City Council has appointed an engineer who plans to work with the community and establishments in the area.

John Laskowski began in January, but City Council made his position official Monday. The previous engineer, Joel Maurer, retired at the end of November. Maurer said he has worked alongside Laskowski and is happy to have him as the city engineer.

“He is an excellent professional engineer,” Maurer said. “John has a lot of experience. I am pleased he was chosen for the position.”

Public Works director TJ Moore is Laskowski’s supervisor.

“We will be working very closely. [The city engineer] touches on municipal government,” Moore said. “John is a fantastic candidate. He is very talented and knows the city very well.”

Laskowski’s responsibilities as engineer include being in charge of the engineering department, which involves preservation and development of the city’s sidewalks, street lights, bridges, storm sewers, streets, bike paths, traffic signals and alleys.

“I am very excited. It is going to be a new challenge,” Laskowski said. “I am looking forward to build[ing] a relationship with DeKalb, Sycamore and NIU.”

Laskowski, originally from Woodridge, worked as an engineer in Sycamore for eight years. Laskowski is also attending NIU to attain his master’s degree in public administration.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Illinois and a master’s degree in civil engineering from Kansas State University.

Mayor John Rey was involved in the approval process of the city engineer.

“He is a certified engineer. He will grow in the position to do a good job in the city of DeKalb,” Rey said.