City of Byron Council met Nov. 7.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Rickard called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Led by Mayor Rickard
3. ROLL CALL – Aldermen present: *Todd Isaacs, Emily Gerdes, Mittzi Fulrath, Dan Reilly, Mayor John Rickard, Andy Gramer, Michael Gyorkos, Christy Hanlin. Eight members present by Roll Call Vote. Quorum established.
*denotes start of the roll call vote
PRESENT: City Clerk Caryn Huber
City Attorney Kim Krahenbuhl
Chief of Police Todd Murray
Econ. Dev. Dir. Larry Hewitt
City Engineer Jason Stoll
Dir. Public Works Aaron Vincer
Citizens Pam Kultgen, Bill Pirnat
4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.
5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA – Motion by Alderman Hanlin to approve, as presented, the November 7, 2018, Agenda, seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Rickard, AYE; Gramer, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; ABS, 0; NAY 0.
6. MINUTES –
a. October 17, 2018, Regular Council Minutes – Motion made by Alderman Fulrath to approve, as presented, the October 17, 2018 Regular Council minutes, seconded by Alderman Reilly. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Rickard, AYE; Gramer, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 8; ABS 0; NAY 0.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
8. TREASURER’S REPORT – No report
9. LIST OF BILLS – The tentative bills for the City of Byron were presented to the Council for discussion. Alderman Isaacs asked about the warranty charge from Entre. Chief Murray explained the entry for the warranty is for our spam filter, which is provided through Barracuda. Motion made by Alderman Hanlin to approve the payment of bills, dated November 7, 2018, as presented, in the amount of $271,094.52, seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Reilly, AYE; Rickard, AYE; Gramer, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Motion passed: AYE, 8; ABS, 0; NAY, 0.
10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Rickard reported that the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will be stopping in Byron on December 2. They will arrive at 12:45pm, with a program from 1-1:30pm. He will be unable to attend, but Alderman Fulrath will go in his place. Food donations go to People Helping People. ● The Mayor has received a communication from Moring Disposal regarding our recycling. In August of this year, we recycled 68,980 lbs., and in September we recycled 53,000 lbs. If this is an average, we would be recycling approximately 700,000 lbs. each year – garbage that will not end up in a landfill. ● Mayor Rickard met with the School Superintendent and the Park District Executive Director today regarding extending the bike path on Mill Rd. as part of the Safe Routes to School program. The deadline this year is November 19, which we will not make, however, we will pursue the project for next year’s deadline. ● Wade has left the Public Works Department, and Gary Treese will move into that full time position, starting tomorrow, at $21.00/hour plus benefits. ● The mayor reported that according to Robert’s Rules of Order, if a recommendation comes out of committee, we do not have to have a second on the motion. It is assumed that if the recommendation is being made by a committee, a second person has already agreed to it. ● Mayor Rickard would like to add a 5-10 minute “think tank” item to the agenda, giving Alderman an opportunity to freely discuss items of concern or interest. Alderman Hanlin commented that as a Junior Alderman, the Committee of the Whole, which is similar to what the Mayor is proposing, was very helpful, and she is glad to have the same opportunity again.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – No Report.
12. CITY ENGINEER’S PROJECT STATUS – Engineer Stoll reported that the 3rd St. project is well underway. The curb is expected to be completed tomorrow and the binder should be put down next week.
Headworks still has a few punch list items to complete. There is a pipe that has broke four times as a result of a hammer effect that is putting a lot of stress on the pipe. Aaron met with Tobin, the plumbing contractors, and they will explore other factors causing the pipe to break. They feel the valve may be contributing to the problem. The hot water heater problem is resolved. Jason is working on final close out paperwork with the contractor. Final payment is expected to be made this year. Alderman Isaacs asked if the pipe is under warranty, and Engineer Stoll advised that everything is still under warranty.
13. REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – Hairy Cow Brewery is close to opening. Employee training starts next week, and there is an opening party scheduled shortly after. The planned opening is the week of Thanksgiving or the first week in December.
Director Hewitt had a follow up phone call with IDOT regarding the scheduled maintenance project from Chestnut for.2 miles, or just past the viaduct. He has suggested they go to the boat launch at a minimum, since we are missing a lot of curb in that area, which is causing drainage problems. We have asked for V-gutter in several spots, as well as spot patching in that area. IDOT will take the extension of the project into consideration. If they take on too much more than what they planned, it goes from a maintenance project to a construction project, and the funding sources are different. Director Vincer added that IDOT was doing some work on the project today. Mayor Rickard asked if anything has been done about the “washboarding” in front of Meridian Nursery. Aaron said it is slightly better than it was, but will keep an eye on it. Alderman Isaacs asked if the city would be expected to pay for any portion of the repair, and Director Hewitt replied that nothing would be expected from us within the scope of the project as it is now. If the project does expand, there is a possibility we could be asked to cost share some of the project.
The two Woods Sporting Goods store fronts were purchased on Monday. The new owner currently has a shop in Roscoe (kpaigeshop.com). The building façade will be updated with a new awning, and the interior will be improved to hold a “farm country” boutique. She will probably only use one of the two store fronts herself, and is talking to other vendors that will complement the shop to take up the other space. The owner is in the process of getting the proper permits and renovations are expected to start next week.
Christy asked about the progress on the Cave Inn. Director Hewitt said the kitchen hoods are in, which typically is one of the last items installed, but will get an update this week. Chief Murray added that they are in the process of getting their gaming permits in line.
14. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – Alderman Fulrath reported that Public Works has
replaced 274 water meters, and are done for the year. ● The committee is beginning discussions about ordinances for tiny homes. ● Director Vincer spoke to the committee about a possible intergovernmental agreement with the Township. ● As Engineer Stoll mentioned in his report earlier, 3rd St. curb and gutter should be done tomorrow. The committee is considering suspending the contract in order to maintain bid pricing until spring. If we do a thicker layer (1-1/2”) of the binder and bring it up to the concrete, we can still plow this winter, and residents would have access to their driveways. Then the final asphalt layer would be completed in spring. Doing this would likely avoid having to cut out any dips or pot holes due to putting down the asphalt too early. Engineer Stoll added that we did the same thing on the Mill Road project several years ago. Alderman Isaacs asked if the vendor is ok with suspending the project, and Engineer Stoll said verbal discussions have been positive but nothing is in writing at this time.
b. Emergency Services – No report.
c. Administrative – Alderman Isaacs reported that the committee discussed
snow removal personnel. They will be increasing the pay from $12/hour to $20/hour for experienced drivers, with new drivers starting at $18/hour. This increase was anticipated in the budget. ● The tax levy was discussed, and not including bonds, it is likely that the rate will drop this year. The EAV went up slightly from last year. Alderman Isaacs is looking at how bonds should be reported in this levy.
15. CONTINUING BUSINESS –
a. Ordinance regarding committee restructuring – Attorney Krahenbuhl
discussed Ordinance 2018-5, which changes the standing committees of City Council. Motion by Alderman Gyorkos to change the standing committees of City Council, seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Rickard, AYE; Gramer, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; ABS, 0; NAY, 0.
16. NEW BUSINESS –
a. Tax Levy – Discussed earlier in meeting.
17. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. Section 2(c)11 – Pending, probable or imminent litigation
b. Section 2(c)1 – Personnel
c. Section 2(c)(5)(6) – Purchase/Sale of City Owned Real Property
d. Section 2(c)(21) – Review/Approval of Closed Meeting Minutes
e. Section 2(c)(2) – Collective Bargaining Negotiations
Mayor Rickard advised there was no need for an Executive Session.
18. COMMUNICATION
a. Next Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, November 21, 2018 @
6:30 pm.
Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 6:57 p.m.
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