The DeKalb Fire Department wants the City Council to change some of the wording of the Municipal Code in order to better address and clarify fire department costs regarding emergency incidents where operators of businesses are negligent or careless.

According to a memorandum from Fire Chief Peter Polarek to city manager Jim Connors, some of the language in the Municipal Code “severely limits the city’s ability to address careless acts by anyone other than a contractor.”

The fire department currently requires contractors to pay for the costs of an emergency response that is considered to be negligent, careless, malicious or incendiary. If the council votes to change the wording, not only the contractor but also the businesses will be required to pay for the costs.

Other items to be discussed at the council meeting include a resolution to authorize mayor Greg Sparrow to sign an agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation to resurface and expand the parking lot at DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport. The project will receive $140,000 in state of Illinois funding and $35,000 from the city of DeKalb.

Steve Irving’s request to change the residential zoning for a proposed Buena Vista townhouse project – which turned into a controversial issue between area residents and the developer – was withdrawn from the agenda. The change in zoning would have allowed Irving to build four two-unit dwellings near the Buena Vista Golf Club.