Members of the DeKalb City Council showed support for a compromise proposal offered by the NIU Student Association concerning participation in the Metropolitan Planning Organization.

“I think it is a good compromise,” said 1st Ward Alderman Andy Small. “I think we need to take a good look at this proposal.”

The Student Association’s compromise concerning the MPO involves the altering of voting members. Under the SA’s proposal, there would be eight voting members rather than the original plan for six. Under the new format, NIU would have one voting member on the committee when previously, it only had speaking rights. Sycamore, DeKalb County and the state would each have a voting member and DeKalb would have four members, maintaining a 50 percent control of the committee.

“It is fine with me as long as we have our four votes,” Mayor Greg Sparrow said.

Fifth Ward Alderman Pat Conboy is willing to review the compromise presented by the SA. However, he expressed concern about the current relationship between the city and the university.

“We should be expecting greater cooperation from the university,” Conboy said, referring to what he considered poor communication that resulted in a conflict between NIU and the city concerning the busing to Barsema Hall.

Eric Johnson, SA director of governmental affairs, said he is satisfied with the overall response of the board and he looks forward to discussing the proposal with the mayor of Sycamore, as well to get his support.