DeKalb Times

City of Sycamore City Council met July 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 Alicia Cosky, Jeff Fischer, Virginia Sherrod, Alan Bauer, Ben Bumpus, and Nancy Copple. Alderman Chuck Stowe arrived at 6:04 pm after the roll call. Alderperson Pete Paulsen was absent. Attorney Keith Foster was also present.

INVOCATION led by Alderperson Virginia Sherrod

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderperson Virginia Sherrod

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MOTION

Alderperson Sherrod motioned to approve the agenda 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 6-0.

AUDIENCE TO VISITORS

Victor White, 1553 Meadowbrook Court, asked to have his violation for not maintaining property in an easement taken away and to give it to the homeowner’s association.

CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval of the Minutes for the *Regular City Council Meeting of June 20, 2023 (*s/b SPECIAL) B. Payment of the Bills for July 17, 2023, in the amount of $2,074,034.50.

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 Cosky, Fischer, Sherrod, Stowe, Bauer, Bumpus, and Copple voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.

PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, AND BILLS

A. Presentation by Rose Treml, Executive Director of the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce.

REPORT OF OFFICERS

Public Works Director Matt Anderson reiterated about getting people to sign up for the lead service replacement as they currently have more funding than they have returned paperwork. They are working to extend how long the funding is available but there will be a time when the funding is gone.

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

Finance – Alan Bauer – no report

Public Safety – Pete Paulsen – absent

Public Works – Chuck Stowe – no report

PUBLIC HEARINGS

ORDINANCES

A. Ordinance 2023.12 – An Ordinance Amending Title 3, “Business and License Regulations,” Chapter 2, “Liquor Control,” Section 6, “Classification of Licenses; Fees; Hours and Days” of the City Code of the City of Sycamore, Illinois. First and Second Reading.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this is a request from the mayor for a change in the code for the sale of liquor during the two codified events, Pumpkin Fest and Turning Back Time Car Show and including the holidays New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. This changes those normal hours from 10:00 am to midnight to one hour earlier for the codified events and two hours earlier for the said holidays.

Mayor Braser said this has been a request for a couple of years.

MOTION

Alderperson Stowe motioned to waive the First Reading for Ordinance 2023.12 and Alderperson Bumpus 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 Stowe motioned to approve Ordinance 2023.12 and Alderperson Bauer seconded the motion. 

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

RESOLUTIONS

A. Resolution No. 948 – A Resolution Approving and Accepting Certain Public Improvements in the St. Albans Development.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this is an agreement between St. Albans and the City to reimburse a portion of public improvements in accordance with a resolution that was passed by the council on July 19, 2021. The improvements included an off-site water main extension from the development to Lincoln Street and repaving a portion of Main Street to the development. These improvements have been completed and inspected by the City Engineer and reimbursement is $103,567.90.

MOTION

Alderperson Fischer motioned to approve Resolution 948 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 7-0.

B. Resolution No. 949 – A Resolution Requesting a Permit from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to Allow for the Completion of Lead Water Service Replacements Within the IL Route 23 Right-of-Way.

City Manager Michael Hall said that IDOT requires this as part of the Lead Water Service Replacement project on Route 23 as any work outside the normal maintenance requires a permit from them to ensure the project is done in accordance with their standards.

MOTION

Alderperson Fischer motioned to approve Resolution 949 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 7-0.

C. Resolution No. 950 – A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Sign a Loan Agreement with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) Relative to the City of Sycamore Well 7 Radium Removal Improvements.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this is a loan from IEPA for installing a radium removal system for Well #7. The council has already approved a Notice of Intent, so this is for the resolution finalizing the loan which is for $5,477,190 (the price of the project) of which includes $1,250,000 in principle forgiveness. The interest rate on the remaining balance is 0.93% over 30 years.

Alderman Bumpus asked what the impacts are from the taxpayer’s perspective.

Public Works Director Matt Anderson said that when they just passed the water rates, there was a placeholder put into that overall budget to account for the principle and interest payment. There is no direct increase related to this project.

MOTION

Alderperson Copple motioned to approve Resolution 950 and Alderperson Bumpus seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

D. Resolution No. 951 – A Resolution Awarding a Contract to Manusos General Contracting Inc. of Fox Lake, IL for the Well 7 Radium Removal Improvements.

City Manager Michael Hall said that now that the loan has been approved, this is the resolution for the contracted work to be done by Manusos General Contracting.

MOTION

Alderperson Copple motioned to approve Resolution 951 and Alderperson Cosky seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

CONSIDERATIONS

A. Consideration of a Police Department Request for the Disposal of a 2018 Ford Explorer.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this is a requirement for the council to approve the disposal of this 2018 Ford Explorer for which they received sealed bids, one for $12,000.

MOTION

Alderperson Cosky made a motion to approve the consideration and Alderperson Sherrod seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

B. Consideration of a Public Works Department Recommendation to Purchase a 4-Ton Falcon Asphalt Recycler and Hot Box Trailer from Midwest Paving Equipment, Inc. of Glen Ellyn, IL in the Amount of $39,890.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this was a CIP (Capital Improvement Project) budgeted item approved for FY2023B for $40,000. This went out to bid and the lowest came in at $39,890.

Alderman Bauer asked if there is a difference between the two.

Public Works Director Matt Anderson said that they will have the ability to use cold patch as well as hot mix, so there’s a lot more flexibility.

MOTION

Alderperson Sherrod made a motion to approve the Consideration and Alderperson Fischer seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

C. Consideration of Donation to Sycamore Chamber of Commerce in the Amount of $40,000 for Visitor Attraction and Economic Development.

City Manager Michael Hall said this is just seeking approval for the $40,000 donation to the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce.

MOTION

Alderperson Sherrod made a motion to approve the Consideration and Alderperson Cosky seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

D. Consideration of a Recommendation to Approve a Grant of Easement for 623 Carlson Street.

City Manager Michael Hall said this is a one-time reimbursement of $400 for storm water easement rights needed for constructing a storm water outfall.

MOTION

Alderperson Sherrod made a motion to approve the Consideration and Alderperson Stowe seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

APPOINTMENTS

Mayor Lang appointed Ben Bumpus to the DeKalb County Tourism Board replacing Josh Huseman, Theresa Dudeck to the Library Board, and Eric Jones to the Planning & Zoning Commission replacing Stephen Nelson for the School District.

MOTION

Alderperson Stowe motioned to confirm the appointments and Alderperson Bauer seconded the motion.

VOICE VOTE

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

OTHER NEW BUSINESS

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION

Alderperson Stowe motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:45 p.m. and Alderperson Bauer 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://www.cityofsycamore.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07172023-162