DeKalb Times

City of Sycamore City Council met Oct. 21.

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

INNVOCATION led by Alderperson Virginia Sherrod

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderperson Virginia Sherrod

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MOTION

Alderperson Copple motioned to approve the agenda 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 8-0.

AUDIENCE TO VISITORS

Phillip Weaver, 405 W. Hight Street, suggested lights on the stop signs at the corner of High and California Streets as he witnesses many people running the stop signs making a safety issue for all.

CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval of the Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of October 7, 2024.

B. Payment of the Bills for October 21, 2024, in the amount of $1,474,901.25.

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 Bauer, Bumpus, Copple, Cosky, Fischer, Paulsen, Sherrod, and Stowe voted aye. Motion carried 8-0.

APPOINTMENTS

Mayor Braser appointed Jill Franke to the Planning and Zoning Commission as the Library Representative.

MOTION

Alderperson Copple motioned to approve the appointment 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 8-0.

PRESENTATION, PETITIONS, AND PROCLAMATIONS

REPORT OF STAFF, COMMITTEES, AND CITY COUNCIL MEMEBERS

A. Monthly Financial Report

City Manager Michael Hall said that the budget is at 75% now and is under budget. He reminded those coming in for individual budget meetings to meet in the south conference room.

Alderperson Copple announced the birth of her fourth grandson, Stephen Mark Copple.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

ORDINANCES

A. Ordinance No. 2024.24 – An Ordinance Amending Title 1, “Administration,” Chapter 9, “Appointive City Officers,” Article C, “Building Official;” Title 3, “Business and License Regulations,” Chapter 7, “Electrical Contractors,” Section 1, “Electrical Contractor Registration Requirements;” and Title 9, “Building Regulations,” Chapter 1, “General Building Regulations,” Chapter 3, “Contractor Requirements,” and Chapter 4, “Building Codes,” of the City Code of the City of Sycamore, Illinois. First and Second Reading.

City Manager Michael Hall said that the State passed new codes that will take effect on January 1, 2025, as the current edition is 2015. In coordination to update this, they met with DeKalb County, Cities of DeKalb and Genoa who will likely adopt the same edition to promote consistency as per the agenda.

Alderperson Copple pointed out the DeKalb Area Builders Association letter included in the packet appreciating the leadership and continual efforts of Director of Community Development Director John Sauter.

Director of Community Development Director John Sauter said there are no major concerns, and that Mr. Chuck Shepard is present to answer any questions. He said it sounds like at minimum, there is the County, Genoa, Cortland, and Maple Park that are all aligning and maybe more.

Chuck Shepard, 2400 Coltonville Road, a long-term member of the Builder’s Association, a general contractor, a member of the Public Building Commission for the County, and having worked on the different code reviews since the 1980’s said this is the sixth update he’s been part of saying they almost have perfect alignment. He applauds John Sauter for spearheading this.

MOTION

Alderperson Copple motioned to waive First Reading for Ordinance 2024.24 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 8-0.

MOTION

Alderman Stowe motioned to adopt Ordinance 2024.24 and Alderman Fischer seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

B. Ordinance No. 2024.25 – An Ordinance Approving a Request from the City of Sycamore for a Special Use Permit to Construct a Fire Station at 1151 and 1351 South Prairie Drive in Sycamore, Illinois (PINs 09-05-151-008 and 09-05-151-015). First and Second Reading.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this requires a Special Use Permit in M1 zoning to construct a new fire station.

MOTION

Alderperson Copple motioned to waive First Reading for Ordinance 2024.25 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.

MOTION

Alderman Paulsen motioned to adopt Ordinance 2024.25 and Alderman Bauer seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

C. Ordinance No. 2024.26 – An Ordinance Approving a Planning and Zoning Commission Recommendation of a Request by the Sycamore School District 427 for a Zoning Map Amendment for the Property Located at 1947 Bethany Road (PIN 09-06-300-006) from the Current Zoning of C-2, Central Business District to M-1, Light Manufacturing District, in the City of Sycamore, Illinois. First and Second Reading.

