DeKalb Times

City of Sycamore City Council met Dec. 2.

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 Nancy Copple

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderperson Nancy Copple

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

City Manager Michael Hall amended the agenda by striking 10A and 10B as the public hearings were held at the last meeting.

MOTION

Alderperson Copple motioned to approve the agenda as amended 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 November 18, 2024.

B. Payment of the Bills for December 2, 2024, in the amount of $664,814.80.

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

APPOINTMENTS

PRESENTATION, PETITIONS, AND PROCLAMATIONS

REPORT OF STAFF, COMMITTEES, AND CITY COUNCIL MEMEBERS

City Manager Michael Hall said with Chief Winters announcing his retirement, they hired the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police to assist in the search for a new chief. The advertisement for his position will be posted tonight on different sites as well as the city’s websites and be advertised for one month. Interviewing will consist of questionnaires, assessment centers, community leaders and law enforcement interviews. They plan to have it wrapped up by February 13th.

ORDINANCES

A. Ordinance No. 2024.29 – An Ordinance Concerning the Adoption of the Combined Budget and Appropriation Ordinance for the Year 2025 in the City of Sycamore, Illinois. Second Reading.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this has been worked on since September and said the budget meets everything and includes the new fire station for approval. There was a change in the budget from the last meeting regarding the calculation for IMRF where the employees contribute 4.5% and the city contributes 6.47%. The budget showed that the city was paying both portions. Correcting this lowered the budget by $137,000. Being asked about providing the overall tax burden for all residents, he said that those numbers are not available and that it would all be guesses. He would have to wait until the other taxing bodies post it because they can still make changes as it doesn’t have to be reported to the County until the last Tuesday of December.

MOTION

Alderman Bauer motioned to approve Ordinance 2024.29 and Alderperson Copple 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.

B. Ordinance No. 2024.30 – An Ordinance Levying Taxes for Corporate Purposes of the City of Sycamore for the Year Commencing January 1, 2025, and Ending December 31, 2025. Second Reading.

City Manager Michael Hall said that the budget must be passed before the levy according to State law. The levy is set with no changes. This includes the library, also set with no changes, although the library levy in the packet says there is an increase which was a mistake. He gave the council the correct paper copy of the ordinance to reflect no changes. He said that because the EAV (equalized assessed value) went up the tax rate will go down from .6227 currently to .5480.

MOTION

Alderman Bauer motioned to approve Ordinance 2024.30 and Alderperson Copple 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.

C. Ordinance No. 2024.31 – An Ordinance Partially Abating the Debt Service Levy for the General Obligation Bond Issue Series 2017 Refunding Bond for the City of Sycamore, DeKalb County, Illinois for the Year 2024. Second Reading.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this is a requirement saying that the $155,000 of the levy will be put towards the refunding bond for abating the police station.

MOTION

Alderman Stowe motioned to approve Ordinance 2024.31 and Alderman Bumpus 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.

RESOLUTIONS

A. Resolution No. 999 – A Resolution Approving the 2025 Public Meeting Schedule for the City of Sycamore, Illinois

City Manager Michael Hall said that this sets the meeting schedules and notes that the council is only having one meeting in January and one meeting in July because of the holidays.

Mayor Braser noted that the first meeting in January is on Tuesday, January 21st.

MOTION

Alderman Fischer motioned to approve Resolution 999 and Alderperson Copple 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.

B. Resolution No. 1000 – A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Designate 2025 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

Alderman Fischer motioned to approve Resolution 1000 and Alderperson Copple 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.

CONSIDERATIONS

OTHER NEW BUSINESS

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION

Alderman Stowe motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:19 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/Minutes/_12022024-328