DeKalb public meetings in 2022

Planning & Zoning Commission

The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended that City Council approve text amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance regarding retail tobacco stores. The Commission also recommended approval of a special use permit for a retail tobacco store at 901 Lucinda Ave.

• Recommended City Council approval of UDO text amendments for Retail Tobacco Stores (6-0-1)
• Recommended City Council approval of special use permit for retail tobacco store at 901 Lucinda Ave., tenant space 901-P (4-2-1)

City Council

City Council approved the annual budget for fiscal year 2023. The council also authorized several construction contract amendments due to cost overruns and approved two liquor licenses.

• Adopted FY2023 Annual Budget (8-0)
• Approved $602,576 insurance coverage agreements (8-0)
• Approved bar liquor and video gaming license for CJs Gaming Bar LLC (8-0)
• Approved bar/restaurant liquor license for Lucky Fisherman Inc. d/b/a Pizza Pros (8-0)
• Approved $10,775 architectural improvement grant for OQ Nails & Spa (8-0)
• Increased Lincoln Highway reconfiguration contract to $1,855,000 (8-0)
• Increased Knolls Avenue resurfacing contract to $620,000 (8-0)
• Increased Gurler Road and Route 23 engineering agreement to $191,177 (8-0)

Human Relations Commission

The Commission held a discussion with school district and police officials regarding student safety and the role of School Resource Officers (SROs). No formal policy decisions or votes were taken regarding the SRO program or the Crime-Free Housing program.

• Approved amended agenda (unanimous voice vote)
• Approved October 4, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous voice vote)

Planning & Zoning Commission

The Commission approved a variance for a food cooler and parking at 175 W. Lincoln Highway. It also recommended approval to vacate portions of East Locust Street and North 8th Street to create loading areas for Nehring Electrical Works Company.

• Approved variance for food/beverage cooler and parking setbacks at 175 W. Lincoln Highway (6-0-1)
• Recommended approval of Plat of Vacation for E. Locust Street and N. 8th Street (6-0-1)
• Approved December 5, 2022 agenda (unanimous voice vote)
• Approved November 21, 2022 minutes (unanimous voice vote)

City Council

City Council approved $350,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds for a community center, transit stop upgrades, and street lighting. The council also authorized several fire department vehicle and equipment purchases and approved a zoning change for a vacant hospital to be converted into apartments.

• Approved $350,000 in ARPA funding for recommended projects (5-2-1)
• Approved purchase of Ford Expedition and Ford Explorer for Fire Department not to exceed $121,870 (7-0-1)
• Approved purchase of Rosenbauer King Cobra platform truck not to exceed $1,600,000 (7-0-1)
• Approved $3,149,000 in Motor Fuel Tax funds for 2023 street maintenance (7-0-1)
• Approved rezoning of 145 Fisk Avenue to Planned Development Residential for 32 apartments (7-0-1)
• Approved 2022 tax levy of $7,119,130 for police and fire pensions (7-0-1)
• Approved liquor license for Class Six LLC at 214 E. Lincoln Highway (7-0-1)
• Approved retail tobacco store license for Syrian Nights Hookah Lounge LLC (7-0-1)

Airport Advisory Board

The board reviewed a summary of estimated project costs and a draft of the 2024-2028 Transportation Improvement Program. Members discussed airfield fencing, the Frontier property acquisition, and the purchase of a snow broom. No formal votes were taken on these projects.

• Approved agenda (majority voice vote)
• Approved September 28, 2022 meeting minutes (majority voice vote)

Finance Advisory Committee

The City Council and Finance Advisory Committee held a joint meeting to review the proposed FY2023 budget document. Officials discussed tax levy options, fund balances, and departmental initiatives. No formal votes were taken to approve or deny the budget during this session.

City Council

The City Council and Finance Advisory Committee held a joint meeting to review the proposed FY2023 budget document. Officials discussed tax levy options, fund balances, and departmental initiatives. No formal votes were taken to approve or deny the budget during this session.

Planning & Zoning Commission

The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended that the City Council approve rezoning 145 Fisk Ave. from Neighborhood Commercial to Planned Development Residential. This change would allow the redevelopment of a vacant historic building into 32 market-rate apartments. The Commission also recommended approval of the preliminary development plan and associated UDO waivers.

• Recommended approval of rezoning 145 Fisk Ave. to PD-R (4-0-3)
• Recommended approval of preliminary development plan for 145 Fisk Ave. (4-0-3)
• Approved November 21, 2022 agenda (unanimous voice vote)
• Approved November 7, 2022 minutes (unanimous voice vote)

City Council

City Council approved the 2022 property tax levy, which includes a projected combined City and Library rate reduction of 5.64%. The council also approved a one-year collective bargaining agreement with the DeKalb Fraternal Order of Police and several traffic and zoning ordinances.

