[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6059741,"mediaKeyId","3293812-076c77124c055e441032b09e3fdd3ae8","parentId",3293812,"title","DeKalb Township seeks Oakwood Cemetery expansion; council approves zoning change on consent","audioSeconds",256,"startMs",5262000,"endMs",5518000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3293812-076c77124c055e441032b09e3fdd3ae8&start=5262&end=5518","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3293812-076c77124c055e441032b09e3fdd3ae8/thumbnail_5262000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6059741/DeKalb-City/DeKalb-County/Illinois/DeKalb-Township-seeks-Oakwood-Cemetery-expansion-council-approves-zoning-change-on-consent","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059741-50ccd5ebf74dfaea9c1c06de8ec13cab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174869&Signature=OG~xbq-kQPXysdAmFPR1QL3ZOHt-~BdXQpsDLVw338PabDhuA7Le089XlgybUAn2v3kjmbmat7VKuZCZ8Ba9VIgOfYSps3oKa7uEcApUQMWsg~uR7aa0TmaWB2jIaHpfyBbnv2liKXSkJJMcM2J-q6MG9HGEzvbvg1S3pwWteUVfPTfTLxxM551IDum9qluY7BWfrDRrNzVCSVN4Znz5NlRHXh7b-g0ehYXz~hrwVqX61iEU06WmTJnUAs-yI~Edwz0mqcyMimS1hMK2~oPIWRHAb41jdFWGF0Xr48iXUSSHd7EhvAhQo~~MZZPGGL~qmOrVgIh3~Zhj4t~VcswQzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Dekalb, IL","date","2025-05-14T08:50:55.273Z","article","DeKalb Township officials told the DeKalb City Council on May 12 they plan to purchase just under an acre from First Congregational United Church of Christ on North First Street to expand Oakwood Cemetery with a low-impact park area, walking paths, a memorial plaza and columbaria for cremated remains.

Township Supervisor Mary Hess and Township Trustee Catherine McLaughlin said the use would be an institutional expansion of cemetery services rather than new traditional in-ground plots. \"The majority of the project is funded by a donor,\" Trustee Catherine McLaughlin told the council, and she added the project would provide a range of affordable options for cremated remains while keeping the northern portion of the site—partly in the floodplain—as natural open space.

Staff told council the site is zoned multifamily and is a legal nonconforming parcel for its current use; the Planning & Zoning Commission held a public hearing on May 5 and recommended approval by a 5–0 vote (one commissioner absent). The council voted to pass Ordinance 2025-021 on first reading and then waived second reading with a unanimous roll call.

Township officials said access would be provided through the church parking lot and that any work in the floodplain will comply with local floodplain rules. The council took no additional conditions beyond standard regulatory compliance and the Planning & Zoning recommendation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting for May 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","DeKalb Township presented a plan to buy under-an-acre from First Congregational UCC to expand Oakwood Cemetery with landscaping, a memorial plaza and columbaria; council approved the special-use permit ordinance on first reading and waived second reading following a unanimous recommendation from the Planning & Zoning Commission.","taxTitle","DeKalb City, DeKalb County, Illinois","taxId",4986,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6059747,"Council approves first reading to allow unincorporated Pleasant Street resident to connect to city water",443,4888000,5331000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3293812-076c77124c055e441032b09e3fdd3ae8&start=4888&end=5331","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3293812-076c77124c055e441032b09e3fdd3ae8/thumbnail_4888000.jpg","/articles/6059747/DeKalb-City/DeKalb-County/Illinois/Council-approves-first-reading-to-allow-unincorporated-Pleasant-Street-resident-to-connect-to-city-water","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059747-2e3e0ae42c8a7420e70e896664b79966/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174869&Signature=U0ux975041dQujEnJiKurgLGU-GH3vAP8eNQ2XUzJAoGxRM01DnQ~LTqEhUpoPJHxjDgsPnFujASkqON8d3HhJn7p-wb-f0M8ZMjdxZCOnUS2HGl0tzgVodj-YgUeZn1ftcBosrsme3hPnfcfQWa3Vvr7hCC8sZyZfoCmcSqsoW3g9mGS1zu-NKde8tN2olsNSMQEmwnrnsoBdvF1gs2GJ0N~GVTTIqLnGijue1fsNPeWJlHVNFMvwDTTVANiQxSSjKyWzLOCZvuXGeLx6L8W~tVXN-s2dgPQ70XvxHZtvsJOrNHwFe3dRcAzau79H8~1XtiMe1DEJu6Iv24ijTFmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The DeKalb City Council on May 12 approved on first reading — and waived second reading — an ordinance allowing a water service agreement to provide municipal water to 2581 Pleasant Street, an unincorporated property whose owners currently rely on a private well.

