DeKalb Times

City of Sycamore City Council met Sept. 15.

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 Mike Rodriguez, Virginia Sherrod, Chuck Stowe, Marvin Barnes, Alan Bauer, Ben Bumpus, Nancy Copple, and Alicia Cosky. 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 Cosky motioned to approve the agenda and Alderperson Copple 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

Randy Weckerly, 506 Anjali Court, asked if there has been a traffic study done in that area and if so, was the 2023 DSATS (DeKalb Sycamore Area Transportation Study) traffic study used. He also asked if this has been discussed with the school district and what the impact fees will be.

Nancy Dalla Valle, 2231 Luther Lowell Lane, as a resident of 19 years, said they left Elgin because multi-units were built around their single-family home where there became increased crime and transients who are not invested in the community. She asked to keep Sycamore how it is - a small town.

CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval of the Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of September 2, 2025.

B. Payment of the Bills for September 15, 2025, in the amount of $1,033,118.04.

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

APPOINTMENTS

PRESENTATION, PETITIONS, AND PROCLAMATIONS

A. Presentation by City Manager Michael Hall Regarding the 2026 Preliminary Budget.

City Manager Michael Hall gave the 2026 Preliminary Budget included here within.

REPORTS OF STAFF, COMMITTEES, AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS

A. Year-To-Date Budget Report.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

ORDINANCES

***Ordinance – An Ordinance Approving the Request by Chris Youssi of Youssi Custom Homes for Review and Approval of a Preliminary Plat and Plan for the Properties Located North of East Plank Road and West of Luther Lowell Lane Will Not be Considered at the September 15 Meeting of the Sycamore City Council. The Petitioner has Requested Reconsideration of the Matter at the October 13 Meeting of the Sycamore Planning & Zoning Commission. Notice of a Public Hearing Regarding the Proposed Preliminary Plat and Plan will be Published in the Local Newspaper, Notices of Public Hearing will be Mailed to Property Owners Within 250 feet of the Subject Property and a Notice of Public Hearing by Sign will be Displayed on the Property in Accordance with City Code.

A. Ordinance No. 2025.15 – An Ordinance Approving a Request by Steve Glasgow of Primm Commercial Development for Review and Approval of a Special Use Permit for a Planned Unit Development in Accordance with Article 4.3 and a Final Development Plan and Plat in Accordance with Section 4.4.5.D of the City’s Unified Development Ordinance for the Properties Located 2145, 2235, 2265 and 2325 Primm Drive in Primm Prairie Commercial Subdivision (PIN numbers 06-21-154-004, 06-21-154-003, 06-21-154-002 and 06-21-154-001 respectively) in Sycamore, Illinois. First and Second Reading.

City Manager Michael Hall recapped that the Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC) forwarded a favorable recommendation for consideration of a Special Use permit for a Planned Unit Development (PUD) and Final Plat and Plan for the properties along Primm Drive for 66 apartment units. The product has been reviewed by staff and conforms with density land use guidelines and is now subject to council approval.

Alderperson Copple asked Mr. Pappas to come before the council and talk about Section 8 housing confirming that his properties are not Section 8 housing. She remembers Dr. Glasgow previously stating before the council that the project is geared to young professionals and those downsizing. She expressed how much she appreciated him investing in Sycamore.

John Pappas, DeKalb, said he has never done Section 8 housing in his lifetime. This is a private project that is not State or Federally funded. This is not a Section 8 project.

Alderman Bauer noted that Mr. Pappas has done two projects in Sycamore that he had toured. He said that the quality of these projects is outstanding and that he’s not worried at all.

Alderman Barnes added from his personal experience, that he lived in one of Mr. Pappas’ apartments on a sublease for five months while his condo was being built. He took the apartment “sight unseen” because he knew it would be good if it was a Pappas apartment and they loved it. He said they got to know all the neighbors who were young professionals and retired people and said the place was extremely well-maintained. There wasn’t anything about Section 8 housing.

