Despite opposition from several council members and citizens, the DeKalb City Council approved the hiring of Mark Biernacki as city manager in a 4-3 vote Monday night.

Fifth Ward Alderman Pat Conboy was one of those opposed to hiring Biernacki.

“We had 53 applications, and of that number, I found 20 or so that would be just fine,” Conboy said. “Despite that, it was determined to take this person and ramrod him through the system.”

Others were opposed to Biernacki’s annual base salary of $122,120, since it was higher than than that of previous city manager Jim Connors.

“[The council] should further rethink what message the salary communicates,” said Herb Rubin, retired NIU sociology professor and activist. “The procedures were designed to polarize rather than bring people together.”

Second Ward Alderman Kris Povlsen said he received many phone calls from community members opposed to Biernacki.

“I have never seen so much support to not appoint this gentleman,” Povlsen said.

Seventh Ward Alderman James Barr said he thought the right decision was made.

“I found three excellent candidates, including Mr. Biernacki,” Barr said. “He stood out as having the most expertise.”

Biernacki addressed the council after the motion passed.

“It’s important I do not take this personally,” Biernacki said. “I trust this is all behind us now; it’s time to move forward and look toward the future.”

Biernacki said that he would like to begin his new job by delivering a balanced Fiscal Year 2005 budget, strengthen fiscal health, examine and revise growth management responses and be an effective leader.

Biernacki will begin his new position Feb. 17.

The council also approved a special-use permit for the Bromley building at 830 Edgebrook Drive.

However, because of parking concerns, it is yet to be decided how many units the building will hold.

Owner Jerry Cherney purchased extra off-site parking spaces from Campus Cinemas. Some council members said that residents may take up too many street spaces, since those spaces would be closer to the building.

“Human nature being what it is, there would be a great deal of parking pressures on the street itself,” 3rd Ward Alderman Steve Kapitan said.

City Attorney Margo Ely said Cherney could regulate resident parking through the leases.

“If they violate the lease, they could be evicted,” Ely said.