The upcoming DeKalb City Council meeting will discuss how best to supply emergency service, the changing of a road’s name and the formation of a committee to celebrate the city’s 150th anniversary.

The meeting will take place Monday at 7 p.m. in the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 S. Fourth St.

The sesquicentennial committee would be comprised of representatives from major local organizations and governmental departments, assistant city manager Linda Wiggins said. Once formed, they will brainstorm ideas on how the community can celebrate.

For safety reasons, the council also will decide on whether to rename Grand Avenue to avoid confusion with Grand Drive, which is across the city.

If an accident were to occur on Grand Avenue, emergency services might become confused between the two streets, said Russ Farnum, acting community development director.

The name change will affect only four or five homes, he said. He also said the city needs to change it before it affects more people.

On a similar topic, the council will discuss an agreement with the DeKalb Fire Protection District worth over $238,000.

The fire protection district will provide DeKalb with those funds in exchange for continued fire protection in Cortland and on the NIU campus, city manager Mark Biernacki said.

It is a balancing act of providing service at a manageable cost, Wiggins said. The city has a responsibility to provide emergency service to the outlying regions, and they cannot be left stranded.

By taking a proactive stance, city officials can avert argument and angst, she said.

The two-year agreement will see a 3- to 4-percent rise in cost because of inflation.

Also on the topic of cost, property owners looking to demolish their decrepit buildings but lack the funds might be able to obtain funding from the city.

The goal is to create a more attractive city. Because owners cannot always afford demolition, the city will provide up to $50,000 for qualified low-income applicants.

In an effort to ease traffic congestion and prevent future car accidents, the city will decide on widening the roadway at the intersection of Normal Road and Ridge Drive.

City engineer Joel Maurer said accidents have been prevalent at the intersection, and adding turn lanes will promote safer travel.