Citizens' Community Enhancement Commission

MINUTES MEETING OF THE CITIZENS’ COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT COMMISSION CITY OF DEKALB October 17, 2016 The Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission (CCEC) of the City of DeKalb, Illinois held a regular meeting on Monday, October 17, 2016 in the Haish Conference Room of the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois. The meeting was called to order at 4:04 p.m. ROLL CALL Roll was recorded by Economic Development Planner, Jason Michnick, and the following members of the Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission members present were: Susan Johnson, Chair, Cohen Barnes, Brad Hoey, Brad Pietens, and Deborah Booth. Members absent were Michael Mooney and Bob Boey. Also present were City Manager, Anne Marie Gaura, and Acting Community Development Director, Jo Ellen Charlton. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION Chair Johnson asked if any changes to the agenda needed to be made. Mr. Barnes made a motion to add further discussion on incorporating Clinton-Rosette Middle School students into the public art projects, the City’s logo on the City website, and a temporary Proudly DeKalb sign on the vacant land on West Lincoln Highway. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hoey and carried on a voice vote. Chair Johnson asked for someone to make a motion to approve the amended agenda, which was made by Mr. Barnes. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hoey and was carried on a voice vote. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION Chair Johnson requested a motion for approval of the minutes. Mr. Barnes moved to approve minutes. Mr. Hoey seconded the motion. Motion carried on voice vote. BUSINESS 1. Ordinance and Re-Appointment Update Planner Michnick updated the commission on the status of the requested amendments to Chapter 65 “Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission.” The amendment was presented at the October 10th City Council Regular Meeting as a first reading. No questions were asked and the first reading was passed unanimously. The second reading will be on the agenda for October 24th, as well as the reappointments of six commissioners. Chair Johnson asked if anyone wished to serve as chair of the commission, citing that change in leadership can help keep a group dynamic. No commissioners came forward as a volunteer and stated that they feel the group has made progress in recent months and wishes to keep up the progress as is. At this time, Mr. Barnes asked for an update on the Economic Development Commission. City Manager Gaura stated that the commission appointments would be brought to City Council during either the October 24th meeting or the November 14th meeting. She believe that the mayor is only looking for one or two more spots to fill. Mr. Barnes asked if the mayor was soliciting suggestions and would like to submit names if needed. City Manager Gaura recommended that Mr. Barnes reach out with suggestions. 2. Vacant Window Program Planner Michnick reported back on the research that was conducted towards creating a vacant window ordinance. After speaking with the City Attorney, it was determined that the best place for a vacant window ordinance in the City Code would be a pending vacant property ordinance that would be brought forward in 2017. The ordinance would require that commercial property owners cover their windows if the property became vacant, however, the commission would need to determine a program and process for helping property owners fill the windows with public art of some sort. Planner Charlton asked the commission if there was a specific part of the City that they wished to have the requirement or if it would be commercial properties city-wide. The commission agreed that it would be beneficial to have the program everywhere, but the vision had been for high foot-traffic areas such as downtown or Sycamore Road. Mr. Barnes pointed out that the City invested nearly $15 million on renovating and improving the aesthetics of the downtown, but there has been a vacant storefront on the most prominent corner which detracts from the investment. The commission was successful in raising $1900 to pay for the window clings to be put on that property, but that requirement would not be sustainable, as the cost would be too high for the property owner. Mr. Barnes proposed a tiered option with the top tier being a window cling that the owner could purchase, similar to the “legacy of innovation” concept which was still being worked on. A second tier would involve connecting property owners with artists that could paint on the outside of the window, with material costs being covered by the City. The last tier would be a generic paper that had logos or was more visually appealing than white or brown plain paper. Mr. Hoey also brought up the idea of a foam-core or corrugated board that could be hung on the inside, which he could get a cost estimate for in the next month. He also pointed out that earlier in the summer, the commission looked at examples from Bozeman, Montana that had murals on the windows that carried through the downtown. Chair Johnson pointed out that the arts council was in charge of that project and they had also created a utility box wrap program that extended to a town a couple miles away. Mr. Barnes who has also visited Bozeman pointed out that the town and university there are both smaller than DeKalb and Northern. Planner Charlton asked if a similar program was the goal, but they wished to start with vacant windows as a first step. The commission agreed that it was their intent. City Manager Gaura asked Planner Michnick to invite the City Attorney to the next commission meeting to discuss how the program would fit in the vacant property ordinance, but urged the commission to move forward before that. Planner Michnick pointed out that several merchants had volunteered for window painting for both NIU and DKHS homecomings, but not enough school groups signed up to paint. If the commission could find artists, he believed that merchants and property owners would be willing to volunteer. The commission determined that the best way to find artists was through the DeKalb Area Arts Council and that they would reach out to Alex Nerad to discuss the concept. 3. Clinton-Rosette Middle School Program Mr. Barnes updated the group that there are now ten students at Clinton-Rosette Middle School (CRMS) that wish to get involved in contributing public art to the community. The art group has also formerly been approved by the principal at the school. He asked if there were any concepts or ideas to get them started. Chair Johnson brought up fire hydrant painting as a great way to get students involved with their neighbors to determine a concept for hydrants. City Manager Gaura stated that staff would need to confirm if the Fire Department would approve, and if so, where in the City. She also stated that City Hall had been offered as a location for NIU homecoming painting, but was ultimately not needed as a location. CRMS students could paint the windows on the west side of City Hall. Planner Michnick and Mr. Barnes will coordinate on informing students and getting that project underway. 4. Clinton-Rosette Middle School (CRMS) Art Students Mr. Barnes informed the group that his daughter, who is currently a student at CRMS, was very interested in being engaged in the public art process. When she shared what the CCEC was doing to help facilitate more public art, several other students expressed a desire to contribute art. Mr. Barnes asked if there would be a possibility to have students contribute by painting vacant store front windows. Planner Michnick stated that he would structure the vacant window ordinance to allow different types of coverings. Chair Johnson and Mr. Barnes also asked if a fire hydrant painting program would be possible. Planner Michnick committed to investigating with other City staff and reporting back. 5. City Logo on City Website Planner Michnick informed commissioners and City Staff that were not present at the previous meeting on what was previously discussed. Several commissioners stated that there are other indicators that should be able to point out that the City’s website is for DeKalb, Illinois. City Manager Gaura informed the commission that the frequency of staff fielding calls from individuals that are trying to reach another DeKalb is greater than one would expect. Several concepts were discussed on how to incorporate the City’s logo but still distinguish DeKalb as being in Illinois. It was determined that the topic would be carried on to the next month’s meeting and an invitation to the Management Analyst who was involved in the project would be extended. 7. Sign on West Lincoln Highway The previous month’s discussion on a sign was rehashed so that City Manager Gaura and Acting Director Charlton could be brought up to speed on the topic. City Manager Gaura shared a history of the site with the commission and asked if there was a specific concept in mind. Two concepts were discussed, the first being a #ProudlyDeKalb cutout, similar to the “Hollywood” sign in Los Angeles, and the second being an NIU – Huskie Country sign. The commission requested that a call be made to the property owner to determine if any potential project would be allowed. Planner Michnick confirmed he would coordinate a call. 8. New Project Brainstorming The commission determined that the initiatives brought forward in the meeting would take more than the next month to coordinate, and no new projects should be discussed at this time. ADJOURNMENT MOTION Chair Johnson requested a motion for adjournment. Mr. Hoey moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Barnes. Motion carried on voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 5:28 p.m. _____________________________________ Jason Michnick, Economic Development Planner