NW Illinois News

City of Dixon City Council met Jan. 21.

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, Considine, Oros, and Mayor Hughes answered roll call. Absent: Councilman Bishop.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/INVOCATION

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

WORK SESSION

None

PRESENTATION

Alayna Young with the WACC CEO Group thanked the Council and the City for everything that they do for the CEO Program. She then spoke to the group about the fundraising event that the CEO’s are hosting on February 13th at the Dixon Elk’s Lodge. She also spoke on why she wanted to be in the CEO program, discussion ensued.

VISITOR/PUBLIC COMMENT

Mayor Hughes explained the rules for public comment.

Kathy Lane – Gave her background and spoke on the issues she has with the garbage disposal agreement, not a specific company. The issues she has is that it did not go out for bid, the issue with transparency, price increases, and no engagement for citizens with town halls or surveys. She then spoke on an issue specifically with her billing from current company and service issues.

Derek Humphrey, owner of Midwest Disposal, voiced his points and concerns. He has received calls from citizens and told them to contact their elected officials. He has tried to communicate over a year and a half, and the intention was to bid this contract out, then extension for 1 year and now 5 years without a bid. None of the cities they are contracted with are in the comparables and said their costs are less. Asked why other contracts go out for bid, but not this one. This is not the way local government is to be run. Offered to answer questions.

Darren Mangler from the Historic Dixon Theater, gave an update on the construction stating it was on schedule. Tuck point 50%, roof 90%, inside painting on schedule, bathrooms on schedule. Will be done by March 2nd. The outside wall on Peace Park is fixed and plan to get the grounds even better than before. Dan Reglin has volunteered as foreman for the project, and thank you to the IMPACT Program for the volunteers. Have a show at Sauk Valley Community College soon. Has hired a new full time employee. This year have 90 events scheduled, over triple the events last year. Several acts continue to contact him to comeback and 4 of them are even at the same price or less. Discussion ensued.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Councilman Oros moved that the minutes of the Regular Session Council Meeting of Monday, December 16, 2024; be accepted and placed on file. Seconded by Councilman Considine. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Considine, Oros, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

APPROVAL OF TOTAL LABOR AND OUTSIDE CLAIMS

Mayor Hughes noted that there are two periods that are being voted on in one motion. Councilman Considine moved that the Total Labor and Outside Claims in the amount of $744,254.96 and $1,058,797.05 be approved and ordered paid. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Mayor Hughes noted larger expenses. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Considine, Oros, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

APPROVE YEAR TO DATE FINANCIALS

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

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

On File: Building Department Permit List

CITY MANAGER REPORT

None

COUNCIL REPORTS

Mayor Hughes – Happy New Year, hope the holidays were good and warm. Councilman Bishop – Absent

Councilman Considine – None

Councilman Oros – None

Councilman Venier – None

BOARDS & COMMISSION REPORTS

On File: Veterans Memorial Park Commission Meeting Minutes

RESOLUTION OBJECTING TO THE PETITION OF JAKE R. KASTNER FOR MAP AMENDMENT

Councilman Oros moved to approve the resolution objecting to the petition of Jake R. Kastner for map amendment with respect to certain properties located within 1.5 miles of the city limits. Seconded by Councilman Considine. City Attorney LeSage explained the statute regarding the 1.5 mile of city limits, and that a yes vote means they object to the change and a no vote means they have no objection to the change. Building Official Shipman explained the request, discussion ensued with Mr. Kastner and Alice from Lee County Zoning. Voting Yea: None. Voting Nay: Councilman Venier, Considine, Oros, and Mayor Hughes. Motion Failed

RES# 3171-25 – CONFIRMING RE-APPOINTMENT TO THE AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD

Councilman Oros moved to re-appoint John M. Reining to the Dixon Airport Board for a term to end December 31, 2027, or until his successor is duly appointed and qualified. Mayor Hughes explained the request. Seconded by Councilman Considine. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Considine, Oros, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

RES# 3172-25 – CONFIRMING APPOINTMENT TO THE AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD

