, 2023.
City Manager’s Summary: As City Engineer Zac Gill explains in his background memorandum,
the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) requires municipalities to pass a resolution
estimating total expenditures of state Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds for general street
maintenance for the upcoming fiscal year. The City staff originally projected this value at
$3,149,000 for road salt, engineering services, electricity for streetlights and traffic signals,
and street resurfacing. The decision to award a larger than anticipated contract to Curran
Construction for an expanded Street Maintenance scope on April 10 requires that the Council
authorize an additional $398,600 in appropriated Motor Fuel Tax funds (Fund 210) to cover
the additional construction costs ($360,000) and construction engineering fees ($38,600)
associated with the higher value of the 2023 program. The following table summarizes the
new total anticipated MFT expenditures for 2023:
Assistive services, including hearing assistance devices, available upon request.
COVID-19 Notice: The corporate authorities of the City of DeKalb intend to conduct this meeting in-person with a physically present quorum that is open
to the public and in compliance with all applicable public health requirements. Pursuant to current public health guidelines, persons attending this meeting
are not required to wear protective face masks/coverings.
Regular Meeting Agenda
April 24, 2023
Page 7 of 10
Operation Estimated Costs
Road Salt $283,000
Engineering Services $238,600
Electricity – Street Lights and Traffic Signals $333,000
Street Supplies $133,000
Street Resurfacing $2,560,000
Total $3,547,600
City Council approval is recommended. (click here for additional information)
4. Resolution 2023-050 Approving a Hospitality Liquor License for Volume Services,
Inc., d/b/a Sodexo Live!, for the Northern Illinois University Convocation Center
Located at 1525 W. Lincoln Highway.
City Manager’s Summary: Volume Services is replacing Sodexo America as the liquor license
holder for the Northern Illinois University Convocation Center and will be doing business as
Sodexo Live!
Since liquor licenses aren’t transferable under City ordinance, Volume Services has submitted
an application for a Hospitality liquor license, along with a supplemental Catering permit. If
approved, the liquor license will be considered “conditional” until the requirements laid out in
the resolution are met, which include receipt of the State of Illinois liquor license and a City of
DeKalb Fire Life Safety license. The City will receive an initial issuance fee of $5,659 along
with $377 for the permit. Non-refundable fees for the liquor license application, Fire Life Safety
application, and background investigations in the amount of $888 have been paid.
Background investigations for all owners and managers have been approved by the DeKalb
Police Department.
The licensing term for a Hospitality liquor license begins on September 1 and ends on August
31 with an annual renewal fee of $3,735. In accordance with Chapter 38 of the City’s Municipal
Code, since the initial license is being issued within the last six months of the current licensing
term, the 2023 renewal fee for the liquor license will be prorated by 50%.
City Council approval is recommended. (click here for additional information)
5. Resolution 2023-051 Approving a Hospitality Liquor License for Volume Services,
Inc., d/b/a Sodexo Live!, for the Northern Illinois University Stadium Located at 1245
Stadium Drive.
City Manager’s Summary: Volume Services is replacing Sodexo America as the liquor license
holder for the Northern Illinois University Stadium and will be doing business as Sodexo Live!
Since liquor licenses aren’t transferable under City ordinance, Volume Services has submitted
an application for a Hospitality liquor license. If approved, the license will be considered
“conditional” until the requirements laid out in the resolution are met, which includes receipt
of the State of Illinois liquor license and a City of DeKalb issued Fire Life Safety license. The
City will receive an initial issuance fee of $5,659 upon approval. Non-refundable fees for the
liquor license application and Fire Life Safety application in the amount of $638 have been
paid. Background investigations for all owners and managers have been approved by the
DeKalb Police Department.
Assistive services, including hearing assistance devices, available upon request.
COVID-19 Notice: The corporate authorities of the City of DeKalb intend to conduct this meeting in-person with a physically present quorum that is open
to the public and in compliance with all applicable public health requirements. Pursuant to current public health guidelines, persons attending this meeting
are not required to wear protective face masks/coverings.
