Council approves vehicle, fire and transit purchases, zoning map, EV code changes and tobacco limit; waives some second readings

The DeKalb City Council on March 10 voted to approve a group of resolutions and ordinances spanning public‑works vehicles, fire and rescue equipment, transit grant authorizations, and several land‑use and sustainability code changes.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 2025‑025: Authorizes purchase of two Ford F‑250 pickup trucks for the Public Works Water Division in an amount not to exceed $137,399. Outcome: approved (roll call recorded as unanimous yes). Motion to bring to floor: not specified; roll call recorded as all present voting yes. - Resolution 2025‑026: Authorizes purchase of Genesis E‑Force battery‑operated extrication equipment from Equipment Management Company in an amount not to exceed $54,320 using Ground Emergency Medical Transportation (GEMT) funding (Fund 1340). Moved by Alderman Larson; seconded by Alderman Verbeck. Outcome: approved (unanimous yes). - Resolution 2025‑027: Authorizes payment to Municipal Emergency Services for three self‑contained breathing apparatus units in an amount not to exceed $26,100 using GEMT funding (Fund 130). Moved by Alderman Perkins; seconded by Alderman Smith. Outcome: approved (unanimous yes). - Resolution 2025‑028: Authorizes the SFY26 Downstate Operating Assistance Agreement between the City of DeKalb and the Illinois Department of Transportation to secure state operating assistance for transit. Motion by Alderman Burbank; second by Alderman Larson. City manager said the state funding for transit in this program was notable and referenced a larger state allocation for SFY. Outcome: approved (unanimous yes). - Resolution 2025‑029: Authorizes the transit manager to act as the authorized official to submit Federal Transit Administration grant applications and sign certifications and assurances on behalf of the city. Moved by Alderman Smith; seconded by Alderman Larson. Outcome: approved (unanimous yes). - Ordinance 2025‑011 (first reading, waiver approved): Publishing the official zoning map of the City of DeKalb. Moved by Alderman Burbank; seconded by Alderman Larson. Council waived second reading and approved on the floor. - Ordinance 2025‑012 (first reading, waiver approved): Amends the Unified Development Ordinance to allow electric‑vehicle charging stations across zoning districts and to join an EV readiness program. Moved by Alderman Burbank; seconded by Alderman Powell. Council waived second reading and approved on the floor. - Ordinance 2025‑013 (first reading, waiver approved): Amends Chapter 64 to limit the number of retail tobacco store licenses in the city to four. Moved by Alderman Walker; seconded by Alderman Burbank. Council waived second reading and approved on the floor. - Ordinance 2025‑014 (first reading, waiver approved): Renames the existing environmental commission award to the DeKalb STAR (Sustainability through Action, Resiliency and Responsibility) award. Moved by Alderman Larson; seconded by Alderman Powell. Council waived second reading and approved on the floor. - Consent agenda: Included approval of minutes of the Feb. 24 regular meeting, accounts payable and payroll through March 10, 2025 (amount listed in agenda materials; transcript line contained an unclear numeric string and the exact dollar figure is not specified in the record), and other routine financial and bureau reports. Moved by Alderman Perkins; seconded by Alderman Burbank. Outcome: approved (unanimous yes).

Context and key points: City Manager Nicholas and staff emphasized that the Downstate Operating Assistance Agreement and the federal FTA certifications are essential to keep the local transit system operating; the manager noted the state's SFY allocation for transit had increased markedly. The council also described the EV ordinance as an implementation step following the environmental commission's sustainability recommendations and the city's decision to join regional readiness efforts.

What the votes do not yet do: Several ordinances were approved on first reading with second‑reading waivers; final codification and implementation steps will follow standard administrative processes. No ordinance or resolution in this set was reported as failing or tabled.

Ending: Council members said they will follow up with staff about implementation details, including grant administration and the timeline for publishing and implementing the updated zoning and EV code provisions.