DeKalb Times

City of Sycamore City Council met June 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

ROLL CALL

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

INVOCATION

Led by Alderperson Nancy Copple

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Led by Mayor Steve Braser

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MOTION

Alderperson Sherrod motioned to approve the agenda and Alderperson Stouffer 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

Daniel Berry, owner 421 E. Sycamore Street, said the new owner of the town yard is not being a good neighbor since he changed the grade and did work without a permit. He’s not in favor of the towing company because it is bringing the wrong element into the property. He said that he was offended when a Planning & Zoning (PZC) Commissioner already had his mind made up at the meeting.

Adan Benn, 339 Rogers Way, previous owner at 531 E. Sycamore Street, gave clarity in that the property should not be maintained as a towing operation because they flooded. Because of that, he decided not to continue negotiations with the owner to buy the property. He feels that this is being ramrodded through and asks the council to leave it open for discussion to give it more time.

Marc Doty, 13 Primrose Lane, asked for support for the Special Use for Lovett’s Towing as this request is not changing how the property has been used in the past. He works for Lovett’s and said there are many improvements planned that will benefit the neighbors and believes the traffic will be reduced by less trucks.

Ted Strack, 1370 Windfield Drive, said he is the individual that Mr. Berry spoke about at the PZC meeting but is here as a personal resident. His family owns property at 301 & 303 E. Sycamore Street, so they have seen Accurate Towing up and down that street. He stated that this will be a satellite facility reducing traffic. He asked Chief Winters to pull the police reports for incident history. There were two fender benders in over 10 years and zero injury accidents involving the towing company. He strongly recommends approving the Special Use permit.

Kristen Synnett, 421 E. Sycamore Street, doesn’t understand how this is benefitting the neighborhood as it is a full of young kids. She is concerned about people coming to get their cars who may not see the kids. She doesn’t think renewing this Special Use permit is the best choice for families.

Andrew Bjornson, 121 North Street, Elburn, owner of Caliber Towing, three other towing yards, and stated that he is HAZMAT (hazardous materials) Certified, is here on behalf of the Davis Family and the Spears Family, who have HAZMAT concerns. He handed out a petition (herein) labeling the concerns of the residents in the neighborhood asking for the council to not approve the Special Use permit.

CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval of the Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of June 6, 2022.

B. Payment of the Bills for June 20, 2022 in the amount of $1,092,125.31.

MOTION

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

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, AND BILLS

A. Presentation by Rose Treml of the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce Regarding Scheduled Summer Events.

Rose Treml, Executive Director Sycamore Chamber, gave a brief presentation on Discover Sycamore whose mission is to generate economic impact through community, economic development, and promote Sycamore for leisure travel. Among the highlights, they host a dedicated website and are making their website more mobile friendly. Per the recent Google analytics report, in 2022, the website has had 30,000 event page views, 28,000 home page views, 13,000 restaurant & eatery page views, and 10,000 shopping page views all of which 73% have been on phones. About 70% of those people come from outside of DeKalb County. Their Discover Sycamore Facebook page, in the past 30 days, has had 9,365 views. These are some of the services they provide with the partnership with the city and they look forward to a continued partnership.

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. 2022.03 – An Ordinance Approving a Special Use Permit for Lovett’s Rite-Way Rebuilders, Inc. to Operate a Towing Service, with On-Site Vehicle Impoundment, as Required by Article 5.3.1.L of the Sycamore Unified Development Ordinance, at 531 East Sycamore Street in the City of Sycamore, Illinois, PIN Number 06-33-152-029. First and Second Reading.

