Citizens' Community Enhancement Commission

MINUTES MEETING OF THE CITIZENS’ COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT COMMISSION CITY OF DEKALB March 19, 2018 The Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission (CCEC) of the City of DeKalb, Illinois held a regular meeting on Monday, March 19, 2018 in the Haish Conference Room of the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois. The meeting was called to order at 4:00p.m. ROLL CALL Roll was recorded by Community Development Director, Jo Ellen Charlton, and the following members of the Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission present were: Chair Sue Johnson, Cohen Barnes, Deborah Booth, Michael Mooney, Brad Pietens and Brad Hoey. Economic Development Planner, Jason Michnick and Bob Boey were absent. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION Chair Johnson asked for someone to make a motion to approve the agenda, which was made by Mr. Barnes with the addition of the Fire Hydrant Painting Program update in Old Business which will be given by Chair Johnson. The motion was seconded by Mr. Pietens and was carried on a voice vote. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Mayor Smith commented he feels the public art policy is very critical for the city. He thanked everyone for their work on the commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION Chair Johnson requested a motion for approval of the February 20, 2018 minutes. Mr. Hoey moved to approve the minutes. Mr. Barnes seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote. OLD BUSINESS Chair Johnson gave an update on the Fire Hydrant Painting Program, it was approved by the City Council. As of last Friday Planner Michnick is waiting for the e-mail and website location from the IT Department. The program will be ready to begin after that is complete. It will be in the Development area on the website. Mr. Barnes talked about trying to be more business and art friendly by adding the program to the Proudly DeKalb website, then put a link to the City of DeKalb and have instructions on how to proceed with the process. Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission March 19, 2018 Page 2 of 3 Mr. Hoey suggested featuring the fire hydrants once they are complete on the Proudly DeKalb website. There seems to be a lot of excitement about it, people are waiting to begin the program. NEW BUSINESS 1. Discussion of creating a public art policy and approval process Community Development Director, Jo Ellen Charlton discussed different points on the policy. She asked if this committee wanted to be responsible for the maintenance. There was a lengthy discussion on how to clarify if it is considered signage or art. An amendment to the sign code might have to be done. It was recommended for this committee to come up with the policy and application process. Should it be a committee function or have staff review applications. Chair Johnson mentioned in the past Renew DeKalb oversaw the mural projects in downtown DeKalb. Mr. Mooney said he could ask Jennifer Groce how the process worked in the past. Signage is more intended to direct attention. Director Charlton liked the idea of having a committee responsible for the process. Mr. Barnes feels that intention is the key of knowing if it’s a sign or art. Mr. Hoey asked what provisions the Commission would want. Mr. Barnes talked about what Bozeman, MT has done, they have wrapped the utility boxes, which was a huge project. They have done a lot with branding their city. Art on public property and art on private property are two different things and should have different guidelines. Mr. Barnes recommended that everything should come through the commission, make a recommendation to approve and send to the City Council. The commission would like to give people a chance for feedback. Mr. Hoey looked up Mankato, MN, they have an art council in charge of their policy. This Commission could be that group and look at the policies. Director Charlton said the Commission should start small and go from there. Mr. Hoey directed everyone to www.centurywalk.org in Naperville to look at what they have done. Mr. Barnes likes the idea of an artist creating a design then have other people paint it. If someone wants a mural on their building they need to submit a rendering first on what they want to do. It needs to be in good taste for the DeKalb community and something DeKalb could connect with. Director Charlton will check it from a code perspective. Mr. Barnes feels people will do a good job with their art, they would want their building to look good. Chair Johnson asked everyone to do their homework and check out what other communities have done. Next meeting will be Monday, April 16, 2018. ADJOURNMENT MOTION Chair Johnson requested a motion for adjournment. Ms. Booth moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Barnes. Motion carried on a voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 5:16p.m. ________________________________ Respectfully Submitted by Linda Odom, Recording Secretary Minutes approved by the Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission on April 16, 2018 Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission March 19, 2018 Page 3 of 3