City Manager Michael Hall said that the Sycamore School District is requesting this to move their administrative offices, Early Childhood Program, and 18-21 Program to the former Nicor building at 1947 Bethany Road. It is currently zoned C-2, which is typically reserved for the city’s downtown business district, so they recommend changing it to M1- Light Manufacturing to align with the other properties around it.

Alderperson Copple, working for the school district, will abstain her vote for this and the next item.

MOTION

Alderman Paulsen motioned to waive First Reading for Ordinance 2024.26 and Alderman Fischer seconded the motion.

VOICE VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a voice vote to approve the motion. All Alderpersons voted aye while Alderperson Copple abstained. Motion carried 7-0-1.

MOTION

Alderperson Sherrod motioned to adopt Ordinance 2024.26 and Alderman Bumpus seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Bauer, Bumpus, Cosky, Fischer, Paulsen, Sherrod, and Stowe voted aye while Alderperson Copple abstained. Motion carried 7-0-1.

D. Ordinance No. 2024.27 – An Ordinance Approving a Request from the Sycamore School District 427 for a Special Use Permit to Operate an Elementary School and a Vocational School on the Property Located at 1947 Bethany Road, in the City of Sycamore, Illinois, PIN 09-06-300-006. First and Second Reading.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this requires a Special Use Permit to have the school move into the building in the M-1, Light Manufacturing zoning.

Community Development Director John Sauter added that the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) states that any Special Use Permit is established in one year of approval but requested to be noted in the record that the school district has requested that the Special Use Permit have five years to be established as they have a lot of work to do with a lot of moving parts.

MOTION

Alderperson Cosky motioned to waive First Reading for Ordinance 2024.27 and Alderman Stowe seconded the motion.

VOICE VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a voice vote to approve the motion. All Alderpersons voted aye while Alderperson Copple abstained. Motion carried 7-0-1.

MOTION

Alderperson Cosky motioned to adopt Ordinance 2024.27 and Alderman Bumpus seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Bauer, Bumpus, Cosky, Fischer, Paulsen, Sherrod, and Stowe voted aye while Alderperson Copple abstained. Motion carried 7-0-1.

E. Ordinance No. 2024.28 – An Ordinance Approving a Request by Brian Grainger of Old Mill Park, LLC for an Amendment to a Special Use Permit for a Planned Unit Development for Approximately 18.6 acres Located at the Northeast Corner of IL Route 23 and Mt. Hunger Road in Sycamore, Illinois in Accordance with Article 4.3 of the City’s Unified Development Ordinance (PIN 06-29-427-027). First and Second Reading.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this is a request from Brian Grainger to amend his current Special Use Permit for his property on the corner of Mt. Hunger Road and Route 23. He previously filed an amendment with the council which was denied because his amendment would put the development in the high-density category. This request would lower the density from 6.24 units per acre to 5.91 units per acre which aligns with medium density by changing buildings #3, #4, & #5 from six unit to four-unit buildings.

Alderman Bumpus said that he is “terribly supportive” of this but has feedback from the community regarding the affordability of both youth and seniors and developer/builder and business friendliness. His concern is with this small change, it was just made more challenging, and he is concerned that they, as a council, are not welcoming to those with more affordable options and to those who are looking to invest in our community.

Alderperson Copple disagrees as she thinks they are open to having businesses come and build as there was a plan for across from Jewel for affordable housing but doesn’t know the status yet. She said there are places to build, and she appreciates that Mr. Grainger worked with Mr. Sauter to make it work for medium density.

MOTION

Alderman Paulsen motioned to waive First Reading for Ordinance 2024.28 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.

MOTION

Alderman Paulsen motioned to adopt Ordinance 2024.28 and Alderman Fischer seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

RESOLUTIONS

A. Resolution No. 995 – A Resolution Establishing a Program to Complete the Replacement of All Lead Water Service Lines in the City of Sycamore.

