Ellwood Historic Neighborhood Meetings

Author: yinn

Jun 8

The following is a summary of documents obtained from the City of DeKalb involving a group from the 5th Ward, the City of DeKalb, and the Center for Governmental Studies (CGS) at NIU.

The 5th Ward group was first called a “task force” although it has never been an official city committee. Now, the informal association is known as the Ellwood Historic District or Ellwood Historic Neighborhood.

Date of EventInvolvingDocumentsComments
1/19/20105th Ward North Neighborhood Task Force; CGS; City Meeting agenda; Concept Paper for Artist Relocation/IntegrationCity prepares agenda, pays room rental $100
3/1/20105th Ward North Neighborhood Task Force; CGS; City Meeting agendaCity prepares agenda
4/1/2010NIU Board of Trustees; CityContract for work April-June on N. 5th PlanCity pays NIU $6000
5/7/2010CGS; CityMeeting notes5th Ward planning meeting
5/25/2010North 5th Ward Neighborhood; CGS; CityInformational flyer, agenda, meeting summary reportCGS prepares materials; includes timetable, action plan
6/17, 6/30, 8/11/2010Neighborhood meetings held?
9/28/2010Ellwood Historic District; CGS; CityInformational meeting agenda; tentative 4-year program planCity prepares draft plan
4/19/2011Ellwood Historic District; CGS; CityAgenda of "public meeting"EHD member prepares agenda; City mails it to 180 5th Ward residents
5/4/2011Ellwood Historic District homeowners, renters & landlordsAgenda of "public meeting"Same as above; agenda includes: "Making use of $100,000 in TIF funds"
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Comments on Wednesday’s Aldermanic Forum

Author: yinn

Apr 1

Fifth Ward Alderman Ron Naylor seems very proud that the FY2011 budget is down $700,000 from FY2007.

I went through those budgets and counted more than 40 positions eliminated since FY2008 — but, assuming a little hiring has been done this past fiscal year, let’s say we’re down about three dozen.

There’s been virtually nothing spent on equipment, in fact personnel account for 89% of expenditures now, according to the FY2011 budget. And with the recent exception of fuel costs, commodities have been pretty stable for a couple years.

So: $700,000 is pretty measly in this context. Why hasn’t the budget been whittled down several million? Read the rest of this entry

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Big Fat Correction

Author: yinn

Mar 5

I am guilty of too much talk and not enough homework done this week.

There is indeed a scenario in which Alderman Ron Naylor paid the Ellwood House room rental for a 5th Ward meet-up, even when there’s a “RM RNTL 5TH WARD 1/19/10 MTG” note in the city’s check register. The scenario is more than one 5th Ward meeting having taken place. I mistook the 1/19 meeting for his “coffee,” and did so in error. I am sorry for the mistake.

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Meeting Notes

Author: yinn

Nov 9

First, the Hope Haven expansion vote. The good folks at HH have been raked over the coals for two months and it’s finally over. Many thanks to Mayor Povlsen and Aldermen Simpson, Teresinski and Verbic for their “aye” votes. Hat tip to Alderman Naylor for alluding to the double standard used for HH and the other residential project on the front burner — oh, and if you want to argue it’s apples and oranges, fine, but let’s DO have the argument.

Fourth Ward alderman Brendon Gallagher gets the “Let Them Eat Cake”/juxtaposition fail award for mentioning his country club hobnobbing during the annexation hearing and then vigorously rejecting a proposal that would help people down on their luck in his own ward. As for Alderman Kammes of the 7th, it’s a funny dang time for her to start responding to e-mail, but, whatev.

Much as I am clearly a cheerleader for Hope Haven, that matter overshadowed some serious financial news. Read the rest of this entry

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