DeKalb Times

City of Sycamore City Council met September 17. 

Here is the minutes as provided by the council:

Roll Call

Mayor Lang called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and City Clerk Mary Kalk called the roll. Those Alderpersons present were: Nancy Copple, Rick Kramer, Pete Paulsen, David Stouffer, Chuck Stowe, Alan Bauer, and Steve Braser. Alderperson Virginia Sherrod was absent. City Attorney Keith Foster was also present.

Invocation – Mayor Lang gave the invocation.

Pledge of Allegiance Led by Southeast Elementary School Students; Emma Anderson, Abby Lisafeld, Evan Marabillas, Nathan Marabillas, Lydia O'Flaherty, Brodin Pesek, Gavin Pesek, Trevin Pesek, and Brooklyn Howley.

Approval of Agenda

Motion

Alderperson Braser moved to approve the agenda and Alderperson Kramer seconded the motion.

Voice Vote

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

Appointments

Audience to Visitors

Mayor Lang thanked Gavin, one of our local students, for attending the meeting for credit in his Civics class.

Consent Agenda

A. Approval of the Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of September 4, 2018.

B. Payment of the Bills for September 17, 2018 in the amount of $995,209.69.

Motion

Alderperson Bauer moved to approve the Consent Agenda and Alderperson Stowe seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote

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

Presentation of Petitions, Communications, and Bills

Alderperson Kramer thanked the entire Police Department and Fire Department on behalf of his family for escorting his new daughter-in-law to the Moose Club for their celebration. He said they did an awesome job.

A. A Proclamation Declaring September 2018 as Suicide Prevention Month in the City of Sycamore, Illinois. Mayor Lang said this proclamation shows the City of Sycamore is very concerned and is willing and wanting to help those in need.

B. Introduction of Sycamore Public Library Executive Director Monica Dombrowski.

Alderman Stouffer, who is the representative on the Library Board, introduced Monica Dombrowski. He is very excited to have her as she has a lot of fantastic ideas.

Monica Dombrowski thanked everyone for the opportunity to be one of the servants of this fine community. She said she is very excited to work with such a great team, continue to make the library a strong presence in the community, and continue to look for ways to enhance services. She said it is library card sign-up month and the Library Board meets the second Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. at the Library.

Report of Officers

City Manager – Brian Gregory reported that last week started the new garbage collection day for Waste Management. There is an interactive map on the City’s website to obtain your collection day. He welcomed Willow Real Estate, who is moving in to 320 West State Street. They purchased the building and will be doing some façade improvements. He also welcomed UOI Boutique, which is moving in at 307 W. State Street. They come from Sterling and this will be their second store. They anticipate being open late September or early October. He said the progress on the new DeKalb County History Center building at the Engh Farm is coming along swiftly..

Police Chief – Jim Winters said the two new Ford Explorer squad cars that were approved by Council back in May have arrived at Veto-Enterprises to be equipped with emergency camera, lighting, computers, and printers. They hope to have them out by Pumpkin Festival.

Fire Chief – Pete Polarek said there will be a national wireless emergency alert test from the Emergency Alert System Thursday September 20th. All phones and handheld devices will receive a message between 1:18-1:20 p.m. about a presidential alert. This is a test and there is no need to respond to it. He said the Fire Department Open House is Saturday, October 20th at Fire Station #2 and the Fire Preservation Pancake Breakfast is November 10th at Fire Station #1. 

Director of Public Works – Fred Busse said the water department has been on schedule with the hydrant flushing and plan on wrapping up on Thursday, September 20th. He said the TV camera truck is being sent to the outfitter which will be a fourweek build and hopes to have the truck for display before one of the upcoming council meetings.

Treasurer/Asst. to the City Manager – Adam Orton said The Treasurer’s report on a cash-basis has a benchmark of 33% at four months into the fiscal year. The fourth installment of property tax was received in August which is 56% of the total expected. Both the State and Home Rule Sales tax are at 32% and the Income Tax is at 36%. He noted that for the services charges revenue line, the company that handles the ambulance billing reported a computer glitch which prevented them from preparing the monthly reports in time for tonight’s meeting. There is an estimate listed. Overall revenues are at 36%, but the weighted number brings it to 33%. Overall expenditures are at 32% and both August Pension funds had decent gains and brings the Police Pension to $14.3 million and the Fire Pension to $15.2 million.

Building & Engineering Director – John Sauter absent

City Engineer – Mark Bushnell said the last of the roadway paving occurred today on Locust Street. Besides restoration and manhole adjustments, all portions of the City work is complete. The County will be completing work on Exchange Street by the jail. They are having their contractor do some repaving and also extending paving from Exchange to Walnut Street.

Reports of Standing Committees

Finance – Alan Bauer - no report

Public Safety – Pete Paulsen - no report

Public Works – Chuck Stowe - no report

Public Hearings - None

Ordinances – None

Resolutions - None

 Considerations

A. Consideration of an Administration Recommendation to Award the Bid for the City’s 2018 Tree Planting Program. City Manager Brian Gregory said each year the city’s budget includes an allocation for the Tree Planting program as an initiative for Sycamore being a Tree City, USA. One bid was received from Stran’s Garden Center stating it is for 50 trees. It will be one tree per residence until October 2nd. After that, a second tree can be purchased until the cap of 50 trees is reached. Staff recommends award to Stran’s Garden Center for $18,020.

Motion

Alderperson Paulsen moved to award the bid to Stran’s Garden Center in the amount of $18,020 and Alderperson Braser seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote

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

Other New Business

Alderperson Nancy Copple introduced the Sycamore High School Librarian, Matt Anderson.

Adjournment

Motion

Alderperson Stowe moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 p.m. and Alderperson Paulsen seconded the motion.

Voice Vote

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

http://cityofsycamore.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/cc20180917mins-1.pdf