Fall Leaf Collection Reminder
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The Public Works Department began the first cycle of leaf collection on October 28; however, early winter weather has already delayed progress. The City will communicate updates on leaf collection through social media posts, the City's website, and the local media.
Residents are reminded to rake leaves into a narrow row parallel to the backside of the curb. Leaf piles must be free of sticks, rocks, or other debris. In addition, the City asks that residents do not rake leaves into the street. Leaves quickly accumulate and can result in street flooding. Public Works recommends off-street parking throughout the season to ensure leaf pick up in front of your home. Leaf collection will continue until early December, weather permitting. Public Works ceases leaf collection operations in the event of snow.
Lakeshore Recycling Systems will also pick up your leaves, curbside, on your regularly scheduled garbage day. However, leaves must be placed in biodegradable yard-waste bags or open garbage cans. Leaves placed in plastic bags will not be collected.
Questions regarding this services should be directed to the Public Works Department at 815-748-2040.
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Fall Leaf Collection
Community Needs Survey Reminder
Water Rate Increase
Telecommunicator Hiring
Debt Collection
FY2020 Budget Schedule
Police Community Relations Team
Pulitzer Winner Visits Public Library
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Community Needs Survey Reminder
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The City recently released a public Community Needs Survey. The information from this survey will be used to develop a new Consolidated Plan ("Plan") for the use of Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The Plan will be used to cover the years 2020 - 2024 and will identify the City's priorities for the use of these funds.
Each year the City receives approximately $400,000 in Federal CDBG funds. The use of CDBG funds must meet at least one of the national objectives of benefiting low and moderate income citizens, aiding in the elimination of slum and blighted areas, or meeting an urgent need.
Please assist us by filling out the Community Needs Survey. The results of this survey will help City decision-makers in how the funds will be used to meet community needs. Your feedback is a crucial part of the process of determining the current needs in the City of DeKalb.
The deadline for completing the survey is November 15, 2019
If you have any questions, please contact Joanne Rouse, Community Services Coordinator, via phone at 815-748-2366 or via e-mail at
joanne.rouse@cityofdekalb.com.
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The Finance Department received a number of inquires last month regarding increased water bills. This billing cycle reflects the increased water rate that went into effect on July 1. In 2015, the City Council approved an annual water rate increase phased-in over a five-year period. After 2020, water rates will increase annually according to the most recent Consumer Price Index.
It is also important to note that water usage for most residents is much higher during the summer months. Activities such as watering lawns and gardens, washing cars, and filling pools all lead to significantly increased water bills. The Public Works - Utility Division closely monitors meter readings and will make a house call if they detect abnormally high water usage at a residence. If you ever have questions about your water usage, you can call 815-748-2050. Billing questions can be directed to 815-748-2085.
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Visit the City's
Employment Page
to view and apply for open positions. For more info, contact Human Resources at 815-748-2300.
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The City of DeKalb is accepting applications for full-time and part-time Telecommunicators. Candidates must submit an application with the City of DeKalb by December 1, 2019.
Application materials will be reviewed and candidates selected to move forward in the process will be invited to test. Please visit the City's
job postings page
for more details.
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City Initiates Debt Collection Process
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In February of 2019, the City approved an agreement with Municipal Collections of America (MCA) for the collection of debts owed to the City. Over the past several months, the City and MCA have worked together to finalize the process by which debts are sent to collections and then reported back to the City upon payment. That process is now in place and the first batch of debts has been sent to MCA for collection. These debts may include unpaid parking tickets, local ordinance violations adjudicated through the Administrative Hearing process, and ambulance bills, among other debts. If you receive a debt collection notice from MCA, be assured that MCA is working on behalf of the City. It is important to note that once a debt has been sent to collections, the City will no longer accept payment. Payments must be made to MCA. If you have any questions about a debt collection notice, please call MCA at 708-895-8522 or visit
https://www.municollect.com/. Other questions may be directed to the City by calling 815-748-2093.
