Quote:The DeKalb City Council was seated last week, with four new aldermen - the first time in recent memory there has been a majority turnover, said Mayor Frank VanBuer.

Veteran council members Karega Harris, Steve Kapitan, Pat Conboy and James Barr were dismissed with little recognition, until the audience began clapping.

Representing the First Ward was Bert Simpson, long-time administrator at NIU - with a promise to represent both the student dominated district, as well as the homeowners who also live there. There can be considerable tension at times.

Taking over the Third Ward seat held by Steve Kapitan for three terms was Victor Wogen, whose campaign had been stained by his mailing and then denial of a promotional piece that attacked Kapitan.

Wogen said, “We started on rocky ground, but I believe we can grow this community closer together. I want (the Third Ward) to be a place that people are proud to raise a family.” He urged that the new council carry on the positive momentum of the former one, and later invited Third Ward members to help with priming and painting the home of a resident the following Saturday.

Former city administrator Ron Naylor has an edge on the other new aldermen with his city savvy. He took the reins from Pat Conboy and expressed appreciation for support from friends, family and constituents.

Brent Keller, a member of Campus Republicans, replaces James Barr who chaired the local Republican party. Keller said, tongue in cheek, “I appreciate all 56 voters in my ward” and he cited Barr as a tremendous model for the future.

Though the council was clearly split into factions a few years ago, VanBuer took special care to keep the group harmonious most of the time-to the extent that Barr, who was expected to steadily oppose the mayor, in fact thanked him for his mentoring.

The council's agenda was limited with no controversies to deal with.

However, at the end of the meeting, Herb Rubin, who heads the city's Economic Development Commission, spoke (only for himself) in saying, “One of the newly elected (aldermen) failed to tell the truth and hopefully that will never happen again.” He said such behavior is damaging to democracy because it adds to public cynicism about politics and politicians. Rubin said in the city's past history, though there have been major conflicts between factions, members “have routinely played fair. A lie today makes it difficult to agree tomorrow.”

After the meeting Rubin said even former Mayor Greg Sparrow-with whom he routinely differed-had never lied to him.

He again expressed the need for honesty to retain the public trust.

VanBuer said in closing, “I think all of us want to make sure that each constituent is represented and represented well. I particularly have made that commitment. We are going to move on beginning tonight.”

Meeting minutes

* Appointed Tom Matya chair of the Citizen's Community Enhancement Committee.

* Approved closure of Rt. 38 between Third and Fourth streets during the Rock the Railroad downtown festival June 1-3.

* Approved an agricultural lease agreement with Old Elm Farms for portions of farmland at the DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport. The contract extends until 2012.

A two-year lease of farmland also provides a “laboratory” for the Future Farmers of America Youth in Agriculture Education program. Dan Kuntz, of DeKalb High School, noted that “agriculture is the largest employer in Illinois and agribusinesses are having a difficult time finding qualified individuals that have any idea of how the farm production, transportation, marketing, processing, warehousing, wholesaling and retailing of food and fiber works.” The charge to the school district for use of the land is $1,291per year.

* Approved an ordinance amending the municipal code to provide rules for tree and shrub planting in the public and private right of way. Tree-planting applications are available at city hall.

* Approved an agreement with NIU to use the city's indoor firing range from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2009. NIU must pay $3,300 the first year and $3,465 the second year. Payments help defray maintenance costs including lead cleanup and equipment repair.

* Approved a bid award to Rockford Blacktop Construction Company for Annie Glidden Road Phase 2 Improvements for $1,360,590.

* Awarded the 2007 TIF Alley Maintenance Project to Curran Contracting Company for $139,780. (Only one bid was received).

* Approved a development agreement with James Mason regarding Lot 102 of Mason Townhome Suites P.U.D. Staff stated, “This request will create a townhome project that is more highly regulated than any other project in DeKalb.” Mason wants to sell units to be occupied by owners, rather than just use them for renters, who have, in the past, had conflicts with area homeowners regarding noise, parking, littering and rowdiness.

Once the property is completely sold, the owners will have to form an association to be responsible for property maintenance-or the city will establish a “special service area” to tax the owners for maintenance.

* Made changes to the city Plan Commission's code of ethics.