NW Illinois News

City of Dixon City Council met Nov. 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Hughes at 5:30pm.

ROLL CALL

Councilman Considine, Oros, Venier, Bishop, and Mayor Hughes answered roll call.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/INVOCATION

The Pledge of Allegiance was cited. Invocation was given by Chris McClure, Sauk Valley Community Church.

PUBLIC HEARING

TAX LEVY INCREASE

Mayor Hughes opened the Public Hearing at 5:32pm.

Finance Director Leslie explained the Levy, and stated that this is the third year of decreases for the total proposed rates for the City portion of taxes. Reviewed the process of passing the levy. Public Comments – None

Mayor Hughes closed the Public Hearing at 5:35pm.

WORK SESSION

None

VISITOR/PUBLIC COMMENT

Amanda Wike, Director of the Dixon Chamber of Commerce Main Street, recognized the Beautify Dixon Group who has over 1000 hours of volunteer service, including petunias and holiday decorations. On Wednesday, November 15th the Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton recognized two organizations for excellent volunteers and Beautify Dixon was one of them. She thanked them for all of their efforts, discussion ensued regarding volunteerism in our community.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Councilman Bishop moved that the minutes of the Regular Session Council Meeting of Monday, November 6, 2023, be accepted and placed on file. Seconded by Councilman Oros. Voting Yea: Councilman Considine, Oros, Venier, Bishop, and Mayor Hughes. 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 $3,016,972.12 be approved and ordered paid. Seconded by Councilman Considine. Discussion ensued noting large payments. Voting Yea: Councilman Considine, Oros, Venier, Bishop, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

YEAR-TO-DATE FINANCIALS

Councilman Considine moved that the year-to-date Financial Summary through October 2023 be accepted. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Voting Yea: Councilman Considine, Oros, Venier, Bishop, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Public Works Director/Assistant City Manager Heckman – Tuesday the 28th there will be a Public Meeting/Open House from 4-6:30pm at City Hall pertaining to Project Rock’s construction of path over the river and surrounding area.

CITY MANAGER REPORT

City Manager Langloss – Recognized the public works department for all their work putting up the Christmas decorations. Thanked the public safety police and fire for their sacrifices for the holidays. Development at Gateway: November 27th is the ground breaking for the YMCA Child Care Center, Casey’s has broken ground, and the multi-tenant unit is under construction. Sober Home Quarterly Report – met with Gerald and the neighborhood group, reviewed the report with no issues, the report will be on file.

COUNCIL REPORTS

Mayor Hughes – Echoed City Manager’s comments with the city staff and police and fire. Surf Internet is making progress around town, once in place they will be soliciting offering opportunities to sign up for high speed internet. He spoke on the current solicitation policy and modifying for Surf since we working with them and encouraged and working with them to offer new services to our citizens. Request for proposal regarding the Comprehensive Plan, current plan is over 20 years old. Things happening around the community, Christmas Walk is December 1st, Shop Small Saturday is this Saturday, Municipal Band Holiday Concert is December 2nd at the Dixon High School Auditorium

Councilman Bishop – Once again sentiment on public safety and all they give up for family during the holidays working to protect others. Public works – decorations look great.

Thanksgiving next week, hope everyone gets a chance to spend time with their family and what they are thankful for.

Councilman Considine – Concur with everything that has already been said, have a glorious and happy Thanksgiving.

Councilman Oros – Extend the same sentiments, being a wife of a first responder and how it affects their family, our community is very generous years past trays of cookies, treats and meals being delivered to our first responders and encourage it to continue. These men and women do a lot for this community to keep us safe and sacrifice a lot. Thankful for their services especially this time of year. And the public works putting up the decorations in this weather, our community and volunteers and what we have is a blessing. Shop Small is coming up, Becky does a tremendous job explaining the tax revenues and liabilities, shop small/local drives down that number. Please support our small business.

Councilman Venier – Agree with everyone with all that has been said with first responders and public works, honored and thankful for being apart of this group. Events going on, movies will continue to be played at the Dixon Historical Theatre, next is Pixar’s UP and then Goonies. Will be doing this format to show classic movies, average around 70 people. Continue through the holidays with Christmas movies on Thursday nights, It’s a Wonderful Life, Disney’s Santa Claus, Kids Theater Dec 8th & 9th 101 Dalmatians, continuing on Thursday 16th National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and the Grinch. Thank you to the staff for bringing John Dixon to the wall, North Creek Frame Shop framed it for us to go with the Reagan picture from the White House.

BOARDS AND COMMISSION REPORTS

On File: Sober Home Quarterly Report

ORD# 3377 – AUTHORIZING THE APPROVAL AND ACCEPTANCE OF PRELIMINARY PLAT OF COMMINITY PLAZA PURSUANT TO THE PETITION OF COMMUNITY STATE BANK OF ROCK FALLS

Councilman Venier move to authorized the approval and acceptance of Preliminary Plat of Community Plaza pursuant to the petition of Community State Bank of Rock Falls. Seconded by Councilman Bishop. Building Official Shipman explained the request, discussion ensued. Voting Yea: Councilman Considine, Oros, Venier, Bishop, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

ORD# 3378 – TERMINATING THE DESINGATION OF THE DIXON CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA AND PROVIDING FOR THE DISSOLUTION OF THE DIXON CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT

