DeKalb Times

City of Sycamore City Council met Feb. 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

ROLL CALL

Mayor Braser called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and City Clerk Mary Kalk called the roll. Those Alderpersons present were Chuck Stowe, Alan Bauer, Ben Bumpus, Nancy Copple, Jeff Fischer, Pete Paulsen, and Virginia Sherrod. Alderperson Alicia Cosky was absent. Attorney Keith Foster was also present.

INVOCATION led by Alderperson Nancy Copple

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderperson Nancy Copple

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MOTION

Alderperson Copple motioned to approve the agenda and Alderman Fischer seconded the motion.

VOICE VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a voice vote to approve the motion. All Alderpersons voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.

AUDIENCE TO VISITORS

CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval of the Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of January 16, 2024

B. Payment of the Bills for February 5, 2024, in the amount of $1,644,362.11.

MOTION

Alderman Bauer motioned to approve the Consent Agenda and Alderman Stowe seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Stowe, Bauer, Bumpus, Copple, Fischer, Paulsen, and Sherrod voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.

PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, AND BILLS

Alderman Ben Bumpus, on behalf of the DeKalb County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, said the bureau is reaching out to as many businesses in the Leisure and Hospitality industry who would be willing to provide donations to help the bureau. Interested businesses can contact him or Executive Director Courtney Strohacker.

REPORT OF OFFICERS

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

Finance – Alan Bauer – no report

Public Safety – Pete Paulsen – no report

Public Works – Chuck Stowe – no report

PUBLIC HEARINGS

ORDINANCES

A. Ordinance No. 2024.02 – An Ordinance Amending Title 2, “Boards and Commissions,” Chapter 5, “Pension Boards,” Section 1, “Firemen’s Pension Board,” of the City Code of the City of Sycamore, Illinois. First and Second Reading.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this is a clean-up item from when the state law changed back in 2018. The correct make up of the board has been used, but now the code will be correct.

MOTION

Alderperson Copple motioned to waive First Reading for Ordinance 2024.02 and Alderperson Sherrod seconded the motion.

VOICE VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a voice vote to approve the motion. All Alderpersons voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.

MOTION

Alderperson Copple motioned to approve Ordinance 2024.02 and Alderman Paulsen seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Stowe, Bauer, Bumpus, Copple, Fischer, Paulsen, and Sherrod voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.

RESOLUTIONS

A. Resolution No. 972 – A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Revised License Agreement with Troy Oltman and Tenant, Josh Smith D/B/A The Dirty Bird Chicken Joint, to Access and Service the Property Located at 124 S. Maple Street.

City Manager Michael Hall said that he was approached by The Dirty Bird owner about installing a freezer outdoors on the property. Staff looked at everything and it is feasible. There is already an agreement in place, so this is updating that agreement. This will not interfere with any city operations.

MOTION

Alderman Fischer made a motion to approve Resolution 972 and Alderman Bumpus seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Stowe, Bauer, Bumpus, Copple, Fischer, Paulsen, and Sherrod voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.

B. Resolution No. 973 – A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Sign a Development Agreement with BCM Industrial Park, LLC, for Certain Public Improvements in the BCM Industrial Park in the City of Sycamore, Illinois.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this is a water project that started about two years ago for 1,400 linear feet on North Cross Street and Brickville Road to connect two ten-inch mains together. This will accomplish two goals being, improve water circulation and fire protection flow, and to eliminate fire connections systems that BCM has currently to create better flow for the system. The city agreed to construct the watermain and provide the service steps for the industrial park for the fire pumps and BCM agrees to remove the fire connections and create an easement for the city to do the work which will all be funded through the TIF (Tax Increment Financing) District.

MOTION

Alderman Stowe made a motion to approve Resolution 973 and Alderman Paulsen seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Stowe, Bauer, Bumpus, Copple, Fischer, Paulsen, and Sherrod voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.

C. Resolution No. 974 – A Resolution Awarding a Contract to H Linden and Sons of Plano, IL for the 2023 North Cross Street Watermain Improvements.

