DeKalb volunteers and commission members met last night to witness the first State of the City Address.

DeKalb Mayor Frank Van Buer, elected in April, gave a short speech thanking all 123 people who volunteer and work for the city on all 17 of its commissions.

The mayor took time and thanked non-city organizations such as NIU, the Chamber of Commerce and Main Street DeKalb for their efforts in working to better the city.

Van Buer pointed out some of the highlights of his term thus far.

Among these highlights were the revitalization of East Lincoln Highway, a plan to revitalize downtown DeKalb being developed for the spring, new residential guidelines and impact fees that are being developed to improve the community and the development of a plan for a new police station.

Another topic Van Buer talked about was business development in the area and he mentioned the diversity of businesses DeKalb hosts.

The mayor said the city adopted a property tax abatement intended to attract the largest business investors which could potentially boost the DeKalb economy.

He also said the DeKalb airport is making adjustments so that it can be open year round to help increase business.

The last items the mayor mentioned was the city’s plan to do something about the noise of train whistles and the completion a truck route analysis that will help redirect truck traffic away from downtown and residential areas.

Van Buer gave light to some of the smaller accomplishments the various commissions have made in the past year.

The Advisory Commission on Disabilities conducted a study of some of DeKalb’s older buildings in order to bring them up to par with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The biggest improvement was the installment of power door openers where heavy handled doors used to be, said Joanne Rouse, advisory commission on disabilities member.

The Advisory Commission on Disabilities consists of nine members who volunteer to meet once a month.

Another smaller accomplishment the mayor addressed was the DeKalb police and fire commissions improved requirements for DeKalb firefighters.

Firefighters are required to be licensed paramedics in order to join the DeKalb Fire Department, said Lanny Russell, chief of the DeKalb Fire Department.

It used to cost the city $30,000 in overtime expenses to get one person trained as a paramedic firefighter, Russell said. The training lasts for one year.

The training is available locally at the Kishwaukee Community Hospital, 626 Bethany Road or at Kishwaukee Community College, in Malta, Russell said.