Sycamore approves lease agreement with developer
By DENNIS HINES Chronicle News Group
SYCAMORE – The city of Sycamore will have a new tenant in its community center in the near future. But approval of the lease agreement with a local developer came with debate.
Members of the Sycamore City Council on Monday accepted a one-year lease agreement with B&B Enterprises to rent two office suites on the third floor of the city-owned community center. The ordinance was approved by a 6-1 vote with 1st Ward Alderman Richard Neubauer casting the dissenting vote. Fourth Ward Alderman Terry Kessler was not present during the meeting.
As part of the agreement, officials from B&B Enterprises will pay a base rent of $12,000 a year and occupy the two suites beginning July 15. City Manager Bill Nicklas said company officials plan to pay the base rent in advance.
B&B Enterprises has been involved with several developmental projects in the city of Sycamore during the past few years. Company officials plan to move their business office from Wasco to Sycamore.
Neubauer said he is concerned that the lease agreement will cause the company to have unfair access to city officials when bidding on projects against other local developers.
"I really do have a concern with more than $12,000 coming from a vendor or a major developer doing business with the city," Neubauer said. "I can see things developing unpleasantly down the road."
Nicklas said other development companies will have the same amount of access to his office and to other city officials as B&B Enterprises.
"A generation ago, when face-to-face communication was the primary way that people transacted business, I might say that would be an issue, but people now talk by cell phone and e-mail," Nicklas said. "Anybody has access to me or any other city official."
Second Ward Alderman Pete Paulsen said having the B&B Enterprises' business office in Sycamore will benefit residents who live in the company's developments.
"Since most of their projects that are on the books are in [the 2nd] ward, I think for the residents, current and future, having them here in town, serving their interest would be a big benefit," Paulsen said.
Third Ward Alderman Gregory Taylor said having B&B Enterprises rent space in the Sycamore Community Center is no different than other tenants that are located in the facility.
"Should we have the printing company downstairs leave because another printing company may feel they got an unfair advantage?" Taylor said. "We've got office space to lease, and that's basically what it is. I don't think it makes a whole lot of difference who is coming in as long as they're willing to pay their rent and be good tenants."
Charles Blood of B&B Enterprises said the Sycamore Community Center is a good location for a business office. He said the company has been working on a lease agreement with the city during the past few weeks.
"I didn't realize we were going to create controversy like this, like we usually do...," Blood said. "This is a good location for us, and it's the right size. We didn't think there would be any issues."
The Sycamore Community Center is located at 308 W. State St. Several city offices were moved into the building in July 2003. The building once was the location for the Henderson department store.
In other news:
•The council members also approved a five-year contract with Police Chief Don Thomas. The contract was approved by a 7-0 vote. The contract is set for July 6, 2009 to July 5, 2014. Thomas' most recent contract expired on July 6.
As part of the agreement, Thomas is set to receive an annual salary increase to be determined by the city council. Thomas received a 2 percent salary increase for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. His gross pay in 2008 was about $95,392.
• Council members approved a three-year collective bargaining agreement with the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council (F.O.P.) Lodge 133. The agreement was approved by a 7-0 vote.
As part of the contract, the union members will receive a 2 percent wage increase during the 2009-2010 fiscal year and a 2 percent wage increase May 1, 2010, Nov. 1, 2010, May 1, 2011 and Nov. 1, 2011.
