NW Illinois News

City of Dixon City met Council Dec. 18.

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

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/INVOCATION

The Pledge of Allegiance was cited. Invocation was given by Reverend Mike Sutcliffe, Corner Fringe Ministries.

PUBLIC HEARING

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROJECT

Mayor Hughes opened the Public Hearing at 5:31pm.

Matt Hanson, Willett Hofmann and Associates, explained public hearing is in regards to the Southwest Area Watermain Replacement. He presented on the purpose, including locations of the replacements; Activities funded through the grant programs; Amount of funds available; Benefit to low-and-moderate income persons; Plan for minimizing displacement; Detailed priority list of community development needs; Project need; Project location map; Project scope and cost; Grant application, stated that the grant application will be available on January 11th at the City Clerk’s office.

Public Comments – No written comments were submitted. No in-person public comments. Mayor Hughes closed the Public Hearing at 5:42pm.

PRESENTATION

NEXT PICTURE SHOW

David Bingaman from the Next Picture Show Board of Directors spoke regarding a historic picture titled “Dixon’s Ferry Over the Rock River” that was painted by Scottish topographical artist Henry Francis Ainslie following an 1842 crossing of the Rock River. This is the earliest known view of the Rock River and its ferry from the bluffs of south Dixon. He presented a print copy of the painting to the City of Dixon, recognizing and expressing gratitude for the City’s support of the Next Picture Show. The Next Picture Show is selling small copies of the painting.

VISITOR/PUBLIC COMMENT

Councilman Venier stated that on October the 7th a message went out on the Dixon Police Website and Facebook page regarding the passing of K9 Hery and K9’s contributions to the Police Department, he read the post. A local business was interested in doing something so he reached out. Mandy Hinke, Marketing Director at Ken Nelson Auto Group, on behalf of her team she thanked the men and women of the Dixon Police Department for continuing to keep our community safe, thankful for Councilman Venier for approaching Ken Nelson Auto Group with an opportunity to support the police department’s K9 units. With any contribution that Ken Nelson Auto Group makes it is not possible with out our great customers and employees. We are thankful to be a part of this wonderful community and honored to present the City of Dixon with a check for $20,000 to support the K9 unit response. Paused for pictures.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Councilman Bishop moved that the minutes of the Regular Session Council Meeting of Monday, December 4, 2023, be accepted and placed on file. Seconded by Councilman Oros. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Bishop, Considine, Oros 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 $454,842.68 be approved and ordered paid. Seconded by Councilman Considine. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Bishop, Considine, Oros and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

APPROVE YEAR-TO-DATE FINANCIALS

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

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

None

CITY MANAGER REPORT

City Manager Langloss – Thanked the City Hall team, they have done an incredible job decorating City Hall for Christmas, trees and decorations. Great to see how everyone gets into the spirit and works together to make the place look better than day to day.

COUNCIL REPORTS

Mayor Hughes – All the Citizens of Dixon have a safe and pleasant holiday season. Wish them all a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays.

Councilman Bishop – Seconded the sentiment that Mayor made.

Councilman Considine – Made it a third.

Councilman Oros – Merry Christmas and wishing everyone a blessed New Year. Comment on the presentation tonight, pretty impressive and embodies what this community is. Just recently had a business wanting to support the renovations of the Arch, Scott Wolbur, and now the support of our police department. Just don’t see that, proud to serve in a community like this. Warms my heart, thank you. There have been lots of illnesses, stay safe and healthy. There are a lot of people in nursing homes, a lot who do not have families to visit them. If you want to brighten someone’s week, visit someone who doesn’t have people to visit.

Councilman Venier – Dixon Theatre, one movie away from the completing the holiday movies, very thankful for the support. Sauk Valley bank did the Grinch movie had over 500 people in the theatre, thankful for the annual event. The Theatre Board voted to accept the EDA grant mortgage agreement, thanked Mayor and City Attorney for their help. Thanked Curia family and Ken Nelson Auto Group for their participation in the police department funding of the K9 Dog, as well as the Next Picture Show for brining us our nice Christmas gift. Friendly reminder that shopping local is important, thanked everyone for shopping local. Thanked the Chamber for the reminder to the business owners downtown on the parking for our customers. Merry Christmas to all and to all stay healthy.

