City Council

MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL CITY OF DEKALB March 26, 2013 The City Council of DeKalb, Illinois held a special meeting on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 in the Council Chambers of the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois. Notice was given and the meeting was called pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 2, Section 2.05 of the Municipal Code of the City of DeKalb, Illinois. Mayor Povlsen called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. A. ROLL CALL: Deputy Clerk Tammey Higgins called the roll and the following members of City Council were present: Mayor Kris Povlsen, Alderman David Jacobson (6:05 PM), Alderman Tom Teresinski, Alderman Kristen Lash, Alderman Brendon Gallagher, Alderman David Baker and Alderman Monica O’Leary. Absent was Alderman Ronald Naylor. Also present were: Mark Biernacki, City Manager; Rudy Espiritu, Assistant City Manager; Dean Frieders, City Attorney; Gene Lowery, Police Chief; Eric Hicks, Fire Chief; T.J. Moore, Public Works Director; Joel Maurer, Assistant Director Public Works Engineering/Transportation; Derek Hiland, Principal Planner; Jeff Birtell, I&T Technician; and Tammey Higgins, Deputy City Clerk. Additional participants present were: Dr. Anne Kaplan, Vice President of Outreach, Engagement and Information Technology – NIU; Bill Nicklas, Vice President of Public Safety and Community Relations – NIU; Diana Robinson, Director of the Center for Governmental Studies – NIU; Roger Dahlstrom, Assistant Director – Center for Governmental Studies; Dr. Shannon Sohl, Research Associate – Center for Governmental Studies – NIU; Kelley Chrisse, Research Associate – Center for Governmental Studies – NIU; and Jennifer Groce – Research Associate – Center for Governmental Studies – NIU. B. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – ADDITIONS/DELETIONS MOTION Ald. Gallagher moved to approve the Agenda; seconded by Ald. Teresinski. Motion carried on voice vote. Mayor Povlsen declared the motion passed. C. CONSIDERATION ITEM: CITY OF DEKALB/NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY DEKALB HOUSING INFORMATION PROJECT. Special Meeting March 26, 2013 Page 2 of 2 Mr. Biernacki introduced Diana Robinson, Director of the Center for Governmental Studies – NIU. Ms. Robinson thanked the City for undertaking this milestone project. She shared that preliminary discussions regarding the project had been held in late 2011 and that the Center had been involved in earnest work for the last 12 months. She then proceeded to review multiple factors of the project including the selection of the neighborhoods to be utilized, the creation of a baseline, and both short- and long-term benefits of the project. Dr. Sohl and Ms. Chrisse proceeded to provide a review of the data in the Final Report. Methodology inquiries from Council and citizens were addressed by all members of the Governmental Studies team, including Ms. Groce and Mr. Dahlstrom. The Governmental Studies team advised Council that this project provided the start of a database that needed to be updated annually, could be grown as desired, and that was a unique source of information not available in other similar communities. Mr. Biernacki commented on what an incredible piece of work had been done which value had far exceeded the cost for the project. The Governmental Studies team advised Council of their thankfulness for the cooperation and assistance from multiple City departments. D. ADJOURNMENT: Ald. Gallagher moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Ald. Lash. Motion carried on voice vote. Mayor Povlsen declared the meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM. _______________________________________ TAMMEY M. HIGGINS, Deputy City Clerk