NW Illinois News

City of Dixon City Council met Nov. 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 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 Reverend Andy Minch, Sauk Valley Community Church. 

WORK SESSION 

None 

VISITOR/PUBLIC COMMENT 

Ryan Marshall addressed the council regarding a request for a hybrid liquor license. He owns  Shinny’s and currently has a Class D license. He has been approached about leasing out the  kitchen for a restaurant. He would like to be able to rent the kitchen and space for seating for a  ensued. 

Walter Parsons thanked all the elected officials for their service, really appreciated regardless of what he has said in the past. Here to speak about the agenda item for the 1% food tax, and how it affects people with fixed incomes, we give close to a million dollars to non-profits in this town and believes the people would be better served if you consider not voting for the increase.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES 

Councilman Bishop moved that the minutes of the Regular Session Council Meetings of Monday, November 4, 2024; 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 $2,339,938.30 approved and ordered paid. Seconded by Councilman Considine. Mayor Hughes noted larger expenses. 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 October 2024 be accepted. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS 

Public Works Director/Assistant City Manager Heckman reported on a repair situation at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. One of the screw pumps has failed and the other one has stress fractures. They are in the process of getting parts manufactured to be able to repair. If the other pump fails they have gotten a bypass system in place. This is a single sourced specially made part for each plant and could cost $400,000 to $500,000 to repair and with it being a time sensitive matter they may need to utilize the emergency purchase process if it is not feasible to wait for a council meeting. If all goes as planned hope to have ready to install December 2nd. Discussion ensued

CITY MANAGER REPORT 

City Manager Langloss shared that we have been awarded a $2 million grant from Congressman LaHood. It was originally $8 million award that was scaled back, we are fortunate to still be receiving, a lot were eliminated. The retention we are going to need in Bloody Gulch Park is more expansive than $2 million. Wednesday we are submitting another $2.5 million grant application to a different grant and feel good. We were recently contacted by the County, they have a couple recycling dumpsters on 4th Street by the food pantry. It is an absolute mess, people are leaving large items, a ton of garbage tucked in areas, we are going to try to help as much as we can. There is strong consideration of this being eliminated. This is a great asset for residents of the city and county, we really ask people to try to limit the mess. The county doesn’t have the personnel to clean up and we don’t have the personnel. One of the options on the table is the elimination of it. Ask to make sure getting items in there and only put the appropriate things. There is talk about adding security cameras and doing more signage. It just looks terrible.

COUNCIL REPORTS 

Mayor Hughes – A week from Saturday is Shop Small Saturday, reminded people to shop small. Discussion on vacating the property on North Dement. There can’t be a vote taken until specific items are done and the items will cost money for the City and the home owner. He went over the options. Before moving forward, he wanted to get the temperature of the council. If looking to approve the vacation then the attorney can move forward with the items. Discussion ensued. No concern or unfavorable response, he directed the City Attorney to move forward. 

Councilman Bishop – None 

Councilman Considine – None. 

Councilman Oros – None. 

Councilman Venier – None

PLACE ON FILE THE ORDINANCE FOR THE LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF TAXES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING MAY 1, 2024 AND ENDING APRIL 30, 2025 

Councilman Venier moved that an Ordinance for the Levy and Assessment of Taxes for the corporate purposes of the City of Dixon, Lee County, Illinois for the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 be placed On File. 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 

ORD# 3420 – ORDINANCE AMENDING THE DIXON RIVERFRONT TAX INCREMENT FINANCING REDEVELOPMENT PLAN AND PROJECT

Councilman Bishop moved to approve the Ordinance Amending the Dixon Riverfront Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Plan and Project. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Attorney LeSage explained the request. He noted there was a scribers error and asked that motion be redone with the correction of the scribers error. It does not affect the substance of the ordinance. Councilman Bishop moved to approve the Ordinance Amending the Dixon Riverfront Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Plan and Project, including the correction of scribers error of date of completion to be December 31, 2028. Seconded by Councilman Venier Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

ORD# 3421 – ORDINANCE IMPLEMENTING A MUNICIPAL GROCERY RETAILERS’ OCCUPATION TAX AND A MUNICIPAL GROCERY SERVICE OCCUPATION TAX FOR THE CITY OF DIXON 

Councilman Oros moved to approve the Ordinance Implementing a Municipal Grocery Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax for the City of Dixon. Seconded by Councilman Considine. Mayor Hughes explained the request, discussion ensued. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried 

ORD# 3422 – ORDINANCE REGULATING PUBLIC CAMPING WITHIN CORPORATE BOUNDARIES AND OTHER ACTIONS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH FOR THE CITY OF DIXON, ILLINOIS