• Approved 2022 property tax levy with a proposed City corporate levy of $7,119,130 (8-0)
• Approved one-year collective bargaining agreement with DeKalb Fraternal Order of Police including 2.5% COLA (8-0)
• Approved communications site lease with New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC at 1119 Oak Street (8-0)
• Approved $36,607 purchase of battery operated extrication equipment (8-0)
• Approved speed limit reductions along Peace Road and Lincoln Highway (8-0)
• Approved three-way stop at Fairview Drive and Monticello Drive (8-0)
• Approved yield signs for streets terminating at Dodge Avenue (8-0)
• Approved special use permits for a lot resubdivision at 202-204 Chamberlain Drive (7-0-1) and a tobacco store at 1180 W. Lincoln Highway (8-0)

Foreign Fire Insurance Tax Board

The Foreign Fire Insurance Tax Board approved the 3rd quarter 2022 Treasurer's Report and authorized spending for 2023. This includes $11,780 for the first five items on the 2023 Wish List and a list of recurring operational purchases.

• Approved 3rd quarter 2022 Treasurer’s Report (6-0)
• Approved purchasing Wish List Items 1-5 totaling $11,780.00 (6-0)
• Approved 2023 Reoccurring Purchases including helmets, insurance bond, and historical funds (6-0)
• Approved September 9, 2022 special meeting minutes (unanimous voice vote)

Citizen Police Review Board

The agenda includes roll call, approval of minutes from September 8, 2022, public participation, a chairman update, and a case review session. The next meeting date will be set. No specific cases, policies, or financial items are detailed.

• Public comment on license plate reader policy and board training
• Chairman update on board member attendance

The board reviewed a complaint involving multiple claims against the police department. After reviewing evidence and policy, the board voted that the claims were unfounded or lacked sufficient evidence, resulting in no policy violations.

• Approved agenda (4-0)
• Approved September 8, 2022 minutes (4-0)
• Approved Executive Session minutes (4-0)
• Found harassment claim unfounded (4-0, 1 abstain)
• Found illegal search claim unfounded (5-0)
• Found claims regarding lying to complainant unfounded (5-0)
• Found threat claim unfounded (5-0)
• Found K-9 use and car contact claims unfounded (5-0)

Planning & Zoning Commission

The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended two special use permits for City Council approval. These include the creation of two single-family lots on Chamberlain Drive and the opening of a retail tobacco store on W. Lincoln Highway.

• Recommended approval of special use permit to resubdivide 202-204 Chamberlain Drive into two single-family attached lots (6-0, 1 recusal)
• Recommended approval of special use permit for a retail tobacco store at 1180 W. Lincoln Highway (6-1)

Citizens' Environmental Commission

The Commission discussed updates to the City's Sustainability Plan and assigned authors for upcoming Daily Chronicle articles. Members also discussed potential 2023 presentations and the solicitation of PRIDE Award nominations.

• Approved agenda (unanimous voice vote)
• Approved October 6, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous voice vote)
• Assigned Ms. Kron to write December article on holiday recycling
• Assigned Mr. Moore to write February article on seed starting
• Tasked Mr. Newman to incorporate member changes into the Sustainability Plan master document

Joint Review Board

The Joint Review Board reviewed third quarter FY2022 TIF financials and the FY2023 draft budget for TIF Fund #3. The board discussed a projected year-end surplus of $140,000 to be distributed to DeKalb County. The meeting included a brief executive session regarding the purchase or lease of real property.

• Approved the meeting agenda (voice vote)
• Approved minutes from July 22, 2022 (voice vote)
• Approved entering executive session to discuss real property purchase or lease (7-0)

Airport Advisory Board

The board discussed recommendations for revising T-hangar lease terms, rates, and maintenance language. The Airport Manager reported on regional airport burglaries and pending reimbursements from IDOT-DOA and the FAA.

• Approved September 28, 2022 meeting minutes (majority voice vote)
• Tabled Ad Hoc Committee to review Airport Minimum Standards/Rules and Regulations
• Concurred with recommendations for revising T-hangar lease terms and rates

City Council

The council reached a 4-4 impasse on providing $75,000 in ARPA funds to the Egyptian Theatre and $25,000 to Stage Coach Players, so the matter was tabled for future budget discussion. The council approved a property tax levy with no increase in the city's share of homeowner taxes (Option 1). It also passed ordinances revoking a salvage yard special use permit, amending crime-free housing rules, banning electronic promotion kiosks, and approving a cyber/esports café special use permit.

