DeKalb Times

City of Sycamore City Council met Jan. 17.

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 Alan Bauer, Nancy Copple, Jeff Fischer, Josh Huseman, Pete Paulsen, Virginia Sherrod, David Stouffer, and Chuck Stowe. Attorney Keith Foster was also present.

INVOCATION led by Alderperson Nancy Copple

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderperson Nancy Copple

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MOTION

Alderperson Fischer motioned to approve the agenda amending it to move 7B “Presentation by Public Works Director Matt Anderson” to after 11E and Alderperson Copple 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

Anna Thornton, 341 Crescent Drive, (for Ordinance 2022.19) gave a handout (here within) and emphasized that the tattoo shop called Half Moon Studio will be offering tattoo services, but also cosmetic tattooing as laid out in the packet and that it will not be a typical tattoo shop.

Phil Manno, 4N826 E. Mary Drive, St. Charles, said that if more businesses open up, even a tattoo shop, people will patronize the restaurants and shops and said that he is in support of this tattoo shop.

CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval of the Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of January 3, 2023.

B. Payment of the Bills for January 17, 2023 in the amount of $850,407.78.

C. Façade Grant Close-out for Mr. and Mrs. Jim Mizgalski of 205 South California Street (for $5,000).

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

PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, AND BILLS

A. Swearing-in and Pinning of Carl Reina, Fire Chief.

City Clerk Mary Kalk swore in Fire Chief Carl Reina and his wife Kelly pinned on his badge. He also introduced his daughter Gabriella, his son Carl, and his brother Sal.

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 2022.19 – An Ordinance Approving a Request from Ana Thornton and Carmen Manno for an Amendment to Article 5.3.1, “Table of Permitted Uses,” of the Unified Development Ordinance of the City of Sycamore, Illinois. First and Second Reading.

City Manager Michael Hall said that there was a request to change the code for the Conservation District which is State Street from Sacramento Street to Main Street. Tattoo parlors are only allowed with a Special Use in C2 and C3 districts, so they are asking for a text amendment change to allow it in the Conservation District with a Special Use Permit. This went before the Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) who voted not to change the code and leave it as it stands. It is here for action but noted that if the council decides to do something different than the PZC recommendation, it will require 2/3’s or six alderpersons to change it against the recommendation from the PZC.

Alderperson Copple questioned the language in the ordinance for approving the code even though the PZC recommended to not approve it.

Attorney Keith Foster said that ideally, the motion would be to approve the text amendment and then the vote goes however it goes, in that if the vote goes against that, it doesn’t go into effect.

MOTION

Alderperson Stowe motioned to waive First Reading for Ordinance 2022.19 and Alderperson Huseman 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 Bauer motioned to approve Ordinance 2022.19 and Alderperson Bauer seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

B. Ordinance 2022.20 – An Ordinance Approving Request from Anna Thornton and Carmen Manno for a Special Use Permit to operate a Tattoo Parlor/Body Art Establishment (first floor) at 331 West State Street in Sycamore, Illinois, PIN number 06-32-255-070. First and Second Reading.

C. Ordinance 2022.21 – An Ordinance Amending Title 9, “Building Regulations,” Chapter 2, “Fees,” Section 2, “Building Permit Fees,” of the City Code of the City of Sycamore, Illinois. First and Second Reading.

Director of Community Development John Sauter said that this is adding some other accessory structures and permit fee for clarification-sake. This is requesting to change “sheds”, which previously didn’t require a permit if under 150 square feet, to require a permit for any shed of any size for $25.

MOTION

Alderperson Copple motioned to waive First Reading for Ordinance 2022.21 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 Copple motioned to approve Ordinance 2022.21 and Alderperson Stouffer seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

D. Ordinance 2022.22 – An Ordinance Approving Amendments to Article 1.3.3., “Definitions,” Article 6.2.1.B.2., “Table of Permitted Yard Obstructions,” Article 6.2.1.D.2., “Fences and Walls,” and Article 6.2.1.D.8., “Tool Sheds, Garden Storage Sheds, Gazebos, Cabanas and Other Accessory Structures Not Otherwise Specified in This Section 6.2.1,” of the Sycamore Unified Development Ordinance, Adopted May 1, 2005, in the City of Sycamore, Illinois. First and Second Reading.

Alderman Huseman started by saytng, for articulation, that sheds under 25 feet in size can be located in the side yard which wasn’t permitted before.

