NW Illinois News

City of Dixon City Council met June 3.

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. Absent: None.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/INVOCATION

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

RETIREMENT

Fire Chief Buskohl congratulated Deputy Chief Lohse on his 26 years of service with the Dixon Fire Department. He spoke on his fire career, experience and accomplishments. Thanked him and his family, and wished him be the best of luck in future endeavors. Firefighter McCoy spoke on behalf of the Dixon Firefighters, congratulated him on his 26 years of service, wished him well in his next endeavors. Deputy Chief Lohse spoke on his career in firefighting, thanked his family and said where his is going now. Meeting paused for pictures.

WORK SESSION

None

VISITOR/PUBLIC COMMENT

None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Councilman Bishop moved that the minutes of the Regular and Executive Session Council Meetings of Monday, May 20, 2024; 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 $1,615,430.83 be approved and ordered paid. Seconded by Councilman Considine. Mayor noted larger expenses. Voting Yea: Councilman Considine, Oros, Venier, Bishop, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

None

CITY MANAGER REPORT

City Manager Langloss – Fairfield Inn groundbreaking was last week should open in about a year, Tru by Hilton should be opening by the end of July, Casey’s Gas Station has opened, Jersey Mikes should open in the next couple weeks, meeting with housing development, and working on things in the Gateway area. Special thanks to everyone involved with the petunia baskets, they have gone up and are being watered Nichols Greenhouse, Dixon in Bloom, our Street department, Public Works department and all the work that goes in to putting them up and work that makes them look nice, really appreciate all the work they are doing.

COUNCIL REPORTS

Mayor Hughes – Visit to Castlebar and County Mayo in Ireland was a very productive trip, established relationship with a solid foundation for the future.

Councilman Bishop – Wednesday, City Market is here, a great kickoff to the season.

Councilman Considine – June is National Pride Month, hope all support the activities and be kind to everyone.

Councilman Oros – None.

Councilman Venier – Acknowledged the passing of a great one of Dixon’s great ambassador, Larry Reed thanks to him, and the passing of another very involved community member former Dixon Park District Board member Bill Ost, wishing their families well. Thank you letter for from our producer director Darin Mangler for the partnership for the investment made. Thanked Ray Neisewander and the investment group and Matt and his group for another solid foundational piece in the Gateway.

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS REPORTS

Sober Home Report is on file. Mr. Lott spoke to the Council regarding the organization, nothing has changed they are still doing what they have been doing. Last week learned that in addition to the half a million dollars they get from the State of Illinois, they were awarded a $150,000 from the Counties of Ogle and DeKalb to put a Recovery Coach specifically for those Counties and requested by Senator Duckwork another $220,000 to purchase a mobil unit and hire staff to go out to the rural communities, able to set up a temporary office. In 2019 KSB donated $75,000, we have now brought in over $3 million funding to this area and have helped hundreds of people. Discussion ensued.

**MOVED UP**

APPROVAL OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF DIXON AND DIXON FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION LOCAL 1943 (IAFF) WITH RESPECT TO REGULAR WORK HOURS

Councilman Oros moved to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Dixon and Dixon Firefighters Association Local 1943 (IAFF) with respect to Regular Work Hours. Seconded by Councilman Venier. President of Local 1943 McCoy explained the request, discussion ensued. Voting Yea: Councilman Considine, Oros, Venier, Bishop, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

ORD# 3401 – AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF CERTAIN PERSONAL PROPERTY OWNED BY THE CITY OF DIXON STREETS & PROPERTIES DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT

Councilman Venier moved to approve the ordinance authorizing the sale of personal property by the city of Dixon Streets & Properties Department Equipment. Seconded by Councilman Bishop. Streets and Properties Manager Venier explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Considine, Oros, Venier, Bishop, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

ORD# 3402 – AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF CERTAIN PERSONAL PROPERTY OWNED BY THE CITY OF DIXON WATER DEPARTMENT VEHICLE

Councilman Venier moved to approve the ordinance authorizing the sale of certain personal property owned by the City of Dixon – Water Department Vehicle. Seconded by Councilman Oros. 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

APPROVAL OF AWARDING BID FOR GENERAL MAINTENANCE STREET RESURFACING TO MARTIN & COMPANY FOR LOW BID AMOUNT OF $999,908.86

Councilman Bishop moved to award the base-bid GM street resurfacing project to Martin & Company for their low-bid amount of $999,908.86. Seconded by Councilman Venier. 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

APPROVAL OF THE PURCHASE OF MOWERS FOR STREETS & PROPERTIES DEPARTMENT

Councilman Oros moved to approve the purchase of one (1) zero turn mower from Ace Hardware of Dixon and six (6) zero turn mowers with 2 bagger systems from Prairie State Tractor for a total price of $114,177.76. Seconded by Councilman Considine. Streets & Properties Manager Venier explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Considine, Oros, Venier, Bishop, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

APPROVAL OF THE PURCHASE OF A JOHN DEERE GATOR FOR THE STREETS & PROPERTIES DEPARTMENT

Councilman Considine moved to approve the purchase of a 2024 John Deere Gator XUV835M from Prairie State Tractor, LLC for the amount of $27,811.03. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Streets & Properties Manager Venier explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Considine, Oros, Venier, Bishop, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

APPROVAL OF THE PURCHASE OF A GMC SIERRA 1500 FOR THE WATER DEPARTMENT

Councilman Venier moved to approve the purchase of a 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 from Ken Nelson for $32,181.00. Seconded by Councilman Bishop. Public Works Director /Assistant City Manager Heckman explained the request, discussion ensued. Voting Yea: Councilman Considine, Oros, Venier, Bishop, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

COMMENTS

Councilman Oros made a statement about the purchases that have been coming through. During COVID we had a huge freeze on all capital improvements, we are now catching up on purchases. Discussion ensued. Note, everything have been coming in under budget.

Arch work is slated to kick off Wednesday evening, majority of the work will be done on off peek hours, except the painting. It should take about three weeks, should be done before the Petunia Festival. Thank you to the Wolber Family, their $60,000 donation has gone a long way to get this done. Galena Avenue will not be closed, there will be times where one northbound land and one southbound lane will be closed.

Councilman Considine added to Mr. Langloss’ thank you for the petunia basket the Dixon Garden Club does a great deal of volunteer work along with the other organizations.

Mayor Hughes added that capital improvements are back on track, there is a deliberate plan looking forward 4-5 years out to make sure we are cycling equipment through, and maximize return and less repairs and downtime and better bang for our buck. Has become very structured.

ADJOURMENT

Mayor Hughes declared the meeting adjourned.

The meeting adjourned at 6:12pm.

https://www.dixongov.com/documents/agendas-docs/city-council-agendas/2024-city-council-agendas/06-17-24-council-meeting-agenda-packet/?layout=default