City of Dixon City Council met Dec. 19.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arellano at 5:30pm.
ROLL CALL
Councilman Venier, Bishop, Considine Oros, and Mayor Arellano answered roll call. Absent: None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/INVOCATION
The Pledge of Allegiance was cited. Invocation was given by Reverend David Spaulding, First Presbyterian Church.
PUBLIC HEARING
DCEO GRANT APPLICATION WATERMAIN PROJECT
Mayor Arellano opened the public hearing at 5:33pm
Matt Hansen from Willett Hofmann and Associates presented regarding a grant application for watermains in the south west area of the city. He presented on the purpose of the public hearing, location of the grant project area, overview of what the program is about and where the money comes from, the objectives, eligible activities, available funds through grants, benefit to low-and moderate income persons, plan for minimizing displacement, detailed priority list of community development needs, the project need, project location map, and the project scope of work and costs, public access to the grant application. Discussion ensued.
Public Comment – None
Mayor Arellano closed the public hearing at 5:46pm
VISITOR/PUBLIC COMMENT
Jacksen Ortgiesen, Quentin Seggebruch & Sean Lauer from the WACC CEO program spoke regarding the program, skills learned, speakers that have presented to them, tours of businesses, assignments for the year, in which the assignment they are here to present on is the class business “Foreign Foods & Tunes” on January 19, 2023 at Sauk Valley Community College. They explained the types of foods and facts and musicians representing the countries that will be present. Sponsorships to the events that the group were able to retain. Discussion ensued
John Heil, USCOC US Cellular – spoke regarding the special use and variance for the cellular tower that is on the agenda, he attended both public hearings at the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Plan Commission. Both commissions recommended the approval of the project, which he explained, the standards that were met for each meeting and approved with no opposition of residents, the SBA Communications objected, the owners of the tower that they are currently renting space on the lease is running out and do not want to re-up their lease. Neither commission saw any merit in the objection and asked and encourage to do the same and allow them to do the project.
Josh Watson, here in the event there are any questions to the project.
Patrick Turner, SBA Communications Corporation –does have an existing tower that was approved in 2004. US Cellular is a tenant and their lease is up. The objection that they are raising is that this tower, from a coverage stand point, is totally unnecessary. Doesn’t think the comprehensive plan for the City of Dixon contemplates building an unnecessary tower. Many municipalities have co-location requirements that do not want towers close. This location is 600 yards away from the existing tower. There is no dead zones or coverage issues. Objecting to the fact that this tower is unnecessary and other safety issues that were brought up to the ZBA. Doesn’t think that the city council needs to pass an ordinance of a special use or variance for a tower that is not necessary.
Randy Stage – Owner of the property that the cell tower is wanting the tower. He will comment if needed at the time of the agenda.
WORK SESSION
FIRE DEPARTMENT STAFFING
Chief Buskohl presented to the council regarding the staffing and the Safer Grant. We received a denial letter from the grant. He went through the “Plan B”. He presented on the reasons why there is a need for more staffing, recall of off duty personnel, personnel burnout, consistent reliable mutual aid, 260 regional overlapping calls, and internal overlapping calls of 325 this year. The reasons for the urgency: staffing needs, time for training, quantity of candidates, cost and budget preparation, and reasons that staffing should be adequate. Finance Director Fredericks presented on the scenarios of the budget and where the cost could be covered, discussion ensued throughout. Chief Buskohl went over training costs, staffing studies that are regulated by National Fire Protection Association, Insurance Service Office Inc, US Fire Administration, and Illinois OSHA, diagram of a fire scene showing the duties of firefighters within the first 8-10 minutes. Potential dangers if no staff added. Recommendation to increase the staff. The staffing report is available on the City’s website for review. Discussion ensued.
**MOVED UP**
APPROVAL TO INCREASE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STAFFING FROM SEVENTEEN (17) to TWENTY (20)
Councilman Considine moved to increase the Fire Department Staffing from Seventeen (17) to Twenty (20). Seconded by Councilman Venier. Discussion ensued. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Bishop, Considine, and Oros, Voting Nay: None. Abstain: Mayor Arellano. Motion Carried
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Councilman Bishop moved that the minutes of the Regular Session Meeting of Monday, December 5, 2022; be accepted and placed on file. Seconded by Councilman Oros. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Bishop, Considine, Oros, and Mayor Arellano. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried
APPROVAL OF TOTAL LABOR AND OUTSIDE CLAIMS
Councilman Oros moved that the Total Labor and Outside Claims in the amount of $491,575.35 be approved and ordered paid. Seconded by Councilman Considine. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Bishop, Considine, Oros, and Mayor Arellano. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried
APPROVAL OF YEAR TO DATE FINANCIALS
Councilman Considine moved that the year-to-date Financial Summary through November 2022 be accepted. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Discussion ensued. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Bishop, Considine, Oros, and Mayor Arellano. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
None
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Langloss gave an update on Surf Fiber, the pension bond rate, SVCC Police Academy with Retired Sergeant LaMendola as the director the first class starts in January, and attended an event for Senator Stewart.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Mayor Arellano – Congratulated the City of Steward of Lee County for $100,000 Industrial Planning Grant. Received a lot of compliments on the holiday decorations. Merry Christmas, have a great holiday.
Councilman Bishop – Merry Christmas. Recognized one of the most important departments is the Public Works Employees, and their hard work taking care of the snow, water line breaks, etc.
Councilman Considine – Merry Christmas. Thanked each of the council for their support for the Fire Department.
