DeKalb residents will have the opportunity to share concerns with city officials in an informal setting at the second quarterly open house today.

The open house will take place at Hillcrest Covenant Church, 1515 N. First St.

City Manager Mark Biernacki started the program in the fall, executive secretary Patti McAdams said.

“There’s no agenda; citizens can bring up any item they want city staff or elected officials to be aware of,” McAdams said.

All elected [city] officials and candidates are invited to the open house, McAdams said.

City department heads and a number of aldermen will be present, Biernacki said.

“We will address any issues that are brought to us,” Biernacki said. “Come in, bring your ideas and we’ll direct you to the right people to talk to.”

He said he started the open houses as a way to bring city hall to the people in a relaxed setting.

Assistant City Manager Linda Wiggins said the open house was an effort to reach out to the local residents.

“By doing these outreach efforts we try and identify things we can help residents with that we aren’t necessarily aware of,” Wiggins said.

McAdams said the advantage of the open house is that it is away from the city hall.

“Some people may not feel comfortable coming to a formal city council meeting, speaking in front of cameras,” McAdams said.

“Sometimes people have issues or concerns that are nagging but they don’t want to come to city hall and formally complain,” Wiggins said.

Wiggins said 17 to 20 residents attended the first open house held in October at the Chesebro Elementary School, 900 E. Garden Road.

Residents brought up concerns regarding property maintenance, traffic control and speed at the last open house, Wiggins said.

“[Issues] can be anything and everything,” she said. “For example, in Greek Row, it’s lighting and safety; in other areas it’s sidewalks or streets; it’s whatever they want to talk about.”

“[The open house] is set for two hours, but we can stay as long as people want to stay and chat,” Wiggins said.