DeKalb council approves civility pledge, Cinco de Mayo closure, transit grant signatory and $11.56M IDOT agreement

The DeKalb City Council at its March 9 meeting approved a package of resolutions and ordinances, including a civility pledge, a street closure for a Cinco de Mayo celebration, delegation of grant-signing authority to the transit manager, an $11,555,810 Downstate Operating Assistance Agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation and new local liquor-license language for hotels.

The council adopted resolution 20260034 to endorse a civility pledge based on the Illinois Municipal League’s model, with Alderman Zazada moving and Alderman Powell seconding the motion; the resolution passed by roll call. The council also approved resolution 2026035 to close Illinois Route 38 (Lincoln Highway) between 1st and 4th Streets on May 3, 2026, for the Cinco de Mayo celebration. Staff recommended the street closure and council members expressed support.

On transit matters, council authorized the transit manager to serve as the city’s authorized official to submit Federal Transit Administration grant applications and to sign related certifications and assurances (CY 20265307), a step staff said would streamline technical grant submissions. City Manager Bill Nicholas described the administrative move as practical given the volume and technical nature of grant paperwork.

The council approved the SFY 2027 Downstate Operating Assistance Agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation in the amount of $11,555,810. “It’s a lot of money. It’s about 82% of our operating expenses for the year,” City Manager Bill Nicholas said, adding that the grant program includes local matches from Northern Illinois University and passenger fares. Transit staff also gave an update on new buses: the transit manager said six Gillig buses were ordered in December 2024 and the first bus has been produced, with deliveries expected to begin during the current month.

Council approved a resolution to purchase and equip two 2026 Chevrolet Tahoes for the DeKalb Fire Department for up to $118,208 using GEMT funding; staff said one vehicle replaces a roughly 12-year-old Ford Explorer and both will help coordinate on-scene responses.

On ordinances, the council passed ordinance 2026-610 publishing the official zoning map on first reading and waived second reading as required by state statute. Council also introduced and approved on first reading ordinance 2026-611 to add a hotel-suite liquor license classification that requires a staffed cooler area near the hotel front desk; Pramit Patel, identified by staff as president and CEO of B05 Hotels, was in the audience and later spoke in support of full-service hotel amenities that would serve Northern Illinois University visitors.

Votes at a glance:
• Approval of agenda — moved by Alderman Smith, seconded by Alderman Zazada — adopted by roll call (unanimous).
• Consent agenda (minutes, payroll $3,226,801.51, financial reports, workman’s comp payment of $31,377.60) — moved by Alderman Carlson, seconded by Alderman Larson — adopted by roll call (unanimous).
• Resolution 20260034 (civility pledge) — moved by Alderman Zazada, seconded by Alderman Powell — adopted by roll call (unanimous).
• Resolution 2026035 (Route 38 closure for Cinco de Mayo) — moved by Alderman Smith, seconded by Alderman Powell — adopted by roll call (unanimous).
• Resolution authorizing transit manager as FTA grant signatory (CY 20265307) — moved by Alderman Powell, seconded by Alderman Zazada — adopted by roll call (unanimous).
• Resolution approving SFY 2027 IDOT Downstate Operating Assistance Agreement — amount $11,555,810 — moved by Alderman Carlson, seconded by Alderman Smith — adopted by roll call (unanimous).
• Resolution to purchase and equip two 2026 Chevrolet Tahoes for DeKalb Fire Dept — not-to-exceed $118,208 — moved by Alderman Zazada, seconded by Alderman Powell — adopted by roll call (unanimous).
• Ordinance 2026-610 (publish zoning map) — first reading passed, second reading waived — moved by Alderman Larson, seconded by Alderman Carlson.
• Ordinance 2026-611 (hotel-suite liquor license) — first reading passed, second reading waived; staff noted operational controls (staffed 21+ attendant at hotel cooler) and Mr. Pramit Patel of B05 Hotels was present to answer questions.

What’s next: Staff said the first of the newly ordered Gillig buses should be available for inspection at a future council meeting. No executive session was held; the meeting adjourned after council reports and brief manager remarks.