NW Illinois News

City of Dixon City Council met Feb. 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Hughes at 4:00pm.

ROLL CALL

Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes answered roll call. Absent: None

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge of Allegiance was cited.

VISITOR/PUBLIC COMMENT

None

WORK SESSION

City Manager Langloss explained the format of the meeting and who will be presenting.

SVCC Impact Program – Dr. David Hellmich, President of SVCC & Lori Cortez, VP of Advancement presented on: IMPACT program update, requirements, program overview. The IMPACT program has 1,400 students enrolled who have done over 60,000 hours of community service since June of 2022, saving over a million dollars in labor costs. Dixon specifically currently has 206 students enrolled, 8,191 volunteer hours; total since June 2024 of 3,082 hours. Hours completed in Dixon by other students from other districts 3,653. There are 44 non-profit businesses benefiting from the IMPACT program. Since June 2022, students have helped with 807 events in Dixon. Discussion ensued. Asking for $30,000.

The Next Picture Show – Nikki Lovett, President; Letha Catalina, Executive Director; and Jazmin Martinez Assistant Director of TNPS presented. Explained the non-profit, artists in shows, mission, events, visitors and members, and what last year’s funds were used for. Discussion ensued. Asking for $35,000.

WACC CEO Program – Julie Jacobs from Blackhawk Hills Regional Council, she is on the Board of Directors of the Whiteside Area Career Center CEO Program presented to the Council. She talked about the program, 12th year of the program, total of 313 students that have gone through the program, where funds are used, trade show date. Ben Oros, CEO student gave reasons why he chose to be a part of the program, things they get to do and learn, the individual business showcase, and thanked his teachers. Discussion ensued.

Dixon Historic Theater – Mike Venier Board President, Darren Mangler Moore and Tori Hiley presented to the Council. Mr. Venier spoke about his association with the Theatre, introduced Darren and Tori. Mr. Moore shared a letter prepared by Will Ellis, Acting Treasurer. The letter asked for a donation amount of $250,000, what the operating costs are and what the money will be applied to, update on construction, the grant program, upcoming shows and programs, visitor numbers and areas, statistics on what out of towners spend when coming to the community. He also spoke about the volunteer hours given to the IMPACT program, the use of the EDA grant and donation from last year: construction and prepayments of upcoming performances, items that were cut from the project due to inflation costs, new surprise expenditures and payroll comes to $354,000. Ms. Hiley spoke on the Kids Theatre, programs were done, servicing upwards of 150 children per year, IMPACT kids are being used to help with shows, the effects the theatre has on the children involved. If sell 50% of the shows they will make 1.2 million dollars this year, to put into the community. The Theater is part of the Historic Registry. Looking for investors for shows and working on acts for 2026, which that they need to book them now and disperse the money for those shows to make profit for the future. Discussion ensued. Asking for $250,000

Stage Left – Scott Fattizzi presented the background of the organization, partnerships with other organizations, programs, shows, training, workshops, volunteering, and what the donation would be used for, renovations of their building, fundraising, and how they affect and help Dixon. Discussion ensued. Asking for $20,000.

Sister Cities – Chad Smith, Treasurer, thanked the council for the donation of $6,000 for Hertzberg visit in July 2024, the cultural exchange was successful and broadened many perspectives, allowed us to showcase our beautiful Dixon community, and celebrate 25 years of friendship. Gave a summary of the donation provided for the visit. A trip was taken to Castlebar Ireland to reestablish communications with the Sister City. The 20th Anniversary will be in 2025, in the hopes of hosting an Irish delegation in Dixon, they are requesting funds as they did for the Germany delegation. Discussion ensued. Asking for $6,000.

ADJOURMENT

The meeting adjourned at 5:09pm.

https://www.dixongov.com/~documents/minutes-docs/city-council-minutes/2025-city-council-minutes/02-03-25-special-council-meeting-minutes/?layout=file