DeKalb Times

City of Sycamore City Council met Oct. 16.

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 Nancy Copple, Alicia Cosky, Jeff Fischer, Pete Paulsen, Virginia Sherrod, Chuck Stowe, and Alan Bauer. Alderperson Ben Bumpus was absent. 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 Copple motioned to approve the agenda 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.

AUDIENCE TO VISITORS

Brian Zarbock, 320 South Dewey, Somonauk, is currently running for DeKalb County Coroner so he introduced himself and spoke about his background, his experience, and his goals for the position if elected.

CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval of the Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of October 2, 2023

B. Payment of the Bills for October 16, 2023, in the amount of $1,793,044.67.

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

APPOINTMENTS

A. Cindy Henderson to the Beautification Committee.

B. Kristian Dominguez as City Treasurer.

C. Kristian Dominguez to the Fire and Police Pension Boards.

MOTION

Alderperson Cosky 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 7-0.

PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, AND BILLS

Alderman Bauer plugged the Lead Water Service Replacement Lines program.

City Manager Michael Hall said as he is doing the budget, he addressed, from the handout here within, the implication that the City of Sycamore has the highest tax rate. Being curious, he ranked 12 communities from the source DeKalb County Illinois Property Tax Inquiry where Sycamore is the seventh highest in Total Tax Rate, which includes school, library, county, etc. Sycamore is below DeKalb, Genoa, Cortland, Malta, and Kirkland. For just the municipalities, Sycamore ranks the fourth lowest in the Municipal Tax Rate with Sandwich, DeKalb, Cortland, Genoa, Kirkland, Malta, Somonauk, and Kingston all ranking higher. He said as they are putting together the budget, they will share this. He added that for property taxes, Sycamore gets only 7% of that which is only 9% of the General Fund Budget.

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. 2023.17 - An Ordinance Granting a Request by Chris Youssi of Youssi Custom Homes for a Variation from Article 6.5.2.3.B., R-2, Two Family Residence, of the Sycamore Unified Development Ordinance to Reduce the Required Rear Setback from 30 feet to 25 feet for Certain Lots within the Sycamore Crossings Subdivision, in the City of Sycamore, Illinois. First and Second Reading.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this went before the Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC) who recommended this for approval which has been reviewed by staff and they recommend approval, too. Some lots are compliant, while others would need the variance from 30 feet to 25 feet in order to fit the three-season rooms.

MOTION

Alderperson Copple made a motion to waive First Reading on Ordinance 2023.17 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.

MOTION

Alderperson Paulsen made a motion to approve Ordinance 2023.17 and Alderperson Sherrod seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

RESOLUTIONS

CONSIDERATIONS

A. Consideration of a Police Department Request to Authorize the Purchase of a Replacement Squad Car in the Amount of $44,865.00.

City Manager Michael Hall said that on August 25th an officer was hit while responding to a call, so this is to replace the totaled car. Insurance will reimburse the city.

Deputy Chief Rod Swartzendruber said that delivery takes place within 10 days of approval but would take 2-3 months for the build-out. He reported that the officer was ok and is back to work.

Alderman Fischer confirmed that this is just a net-even transaction.

MOTION

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

OTHER NEW BUSINESS

Alderperson Alicia Cosky reported as a member of the DeKalb County History Center (DCHC), that the deed for the DCHC property will be recorded in the next few days and then all will be final. There was also a thank you letter for the center participating in the B2B Arts Grant Program and that the DCHC is eligible to receive a grant in the amount of $70,000.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION

Alderperson Stowe motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:15 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://www.cityofsycamore.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10162023-248