NW Illinois News

City of Dixon City Council met Feb. 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 Oros, Venier, Bishop, Considine, and Mayor Hughes answered roll call.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/INVOCATION

The Pledge of Allegiance was cited. Invocation was given by Reverend Michael Cole.

PRESENTATION

Councilman Venier recognized people making a difference in our community. The committee nominated Jasmin Siddiqui and Cecily White for the Ike Mercer Award. The recipients talked about their contribution to the community. Councilman Venier presented the certificates to each, paused for pictures. Another award was added this year, Black History Month Lifetime Achievement Award, legacy award. Councilman Venier presented the award to Zelodious Ashford. Her great niece Jordan Williams accepted the award on her family’s behalf and read a statement from Zelodius’ daughter Carolyn Brooks. Paused for pictures, and participants’ exit.

VISITOR/PUBLIC COMMENT

Brian Broers addressed the council stating that he and Hayden Broers are there for the citizenship and community service badge, giving the youth a better understanding of city government.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Councilman Bishop moved that the minutes of the Special and Regular Session Council Meetings of Monday, February 5, 2024, and the Special Session Council Meeting of Monday, February 12, 2024; be accepted and placed on file. Seconded by Councilman Oros. Discussion ensued. Voting Yea: Councilman Oros, Venier, Bishop, Considine 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 $410,797.09 be approved and ordered paid. Seconded by Councilman Considine. Voting Yea: Councilman Oros, Venier, Bishop, Considine and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

APPROVE YEAR-TO-DATE FINANCIALS

Councilman Considine moved that the year-to-date Financial Summary through January 2024 be accepted. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Voting Yea: Councilman Oros, Venier, Bishop, Considine and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

None

CITY MANAGER REPORT

City Manager Langloss – Gave a recap of the budget, the year in review report will be posted on the website and social media. He has been working with the CEO program, explained the program and their event on February 29th.

COUNCIL REPORTS

Mayor Hughes – Congratulations to Jasmin and Cecily and the family of Ms. Ashford. Received notice from Lee County Zoning Board of Appeals regarding a solar farm going within the 1.5 mile radius, it is a special use so the City has no say in the approval process.

Councilman Bishop – Reiterated the sentiments to the winners tonight, and appreciate Councilman Venier for promoting the awards.

Councilman Considine – Extended the same sentiments and thanked Councilman Venier and Oros.

Councilman Oros – Congratulations to the winners of the awards and thanked Councilman Venier for heading the charge. Acknowledge Dixon High School Girls Basketball team competing in Sectionals tonight, wished best of luck. Officer Henson was deployed for a year in Cuba, she read a certificate that he presented to the City of Dixon and presented the flag that was flown in his name to the Mayor. Thanked Officer Henson for his service to the community and the country. Discussion ensued.

Councilman Venier – Mary Stoffer previous member of the Dixon Water Board recently passed, recognized her service to the City. Dixon Historic Theatre show on March 9th. Doug Allen Nash, Johnny Cash/Neil Diamond tribute.

PRESENTATION

City Manager Langloss reported on the Sober Living Home quarterly report. Gerald Lott from Sauk Valley Voices of Recovery presented an update on the house, number of residents, small issues, neighborhood relations, no complaints and no police contact, January had 42 intakes into the Safe Passage Program. They have an office in the River Works Building, which they are able to find jobs, insurance, new housing, etc. They are opening a Recovery Center in Rochelle, and credit the support from the council, Chief of Police, and the police department. They plan to move forward with a sober home for women. Thanked everyone for their support. Report will be posted on the City website.

