DeKalb Times

City of Sycamore City Council met April 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 Alicia Cosky, Pete Paulsen, Virginia Sherrod, Chuck Stowe, Alan Bauer, and Ben Bumpus. Alderpersons Nancy Copple and Jeff Fischer were absent. 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 Sherrod motioned to approve the agenda and Alderman Bumpus seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

AUDIENCE TO VISITORS

Paul Cronin, 129 N. California St., representing his wife Mary, and neighbors Erica Beard, 121 N. California St., and Brad Winterberger, 322 W. Exchange St., said they have concerns with the Denim & Diamonds Saloon, for noise levels until 11pm 12pm, smoking on the back deck, flipping cigarette butts in neighbor’s yard, and for piling up the garbage under the back deck with a barrier as shown in the handout. He asked if something could be done.

Ted Strack, 1370 Windfield Drive, spoke to the fire department using fear to get a ladder truck for $1.275 million when they could get a pumper truck for $600,000 as the city doesn’t need a ladder truck. The city needs to do a cost analysis on getting a ladder truck and “find ways to not to spend money”. Secondly, he spoke to the consideration of broadcasting the council meetings and said that he strongly supports it as the three- minute clock, in his opinion, is limiting public input saying that “these meetings are only a one-way discussion”. He said the document put together was decidedly negative and that broadcasting meetings IS coming. He strongly encourages the council to do it.

CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval of the Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of April 7, 2025.

B. Payment of the Bills for April 21, 2025, in the amount of $1,511,481.86.

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

APPOINTMENTS

PRESENTATION, PETITIONS, AND PROCLAMATIONS

A. A Proclamation Declaring April 20th through April 26th, 2025, as Disability Book Week in the City of Sycamore, Illinois.

B. A Proclamation Declaring the Month of May 2025 as Motorcycle Awareness Month in the City of Sycamore, Illinois.

REPORTS OF STAFF, COMMITTEES, AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS

PUBLIC HEARINGS

A. Monthly Financial Report.

Alderman Bumpus, per the report, said the city is $2.5 million over expected expenses and there is a $3 million gap in revenues versus expenses at this stage. When is it expected for those to balance out. He also asked for a status on the audit activity.

City Manager Michael Hall said they will balance out at the end of the year because $2.5 million is for the new fire station as they just broke ground. It will run until the end of the year. It will balance out at the end of the year because we have a balanced budget with revenues that cover expenditures by year-end. For the audits, there should be a draft in the next three to four weeks and have 2023 completed.

Alderman Bauer said that report also struck him too as it is 25% [in the budget year] and 37% over on expenditures. The revenues are under as well, which is concerning. He wondered where the other revenues are coming from asking how to increase “reimbursements for services, miscellaneous fines and fees”. Regarding the offset, he asked if it will be offset because of the loan.

City Manager Michael Hall said the $2.5 million is from Fund Balance which hasn’t been transferred yet. That is usually done at the end of the year as right now it is sitting in the “project” code. They will borrow the remaining $8 million.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

ORDINANCES

CONSIDERATIONS

A. Consideration of a Recommendation to Purchase 2022 KME 103’ Quint Ladder Truck.

City Manager Michael Hall recapped from the agenda but said replacing a 29-year-old engine was going to be in the 2026 budget which would a 1–2-year build-out. He set up and was alerted by an auction site regarding this engine for $1.375 million. The reason it is for sale is because there was a mistake in the revenues leaving that district “in the hole” so they are selling off assets. He added that a build-out on a new ladder truck is 2-3 years.

Fire Chief Bart Gilmore added that having a ladder truck helps not just with three-story buildings but with large box buildings (Seymour) allowing for rescuing people faster, delivering 1500 gallons versus 750 gallons of water, and making ventilation easier. It will also help improve their ISO rating, safety, and effectiveness, as well as saving businesses and residents on insurance premiums, from what he understands.

Alderman Ben Bumpus said he would like to see the anticipated benefits spelled out regarding the ISO rating improvement quantifying the savings and improvements. This is a lot of money and making a decision based only on just one data point, without looking at the plus and minuses of these decisions. He wants to see that analysis before voting.

Alderman Bauer, regarding if the website had been viewed, encouraged Alderman Bumpus to look at it saying that there are other engines listed that are considerably cheaper, but with an incredible amount of miles adding that “time is of the essence”. He also noted that if we get this, Sycamore will have gotten two apparatuses in the last year for less than the price of one and thinks maybe now is the time. This has been talked about for years but could never do it and the option of looking at a used apparatus was never considered.

Alderman Bumpus said that he is not seeing the connection between having been talking about it but not having budgeted $1.3 million for it.

City Manager Michael Hall said it will come from Fund Balance and that’s why they would pull it from the ambulance fund. There will be an ordinance at the end of the year to make those adjustments as required by law. He responded that it doesn’t necessarily have to be budgeted for if they use the Fund Balance.

Alderman Bauer added that for the deficit, end-of-year corrections will be made and that this one may be made before the end of the year. Budgets are a spending guide and are a reference to how much revenue we expect, estimations.