City Manager Nicholas said Tim and Aaron (the property owners) requested connection to the city system and staff recommended approval. \"The water is is worth it. And the Martins agree, and we at the staff level support this,\" Nicholas said. The city noted this would be the first unincorporated property along that stretch of Pleasant Street to receive city water service; the rate for this non-annexed hookup is higher than standard annexed rates (staff said about 50% higher than annexed property rates).

Council members discussed the patchwork of unincorporated parcels near Pleasant Street and other parts of the city where residents receive city services without full annexation. City staff said annexation has been used in other areas but each case involves different factors such as acreage and existing utilities; staff noted a Greenwood Acres group has raised annexation questions and the sanitary district will meet with residents soon.

Council recorded a unanimous vote to waive second reading after first-reading passage; the ordinance passed on the May 12 consent. City staff said the property owner will pay for the connection and city staff will manage construction and billing under the city’s standard service agreement for out-of-area hookups.","Council moved forward on Ordinance 2025-020 to permit a water service agreement for 2581 Pleasant Street, an unincorporated property, with staff noting the customer will pay higher rates and the city will extend service at the owner's expense; second reading was waived.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6059751,"Council approves small contract increase for Fire Station 4 after unexpected soil removals",369,4496000,4865000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3293812-076c77124c055e441032b09e3fdd3ae8&start=4496&end=4865","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3293812-076c77124c055e441032b09e3fdd3ae8/thumbnail_4496000.jpg","/articles/6059751/DeKalb-City/DeKalb-County/Illinois/Council-approves-small-contract-increase-for-Fire-Station-4-after-unexpected-soil-removals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059751-296778dd032452ed1cb9d69ba18459a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174869&Signature=AcRJ3y8y5oXvfIsOG8qu6qDf16ggWOD4264cyd66jc7dviVJmfTu8e8iRUSw1SGfDodzMdSWod-fX~x9hDZYmJcczRd5-t0ykZ72z9~NqhibgPkCwrtsCyaTW5ozSMHXrpxgER9pd-4zj1ALn97AytlzvcA6n04iktIN6-ZRo4pQXIdUytc0ctGWDreN9WSQBhcacU~GKin1FI4-7pvFbsmbTJIcAvTDx10T4gEV9ShqV7kGtTzZoJzH3JWn1E2f4YveHbXjpk2i6ZorDModv4FbfhuPrZl1e-ZGOqxC4GaT8Fs6sRgLgHUOvOmYoWNBkQRUJ8q00ALsLOoKxiy78A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The DeKalb City Council voted unanimously on May 12 to amend the Fire Station No. 4 construction contract, adding $84,642 to the not-to-exceed amount to cover unanticipated excavation and a few contract change orders.

The vote authorizes an increase to a previously approved general contract for the station at 1130 S. Malta Road. City Manager Nicholas told the council bidders came in under the original budget but contractors encountered extensive topsoil deposits in parts of the site that required additional removal and clay import to provide stable bearing for foundations. \"A good part of what you're seeing here is that,\" Nicholas said, describing the twice-repeated need to excavate and replace soft material under both the building footprint and back parking area.

Nicholas said the total change represents roughly 2% of the base contract and that the low-bid contractor still produced a final amount under the city's overall budget for the project. He said some architectural costs were advanced using the city's GEMT fund and staff expect to return any remaining available funds as the project closes out. The council recorded a 6–0 roll call in favor of the amendment.

