Three public commissions may come to an end

What do the Keep Des Plaines Beautiful, Cable Services and Human Services Advisory commissions have in common?

They are on the city's chopping block.

Aldermen decided to refer the possibility of abolishing the three committees to the legal and licensing committee after hearing from one resident who thinks the citizen-driven commissions should stay around.

City officials are discussing ending the groups due to a lack of duties or activities.

Besides these groups, there is also talk of disbanding the city's civil service commission that hasn't met in five years.

Ron Friedman, who had belonged to the cable services commission, is fighting to keep the cable services group going, since he wants to see the city start a public access station.

The other commissions ensure public involvement in the city, he added.

"There is zero public access," he said.

The cable commission tasks are handled by the city manager's office, while the Keep Des Plaines Beautiful functions fall under the public works department.

With the advent of the Healthy Community Partnership, the human services commission became redundant, officials said.

Acting City Manager Jason Bajor said maintaining a public access station would be beyond the scope of what the city is equipped to do.

The discussion will be referred to the legal and licensing committee.

Eighth Ward Alderman Rosemary Argus opposed the move since she feels that the commissions aren't relevant.

She said she prefers community involvement when it's purposeful.

Labor agreement: Des Plaines Community and Economic Development Director Michael Conlan mentioned he'd like to see more union workers on city projects last month. Now, the city has formed its first project labor agreement to make sure that happens. River Plaines Associates, which also won $1.7 million in public dollars for its 144-unit condo project, has agreed to forge a deal with the building trades union to employ only union workers. Conlan said this will ensure the project will be "constructed with quality union labor."

The search is on: Des Plaines is hiring a search firm to help find a new city manager. David Niemeyer resigned in May.

Jason Bajor was named acting city manager, and has expressed a desire to continue the job.

Aldermen voted late Monday to hire Par Group, of Lake Bluff. The firm will get up to $22,000 for its work.

Citizen academy: Des Plaines police are looking for you.

The department is taking names for its fall session of the citizen police academy, which starts Sept. 17. The group meets at 7 p.m. on Mondays over 10 weeks.

People will learn things like how the SWAT team handles hostage situations and what methods are used to solve a crime.

Participants must be at least 21. If you're interested, call Ana Holthouse at (847) 826-3647

Belatedly: Happy belated birthday to City Clerk Donna McAllister. I hear one of her favorite presents from colleagues was a Chicago Cubs blanket.