DeKalb Times

City of Sycamore City Council met Dec. 18.

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 Pete Paulsen, Chuck Stowe, Alan Bauer, Ben Bumpus, Nancy Copple, and Alicia Cosky. Alderman Jeff Fischer was absent, and Alderperson Virginia Sherrod arrived after roll call at 6:02 pm. 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 Alderman Bumpus 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

CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval of the Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of December 4, 2023

B. Payment of the Bills for December 18, 2023, in the amount of $664,670.20.

MOTION

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

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Paulsen, Stowe, Bauer, Bumpus, Copple, and Cosky voted aye. Motion carried 6-0.

PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, AND BILLS

A. Presentation by City Manager Michael Hall Regarding Refund of Over-taxation Error of $119,999.07.

City Manager Michael Hall said the $119,999.07 over-taxation will be returned by check to each parcel by 8-1-24. At first, it seemed like a difficult task but said they received a file from Becky Springer at the County, who was extremely helpful in including all the data needed to do this.

Alderman Bumpus asked what procedures are being put in place to ensure this doesn’t happen again.

City Manager Michael Hall said the Finance Department will be double checking all financial ordinances that are in place, which weren’t done in the past. He said a lot of times they pre-fill ordinances with data and information and it fell through when amendments were made. He said that the Finance Director will be checking and then also, the Mayor and City Clerk, who sign the ordinance.

Alderman Bauer said Camden Lazenby wasn’t at the last meeting to hear, so he thanked Camden again for pointing out this error and bringing it to their attention so it could be made right.

Alderperson Copple announced the birth of her grandchild, Thomas Robert.

City Engineer Mark Bushnell said there will be two large change orders for the construction project last year; water main project $100,000 below approved price and the road project which is $100,000-$150,000 under. The new fire engine from Logan Utah is out front. Fire Chief Bart Gilmore said this five-year old Rosenbauer engine was put in reserve two years ago and has a pristine pump.

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. 2023.21 – An Ordinance Concerning the Adoption of the Combined Budget and Appropriation Ordinance for the Year 2024 in the City of Sycamore, Illinois. Second Reading.

City Manager Michael Hall first noted that at the last meeting Alderman Bauer wanted to reverse the order of this and the next ordinance but through the attorney, found out that state law requires passing a budget before passing the levy. He is, with all the help of the departments, presenting a balanced budget but with taking the levy revenue down to what the levy should have been in December 2022. This is achievable by the departments deferring the Capital Improvement Projects for one year. He said that the Economic Development position will be filled as it is in this balanced budget.

Alderperson Copple said she appreciated the staff doing this.

MOTION

Alderman Bauer motioned to approve Ordinance 2023.21 and Alderperson Copple seconded the motion. Alderman Stowe said this is a great job by the departments and shows commitment to open government.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

B. Ordinance No. 2023.22 – An Ordinance Levying Taxes for Corporate Purposes of the City of Sycamore for the Year Commencing January 1, 2024, and Ending December 31, 2024. Second Reading.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this sets the levy at $3,785,960 which is $120,000 reduction from what was collected. If approved, it will be a 11.75% decrease in the tax rate with the average home seeing a reduction of about $17 annually. He asked everyone to realize that the city is only 7% of the budget and with every other tax entity increasing, seeing that reduction will probably not occur. This ordinance also includes the library levy which is increasing by $205,000 because of the state’s personal property tax reduction, and the requirement to increase minimum wage.

MOTION

Alderman Bauer made a motion to approve Ordinance 2023.22 and Alderperson Copple seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

C. Ordinance No. 2023.25 – An Ordinance Regarding the Illinois Paid Leave For All Workers Act for the City of Sycamore, DeKalb County, Illinois. First and Second Reading.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this is an unfunded mandate from the State who, in March, passed the Paid Leave for All Workers Act which is difficult to explain because it doesn’t define a lot of things. However, before January 1st, it requires the city to pass this ordinance to be adopted saying that the handbook and all collective bargaining agreements trump this act. It excludes Home Rule in some things and not in others and added that the Illinois Municipal League is still trying to figure this out. This will require the city, though, to give something to seasonal, part-time, and crossing guard employees.