Council members thanked staff and contractors for moving the project forward on schedule. The council did not change the project scope; the increase covers construction change orders and geotechnical remediation required to meet building standards.","Council approved an $84,642 increase to the construction contract for Fire Station No. 4 to cover unanticipated excavation and related change orders; city manager said the project still remained under the overall budget and funding will be managed from capital and available reserves.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6059756,"DeKalb Fire Chief presents 2024 report, highlights training, AED program and community paramedicine plans",493,1020000,1513000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3293812-076c77124c055e441032b09e3fdd3ae8&start=1020&end=1513","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3293812-076c77124c055e441032b09e3fdd3ae8/thumbnail_1020000.jpg","/articles/6059756/DeKalb-City/DeKalb-County/Illinois/DeKalb-Fire-Chief-presents-2024-report-highlights-training-AED-program-and-community-paramedicine-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059756-acbb98ba92ca74a4d5f6f78db960abf4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174869&Signature=ATfkAjW2~Bq7Q4yVMYYqFbC~L4OqTJ4j5ILMfb-H1htvaPn5Ih4E1rDzMb9swev4FnY9rQGIPIJqWApKEhr~UUMwQ6iVNw2idDdxPidaK5anXNAeMJ-4qcQxnMe06YmYnyfW-5heW2yth9eKgV-iJQwsUMkRPTMqVK-wGnR00e1sjJW7XnlgO4KDLWb~TEAekkS9z~9rexAxNBaIhzFxBC3e5oHMoZNAvZb7bA4~csLBKYarYSOLY2-ZLNXYWZJtpNfS1auxyLP-4gDrkH2b8l37RY~rs26JKAXkx2sBnFcxUG-QKGV-EoKYfxqfnWIbAkEkkFI1mR1-ArDgcOoygA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","DeKalb Fire Chief Thomas presented the department’s 2024 annual report to the City Council on May 12, reporting high training hours, heavy EMS demand and plans to launch a community paramedicine program to reduce nonemergent 911 calls.

The report matters because ambulance and engine calls make up the bulk of the department’s work and patterns of recurring nonemergent calls are driving program changes. \"We found out that there was a strong trend of non emergent calls,\" Chief Thomas said, adding the department and partner agencies connected repeat patients with services such as Elder Care, RAMP and the DeKalb County Housing Authority.

Chief Thomas reported roughly 7,400 engine responses and about 6,600 ambulance responses in 2024, and said approximately 81% of the department’s workload was medical. The department logged nearly 30,000 hours of training, and volunteers contributed to a community AED (LifePak) program that has placed 16 devices with cost-sharing grants to local entities.

The chief described two individual patients in 2023 who together generated more than 120 calls — an example organizers used to justify a targeted response model. \"As a result of that, that kind of led us down the path that we need to be more active in finding these people that need that extra help,\" the chief said. City staff noted grant-writing is underway to support a community paramedicine pilot that would give fire/EMS staff a role in connecting frequent callers to social or health services.

Chief Thomas also told the council Station 4 opened recently and the department expects delivery of a new Rosenbauer King Cobra ladder truck \"by the end of the month,\" equipment the chief said should serve the city for 25–30 years. Council members thanked the chief and the department for the report; there was no formal council action tied to the presentation.

