DeKalb Times

City of Sycamore City Council met March 4.

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 Ben Bumpus, Jeff Fischer, Pete Paulsen, Virginia Sherrod, Chuck Stowe, and Alan Bauer. Alderpersons Nancy Copple and Alicia Cosky were 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

Alderman Fischer motioned to approve the agenda and Alderman Stowe 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 February 19, 2024

B. Payment of the Bills for March 4, 2024, in the amount of $689,501.63.

MOTION

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

Alderman Bumpus offered feedback from the community in asking for an explanation as to why the budget is trending ahead of this time last year asking for the main drivers. He would like a year over year perspective.

City Manager Michael Hall said the bottom of the report (in the agenda) shows what is over and what is under and that it was in the Treasurer’s explanation of this new report at the last meeting, asking if he still wanted more of an explanation. The summary shows only two departments that were spending more than budgeted because of capital projects and overtime, which was explained in the bullet points. For the year over year perspective, the city is accumulating all the expenses differently than they have in the past in that all expenses for employees (insurance, etc.) are now being reflected in each department.

Alderman Bumpus asked for that to be put in the narrative.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, AND BILLS

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. 2024.03 – An Ordinance Amending Title 3, “Business and License Regulations,” Chapter 22, “Body Art Establishments,” Section 3, “License Requirements,” of the City Code of the City of Sycamore, Illinois. First and Second Reading.

City Manager Michael Hall said this was discussed at the last council meeting for eliminating the requirement for Body Art Establishment owners to live in DeKalb County.

MOTION

Alderman Fischer motioned to waive First Reading on Ordinance 2024.03 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.

MOTION

Alderman Fischer motioned to adopt Ordinance 2024.03 and Alderman Bumpus seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

B. Ordinance No. 2024.04 – An Ordinance Authorizing Boundary Modifications to the Area Known as the DeKalb County Enterprise Zone, Amendment 4 – Chicago West Opt. 2. First and Second Reading.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this request came in from DCEDC (DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation) and Mark Williams, Executive Director as the City of DeKalb is wants to expand the Enterprise Zone. This requires all the communities in the zone to pass an ordinance allowing this.

Mark Williams, Executive Director said all units of government must approve this unanimously.

Alderman Bumpus asked if there is any reason not to and asked if there is a downside.

City Manager Michael Hall said no and that it is required by the State that all municipalities within the zone must approve this and must be unanimous. It affects the City of DeKalb and brings in more jobs, etc.

MOTION

Alderman Stowe motioned to waive First Reading on Ordinance 2024.04 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 6-0.

MOTION

Alderman Stowe motioned to adopt Ordinance 2024.04 and Alderman Paulsen seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

RESOLUTIONS

A. Resolution No. 978 – A Resolution Approving Roadway Construction Utilizing Motor Fuel Tax Funds for FY24 for the City of Sycamore, Illinois.

City Manager Michael Hall said this is for MFT (Motor Fuel Tax) Funds used for FY24 projects that were approved in the budget. It authorizes the use of $900,000 and the list of projects shown in the agenda. It is required by the State to use those funds.

MOTION

Alderman Bumpus motioned to approve Resolution 978 and Alderman Fischer seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

B. Resolution No. 979 – A Resolution Approving a Preliminary and Construction Engineering Services Agreement with Municipal Engineering Corporation for Motor Fuel Tax Funds for FY24 for the City of Sycamore, Illinois.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this is also an MFT requirement to use engineering services and guidance for the roadway improvements.

MOTION

Alderman Bauer motioned to approve Resolution 979 and Alderman Fischer seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

C. Resolution No. 980 – A Resolution Offering a Donation of Personal Property from the City of Sycamore, Illinois to Indian Valley Vocational Center.

City Manager Michael Hall said that the Fire Department received an ambulance that was ordered 18 months ago replacing a 2002 ambulance which they would like to donate to Indian Valley Vocational Center for the use with their EMT Students and mechanic students.