Regular Meeting Agenda
April 24, 2023
Page 8 of 10
The licensing term for a Hospitality liquor license begins on September 1 and ends on August
31 with an annual renewal fee of $3,735. In accordance with Chapter 38 of the City’s Municipal
Code, since the initial license is being issued within the last six months of the current licensing
term, the 2023 renewal fee for the liquor license will be prorated by 50%.
City Council approval is recommended. (click here for additional information)
6. Resolution 2023-052 Approving a Restaurant/Low Alcohol by Volume Liquor
License for Redjepi LLC, d/b/a Zana’s Woodfired Pizza, Located at 1406 Sycamore
Road, Suite A.
City Manager’s Summary: Redjepi LLC has submitted an application for a Restaurant/Low
Alcohol by Volume (ABV) liquor license. A Low ABV liquor license allows the business to sell
alcoholic beverages with a 20% or less alcohol content. If approved, the license will be
considered “conditional” until the requirements laid out in the resolution are met, which
includes receipt of their State of Illinois liquor license and approval of the required background
investigations for both owners by the DeKalb Police Department. The City will receive an initial
issuance fee of $3,962 upon approval. Non-refundable fees for the liquor license application
and background investigations in the amount of $638 have already been paid and the
business currently holds a valid Fire Life Safety license.
The licensing term for a Restaurant/Low ABV liquor license begins on May 1 and ends on
April 30 with an annual renewal fee of $2,547. Zana’s will need to apply and be approved for
a State of Illinois liquor license before the City can issue an “unconditional” liquor license. It
can take two weeks or more to receive the state’s approval, which will most likely be sometime
in the month of May. Therefore, it is recommended that this initial license be allowed to have
an expiration date of April 30, 2024.
City Council approval is recommended. (click here for additional information)
7. Resolution 2023-053 Approving a Retail Tobacco Store License for The Smoke Shop
NIU 818, Inc., d/b/a The Smoke Shop, Located at 818 W. Lincoln Highway, Suite 3.
City Manager’s Summary: The Smoke Shop at 818 W. Lincoln Highway has a new owner,
Mohammad Abdul-Majid, as well as a new corporation name – The Smoke Shop NIU 818,
Inc. Accordingly, an application for a Retail Tobacco Store (RTS) license has been submitted.
Retail tobacco stores are defined as a business that either has 30% or more of its revenue or
more than 25% of its floor area devoted to tobacco products and accessories. If the license is
approved, the City will receive an initial issuance fee of $3,735 and annual renewal fees of
$350. Non-refundable fees for the RTS license application, background investigation for the
new owner, and the required Fire Life Safety license in the amount of $688 have been paid.
The licensing term for tobacco licenses begins on July 1 and ends on June 30. Since the initial
license is being issued within the last six months of the current licensing term, the City staff
recommend that the 2023 renewal fee for the license be prorated by 50%.
City Council approval is recommended. (click here for additional information)
K. ORDINANCES – SECOND READING
None.
Assistive services, including hearing assistance devices, available upon request.
COVID-19 Notice: The corporate authorities of the City of DeKalb intend to conduct this meeting in-person with a physically present quorum that is open
to the public and in compliance with all applicable public health requirements. Pursuant to current public health guidelines, persons attending this meeting
are not required to wear protective face masks/coverings.
Regular Meeting Agenda
April 24, 2023
Page 9 of 10
L. ORDINANCES – FIRST READING
1. Ordinance 2023-018 Amending the Fiscal Year-End December 31, 2022, Budget.
City Manager’s Summary: As a result of some projects unknown at the time the original
FY2022 budget was adopted, several amendments to the budget for the fiscal year that ended
December 31, 2022, are recommended.
As Finance Director Carrie Dittman writes in her background memorandum, the city’s legal
level of budgetary authority is at the fund level, meaning that the budget officer may transfer
amounts between departments within a fund, but transfers between funds must be approved
by the City Council. Expenditures may not legally exceed budgeted appropriations at the fund
level.
In this context, the following revisions are proposed for the Council’s consideration and action:
Item #1 impacts the Capital Projects Fund and relates to the construction of the new salt
storage dome on the Public Works property. On April 11, 2022, the City Council approved
Resolution 2022-035, authorizing an access and remediation agreement with Nicor Gas and
ComEd. The terms of the agreement called for environmental remediation which
necessitated the demolition, relocation, and replacement of the City’s salt storage dome.
