DeKalb Times

City of Sycamore City Council Met Jan. 4.

Here is the minutes 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: Pete Paulsen, Virginia Sherrod, David Stouffer, Chuck Stowe, Alan Bauer, Steve Braser, Nancy Copple, and Josh Huseman. City Attorney Keith Foster was also present.

INVOCATION- by Pastor William Mills, Assembly of God Church

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Led by Alderman Josh Huseman

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MOTION

Alderperson Braser motioned to approve the agenda and Alderperson Stouffer seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Lang called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Paulsen, Sherrod, Stouffer, Stowe, Bauer, Braser, Copple, and Huseman voted aye. Motion carried 8-0.

AUDIENCE TO VISITORS

CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval of the Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of December 21, 2020. 

B. Payment of the Bills for January 4, 2021 in the amount of $562,657.01

C. Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes from September 14, 2020.

MOTION

Alderperson Bauer motioned 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 Paulsen, Sherrod, Stouffer, Stowe, Bauer, Braser, Copple, and Huseman voted aye. Motion carried 8-0.

PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, AND BILLS

REPORT OF OFFICERS

City Manager – Brian Gregory thanked and expressed appreciation to the Public Works Department who handled the first big snowstorm of the year and the shoveling pass downtown helping some of the vacant storefronts. There will be a Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) meeting next Monday, January 11th at 7:00 p.m. via electronic Zoom with three items on the agenda all which include public hearings. Two involve Special Use requests for 220 East State Street where Spiders Tattooz is looking to relocate and for 1330 East State Street where Crossroads Community Church is looking to relocate. The third item is an amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). Once the PZC takes action, they will come to the Council likely on the second meeting in January where the General Fund budget assumptions will be outlined. This starts the budget season where he will walk through all the assumptions over the next successive meetings and then have a public hearing in April with First and Second Readings. He shared that he has had a fair amount of calls come in for business opportunities from different sectors and that it is pretty encouraging for not knowing how the COVID-19 pandemic would impact things.

Police Chief – Jim Winters said that two certified Police Officers were sworn in last Monday, December 28th and have started their field training. This Friday, an entry-level Police Officer will be sworn in and will start training at the academy on Sunday, January 10th for 14 weeks at which time he will start field training with Sycamore Officers. He thanked the Police and Fire Commission and Maggie who worked a tough schedule going through this process helping to get the department close to full staff again.

Fire Chief – Pete Polarek said that New Year’s Day culminated the Red Wreath Program and that he is happy and thankful to report that they did not have any holiday related events, however, their typical activity was very consistent. He reported that Connor Hickey, a replacement Firefighter, was sworn in at the Clerk’s office and started today and is excited to have him. He is happy to report that the Fire First Responders will have the opportunity to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Director of Community Development John Sauter said that they’re in the process of updating the City’s Zoning Map and the new 2021 map should be available in the near future. They finished the year with 41 single family permits. Last year, they were at 38, so they surprisingly beat last year’s total. He said that issuing seven permits in the month of December was a nice surprise given the COVID situation and said they finished strong this year.

Director of Human and Administrative Resources (DHAR) – Maggie Peck echoed in thanking Public Works for all the snow and ice removal. She reported that they only had one main break during the holiday season. She added that there is a laborer position open and will begin interviews later in the month. They will also be starting the interview process for the Public Works Director next week. She reminded that the Water Improvement Infrastructure Fee was included on the water bills this last time as previously mentioned. She added that they are excited about the three new police officers and one firefighter and look forward to many years with them.

City Engineer Mark Bushnell said that in addition to the resolution on the agenda another component of our Community Rating System requirements is to mail notices to specific Sycamore residents and businesses either impacted by flooding or involved in flood insurance. With the help of Community Development, these notices will go out this week. We can send in our annual certification which will ultimately save our residents and businesses 15% on their flood insurance.

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

Finance – Alan Bauer said - no report. 

Public Safety – Pete Paulsen no report. 

Public Works – Chuck Stowe no report.

PUBLIC HEARINGS - None 

ORDINANCES - None

RESOLUTIONS

A. Resolution No. 849—A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Designate 2021 Freedom of Information Act Officers and the Open Meetings Act Officer Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act of the State of Illinois.

City Manager Brian Gregory reviewed the officers per the agenda and said after this resolution is passed, this information will be on the city’s website.

Alderman Braser asked if it is ok to have Attorney Kevin Buick be an officer instead of a city employee.

Attorney Keith Foster said yes and that Mr. Buick is actually the Open Meetings Officer for several municipalities and that it is pretty common.

MOTION

Alderperson Braser motioned to approve Resolution 849 and Alderperson Huseman seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Lang called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Paulsen, Sherrod, Stouffer, Stowe, Bauer, Braser, Copple, and Huseman voted aye. Motion carried 8-0.

B. Resolution No. 850—A Resolution Adopting the 2019 Updated DeKalb County All Hazards Mitigation Plan.

City Manager Brian Gregory said that this plan that was originally adopted back in 2007/2008 was recently updated. It was submitted to IEMA (Illinois Emergency Management Agency) and FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) who approved the plan that was spearheaded by DeKalb County. Once approved, it was distributed to all participating communities for adoption. He added that by having a plan in place, it allows for seeking certain grants and helps with reductions of insurance premiums for residents.

Alderperson Copple asked if there is an updated list of people involved or if it is still the 2019 list.

City Manager Brian Gregory said that that the 2019 list is the current people involved.

MOTION

Alderperson Copple motioned to approve Resolution 850 and Alderperson Stowe seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Lang called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Paulsen, Sherrod, Stouffer, Stowe, Bauer, Braser, Copple, and Huseman voted aye. Motion carried 8-0.

CONSIDERATIONS

A. Consideration of an Administration Request for a Closed Session to Discuss Pending Litigation.

MOTION

Alderperson Bauer motioned to enter into Closed Session at 7:22 p.m. and Alderperson Stouffer seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Lang called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Paulsen, Sherrod, Stouffer, Stowe, Bauer, Braser, Copple, and Huseman voted aye. Motion carried 8-0.

MOTION

Alderperson Huseman motioned to return to Open Session at 7:55 p.m. and Alderperson Stouffer seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Lang called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Paulsen, Sherrod, Stouffer, Stowe, Bauer, Braser, Copple, and Huseman voted aye. Motion carried 8-0.

OTHER NEW BUSINESS 

APPOINTMENTS 

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION

Alderperson Stowe motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:56 p.m. and Alderperson Paulsen seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Lang called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Paulsen, Sherrod, Stouffer, Stowe, Bauer, Braser, Copple, and Huseman voted aye. Motion carried 8-0.

https://cityofsycamore.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/cc20210104.pdf