DeKalb Times

City of Sycamore City Council met Aug. 5.

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, Pete Paulsen, Virginia Sherrod, Chuck Stowe, Alan Bauer, Ben Bumpus and Nancy Copple. Attorney Keith Foster was also present.

INNVOCATION led by Alderperson Virginia Sherrod

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderman Alan Bauer

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MOTION

Alderperson Cosky motioned to approve the agenda and Alderman 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.

AUDIENCE TO VISITORS

CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval of the Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of July 15, 2024, and the City Council Workshop Meeting of July 27, 2024.

B. Payment of the Bills for August 5, 2024, in the amount of $1,075,904.35.

MOTION

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

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

APPOINTMENTS

PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, AND BILLS

A. Presentation by Executive Director Cortney Strohacker Regarding the DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Executive Director Cortney Strohacker and Marketing Coordinator Katherine McLaughlin gave a PowerPoint presentation included here within.

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. 2024.12 – An Ordinance Establishing and Fixing Compensation for Elected Officials of the City of Sycamore, Illinois. First and Second Reading.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this was initiated by the mayor in talking about how long it’s been since the council has had an increase and said it’s important to understand that they are not voting on their salaries now as it will only be for those re-elected into the position. This represents a 10% increase or $40 a month for future council members.

Alderman Bumpus asked what this will accomplish or achieve and asked why they are doing this. It sounds like it will be a bit more of an expense but asked if it will really achieve anything. Are they hitting the right amount that would create community engagement?

City Manager Michael Hall said that the compensation is simply a stipend for meetings attended and recognizing that there hasn’t been an increase in over 20 years. He said that no one is going to run because they are getting paid.

Mayor Braser said it is a valued position and it’s for the extra time they spend attending meetings. He said they could throw it the other way and not get paid at all. It is also to incentivize the council to attend council meetings, commission meetings, and other committee meetings.

Alderman Stowe said no one is coming here for the money and that it’s just to keep up with inflation. He would not advocate for more money but said he would hate to see someone running for these positions for the money.

MOTION

Alderman Stowe motioned to waive First Reading for Ordinance 2024.12 and Alderman Paulsen seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Cosky, Fischer, Paulsen, Sherrod, Stowe, Bauer, and Copple voted aye while Alderman Bumpus voted nay. Motion carried 7-1.

MOTION

Alderman Stowe motioned to adopt Ordinance 2024.12 and Alderman Paulsen seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Cosky, Paulsen, Sherrod, Stowe, and Bauer voted aye while Alderpersons Fischer, Bumpus, and Copple voted nay. Motion carried 5-3.

RESOLUTIONS

CONSIDERATIONS

A. Consideration of Options for the Facilitation of Future Private Lead Service Replacements.

City Manager Micheal Hall first praised Public Works Director Matt Anderson, City Engineer Mark Bushnell, and all the Public Works department for the city being in a situation today where there are only five known lead services left. He said that it’s remarkable the amount of money that Mark has gotten, in the $4.6 million from the State. The city is in this situation not because of the lawsuit, but because of the hard work they did to get this money and that all this was in motion way before the lawsuit was filed. He said the lawsuit has no factor or bearing on where they are today. So, this is for the five remaining services and the mystery ones that may pop up for which they have to come up with a plan as mandated by the State.

Public Works Director Matt Anderson said they are seeking consensus on what the city wants to do with the services and said they are also seeking what to do with any lead identified services in the future from the B-box to inside the home. He explained more and referred to the options in the agenda.

Alderman Stowe, confirming that the IEPA funds are complete and exhausted, said that the city has done all they can and doesn’t feel any monetary responsibility. He said for the “mystery ones”, the city should cover them because they couldn’t get them in the program.

Public Works Director Matt Anderson, in responding to different questions, said that the there is an “opt out” as the law does not force a resident to participate, and they can’t force resident access. In regard to if the house is sold, said that other communities are mandating or passing an ordinance that a house with lead services cannot be sold, as a way to facilitate the change.

City Engineer Mark Bushnell said that there might be some changes as the State is forcing the city to change the services, but they cannot get access to the house. There are suggestions out there and he thinks this is still in process.

Alderman Bauer said that he agrees with Alderman Stowe with only five services to go, they missed the opportunity. He said if they have to do it, he thinks a lien should be put on the property.

City Manager Michael Hall said they are looking for direction so it can be formalized in an ordinance or policy. He recapped that for the five remaining services, except the resident with the medical issue, there will be no help, and for the rest of the “mysteries” that pop up, he asked if they want a shared cost or for the city to take care of it.

Alderperson Cosky said her recommendation would be a shared cost and a percentage.

Mayor Braser asked if it could be legally disclosed with the sale of the house.

City Attorney Keith Foster said that they could record a notice that pops up on the title search indicating a lead service and that the city has an ordinance that prohibits the sale without fixing it.

Alderman Stowe said if they just put a notice on the deed that the bank’s financing would take care of it. City Manager Michael Hall recapped what will be brought back.

B. Consideration of an Administrative Recommendation to Award a Contract in the Amount of $90.050.00 to SKC Construction of Elgin, IL for the 2024 Cracksealing Project.

City Manager Michael Hall said that the budgeted amount was $100,000 with the lowest bid came in at $90,050 but is asking to approve the full $100,000 to be able to do additional cracksealing.

MOTION

Alderman Bauer motioned to approve the Consideration up to $100,000 and Alderperson Cosky seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

OTHER NEW BUSINESS

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION

Alderman Stowe motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:51 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 8-0.

https://www.cityofsycamore.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08192024-307