DeKalb Times

City of Sycamore City Council met May 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 Virginia Sherrod, Chuck Stowe, Alderman Elect Marvin Barnes, Alan Bauer, Ben Bumpus, Nancy Copple, and Alicia Cosky. Attorney Keith Foster was also present.

INNVOCATION led by Alderperson Nancy Copple,

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderperson Nancy Copple

SWEARING IN ELECTED OFFICIALS

A. Swearing-in of City Clerk Mary Kalk.

Attorney Keith Foster swore in City Clerk Mary Kalk.

B. Swearing-in of Mayor Braser.

C. Swearing-in of First Ward Alderperson Alan Bauer.

D. Swearing-in of Third Ward Alderperson Marvin Barnes.

E. Swearing-in of Fourth Ward Alderperson Virginia Sherrod.

City Clerk Mary Kalk swore in Mayor Braser, and Alderpersons Alan Bauer, Marvin Barnes, and Virginia Sherrod. Mayor Braser thanked his family for attending and for all others that attended tonight.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MOTION

Alderman Bauer 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 7-0.

AUDIENCE TO VISITORS

CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval of the Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of April 21, 2025.

B. Payment of the Bills for May 5, 2025, in the amount of $2,167,747.11.

C. Approval of the Closed Meeting Minutes of 3/18/2024 and approval to destroy the approved minutes audio tapes after 18 months for the time of 9/6/2022 through 9/23/2023. (correcting the typo of 9/23/2024).

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 Sherrod, Stowe, Bauer, Bumpus, Copple, and Cosky voted aye while Alderman Barnes abstained. Motion carried 6-0-1.

APPOINTMENTS

A. Manuel Pena to the Sycamore Fire & Police Commission.

Mayor Braser appointed Manuel Pena to the Commission replacing Jeff Richardson.

MOTION

Alderman Stowe motioned to approve the appointment and Alderman Barnes seconded the motion.

VOICE VOTE

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

PRESENTATION, PETITIONS, AND PROCLAMATIONS

A. A Proclamation Declaring April 25, 2025, Arbor Day in the City of Sycamore, Illinois.

B. A Proclamation Declaring May 4th through May 10th, 2025, Professional Municipal Clerks Week in the City of Sycamore, Illinois. C. A Proclamation Declaring May 5th through May 11th, 2025, Arson Awareness Week in the City of Sycamore, Illinois. D. Presentation by the Sycamore Fire Department of the 2024 Annual Report.

Fire Chief Gilmore presented the 2024 Annual Report which will be published on the city’s website. He thanked everyone that showed up to the Groundbreaking of the new fire station as this is a huge milestone. They anticipate taking possession in spring of 2026.

Alderman Barnes asked where the city was at with extending Crosby Avenue.

City Manager Michael Hall said that he will send the analysis that was previously sent to the council members. Alderman Bumpus questioned why the city’s EMS call volume is higher than the nation and asked if the city knows why.

Fire Chief Gilmore said he doesn’t have the exact number with him, but it is something like 20% of the city’s population is 65 years and older contributing to lift assists and more medical problems. He added that 911 is an extremely successful program.

Alderman Stowe also added that he listens to the scanner and that “calls that, 10 years ago, would have jumped in the car and gone to the emergency room”. It has come to be “let’s call 911 and get a ride”.

REPORTS OF STAFF, COMMITTEES, AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PUBLIC HEARINGS

City Clerk Mary Kalk introduced and welcomed the new Deputy Clerk Marilyn Maher.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

ORDINANCES

RESOLUTIONS

A. Resolution No. 1010 – A Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation for Routine Maintenance of State Routes for the Period of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2035.

City Manager Michael Hall said the current agreement expires in June, so this approves a ten-year agreement for routine maintenance of state routes within the city providing $22,998.56 or a 11.6% inflationary increase.

MOTION

Alderman Bauer motioned to approve the Resolution and Alderman Bumpus seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

B. Resolution No. 1011 – A Resolution Requesting the Permission of the Illinois Department of Transportation to Close Illinois Route 64 from Main Street to Sacramento Street from 5:00 AM until 5:00 PM on Sunday, July 27, 2025, to Allow for the “Turning Back Time” Car Show in the City of Sycamore, Illinois.

MOTION

Alderman Stowe motioned to take Resolutions 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014, and 1015 in omnibus fashion 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 7-0.

