City Council - Regular Meeting

America250 Pause for Patriotism: Stories of War and Deliverance.

City Manager's Summary: The photographic image is iconic. On February 23, 1945, Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal aimed his camera without looking through the view finder and pressed the shutter button. On the fourth day of the two-week battle for Iwo Jima – a remote island that could offer an airfield to support the bombing of Japan – the six Marines in the picture were raising a “replacement” flag on Mt. Suribachi. About three hours earlier, a 40-man patrol of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Division, had raised their battalion flag after reaching the summit. The first flag was rigged on a 10-foot length of lead pipe from an abandoned cistern on the crest. When the desolate, eight-square mile island (less than one-half the area of DeKalb) was secured 10 days later, the Marines had sustained 24,053 casualties (one out of every three who landed), of which 6,140 died. Over the five remaining months of WWII, B-29 bombers made 2,251 emergency landings on Iwo Jima carrying over 20,000 Army Air Force crewmen who all owed their lives to the men who fought and died there. Rosenthal’s flag-raising image was transmitted to newsrooms throughout the United States and around the world. Within days it had appeared on the front pages of newspapers and magazines. It later became the thematic emblem of a successful war bonds drive, gained Rosenthal a Pulitzer Prize, and was ultimately re-created as a bronze sculpture at the Marine Corps Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. No more enduring image of the grueling, heroic struggle of all American military branches in the deadliest war in world history was ever created. In American history, flags have been “unfurled” in many battles and wars. Climbing out of our recent discussions about the American Revolution at the City Council level, the Rosenthal image and the hymn it conjures is aligned with the history of Americans who fought generations earlier to secure the hoped-for benefits of their independence as a nation. This is one of their stories. To the Shores of Tripoli. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, America still resembled a string of loosely connected beachfront properties. More than half of the country’s six million inhabitants lived within a long day’s walk of the Atlantic Ocean. The biggest towns were like a chain of islands bordered on one side by the ocean and the back side by a seemingly endless forest. These islands were connected by trails that looked more like rutted wagon tracks than actual roads. Nevertheless, the larger seaports were filled with professional seafarers and the essential trades needed to build, outfit, provision, and repair ships. The first three Presidents of our nation – Washington, John Adams, and Jefferson – chose to stay out of the wars of the European powers but their growing economy needed markets, and their merchant marine was rapidly growing into one of the strongest in the world. Still, neutrality came with challenges: outbound ships were being stopped in mid-ocean by British and French warships and able American seaman were being forcibly “pressed” to fill crew openings left by deserters and ailing French or British sailors. Additionally, unarmed American sloops that made it to the Mediterranean were set upon by pirates from the Barbary States of Tripoli, Tunis, Algiers, and Morocco. A Mediterranean passage was only possible by paying tribute to the Barbary rulers. This last dilemma spurred the creation of a permanent navy. In 1794, during Washington’s second Presidential term, Congress voted funds for six fast frigates with oftentimes 40-50 guns tucked in a covered deck – lighter than battleships or ships of the line (74 guns on several decks) but heavier than sloops or brigs with fewer than 20 guns on an uncovered upper deck. Washington’s trusted colleague (now Secretary of War), Henry Knox, knew something about cannons and was charged with organizing the construction and launching. All six were launched by 1800, including the Constitution. Several other frigates rounded out the Navy including the Philadelphia, a “subscription” ship privately built and owned but loaned to the Navy on contract. While in Tripoli waters in late 1803, the Philadelphia ran aground and was seized by the local Tripolitan ruler. A young American lieutenant, Stephen Decatur, was dispatched to remedy the embarrassment and force the release of its crew. Under cover of darkness and with extreme stealth, Decatur and his raiding party sailed in a small ketch within range of the harbor guns, boarded the Philadelphia and overcame its guards, then fired the ship before making their escape. The tar-saturated riggings burned rapidly, and the floating inferno trailed to shore where the remains burned to the waterline. None other than Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson of the rival British navy remarked that Decatur's derring-do was "the most bold and daring act of the age." Yet the crew were not released. In mid-1804, an American fleet led by the Constitution (and including a gunboat led by the intrepid Lt. Decatur) made way to Tripoli to settle accounts with a naval blockade. The war was eventually won in the spring of 1805, when a land attack on the nearby village of Derna led by American marines with local tribesmen forced the Tripolitan ruler to yield to a treaty on June 3, 1805. The treaty was signed several days later in the captain's cabin of the Constitution. A decade later, in 1815, now Commodore Stephen Decatur led a mission to put an end to all Barbary piracy. In July and August of that year, he led a nine-ship squadron that forced a treaty with the rulers of all the Barbary states. When he returned to America, Decatur was feted at a banquet where he gave his famous double-edged toast: "To our country! In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be in the right – but our country, right or wrong." Next: We have been looking at how the principles of the Declaration may have brought meaning to the nineteenth century and beyond. On March 9 we will turn toward America's "fire bell in the night" and the threat it foretold to the promise of unalienable rights for all.