BOARDS AND COMMISSION REPORTS

None

ORD# 3390 – VACATING A PORTION OF THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY COMMONLY KNOWN AS MARCLARE STREET, PURSUANT TO THE REQUEST OF KREIDER SERVICES, INCORPORATED

Councilman Venier moved to approve the ordinance vacating a portion of the public right-of way commonly known as Marclare Street, pursuant the request of Kreider Services, Incorporated. Seconded by Councilman Bishop. Building Official Shipman explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Oros, Venier, Bishop, Considine and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

RES# 3115-24 – AMENDING 2023-2024 BUDGET – FIRE DEPARTMENT

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

RES# 3116-24 – AMENDING 2023-2024 BUDGET – STREET DEPARTMENT

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

RES# 3117-24 – AMENDING 2023-2024 BUDGET – BAND

Councilman Venier moved to approve the FY23/24 budget resolution with respect to the Band’s Budget, the City Band’s Budget. Seconded by Councilman Bishop. Business Manager Hammitt explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Oros, Venier, Bishop, Considine and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

RES# 3118-24 – REQUESTING THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF PORTIONS OF ILLINOIS ROUTE 2 IN CONNECTION WITH THE REAGAN 5K RUN/WALK

Councilman Venier moved to approve a resolution authorizing temporary closure of portions of Illinois Route 2 in connection with the Reagan 5K Run/Walk. Seconded by Councilman Bishop. Discussion ensued. Voting Yea: Councilman Oros, Venier, Bishop, Considine and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

APPROVAL OF THE APPOINTMENT OF CITY AUDITOR

Councilman Bishop moved to appoint Sikich LLP as the City’s Auditor for FY24, FY25 and FY26. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Finance Director Leslie explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Oros, Venier, Bishop, Considine and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

APPROVAL FOR ACCEPTANCE OF HOUSEAL LAVIGNE/FEHR GRAHAM PROPOSAL FOR COMPREHENSIVE MUNICIPAL PLANNING SERVICES, AND REQUESTING THEY PROVIDE A LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE

Councilman Oros moved to approve the acceptance of Houseal Lavigne/Fehr Graham proposal for Comprehensive Municipal Planning Services, and request that they provide a letter of acceptance. Seconded by Councilman Considine. Mayor Hughes explained the request not to exceed $144,330, discussion ensued. Voting Yea: Councilman Oros, Venier, Bishop, Considine and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

APPROVAL FOR THE DONATION TO THE SAUK VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE IMPACT PROGRAM

Councilman Considine moved to approve to the donation of $25,000 to the Sauk Valley Community College Impact Program. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Mayor Hughes explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Oros, Venier, Bishop, Considine and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

APPROVAL FOR BONNELL INDUSTRIES TO DO THE UPFITTING OF THE WATER DEPARTMENTS 2024 GMC SIERRA 1-TON CHASSIS

Councilman Venier moved to approve the upfitting of the Water Department’s 2024 GMC Sierra 1 ton chassis by Bonnell Industries for $33,661.10. Seconded by Councilman Bishop. Public Works Director/Assistant City Manager Heckman explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Oros, Venier, Bishop, Considine and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

APPROVAL OF TIF REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF DIXON AND DIXON LAND GROUP, LLC WITH RESPECT TO 1751 S. GALENA AVENUE

Councilman Bishop moved to approve the TIF Redevelopment agreement between the City of Dixon and Dixon Land Group, LLC with respect to 1751 S. Galena Avenue. Seconded by Councilman Oros. City Attorney LeSage explained this request and the next request. Voting Yea: Councilman Oros, Venier, Bishop, Considine and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

APPROVAL OF TIF REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF DIXON AND DIXON LAND GROUP, LLC WITH RESPECT TO 1671 S. GALENA AVENUE

Councilman Oros moved to approve the TIF Redevelopment agreement between the City of Dixon and Dixon Land Group, LLC with respect to 1671 S. Galena Avenue. Seconded by Councilman Considine. Voting Yea: Councilman Oros, Venier, Bishop, Considine and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

WORK SESSION

FY 2024/2025 BUDGET

Chris Hammitt and Jon James presented the budget for the municipal band. Discussion ensued.

ADJOURMENT

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

The meeting adjourned at 6:34pm.

https://www.dixongov.com/index.php?option=com_docman&view=download&alias=3642-02-20-24-council-meeting-minutes&category_slug=2024-city-council-minutes&Itemid=1086