City of Byron Community Services Committee met Feb. 6.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Alderman Mittzi Fulrath, Alderman Emily Gerdes, Alderman Mike Gyorkos, Alderman Andy Gramer.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: City Clerk Caryn Huber, Engineer Jason Stoll, Public Works Director Aaron Vincer, Director of Economic Development Larry Hewitt.
Alderman Mittzi Fulrath called the meeting to order at 5:30pm. She requested that three items be added to the end of the agenda: Adams Subdivision, Downtown Parking Lot, and Rec Path.
1. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES January 2, 2019: Alderman Gerdes motioned to approve the Community Services Committee meeting minutes of January 2, 2019, seconded by Alderman Gramer. Motion passed.
3. ANNEXING ADJACENT PROPERTIES: The TAS Committee continues to discuss but nothing new to bring to committee at this time.
4. COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES BUILDING STANDARDS: Nothing new.
5. 2019 STREETS BUDGET PLANNING: Engineer Stoll presented several options for the 2019 Street Projects. The thought up until now has been to continue the 3rd Street project from Mineral St. to Route 2, including Hamer Court. Director Vincer has pointed out some patching that needs to be done on this year’s 3rd Street project already, and suggested completing work on the water main at Hamer Court this year, then waiting a year until the ground is settled, completing the project in Spring of 2020.
Moving up on the priority list is Walnut Street, from 5th to 7th Streets. The project would be to reshape and pave similar to the work on 3rd Street. Estimated cost is $250,000 as long as they have enough base to work with.
Engineer Stoll explained they would also like to continue work on the Edge of Town Subdivision with some spot repairs of the existing curb, gutter and sidewalk, and slurry and fabric on four streets.
The total for these projects (Option 1) would be approximately $625,000, which also Includes $140,000 due to William Charles after the 2018 3rd Street project is complete.
Option 2 includes the $140,000 to William Charles for completion of 3rd Street, Walnut St. Reconstruction from 5th to 7th Streets, and two streets in the Edge of Town Subdivision Instead of 4, for an estimated cost of $562,393.91.
Option 3 includes the $140,000 payment to William Charles, Walnut St. Reconstruction, one street in the Edge of Town Subdivision, and work on three streets in Brighton Ridge for an estimated cost of $609,510.41.
The TAS Committee is leaning toward Option 1, but Director Vincer also pointed out that we need to be somewhat flexible in the event weather patterns of this winter cause other streets to need attention first. Revenue for the projects would come from the 1% Sales Tax ($400,000), Telecom ($100,000) and the General Obligation Bonds ($338,000). Part of the $338,000 can also roll into the following year.
Alderman Gerdes asked about straightening Mill Rd. at Tower Rd. Director Vincer acknowledged that Mill and Tower is a project that needs to be addressed at some point, but because of the size of the project, may need to wait awhile. Possibilities would be a turn lane or round about. Prior to the project, however, Tower Road would need to be slurry sealed both north and south of the intersection.
Engineer Stoll added that construction and engineering costs for 2018-2019 totaled $645,000.
6. SOLAR FARM RESEARCH/DISCUSSION – Chairman Fulrath asked if members of the committee wished to move forward with an opinion on solar farms. Director Hewitt added that we do not have to issue an opinion unless there is an agreement signed and a zoning question. He added he received an email from a Solar Vendor asking what our solicitation policy is, and anticipates them moving to the residential market. This item will be taken off the agenda unless necessary at a later date.
7. INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BYRON TOWNSHIP – Director Vincer would like to work with the Township more, but there is no agreement currently in place. He presented an agreement for first read. Each department would have responsibility for their own people and equipment. After council approves, it will be presented to the Township Board for their approval. Director Vincer hopes the two departments can work on several projects together.
Alderman Gyorkos motioned to present and recommend passage to Council for first read tonight, seconded by Alderman Gramer. Motion passed.