DeKalb Public Library FY2025 Annual Report

Emily Faulkner, Executive Director of the DeKalb Public Library, will deliver the Library Board's annual report to the Council.

Appointing Alex Tobias to the DeKalb Public Library Board for a Three-Year Term (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2028).

Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of February 9, 2026.

Accounts Payable and Payroll through February 23, 2026, in the Amount of $3,805,505.50.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Report – January 2026.

FY2025 Human Services Funding 4th Quarter and Annual Report.

Consideration of a Street Maintenance Schedule for 2026.

City Manager's Summary: The City's annual street maintenance program primarily focuses on removing and replacing asphalt pavement on streets and alleys. The table below shows the yearly allocations from City capital funds dedicated to this program. The 2026 maintenance list marks the final year of the five-year program launched in 2022. A new five-year plan will be presented to the City Council for review during its second March meeting, following the completion of City-wide road condition indexes. City Engineer John Laskowski, Public Works Director Andy Raih, and the City Manager have prepared the attached PowerPoint presentation to outline the 2026 program for Council consideration. Five years ago, several major collector streets were identified for significant repair and replacement. The 2026 program, with a budget of $3 million, will include resurfacing Hillcrest Drive from Sycamore Road to Normal Road. In addition, the following streets will be improved: - Alley resurfacing from Fisk Avenue to Pine Street, between N. 4th and N. 5th Streets; - Alley resurfacing from Fisk Avenue to Pine Street, between N. 6th and N. 7th Streets; - Alley resurfacing from Fisk Avenue north between N. 5th and N. 6th Streets; - Quail Run; - Highpoint Drive; - Scenic Road; - Scott Court - Mary Court; - Fairway Oaks Drive; - Country Club Lane; - Wedgewood Drive; - Wedgewood Court; - Overlook Drive; - Overlook Circle; - Inverness Court; - Greenview Court; - Greenwood North; - County Farm Road; - Market Square Mall (reimbursed from the Market Square SSA) Altogether, there are 5.95 miles of streets on the 2026 list. Bidding alternates will include Lucinda Avenue from the Kishwaukee River Bridge to Annie Glidden Road, resurfacing portions of North First Street to address patches between the North First bridge and Tilton Park Drive, and several additional alleys in the Fisk-Pine and Pine-Oak neighborhoods. Pending Council direction, the next steps are: - March 2026: Design and permitting - Spring-Summer 2026: New Pavement Condition Data collected for 2027 program & beyond - Early April 2026: 2026 Street Maintenance Contract awarded - May-August 2026: 2026 Construction - November 2026: New PCI data available - December 2026: Develop new five-year road program - January 2027: Bring draft 2027-2031 Plan to Council for review - February 2027: Settle on 2027 Plan and begin design work City Council direction is recommended.

Resolution 2026-025 Approving the Renewal of the Barracuda Backup Cloud Storage Services from CDW-G through the State of Illinois Joint Purchase Master Contract in an Amount Not to Exceed $36,427.20.

City Manager's Summary: The City currently uses a "Barracuda" backup device to back up Police department servers and data to an on-premises unit, which then replicates and transmits the data to the Barracuda Cloud for redundancy. In March 2025, the department upgraded its public safety software and purchased a separate backup server and cloud service to support all servers. By September 2025, additional storage was required to meet backup policy requirements. With this added storage, the renewal cost for the backup device and cloud service is $36,427.20. This includes an on-premises device that performs backups, which are then replicated to the cloud for offsite storage. Funding for the renewal is included in the approved FY2026 IT budget. City Council approval is recommended.

Resolution 2026-026 Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute an Agreement for Wholesale Electricity for Water Facilities, the DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport, and Street Lighting in the City of DeKalb.

City Manager's Summary: The Public Works staff solicited bids from alternative energy suppliers to compare market rates with current ComEd pricing for municipal infrastructure, including water wells and treatment plants, the DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport (DTMA), and citywide street lighting. The preliminary analysis shows the City could achieve significant savings – approximately 20% for water facilities, 30% for DTMA, and 25% for street lighting. Because wholesale electricity quotes fluctuate daily and are valid for only 24 hours, an authorization for the City Manager to execute agreements in a timely fashion to secure favorable rates is requested. **Water Wells & Treatment Plants**: Current bids suggest potential savings of about 20% compared to the existing benchmark. **DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport (DTMA)**: Potential savings of about 30% are possible when compared to the current benchmark. **Street Lighting**: Potential savings of about 25% are possible compared to the current benchmark. City Council approval of the City Manager authorization is recommended, ensuring timely selection of the lowest possible fixed rates for critical infrastructure.