SPECIAL TAX ALLOCATION FUND

Councilman Bishop moved to terminate the designation of the Dixon Central Business District Redevelopment Project Area and providing for the dissolution of the Dixon Central Business District Special Tax Allocation Fund. Seconded by Councilman Venier. City Attorney LeSage explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Considine, Oros, Venier, Bishop, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

ORD# 3379 – APPROVING AMENDMENT OF THE REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE FARGO CREEK REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA

Councilman Oros moved to approve the amendment of the Redevelopment Plan for the Fargo Creek Development Project Area. Seconded by Councilman Considine. City Attorney LeSage explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Considine, Oros, Venier, Bishop, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

ORD# 3380 – ANNEXING CERTAIN TERRITORY WHOLLY BOUNDED BY THE CITY OF DIXON IN OVERLOOK GARDENS SUBDIVISION

1676 OVERLOOK DRIVE

Councilman Considine moved to approve annexing certain territory wholly bounded by the City of Dixon in Overlook Gardens Subdivision – 1676 Overlook Drive. Seconded by Councilman Venier. City Attorney LeSage explained the request and the next two requests, discussion ensued. Voting Yea: Councilman Considine, Oros, Venier, Bishop, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

ORD# 3381 – ANNEXING CERTAIN TERRITORY WHOLLY BOUNDED BY THE CITY OF DIXON IN OVERLOOK GARDENS SUBDIVISION

780 EVELYNN ROSE LANE

Councilman Venier moved to approve annexing certain territory wholly bounded by the City of Dixon in Overlook Gardens Subdivision – 780 Evelynn Rose Lane. Seconded by Councilman Bishop. Discussion ensued. Voting Yea: Councilman Considine, Oros, Venier, Bishop, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

ORD# 3382 – ANNEXING CERTAIN TERRITORY WHOLLY BOUNDED BY THE CITY OF DIXON IN OVERLOOK GARDENS SUBDIVISION

1698 KIMBERLY JO COURT

Councilman Bishop moved to approve annexing certain territory wholly bounded by the City of Dixon in Overlook Gardens Subdivision – 1698 Kimberly Jo Court. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Voting Yea: Councilman Considine, Oros, Venier, Bishop, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

ORD# 3383 – AMENDING TITLE 4, CHAPTER 8, SECTION 4-8-1 OF THE DIXON CITY CODE – EMERGENCY VEHICLE AMBULANCE SERVICE CHARGES

Fire Chief Buskohl explained the request, discussion ensued. Councilman Oros moved to approve the ordinance amending Title 4, Chapter 8, Section 4-8-1 of the Dixon City Code – Emergency Vehicle Ambulance Service Charges, with charge adjustment requiring the approval by the council each year. Seconded by Councilman Considine. Voting Yea: Councilman Considine, Oros, Venier, Bishop, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

ORD# 3384 – AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF CERTAIN PERSONAL PROPERTY OWNED BY THE CITY OF DIXON – COMPUTING DEVICES

Councilman Considine moved to authorize the ordinance for the sale of personal property owned by the City of Dixon – Computing Devices. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Voting Yea: Councilman Considine, Oros, Venier, Bishop, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

ORD# 3385 – AMENDING THE DIXON CITY CODE TITLE IV, CHAPTERS 20 and 21 AIRPORT RULES AND REGULATIONS

Councilman Venier moved to approve the ordinance amending the Dixon City Code Title IV, Chapter 20 and 21 – Airport Rules and Regulations. Seconded by Councilman Bishop. Public Works Director/Assistant City Manager Heckman explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Considine, Oros, Venier, Bishop, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

RES# 3103-23 – CONFIRMING APPOINTMENT TO THE CITY OF DIXON ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

Councilman Bishop moved to appoint Michael Christoffersen to the City of Dixon Zoning Board of Appeals for a term commencing November 20, 2023 ending June 30, 2025; or until his successor is duly appointed and qualified. Mayor Hughes explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Considine, Oros, Venier, Bishop, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF DIXON AND ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL MAINTENANCE

Councilman Oros moved to approved the amendment of the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Dixon and Illinois Department of Transportation for Traffic Signal Maintenance. Public Works Director/Assistant City Manager Heckman explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Considine, Oros, Venier, Bishop, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

**STRIKEN**

APPROVAL TO WAIVE THE FORMAL BIDDING PROCESS FOR THE PURCHASE OF A PLC/HMI UPGRADE

**STRIKEN***

APPROVAL OF PURCHASE OF PLC/HMI UPGRADE FROM KOMLINE-SANDERSON

APPROVAL OF THE CITY OF DIXON TRAVEL AND MEAL REIMBURSEMENT POLICY

Councilman Venier moved to approve the City of Dixon Travel and Meal Reimbursement Policy. Seconded by Councilman Considine. City Manager Langloss explained the request, discussion ensued. Voting Yea: Councilman Considine, Oros, Venier, Bishop, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

ADJOURMENT

Mayor Hughes asked if there were any more discussion or business, hearing none he declared the meeting adjourned.

The meeting adjourned at 6:47pm.

https://www.dixongov.com/index.php?option=com_docman&view=download&alias=3566-11-20-23-council-meeting-minutes&category_slug=2023-city-council-minutes&Itemid=1086