Councilman Oros moved to approve the Ordinance Regulating Public Camping within Corporate Boundaries and Other Actions in Connection therewith for the City of Dixon, Illinois. Seconded by Councilman Considine. Mayor Hughes explained the request, discussion ensued. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried 

ORD# 3423 – ORDINANCE AMENDING THE DIXON CITY CODE TITLE V, CHAPTER 13, SECTION 5-13-6 – NUMBER OF LIQUOR LICENSES

Councilman Considine moved to approve the Ordinance Amending the Dixon City Code Title V, Chapter 13, Section 5-13-6 – Number of Liquor Licenses with respect to D Class Licenses. Seconded by Councilman Bishop. Mayor Hughes explained the request, discussion ensued. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: Councilman Oros and Venier. Motion Carried 

APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURES FROM THE ARTS & CULTURE FUND

Lucas Pauley with the Discover Dixon presented to the council a request for funds for items the coalition believes will help Dixon remain a thriving community which celebrates its arts. He outlined the items and the costs, discussion ensued throughout the presentation. Councilman Bishop moved to approve the purchase of three 10x20 tents, 30 classic folding picnic tables, a trailer to haul those tables and new speaker systems at an amount not to exceed $28,605 from the Arts and Culture budget line. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

APPROVAL TO REIMBURSE VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK COMMISSION FOR COST OF DEMOLITION OF HOUSE AT 421 N LINCOLN AVENUE

Mayor Hughes explained the request, discussion ensued. Councilman Considine moved Reimburse Veterans Memorial Park Commission for the demolition of the house at 421 N. Lincoln Avenue in the amount of $11,500. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried 

APPROVAL OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF DIXON AND FEHR GRAHAM ENGINEERING FOR QUALIFIED ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT SERVICES WITH RESPECT TO THE DIMCO SITE

Councilman Oros moved to approve the agreement with Fehr Graham for qualified environmental consultant services at the DIMCO site, compensation not to exceed $237,500. Seconded by Councilman Considine. Public Works Director/Assistant City Manager Heckmanexplained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried 

APPROVAL OF A RETAINER AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND CRAWFORD MURPHY AND TILLY FOR ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING SERVICES AT THE DIXON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT

Councilman Venier moved to approve a Retainer Agreement between the City and Crawford Murphy and Tilly for Architectural and Engineering Services at the Dixon Municipal Airport. Seconded by Councilman Bishop. Public Works Director/Assistant City Manager Heckmanexplained the request and the next two items. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried 

APPROVAL OF A RETAINER AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND CRAWFORD MURPHY AND TILLY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AT THE DIXON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT 

Councilman Bishop moved to approve a Retainer Agreement between the City and Crawford Murphy and Tilly for Environmental Service at the Dixon Municipal Airport. Seconded by Councilman Oros. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

APPROVAL OF A RETAINER AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND CRAWFORD MURPHY AND TILLY FOR PLANNING SERVICES AT THE DIXON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT 

Councilman Considine moved to approve a Retainer Agreement between the City and Crawford Murphy and Tilly for Planning Services at the Dixon Municipal Airport. Seconded by Councilman Oros Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried 

APPROVAL OF A BUSINESS ASSOCIATE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF DIXON AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL PERSONNEL BENEFIT COOPERATIVE (IPBC)

Councilman Considine moved to approve a Business Associate Agreement between the City of Dixon and Intergovernmental Personnel Benefit Cooperative (IPBC). Seconded by Councilman Venier. Finance Director Leslie & Attorney LeSage explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried COMMENTS Citizen asked about Public Comment at the end of the meeting. Discussion ensued regarding public comments on the agenda, and per the Open Meetings Act it is only required to have one public comment. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION 

Councilman Venier moved that the Regular Council Meeting of Monday, November 18, 2024 meet in Executive Session to review closed session minutes pursuant to Section 2(c)(21) of the Open Meetings Act. Seconded by Councilman Bishop. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

RECONVENE SESSION 

Councilman Venier moved that the Regular Council Meeting of Monday, November 18, 2024, reconvene into Open Session. Seconded by Councilman Considine. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion CarriedCOMMENTS Need to get a picture of the previous Mayor in our display. Councilman Oros will be looking to get a “City Team” together to volunteer at Goodfellows.

ADJOURMENT 

Mayor Hughes declared the meeting adjourned. 

The meeting adjourned at 7:44pm.

https://www.dixongov.com/documents/agendas-docs/city-council-agendas/2024-city-council-agendas/12-02-24-council-meeting-agenda-packet/?layout=file