Resolution 2026-027 Approving the Purchase of LED Light Fixtures from Revere Electric Supply Company in an Amount Not to Exceed $65,299.73, with a Local Share Not to Exceed $6,529.67.

City Manager's Summary: The Street Division is requesting authorization to purchase 208 energy-efficient LED light fixtures from Revere Electric Supply, supported by a ComEd Energy Efficiency Grant. The total upfront cost is $65,299.73, but rebates totaling $58,769.76 will reduce the City's actual cost to $6,529.67 if the project is completed before September 30, 2026. Competitive quotes were obtained, with Revere Electric offering a unit price of $313.94 compared to Crescent Electric's $320.00, resulting in immediate savings of $1,260.27. The City owns 1,066 streetlights. The Public Works staff began a multi-year replacement project in November 2021 to replace outdated high-pressure sodium fixtures with LED technology to improve sustainability and reduce energy costs. So far, 797 LED fixtures have been installed, representing 75% of the inventory. Approval of this purchase will allow conversion of 208 additional fixtures, bringing the total to 94% (1,005 fixtures). Funding for these improvements is provided for in the FY2026 budget under line item 100-30-33-51997, which has an allocated balance of $20,000. City Council approval is recommended.

Resolution 2026-028 Authorizing the Waiver of Competitive Bidding and Approving the Purchase of Water Meters and Radio Transmitters from Badger Meter Inc. in an Amount Not to Exceed $119,000.

City Manager’s Summary: On January 12, the Council authorized an extension to the 2025 contract with Badger Meter from $80,000 to $94,520 in order to cover increased demand for City water meters and radio transmitters in 2025, owing to a higher-than-expected number of new single family homes in 2025 as well as the replacement of a number of meters during the City’s lead service line replacement project in the Fall of 2025. Prior to the 2025 year-end reconciliation of water meter costs, the City budgeted $80,000 for meter replacement in 2026, based on the running average over the past six years. The new Director of Water Resources, Matt Anderson, believes the FY2026 allocation for replacement Badger meters may reach almost $120,000 owing principally to the expectation that the City will get through its current list of lead service line replacements by the end of the 2026 fiscal year. Since the 2026 Budget was precise in anticipating no more than $80,000 and the City Manager’s spending authority only extends to $20,000, the estimated additional $39,000 in meter purchases for stock purposes needs to be approved by the City Council. The adjustment is a good omen: it means that the City is aggressively replacing lead service lines as they are discovered and doing so at a pace well ahead of industry expectations. City Council approval is recommended.

Resolution 2026-029 Approving the Transportation Improvement Program for Federal Fiscal Years 2027-2031 at DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport.

City Manager’s Summary: Public Works is requesting City Council approval of the FY2027–2031 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which outlines long-term capital improvement projects for the Airport. The plan was presented to the Illinois Department of Transportation – Division of Aeronautics (IDOT-DOA) and the FAA in November 2025, and both agencies recommended moving forward with the proposed projects. The final TIP document was received and signed by the Airport Manager on December 26, 2025, and returned to IDOT-DOA for review and eventual consideration for federal funding. The first projects scheduled for FY2027 include the rehabilitation of Taxiway A, which has deteriorated pavement, and the installation of a new AWOS III weather reporting system to replace outdated equipment. Both projects will be funded 90% by federal grants, 5% by the state, and 5% from City (local) funds. Estimated costs are $1,270,000 for Taxiway A and $850,000 for the AWOS III system, with the City responsible for $63,500 and $42,500 respectively. Approval of the TIP signals the City’s intent to seek federal and state grant funding but does not authorize individual projects or expenditures. Each project will return to the City Council for approval if funding is secured, and after bids are received. City Council approval is recommended.

Resolution 2026-030 Authorizing an Amendment to the 2020 Annual Action Plan to Reallocate $63,740 in Community Development Block Grant – COVID Funds to Local Service Agencies for Priority Community Needs for the Period January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.

City Manager's Summary: Community Services Coordinator Jennifer Yochem requests approval to amend the 2020 Annual Action Plan to reallocate $63,740 in Community Development Block Grant–COVID (CDBG-CV) funds to address urgent community needs. Of this amount, $50,000 will be directed to social service agencies providing rental assistance, utility assistance, and food security programs as follows: | Barb City Manor | $ 5,000 | | Barb Food Mart | $ 3,500 | | DeKalb Area Alano Club | $ 1,500 | | Elder Care Services | $ 7,000 | | Family Service Agency CAP | $ 3,000 | | FLAP | $ 2,500 | | Hope Haven | $10,000 | | Rooted for Good | $ 7,500 | | Voluntary Action Center | $10,000 | The remainder ($13,740) will go to support the Owner-Occupied Home Repair Program for low- to moderate-income homeowners requiring critical repairs. These reallocations of residual Covid-era monies follow comprehensive needs assessments and discussions with local agencies, many of which are struggling due to reductions in state and federal funding. The amendment ensures resources are targeted to provide immediate relief to residents and maintain safe, stable housing. The City has followed all required procedures in coordination with HUD to ensure compliance, and these federal funds have no impact on the City's General Fund. City Council approval is recommended.

