The DeKalb City Council discussed their ideas for the future of DeKalb at a meeting Saturday morning.

The Council met with a representative from the NIU Center for Governmental Studies in a special session at the Best Western Inn and Suites, 1212 W. Lincoln Highway, to discuss the progress and state of the city’s goals.

The meeting was moderated by Diana Robinson, interim director of the Center; she asked the council to think of how their actions affect DeKalb’s citizens.

“We should reflect deeply on the needs of your constituents,” Robinson said. “What matters most to them?”

The meeting focused on how DeKalb can be improved and how the Council can achieve the goals they have set.

“I’d like to see an increased level of faith and trust in the government,” said City Manager Mark Biernacki.

Another major focus of the meeting was to make sure DeKalb becomes more cohesive as a community.

“I think that we’ve lost a sense of what community means, and may be forgetting why we’ve come together to make DeKalb such a great city,” said DeKalb Mayor Kris Povlsen.

The Council members also discussed the future of the city and how best to improve DeKalb. Some officials felt putting more faith in the younger population is the best way to move forward.

“If we start seeing youth as an asset and the future leaders for the community, I think they will live up to that billing,” said 3rd Ward Alderwoman Kristen Lash.

Others, like 2nd Ward Alderman Tom Teresinski, felt that making sure Dekalb’s educational system and graduation rates are up to par is important to the future of the city.

“We’ve got to develop new and effective was to handle our school systems and make sure our graduates want to live in the city after their schooling,” Terensinski said.

The meeting allowed the Council to discuss issues and plans for the city, which 1st Ward Alderman David Jacobson felt was the most important aspect of the session.

“It’s really important that the Council is all on the same page,” Jacobson said. “We need to make sure we all work together to bring about the changes and improvements that DeKalb needs.”