DeKalb Times

City of Sycamore City Council met Jan. 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 Pete Paulsen, Chuck Stowe, Alan Bauer, Ben Bumpus, Alicia Cosky, and Jeff Fischer. Alderperson Nancy Copple and Virginia Sherrod were absent. Attorney Kevin Buick was also present.

INVOCATION Mayor Braser called for a moment of silence and joy for the new year.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Mayor Braser

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MOTION

Alderman Fischer motioned to approve the agenda and Alderman Paulsen seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

AUDIENCE TO VISITORS

CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval of the Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of December 16, 2024.

B. Payment of the Bills for January 21, 2024, in the amount of $1,973,340.42.

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, Cosky, and Fischer voted aye. Motion carried 6-0.

APPOINTMENTS

Mayor Braser appointed Chuck Rose to replace Riley Oncken on the Police Pension Board.

MOTION

Alderman Stowe motioned to confirm the appointment 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 6-0.

PRESENTATION, PETITIONS, AND PROCLAMATIONS

A. Presentation by SB Friedman on City’s Industrial Market & Target Industry Assessment.

Michael Ryzhov and Lance Dorn from SB Friedman presented from the PowerPoint included in the agenda packet.

REPORTS OF STAFF, COMMITTEES, AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS

A. Monthly Financial Report

B. Report by Alicia Cosky on the Beautification Committee

Alderperson Cosky gave a report on completing their first highlighting the following:

• Forming collaborative relationships

• SHS Student-designed logo

• Sycamore in Bloom with FFA Students

o Recent project - favorable

o Sycamore Chamber help with program

o PW staff help with program

• SHS Welding Class - plant stand

• Dedication Planter program

• Mural project

• Budget allocation

• DCCF – Committee Needs Grant

• T-Mobile – applying for another grant

PUBLIC HEARINGS

ORDINANCES

RESOLUTIONS

CONSIDERATIONS

A. Consideration of a Downtown & Gateway Improvement Program Application from Paul Schwartz for interior improvements to PJ’s Courthouse Tavern at 202 W. State Street, Sycamore, Illinois.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this is for improvements to the lift and is requesting the $5,000 match from the city.

MOTION

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

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

B. Consideration of a Downtown & Gateway Improvement Program Application from Francis Mathey for Exterior Improvements to Hill Heating at 423 N. Main Street, Sycamore, Illinois.

City Manager Michael Hall said that both this and the next one came to the council last year, but the applicant was not able to complete the project because of the availability of subcontractors. This request is for $3,896.50.

MOTION

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

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

C. Consideration of a Downtown & Gateway Improvement Program Application from Eric Mathey for Exterior Improvements to Mark’s Machine Shop at 416 N. Main Street, Sycamore, Illinois.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this one is for $10,000 for the two addresses to improve the exterior of the buildings.

Alderman Bauer inquired about increasing the grant amount or increasing the budget amount and also confirmed that this is for two addresses.

MOTION

Alderman Bauer motioned to approve the Consideration and Alderman Paulsen seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

D. Consideration of a Public Works Department Recommendation to Place an Order for two 2025 Ford F250 4x4 Pickup Trucks from Sutton Ford Commercial Truck Center, Matteson, IL in the Amount of $96,180.00

City Manager Michael Hall said that this is a Public Works budgeted item to replace a 2003 and a 2008 truck. Alderman Fischer confirmed that the older trucks will be auctioned, and the money will go into the General Fund.

Alderman Bumpus inquired if the bids could also be put out to the local vendors simultaneously to the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative (SPC).

City Manager Michael Hall said no, because by State law they have to go out to multiple bidders, so they chose SPC because their process is sending it out to multiple bidders where the local vendors have every opportunity to bid on it. Otherwise, the city would have to do it themselves and they don’t have the power that this group has to get that pricing. They could, however, ask the local dealers to match the price, but they can’t match 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 Paulsen, Stowe, Bauer, Bumpus, Cosky, and Fischer voted aye. Motion carried 6-0.

E. Consideration of a Public Works Department Recommendation to Purchase a 2025 R2 Series Bobcat Compact Excavator from Atlas Bobcat, LLC, DeKalb IL in the Amount of $57,757.72

City Manager Michael Hall said that this is to replace a 2004 Bobcat for the referenced price.

MOTION

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

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

F. Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement with Municipal Well and Pump for the Maintenance Inspection and Repair of Well #9 in an amount not to exceed $265,000

City Manager Michael Hall said that this is a budgeted project for the well to be serviced.

MOTION

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

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

OTHER NEW BUSINESS

Alderperson Cosky stated that she is struggling with the fact that the 2024 Façade Grant money was asked for and granted leaving no one else access to any of that program money. Yet, the project didn’t get completed and now they are asking for it again which is not fair or equitable as the money is tied up. She is finding that the process is in need of updating to make it more equitable.

Mayor Braser agreed and asked City Manger Michael Hall to look into it.

Different suggestions were discussed.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION

Alderman Stowe motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 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/Agenda/_02032025-336