Resolution 2026-031 Approving the Replacement of the Windows at Fire Station 3 by Terry Vonderheide Carpentry, Inc. in an Amount Not to Exceed $29,504.37.

City Manager's Summary: The Fire Department seeks approval to allocate $29,504.37 for the replacement of aging windows at Fire Station 3, located at 950 W. Dresser Road. Built in 1994, the station's 32 year-old casement windows have become inoperable, with many permanently sealed shut, limiting ventilation and impacting air quality. The proposed work will replace these windows with double-hung units to improve air flow and comfort for personnel. Three quotes were obtained for the project: Terry Vonderheide Carpentry, Inc., Renewal by Andersen LLC, and Window World. While Window World submitted the lowest bid, it only covers replacing window inserts, not the frames. The recommended proposal from Terry Vonderheide Carpentry, Inc. includes full casement window replacement with double-hung windows and additional work to remove and close off a wall on the apparatus floor. This modification will create space for future gear lockers to accommodate the department's growth. The project will be funded through the FY2026 Buildings & Improvements Budget in Fund 400. City Council approval is recommended.

Resolution 2026-032 Approving the Purchase of One 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe Police K9 Package from Miles Chevrolet in an Amount Not to Exceed $57,104.

City Manager's Summary: Chevrolet has informed the DeKalb Police Department that 2026 will likely be the final year that the four-wheel-drive Chevrolet Tahoe Police package is available. This model is preferred for K9 operations due to its spacious interior, enhanced safety features, and off-road capability. Therefore, the Police Department intends to replace one of its K9 vehicles in 2026 and has secured a commitment from Miles Chevrolet in Decatur for a black 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe currently in stock. Miles Chevrolet has offered the vehicle at the current state bid price, with a base cost of $56,786. The upfitting brings the total to $59,104 and would include pre-installed equipment such as a spotlight, auxiliary battery, wiring harnesses, enhanced electrical supply, trailer hitch, and rear backup camera. The dealership has also provided a $2,000 trade-in allowance for a 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe in the Police Department fleet with over 160,000 miles. The total cost, including title and license fees, will not exceed $57,104. Additional upfitting will be sourced from qualified vendors using existing Police Department budget line items. The purchase complies with state public bidding requirements through the State of Illinois CMS and NWMC Suburban Purchasing Cooperative contracts, eliminating the need for separate bid solicitation. Funding will come from the State Drug Forfeiture Fund under line item 100-00-00-21310, with no impact on the City's General Fund. City Council approval is recommended.

Ordinance 2026-009 Amending Chapter 23 “Unified Development Ordinance”, Article 11 “Floodways, Floodplains, Storm Drainage and Erosion Control”.

City Manager's Summary: City Engineer John Laskowski and Planning Director Dan Olson have proposed amendments to Article 11, "Floodways, Floodplains, Storm Drainage, and Erosion Control," in Chapter 23, "Unified Development Ordinance," of the Municipal Code to update outdated references, correct omissions, and enhance public safety. The key changes include the following: - Base Flood Elevation – References FEMA regulatory documents instead of fixed historical data, making the ordinance dynamic. - Definition of "Substantial Damage" – Adds a missing reference: properties with damage over 50% of value must meet current floodplain regulations. - Elevation of Mechanical Equipment – Requires mechanicals in floodplains to be elevated above the base flood elevation to maintain the City's FEMA Class 7 rating (15% insurance discount). - Reports and Records – Clarifies reporting requirements for FEMA compliance. - Stormwater Plan Certification – Requires an Illinois Licensed Professional Engineer to seal plans for safety. - Incorrect Reference Correction – Polishes the language in a commonly used section to reduce confusion. - Typographical Error – Corrects the spelling of “ratio.” - IEPA ILR10 Permit Reference – Removes an overly specific reference to avoid confusion when the State of Illinois updates a permit. Findings of Fact. The proposed revisions: - Are consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan which supports floodplain safety policies. - Conform to the UDO Intent – Protects people and property from flooding. - Correct Errors/Omissions – To improve clarity and usefulness. - Impose No New Nonconformities – Apply only to substantial improvements. - No Zoning Impact – The revisions are independent of the adopted zoning classifications. On February 17, the Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the proposed revisions and recommended Council approval by a vote of 4 to 0. City Council approval of the Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation is requested, with a waiver of second reading.

Council Member Reports.

City Manager Report.

Approval to Hold an Executive Session Meeting to Discussion the Purchase or Lease of Real Property as Provided for in 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5).