8. ORDINANCE AMENDMENT FOR TINY HOMES AND CONTAINER OUTBUILDINGS – Director Hewitt reported that there are only a few places in town that could potentially be the site of a tiny home, and these include a few double lots in town that could possibly be split. Covenances of the Byron subdivisions all include a minimum square footage that would exclude tiny homes. Alderman Gerdes asked about large metal storage containers. Director Hewitt suggested we address that in the Accessory Structure part of the residential ordinance. As new subdivisions are developed, developers do have the option of setting aside a portion of land specifically plated for tiny homes.
9. MROZEK DRAINAGE WORK – This issue involves a property at the south end of Washington Street owned by Ken Mrozek. The right of ways on the streets on the south side of Route 2 typically go to the river. There is 300 ft. of right of way going to the river on Washington St. The area is overgrown and tends to be a dumping ground for people’s garbage and yard waste. At Mr. Mrozek’s request, the city deeded the right of way to him and he agreed to clean it up. However, after it was cleaned out, the drainage from the street started washing out the land into the river and the EPA became involved. Mr. Mrozek paid approximately $9,000 for work to improve the ditch and slow the drainage, and at the time, asked the city if they would assist with the cost. Public works did some work on the property for him as well (about 1-2 hours), and the area looks very good. The request went to the Administrative Committee at the time and they denied his request. He recently came back and requested that the city reconsider his request and it is now before the Community Services Committee. Engineer Stoll expressed concern about setting a precedent with other homeowners in the same situation, but Director Hewitt maintained there is really no other property with the same problem. The committee will continue discussion on this issue.
10. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE – Director Vincer reported that due to the large amount of snowfall in January, the budget that looked very good at the beginning of the month is not looking as good now. They used 280 part time hours so far which is up from last year, but he added that he thinks that the recent increase in hourly part time wages allowed him to get better drivers who are doing a better job. They have spent $5,000 of their budget so far on part time hours and have $8,700 left so they should be able to stay under budget depending on the weather in the coming months. Director Vincer pre-bought salt several months ago, spending $29,000. That supply has been used, and he placed an additional order for $4,000 which is four semi-loads. They have been salting main roads and intersections. He added that he is open to hearing comments, both good and bad, regarding snow removal. The department has removed more than 100 loads of snow out of the downtown area. ● Public Works has had some truck repair issues, and Director Vincer would like to look at replacing two trucks as part of the next fiscal year’s budget.
11. BYRON REC PATH – Alderman Fulrath reported that the Byron Rec Path was discussed at the TAS meeting. They would like to start gathering information in preparation for the next grant cycle. They also discussed joining forces with other government entities in the hopes of sharing the $400,000 cost. The first step will be developing engineering plans.
12. DOWNTOWN PARKING LOT – Plans for the parking lot downtown are in Dropbox. This will be done as part of the 2019 Streets Program. Plans at this time are to use TIF dollars.
13. SEAN ADAMS DEVELOPMENT – A pre-annexation agreement is in Dropbox for reference. The subdivision being discussed is located north of Brighton Ridge on Tower Rd. As a county subdivision with a pre-annexation order with the city, as Engineer Stoll explained, it would allow Sean Adams to have a denser subdivision since Ogle County requires two acre minimum lots. The pre-annexation agreement allows him to follow the city’s requirements for subdivisions, and Sean is trying to plat enough lots to justify the cost of the infrastructure. He is looking for some concessions from our development code before he takes the next step in developing the land. Aside from smaller lot size, concessions include no required curb and gutter, well & septic (since sewer is not available in that area), and chip seal instead of blacktop. With the pre-annexation, the city would at some point inherit the infrastructure. A close comparison to what Sean is proposing would be Friday Road, open ditch, long cul-de-sac, with chip seal. At this time, this property is one property owner away (a large farm) from being contiguous with Brighton Ridge. Director Hewitt explained that there are few lots available now that can accommodate larger homes, and if those lots aren’t available in Byron, the clients will choose to build in neighboring communities. Discussion will continue.
14. EXECUTIVE SESSION (Section )(c)(21)-No Executive Session.
15. Alderman Fulrath adjourned the meeting at 6:25pm. Next regular meeting is March 6, 2019, at 5:30 pm.
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