DeKalb council approves fleet purchases, test well, easement and other resolutions; annexation amendment for transit center passes first reading

The DeKalb City Council approved multiple resolutions and moved two ordinances on Oct. 13, 2025, covering vehicle purchases, water‑system testing, utility easements, community development grants and land conveyance for a planned transit center.

Key approvals at a glance - Resolution 2025‑089: Authorized purchase of three medium‑duty paratransit buses from Midwest Transit Equipment Inc. for up to $416,181. City staff said federal grant funds will fully fund the replacements. The motion was moved by Alderman Smith and seconded by Alderman Larson; the council approved the resolution by roll call.

- Resolution 2025‑090: Authorized purchase of one 2025 Chrysler Voyager ADA‑accessible minivan from Southern Bus and Mobility for up to $71,502. Moved by Alderman Carlson and seconded by Alderman (recorded second) — approved by roll call.

- Resolution 2025‑091: Authorized Prairie State Water Systems Inc. to drill a test well on the Belvedere Farms West Lincoln property for an amount not to exceed $44,900. Staff said Prairie State submitted the lowest responsive bid; the council approved the resolution by roll call.

- Resolution 2025‑092: Authorized a grant of easement to Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) along Barbara Green Road to support a three‑phase power extension; the council approved the easement by roll call.

- Resolution 2025‑093: Authorized purchase and installation of a Caterpillar D400GC diesel generator at the West Lincoln Highway Water Treatment Plant from Ultifer Industries Inc. for up to $349,792. Staff said the quote came in well under earlier estimates and will increase emergency pumping capacity by over 3 million gallons per day. The council approved the resolution by roll call.

- Resolution 2025‑094: Authorized subrecipient agreements totaling $60,100 for fiscal year 2025 community development block grant (CDBG) public‑service allocations for local agencies (children’s learning center, elder care services, Hope Haven, Safe Passage, Voluntary Action Center) for the period April 1, 2025–March 31, 2026. The funds come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development program; the motion passed by roll call with one abstention recorded.

- Resolution 2025‑095: Approved purchase of a 01/2025 Ford Ranger XL from Brad Manning Ford for up to $37,998 after staff solicited bids and recommended the lowest in‑stock unit; approved by roll call.

Ordinances and land use - Ordinance 2025‑043 (first reading, second reading waived): Approved a first amendment to an annexation agreement tied to the Iron Gate development to secure roughly three acres the city will use for access to the planned DeKalb Transit Center. The council passed the ordinance on first reading and then voted to waive second reading, so the amendment moves forward; staff said federal funding for the transit center is essentially in place and that the city expects to proceed to bidding after federal approvals.

- Ordinance 2025‑044 (first reading, second reading waived): Approved the final plat for the DeKalb gas resubdivision for 802 South Fourth (Amoco convenience market). The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval by unanimous vote; the council passed first reading and waived second reading.

Why it matters: The approved fleet purchases sustain paratransit and ADA‑accessible transportation services; the generator and test well affect water reliability and capacity; the ComEd easement improves electrical service to airport‑adjacent parcels; and the annexation amendment clears a land‑access step needed to advance a federally funded transit center project.