SYCAMORE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 15, 2017 ROLL CALL Mayor Curt Lang called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and City Clerk Mary Kalk called the roll. Those Alderpersons present were: Steve Braser, Rick Kramer, Pete Paulsen, Virginia Sherrod, Becky Springer, Chuck Stowe, Alan Bauer. INVOCATION Pastor Jen Zerby of Hillcrest Covenant Church gave the invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Youth, Aidan Nehring led the Pledge of Allegiance APPROVAL OF AGENDA Alderperson Springer moved to approve the agenda and Alderperson Kramer seconded the motion. Voice Vote APPOINTMENTS AUDIENCE TO VISITORS CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of the Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of May 1, 2017. B. Annual Report of the Sycamore Fire and Police Commission. C. Payment of the Bills for May 15, 2017 in the amount of $498,806.11. Mayor Lang thanked the Sycamore Fire and Police Commission for their service in the last year. MOTION Alderperson Bauer moved to approve the Consent Agenda and Alderperson Stowe seconded the motion. PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, AND BILLS. A. A Proclamation Declaring May 15 to May 20, 2017 as National Police Week in the City of Sycamore. B. A Proclamation Declaring May 21 to May 27, 2017 as Emergency Medical Services Week in the City of Sycamore.
Mayor Lang commented on the Law Enforcement Officer s Memorial Service that was held May 15 th on the DeKalb County Courthouse Lawn. He felt the words Thank you and Remember were very appropriate and that the service was very well done. REPORT OF OFFICERS City Manager Brian Gregory expressed that it will be an exciting summer with the upcoming projects and the bid awards tonight and in the coming weeks. He stated it was Public Service Recognition Week last week and thanked the staff. He noted that the staff works together; across lines, across departments, and across jurisdictions with other agencies, other units of government, and other service providers to create efficiencies that help stretch our dollar and make sure that the service is what our residents want and in a timely fashion. He also pointed out that Sycamore was named one of the coolest towns in the United States. The next City Council meeting will be June 5 th. Deputy Police Chief Jim Winters thanked Mayor Lang for the kind words regarding the memorial service and said a special thanks to Detective Ryan Hooper who organized the service. He reported that there was a BluePoint Alert at Sycamore High School last Thursday, May 11 th. The BluePoint Alert is an alert system that reports a non-fire event, such as an intruder. He reported there was good response from the police officers and the school staff did a good job of following the A.L.I.C.E. Protocol. The alert was due to a system malfunction and not a real event. As an abundance of caution, police officers stayed on premises for the rest of the day and met with the school staff after school and the next day. He also reported that since the new ordinance came into effect May 1 st regarding Donation Boxes the city has gone from 9 boxes last year with weekly complaints to 2 boxes this year which are in full compliance of the city code. He thanked Community Service Officer Steve Watts for his efforts in working with the property owners and donation box owners in reducing the complaints and helping bring the boxes into compliance. Fire Chief Pete Polarek reported that Sycamore was one of a number of agencies that participated last week in Operation Prom. He acknowledged Firefighter Paramedic Brian Thompson who coordinates it on the Fire Department s behalf. The firefighters who participate do it on their own time supporting the efforts of the community to prepare our children for post prom activities. Cortland and Burlington also participated. Director of Public Works Fred Busse explained that the Storm Sewer project along Park Avenue took longer than anticipated because of working around all the sanitary and water services. Weather had minimal impact. He reported that Park Avenue will be closed May 15 th to May 17 th to pour concrete to restore that trench. Access to St. Mary s School is still accessible. The project will be completed this week and crews will start Parking Lot #3 project next week, which will include some work within the AutoMeter lot. Treasurer/Asst. to the City Manager Adam Orton distributed the April Treasurer s Report with a benchmark of 100%. This ends our fiscal year. He said that revenues are at 98.7% and expenditures came in below the benchmark at 96.6% (all on cash basis). He noted that both the Fire and Police pensions closed out strong with growth for each in April. He reported that the audit preparations have started.