Councilman Oros – Wished everyone a Merry Christmas. Update on the Ukrainian Families and the Shop with a Cop program, thanked Officer Tyler Henson and Chief Howell. Initiative to help fund feeding medical staff during COVID, had some funding left over and utilized that this week to purchase desserts from many different businesses from the community and delivered to the medical centers.
Councilman Venier – Happy and Safe Christmas to all the citizens of Dixon. Shop local shop small, support your local business, and benefits that help our community. Shop Small, Shop Safe and Have a Merry Christmas
BOARDS & COMMISSION REPORTS
On File: Building Permit Report and Historical Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes.
VISITORS/PUBLIC COMMENT
None
ORD# 3335 – AUTHORIZING A SPECIAL USE PURSUANT TO THE PETITION OF USCOC OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS, LLC ON BEHALF OF RANDY STAGE (925 MONROE AVENUE, DIXON)
Councilman Venier moved to approve the ordinance authorizing a Special Use pursuant to the petition of USCOC of Illinois, LLC on behalf of Randy Stage (925 Monroe Avenue, Dixon Illinois). Seconded by Councilman Bishop. Building Official Shipman explained the request and discussion ensued. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Bishop, Considine, and Mayor Arellano. Voting Nay: Oros. Motion Carried
ORD# 3336 – AUTHORIZING A VARIANCE PURSUANT TO THE PETITION OF USCOC OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS, LLC ON BEHALF OF RANDY STAGE (925 MONROE AVENUE, DIXON)
Councilman Bishop moved to approve the ordinance authorizing a Variance pursuant to the petition of USCOC of Illinois, LLC on behalf of Randy Stage (925 Monroe Avenue, Dixon Illinois). Seconded by Councilman Venier. Building Official Shipman explained the request and discussion ensued. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Bishop, Considine, and Mayor Arellano. Voting Nay: Oros. Motion Carried
RES# 3043-22 – AMENDING FY 2022-2023 BUDGET
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Councilman Oros moved to approve the budget resolution with respect to the Fire Department Budget. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Finance Director Fredericks explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Bishop, Considine, Oros, and Mayor Arellano. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried
APPROVAL TO ALLOW WAIVING OF BIDDING FOR AN EMERGENCY REPAIR/REPLACE OF BOILER SYSTEM AT THE PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING
Councilman Considine moved to waive the formal bid process for emergency repair/replacement of the Public Safety Building boilers. Seconded by Councilman Bishop. Building Official Shipman explained the request and discussion ensued. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Bishop, Considine, Oros, and Mayor Arellano. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried
APPROVAL OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF DIXON AND WILLETT HOFMANN & ASSOCIATES FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES WITH RESPECT TO WATERMAIN ON W. 9TH STREET AND FACTORY STREET
Councilman Venier moved to approve the agreement with Willett Hofmann and Associates, Inc. for work related to the West End Watermain Replacement Project. Seconded by Councilman Bishop. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Bishop, Considine, Oros, and Mayor Arellano. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried
APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF DIXON AND CRAWFORD, MURPHY, & TILLY, INC. FOR CONSTRUCTION PHASE SERVICES WITH RESPECT TO TAXIWAY REHABILITATION AT THE DIXON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
Councilman Bishop moved to approve the agreement with Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, Inc for construction phase services related to taxiway pavement rehabilitation. Seconded by Councilman Oros. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Bishop, Considine, Oros, and Mayor Arellano. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried
APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF DIXON AND WILLETT HOFMANN & ASSOCIATES FOR SURVEY WORK WITH RESPECT TO THE RAISE GRANT PROJECT
Councilman Oros moved to approve the agreement between Willett Hofmann & Associates for survey work with respect to the RAISE Grant Project. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Bishop, Considine, Oros, and Mayor Arellano. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried
APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF DIXON AND WILLETT HOFMANN & ASSOCIATES FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES WITH RESPECT TO THE GATEWAY PROJECT DESIGN OF THE WATER & SANITARY INFRASTRUCTURE
Councilman Oros moved to approve the agreement between Willett Hofmann & Associates and the City of Dixon for professional services related to the Gateway Development design of the Water & Sanitary Infrastructure. Seconded by Councilman Considine. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Bishop, Considine, Oros, and Mayor Arellano. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried
APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF DIXON AND WILLETT HOFMANN & ASSOCIATES FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES WITH RESPECT TO THE GATEWAY PROJECT ROADWAY & LIGHTING INFRASTRUCTURE
Councilman Considine moved to approve the agreement between Willett Hofmann & Associates and the City of Dixon for professional services related to the Gateway Development design of the Roadway & Lighting Infrastructure. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Bishop, Considine, Oros, and Mayor Arellano. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Stricken
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mona Doan addressed the council regarding her property on 4th Street and the Fargo Creek problem. Part of the creek wall fell in on her property. The City had done street work, which moved the flow of the water into her yard and not the creek. Workers have redone the street but now the lip isn’t there. She spoke the Mayor and Mr. Heckman before the meeting but would also like to address at the meeting. Discussion ensued.
ADJOURMENT
Councilman Venier moved that the Regular Council Meeting of Monday, December 19, 2022 be adjourned to meet in Regular Session on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, at 5:30pm in the Council Chambers at the City Hall. Seconded by Councilman Bishop. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Bishop, Considine, Oros, and Mayor Arellano. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried
The meeting adjourned at 7:38pm.
https://www.dixongov.com/index.php?option=com_docman&view=download&alias=3354-12-19-22-council-meeting-minutes&category_slug=2022-city-council-minutes&Itemid=1086
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