Citizens' Community Enhancement Commission

MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB CITIZENS’ COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT COMMISSION December 11, 2023 The Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission (CCEC) held a special meeting on December 11, 2023, in the Second Floor Training Room of the DeKalb Police Department, 700 West Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, Illinois. Chair Brad Hoey called the meeting to order at 4:09 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 and Commissioners Melissa Beck, Brandon Elion and Ellingsworth Webb. Absent were Commissioners Jeanine Holcomb and Helen Umbdenstock. B. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – ADDITIONS/DELETIONS MOTION Mr. Webb motioned to approve the agenda, seconded by Ms. Beck. VOTE The agenda was approved by unanimous voice vote. C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 18, 2023 MOTION Ms. Beck motioned to approve the minutes, seconded by Mr. Webb. VOTE The minutes were approved by unanimous voice vote. D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION No public comments were received. E. NEW BUSINESS 1. REVIEW OF 2023 AND GOAL SETTING FOR 2024 Mr. Zak shared photos of the projects completed this year: the three first utility box vinyl wraps, the Huskie Pride underpass, the Belonging mural on City Hall and eight new Paint-A-Plugs. Mr. Zak also shared an email from Megan Flack, a CITIZENS’ COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT COMMISSION DECEMBER 11, 2023 PAGE 2 OF 3 Paint-A-Plug artist, stating she found the experience “encouraging and supportive” as she received compliments while painting a hydrant near the high school. Chair Hoey said the promotion of the projects has peaked community interest in public art. Mr. Zak reviewed grants that are available for future projects from Lowe’s, the National Association of REALTORS, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Illinois Arts Council Agency and the Illinois Office of Tourism. The tourism grants include $10,000 to $50,000 for events and festivals with an equal match. Chair Hoey said this may be a good grant for the Day of the Dead event. Also, the Glidden Homestead is planning an event for the 150th anniversary of the Winner. The Commission agreed to pursue the Lowe’s Hometown Grant again, this time for a veterans mural. Commissioners brainstormed ideas for future projects. Chair Hoey noted a sculpture walk and mural event have been discussed in the past. Ms. Beck suggested improving the signs to Van Buer Plaza, and Chair Hoey said the same as been suggested before for the City’s welcome signs. Mr. Webb suggested finding a new home for a large table piece that was formerly displayed at NIU and creation of a miniature park with public art in the former community garden space at City Hall Suites. Ms. Beck said a playground could be created to encourage people to visit downtown. Chair Hoey said a large DeKalb sign could be created for the vacant lot at Lincoln Highway and Fourth Street. He complimented the Commission on their ideas and encouraged coming up with examples from other communities. 2. ILLINOIS OFFICE OF TOURISM GRANTS Since these grants were discussed as part of the previous item, no further information was presented here. 3. MEMORIAL BENCH Since Ms. Umbdenstock was unable to attend the meeting, no information was shared on this item. 4. VETERANS MURAL At the last meeting, the Commission agreed the 20’x20’ mural on the north wall of Plaza DeKalb might get lost if installed halfway up the wall as initially proposed, and it was suggested the mural be moved to the bottom right corner. Mr. Zak shared the artist, Mary Gallagher Stout, also had concerns about placement in the middle of the wall. It was agreed to move forward with the new location. The budget was reviewed, which includes an estimate of $7,900 for the vinyl panels and a $200 artist fee. 5. NEXT UTILITY BOXES CITIZENS’ COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT COMMISSION DECEMBER 11, 2023 PAGE 3 OF 3 Mr. Zak said creation of the vinyl wraps recommended by the Commission for the boxes on Locust Street and at East Lincoln Highway and Third Street are moving forward. Since few designs were submitted for the second round of utility box wraps, Mayor Barnes has suggested soliciting original artwork that can be photographed or scanned to create future wraps. The Commission supported this approach. F. OLD BUSINESS 1. LET’S MOVE TO THE MUSIC Since Ms. Umbdenstock was unable to attend the meeting, no information was shared on this item. 2. OTHER UPDATES Mr. Zak shared the Public Works Department was able to fix an area of graffiti on the Unity Mural using a vinyl wrap. In addition to the annual spring planting, Ms. Beck suggested changing out the downtown planters seasonally. Also downtown, Mr. Webb suggested adding additional elements around the Victor E. Huskie statue. Chair Hoey said the auto restoration business on Pleasant Street is interested in a mural on its building. G. ADJOURNMENT MOTION Ms. Beck motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Elion. VOTE The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote, and the meeting was adjourned at 5:26 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Scott Zak Management Analyst Minutes approved by the Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission on January 16, 2024.