Building & Engineering Director John Sauter reported that a final inspection will be done this week at 141 Elm St. He said the Park District Community Center is progressing nicely. Human Resource Director Maggie Peck-no report City Engineer Mark Bushnell reported the West Sycamore Street Concrete Grouting project is out to bid for bid opening on May 31 st. The pre-construction meeting with Curran Contracting is scheduled for May 22 nd. The Pavement Rejuvenator Project, which is similar to seal coating to extend the pavement for an additional 5 years, will start in approximately 2 weeks and is coordinated from the county. The schedules and updates for projects will be posted on the city s website and Facebook page. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES Finance Alan Bauer - no report Public Safety Pete Paulsen - no report Public Works Chuck Stowe - no report Alderperson Paulsen commented that he attended the Training with the Police and Fire Department and it was good PUBLIC HEARING - None ORDINANCES - None RESOLUTIONS A. Resolution No. 707 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 A.M. Until 5:00 P.M. on Sunday, July 30, 2017 to Allow for the Turning Back Time Car Show in the City of Sycamore, Illinois. The organizers of the Turning Back Time Car Show have requested the closing of Illinois Route 64 from Main Street to Sacramento Street from 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 30, 2017 for the annual car show. As in previous years, the car show will feature a variety of vendors, antique cars, and musical entertainment and should be well-attended. This year marks the eighteenth annual show. Alderperson Stowe moved to take Resolutions 707, 708, and 709 in omnibus fashion and Alderperson Springer seconded the motion.
B. Resolution No. 708 A Resolution Requesting Permission from the Illinois Department of Transportation to Close Illinois Route 64 from Kingsway Drive to Sacramento Street between 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM on Sunday October 29, 2017 to Allow for the Road Run as Part of the Pumpkin Festival in the City of Sycamore, Illinois. The Sycamore Chamber of Commerce has requested the closing of Illinois Route 64 from Kingsway Drive to Sacramento Street from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 29, 2017 for the Pumpkin Run. As in previous years, Illinois Route 64 will be opened as runners clear the course. C. Resolution No. 709 A Resolution Requesting Permission from the Illinois Department of Transportation to Close Illinois Route 64 from Locust Street to Sacramento Street from 12:00 Noon Until 5:00 P.M. on Sunday, October 29, 2017 to allow for the Pumpkin Festival Parade in the City of Sycamore, Illinois. The Pumpkin Festival Committee has requested the closing of Illinois Route 64 from Locust Street to Sacramento Street from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 29, 2017 for the Pumpkin Parade as part of the 56 th annual Pumpkin Festival. This year s Pumpkin Festival runs from October 25 th through October 29 th. Brian pointed out the insurance that the state requires increased from $500,000 per occurrence and $1 Million aggregate to $1 Million per occurrence and $2 Million aggregate. MOTION Alderperson Bauer moved to approve the Resolutions 707, 708, and 709 and Alderperson Sherrod seconded the motion. D. Resolution No. 710 A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Intergovernmental Agreement for Police Jurisdiction between DeKalb County, City of DeKalb, City of Sycamore, Town of Cortland and Northern Illinois University. City Manager Gregory explained this is a ten-year agreement between the jurisdictions outlined. It s a boundary agreement as to whose jurisdiction is each boundary. This clarifies current practices with surrounding police agencies in an effort to promote public safety and best practices. This can be amended during the term of the agreement by agreement of the Police Chiefs and there are opt outs. The IGA also confirms the parties current relationship of supporting one another through mutual aid regardless of the primary enforcement areas. Each department is responsible for the training and actions of their respective department.
MOTION Alderperson Kramer moved to approve the Resolution 710 and Alderperson Paulsen seconded the motion. E. Resolution No. 711 A Resolution Requesting a Permit from the Illinois Department of Transportation to Allow for the Construction of Sidewalk and Utility Connections on the North Side of Illinois Route 64 at the New Outpost Gas Station. This resolution is required for the State of Illinois Department of Transportation to allow the Carl s Oil to make utility connections and replace sidewalk in the Illinois Department of Transportation s right-of-way. The City is responsible for guaranteeing that all work performed be in compliance with conditions of the permit. IDOT requires the developer to post a bond. MOTION Alderperson Springer moved to approve Resolution 711 and Alderperson Kramer seconded the motion. F. Resolution No. 712 A Resolution Authorizing the City of Sycamore to Adopt an Intergovernmental Agreement Establishing a Mobile Team In-Service Training Unit. City Manager Gregory stated that this resolution will enroll the city in the NEMRT program which is through the North East Multi-Regional Training program. With this training, agencies and jurisdictions work together to achieve both mandated and elective training at participating departments or online.. The cost is $95 per person and was allocated from the Police Department s FY18 training budget. MOTION Alderperson Paulsen moved to approve the Resolution 712 and Alderperson Kramer seconded the motion. CONSIDERATIONS A. Consideration of a Recommendation from the Building & Engineering Department Regarding the Award of the Bid for the Lining of Approximately 1,000 Linear Feet of Sanitary Sewer on West Sycamore Street.
