‘I’m basically begging’: Dixmoor Public Library District urges village to build library

The Dixmoor Public Library District urged the village board once again to build its own library amid rising costs of its current partnership.

Library secretary Arletta Evans made another plea to the village board to aid construction during the Aug. 27 meeting. She previously spoke to the board about building a library during the July 23 meeting and said this is a discussion she has “every year.”

Dixmoor does not have its own library facility despite having a taxing district for it since 1989. The village previously partnered with the Harvey Public Library District but left in 2011 because of economic reasons. Dixmoor has since been partnering with the William Leonard Public Library District in Robbins for library services. 

Evans said that the price to partner with William Leonard has remained stable for the past decade. This year, however, the price tripled. “It was more than we could afford.” 

“I personally convinced them that we could not approve this [price], so they came down to a comparable amount for us to pay,” Evans said. Despite the negotiation, the William Leonard Public Library District “reassured” Evans that the price will continue to increase yearly.

Evans said that the DPLD has been saving money for 12 years to build a library. In 2016, the village purchased a vacant lot at 14501 Davis St. for a combined library and media center, but the space has remained unoccupied. 

Evans alleged that William Leonard found out how much money Dixmoor had been saving for a library and increased their price as a result. “We refuse to give in to that because we want our funds to stay in Dixmoor.”

The DPLD created a five-year plan to carry out once the village board approves the construction, Evans shared. She said that if the library district is unable to afford the partnership with William Leonard, residents won’t be able to patronize any library because they will not be able to get a library card.

“I’m basically begging,” Evans said to the village board. “Don’t table it. Yes or no, but we need an answer.”

Public hearing on small-sized homes

Before the meeting began, the board held a public hearing on a proposed moratorium on small-sized houses. 

Village attorney James Vasselli said mobile and container homes are becoming a land-use and zoning issue, and the village is considering a study to determine the best response. They expect the study to take three to six months and will not take any action regarding the homes until it is completed. 

The moratorium was tabled for further review.

“Rental/landlord tenant housing agreement” discussion

Trustee Angela Franks-Muse asked Vasselli for clarification on a “rental/landlord tenant housing” ordinance. She asked if the ordinance would hold tenants as well as landlords accountable to other Dixmoor residents to make it a “safe and peaceful environment.”

Vasselli said that since the village is not a home-rule entity, it cannot legally enact a crime-free housing ordinance. The ordinance draws attention to property owners, he said.

‘Girls with Vision and Class’ requests partnership with village

New resident Jasmine Gavin asked the village board to partner with her on her nonprofit organization, Girls with Vision and Class. The program mentors girls aged six to 18 and hosts events designed to build relationships and encourage personal growth. 

Gavin asked the village board to help launch the program into the community and requested to host weekly meetings at the community center.  She also submitted paperwork for the program to throw a holiday parade to increase exposure going into the new year.

New sergeants sworn in

The village board swore in three new sergeants. Among those sworn in was Aaron McCaskill, son of village treasurer Anthony McCaskill. Cook County Commissioner Kisha McCaskill (5th) attended the meeting and took photos with the sergeants. 

Smart water meters for residents

The village will be installing smart water meters into residents’ homes starting this month. Village president Fitzgerald Roberts said the new meters will eliminate estimating bills, alert residents of unusual activity, and will not require home access for readings. Village clerk Juanita Darden added that residents will be able to check their water use online.