Citizens' Community Enhancement Commission

MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB CITIZENS’ COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT COMMISSION March 27, 2023 The Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission (CCEC) held a special meeting on March 27, 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 4:31 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, Helen Umbdenstock and Ellingsworth Webb, Absent were: Commissioners Kenneth Brown, Jeanine Holcomb and Aaron Robertson. Also present were Mayor Cohen Barnes and Danielle Casali. B. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – ADDITIONS/DELETIONS MOTION Ms. Beck motioned to approve the agenda, seconded by Mr. Webb. VOTE The agenda was approved by unanimous voice vote. C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MARCH 20, 2023 MOTION Mr. Webb motioned to approve the minutes, seconded by Ms. Umbdenstock. VOTE The minutes were approved by unanimous voice vote. D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION No public comments were received. E. NEW BUSINESS 1. CITY HALL MURAL REVISED DESIGN Artist Danielle Casali said based on feedback from the Commission on the first draft, the City Hall mural design has been simplified. The historic architecture has been removed since it was not necessary. It has been replaced with a day-to- CITIZENS’ COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT COMMISSION MARCH 27, 2023 PAGE 2 OF 3 night affect and larger flower and vegetable images. The corn has been changed to a harvest color to blend in better and native butterflies and a moth have been added. Ms. Casali said the sunflower, Kishwaukee River and sporadic vegetables, flowers and pollinators will be the mosaic pieces. She shared there will also be small pollinators that can be tiled by one person. It was suggested that a person who knows American Sign Language be contacted to make sure the belonging hand sign is correct. Mayor Barnes questioned if people would know what the Huskie hand signal is. Mr. Webb said the signal has become common, and Chair Hoey said he likes that it is not an overt representation of Northern Illinois University and that viewers will have to do a deep dive into what the imagery represents, possibly using a QR code. Ms. Casali said there will still be opportunities to add other objects, such as a cardinal. Mayor Barnes said the design was beautiful, and Ms. Umbdenstock described it as gorgeous. Chair Hoey said the Commission supported the design from the first draft and that the modifications are terrific. MOTION Chair Hoey motioned to approve the revised City Hall mural design for submission to the City Council, seconded by Ms. Beck. VOTE The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote. F. OLD BUSINESS 1. PLUGS & BOXES Following Ms. Umbdenstock’s offer at the last meeting to donate a gift card in support of the Paint-A-Plug program, Mr. Zak met with the City’s Finance Director to discuss guidelines for receiving donations and those were shared with the Commission. Gift cards and small donations are not accepted since they are difficult to track and ensure they are used for the intended purpose. It is more appropriate for donations to be done through a nonprofit. Acceptance of a large donation may be possible with the assistance of the City Attorney. Considering this information, Ms. Umbdenstock offered to purchase $50 gift cards that she will distribute to Paint-A-Plug artists for the purchase of supplies. 2. VETERANS MURAL Chair Hoey shared Michael Embry had sent an email suggesting Larissa Barnat as a possible artist for the Veterans Mural. Since the Commission at its last meeting said it would be open to new design submissions, Ms. Barnat was CITIZENS’ COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT COMMISSION MARCH 27, 2023 PAGE 3 OF 3 invited to submit a design so long as it can be created for the $8,500 in T-Mobile grant funding remaining for the third mural. 3. DOWNTOWN PLANTERS Ms. Beck shared she was a part of a meeting that was held with the owners of Willrett Flower Company, Blue Door Décor and Cracker Jax, Assistant Public Works Director Andy Raih and Mr. Zak to plan this year’s planter program. The community planting day has been set for May 20 with a rain date of May 21. Before then, the soil in the planters will be prepped and Willrett Flower Company will select flowers appropriate for each planter. Participating businesses and organizations will be able to purchase a sign for their planter again this year. 5. OTHER UPDATES No information was shared here. G. ADJOURNMENT MOTION Chair Hoey motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ms. Beck. VOTE The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote, and the meeting was adjourned at 5:33 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Scott Zak Management Analyst Minutes approved by the Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission on May 15, 2023.