Attorney Keith Foster said it is confusing but having this ordinance in place will be a tool that the city will have and that they are still waiting for the Department of Labor to come out with regulations on this.

MOTION

Alderman Bumpus made a motion to waive First Reading on Ordinance 2023.25 and Alderperson Cosky 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

Alderman Stowe made a motion to approve Ordinance 2023.25 and Alderman Paulsen seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

RESOLUTIONS

A. Resolution No. 962 – A Resolution Approving and Accepting Certain Public Improvements in the Reston Pond Subdivision.

City Manager Michael Hall said that Shodeen and the City had an agreement in place from 2010. This is for completing the road service work that was done last month. This guarantees the work for one year and reduces the letter of credit. Once this is approved, this resolution memorializes that this part of the agreement has been met.

MOTION

Alderperson Cosky made a motion to approve Resolution 962 and Alderman 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.

B. Resolution No. 963 – A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Designate 2024 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.

MOTION

Alderperson Copple made a motion to approve Resolution 963 and Alderman 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. C. Resolution No. 964 – A Resolution Approving the 2024 Public Meeting Schedule for the City of Sycamore, Illinois. City Manager Michael Hall proposed that the council doesn’t meet on January 2nd due to the holiday.

MOTION

Alderperson Copple made a motion to approve Resolution 964 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.

D. Resolution No. 965 – A Resolution Approving a Multi-Board Residential Real Estate Contract 7.0 to Sell Surplus Real Estate Located at 1118 Wild Street, PIN: 09-05-253-005, in the City of Sycamore, Illinois.

City Manager Michael Hall said that Matt MacAlister submitted a bid of $15,000 and that staff recommends approval.

MOTION

Alderperson Copple made a motion to approve Resolution 965 and Alderperson Sherrod seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

E. Resolution No. 966 – A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Sycamore, Illinois and Shodeen Group, LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company and Reston Ponds Equities, LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this is for the storm water culvert, traffic signals, and widening of Somonauk Street as outlined in the agenda.

MOTION

Alderperson Cosky made a motion to approve Resolution 966 and Alderman Bauer seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

F. Resolution No. 967 – A Resolution for Maintenance of Streets and Highways by the City of Sycamore Under the Illinois Highway Code from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024.

City Manager Michael Hall said this is required to get the authority to use Motor Fuel Tax money to purchase up to $150,000 worth of salt.

MOTION

Alderperson Copple made a motion to approve Resolution 967 and Alderman Stowe seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

CONSIDERATIONS

A. Consideration of a Fire Department Recommendation to Purchase Kenwood Portable and Mobile Radios in the Amount Not to Exceed $348,130.40.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this is a 2024 budget item coming now to take advantage of a year end sale. Doing a purchase order in December will result in a reduction in price by $33,776 or 10% off and a further reduction of 20% by using the National Association of State Procurement bid for these digital Kenwood radios.

Fire Chief Gilmore said that 50 radios allow them to cover personnel and to have surplus if one is damaged or dropped. He confirmed that they would now be able to communicate with the police.

MOTION

Alderman Paulsen motioned to approve the Consideration and Alderperson Copple seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

B. Consideration of a Public Works Recommendation to Authorize and Approve the Purchase of Water Meters and Radio Transmitters from Midwest Meter Inc. and Core & Main in an Amount Not to Exceed $190,000.

City Manager Michael Hall said Public Works does this each year to have an open purchase order not to exceed $190,000 so they can purchase as they go.

Public Works Director Matt Anderson said this open order helps to purchase as they need as the warranty starts when they order them.

MOTION

Alderman Stowe motioned to approve the Consideration and Alderman Bumpus seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

APPOINTMENTS

OTHER NEW BUSINESS

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION

Alderman Stowe motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:41 p.m. and Alderman 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/_12182023-259