Councilman Considine moved to appoint William R. McWethy to the Dixon Airport Board for a term to commence January 21, 2025 and to end December 31, 2027, or until his successor is duly appointed and qualified. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Mayor Hughes explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Considine, Oros, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

RES# 3173-25 – APPOINTMENT TO VERERANS MEMORIAL COMMISSION

Councilman Venier moved to appoint Bill Bushman to the Veterans Memorial Commission for a term ending September 30, 2026, or until his successor is duly appointed and qualified. Seconded by Councilman Oros. Mayor Hughes explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Considine, Oros, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

RES# 3174-25 – RESOLUTION AMENDING 2024-2025 BUDGET – POLICE OVERTIME

Councilman Oros moved to approve the budget resolution amending the 2024-2025 budget with respect to the Police Overtime. Seconded by Councilman Considine. Police Chief Howell explained the request, discussion ensued. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Considine, Oros, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

**MOVED UP**

APPROVAL OF A JOINT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF DIXON AND THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Councilman Considine moved to approve a Joint Agreement between the City of Dixon and the Illinois Department of Transportation with respect to resurfacing and ADA improvements – Contract No 64R02. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Public Works Director/Assistant City Manager Heckman explained this and the next two resolutions, discussion ensued. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Considine, Oros, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

RES# 3175-25 – RESOLUTION EXHIBIT A TO APPROPRIATE $146,190 AS FUNDING FOR CONTRACT NO. 64R02

Councilman Oros moved to approve Resolution Exhibit A to Appropriate $146,190 as funding for Contract No. 64R02 Street Resurfacing and ADA Improvements. Seconded by Councilman Considine. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Considine, Oros, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

RES# 3176-25 – RESOLUTION EXHIBIT B APPROVING PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AS PROPOSED BY THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, FOR A JOINT CITY-STATE STREET RESURFACING AND ADA IMPROVEMENTS CONTRACT NO. 64R02

Councilman Oros moved to approve Resolution Exhibit B Approving Plans and Specifications as Proposed by the State of Illinois, Department of Transportation, for a Joint City-State Street Resurfacing and ADA Improvements Contract No. 64R02. Seconded by Councilman Considine. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Considine, Oros, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

APPROVAL OF ADDITIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY PENSION PAYMENT

Councilman Considine moved to approve the additional Public Safety Pension payment in the amount of $855,192. Seconded by Councilman Oros. Finance Director Leslie explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Considine, Oros, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

APPROVAL OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN ALLIED WASTE AND THE CITY OF DIXON

Councilman Venier moved to approve of the agreement between Allied Waste Transportation, Inc. and the City of Dixon with respect to a five-year extension of the existing contract for residential garbage collection services. Seconded by Councilman Oros. City Manager Langloss explained the request with a presentation. NOTE: Councilman Bishop arrived at 6:28pm. Discussion ensued. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Bishop, Considine, Oros, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

REFER PETITION FOR SPECIAL USE FROM RICK & KYLE MCQUALITY TO THE PLAN COMMISSION

Councilman Bishop moved to refer the petition for Special Use from Rick & Kyle McQuality to the Plan Commission. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Mayor stated it was a referral only. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Bishop, Considine, Oros, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

REFER PETITION FOR SPECIAL USE FROM CASTLE HILL HOLDINGS, LLC TO THE PLAN COMMISSION

Councilman Oros moved to refer the petition for Special Use from Castle Hill Holdings, LLC to the Plan Commission. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Mayor stated it was for referral only. Voting Yea: Councilman Venier, Bishop, Considine, Oros, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

AWARD BID FOR THE 2024 DIXON DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS OF THE NORTH GALENA STORM SEWER PROJECT TO MARTIN & COMPANY FOR LOW BID OF $62,391.05

Councilman Considine moved to award the Galena Storm Sewer project to Martin & Company for their low bid amount of $62,391.05. Seconded by Councilman Bishop. 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

ADJOURMENT

Mayor Hughes declared the meeting adjourned.

The meeting adjourned at 6:45pm.

https://www.dixongov.com/documents/agendas-docs/city-council-agendas/2025-city-council-agendas/01-03-25-council-meeting-agenda-packet/?layout=file