City of Byron Council met Jan. 16.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Rickard called the meeting to order at 6:32 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 Hanlin to approve, as presented, the January 16, 2019, Agenda, seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Reilly, AYE; Rickard, AYE; Gramer, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
6. MINUTES –
a. January 2, 2019, Regular Council Minutes – Motion made by Alderman Gramer to approve, as presented, the January 2, 2019, Regular Council minutes, 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; ABSTAIN 0.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
8. TREASURER’S REPORT – The Treasurer’s Report was included in Council packets in Dropbox. Motion made by Alderman Hanlin to receive the January 2019 Treasurer’s report as presented, seconded by Alderman Gerdes. 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; ABSTAIN 0.
9. LIST OF BILLS – The tentative bills for the City of Byron were presented to the Council for discussion. A bill from William Charles in the amount of $315,056.96 was held from the January 2 meeting, allowing Alderman Isaacs the opportunity to make sure we were still within our appropriation after it is paid. Alderman Isaacs confirmed that this bill, plus the bill for Fehr Graham, will put us very close, but not over, our appropriation. Alderman Isaacs also pointed out that we need to keep a close eye on the Public Works accounts as we go through these last few months of the fiscal year. Motion made by Alderman Reilly to approve the payment of bills dated January 16, 2019, in the amount of $611,798.47. Motion seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Rickard, AYE; Gramer, AYE; Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABSTAIN, 0.
10. MAYOR’S REPORT – There are two vacancies on the Zoning Board of Appeals, and Mayor Rickard, unless there are objections, will appoint Tonya Vincer. After this appointment, there is still one vacancy on the Zoning Board. ● Mayor Rickard reminded aldermen of the Saturday, February 9, budget meeting, starting at 9am. ● The Mayor asked aldermen to provide him with an alternate email address. Since the City of Byron email accounts are sometimes not checked frequently, he would like to be able to alert aldermen if there are important items that need their attention. ● Last year, the City had the opportunity to participate in an Ogle County Economic Development Committee. The group was led by consultants, and each participating municipality contributed funds to pay them. Another payment will need to be made soon, and the Mayor asked Council to consider if they want to continue participating in the group.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – No report.
12. CITY ENGINEER’S PROJECT STATUS – Engineer Stoll reported that the temporary mailbox corrals have been picked up from the suspended 3rd Street project and permanent mailboxes are in place. ● He is working on 2019 Street projects, and a list of those projects and estimates should be ready to review in February. ● There are a few items that still need to be completed at Headworks. Final payment will be made after these issues are worked out.
13. REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – Hairy Cow Brewery has some issues they are still working through (parking, light pole on a generator). They have run into problems with their contractor, but the light pole should be permanent by summer, and property clean up will be taken care of. ● K Paige should be opening soon. One coat of paint has been put on the building, but the weather got too cold to finish. Awnings have been ordered. ● Sean Adams is continuing development on the 40 acres he purchased on Barker Rd. There is a high pressure gas line that crosses the 40 acres. They have made some concessions with Sean to let him cross it with some driveways, but he is making other adjustments to his plan to account for it. ● Custom Concrete has purchased two acres of land on Mineral St., just before you get to Jackson Knolls. They have cleaned up the area of trees and old buildings. Plans are to move their business to this location. Future plans include building storage units on the site as well. Once a formal plan is put together, it will move through the proper committees/Council for approval.
14. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – No report.
b. Public Safety – Alderman Reilly reported that the committee is keeping an eye on the parking issues at Hairy Cow Brewery and will look at a parking ordinance if necessary at a future time. ● The Police Department continues to work with the school to provide a School Resource Officer. Chief Murray is aware of someone that has already been through the police training and is interested in joining the department. If this officer is brought on, it would free up one of our current officers to take the new position. Lieutenant Randels will retire in May, and Chief Murray will begin the process to fill that vacant position.
c. Administrative – Alderman Hanlin reported that committee items will be discussed under New Business.
15. CONTINUING BUSINESS –
a. School Resource Officer/School agreement – No action taken.
16. NEW BUSINESS –
a. Municipal Audit Review and Acceptance – Alderman Isaacs will invite the auditor to come and speak with the Administrative Committee and Council in February. He will ask him to review some of the highlights of the audit.
b. Excess Equipment-Public Works – The Mayor read Resolution #2018-2 which authorizes the Public Works Director to dispose of an old vehicle lift that is no longer needed by the City of Byron. Alderman Isaacs motioned to dispose of the excess equipment, seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Rickard, AYE; Gramer, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABSTAIN, 0.
c. Sale of General Obligation Bonds for financing municipal improvements – Alderman Isaacs confirmed that these bonds would be paid off in two years, and no additional monies would be bonded next year. Discussion ensued about whether to take the money in one lump sum, or divide into two amounts. Attorney Krahenbuhl added that there may be additional costs incurred if taking less than $200,000. Mayor Rickard added that it will depend on whether we are paying interest or not on monies not yet received. We have, in the past, bonded for one year, however, this year we are eligible for $350,000 over two years. Director Hewitt talked to a representative from First Midstate over the phone, and he confirmed that a vote did not need to be taken tonight (only the public hearing), and the entire $350,000 would be issued at bond closing at the end of February. We will explore how this will affect the levy over two years. A representative from First Midstate will be at the next Council meeting to answer additional questions. No further action was taken.
17. COUNCIL TALK –
About a year ago, Ogle County extended an invitation to cities and villages to participate in a committee that would hire some consultants and discuss economic development in the County. Some things the group focused on were Enterprise Zones, education and working together to avoid one community hindering another community’s efforts. Our initial investment of $5,000 has come to an end, along with the contributions from other communities, and they are now deciding whether the committee should continue or discontinue. The next suggested investment is undecided – it will depend on how many communities decide they want to continue participation.
The amount needed to continue to pay the consultants is approximately $40,000. Last year, the money came from Ogle County, the private sector and the participating cities, towns and villages. Ogle County is unsure of their commitment at this point, and the other communities are in the process of approaching their councils and boards to see if the same funding would be available to them this year. They are also inviting more communities (i.e., Rochelle, Forreston, Leaf River) into the group. Mayor Rickard has attended two meetings and has found them to be beneficial. He supports the City’s participation. Director Hewitt specifically thinks the consultant’s assistance in the hotel development project will be beneficial, and they have agreed to help with this stage of the project. Alderman Hanlin agrees that our participation in the group should continue. We are in the very early stages, and seeing results takes time. Alderman Fulrath added that she has notes from IML listing resources that may provide creative ways to fund economic development projects. No action was taken by the Council.
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, February 6, 2019 @ 6:30 pm.
Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:23 p.m.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/vertical/sites/%7B67304C08-5FC3-4329-8F07-4786D33EE040%7D/uploads/Minutes_-_2019-01-16-Approved.pdf
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