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The City has finalized the FY2020 Budget schedule. City staff is in the final stages of preparing an initial budget utilizing several recommendations of the City Council and Finance Advisory Committee (FAC). Below is the schedule for establishing the FY2020 Budget. Members of the public are encouraged to follow the budget process by attending public meetings or watching meeting broadcasts.
- August 16 - Strategic Goal Setting and Budget Planing Workshop (City Council, FAC, & Staff).
- October 21 - Consideration of Tax Levy and Capital Funding (FAC).
- October 28 - Consideration of Tax Levy and Capital Funding (City Council).
- November 12 - Estimated Tax Levy (City Council).
- November 15 - Release of FY2020 Proposed Budget (Staff).
- November 18 & 20 - FY2020 Budget Review (City Council/ FAC).
- November 25 - Public Hearings and First Reading of Tax Levy and Budget Ordinance (City Council).
- December 9 - Second Reading of Tax Levy and Budget Ordinances (City Council).
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DeKalb Police Introduce Community Relations Team
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The Police Department is acutely aware of how important relationships are with the community we serve. In order to bolster community ties with our department, we have created a new Community Relations Team. The team consists of six Officers, one Sergeant, and two members of Command Staff that will work together on numerous community relations initiatives. When combined with our philosophy of proactive and problem-oriented policing, these community engagement efforts should lead to a reduction of crime in our community, while at the same time increasing public trust, which is crucial to the mission of our organization.
Members of the Community Relations Team include: Interim Chief John Petragallo, Commander Steve Lekkas, Sergeant Chad McNett, Officer Jonathan Bell, Officer Joshua Boldt, Officer Tony Densberger, Officer Sebastian Lemus, Officer Danielle Sorenson, Detective Sonny Streit, and Detective Kelly Sullivan. The duties of the Community Relations Team include coordination and participation in special events such as Heroes and Helpers and National Night Out, community programming, public presentations, crime prevention and safety efforts through community awareness campaigns and safety assessments, and other community engagement. Keep an eye out for them at events around the City.
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Receive important notifications from the City by signing up for ALERT DeKalb. Text, email, and phone messages are used to alert the public to emergency situations, severe weather, and traffic disruptions.
Users can also text
ALERTDEKALB to
67283 to report criminal or suspicious activity and quality of life concerns.
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Pulitzer Winner Visits the DeKalb Public Library
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On Friday, September 27, Richard Powers, a Pulitzer Winner, and a DeKalb High School graduate returned to the DeKalb Public Library. Powers read an excerpt of his new book "The Overstory." Mayor Jerry Smith also gave Powers a honorable proclamation, and a key to the City, which was witnessed by the 140 participants in attendance. While Powers was at the DeKalb Public Library, he reminisced on his time living in DeKalb, and his memories at the Library. He spoke of the DeKalb Public Library as his second home, where he gained exposure to literature, and found his passion in life.
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Upcoming City Hall Closure's
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City offices will be closed on the following dates in November:
- November 11 - Veterans Day
- November 28 - Thanksgiving Day
- November 29 - Day After Thanksgiving
Normal office hours will resume on the following business day. If you need more immediate assistance, please call the Police Department's non-emergency number at 815-748-8400.
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Economic Development Commission
November 1, 8:30 a.m. at City Hall
Board of Fire and Police Commissioners
November 5, 5 p.m. at DeKalb Police Department
Human Relations Commission
November 5, 6:30 p.m. at City Hall
Planning & Zoning Commission
November 6, 6 p.m. at Council Chambers
Citizens' Environment Commission
November 7, 4 p.m. at City Hall
Committee of the Whole Meeting
November 12, 5 p.m. at Council Chambers
City Council Meeting
November 12, 6 p.m. at Council Chambers
DeKalb Public Library Board
November 13, 7 p.m. at DeKalb Public Library
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Citizens' Community Enhancement Commission
November 18, 4 p.m. at City Hall
Planning and Zoning Commission
November 20, 6 p.m. at Council Chambers
Foreign Fire Insurance Tax Board Quarterly Meeting
November 25, 8 a.m. at City Hall
Committee of the Whole Meeting
November 25, 5 p.m. at Council Chambers
City Council Meeting
November 25, 6 p.m. at Council Chambers
Airport Advisory Board
November 26, 7 p.m. at DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport
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To view agendas for City meetings, please go to the City's Agenda Center
here
.
