Three members of the DeKalb City Council voiced disapproval when the employment agreement between the city and Mark Biernacki, the possible new city manager, passed Monday night.

If the agreement passes on the second reading in two weeks, Biernacki will be the new city manager, replacing Jim Connors, who retires on Jan. 30.

Herb Rubin, a DeKalb resident and NIU sociology professor, said the selection process was distressed.

“The decision should be council-managed, not mayor-managed,” Rubin said.

Others are glad to see a new city manager.

Daniel Porter, a resident who sought a business license and was denied, showed his disapproval for Connors.

“I was unfairly and unjustly treated by the city manager [Connors],” Porter said. “If denied a license, one should have an opportunity to appeal it to [the city council].”

Biernacki said he wants to work with the city and the university.

“I want to sit down with city staff and university officers and learn their areas of concern,” Biernacki said.

Also discussed at the meeting was the possibility of re-establishing a rooming house at 830 Edgebrook Drive.

Jerry Cherney, building owner, sought a special-use permit for the rooming house. The ordinance passed at the first reading, but some opposed the plan.

Paul Rasmussen, director of community development, said the planning commission supported the project because it would cost the city $450,000 if it were to be torn down.

“I hope we don’t lose sight of the fact we have a vacant building that’s been vandalized and fired,” Rasmussen said.

Patricia Bragg, owner of an adjacent rooming house, said Cherney’s rooming house will hurt her business and that the property is not up to code.

“I’m so angry about this project ’cause it will have a direct impact on my business,” Bragg said. “You are setting up the worst possible situation, and I’m right in the middle of it.”

Cherney’s attorney, Ira Piltz, spoke to the board and assured the board that the building would follow code.

Piltz said Cherney already has invested $1 million into the building.

The ordinance will be decided in two weeks.