City Manager Michael Hall said for understanding, every zoning classification has permitted uses and Special Use permits. This property is zoned M-1, Light Manufacturing and a towing service is a Special Use. State law requires the city to give notice of the Special Use request and hold a Public Hearing so it was published in the local newspaper, a mailer was sent to residents within 250 feet of the subject property, and a sign was placed at the subject property. The Public Hearing was held at the PZC meeting on June 13, 2022 where there was a favorable recommendation by a vote of 7-3. The two stipulations put on this Special Use permit request were that Lovett’s Towing will not store large trucks at this site and that they will address the flood plain requirements by creating a storm water detention. They must submit a plan to the City Engineer by August 1st and must be completed by October 1st or the Special Use will be pulled back. The petitioner has agreed to these stipulations. He also added on a legal note, that a Special Use permit was permitted by City Council back in 2019, not that the council has to permit a Special Use permit again, but there has to be a legal, reasonable reasons to deny it if they are asking for the same use.

Alderman Stouffer asked where the roads back there fall in line with the improvements that will be coming.

City Engineer Mark Bushnell said that Sycamore Street was already done about five years ago and Sabin Street which is the main thoroughfare from Route 64 is being done right now. The estimated pavement life for asphalt is 20 years.

Alderman Bauer said that he doesn’t know what new information will come if they hold it on the First Reading. He is not convinced that the traffic will be worse, although the parent’s fears are real. He thinks the traffic will actually be less with the hours of operation. He is fine holding it on First Reading.

Alderman Fischer agreed to hold it on First Reading.

Alderperson Copple explained that she was at the PZC meeting last week where she said that her instinct to the question of if she wanted a towing yard in her back yard was no. Then, she did her due diligence looking at the land use and the tow policy and that the land is an M-1, not residential. She said that there are a lot of businesses that can go into an M-1 zoning. The tow policy requires a background check, a TIMS (Traffic Incident Management) card, and proper certification for tow driving. She has changed her mind because of this and would vote in favor.

Alderperson Sherrod said that no street is perfect that every neighborhood has something. She did her due diligence and doesn’t have a problem with it and said that she thinks this will be an improvement.

MOTION

Alderperson Sherrod motioned to waive the First Reading for Ordinance 2022.03 and Alderperson Stowe seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Paulsen and Sherrod voted aye while Fischer, Stouffer, Stowe, Bauer, and Copple voted nay. With a vote of 2-5, the ordinance remains on First Reading.

B. Ordinance No. 2022.04 – An Ordinance Approving a Special Use Permit for Kaylin Matekaitis to Operate a Tattoo Parlor/Body Art Establishment (First Floor) as Required by Article 5.3.1.H of the Sycamore Unified Development Ordinance at 215 West Elm Street (Also Known as 140 Somonauk Street, Suite 101) in the City of Sycamore, Illinois, PIN Number 06-32-259-012. First and Second Reading.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this a Special Use permit request to operate a tattoo parlor/body art establishment on the first floor and are looking for approval.

Kaylin Matekaitis, 624 Ellwood Avenue, DeKalb, was asked and said that she will not be doing Henna tattoos.

MOTION

Alderperson Copple motioned to waive the First Reading for Ordinance 2022.04 and Alderperson 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.

MOTION

Alderperson Copple motioned to approve Ordinance 2022.04 and Alderperson Fischer seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

RESOLUTIONS

A. Resolution No. 917 – A Resolution Approving an Extension to the Agreement between the City of Sycamore and the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce for Visitor Attraction and Economic Development.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this is a resolution approving the extension to the agreement with the Sycamore Chamber for which forty thousand dollars was budgeted.

MOTION

Alderperson Fischer motioned to approve Resolution 917 and Alderperson Paulsen seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

CONSIDERATIONS

A. Consideration of a Public Works Recommendation to Award Phase 2 of the Public Works Paving Project to Royer Asphalt Paving of DeKalb, IL in the Amount of $43,685.40.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this is finishing up the project with phase II of the Public Works paving project as phase I was done about a year ago.

MOTION

Alderperson Bauer motioned to approve the Consideration for $43,685.40 to Royer Asphalt Paving and Alderperson Fischer seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

OTHER NEW BUSINESS

APPOINTMENTS

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION

Alderperson Stowe motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p.m. and Alderperson 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://cityofsycamore.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/cc20220620.pdf