Citizens' Community Enhancement Commission

MINUTES MEETING OF THE CITIZENS’ COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT COMMISSION CITY OF DEKALB November 16, 2015 The Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission (CCEC) of the City of DeKalb, Illinois held a regular meeting on Monday, November 16, 2015 in the Ellwood Conference Room of the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois. The meeting was called to order at 4:25 p.m. ROLL CALL Roll was recorded by Deputy City Clerk Tammey Higgins, and the following members of the Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission were present: Bob Boey, Brad Hoey, Mike Mooney, Brad Pietens, and Deborah Booth. Absent was Chair Susan Johnson, Cohen Barnes, Lisa Small, and Camyle Tate. Also present were: Management Analyst Lauren Stott, Management Analyst Jerad Heyn and Deputy City Clerk Tammey Higgins. Additional attendees were: Sam Rorrie and Khalil Haddad, NIU students. APPROVAL OF TEMPORARY CHAIR As Chair Johnson was not in attendance, Ms. Stott requested a motion to vote for a temporary chair for the meeting. Mr. Boey nominated Mr. Pietens; seconded by Mr. Mooney. Mr. Pietens declined and nominated Mr. Hoey; seconded by Mr. Boey. Motion carried on voice vote for Mr. Hoey to act as temporary chair for the meeting. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION Mr. Boey moved to approve the Agenda; seconded by Mr. Pietens. Motion carried on voice vote. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION Mr. Pietens moved to approve the minutes for October 19, 2015; seconded by Mr. Boey. Motion carried on voice vote. BUSINESS 1. Staffing Update Ms. Stott introduced Management Analyst Jerad Heyn as the new liaison for the CCEC and provided a brief summary of his background. She advised members that she would continue Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission November 16, 2015 Page 2 of 3 to assist with ongoing projects as Mr. Heyn became more familiar with the projects. Mr. Heyn took the opportunity to inform attendees that Ms. Jennifer Diedrich, City staff member, had advised him that the OC Imageworks commercial relating to the upcoming IHSA event would be shown at the November 23, 2015 Council meeting and would also be broadcast on Comcast. Mr. Hoey provided additional background relating to the commercial and advised attendees that the commercial was scheduled to air 25 times. Additional background information was provided to the NIU students. 2. Strategic Plan Draft Review Update Ms. Stott provided general background regarding the Strategic Plan Draft and advised attendees that the Strategic Plan Draft would be presented to at the November 23, 2015 Council meeting. She stated that City staff were requesting input from all City boards, commissions, and committees regarding the Strategic Plan Draft. She provided attendees with the review timeline: November 18, 2015 – draft available; November 18, 2015 – December 4, 2015 – public comment period. She further advised attendees that they could consider the options of either having a special meeting to review their comments or provide independent recommendations. After a short discussion, it was the consensus of the attendees that independent recommendations would be more efficient. 3. Adopt-A-Hydrant Program Discussion Ms. Stott advised attendees that Mr. Barnes had requested this item be included on the agenda. She then provided a general background on the history of this program and advised that the Public Works Dept. had not been in favor of the project. Ms. Stott commented that the members could go forward with putting a proposal together and submitting same to Council for their consideration. Ms. Booth inquired as to nature of Public Works objections. Mr. Heyn advised that safety concerns were the primary reason; visual distraction being an important concern. Discussion ensued relating to safety concerns and potential locations. Ms. Stott again advised attendees that if the CCEC felt strongly about this project, they should go forward. Further discussion followed relating to other community applications and their experiences, utility box project history. The City of Geneva’s program was referenced and Mr. Hoey committed to obtaining additional information relating to that project. Mr. Pietens requested that this item be kept on the agenda for discussion when Ms. Johnson and Mr. Barnes were in attendance. Mr. Hoey is to track the item with liaison staff. 4. Yards of Distinction Update Ms. Stott requested input relating to the Yards of Distinction nominations. Mr. Pietens advised he had one nomination. It was discussed to have the nomination recognized at the November 23, 2015 Council meeting. Discussion following on prior decision to maintain both the Yards of Distinction and Lights of Distinction programs viable through the end of the year. An item of discussion related to releasing a press release on the programs. Ms. Stott advised attendees that an updated form had been included at the back of their packets. 5. Project Liquid Sunshine Update Ms. Stott provided a brief description of the OC Imageworks project which entailed designs on sidewalks with water-resistant paint. The designs would be visible whenever a rain event  Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission November 16, 2015 Page 3 of 3 occurred. Discussion included a springtime timeline with future updates to come. Attendees were asked to consider potential target areas which included high profile traffic areas, Lucinda, Normal, downtown area and also special events such as Homecoming, Cornfest, etc. 6. DAAHA Historical Marker Update Ms. Stott provided background information relating to the Historical Marker installation at the Memorial Park on First and Route 38. Due to concerns by Veteran group, the marker is to be relocated to a different location. Current location is the gazebo area located at DeKalb Square (Fourth and Route 38). She asked attendees if they had any knowledge of any special interest groups that would have a concern for the placement of the marker at that location. Mr. Pietens commented that the new potential site was actually geographically located closer to the creation site of the flying ear of corn design that the initial location. Ms. Stott again asked attendees to provide her with any information they may have on the potential site. ADJOURNMENT MOTION Mr. Boey moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Ms. Booth. Motion carried on voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m. ____________________________________ TAMMEY HIGGINS, DEPUTY CLERK Approved by Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission February 16, 2016