City Manager Gregory explained as part of this summer s street program, West Sycamore Street will be resurfaced and the sanitary sewer lateral will be lined with any voids around the lateral being filled. The City advertised for sealed proposals and the bid was opened at 10:00 a.m. on May 12 th. The Engineer s Estimate for the project was $43,484.00 based on other similarly-structured awards that had been made. Two bids were received for the West Sycamore Street Sanitary Sewer Lining Project and the bid results are as follows: 1 Hoerr- Construction Goodfield, IL $34,708.00* 2 Insituform- Chesterfiled, MO $41,646.50 *Contractor incorrectly totaled their bid as $37,558.00 Contractors were required to have completed 15,000 Linear Feet of sanitary sewer lining in 2016. Hoerr Construction has completed 373,560 Linear Feet. In addition, Mike Kaisner stated that their bid is complete and they are confident in being able to complete the work on time. Manager Gregory stated the low bid was from Hoerr Construction and recommends awarding the bid contract to Hoerr Construction for $ 34,708.00. Alderperson Stowe moved to approve awarding the bid to Hoerr Construction, Goodfield, IL for $34,708.00 and Alderperson Bauer seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote Mayor Lang called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Braser, Kramer, Paulsen, Sherrod, Springer, Stowe and Bauer voted aye. carried 7-0. B. Consideration of an Update of the City s Aggregation Program for Electrical Load. City Manager Gregory reviewed that in March of 2012, voters approved a referendum which authorized the City Council to enact an Electric Aggregation Program. Through membership in the Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaborative (NIMEC), the City solicited bids and entered into a two-year contract with First Energy for a fixed rate for electricity of 4.81 cents/kwh. Throughout those first two years, participating households saved an average of $300 in electric supply costs, for a cumulative City-wide savings of over $1,500,000. Since the initial agreement expired in August 2014, the City has suspended the electrical aggregation program as market rates were in line or more advantageous than those quoted through the program. When residents were moved back to ComEd s rate in August of 2014 it was done with an understanding that the City would continue to seek pricing to compare with current market rates at least once per year. The City Manager has worked with NIMEC to review indicative market pricing to determine if there are savings once again available through the aggregation program. ComEd s pricing is 7.0 kwh +/- 0.5 Purchased Electricity Adjustment (PEA) from June through September, and set to adjust in October to 7.28 kwh for an estimated blended rate of 7.19 kwh over the next twelve months.
With ComEd s rate only set for one-year, short term options should be the focus when considering whether to reactivate the aggregation program. With a benchmark blended rate of 7.19 kwh with a fluctuation of +/- 0.5 for PEA the range residents can expect to pay for the energy portion of their bill is 6.69-7.69 kwh on average. When looking at recent indicative pricing the lowest rates quoted for 12-month terms were slightly above the bottom of the range at 6.786 kwh and in-line with the bottom at 6.695 kwh for a 14-month term. These options suggest that there may be savings with limited risk depending on actual bid pricing. The City Manager suggests that the City structure the aggregation bidding to ensure it best aligns with the known ComEd rate terms and look to minimally meet the bottom of the blended rate for that period of time. It would likely mean a one-year term at 6.69 kwh to reactivate. In this scenario, if the PEA fluctuates to the bottom of the range, residents would pay the same rate. If the PEA added to the rate the program could yield a savings of up to 13%. Rates are typically only valid for 24 hours, therefore, the bid date would be scheduled for the next Council meeting on June 5 th. He also noted that there is an opt-out option. Asked how many rate changes will there be in the marketplace between now and June 5 th, City Manager Gregory explained that the rates change many times a day depending on the supplier, but it depends on the commodity prices. Alderperson Springer expressed concern that the price would fluctuate before the next meeting and the city may miss out on an opportunity. He explained it does move, but tends not to move to the point that a couple weeks would make an enormous difference. Consensus of Council was to move forward. C. Consideration of an Administration Request for a Closed Session to Discuss Personnel Matters Including the Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Description, Performance, or Dismissal of Specific Employees of the Public Body or Legal Counsel for the Public Body, including Hearing Testimony on a Complaint Lodged Against an Employee of the Public Body or Against Legal Counsel for the Public Body to Determine its Validity under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1). Alderperson Kramer moved to go in to Closed Session at 7:38 p.m. and Alderperson Springer seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote Mayor Lang called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Braser, Kramer, Paulsen, Sherrod, Springer, Stowe and Bauer voted aye. carried 7-0. Alderperson Paulsen moved to return to Open Session at 7:48 p.m. and Alderperson Bauer seconded the motion. Voice Vote Mayor Lang called for a voice vote to approve the motion. All Alderpersons voted aye carried 7-0. OTHER NEW BUSINESS
ADJOURNMENT Alderperson Stowe moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:49 p.m. and Alderperson Paulsen seconded the motion. Voice Vote Mayor Lang called for a voice vote to approve the motion. All Alderpersons voted aye carried 7-0. Approve: Mayor Curt Lang Attest: City Clerk Mary Kalk