Citizens' Community Enhancement Commission

MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB CITIZENS’ COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT COMMISSION March 15, 2021 The Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission (CCEC) held a regular meeting on March 15, 2021 in the Community Room of the DeKalb Police Department, 700 West Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, Illinois. Chair Brad Hoey called the meeting to order at 4:04 P.M. A. ROLL CALL Roll call was recorded by Management Analyst Scott Zak and the following members of the CCEC were present: Chair Brad Hoey, Melissa Beck, Ellingsworth Webb, Helen Umbedenstock, Aaron Robertson and Kenneth Brown. Absent: Jeanine Holcomb. Also present were Mayor Jerry Smith and Management Analyst Scott Zak. With two new commissioners, Kenneth Brown and Aaron Robertson, and a new staff liaison, Scott Zak, the Commission took turns introducing themselves. Brian Oster of OC Creative also introduced himself and his company. B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – ADDITIONS / DELETIONS MOTION Mr. Webb moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Ms. Beck. VOTE AYE: Beck, Brown, Robertson, Umbdenstock, Webb, Hoey. Nay: None. Motion carried 6- 0. C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – September 21, 2020 MOTION Mr. Webb motioned to approve the minutes, seconded by Ms. Beck. VOTE AYE: Brown, Robertson, Umbdenstock, Webb, Beck, Hoey. Nay: None. Motioned carried 6-0. D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Brian Oster of OC Creative addressed the Commission. As part of his company’s mission to promote creativity in the community, Mr. Oster offered to provide a $50 incentive for the first ten Paint-A-Plug projects. Chair Hoey said the initiative would bring something fresh to the program. He said a Paint-A-Plug workshop with the DeKalb Public Library CITIZENS’ COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 PAGE 2 OF 4 has also been discussed in the past. Ms. Beck suggested other businesses may want to help with the incentive, and Mr. Webb suggested the library could advertise it on their bookmarks. Mr. Oster suggested a Paint-A-Plug website could be created next year. Chair Hoey believes there is a Paint-A-Plug gallery on the City’s website, but not on the City’s website, and that at least 20 hydrants have been painted so far. Mr. Oster presented other community art ideas including placing a cheerleader bullhorn with #proudlydekalb on a wall. He said it would be made of vinyl and inexpensive to create. He said another idea to paint an existing streetscape piece as a corn stalk would cost more than he anticipated. Another idea is to paint fire wings at a fire station that could be used as a photo opportunity when children are given tours or could be created in another spot in the City. Ms. Umbdenstock suggested contacting Neil Anderson, who does powder coating on metal, and making the wings out of rustic metal. Discussion then turned to public murals. Alderwoman Morris said there had been previous discussions about making a list of locations in the City prime for artwork to speed up the creation process. Chair Hoey said several businesses were interested in helping with the relocation of the #proudlydekalb logo that is now on the Egyptian Theatre wall. Mayor Smith said the Egyptian Theatre and local veteran groups are supportive of a veterans mural. Chair Hoey said there has been interest in creating a mural in the railroad underpass on Annie Glidden Road. Alderwoman Morris suggested starting with a list of City-owned properties that could be used by mural artists. Discussion then turned to the City’s planters. Mr. Oster said Proven Winners has relocated to DeKalb and wants to get involved in the City, and Chair Hoey said the business was a partner in planter boxes with the City and NIU. E. NEW BUSINESS 1. CCEC meeting schedule Chair Hoey said Commission meetings are moving to every other month to allow time for progress on initiatives between meetings. 2. Paint-A-Plug artists appreciation initiative MOTION: Ms. Umbdenstock motioned that the Commission support Mr. Oster’s proposal for a monetary incentive for the first ten Paint-A-Plug submissions for the 2021, seconded by Mr. Webb. VOTE: Aye: Robertson, Umbdenstock, Webb, Beck, Brown, Hoey. Nay: None. The motion was carried on a 6-0 vote. 3. Community art proposal CITIZENS’ COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 PAGE 3 OF 4 Mr. Hoey said he could support any of Mr. Oster’s proposals if an artist and funding could be found. Mr. Brown said finding a location where the artwork can be seen by the public is essential. Mr. Zak said a list of City-owned properties could be found quickly. Mr. Webb said the projects could easily be put in the Fire Department, Police Department, DeKalb High School, Welch Park, the Annie Glidden North neighborhood, NIU and Fargo Skate Park. The wall between the mini-mall and the former site of Campus Cinema was suggested as a potential site. Chair Hoey said starting with a list of City-owned properties for art sites would be a good start, and it was suggested other properties could then be solicited. MOTION: Ms. Beck motioned that the Commission support the creation of an online registry of available locations within the City for the creation and display of public art, seconded by Ms. Umbdenstock. VOTE: Aye: Webb, Beck, Brown, Robertson, Umbdenstock, Hoey. Nay: None. Motion was carried on a 6-0 vote. Discussion returned to the City’s planters. Ms. Beck said she would like to see a cohesive plan for the planters. Business sponsorship of the planters has been discussed in the past. Ms. Umbdenstock said Judy Schneider should be involved in the discussions. Chair Hoey said it should be investigated how the Commission can support the maintenance of the planters. F. OLD BUSINESS 1. Unity Mural at Lincoln Highway Underpass update Mr. Robertson explained the history of the mural and announced that the mural is completed and is awaiting a clearcoat. Chair Hoey complimented Mr. Robertson on how quickly the project was approved and believes it will serve as a catalyst for other art initiatives in the City. G. ADJOUNRMENT MOTION: Ms. Umbdenstock motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Webb. VOTE: Aye: Beck, Brown, Robertson, Umbdenstock, Webb, Hoey. Nay: None. The motion was carried on a 6-0 vote. The meeting was adjourned 5:23 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Scott Zak, Management Analyst CITIZENS’ COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 PAGE 4 OF 4 Minutes approved by the Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission on May 17, 2021.