NW Illinois News

City of Dixon City Council met Jan. 16.

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

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/INVOCATION

The Pledge of Allegiance was cited. Invocation was given by Councilman Venier.

VISITOR/PUBLIC COMMENT

None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Councilman Bishop moved that the minutes of the Regular Session Council Meeting of Monday, December 18, 2023, be accepted and placed on file. Seconded by Councilman Oros. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, 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 $731,933.77 and $369,008.19 be approved and ordered paid. Seconded by Councilman Considine. Discussion ensued noting large payments. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

APPROVE YEAR-TO-DATE FINANCIALS

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

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Reports on file: Building Permit Report

None

COUNCIL REPORTS

Mayor Hughes – Thank the Street Department, got more snow than we have in several years, appreciate the work of the street department; they did a real nice job. Went around after the storm and there are a lot of communities and rural areas, the roads were in seriously worse condition than ours.

Councilman Bishop – Fire at Moore’s Tires in Rock Falls, our department was involved in that, hopefully everyone gets safely through and the community and business itself. Second the thank you to the public works department, do a great job and public safety working through it all; and the community for their patience and thank you for their support of our departments and taking care of each other.

Councilman Considine – Made it a third on the work of the entire staff, we are a very fortunate community with our streets as clear and easy to get through as they are. Remind everyone that the people at the food bank are in need of donations, if you are able to donate.

Councilman Oros – Echoed the sentiments of the council, and to the families of our street department. Remind the public to adhere to the parking guidelines that are in place, hard to clear when dodging parked cars. Tragedy at Moore Tire, have a location here as well. All communities are rallying around. Thank you to first responders for joining in that mutual aid in the really cold weather. Encourage our community and surrounding communities to support that organization and business.

Councilman Venier – Echo all that has been said about the Street Department, the street clearing and the small things they do, helping with the Dixon Theatre cleanup around the building, alley, sidewalks, and parking. All the 400+ people were able to get there safely. Dixon Theatre Board will be asking for agenda, time to present a State of The Theatre Address, exciting opportunities to share with the council, will be requesting some strong consideration for financial support.

BOARDS AND COMMISSION REPORTS

None

RES# 3109-24 – AMENDING 2023-2024 BUDGET - CEMETERY

Councilman Venier move to approve the FY23/24 budget resolution with respect to the Cemetery Department Budget. Seconded by Councilman Bishop. Streets and Properties Manager Venier explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

RES# 3110-24 – AMENDING 2023-2024 BUDGET – POLICE DEPARTMENT

Councilman Bishop moved to approve the FY23/24 budget resolution with respect to the Police Department Budget. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Police Chief Howell explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

RES# 3111-24 – AUTHORIZING OFFICE HOURS AT CITY OF DIXON BUILDINGS FOR FEDERAL LEGISLATORS FOR THE LIMITED PURPOSE OF PROVIDING CONSTITUTENT SERVICES

Councilman Oros moved to approve a resolution authorizing office hours at City Of Dixon buildings for Federal Legislators for the limited purpose of providing Constitutent Services. Mayor Hughes explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

APPROVE BID FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING FLOORING PROJECT

Councilman Venier moved to approve the acceptance of the low bid of $84,647.21 from TSR Concrete Coatings for the Public Safety Building flooring project. Seconded by Councilman Bishop. Fire Chief Buskohl explained the request, discussion ensued. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

APPROVAL OF THE MODIFICATION OF THE PURCHASE OF CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

Councilman Venier moved approve the payment for the Christmas decoration purchase in the amount of $20,450. Seconded by Councilman Bishop. Finance Director Leslie explained the request, discussion ensued. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

APPROVAL TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE COVID RELIEF FUND TO THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND

Councilman Bishop moved to approve the name change from COVID Relief Fund to Community Development Fund. Seconded by Councilman Considine. Finance Director Leslie explained the request, discussion ensued. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

APPROVAL OF 100% FUNDING PAYMENTS FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE PENSION FUNDS

Councilman Oros moved to approve to make 100% pension payments to the Fire and Police pensions for a total of $653,779. Seconded by Councilman Considine. Finance Director Leslie explained the request, discussion ensued. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Councilman Considine moved that the Regular Council Meeting of Tuesday, January 16, 2024 meet in Executive Session to review closed session minutes pursuant to Section 2(c)(21) of the Open Meetings Act. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

RECONVENE

Councilman Venier moved that the Regular Session Council Meeting of Tuesday, January 16, 2024, reconvene into Open Session. Seconded by Councilman Oros. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, 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 6:20pm.

https://www.dixongov.com/index.php?option=com_docman&view=download&alias=3606-02-05-24-council-meeting-agenda-packet&category_slug=2024-city-council-agendas&Itemid=1085