The expenditure and revenue (reimbursement) from Nicor Gas was not part of the adopted
2022 budget; but the total project cost was just under $450,000. Additionally, funds that are
borrowed to finance capital acquisitions (e.g., License Plate Reader Cameras) must be
shown as both loan proceeds (revenue) and equipment (expense). The $129,033
transaction offsets itself. There is no net effect from these transactions.
Item #2 relates to the Foreign Fire Insurance Tax (FFIT) Fund. The FFIT Board develops a
budget for the fund which it forwards to the city to be included in the city’s overall budget. In
Fiscal Year 2022, about $4,500 more in foreign fire insurance tax was received over the
budget, so a corresponding revenue amendment is proposed. Additionally, several
expenditure line items exceeded the budget, totaling about $12,000, and amendments are
recommended for the line item of firefighting supplies/equipment. This is a net increase in
expenditures of $7,500, which will be drawn down from the built-up fund reserves.
Item #3 resulted from the Council Resolution 2021-103 passed in December 2021
approving a development agreement with Clear Investment Group. The agreement
specified a $1.0 million economic incentive to the developer to be used to repair and
rehabilitate the former Hunter properties of 808 Ridge Dr., 832 Ridge Dr. and 835
Edgebrook. The expenditure is more than offset by home rule sales taxes received in excess
of the revenue budget. There is no net effect to the General Fund.
Item #4 – within the ARPA Fund, various transfers out to other Funds were included in the
budget, but the street improvement creating the Edgebrook Drive cul-de-sac, Annie Glidden
sidewalks, Fairview Drive calming project and Grove Street bike path extension were all
contemplated after the 2022 budget was adopted. A budget reclassification from “transfers
out” to “street improvements” of $1.0 million is proposed, which has no net effect on the
ARPA Fund.
Item #5 – the Heritage Ridge Special Service Area #3 overspent the ground maintenance
budget by an extremely minor amount, but as the fund cannot spend over budget a minor
$100 addition to the expenditure is necessary.
Assistive services, including hearing assistance devices, available upon request.
COVID-19 Notice: The corporate authorities of the City of DeKalb intend to conduct this meeting in-person with a physically present quorum that is open
to the public and in compliance with all applicable public health requirements. Pursuant to current public health guidelines, persons attending this meeting
are not required to wear protective face masks/coverings.
Regular Meeting Agenda
April 24, 2023
Page 10 of 10
Item #6 – as noted above in item #1, the borrowing of funds for equipment must be shown
as both revenue and expenditure. An addition of $150,000 to both loan proceeds and vehicle
expenditure is necessary to reflect the City’s dump truck purchase. There is no net effect
to the Capital Equipment Replacement Fund.
Item #7 affects operations of the DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport. The airport’s fuel sales
exceeded expectations and were offset by a corresponding increase in fuel purchased for
resale of $225,000. In addition, two significant federal grant projects occurred in 2022: the
rehabilitation of Taxiway C, and the relocation and replacement of navigation units on
runways 2, 20 and 27. This resulted in increased capital spending offset by an increase in
grant revenue of about $300,000. There is no net effect to the Airport Fund.
Item #8 is a reclassification of $80,000 between refuse removal expense and transfers out
to cover the additional leaf pick up cost incurred during 2022. There is no net effect to the
Refuse & Recycling Fund.
City Council approval of the proposed FY2022 Budget amendments is recommended.
(click here for additional information)
M. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
1. Council Member Reports.
2. City Manager Report.
N. EXECUTIVE SESSION
1. Approval to Hold an Executive Session in Order to Discuss the Sale or Lease of
Real Property as Provided for in 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6).
O. ADJOURNMENT
REGULAR AGENDA PACKET
APRIL 24, 2023
Assistive services, including hearing assistance devices, available upon request.
COVID-19 Notice: The corporate authorities of the City of DeKalb intend to conduct this meeting in-person with a physically present quorum that is open
to the public and in compliance with all applicable public health requirements. Pursuant to current public health guidelines, persons attending this meeting
are not required to wear protective face masks/coverings.