City Manager Michael Hall said this resolution establishes the program to replace all lead water service lines and outlines the bullet points as stated in the resolution in the agenda.

Alderman Stowe said that this is more than fair and passed compliments to all who made it happen. From where they started and only having five services left in the city is absolutely amazing.

Alderman Bauer said that this well addresses any issues that could potentially come up and said it was well thought out for each scenario and a solution for each.

MOTION

Alderman Stowe motioned to approve Resolution 995 and Alderman Paulsen seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

B. Resolution No. 996 – A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign a Development Agreement with CalAtlantic Group, LLC, Pertaining to the Sale of Certain Lots in the Reston Ponds Subdivision in the City of Sycamore, Illinois.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this is from Lennar Corporation in combination with CalAtlantic Group who intends to purchase 44 single family home lots in Reston Ponds from Shodeen Group. He reviewed the agreement with additional caveats as per the agenda.

MOTION

Alderman Fischer motioned to approve Resolution 996 and Alderperson Cosky seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

C. Resolution No. 997 – A Resolution Approving and Accepting Certain Public Improvements in the Old Mill Park North Development.

City Manager Michael Hall said that public improvements for Old Mill Park North Development have been inspected and approved by the city engineer and recommend acceptance.

MOTION

Alderman Fischer motioned to approve Resolution 997 and Alderperson Cosky seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

CONSIDERATIONS

A. Consideration of Adjustments to Utility Rates for Water and Sewer for FY25.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this doesn’t require a vote because these recommended rate increases will be incorporated into the fee schedule with other fees at the same time as the ordinance for the budget. This is for discussion purposes as staff is recommending a 3% increase for water, 6% for sewer, and the garbage fee increase which was negotiated and approved prior. The average homeowner will see an increase of $1.28 for water, $2.20 for sewer, and $0.50 for refuse/recycling for a total of $3.98 per month on average which is for cost of materials, chemicals, etc.

Alderman Bumpus asked if they were able to bring data from peer communities on similar situations as part of this analysis.

Public Works Director Matt Anderson said that Sycamore is on the low end specifically for water stating that Ottawa is at 3.25% per year, DeKalb ties it to the CPI (Consumer Price Index), Geneva is roughly 6%, St. Charles is 5%, Oswego is 4%, Rochelle is 5-5.5% so Sycamore is in the ballpark comparatively. For the sewer, there hasn’t been an increase for several years.

B. Consideration of Police Department Recommendation to Approve a 5-year Contract with Axon Enterprise, Inc. to Upgrade the Department’s Tasers.

City Manager Michael Hall said that the department is seeking approval for a five-year contract to upgrade their tasers for $60,560 with the breakdown reflected in the agenda. The prices will be incorporated in the department’s budget each year.

Police Chief Jim Winters said that there will be 15 tasers which is double what they have allowing one for each officer on duty. He confirmed that they are the newest models and there is also a no-fault guarantee.

MOTION

Alderperson Copple motioned 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 Bauer, Bumpus, Copple, Cosky, Fischer, Paulsen, Sherrod, and Stowe voted aye. Motion carried 8-0.

C. Consideration of an Administrative Recommendation to Enter into a Contract with MetroNet to Establish Data Connectivity to Well and Water Tower Sites.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this in addition to the MetroNet contract that was just signed to provide the infrastructure for the network services for the six well and tower sites to able to use the internet. MetroNet is waiving the estimated construction fees of about $40,000 for a five-year contract of $120 per site or $720 per year.

MOTION

Alderman Stowe motioned 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 Bauer, Bumpus, Copple, Cosky, Fischer, Paulsen, Sherrod, and Stowe voted aye. Motion carried 8-0.

OTHER NEW BUSINESS

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION

Alderman Stowe motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:35 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.

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