On the Monday, September 25, 2017, City Council Meeting agenda, Mayor Jerry Smith
plans to appoint a total of 31 community members to the Annie Glidden North (AGN)
Revitalization Plan Task Force.
The AGN Revitalization Plan seeks to improve quality of life for current and future
residents of the AGN neighborhoods. Task Force members will play a crucial role in
establishing the direction of the Revitalization Plan. “This Task Force is the culmination of much early discussion regarding how we can most effectively aid in the improvement of an entire neighborhood,” Mayor Smith said. “I know that aligning many of our local stakeholders in the process will prove to be extremely productive.”
Selection of Task Force members was guided by best practices shared from the City’s
plan consultant, Camiros, to ensure an inclusive and diverse representation of the
community with the final decision on appoints being made by Mayor Smith. Community
members selected for the Task Force represent stakeholder groups that include
community residents, business developers, property managers, local business
representatives, social service providers, educational leaders and public officials.
“I have been so impressed over the last couple of weeks with the response to this Task
Force,” said Smith. “While I had to settle on a workable number, I could have easily
chosen more who were willing to participate. I received that kind of response from our
community, a clear indication so many want to help.”
Members of the AGN Task Force, subject to City Council approval on September 25,
2017, listed in alphabetical order would be as follows: Jay Anderson, President,
Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital; Morgan Brickley, Associate Director,
Northern Illinois University (NIU) Fraternity & Sorority Life; Michelle Bringas, Director,
Asian American Resource Center; Deanna Cada, Executive Director, DeKalb County
Mental Health Board; David Castro, Member, DeKalb Planning and Zoning Commission;
Jamie Craven, Superintendent of Schools, DeKalb School District; Rudy Galvan, Owner,
Burritoville; Joe Gastiger, Pastor, United Church of Christ; Chad Glover, Director, NIU
Jobs PLUS; Rachel Jacob, President, NIU Student Association; Will Heinisch, President,
DeKalb Area Rental Association; Derek Hiland, Community Development Director,
DeKalb County; Tiara Huggins, President, University Village Tenants’ Association; Dan
Kenney, President, DeKalb County Community Gardens; Andrew John Knox, Student
Member, NIU Greek Community; Christi Krupp, Attorney; Mohammad Libadi, President,
Islamic Center of DeKalb; Kerry Mellott, Board Member, DeKalb School District; Dr. Leroy
Mitchell, Retired Pastor, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church; Michael Newman,
Coordinator, Hope Haven; Shelly Perkins, Executive Director, DeKalb County Housing
Authority; Patti Perkins, Commissioner, DeKalb Park District Board; Mike Pittsley, Owner,
Pittsley Realty; Valerie Redmond, Children’s Home and Aid; Glenn Roby, Board
Treasurer, Phi Sigma Kappa Alumni Association; Herb Rubin, Retired Professor, NIU;
Ecila Scaife, Supervisor, NIU Child Development; Gip Seaver, Retired Provost, NIU; Kurt
Thurmaier, Chair, NIU Department of Public Administration; Ellingsworth Webb, Property
Manager, Eden’s Garden; and Denise Weinmann, Developer, RVG Commercial Real
Estate.
Ward 1 Alderman David Jacobsen and Ward 2 Alderman Bill Finucane are also listed on
the September 25 City Council agenda to be appointed as City Council Liaisons to the
Task Force. The AGN Task Force is a public body acting on behalf of the City of DeKalb
and is subject to the rules and requirements of the Illinois Open Meetings Act.
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