Citizens' Community Enhancement Commission

DRAFT MINUTES MEETING OF THE CITIZENS’ COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT COMMISSION CITY OF DEKALB April 16, 2012 The Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission of the City of DeKalb, Illinois held a regular meeting on Monday, April 16, 2012 in the Large Conference Room #212 of the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 South 4th Street, DeKalb, Illinois. Chair Johnson called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Roll was recorded and the following members of the Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission were present: Susan Johnson, Brad Pietens, Brad Hoey, Bob Boey, and Mike Mooney. Absent were Lisa Small, Cohen Barnes and Camyle Tate. Also present were Rudy Espiritu, Assistant City Manager; Patti McAdams, Executive Secretary; and Marshall Dirks, Proven Winners Representative. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION Mr. Espiritu requested to amend the Agenda by adding item #4 Required Open Meetings Act Training. Mr. Pietens moved to approve the amended Agenda; seconded by Mr. Boey. Motion carried unanimously on voice vote. Chair Johnson declared the motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION Mr. Pietens moved to approve the Minutes of March 19, 2012 meeting as presented; seconded by Mr. Boey. Motion carried unanimously on voice vote. Chair Johnson declared the motion passed. BUSINESS: 1. Communiversity in Bloom Commissioners discussed at length this project which partners the City and Northern Illinois University. It was determined that Mr. Espiritu will take the lead role for the City and Mr. Hoey will take the lead role for NIU. Both the City and NIU have each committed to purchasing 20 planters at the cost of $1,000 for each planter. Mr. Espiritu stated the important task now is to determine where the 40 planters will be placed throughout the City and/or in the vicinity of the NIU campus. He stated, however, that the City’s  Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission Minutes April 16, 2012 Page 2 of 2 portion of placement of the planters will be limited to the TIF district because the dollars are coming from the TIF Fund. Everyone agreed that high visibility locations will be the most favorable placements of the planters. Mr. Dirks will work with City staff members Mr. Moore and Mr. Espy on placement. It was noted that the City and NIU will share in the maintenance of the planters. Commissioners discussed placing both City and NIU logos on the planters. Mr. Dirks asked if the Commission had discussed how the program will be launched. Mr. Boey suggested holding an Opening Ceremony when the planters arrive. Mr. Espiritu and Mr. Hoey will discuss and report to the Commission at the next meeting. Mr. Hoey will attend the April 23, 2012 City Council meeting and update the Council on the project. 2. Downtown Pedestrian Pass-Thru Mr. Espiritu stated there is currently graffiti painted on the walls of the pass-thru. He suggested a theme, maybe with some of the planters, to decorate this location. Many ideas were discussed, including painting a mini-history of DeKalb showing a timeline from the past to the present. Mr. Hoey suggested that this could be another project for the City and NIU to work on together. Mr. Dirks suggested holding a contest for a City/NIU logo; Mr. Boey recommended that a contest be held sometime this summer. Mr. Hoey will have NIU Art students and/or other representatives walk through the pass thru and ask for suggestions/ideas to beautify this location. 3. Yards of Distinction The Yards of Distinction program will begin soon and will run during the months of June, July, August and September. Mr. Hoey suggested putting the winners on the City’s Facebook Page. Mr. Pietens questioned that this might be a liability issue and that the City should perhaps get permission from the business or homeowner before posting it. The Yards of Distinction nomination form needs to be updated to address the liability issue. 4. Open Meetings Act Training Mr. Espiritu informed the Commissioners of their obligation to take the required Open Meetings Act On-Line Training; and, that information/instructions would be coming to them shortly. ADJOURNMENT: MOTION Mr. Mooney moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Boey. Motion carried unanimously on voice vote. Chair Johnson declared the meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m. Patti McAdams Executive Secretary, Recorder