City of Byron City Council met March 20.
Here is the minutes as 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, Mittzi Fulrath, Dan Reilly, John Rickard, Andy Gramer, Michael Gyorkos, Christy Hanlin. Absent: Emily Gerdes. Seven members present by Roll Call Vote. Quorum established.
* - denotes start of the roll call vote
PRESENT: City Clerk Caryn Huber
City Attorney Kim Krahenbuhl
Treasurer Kim Gouker
Dir. Of Econ. Dev. Larry Hewitt
Public Works Aaron Vincer
City Engineer Jason Stoll
Chief of Police Todd Murray
Citizens Pam Kultgen, Stacy Reedy, Ann Macias
4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.
5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA – Motion by Alderman Hanlin to approve, as presented, the March 20, 2019, Agenda, seconded by Alderman Reilly. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Rickard, AYE; Gramer, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
6. MINUTES –
a. March 6, 2019, Regular Council Meeting Minutes – Motion made by Alderman Hanlin to approve, as presented, the March 6, 2019, Regular Council minutes, seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Reilly, AYE; Rickard, ABSTAIN; Gramer, ABSTAIN; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 5; NAY 0; ABSTAIN 2.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer’s Report is in Dropbox.
9. LIST OF BILLS - The tentative bills for the City of Byron were presented to the Council for discussion. Motion made by Alderman Isaacs to approve the payment of bills dated March 20, 2019, in the amount of $79,541.68. Motion seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Rickard, AYE; Gramer, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABSTAIN, 0.
10. MAYOR’S REPORT – The Mayor attended the ComEd State of the Plant dinner ● He also attended the Illinois Rural Economic Development Conference. ● He and Chief Murray met with the bar owners to discuss overserving, clean up of the fronts of their establishments and other compliance issues. ● He attended the Ogle County Economic Development Committee.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – No report
12. CITY ENGINEER’S PROJECT STATUS – Engineer Stoll reported that repairs continue at Headworks. They are waiting for heater parts, and a new pump was installed recently. They are holding approximately $40,000 until all repairs are done, and the payment may move into the next fiscal year.
13. REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – At the TAS meeting this morning, the committee discussed having a clean up day in conjunction with the Ogle County Solid Waste proposal for a grant. Ideas included asking Exelon for volunteers and having an entire town clean up using local volunteer groups. May 11 is the tentative date that has been set, with the possibility of adding a fall clean up date as well. ● New downtown businesses are doing well and several TIF applications have been submitted. ● The brick facia at Reruns is being repaired and options for redoing the façade are being discussed.
14. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – No report.
b. Public Safety – Two Public Safety Committee meetings were held tonight. The first was a Special Meeting to discuss raising backyard chickens within city limits. Following, at the Regular Committee meeting, the School Resource Officer discussion is continuing, and the Committee will make recommendations later in the meeting to approve the Police Department Reimbursement Program for Training and Uniforms, and to move forward with a second new hire on the department. There have been 26 applicants, including 6-8 with military experience. The physical agility and written tests will begin April 6. Byron officers have been writing nuisance violations to vehicles in disrepair, or those with no registration.
c. Administrative – No report.
15. CONTINUING BUSINESS –
a. School Resource Officer/School agreement – Nothing new.
b. Intergovernmental Agreement with Byron Township – An agreement has been proposed to the Byron Township. They have not taken action on this yet.
c. Police Officer Reimbursement Program for Training and Uniforms – A recommendation was made by the Public Safety Committee to approve the Agreement for Training and Uniform Reimbursement for Byron Police Officers. No discussion. Roll call vote: Gramer, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Rickard, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABSTAIN, 0.
d. Mrozek TIF Applicaion – Ken Mrozek has requested TIF funds for two new awnings at 126 W. 2nd St. Amount requested was $1685.00. TIF payments are 75% of total amount requested, which would be $1264.00. Alderman Hanlin reported that the Administrative Committee recommends approval of the request. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Rickard, AYE; Gramer, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABSTAIN, 0.
e. 2019 Street Projects – Alderman Fulrath reported that the Community Services Committee recommends approval of Street Projects Option 1, which includes work on Walnut St., Park Drive, Crest Ct. and Crestview Trail, as well as the remaining costs on the 2018 3rd Street Project. Total amount: $626,023.41. Alderman Isaacs added that we did receive the $339,000 for the bonds, and sales tax money will also go towards the street projects. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Rickard, AYE; Gramer, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABSTAIN, 0. Engineer Stoll added that he will also be getting bids out for the downtown parking lot construction.
16. NEW BUSINESS –
a. Ordinance 6.08.080 Chickens – Alderman Reilly reported that the Public Safety Committee met regarding keeping poultry within city limits. They recommend holding a public hearing on April 17, 2019 at 6pm to discuss the topic further. Council consents to proceed with the hearing.
b. Personnel – Police Officer – Alderman Reilly reported that the Public Safety Committee recommends the hiring of a new police officer at the rate of $19.60/hour. 1st reading bypassed since the recommendation has been made by committee. No discussion. Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Rickard, AYE; Gramer, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABSTAIN, 0.
c. Century Tap Fundraiser Request – Stacy Reedy and Ann Macias made a presentation to Council regarding a fundraiser for Dark Horse Lodge on Saturday, June 8, 2019. The plan included a request to close 2nd Street between Century Tap and China King for motorcycle parking (the municipal parking lot entrance would still be open, as well as access to the apartments on the south side of 2nd St). The event will include a bike run and sky dive bingo, and should conclude by 10pm. Alderman Isaacs motioned to approve the request made by Century Tap to hold their fundraiser on Saturday, June 8, 2019. Motion seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Rickard, AYE; Gramer, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABSTAIN, 0.
d. Review Building Demo Quotes- A quote from Norup was included in Dropbox, and they have requested quotes from two other contractors. Engineer Stoll said they are trying to find a carpenter willing to disconnect the deck/porch from the China King building prior to the demo. He should have more information by the next meeting.
17. COUNCIL TALK – Recent flooding and local drainage issues were discussed. Director Vincer said his department will be proactive in cleaning out the drains that tend to accumulate debris.
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, April 3, 2019 @ 6:30 pm. Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:00 p.m.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/vertical/sites/%7B67304C08-5FC3-4329-8F07-4786D33EE040%7D/uploads/Minutes_-_2019-03-20_Approved.pdf
Alerts Sign-up