DeKalb Times

City of Dekalb Citizens' Community Enhancement Commission met April 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

Chair Brad Hoey called the meeting to order at 4:05 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, Melissa Beck, Aaron Robertson and Ellingsworth Webb. Absent at the time of roll call were: Kenneth Brown, Jeanine Holcomb and Helen Umbdenstock. Also present were Mayor Cohen Barnes and City Council Liaison Scott McAdams.

B. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – ADDITIONS/DELETIONS

MOTION

Ms. Beck motioned to approve the agenda, seconded by Mr. Robertson. VOTE

The agenda was approved by unanimous voice vote.

C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MARCH 21, 2022

MOTION

Mr. Webb motioned to approve the minutes, seconded by Ms. Beck. VOTE

The minutes were approved by unanimous voice vote.

D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

No public comments were received.

Ms. Umbdenstock arrived at 4:07 p.m.

E. NEW BUSINESS

1. T-MOBILE HOMETOWN GRANT

It was announced on March 24 that the City of DeKalb was the recipient of a $50,000 T-Mobile Hometown Grant, which had been applied for by the

Commission. Chair Hoey said the $50,000 can go a long way or it can go very quickly. He said setting a cap on the amount the Commission will award to a single project would let the artist know how much additional funding they need to secure. He suggested a cap of $10,000. Mr. Webb noted the City’s public mural ordinance provides a match for half of a project’s cost.

Ms. Beck asked if the Commission will be seeking artists or waiting for them to come forward. Chair Hoey noted Mr. Robertson knows a famous Mexican muralist, Eskat, that the Commission could contact or a request for proposals could be done.

Mr. Brown joined the meeting at 4:18 p.m.

Mr. Zak explained painting or wrapping utility boxes, which the Commission has discussed in the past, could be one of the art projects done by the community as required in the grant agreement. A mural in the Union Pacific (UP) underpass along the Kishwaukee Bike Path would be another community option; although, Mayor Barnes notes UP’s permission would be needed.

Resident Michael Embry said the north side of the Plaza DeKalb building would be the perfect canvas for the previously discussed veterans’ mural. Mayor Barnes said he is also planning a Huskie pride mural for the UP underpass on Annie Glidden Road.

The Huskie pride mural has been estimated at $20,000. Chair Hoey did not support putting 1/3 of the grant money towards one project. He said the grant money could be used to show support for a project and that support could be used to attract grants and corporate sponsors.

Alderman McAdams said projects could be brought to the City Council and encouraged bringing specific ideas.

Ms. Umbdenstock suggested a chalk art competition as a project to expose people to what’s available in DeKalb.

Mayor Barnes said College of Visual and Performing Arts Dean Paul Kassel is excited about the Huskie pride mural and he will continue conversations with Kassel.

Mr. Webb said after years of discussions by the Commission, he wants to get something done.

Mr. Embry said starting soon on the veterans’ mural will spur interest and donations. Chair Hoey said the veterans’ mural is green-lighted. Mr. Robertson said rain will impact the time it takes to complete the mural, but it will take two to three months. If the mural is started in late Spring, Chair Hoey noted it could be completed by mid-fall with a dedication on Veterans Day. Mayor Barnes noted the owner of Plaza DeKalb, John Pappas, will need to approve the design. Mr. Embry noted 9/11 could also be the target date.

It was agreed that Mr. Robertson would reach out to potential artists for the veterans’ mural. Chair Hoey said at the same time the veterans’ mural is announced, the Commission would also announce it is looking for other artists and locations. He said if the veterans’ mural is a large-scale project, additional funding may be required.

2. UTILITY BOX PAINTING

Mr. Zak presented an outline for a utility box mural program that would use three City-owned boxes downtown. City staff had preferred painting the boxes over applying vinyl wraps since the wraps can be peeled off by vandals; however, Mayor Barnes said the wraps are very difficult to remove and the Commission should solicit both painting and wrap idea so as not to slow down the program.

Chair Hoey noted wraps will come with a cost from a private company. A cost estimate will be sought on the work.

F. OLD BUSINESS

1. LET’S MOVE TO THE MUSIC

Ms. Umbdenstock said the donations towards the initiative are in an account with the Egyptian Theatre and those interested in donating will have until May 1. Ms. Umbdenstock plans to promote the program on local radio and noted the Lincoln Inn will have NIU students perform during Mother’s Day. Chair Hoey suggested contacting WLBK, WDKB and WNIJ for promotions. Ms. Beck suggested putting up a sign during performances could draw people to a website to make donations.

2. DOWNTOWN PLANTERS PROGRAM

Ms. Beck reported the community planting day, during which participating businesses will plant flowers downtown, has been set for May 21 at 9 a.m.

3. PUBLIC ARTS WEBSITE

Chair Hoey shared the website is not yet completed. He said the NIU 40tude group was contacted after the Commission’s last meeting and directed to create a full public arts website instead of a webpage solely for Paint-A-Plug.

G. ADJOURNMENT

MOTION

Mr. Webb motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Brown.

VOTE

The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote, and the meeting was adjourned at 5:25 p.m.

https://www.cityofdekalb.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_04112022-2162