At its meeting Monday night, Sycamore City Council discussed revisions to the 2010-2011 budget and a consideration involving the former Chicago & Northwestern Depot.

At the beginning of the meeting, the council approved changes to the budget made mid-year to reflect audited numbers for the previous fiscal year.

“Those audited numbers are useful both internally…but also for the public to see in a very transparent way how we’re spending money and where it’s going to the dollar,” said City Manager Bill Nicklas.

According to the meeting agenda, the general fund numbers were not changed, but several other funds were revised to reflect actual construction bids and costs from the more substantial summer capital projects. Some of the revisions include an increase to reflect a grant for police department vehicle laptops and an increase to augment the city share of State Street resurfacing.

Also on the agenda was a recommendation for the city to enter into a development agreement with Auto Meter Products for the conveyance of the former Chicago & Northwestern Depot, 475 DeKalb Ave. As stated in the agenda background, the Depot has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1978 and would be donated as is to the city. The city would take over certain repairs to stabilize and weather proof the structure. These repair costs would be covered by a substantial contribution of $300,000 from the Douglas C. and Lynn M. Roberts Family Foundation as well as the city’s TIF fund. Repairs would include structural stabilization, installation of a new roof, windows and doors.

“What brings [this proposition] to you tonight is the interest of a third party to contribute to at least the stabilization of this building,” Nicklas said. “This is an extraordinary interest because based on some of the preliminary estimates…we’re looking at somewhere around $300,000 and the Roberts Family Foundation has stepped up and said ‘We’re willing to contribute to that and make that happen.'”

As part of the agreement, the city would also incur some of the cost to construct and pave an entrance and parking area for the Depot. Nicklas said this part of the proposition is the look toward the future for the many uses this building could have. While this item was only up for discussion tonight, Nicklas urged a quick response so that some of the stabilization and weather proofing could be done to the Depot before the cold weather sets in. He also welcomed any conversation about the possibilities of what this building could be used for – both for public or private use.

“The purpose and intent of the generous offer by the Roberts family here would help stabilize the building and would make it possible for the building to be given the highest and best use in the community,” said Sycamore Mayor Ken Mundy.

This consideration will appear as an action item on the next meeting’s agenda.

The next city council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Nov. 1 at the Sycamore Center, 308 W. State St. More information as well as the agenda can be found at www.cityofsycamore.com.