DeKalb legislators, led by an NIU student alderman, voted Monday to create a temporary city environmental committee.

Seventh Ward Alderman Jeff Monroe proposed an Ad Hoc Citizen’s Environmental Committee, consisting of 12 DeKalb citizens, to make recommendations on 10 specific environmental issues.

Monroe said the committee’s attachment to the city council will “lend the city’s authority and integrity” to the group and make it a more legitimate entity to the public.

The council hopes to receive voluntary workers from DeKalb businesses and citizens to get more support from the community for the committee’s recommendations.

Among the 10 environmental issues were the Kishwaukee River clean-up and preservation, litter control and city beautification, the effects of chemical lawn fertilizers and household and institutional recycling.

The committee will present its proposals to the DeKalb City Council April 8. The council then intends to act on those proposals April 22, the day after Earth Day. The committee will then cease to exist.

Monroe said he hopes the committee will incorporate students and faculty from NIU as well as other members of the DeKalb community. DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow is scheduled to make his appointments for the committee Oct. 8.

Mayor Sparrow also announced he is accepting applications for a new city ward alderman from the 1st ward. All applications must be submitted to the city by 4:30 p.m., Sept. 28.

The council also approved an 11 a.m. opening on Sundays for taverns although they cannot begin selling alcohol until noon.