• ARPA funding for Egyptian Theatre ($75,000) and Stage Coach Players ($25,000) tabled after 4-4 deadlock
• Approved property tax levy Option 1 with no increase in city's share of homeowner taxes (consensus)
• Approved revocation of special use permit for vehicle salvage yard at 1008 Oak Street (8-0)
• Approved crime-free housing ordinance amendments (Chapter 10) (8-0)
• Approved ban on electronic product promotion kiosks in businesses and liquor establishments (8-0)
• Approved special use permit for cyber/esports café at 901 Lucinda Avenue (8-0)
• Approved increased animal impoundment fees (7-1)
• Approved intergovernmental agreement with Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District (8-0)

Police Pension Board

The DeKalb Police Pension Board voted unanimously to invest $2 million from cash reserves into Exchange-Traded Funds, approved five new Tier 2 pension members, and authorized pension benefits for two retirees. The board also adopted the FY 2023 budget with a $2,500 training budget amendment and paid all listed bills.

• Approved $2M investment from Goldman Sachs FS Government FST into ETFs (5-0)
• Approved FY 2023 pension budget with $2,500 training budget amendment (5-0)
• Accepted new Tier 2 pension members: Anthony Antrobus, Savannah Long, Conrad Newhouse, Jesus Rodriguez, Justin Hickman (5-0 each)
• Approved Jeffrey Ackland's pension benefit: $4,202.87/month effective 8/1/2022 (5-0)
• Approved Laurie Leiser's survivor benefit: $2,190.27/month (5-0)
• Paid all listed bills including $15,591.71 consulting fee and $8,000 IDOI compliance fee (5-0)
• Approved minutes of July 8, 2022 (5-0)

Citizen Police Review Board

The Citizen Police Review Board will meet to conduct routine business. The agenda consists of procedural items including roll call, approval of the agenda, and approval of the August 11, 2022 minutes.

• Approval of August 11, 2022 meeting minutes

Citizen Police Review Board

The Citizen Police Review Board will meet to conduct business including a chairman update and an executive session. The board will discuss employee performance, discipline, and security procedures.

• Executive session to consider employee performance and discipline pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)
• Executive session to consider security procedures and personnel/equipment use pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/(2)(c)(8)

Citizen Police Review Board

The board reviewed a Discipline Matrix and received an overview of quarterly training mandates. Members also discussed the draft of board procedures and methods for citizens to submit complaints.

• Review of the Discipline Matrix provided by Deputy Chief Jason Leverton
• Overview of the Quarterly Training Report and new State training mandates
• Discussion regarding the Plan to Review Policy and the accreditation process
• Discussion on the accessibility of the online complaint form

Citizen Police Review Board

The July 13, 2022 meeting of the Citizen Police Review Board has been canceled. The next meeting is scheduled for August 11, 2022.

Citizen Police Review Board

The board will conduct an orientation covering the discipline matrix, quarterly training reports, and policy review plans. Members will also review a draft of board procedures.

• Orientation of Discipline Matrix
• Discussion of Quarterly Training Report
• Discussion of Plan to Review Policy
• Review of Draft Board Procedures
• Executive Session regarding employee performance or discipline

Citizen Police Review Board

The Citizen Police Review Board held an orientation session covering various police department policies. Members reviewed procedures regarding biased enforcement, body worn cameras, traffic enforcement, and arrest procedures. The board also discussed scheduling upcoming ride-alongs with officers.

• Review of Biased Enforcement Policy (Policy 103.4)
• Demonstration of Body Worn Camera system
• Review of Traffic Enforcement Policy (Policy 403.2)
• Review of Pursuit Procedures and Stop Sticks Policy (Policy 304.2)
• Review of Citizen Contacts & Terry Stops Policy (Policy 401.1)

Citizen Police Review Board

The Citizen Police Review Board held an orientation session regarding various police department procedures. Discussions covered disciplinary actions, citizen complaint procedures, internal affairs, and firearm policies.

• Overview of Administration of Discipline Policy (Policy 202.3)
• Overview of Citizen Complaint Procedure (Policy 202.5)
• Overview of Internal Affair’s Procedure (Policy 202.5)
• Overview of Firearms Policy (Policy 304.7) and Police Rifle Policy (Policy 304.8)
• Overview of Taser Policy (Policy 304.9)

Citizen Police Review Board

The Citizen Police Review Board held an orientation session focused on police department policies and use of force. Members received overviews of use of force policies, legal factors regarding force, and participated in a force simulator exercise.

• Orientation on Use of Force policy 103.3
• Discussion of Graham v. Connor (1989) case law
• Use of force simulator training

Citizen Police Review Board

The scheduled meeting for March 3, 2022, has been cancelled. It has been rescheduled for March 10, 2022.

Citizen Police Review Board

The Citizen Police Review Board is meeting to conduct an orientation for its members. This session is a continuation of the orientation process started at the February 3 meeting.

• Orientation of the Citizen Police Review Board Members

Citizen Police Review Board

The board will conduct an orientation for its members and establish the meeting schedule for 2022. No other business or specific items are listed on the agenda.

• Orientation of Citizen Police Review Board Members
• Establishment of 2022 Meeting Schedule