Alderman Rodriguez asked if there will be a stop sign/yield sign at Primm Drive and Northgate Drive and on Baron and Ward. He also noted that it’s good that we have McDonald’s coming and these apartments coming because it means it’s bringing people to the community. All the people that spoke at the meetings spoke about what a great community Sycamore is. He said you attract what you are so when this comes, it will be attracting people like us who care about the City of Sycamore.

City Engineer Mark Bushnell said there has been a request for a stop sign by Ward and they are looking into it to see if it meets the warrant for one. There is not a lot of traffic at the north one.

MOTION

Alderperson Copple motioned to waive First Reading on Ordinance 2025.15 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 8-0.

MOTION

Alderman Stowe motioned to approve Ordinance 2025.15 and Alderman Barnes seconded the motion. Alderman Stowe pointed out that the requested six-foot fencing that was asked for is already included in the ordinance.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

B. Ordinance No. 2025.16 – An Ordinance Approving a Request by Steve Glasgow of Primm Commercial Development for a Change of Zoning of the Properties Located 2145, 2235, 2265 and 2325 Primm Drive in Primm Prairie Commercial Subdivision (PIN numbers 06-21-154-004, 06-21-154-003, 06-21-154-002 and 06-21-154-001 respectively) From the current zoning of C-3, Highway Business District to R-3, Multi-Family Residential District. First and Second Reading.

Alderman Bauer made clear that the PIN numbers on the agenda refer to the section to the left on the exhibit and that the frontage on Route 23 remains commercially zoned.

MOTION

Alderman Bauer motioned to waive First Reading on Ordinance 2025.16 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 8-0.

MOTION

Alderman Barnes motioned to approve Ordinance 2025.16 and Alderperson Copple seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

C. Ordinance No. 2025.17 – An Ordinance Approving a Request by Chuck Shepard, on Behalf of Old Rich Point, LLC, for Review and Approval of a Special Use Permit for a Planned Unit Development in Accordance with Article 4.3 and a Final Development Plan and Plat in Accordance with Section 4.4.5.D of the City’s Unified Development Ordinance for the Property Located at 2110 Coltonville Road (PIN 08-01-276-006) in Sycamore, Illinois. First and Second Reading.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this is for a Special Use permit and Final Plat and Plan for property that was recently annexed into the city. It will be developed for commercial use.

MOTION

Alderperson Copple motioned to waive First Reading on Ordinance 2025.17 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.

MOTION

Alderperson Copple motioned to approve Ordinance 2025.17 and Alderperson Sherrod seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

RESOLUTIONS

CONSIDERATIONS

A. Consideration of an Administrative Recommendation to Enter into a Contract Agreement with CMJ IT Solutions for Managed IT Services.

City Manager Michael Hall said the current three-year contract expires October 31st. The city had a lot of issues before they came on and they got everything up to speed. It was time to go out for proposals. CMJ IT Solutions came in $150,000 less over three years. They are a local company and have worked with the city in the past.

MOTION

Alderman Bumpus motioned to approve the Consideration and Alderperson Cosky seconded the motion.

CALL VOTE

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

B. Consideration for the Fire Department to Auction a 1996 Darley Fire Engine.

City Manager Michael Hall said this to dispose of a 30-year-old back-up engine that will be sold.

MOTION

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

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

C. Consideration of an Administrative Recommendation to Award a Contract in the Amount of $11,850.00 to GC Design of Minooka, IL for the 2025 Tree Planting Project.

City Manager Michael Hall said this is for the tree program that went out to bid with low bidder being GC Design. Alderman Bauer asked about doing the local bidder preference.

City Engineer Mark Bushnell said the local bidder was present at the bid opening where the numbers were reviewed and explained that they weren’t within the 5%. The local bidder stated they wouldn’t be able to meet it.

MOTION

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

ROLL CALL VOTE

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

OTHER NEW BUSINESS

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION

Alderman Stowe motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:52 p.m. and Alderman Rodriguez 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/_09152025-378