The DeKalb Library (DKPL) board passed a resolution at the beginning of 2007 to expand and improve Library facilities. This indeed has happened; since its passage, the Library started a fund for a new boiler, accepted TIF money for window and other improvements, and remodeled the Youth Services department and the lounge. Almost immediately, however,…
Category: City Watch
Fun with CAFR & the Liberry
The DeKalb Public Library has a current annual budget of $1.9 million, yet apparently has enough funds on hand to buy property valued at $1.8 million. That’s quite a reserve! Normally for slush I’d call for a refund (about $40 per resident) but perhaps we should ask DKPL to help the city save for the…
Calling Fowl in Batavia
The Daily Herald reports that the City of Batavia’s Community Development Committee is researching the possibility of allowing residents to house chickens. This Kane County development seems kind of fitting in view of Garfield Farm’s efforts to save the Black Java breed. I’ve done some homework on keeping chickens in the city, and I know…
Ethics & the Plan Commission
DeKalb’s Plan Commission has a Code of Ethics (PDF pp. 1-2). It’s flawed, but there you go. My emphasis added. d) Code of Ethics. Plan Commission members shall abide by a code of ethics as follows: (03-18) 1. Members shall exercise impartial and independent judgment in their roles as advisors to the City Council. 2.…
Reading Comprehension
I am reprinting the letter I sent to the Daily Chronicle, word-for-word, copied and pasted from the e-mail message: “Editor, The controversy over the Open Meetings Act regarding the DeKalb Public Library’s possible purchase of the vacant DeKalb Clinic property provides an excellent opportunity for local government to set things right for the people of…
It’s Still On
[Update 8/10: I’ve added my response to the city’s response after the jump.] Click on the photo of the letter if you’d like to view a larger version of it. Click here for the original Request for Review acceptance letter. Click here for the City of DeKalb’s response. Yes, I’ve responded to the response.
LUST at First & Locust
On July 22, 2010, the City of DeKalb received a No Further Remediation (NFR) Letter from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for the property it owns at First and Locust streets (AKA “skating rink site”). [A]n NFR Letter signifies that compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements has been achieved, all corrective action (if any) has…
The Library Fund
The DeKalb Public Library’s annual budget is part of the City of DeKalb’s budget and has to be approved by City Council. In Fiscal Year 2008, which began July 1, 2007, a significant change was made in DPL’s budget that went unremarked. That year and each year since, the Library has not been projecting/budgeting all…
Taj Mah-Library
[Updated 7/18 with links to more coverage, at bottom.] Dimensions, features and amenities planned for the new DeKalb Public Library have been lifted from “A Building Program for the DeKalb Public Library,” September 19, 2009. The plan is to build an 89,000 square foot facility that serves 70,000 people, based on projections of 2% growth…
Post-Meeting Open Thread
So, what did we learn from the latest Council meeting? We learned that, even though Fairview Drive residents have spoken at three meetings, made phone calls and sent letters and e-mail to them, one or more Council members perceived little opposition to forced annexation because the residents failed to arrive as an angry mob last…