To check for meeting cancellations and location updates, please check the City Website
here
.
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Egyptian Theatre Events
135 North Second Street, DeKalb, IL
There are many great events at the Egyptian Theatre in November. They will be showing a variety of movies such as E.T., Rocky Horror Picture Show, and the Grinch (2018). There will also be a variety of cover bands that will be playing the sounds of Prince, Pink Floyd, and the ABBA show. For more information and tickets, please visit the
Egyptian Theatre website.
Northern Illinois University Events
DeKalb Campus
Northern Illinois University offers a variety of music, arts, and entertainment events that are open to the public. There will be NIU Stem Fest on October 19, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. This event focuses on increasing awareness in science, engineering, technology, and mathematics. Check out NIU's
Events Calendar for a full list of events.
5th Ward Town Hall Meeting
French Toast Pancake House (831 S Fourth St.). November 1, at 6:30 p.m.
5th Ward Alderman Scott McAdams will be hosting a town hall meeting on Friday, November 1, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. This town hall will be hosted at French Toast Pancake House, 831 S Fourth St. Alderman McAdams is helping this 5th Ward restaurant get the word out about their new Friday Night Fish Fry. You do not have to order anything to participate in the town hall, but you may want to. Bring your questions and appetite and we hope we will see you there.
Holiday Traditions at the Ellwood House Museum
Ellwood House Museum, November 15 - November 29.
Beginning on November 15, the Ellwood House Museum will be partnering with a variety of organizations in the community including businesses, sponsors, and volunteers to decorate the Ellwood Mansion on all of its four floors and then will be giving holiday tours until November 29. The admission price are: adults $10, youth from ages 6 - 17 $5, children under 6 years old are free, and so are Ellwood members. For more information on this event and hours of operation, please visit their website
here.
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DeKalb Public Library Events
309 Oak Street, DeKalb, IL
The DeKalb Public Library offers an assortment of programs and events for children and adults of all ages. Some of the events that you will find in the month of November are a health insurance and wellness fair, making a snow globe, epic tabletop game, and a crime fiction book club. Check out their
website
for details.
Taste of the Season
Downtown DeKalb. November 22, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Taste of the Season is a progressive wine and liquor tasting event within Downtown DeKalb at over 15 businesses. Each business will have a tasting paired with an appetizer from local restaurants. While sipping and sampling, attendees can get an early start on their holiday shopping. Tickets are available online at
dekalb.org or at each participating business. Visit
dekalb.org for more information and a list of participating shops and restaurants.
IHSA Football Championships
Huskie Stadium, November 29 - 30.
Beginning on Friday November 29 at 10 a.m. until Saturday November 30 at 7 p.m., the IHSA Football Championships will be held at Huskie Stadium. There will be eight different games, 16 different teams, and thousands of sports fans from across the state. For more information you can check our the IHSA
website.
Glidden Homesteads Soup Tuesdays
Joseph F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center, Tuesdays, 10 a.m. - 2p.m.
The Joseph F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center is open for tours on Tuesdays from 10 am. to 2 p.m., and by special arrangement. Admission is $4 per adults, and free for children younger than 14. For more information check out their
website.
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Event dates, times, and locations are subject to change without notice. Please contact the event sponsor for additional details.
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Vacant,
Alderman - 4th Ward
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City Hall
200 South Fourth Street
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Police Station
700 West Lincoln Highway
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Public Works
1216 Market Street
Monday - Friday
7 a.m. - 4 p.m.
DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport
3232 Pleasant Street
Monday - Friday
7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
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City Clerk
815-748-2095
City Manager's Office
815-748-2090
Community Development Department 815-748-2060
DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport
815-748-8102
Finance Department
815-748-2000
Fire/Police Emergency
911
Fire Non-Emergency
815-748-8460
Mayor's Office
815-748-2099
Police Non-Emergency
815-748-8400
Public Works Department
815-748-2040
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