City of Byron Council met Dec. 5.
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
Treasurer Kim Gouker
Citizens Pam Kultgen, Bill Pirnat
4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.
5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA – Motion by Alderman Fulrath to approve, as presented, the December 5, 2018, Agenda, seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Rickard, AYE; Gramer, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
6. MINUTES –
a. November 21, 2018, Regular Council Minutes – Motion made by Alderman Gramer to approve, as presented, the November 21, 2018, Regular Council minutes, seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Rickard, AYE; Gramer, AYE; Gyorkos, ABSTAIN; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABSTAIN 1.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
8. TREASURER’S REPORT – The Treasurer’s Report was included in Council packets in Dropbox. Alderman Isaacs noted that the date on checks received should be changed to November 2018. Motion made by Alderman Reilly to approve the November 2018 Treasurer’s report as presented, seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Reilly, AYE; Rickard, AYE; Gramer, AYE; Gyorkos, ABSTAIN; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABSTAIN 1.
9. LIST OF BILLS – The tentative bills for the City of Byron were presented to the Council for discussion. Motion made by Alderman Reilly to approve the payment of bills, dated December 5, 2018, as presented, in the amount of $227,255.70, seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Rickard, AYE; Gramer, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
10. MAYOR’S REPORT – No report.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – No report.
12. CITY ENGINEER’S PROJECT STATUS – The Third Street project is at substantial completion for 2018. The last of the concrete driveway approaches and sidewalks are poured. There is a double application of sealer on new concrete to try and protect it from salt. In January, council will see a pay estimate from William Charles. Engineer Stoll reported that initial numbers indicate we are very close to original budget plus the additional $160,000 approved for added concrete curb. ● Headworks – The broken pipe is fixed but now two more have broken. They will replace these plastic pipes with copper. Alderman Isaacs asked how much plastic piping would potentially have to be replaced, but Engineer Stoll was unable to answer since this problem is unusual. Director Vincer added that they are finding the reasons for these failures and addressing them. All issues are being taken care of by the contractor at this point. Final paperwork is being compiled so they can sign off on the project soon. ● Alderman Gyorkos asked about a pothole on Walnut St. Engineer Stoll explained that we may see more of these weak spots as the winter goes on and they will be filled as they occur. Once they are ready to put on the final pavement, all of these weak spots will be fixed and unnoticeable.
13. REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – Christmas cards are being circulated around the room to be signed and mailed to approximately 100 Byron businesses. ● Alderman Fulrath stood in for Mayor Rickard for the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train on December 2. Several hundred people came to see it and donate food items to People Helping People, despite the bad weather conditions. ● The Hairy Cow Brewery anticipated opening is December 16. Most of the final occupancies are complete, except for the City which has issued a temporary occupancy until they can take a look at the drainage in the spring and issue final occupancy then. ● K.Paige clothing/dress shop continues work in the old Woods Sporting Goods building. ● The Cave Inn is open. The exterior wall looks good. The fence is temporary until spring. ● Director Hewitt reminded Council that Miracle on 2nd Street is Friday night. ● The City has ordered a Radon Detector and advised Council that it is available for their use if needed. Contact Director Hewitt if you would like to reserve it.
14. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – No report.
b. Public Safety – Alderman Reilly reported that their first meeting of the new year will be January 16, 2019.
c. Administrative – Alderman Hanlin reported that discussion centered around the Tax Levy that will be discussed later in the agenda. ● The committee is recommending to Council that they amend Ordinance Chapter 2.16, and change the City Treasurer position to an appointed position rather than an elected position.
The ordinance is on the agenda under New Business. ● A representative from Entre spoke to the committee tonight. There are substantial changes coming to the Fire Department computer system that will affect City Hall, and these will need to be considered when developing the next City budget.
15. CONTINUING BUSINESS –
a. Tax Levy – Alderman Isaacs reported that the Tax Levy needs to be approved tonight. The levy is $639,100, and that compares to just under 99% of last year’s levy. The number is down due to accessed values increasing and our excess funds in some accounts increasing. The appropriation amounts that council approved last July are included on the ordinance. Alderman Isaacs motioned to approve Ordinance 2018-6 Tax Levy, seconded by Alderman Reilly. Roll call vote: Gramer, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Rickard, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
b. School Resource Officer/School agreement – No update.
c. Christmas decoration donation – Director Hewitt reported that in the past, the City had done the downtown decorating for Christmas. When new light poles were put up downtown several years ago, Public Works was hesitant to hang heavy decorations on them. After hearing requests from citizens to increase the decorations downtown, a group of seniors, led by Barb Dowd, agreed to take on the project. They did their own fundraising to start, but now some of the decorations and lights need to be replaced, and they asked the city to consider budgeting approximately $300/year towards the purchase of new decorations. She has already turned in a bill for $308.00 which appeared on the list of bills tonight. Alderman Reilly motioned to donate $500 towards the purchase of new holiday decorations ($308 plus $192), seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Rickard, AYE; Gramer, ABSTAIN. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABSTAIN, 1.
16. NEW BUSINESS –
a. Ordinance to change City Treasurer from elected to appointed –
Mayor Rickard reported that the committee is recommending that the first read be waived. Since the recommendation came from committee, it does not need a second. Attorney Krahenbuhl explained that cities with under 10,000 inhabitants may have an appointed rather than an elected City Treasurer. The appointed City Treasurer may live within a five mile radius of the City of Byron (an elected Treasurer must be a resident of the City) so it allows more options as far as qualified candidates. Term is 4 years, it must be recommended by the Mayor and confirmed by City Council, and compensation remains the same. Mayor Fulrath asked if the current Treasurer remains in office until the next election, and Attorney Krahenbuhl said yes. Since filing for the next election begins next week, Attorney Krahenbuhl explained it is best to change the ordinance now if council chooses to do so. Mayor Rickard called for a vote. Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Rickard, AYE, Gramer, AYE, Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
17. COUNCIL TALK –
Mayor Rickard thanked Alderman Fulrath for filling in for him for the Holiday train while he was out of town. The organizer of the train estimated an attendance of 650 people. Canadian Pacific also made a $4,000 donation to People Helping People, and the pick up truck was full of donations.
Alderman Reilly thanked the Public Works department for their work on snow removal over Thanksgiving weekend.
18. 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.
19. COMMUNICATION
a. Next Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, January 2, 2019 @ 6:30 pm.
Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 6:58 p.m.
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