http://www.northernstar.info/article/9340/
Published on Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Protests continue at DeKalb City Council meeting
By DEMARCUS ROBINSON
For the second DeKalb City Council meeting in a row, a protest by citizens was held at 5:15 p.m. at the intersection of First Street and Lincoln Highway to protest city ethics.
Citizens came with an array of props such as vacuums and brooms, to illustrate their belief that city ethics need to be cleaned up.
The spark for public outcry came when Third Ward Alderman Victor Wogen was discovered to have entered into a contract with the city, using his privately owned masonry company, Masonry Works LLC.
Wogen was not in attendance Monday night or during the Nov. 9 meeting.
The council discussed the issue of city contracts.
The protestors in attendance agreed with some of the proposed changes that would broaden the scope of who would be under more scrutiny.
“This should not be just limited to aldermen,” NIU graduate student John Duerk said. “It should be all city officials whether elected or appointed.”
Fourth Ward Alderman Brendon Gallagher motioned to have the spending authority of the city manager reduced to $10,000 in an effort to support transparency within the city.
Any city business under $20,000 can be approved by the city manager without going before the council.
City Manager Mark Biernacki appreciated that some sought transparency, though some of the proposed amendments would inhibit day-to-day duties.
“I know people don’t like the fact that I let contracts to Victor Wogen,” Biernacki said.
To limit the city manager to the point that it slows daily activity is not smart, Biernacki said.
Amendments were made to the ordinance, and it will be brought back during the Dec. 14 meeting.
The item on the agenda that took the majority of the council’s energy revolved around Ordinance 09-71, levying taxes for corporate purposes of the city of DeKalb, for the tax year 2009.
The council was presented with several options of what amounts to levy, with all amounts being used to cover mandated pension costs for the police and fire departments.
Under current suggestions, the debt incurred by the city will continue to grow.
“Somewhere down the line, our kids are going to have to come up with this money by 2033,” said Mayor Kris Povlsen.
The council did not come to a resolution as to what the remedy would be, and a motion was passed to bring back the item for a second reading during the Dec. 14 meeting.
Many people in the crowd showed visible signs of disappointment with some of the ideas proposed by the council, which did not sit well with some members, though they understood their displeasure.
“It’s easy to criticize and say no taxes,” Povlsen said. “At some point in time, we’re going to have to expect more help from our citizens to help with this problem.”
Other council members want to see a change in rationale and for residents to keep money within the community.
“We need to encourage residents to spend here, but also need to get rid of relying on sales tax dollars,” said Sixth Ward Alderman Dave Baker.
A public hearing took place during the meeting for four separate establishments seeking to open shops in the downtown district.
Due to the planned location of Euro Tattoo, 128 E. Lincoln Highway, it was recommended that it not be given one of two licenses for downtown because it would be within 500 feet of another establishment, Out On A Whim, 127 E. Lincoln Highway, which is already considered a body art establishment under Illinois state law.
Published on Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Protests continue at DeKalb City Council meeting
By DEMARCUS ROBINSON
For the second DeKalb City Council meeting in a row, a protest by citizens was held at 5:15 p.m. at the intersection of First Street and Lincoln Highway to protest city ethics.
Citizens came with an array of props such as vacuums and brooms, to illustrate their belief that city ethics need to be cleaned up.
The spark for public outcry came when Third Ward Alderman Victor Wogen was discovered to have entered into a contract with the city, using his privately owned masonry company, Masonry Works LLC.
Wogen was not in attendance Monday night or during the Nov. 9 meeting.
The council discussed the issue of city contracts.
The protestors in attendance agreed with some of the proposed changes that would broaden the scope of who would be under more scrutiny.
“This should not be just limited to aldermen,” NIU graduate student John Duerk said. “It should be all city officials whether elected or appointed.”
Fourth Ward Alderman Brendon Gallagher motioned to have the spending authority of the city manager reduced to $10,000 in an effort to support transparency within the city.
Any city business under $20,000 can be approved by the city manager without going before the council.
City Manager Mark Biernacki appreciated that some sought transparency, though some of the proposed amendments would inhibit day-to-day duties.
“I know people don’t like the fact that I let contracts to Victor Wogen,” Biernacki said.
To limit the city manager to the point that it slows daily activity is not smart, Biernacki said.
Amendments were made to the ordinance, and it will be brought back during the Dec. 14 meeting.
The item on the agenda that took the majority of the council’s energy revolved around Ordinance 09-71, levying taxes for corporate purposes of the city of DeKalb, for the tax year 2009.
The council was presented with several options of what amounts to levy, with all amounts being used to cover mandated pension costs for the police and fire departments.
Under current suggestions, the debt incurred by the city will continue to grow.
“Somewhere down the line, our kids are going to have to come up with this money by 2033,” said Mayor Kris Povlsen.
The council did not come to a resolution as to what the remedy would be, and a motion was passed to bring back the item for a second reading during the Dec. 14 meeting.
Many people in the crowd showed visible signs of disappointment with some of the ideas proposed by the council, which did not sit well with some members, though they understood their displeasure.
“It’s easy to criticize and say no taxes,” Povlsen said. “At some point in time, we’re going to have to expect more help from our citizens to help with this problem.”
Other council members want to see a change in rationale and for residents to keep money within the community.
“We need to encourage residents to spend here, but also need to get rid of relying on sales tax dollars,” said Sixth Ward Alderman Dave Baker.
A public hearing took place during the meeting for four separate establishments seeking to open shops in the downtown district.
Due to the planned location of Euro Tattoo, 128 E. Lincoln Highway, it was recommended that it not be given one of two licenses for downtown because it would be within 500 feet of another establishment, Out On A Whim, 127 E. Lincoln Highway, which is already considered a body art establishment under Illinois state law.
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