Ordinance approved to keep Sycamore patrons safe

The Sycamore City Council approved Monday an ordinance that extends bar closing times on Nov. 27 an extra hour.

The council voted to allow 10 Sycamore bars to remain open until 1 a.m. on Nov. 27, instead of the usual midnight closing time.

Sycamore Police Chief Don Thomas said traffic should be minimized between Sycamore and DeKalb.

“I know when cities have different bar closings, there’s always a lot of traffic between the cities which is unsafe,” Thomas said. “When these people leave at 1 [a.m.], I’d rather they go home than drive to a different bar.”

Sycamore Mayor Ken Mundy said this would equalize the bar closing hour of 1 a.m. with DeKalb.

“This is their option,” Mundy said. “This is not a recommendation, promotion or requirement from the city council.”

The council also ruled to adopt the DeKalb County All Hazards Mitigation Plan. According to the resolution, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) addresses natural hazards including flooding, tornadoes and severe winter and summer storms which cause damage to property and threaten lives.

Sycamore City Manager Bill Nicklas recommended the council adopt the plan or the county is not eligible for FEMA funds.

“FEMA funds include the flooding in August 2007,” Nicklas said. “It’s rather unfair fiscally but it’s something we are obliged to do.”

The council also approved an ordinance to renew its contract with the Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association to give full insurance coverage to city employees. Mundy said the invoice will be paid within the next four days.

Council members also discussed six different city levy options. Nicklas suggested an option for a 3.5 percent increase in the city levy.

“One thing I’d like to do next year is to show a couple of line charts to help our residents understand our [tax] rates,” Nicklas said. “The lines won’t coincide. There are slight variations, but it’s generally good for people trying to pay taxes in our community.”

Another ordinance approved by the council establishes a stop intersection at the newly developed Aster Road connecting Bethany Road and West Prairie Drive.

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