New bus shelters may be built in DeKalb as part of an agreement that could save the city money.

Ray Keller, DeKalb city planner, discussed a proposed agreement at Monday’s City Council workshop that would allow the Illinois Convenience and Safety Corporation to build new bus shelters at no cost to the city.

“We’ve had frequent requests for new bus shelters. What [IC&SC does] is provide bus shelters to communities at no cost with the exchange for the advertising rights,” Keller said.

IC&SC would also be responsible for providing maintenance on the shelters, Keller said. He said IC&SC is aware that more maintenance will be required because DeKalb is a college town and is more susceptible to vandalism.

In addition to paying for the bus shelters, IC&SC would give 10 percent of the advertising revenue back to DeKalb. Keller said 23 IC&SC-built shelters bring in about $17,000 a year for the city of Niles.

DeKalb’s plan includes 22 potential sites, but is subject to change.

For the agreement to be accepted, two unified development ordinance requirements must be waived. Both prohibit advertising on bus shelters, Keller said.

Some City Council members were not sure waiving the UDOs was a good idea.

“I’m concerned about the type of advertising. I wouldn’t like to see alcohol or cigarette ads, or those Smirnoff ads with the young scantily clad ladies on them,” 2nd Ward Alderman Kris Povlsen said.