MOTION

Alderman Paulsen motioned to approve Resolution 980 and Alderman Stowe seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

CONSIDERATIONS

A. Consideration of a Police Department Recommendation to Purchase One (1) 2025 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility AWD Vehicle.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this is one of two vehicles planned and budgeted to replace a 2017 Ford Explorer with 115,000 miles. They budgeted $68,500 but the State bid received was $45,157 which leaves the additional $23,000 to outfit it.

MOTION

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

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

B. Consideration for Annual Review and Approval of the City of Sycamore Stormwater Management Program Plan as Prepared by the Public Works Department.

City Manager Michael Hall said that the city is required each year to submit a stormwater management program plan to the IEPA (Illinois Environmental Protection Agency) which outlines reducing pollutants, targets monitoring, establishing protocols, and scheduled field work, etc.

MOTION

Alderman Bauer 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 Bumpus, Fischer, Paulsen, Sherrod, Stowe, and Bauer voted aye. Motion carried 6-0.

C. Consideration of Grammatical and Formatting Revisions to the City of Sycamore Consolidated Fee, Bond, and Penalty Schedule.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this was approved in the budget process, but it was hard to read, so this is correcting some grammatical and formatting errors and structure making it easier to read. He noted that the fees were not changed. No approval is needed, just looking for feedback for which consensus was that it looked good.

D. Consideration of Converting City Clerk Position from Elected to Appointed.

City Manager Michael Hall said that “this has nothing to do with [City Clerk] Mary [Kalk] and is not an evaluation of Mary by any means” but “an evaluation of the position”. This came about from working on succession planning for which they have done in the Fire Department, Finance Department, and Public Works. They have already changed the Deputy Clerk position from a part-time to a full-time position for this reason. A lot of municipalities are moving toward appointed positions because it is a highly specialized position that is required by State law. Changing this requires passing an ordinance to go to referendum. The ordinance would contain changing the position from elected to appointed and the structure of how the person would be hired. He said it would be the recommendation of the City Manager for approval of hiring and firing with the majority approval of the City Council as is with the City Manager position. This would give the extra layer of checks and balances. He referenced the pros and cons from the agenda and said if it makes sense, an ordinance will be brought back for approval and then to referendum to pass or fail by the people. He was worried about the fact that if Mary was not reelected, having someone who isn’t skilled come into that position. It could be detrimental to the department as it is vital for record keeping and FOIA requests.

Mayor Braser said that when he checked with colleagues at the Northern Illinois Mayor’s Association, everyone across the board was in 100% agreement. This was a goal of his and Michael was on board.

Alderman Stowe said that he is torn as he really likes that the public picks the clerk and likes the separate autonomy where if something is going on, the clerk is not beholden to the mayor, city manager, or city council. Although, he has seen other cities, not too far away, where there was nothing they could do about it. He said that maybe the answer to being torn is to let the people decide.

Alderman Paulsen said, “put it on the ballot and let the people decide”.

Alderman Bauer said there are heavy hitters on both sides of the Pros and Cons list but said they should probably put it on the ballot and let the voters decide.

Alderman Fischer said he tends toward the appointed side because he thinks there are certain positions that don’t need to be elected and he believes this is one of them.

Alderperson Sherrod said that it is a job that requires a lot of knowledge. Seeing Mary do her job very efficiently and professionally, she doesn’t see how anyone would have a problem with her being appointed. Keep it on a level playing field and take it to the voters to decide. If up to her, it would have been a done deal. Some of the public might want to know why we are changing it and asked the clerk how she feels.

City Clerk Mary Kalk said, it’s not about her but about the office and the future of the office and will leave it at that.

Alderman Bumpus said that he leans toward being appointed and echoes Chuck Stowe and Al Bauer’s points but said that he is concerned about spending these calories on these things and asked if the city truly benefits from all this. Is this the right way to spend their time tonight as it’s a lot of work that he’s not sure they are going to reap benefits from.

City Manager Michael Hall said that he will bring an ordinance forward for action at the appropriate time.

APPOINTMENTS

OTHER NEW BUSINESS

Alderman Stowe commended Public Works and Engineering regarding the unknown services left (eleven) and said congratulations.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION

Alderman Stowe motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:30 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 6-0.

https://www.cityofsycamore.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03042024-276