Biernacki up for official approval

By Libby John

Mark Biernacki may receive official approval to become the new DeKalb city manager at Monday’s city council meeting.

Along with approving him for the position, the city council also will discuss his potential salary, insurance benefits, severance pay and the rest of his employment agreement.

Several council members expressed concerns about his pay and severance agreement at the last council meeting. Biernacki’s negotiated salary is $10,439 more than previous city manager Jim Connors’.

Also up for final approval is a special-use permit to convert the building on 830 Edgebrook Drive into apartments. The permit would allow for 87 parking spaces.

The former dormitory once housed 150 residents and provided 40 parking spaces.

Paul Rasmussen, a community development director for DeKalb, said the building has been a problem that they have been working to solve for some time.

The council also will look into an intergovernmental agreement with DeKalb School District No. 428.

The agreement would bring the school district into discussions whenever a developer is interested in an annexation agreement for residential development.

City Attorney Margo Ely said the school and park districts always were invited to the discussions. This would just make it a formal agreement.

The council also will look to approve a special-use permit that would allow a drive-through facility at the former Red Lobster, 2470 Sycamore Road.

Joseph Freed and Associates, the realtor trying to sell the property, has not confirmed which restaurant would move into the location at Northland Plaza.

The city council will meet at 7 p.m. Monday in the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 S. Fourth St.