Director of Community Development John Sauter confirmed and said they also created a category for the plastic sheds for garden tools. He explained that this was presented and voted at the PZC meeting about the fence openings originally being at 50% light penetration. It was suggested to drop it to 35% with a minimal opening of one inch. He also suggested allowing six foot privacy fences but only up to the building setback line in corner side yards which have been limited to the front yard regulations in the past.

MOTION

Alderperson Copple motioned to waive First Reading for Ordinance 2022.22 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 8-0.

MOTION

Alderperson Copple motioned to approve Ordinance 2022.22 and Alderperson Fischer seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

E. Ordinance 2022.23 – An Ordinance Amending Title 1, “Administration,” Chapter 8, “City Treasurer,” By Adding a New Section 4 Entitled, “Deputy Treasurer,” of the City Code of the City of Sycamore, Illinois. First and Second Reading.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this is adding a Deputy Treasurer which would be Kristian Dominguez.

MOTION

Alderperson Fischer motioned to waive First Reading for Ordinance 2022.23 and Alderperson Copple 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 Fischer motioned to approve Ordinance 2022.23 and Alderperson Sherrod seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, AND BILLS

A. Presentation by Public Works Director Matt Anderson on Water Rates. (Here within)

Discussions included the need for change, sustainability, using the CPI (Consumer Price Index) as a guide, the tiered structure, availability, abundance for fire protection, and about the last changing of rates being in 2015 to be in effect of May of 2018.

RESOLUTIONS

A. Resolution No. 924 – A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Extension to the Lease Agreement Between the City of Sycamore and 35:35 Makers Collective, LLC for Suite 101B in the Sycamore Center in the City of Sycamore, Illinois.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this is renewing the lease going month-to-month to allow for flexibility to expand in the future.

MOTION

Alderperson Stowe motioned to approve Resolution 924 and Alderperson Huseman seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve Resolution 924. Alderpersons Bauer, Copple, Fischer, Huseman, Paulsen, Sherrod, Stouffer, and Stowe voted aye. Motion carried 8-0.

B. Resolution No. 925 – A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Sign a Loan Agreement with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Relative to the City of Sycamore Lead Water Service Replacement Project.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this, item C, and item D are for the IEPA (Illinois Environmental Protection Agency) forgivable loans approving the loan, approving the project itself, and hiring someone to oversee the project.

MOTION

Alderperson Fischer motioned to approve Resolution 925 and Alderperson Paulsen seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve Resolution 925. Alderpersons Bauer, Copple, Fischer, Huseman, Paulsen, Sherrod, Stouffer, and Stowe voted aye. Motion carried 8-0.

C. Resolution No. 926 – A Resolution Awarding Contract to Five Star Energy Services of Big Bend, WI for the Phase II Lead Water Service Replacement Project Subject to IEPA Loan Issuance.

City Engineer Mark Bushnell introduced Dusty and Ernie from Five Star Energy Services and Jeff Jacobson from Fehr Graham to answer any questions.

MOTION

Alderperson Fischer motioned to approve Resolution 926 and Alderperson Sherrod seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve Resolution 926. Alderpersons Bauer, Copple, Fischer, Huseman, Paulsen, Sherrod, Stouffer, and Stowe voted aye. Motion carried 8-0.

D. Resolution No. 927 – A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Professional Services Agreement with Fehr Graham to Complete Construction Engineering for the Proposed Phase II Lead Water Service Replacement Project, Subject to IEPA Loan Issuance and Awarding of Contract to Five Star Energy Services of Big Bend, WI.

MOTION

Alderperson Fischer motioned to approve Resolution 927 and Alderperson Sherrod seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve Resolution 927. Alderpersons Bauer, Copple, Fischer, Huseman, Paulsen, Sherrod, Stouffer, and Stowe voted aye. Motion carried 8-0.

CONSIDERATIONS

A. Consideration of a Community Development Recommendation to Approve a Plat of Easement for Belle Tire.

MOTION

Alderperson Stouffer made a motion to approve the Consideration and Alderperson Paulsen seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

OTHER NEW BUSINESS

Alderman Josh Huseman said that the Beautification met and discussed two specific projects that he will reserve until after the next meeting but will be bringing to council to discuss.

APPOINTMENTS - Appointment of Brien Martin as Treasurer

Mayor Braser also appointed Nate Mayer and Jess Johnson to the Library Board and Riley Oncken to the Fire Pension Commission**. (**Appointment of Riley Oncken should have been to the Police Pension Board. Council will vote at the next council meeting to reconfirm this appointment).

MOTION

Alderperson Huseman motioned to confirm the appointments 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 8-0.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION

Alderperson Stowe motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:53 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 8-0.

https://www.cityofsycamore.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01172023-120