BOARDS AND COMMISSION REPORTS

Reports on file: Building Permit Report and Veterans Memorial Park Meeting Minutes

ORD# 3388 – AUTHORIZING A VARIANCE PURSUANT TO THE PETITION OF THOMAS A. DVORAK, 1025 IDLEWILD DRIVE, DIXON, ILLINOIS

Councilman Venier move to approve the ordinance authorizing a variance pursuant to the petition of Thomas A. Dvorak, 1025 Idlewild Drive, Dixon for a reduction of setback to 20 feet. Seconded by Councilman Bishop. Building Official Shipman explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Bishop, Considine, Oros and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

RES# 3104-23 – RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT TO APPLY TO THE STATE OF ILLINOIS FOR A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG)

Councilman Bishop moved to approve the Resolution of Support to apply to the State of Illinois for a Community Development Block Grant. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Water Manager Huyett explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Bishop, Considine, Oros and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

RES# 3105-23 – RESLOUTION AMENDING THE FY-2023-2024 BUDGET STREET DEPARTMENT

Councilman Oros moved to approve the FY23/24 budget resolution with respect to the Street Department. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Public Works Director/Assistant City Manager Heckman explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Bishop, Considine, Oros and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

RES# 3106-23 – APPOINTMENT TO THE KSB HOSPITIAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Councilman Considine moved to appoint Colleen T. Henkel, Lynn Knodle, and Lauren Roth to the KSB Hospital Board for terms commencing January 1, 2024 and ending December 31, 2026, or until their respective successors are duly appointed and qualified. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Mayor Hughes explained the request, discussion ensued. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Bishop, Considine, Oros and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

RES# 3107-23 – CONFIRMING RE-APPOINTMENT TO THE DIXON AIRPORT BOARD

Councilman Venier moved to re-appoint Ray Neisewander, III and Larry Ebert to the Dixon Airport Board for a term to commence January 1, 2024 and to end December 31, 2026, or until their successors are duly appointed and qualified. Seconded by Councilman Bishop. Mayor Hughes explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Bishop, Considine, Oros and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

RES# 3108-23 – APPOINTMENT TO THE CITY OF DIXON PLAN COMMISSION

Councilman Bishop moved to appoint Mary Mahan-Deatherage to the City of Dixon Plan Commission for a term starting December 18, 2023 and ending August 31, 2025; or until her successor is duly appointed and qualified. Seconded by Councilman Considine. Mayor Hughes explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Bishop, Considine, Oros and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

AUTHORIZE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN CONDUIT LICENSE AGREEMENT

Councilman Oros moved to approve and authorize the City Manager to sign a conduit license agreement with Surf Air Wireless LLC. Seconded by Councilman Considine. Building Official Shipman explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Bishop, Considine, Oros and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

APPROVAL OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF DIXON AND CRAWFORD, MURPHY AND TILLY, INC FOR REHABILITATION OF AIRPORT ACCESS ROAD AND AUTO PARKING

Councilman Considine moved to approve the agreement with Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, Inc. for construction phase services related to airport entryway and parking lot rehabilitation in the amount of not to exceed $67,300. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Public Works Director/Assistant City Manager Heckman explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Bishop, Considine, Oros and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

APPROVAL OF THE CITY OF DIXON EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK

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

APPROVAL OF A COMMUNITY STATE BANK RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK FOR PUBLIC SAFETY TRAINING

Councilman Bishop moved to approve the Community State Bank Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk for Public Safety Training. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Fire Chief Buskohl explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Bishop, Considine, Oros 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 6:25pm.

https://www.dixongov.com/index.php?option=com_docman&view=download&alias=3598-12-18-23-council-meeting-minutes&category_slug=2023-city-council-minutes&Itemid=1086