The full annual report is available on the city website, the chief said, and council members asked staff to continue updating them as the community paramedicine work advances.","Fire Chief Thomas told the council the department logged thousands of EMS responses in 2024, invested heavily in training and volunteers supported AED placements; chief and council discussed starting a community paramedicine program to reduce nonemergency calls.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6059761,"DeKalb City Council hears water system master plan calling for new well, southern transmission loop and generator upgrades",1049,2843000,3892000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3293812-076c77124c055e441032b09e3fdd3ae8&start=2843&end=3892","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3293812-076c77124c055e441032b09e3fdd3ae8/thumbnail_2843000.jpg","/articles/6059761/DeKalb-City/DeKalb-County/Illinois/DeKalb-City-Council-hears-water-system-master-plan-calling-for-new-well-southern-transmission-loop-and-generator-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059761-708c27fc60229284d7ad830b3fa38f21/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174869&Signature=nqtfku5Z6re2Fiptm4-LUs7y-Ls4NhpGOFGIHyqgLvcPEeq-MRJ2oglYryr0xLoZfCAaVIpeNrARtoiwYCcghZif9zplwiLi4O8sS1tO7zlDOPm8akNvKZuReW5E5BojMBySdd1OPS0FbMFmnw0-VsxDFZ8JCLDyP72YN0RwgkPKZ03CMNORvxx6KMBZr8jN1-tP6-PICzcQMipI3Fh2dyfEJUBRuhEL5Vtslq0ByWBe42NidcLqv0gxKqRaQJkGmSKqdyhhBqsNX4zGswGnLWwQE0YiDywPNPNLOXqCkU0dmXRwNyIgLFM97eW6v7sufhIOnpTsgTgvGkRTyNic3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","DeKalb City Manager Nicholas and consultants from Baxter & Woodman outlined a water system master plan to the DeKalb City Council on May 12, recommending a new shallow well, a transmission main to extend service and staged emergency power and distribution upgrades to support projected growth.

The plan matters because DeKalb’s recent commercial and industrial growth — and projected future users — will increase daily demand. \"In about 10 years... by the most conservative calculation our use would be offset beginning to offset basically what we can pump in a day,\" City Manager Nicholas said, adding the city should act now rather than wait for higher costs later.

Baxter & Woodman and city staff told the council the study modeled demand by land-use types (residential, light industrial, high-use industrial, logistics, etc.) and found the city can meet near-term needs with projects staged over several years. The highest-priority recommendations in the presentation were: (1) drill a new shallow well the consultants estimate would add \"about a thousand more gallons a day\" (approximate figure stated in the presentation); (2) design and build a transmission main south from the existing loop along U.S. 23 to Keslinger and Hampton Road to serve ongoing south-side development; (3) continue replacement of small-diameter, aging mains (4- and 6-inch mains) in older neighborhoods to improve fire flow; and (4) add or upgrade backup emergency power to wells and pump stations in a multi-year schedule.

City Manager Nicholas and Water Superintendent Justin Netzer explained the city operates alternating pumping schedules and four elevated storage tanks to protect the aquifer and reduce peak costs. The report notes about 81% of the system's calls were medical/EMS-related responses for the related utility operations discussion, and that the city currently stores roughly 6 million gallons across its towers. \"We are alternating pumping so that we can make sure that we're being kind to our aquifer,\" Nicholas said.

Staff described the south-side transmission main as roughly 60% through preliminary design; the project would create another loop to serve more than 1,000 acres and improve the utility footprint for large employers that have chosen DeKalb. City staff said they will pursue a low-interest loan through the Illinois EPA (IEPA) as one potential financing path and will return to council with recommended funding options once final costs are firm. The consultants also recommended continued asset management and replacement of aging mains in historic neighborhoods to increase fire-flow capacity and system resilience.

Council members emphasized funding coordination with new development, and Alderman Burbank said the master plan data will be critical to building a funding model that aligns developer contributions, loans and city capital. On mutual aid, staff clarified the plan also mentions a future valve interconnect with neighboring Sycamore for emergency fire protection, not a permanent supply transfer.

The council did not take formal action on the master plan at the May 12 meeting; staff said they will return with final design work, a financing proposal and a prioritized implementation timeline for council approval.","City staff and consultants presented a Baxter & Woodman water system master plan recommending a new shallow well, a transmission main to serve south-side growth and staged emergency power upgrades; council received the report and staff will return with financing and design steps.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

DeKalb Township seeks Oakwood Cemetery expansion; council approves zoning change on consent

Council approves first reading to allow unincorporated Pleasant Street resident to connect to city water

Council approves small contract increase for Fire Station 4 after unexpected soil removals

DeKalb Fire Chief presents 2024 report, highlights training, AED program and community paramedicine plans

DeKalb City Council hears water system master plan calling for new well, southern transmission loop and generator upgrades