City of Sycamore City Council met March 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 Chuck Stowe, Marvin Barnes, Alan Bauer, Nancy Copple, Alicia Cosky, Mike Rodriguez, Virginia Sherrod, and David Stouffer. 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 Barnes 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 February 16, 2026.
B. Payment of the Bills for March 2, 2026, in the entire amount of $804,470.49.
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, Barnes, Bauer, Copple, Cosky, Rodriguez, Sherrod, and Stouffer voted aye. Motion carried 8-0
APPOINTMENTS
PRESENTATION, PETITIONS, AND PROCLAMATIONS
REPORTS OF STAFF, COMMITTEES, AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
A. Sycamore Beautification Committee 2025 End-of-Year Report.
Alderperson Cosky reported that the end-of-year report, in the agenda packet, included the survey results for Sycamore in Bloom. She added that they have been busy. She and her committee were thanked by Alderman Barnes for all they are doing.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
ORDINANCES
RESOLUTIONS
A. Resolution No. 1034 – A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Contract for the Purchase of Electricity from the Lowest Cost Electricity Provider for the Purposes of Commercial Accounts through the Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaborative Bid Process.
City Manager Michael Hall said that the city has participated in this cooperative purchasing program for several years allowing the city to secure competitive pricing through bulk pricing. NIMEC monitors the market and locks in those rates for which the next bid is on March 11th. This authorizes the city manager to sign the contract after the bids.
Alderman Bauer asked if this would also include residential accounts, too.
City Manager Michael Hall explained that the regulation changed to say the city “can no longer automatically sign up someone”. The residents would have to seek out alternate sources.
MOTION
Alderman Barnes motioned to approve Resolution 1034 and Alderperson Sherrod seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL VOTE
Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Stowe, Barnes, Bauer, Copple, Cosky, Rodriguez, Sherrod, and Stouffer voted aye. Motion carried 8-0
B. Resolution 1035 – A Resolution Approving Roadway Construction Utilizing Motor Fuel Tax Funds for FY26 for the City of Sycamore, Illinois.
City Manager Michael Hall said that this represents the annual road maintenance program funded by MFT (Motor Fuel Tax) Funds. The city’s budget is $500,000 this year.
MOTION
Alderman Stowe motioned to approve Resolution 1035 and Alderman Rodriguez seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL VOTE
Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Stowe, Barnes, Bauer, Copple, Cosky, Rodriguez, Sherrod, and Stouffer voted aye. Motion carried 8-0
C. Resolution 1036 – A Resolution Approving Preliminary and Construction Engineering Services with Municipal Engineering Corporation for Motor Fuel Tax Funds for FY26 for the City of Sycamore, Illinois.
City Manager Michael Hall said that this is related to the last resolution as engineering services are required as oversight to comply with State requirements for MFT Funds. This cost is included in the overall budget for engineering services for these road projects.
MOTION
Alderman Bauer motioned to approve Resolution 1036 and Alderperson Cosky seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL VOTE
Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Stowe, Barnes, Bauer, Copple, Cosky, Rodriguez, Sherrod, and Stouffer voted aye. Motion carried 8-0
D. Resolution 1037 – A Resolution Awarding a Contract to Stenstrom Construction Companies of Rockford, Illinois for the 2026 Influent Pump Station Improvements.
City Manager Micheal Hall said that this is a critical wastewater infrastructure project as per the agenda. Four bids were received, all within budget. The recommended contractor submitted the lowest bid at $2.678 million, which is approximately $422,000 below the projected budget of $3.1 million. The project will be funded through the Wastewater Fund.
MOTION
Alderperson Sherrod motioned to approve Resolution 1037 and Alderman Stouffer seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL VOTE
Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Stowe, Barnes, Bauer, Copple, Cosky, Rodriguez, Sherrod, and Stouffer voted aye. Motion carried 8-0
E. Resolution 1038 – A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Sign a Professional Services Agreement with Baxter and Woodman for Construction Engineering Services for the 2026 Influent Pump Station Improvements.
City Manager Micheal Hall said this is also for engineering services for the influent pump improvements. Looking for approval for Baxter and Woodman to oversee and inspect the documents, as well as that it meets the regulatory requirements for the overall project.
MOTION
Alderman Stouffer motioned to approve Resolution 1038 and Alderman Barnes seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL VOTE
Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Stowe, Barnes, Bauer, Copple, Cosky, Rodriguez, Sherrod, and Stouffer voted aye. Motion carried 8-0
F. Resolution 1039 – A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Sign Contracts, Including Joint Participation Agreements with the State of Illinois’ CY2026-CY2027 Rock Salt Joint Participation Agreement, in the City of Sycamore, Illinois.
City Manager Michael Hall said the city does the cooperative purchasing program annually with the State to buy salt for the remaining year allowing the city to purchase salt.
MOTION
Alderman Stowe motioned to approve Resolution 1039 and Alderman Rodriguez seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL VOTE
Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Stowe, Barnes, Bauer, Copple, Cosky, Rodriguez, Sherrod, and Stouffer voted aye. Motion carried 8-0
CONSIDERATIONS
A. Consideration of an Administration Request for a Closed Session to Discuss the Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance, or Dismissal of Specific Employees under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1).
MOTION
Alderperson Cosky motioned to enter into Closed Session at 6:11 pm 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 8-0.
MOTION
Alderperson Sherrod motioned to enter back into Open Session at 6:47 pm 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.
OTHER NEW BUSINESS
Alderman Barnes announced the DeKalb County Government’s America 250 Event: ONE COUNTRY, ONE NATION: AMERICA 250 CEREMONY on July 8, 2026 at 3:00 pm at the DeKalb County Courthouse where at 5:00 pm the Declaration of Independence will be read at the same time in all time zones across the nation. (flyer included here within)
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION
Alderman Stowe motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:49 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/_03022026-409
