City of Sycamore City Council met Feb. 2.
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 Virginia Sherrod, David Stouffer, Chuck Stowe, Marvin Barnes, Alan Bauer, Nancy Copple, Alicia Cosky, and Mike Rodriguez. Attorney Keith Foster was also present.
INNVOCATION 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 Stouffer seconded the motion.
VOICE VOTE
Mayor Braser called for a voice vote to approve the motion. All Alderpersons voted aye. Motion carried 8-0.
AUDIENCE TO VISITORS
CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of the Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of January 20, 2026.
B. Payment of the Bills for February 2nd, 2026 in the entire amount of $2,584,523.10.
MOTION
Alderman Bauer motioned to approve the Consent and Alderman Stowe seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL VOTE
Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Sherrod, Stouffer, Stowe, Barnes, Bauer, Copple, Cosky, and Rodriguez voted aye. Motion carried 8-0
APPOINTMENTS
PRESENTATION, PETITIONS, AND PROCLAMATIONS
A. Presentation by Executive Director Michelle Donahoe of the DeKalb County History Center.
Executive Director Michelle Donahoe gave a PowerPoint presentation recapping 2025 and highlighting the vision for 2026. She also announced that their event “Cocktails at the Crib” is July 18th this year.
REPORTS OF STAFF, COMMITTEES, AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Fire Chief Bart Gilmore explained that the new ladder truck did not respond to the fire Saturday morning at Tom & Jerry’s as ten minutes before the fire call an ambulance call emptied Station #2 where the ladder truck is housed. He said they are currently working with the city manager and staff to come up with a hiring plan. He said what he would ask this council, is whatever comes out of it, that they would be willing to support it as he has spoken for the last three years at “being on the knife’s edge of being out of people.” Saturday morning, they ran out of people as he had no one come back on department recall making them totally reliant on other cities.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
ORDINANCES
RESOLUTIONS
A. Resolution No. 1031—A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a License Agreement with Opportunity House to Construct an Accessibility Ramp Within the Right-of-Way at 342 North Sacramento Street in Sycamore, Illinois.
City Manager Michael Hall said that this is simply for ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) improvements in the right-of-way. Staff have reviewed the location and design for safety and compliance. There are no anticipated impacts to traffic, pedestrians, or adjacent properties.
MOTION
Alderman Stowe motioned to approve Resolution 1031 and Alderperson Cosky seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL VOTE
Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Sherrod, Stouffer, Stowe, Barnes, Bauer, Copple, Cosky, and Rodriguez voted aye. Motion carried 8-0
B. Resolution No. 1032 – A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Economic Incentive Agreement with Olive Garden Holdings, LLC to Construct a New Restaurant on the Southeast Corner of Route 23 and Gateway Drive in Sycamore, Illinois.
City Manager Michael Hall said the city was approached a year ago by Andy Stein, Representative for Olive Garden who now has a location and deal. He did a package program for an incentive-based tax revenue sharing agreement as per the agenda.
MOTION
Alderman Barnes motioned to approve Resolution 1032 and Alderperson Sherrod seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL VOTE
Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Sherrod, Stouffer, Stowe, Barnes, Bauer, Copple, Cosky, and Rodriguez voted aye. Motion carried 8-0
CONSIDERATIONS
OTHER NEW BUSINESS
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION
Alderman Stowe motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:21 p.m. and Alderman Rodriguez seconded the motion.
VOICE VOTE
Mayor Braser called for a voice vote to approve the motion. All Alderpersons voted aye. Motion carried 8-0.
https://www.cityofsycamore.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02022026-403