City Manager Michael Hall said this resolution is for the contracted work. There were 10 bids for which six were under the Engineer’s Estimate and H Linden’s bid was $619,130 which is 22% under the city’s estimate.

Alderman Bumpus asked if its norm al to have such disparity between the high and low bids.

City Manager Michael Hall said yes, that is normal and that the bidders are vetted and qualified.

MOTION

Alderman Bumpus made a motion to approve Resolution 974 and Alderman Paulsen seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Stowe, Bauer, Bumpus, Copple, Fischer, Paulsen, and Sherrod voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.

D. Resolution No. 975 – A Resolution Approving an Agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation to Commit Local Funds for a City of Sycamore Roadway Project.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this is the IDOT (Illinois Department of Transportation) project along Somonauk Street. Federal Funds will cover 80% and the city will cover 20% or $220,000 local share of the total $1.1 million. This is a budgeted Capital Improvement Project (CIP).

MOTION

Alderman Fischer made a motion to approve Resolution 975 and Alderperson Copple seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Stowe, Bauer, Bumpus, Copple, Fischer, Paulsen, and Sherrod voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.

E. Resolution No. 976 – A Resolution to Enter into a Professional Services Agreement with Trotter and Associates, Inc. to Complete Construction Engineering for the 2023 North Cross Street Watermain Improvements.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this is to complete engineering on the watermain at BCM Industries for the resolution that was just approved. The proposed total for the engineering costs is $40,620 which is 5.1% of the engineer’s estimate and 6.6% of the low bid.

MOTION

Alderman Stowe made a motion to approve Resolution 976 and Alderman Fischer seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Stowe, Bauer, Bumpus, Copple, Fischer, Paulsen, and Sherrod voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.

F. Resolution No. 977 – A Resolution to Enter into a Professional Services Agreement with HLR (Hampton, Lenzini, and Renwick) Engineering of Elgin, IL for the Somonauk Street Road Improvements.

City Manager Michael Hall said this is for engineering services for the IDOT project just approved in Resolution 975. The total price proposal is $124,420 for which Federal funds will cover 80%.

MOTION

Alderperson Sherrod made a motion to approve Resolution 977 and Alderman Fischer seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Stowe, Bauer, Bumpus, Copple, Fischer, Paulsen, and Sherrod voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.

CONSIDERATIONS

A. Consideration of a Recommendation to Contract Weaver Construction of Sycamore, IL to Replace Doors at the Existing Well 7 Building.

City Manager Michael Hall said that the city already has a construction company completing the Well #7 radium removal project that’s currently going on now. As part of the project, three doors will be replaced in the Well building but the price from the subcontractor seemed too high at 30% higher than anticipated so they pulled that out and sought an additional quote. The quote came in 30% under at $26,600.

MOTION

Alderman Bauer motioned to approve the Consideration and Alderperson Copple seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Stowe, Bauer, Bumpus, Copple, Fischer, Paulsen, and Sherrod voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.

B. Consideration of a Public Works Department Recommendation to Place an Order for a 2024 Ford F550 Diesel 4WD Utility Truck from Lindco Equipment Sales, Merriville, IL in the Amount Not to Exceed $180,000.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this is a 2024 CIP project that was approved in December to purchase the 2024 Ford F550 to replace 1989 modified ambulance. The quote is $66,870 for the diesel chassis and $93,487 for the service body for a total of $160,357 but asking not to exceed $180,000. The build time is 300-400 days on the chassis and 120-180 for the service body.

MOTION

Alderman Fischer motioned to approve the Consideration and Alderman Bumpus seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Stowe, Bauer, Bumpus, Copple, Fischer, Paulsen, and Sherrod voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.

APPOINTMENTS

OTHER NEW BUSINESS

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION

Alderman Stowe motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:21 p.m. and Alderman Paulsen seconded the motion.

VOICE VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a voice vote to approve the motion. All Alderpersons voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.

https://www.cityofsycamore.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02052024-264