NW Illinois News

City of Dixon City Council met June 2.

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 Chaplin Vincent Marrandino, Senior Chaplin Police Department.

OATH OF OFFICE

City Manager Langloss shared a message from Dr. Mandrel, who lead the process of selection of the new police chief. Mayor Hughes gave the Oath of Office of Police Chief Ryan Bivins. Chief Bivins addressed the crowd, paused for pictures.

WORK SESSION

None

VISITOR/PUBLIC COMMENT

None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Councilman Bishop moved that the minutes of the Regular Council Session Meeting of Monday, May 19, 2025; be accepted and placed on file. Seconded by Councilman Considine. 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 $1,624,570.02 be 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

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

None

CITY MANAGER REPORT

None

COUNCIL REPORTS

Mayor Hughes – Explained why he was wearing a City of Rockford hat at the beginning of the meeting. He lost a bet with the Mayor of Rockford regarding the Quiz Bowl Competition. Congratulated the 4x800 Track Team who placed 6th, a personal record breaking the 8-minute mark; Owen LeSage placed 9th in shot put; DHS Baseball Team are Regional Champs and are heading to Sectionals. June 14th is Flag Day.

Councilman Bishop – Mayor covered his items. Congratulated the new Chief, wished him the best of luck. Steve Howell and Doug Lehman did a stellar job. Ryan will do a stellar job too, thanked his wife Jordan.

Councilman Considine – Agreed with Councilman Bishop. National Pride Month, be respectful and love each other.

Councilman Oros – Same sentiments as Councilman Bishop of the service of our police department. Excited for Chief Bivins and thanked Jordan for her support being a first responder’s wife, its not an easy job.

Councilman Venier – Echoed sentiments. It was an honor to be part of the process, learned a lot about how the PD operates. Kudos for the service of Chief Howell and Interim Chief Lehman. Thanked Jordan for her support.

ORD# 3450 – ORDINANCE AMENDING THE LIQUOR CODE IN CONNECTION WITH BLOOMIN’ ON THE ROCK PURSUANT TO THE REQUEST OF ROCK RIVER GARDEN CLUB

Councilman Considine moved to approve the ordinance amending the Liquor Code in connection with Bloomin’ on the Rock pursuant to the request of Rock River Garden Club. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Mayor Hughes explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

ORD# 3451 – ORDINANCE VACATING A PORTION OF THE PUBLIC ALLEY – TO BRANDON M. BONNETTE

Councilman Venier moved to approve the Ordinance Vacating a portion of the Public Alley to Brandon M. Bonnette, also known as 914 Cooper Street, Dixon Illinois. Seconded by Councilman Oros. Building Official Shipman explained this request and the next four agenda items, discussion ensued. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

ORD# 3452 – ORDINANCE VACATING A PORTION OF THE PUBLIC ALLEY – TO CHRISTINA M. SAVILLE

Councilman Bishop moved to approve the Ordinance Vacating a portion of the Public Alley to Christina M. Saville, also known as 822 Assembly Place, Dixon Illinois. Seconded by Councilman Oros. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

ORD# 3453 – ORDINANCE VACATING A PORTION OF THE PUBLIC ALLEY – TO CRAIG W. MILLER

Councilman Oros moved to approve the Ordinance Vacating a portion of the Public Alley to Craig W. Miller, also known as 916 Cooper Street, Dixon Illinois. Seconded by Councilman Considine. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

ORD# 3454 – ORDINANCE VACATING A PORTION OF THE PUBLIC ALLEY – TO PATRICIA J. LAPPIN

Councilman Considine moved to approve the Ordinance Vacating a portion of the Public Alley to Patricia J. Lappin, also known as 903 Academy Street. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

ORD# 3455 – ORDINANCE VACATING A PORTION OF THE PUBLIC ALLEY – TO ZACHARY ESCHEN AND ASHLEY KUBATZKE

Councilman Venier moved to approve the Ordinance Vacating a portion of the Public Alley to Zachary Eschen and Ashley Kubatzke, also known as 912 Cooper Street, Dixon Illinois. Seconded by Councilman Bishop. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

PUBLIC READING AND DISCUSSION OF ALTERNATE PROPOSALS FOR A LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF DIXON AND BRAD & ANGELA SHIPPERT FARMS

No alternate proposals were received. City Attorney LeSage explained this item and the next agenda item.

ORD# 3456 – APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF DIXON AND BRAD & ANGELA SHIPPERT FARMS (OR OTHER APPROVED TENANT)

Councilman Bishop moved to approve the Ordinance Approving a Lease Agreement between the City of Dixon and Brad & Angela Shippert Farms that relates to approximately 65 acers of City owned land located on Bloody Gulch Road. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Discussion ensued. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

RES# 3203-25 – RESOLUTION AMENDING 2024-2025 BUDGET

PUBLIC PROPERTIES

Councilman Oros moved to approve the budget resolution amending the 2025-2026 budget with respect to the Public Properties. Seconded by Councilman Considine. Finance Director Leslie explained the request, discussion ensued. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

APPROVAL OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF DIXON AND ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WITH RESPECT TO MAINTENANCE OF MUNICIPAL STREETS

Councilman Considine moved to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement between City of Dixon and Illinois Department of Transportation with respect to maintenance of Municipal Streets. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Public Works Director/Assistant City Manager Heckman explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

APPROVAL OF THE PURCHASE OF A POLICE VEHICLE FROM KARL CHEVROLET

Councilman Venier moved to approve the purchase of a 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe and equipment & installation from Karl Emergency Vehicles, not to exceed $73,555.58. Seconded by Councilman Bishop. Police Chief Bivins explained the request, discussion ensued. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

APPROVAL OF THE PURCHASE OF TASERS AND ACCESSORIES FROM AXON ENTERPRISE, INC. FOR $44,962.19

Councilman Bishop moved to approve the purchase of the Axon 7 Tasers package for $44,962.19. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Police Chief Bivins explained the request, discussion ensued. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

APPROVAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN LEE COUNTY AND THE CITY OF DIXON

Councilman Oros moved to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement between Lee County and the City of Dixon with respect to Strong Communities Grant. Seconded by Councilman Considine. City Attorney LeSage explained the request, discussion ensued. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

APPROVAL OF THE AGREEMENT WITH WILLET HOFMANN & ASSOCIATES FOR DESIGN WORK RELATED TO W. 2ND STREET ARCH IMPROVEMENTS, TOTAL COST NOT TO EXCEED $46,422.80

Councilman Considine moved to approve the Agreement with Willet Hofmann & Associates for Design Work related to W. 2nd Street Arch Improvements, total cost not to exceed $46,422.80. Seconded by Councilman Venier. Public Works Director/Assistant City Manager Heckman explained the request. Voting Yea: Councilman Bishop, Considine, Oros, Venier, and Mayor Hughes. Voting Nay: None. Motion Carried

COMMENTS

Councilman Venier asked for an update on the construction on Galena Avenue and time frame. Public Works Director/Assistant City Manager Heckman explained: ADA improvements and certain sections will have new pavement as well. Possibly completing in August.

ADJOURMENT

Mayor Hughes declared the meeting adjourned.

The meeting adjourned at 6:23pm.

https://www.dixongov.com/~documents/minutes-docs/city-council-minutes/2025-city-council-minutes/06-02-25-council-meeting-minutes/?layout=file