C. Resolution No. 1012 – A Resolution Requesting the Permission of the Illinois Department of Transportation to Close Illinois Route 64 from Governor Street to Sacramento Street from 6:00 PM until 7:30 PM on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, to Allow for the Sycamore High School Homecoming Parade in the City of Sycamore, Illinois.

D. Resolution No. 1013 – A Resolution Requesting the Permission of the Illinois Department of Transportation to Close Illinois Route 64 from Kingsway Drive to Sacramento Street between 7:30 AM and 10:00 AM on Sunday, October 26, 2025, to Allow for the “Pumpkin Run” as Part of the Pumpkin Festival in the City of Sycamore, Illinois.

E. Resolution No. 1014 – A Resolution Requesting the Permission of the Illinois Department of Transportation to Close Illinois Route 64 from Locust Street to Sacramento Street from 12:00 PM until 5:00 PM on Sunday, October 26, 2025, to Allow for the Pumpkin Festival Parade in the City of Sycamore, Illinois.

F. Resolution No. 1015 – A Resolution Requesting the Permission of the Illinois Department of Transportation to Close Illinois Route 64 from California Street to Main Street from 5:55 PM to 6:15 PM on Friday, December 5, 2025, to Allow for “Walk with Santa” in the City of Sycamore, Illinois.

MOTION

Alderman Stowe motioned to approve the Resolutions 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014, and 1015 and Alderman Bauer seconded the motion. ROLL CALL VOTE

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

CONSIDERATIONS

A. Consideration of an Administrative Recommendation to Award a Contract in the Amount of $207,891.14 to Curran Contracting of Crystal Lake, IL for the 2025 Public Works Repaving Project.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this is a budgeted project for work at the Sycamore Public Works facility along with minor paving at Water Tower #1 and the Wastewater Treatment Plant. It is scheduled to be completed by September 10th and funding will come from a combination of water, sewer, and street funds. The Engineer’s Estimate was $218,912.28.

MOTION

Alderman Barnes motioned to approve the Consideration and Alderperson Copple seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

B. Consideration of an Administrative Recommendation to Award a Contract in the Amount of $147,260.89 to Elliott & Wood Inc of DeKalb, IL for the 2025 Lindgren Road Watermain Project.

City Manager Michael Hall said this is a budgeted project involving the installation of 671 feet of watermain to connect Plank Road to National Street within the Sycamore Creek Subdivision. The Engineer’s Estimate was $187,450.

MOTION

Alderman Stowe motioned to award the bid and Alderperson Sherrod seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

C. Consideration of an Administrative Recommendation to Award a Contract in the Amount of $21,700.00 to Curran Contracting of Crystal Lake, IL for the 2025 Lindgren Road Patching Project.

City Manager Michael Hall said this is another budgeted project involving asphalt patching about 2,200 feet along Lindgren Road. The Engineer’s Estimate was $22,700.

MOTION

Alderman Barnes motioned to award the contract and Alderperson Sherrod seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

D. Consideration of an Administrative Recommendation to Award a Contract in the Amount of $39,074.16 to Corrective Asphalt Materials LLC for the 2025 Rejuvenator Project.

City Manager Michael Hall said this is another budgeted project that includes pavement surfacing of several roads which is a joint project with the County. The low bid came in at $1.22 per square yard with the Engineer’s Estimate being $1.34 per square yard.

MOTION

Alderperson Sherrod 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 Sherrod, Stowe, Barnes, Bauer, Bumpus, Copple, and Cosky voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.

E. Consideration of a Public Mural Application for a mural to be located on the west wall of the building located at 420 West State Street.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this is a recommendation from the Beautification Committee. The applications were reviewed by staff and are compliant with the new city ordinance on murals. The next step is council approval of the mural rendering included in the packet.

Alderperson Cosky said if approved, muralist is Ed Muran will begin work June 1st and complete it within 10 to 14 days.

Mayor Braser also recognized Beautification Committee members Ed Kuhn and Cindy Henderson who were in attendance, and he thanked them all for their hard work on this.

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, Stowe, Barnes, Bauer, Bumpus, Copple, and Cosky voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.

OTHER NEW BUSINESS

Alderperson Sherrod said that this is her third term, and she is so honored, blessed, and grateful for winning and serving. Alderman Barnes echoed, too, that he is honored to be sitting on the council and looks forward to the next four years.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION

Alderman Stowe motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:30 p.m. 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 7-0.

https://www.cityofsycamore.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05192025-358