City Council was split Monday night on decisions to fund the proposed $17 million police station.

An ordinance that would raise restaurant and bar tax by a half percent to fund the station failed to pass.

Seventh Ward Alderman Brent Keller said he has been opposed to this tax since it was first brought up.

“At a time when the economy is as it is, and discretionary purchases and consumption in general are decreasing, I don’t think this is appropriate to levy upon not only the people of this town but business owners as well,” Keller said. “I do agree that we need a police station, but this is not the way to fund it.”

An ordinance passed which would put a water surcharge in every meter in DeKalb. The ordinance will come back to be approved as second reading. There was an amendment that would exclude

NIU from paying the surcharge, but it was voted down by the council. City Manager Mark Biernacki said the town was in negotiations with NIU to come up with an amount for them to contribute. He said there still may be an offer to the university before the next city council meeting in two weeks.

Keller said he doesn’t understand why the council wants to make NIU pay so much.

“To my knowledge the areas over which NIU has corporate authority is covered by the NIU Police. I really think we need to investigate how precisely we need to “hit” NIU, which I don’t think we need to do,” Keller said.

City Council passed a consideration to create the Public Safety Building Fund. This fund will contain money dedicated to the building of new public safety buildings. Council failed to pass a consideration to add $150 thousand to the fund from existing Home Rule Sales Tax. It failed because members of city council thought it would be wise to put off any decisions due to the current economic status of the city.

First Ward Alderman Bertrand Simpson said he is confused to why council wants to put off any decisions on the funding because of the current economic state of the world. He said this will not become another Great Depression.

“As far as understanding rudimentary and economically, this is not going to tumble down into that,” Simpson said. “We’ve got nations across the world trying to fix this like they have never tried to fix anything before. So for us to begin to act as though doom and gloom is the only thing on the menu for DeKalb, I think it is a mistake.”

Biernacki said there is still a remaining $450 thousand that is unaccounted for after this meeting. He said he will work to come up with a solution before the next city council meeting.

Additional agenda items

– City council passed considerations to Finance Phase Four Architectural Improvement Program project with tax increment financing funds at 125 S. Fourth St. and 129 S. Fourth St.

– Council passed a resolution to enter into a service agreement with Baxter and Woodman to provide staff support in the Community Development Department through Jan. 21, 2009.

– A bid was approved to Johler Demolition, Inc. to demolish 664 and 1003 E. Lincoln Highway.

– Council approved the request to reject the bids for the 2008-2009 snow removal season.

– Second reading of an ordinance was passed to rezone all properties bound by First Street on the west, Franklin Street between First, Fifth and Seventh Streets on the north, Seventh Street on the east and Taylor Street on the south from Multi-family Residential to Residential Conservation

District. This excludes 612 Grove St.Council passed the second reading of an ordinance that amends uses in light commercial and general commercial districts.

– First and second readings were passed on an ordinance providing for no parking on portions of Commerce Drive and Greenwood Drive.

– Council passed first and second readings of ordinances that raise the fines for offenses against public peace, fighting, disorderly house, noise control regulation, electronic sound systems and retail theft.

– Possession of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia were both added to the “Offenses Against Public Peace – Safety and Morals” municipal code.

– Possession of cannabis and drug paraphernalia were added to the “Mail-In Ordinance Violations” section of the municipal code.

– The “Management Benefit Plan” of the municipal code was revised.

– The city’s agreement with Tapalaluna, Inc. was amended to allow live music.

– The salary and compensation of the DeKalb City Clerk was fixed during the term commencing May 2009.

– Council authorized the city manager to negotiate and execute an agreement for the provision of Wholesale Electrical Supply Service for DeKalb.

– The mayor was authorized to enter in agreement with Hanson Professional Services, Inc. to facilitate the purchase of approximately two acres of land at DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport.