2011 Review and 2012 Goals

Tuesday, January 10th, 2012

Like many of you, I’m spending a lot of time considering the markets, the economy and the political environment.  I want to share my thoughts with you on the critical issues facing our city this year and how we’re positioned.  And in that regard, why I believe DeKalb has the right strategy to provide our residents with a safe and prosperous community.

2011 was a challenging year for the global economy and markets.  As we begin 2012, the State of Illinois has now been downgraded to A2 status for debt (the lowest rating any state has ever received).  Where are the solutions out of Springfield to fix this mess?  Can anyone have enough guts to actually suggest spending cuts coupled with layoffs…and not be so worried about their reelection?

In the U.S., we have a significant budget deficit and need to spur economic growth in an election year.  We have the information from housing and jobs data that the economy is starting to improve but is still fragile.

Some of these things must be addressed.  Yes, DeKalb will continue to face headwinds…but it is times like these when our staff and residents need to work together to provide solutions to help us grow and build for future generations.

Accomplishments from last year

• Better financial footing…which will help us build our cash reserves and receive lower interest rates if/when we borrow money.
• Getting started on new police station to better serve and protect the community.
• Completed the downtown reconstruction project…on time and under budget.
• Put all the finishing touches on Dresser Road to help with the opening of the new DeKalb High School
• Completed major road projects along First Street, Peace Road and Fairview Drive to help improve travel for motorists and cyclists.
• Completed “Green Up” East Lincoln Highway project by planting over 100 trees in yards from Seventh Street to Peace Road.

My Confidence

The focus for this City Council in 2012 is clear.  At a time when our City needs leadership, I am confident in our ability to truly make a difference as a leader among cities in DeKalb County.  We will continue to make “ease of doing business” with the City our priority for all who deal with DeKalb, be they developers, business owners or residents.

We will continue to focus on keeping our belts tightened by using our resources effectively and ensuring we’re making the right decisions to keep us strong for both the near-and long term.  And although we have gained ground in the last year as it relates to our finances, we will stay fiscally responsible as it relates to expenses…and prevent us from slipping backwards.

I’m privileged to work with some of the best and brightest people here in the City of DeKalb.  I’d like to wish each of you a very happy and prosperous New Year.

Regards,

Brendon

Latest News and Views- November 2, 2011

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

Sorry for the delay since my last post.  Busy with work and kids, etc…  Have you driven down the newly resurfaced Fairview Drive between First and Fourth?  Pretty smooth.  Next up will be the bikepath that will run parallel to Fairview near Kiwanis Park.  Construction slated for Spring 2012…if we can get easement from Fairview Cemetary.  Cross your fingers.

Thanks to everyone in the Fourth Ward for fixing up your houses!  I walked 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th streets with the kids the other night for Halloween Trick or Treat, and it makes me proud when I see all the improvements that people have done to their homes (even given the economy).  Keeping your house painted, lawn mowed and other simple homeowner tasks; sets a good example for our kids…who someday will be homeowners and may even live here!

Financially the City is in much better shape as the final audited numbers come in for Fiscal Year 2011.  When I was elected we had about $26,000 in our unrestricted general fund.  Most recent reports show that number exceeding $1 million.  That is a good improvement, but we are still below the 25% level we need compared to our revenues.  We will continue to be conscious of the fiscal responsibility we owe you the taxpayer as we spend dollars to keep our city running.  I told a friend this morning that cleaning up our balance sheet at C.O.D. is a group effort, and at the end of my term in 2013…I hope the fund balances are at a level that makes you proud!

I am very happy how seamless the transition to our new outsourced legal firm Mickey, Wilson, Weiler, Renzi & Andersson, P.C.  There advice has been top notch and I have heard nothing but compliments as to their professionalism and knowledge.

Remember if you have any questions regarding the Fourth Ward, please email me or call.  Contact info is on the front page.  Next City Council meeting is Monday, Nov 14.  See you there!

- Brendon

Sharrows Baby! 08-23-2011

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011

North First Street resurfacing between Hillcrest and Ridge will be a welcome relief for those of us who have to drive on that section of road.  I joke with my kids to put some Quik in a glass of milk, cover and place on floorboard of car when you drive on this stretch of road…and you will have perfect chocolate milk!

Regardless, With the approval Peter Baker & Son Co. to do this project last night, staff also included the striping of bicycle shared lane markings (sharrows).

You win again!  I reported on this idea at the 2/14/2011 City Council meeting.  I am glad to see staff implementing this idea.  Let’s continue to push this concept in all resurfacing situations that can be done in City of DeKalb.

Here is where I reported it before…  http://4thwarddekalb.org/to-dos/shared-lane-markings

07/20/2011 Fairview Bikepath Update

Wednesday, July 20th, 2011

Hello Friends on the SouthSide.  If you have been wondering what the status of the Fairview Bikepath is…well I got the info!  At our last City Council meeting City Engineer Joel Maurer let me know that the design is complete and submitted to IDOT.  The reason for the hold up is that we had to receive Federal approval of the plans since the lion share of the $ was from the Fed.  Regardless we are approved and now waiting for IDOT approval.  Good estimate is that we will receive feedback from IDOT and appraisal in August 2011…with construction to start Spring 2012.  Sorry to not have it done by this Fall 2011…but we will take it and make do.  Because as my daughter’s kindergarten teacher said, “You get what you get; and you don’t throw a fit.”

Words to live by.  Stay cool and enjoy your summer.

-Brendon

$100K Secured for Cotton Avenue and Dodge Avenue! 05/27/2011

Friday, May 27th, 2011

You read it right.  $100,000 from TIF dollars to help alleviate flooding issues near the League of Women Voters Park.  Residents located on Cotton Avenue have had to deal with an unusual amounts of water runoff from the Orr Farm natural swale.  My thanks to Public Works Manager TJ Moore and City Engineer Joel Maurer for their help on this project.

Another win for the 4th Ward to help residents and increase their property values!

It lived up to the hype!

Friday, February 4th, 2011

Blizzard 2011 takes no prisoners on Lake Shore Drive. Ugh.

The Blizzard of 2011 aka Snowpocalypse, Snowmageddon, Snownami, etc…left a recorded 15.7″ of snow in DeKalb.  Drifts from 3′ to 5′ throughout the city; and frankly we have dug out quite well.  Unless you were living under a rock last weekend, all weather services predicted it correctly saying flurries on Tuesday morning…with heavy accumulation and blizzard conditions starting in mid-afternoon on Tuesday, Feb 1.  They were right on all counts.  I even learned a new term from Tom Skilling, “ThunderSnow”.  I did not hear it, but some people did.  That must have been wild!

The city has lived up to its end of the bargain.  Plowed streets and spread salt, etc…  As a resident you need to live up to your end of the deal.  Here is what you need to do over the next 48 hours:

1)  Try your best to give a clear path for mail delivery

2)  If you have a fire hydrant located near your property, please try and clear it off so fire department can reach it in the event of an emergency.

3)  Don’t lose your temper if the snow plow pushes snow back onto your sidewalk or driveway.  This is a vicious cycle (as one of my clients called it) between homeowner and snow plow.  The back and forth of sidewalk or street…for the final resting place of the snow is always a fun game.

4)  Take pictures of this amazing snowfall and save them for posterity!

All my best,

Brendon

Fairview Drive Bikepath Receives Funding! 08-27-2010

Friday, August 27th, 2010

Hope springs eternal, and when it comes to federal funding…it takes persistence.  Joel Maurer, City Engineer, put together a solid grant proposal that was submitted to Federal Highway Administration (through the US Dept of Transportation) and we received notice that the City of DeKalb was selected to receive $168,000 for the Fairview Drive Bikepath.

When I was running for 4th ward alderman, I said a great accomplishment for our ward would be to have a bikepath that ran parallel to Fairview Drive.  In fact back on Sept 15, 2009 I posted this idea on my website.  Persistence is the key!
http://4thwarddekalb.org/category/to-dos/page/4

Good for the City. Good for the residents, both young and old, who can benefit from a bikepath.  All who use this can ride their bikes safely to Kiwanis Park or the future Middle School.

We still have to cross a few t’s and dot a few i’s…but this is a great new project for the Southside. Cheers. Spread the news.

Here is the blueprint for where the path will be.  Click on ”Fairview bikepath1″ and an Acrobat File should pop up.  Then right click and “rotate clockwise” to see a good perspective of what is planned.  Timeline for this project is really fast.  One condition of the federal money is we have to complete the project in this Fiscal Year.  Your time starts now!

Fairview bikepath1

News for Fourth Ward 8-18-2010

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

Long time since my last post, but I don’t want to bore you with non-news.  As you probably know already, Trim Rite pulled its support to put in a hog processing plant at the old Cavel facility at First Street and Harvestore Drive.  They are going to Rantoul, IL to set up shop at the old MeadowBrook Farms facility.  Good luck to them.

I think we as a Council and our staff did everything to accommodate these potential business owners to our town.  If you don’t agree, please call me and I will explain how our due diligence was a service to the community.

Again if you have any concerns in the Fourth Ward or would like to get clarification on any topic; please send me a note via my home page.  There is a little box on right side that says “I want to hear from you! Submit your Ideas.”  This opens up a box where you can send me a quick email to my city of DeKalb address.

Next Monday, August 23rd we meet again as a Council.  Committee of the Whole will bring up more properties that can be annexed into the City of DeKalb.  This is in line with what we talked about just two months ago with the Fairview Drive annexation.

Take care, Brendon

04-29-10, Tree Planting underway

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

On April 22, 2010 the City of DeKalb officially kicked off its East Lincoln Highway Green-Up Project at the Pens Point Market (Lincoln Hwy and Industrial Drive).  6 or 7 trees were planted on the parkway there.

This project will be ongoing as more businesses and residents participate in an unique way to soften the streetscape for this Eastern entrance to our fair city.

Thanks to all of those who are participating in this project to make it work.  This is one idea that will serve us well for the next 10 to 20 years.  You will have pride in the city each and every spring season when you exit/enter town and see these trees flowering.

BYOB Passes with Bonus!

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010

Not only did we as a Council get our fair city to accept BYOB back into DeKalb, we also got a bonus!

Any liquor license holders who have a food service establishment can pay an additional $200 (approx) to add this option to their license.  Now I wish they wouldn’t have to pay a dime since it is completely legal in the State of Illinois…but hey at least its slightly affordable.

For the new restaurants who want an inexpensive way to get a start in business here at DeKalb, we now have a BY license you can apply for.  Costs involved in this include:

• $500 initial application fee
• $250 initial issuance fee
• $71 per person to be trained by C.O.D. staff for server training
• premium cost of liquor legal liability insurance

Regardless of the cost…it is a much less expensive way to get started here in DeKalb for a new business.  For those current liquor license holders that want to be legal with this, it provides an avenue to set yourself apart from the competition.

I will guarantee this, if you allow BYOB at your restaurant, patrons will arrive, bottle in hand…freely accepting the corkage fee.  Get ready for some new business.

And for those of you that are opposed to this and hate this concept, please be willing to accept this return of DeKalb to its roots.

Peace, Brendon