Mayor Braser said they have to consider how the community has changed in the last 20 years, looking at the mass of the school district buildings, there weren’t townhomes (Grainger and Rose Drive), Meijer, Jewel, and Ideal Industrial Parkway businesses. Ther is also the safety of the firefighters, the training, and the work compensation claims all affecting the ISO rating. Being in the insurance industry, the ratings are getting harder and harder as in rural areas as well. One of our main things should always be the safety of the community. “Making this town safer for everybody…then we are doing our job”. He said it’s not like a business as the budgets are different.

Alderman Bumpus said one way or the other, what they are deciding, may require a trade off in the future in pensions, roads, and other expenses. They must be constantly looking for what may be a consequence.

Mayor Braser interjected that audience member Ted Strack was out of order. He added that it is their job to do what is best for the community and not leave the city in debt.

Alderperson Sherrod reflected to the St. Albans fire where they had to wait for a ladder truck to come from another community for the fire and to stop the fire from spreading to the McLaren Townhouses. She is letting the experts worry about the numbers although she does worry about the expenditures. This council has always been very good at keeping the expenditures down to a minimum. We have always been fiscally responsible taking time to investigate and look at the numbers. There will always be increases with retirement benefits, insurance, and raises each year but they have to be responsible for the citizens of Sycamore. “God forbid a 2 story home catches on fire and they have to wait for 45 minutes to wait for a ladder truck”.

Alderman Stowe said they are going to need to replace it next year for about the same price, but it won’t be a ladder truck and said when you find a deal, he thinks you have to go with it.

MOTION

Alderman Bauer 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 Cosky, Paulsen, Sherrod, Stowe, and Bauer, in honor of Firefighter Jack Spartz, voted aye while Alderman Bumpus voted Nay. Motion carried 5-1.

B. Consideration of a Request to Broadcast City Council Meetings.

City Manager Michael Hall said this request came from Alderman Ben Bumpus and deferred to him.

Alderman Bumpus said that some experiences happened lately with DeKalb County Board and the School Board, where he really loved the fact that if he missed a meeting or wanted to follow up on a topic, that it was so easy to take a look at one of these recordings to see reactions, how the community spoke up, or some board members body language and intonation in

conjunction with minutes to get a feel for the energy or the tone. His research found that about 50% of Illinois towns of our size offer recording services to help engage the public to create more awareness and transparency as Sycamore did during Covid. He spoke with a few residents who also have interest. He thinks, eventually, it would be reaching a wider breadth of businesses in the community helping with future transparency. YouTube is the #1 place for streaming this and said TikTok or other forums could be explored.

Alderman Stowe said in the past that DeKalb’s meetings were broadcast over the radio station who tapped into the system. If someone wanted to tap into our system, “go for it”, but if spending extra money to do it, he’s not for that right now. If there’s demand for it, they usually get to the meeting.

There were questions on the cost, selling advertising, and how elaborate of a system it would be or if it would just be a static view.

Alderman Bumpus said it ranged as little as $2,000 to $10,000 to get it set up but there are basic means to get this set up.

Alderman Bauer said this was investigated a few years ago and it’s quite expensive unless you only have one camera. He added that “if there was so much interest there wouldn’t be two rows of empty seats”. He’s always encouraged when residents come to the meetings even if they don’t have an issue.

Police Chief Erik Mahan said St. Charles had one static camera and each alderperson had a camera on their laptops to show their faces.

City Manager Michael Hall said if it is voted on then he will investigate the costs.

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 Sherrod and Bumpus voted aye while Alderpersons Cosky, Paulsen, Stowe, and Bauer voted nay. Motion failed 2-4

Mayor Braser said it doesn’t “have to be kicked to the curb” as maybe later as the city grows. He will talk to the school district to see their number of hits

C. Consideration of an Administration Request for Closed Session to Approve Closed Session Minutes under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21); the purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5); and discuss the Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance, or Dismissal of Specific Employees under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1).

MOTION

Alderperson Cosky motioned to enter into Closed Session at 6:54 p.m. 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

Alderperson Cosky motioned to enter back into Open Session at 8:09 p.m. 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. D. Consideration of an addendum to the employment agreement for the City Manager.

MOTION

Alderman Bauer motioned to approve the Consideration as written and Alderman Stowe seconded the motion.

AMENDMENT MOTION

Alderman Stowe made a motion to amend the offer by changing the retirement contribution from 6% to 2% and to include a one-time payment of $6,675 to make up for past contributions and Alderman Bauer seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion on the amendment. Alderpersons Cosky, Paulsen, Sherrod, Stowe, and Bauer voted aye while Alderman Bumpus voted nay. Motion carried 5-1.

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 Alderman Bumpus voted nay. Motion carried 5-1.

OTHER NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Braser thanked Alderman Pete Paulsen for all his service and Alderman Al Bauer added thanks for the work in making Sycamore a Tree City USA.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION

Alderman Paulsen motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:13 p.m. 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.

https://www.cityofsycamore.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_04212025-353