City of Byron City Council met June 5.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Rickard called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Led by Mayor Rickard
3. ROLL CALL – Aldermen present: *Todd Isaacs, Emily Gerdes, Mittzi Fulrath, Zeke Hobbie, Amber Dach, Michael Gyorkos, Christy Hanlin. Seven members present by Roll Call Vote. Quorum established. Absent: Dan Reilly (Military Deployment)
* - denotes start of the roll call vote
PRESENT: City Clerk Caryn Huber
City Attorney Kim Krahenbuhl
Dir. Of Econ. Dev. Larry Hewitt
Public Works Aaron Vincer
City Engineer Jason Stoll
Chief of Police Todd Murray
Citizens: Pam Kultgen, Matt Pendergrass, Mike Traum, Ryan Bruce, Julie Christian, Arthur Debnam, Sarah Downs (Byron Chamber), Josh Haub, Hannah Derocher (Fehr-Graham), Dan Hillison, Lori Hillison, Tim Brechon, Sharon Brechon, Kris Bielskis, Ron Waldschmidt, Sue Waldschmidt,
Eddie Coyle, Jennie Coyle, Kristi Brechon, Eric Brechon, Carrie Boehle, Logan Boehle, Blake Boehle, Jeremy Boehle, Scott Randels, Karen
Randels, Nicole Randels, Joey Trank, Kevin Most, Amber Most, Spencer Morrissey, Garrett Henderson, Tim Randels, Elisa Legias, Robert McNeely, Cali McNeely
4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.
5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA – Alderman Isaacs asked to add 2019-2020 Budget under New Business. Motion by Alderman Hanlin to approve, as amended, the June 5, 2019, Agenda, seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Dach, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
6. MINUTES –
a. May 15, 2019, Regular Council Meeting Minutes – Motion made by Alderman Gyorkos to approve, as presented, the May 15, 2019, Regular Council minutes, seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Dach, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABSTAIN 0.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
8. TREASURER’S REPORT – None
9. LIST OF BILLS - The tentative bills for the City of Byron were presented to the Council for discussion. Alderman Isaacs asked about the electrical work done by Massey Electric. Director Vincer explained it was for work done at the Public Works building. Motion made by Alderman Isaacs to approve the payment of bills dated June 5, 2019, in the amount of $84,164.31. Motion seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE; Dach, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABSTAIN, 0.
10. MAYOR’S REPORT –
a. ByronFest approval – Sarah Downs, Byron Chamber of Commerce, presented a
packet of information to Council regarding ByronFest 2019. They are asking to close the streets, have two stages, a Parade on Sunday, and to have Mayor Rickard as the point of contact should any last minute decisions need to be made. One of the major changes that will be made this year is to move the stage that previously was near City Hall, approximately a block east. It will now face the carnival. This move was made in order to improve the flow of traffic through the festival, and avoid the “bottlenecking” that occurred between the Carnival and the stage. Alderman Hanlin motioned to approve the ByronFest 2019 requests, including approval of street closings, approval of layout, approval of one hour parking in Municipal Lot #2, approval of traffic rerouting on Sunday for the parade, approval of the use of the Municipal Building for festival headquarters, volunteer center, and Gateway Club, and approval allowing Mayor Rickard authority to approve last minute changes. Motion seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Dach, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABSTAIN, 0.
b. Mayor Rickard administered the oath of office to Police Officer Tim Brechon upon his promotion to Sergeant.
c. Mayor Rickard administered the oath of office to new Police Officer Robert McNeely.
d. Mayor Rickard and Chief Murray recognized retiring Lieutenant Scott Randels for 27 years of service on the Byron Police Department. Chief Murray also presented him with a pin and plaque from the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists for his 50 DUI arrests.
e. The Memorial Day parade was cancelled, but the Mayor participated in the other events that day.
f. The Mayor and Director Hewitt met with Anna Derocher from Fehr-Graham to begin discussions about a social media presence and improvements to our website. We will be working with her as we proceed.
g. The Mayor has been trying to set up a meeting with IDOT to discuss construction on route 2 going east.
h. There will not be any 4th of July fireworks this year.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – No report.
12. CITY ENGINEER’S PROJECT STATUS – Engineer Stoll reported that the final surface was laid on 3rd St., completing the paving. Crews were striping today, and landscaping will be finished up. They are working on the final pay estimate. • The parking lot project is nearing completion – striping has been done and parking blocks are installed. Building repairs are now underway at China King – Robeson is doing the work. • 2019 Street Projects (Walnut St. and Edge-of-Town Subdivision) will be starting soon. The contracts are here, and a pre-construction meeting will be held later this month. ComEd has been notified of a utility pole that needs to be moved on Walnut St.– they are currently out 4-6 weeks, so it may be July or August before work begins.
13. REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – Director Hewitt reported that Hairy Cow is beginning their outdoor clean up. They have been told to have it cleaned up by ByronFest. • Blackhawk Bank is the owner of the remaining lots in Brighton Ridge, and they have been asked to clean up the fence, trees, etc. They are selling the remaining lots at a greatly reduced price. • The Cave Inn is trying to get their outdoor space open. • A smoothie bar will be opening next to K. Paige. The basement will no longer be used as a workout facility. • Discussions have started regarding snow shoveling/plowing on downtown sidewalks. The city would like to facilitate a plan to have all sidewalks done at the same time. • The IDOT Route 2 overlay is complete, and Director Hewitt has asked the police department to keep an eye on semis delivering mulch to Meridian Nursery, as they tend to cause damage to the street during delivery.
14. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – All items appear later in the agenda.
b. Public Safety – No report.
c. Administrative – Alderman Hanlin reported that the committee began to review
the proposed 2019-2020 budget. Any questions regarding the budget can be directed to Alderman Isaacs. • The committee is recommending approval of the COLA increases to the two employees in question. • They discussed revising the Peddler’s permit, and have asked Attorney Krahenbuhl for suggestions. • The committee is discussing several TIF Applications: O’Hare’s Hairport (awning – discussing possible color change); Cub Cadet (waiting for picture of sign); Edward Jones (awning and façade painting – voted to send to council for approval); and Cave Inn (fence – voted to send to council for approval).
15. CONTINUING BUSINESS –
a. School Resource Officer/School agreement – Nothing new.
b. Intergovernmental Agreement with Byron Township – Director Vincer gave a
copy of the agreement to Attorney Krahenbuhl, with changes that the Township would like to make. He hopes to have a revised copy ready before the next Community Services Committee meeting.
c. COLA Increase – The Administrative Committee has recommended approval of the COLA increase for the two employees in question. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Dach, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABSTAIN, 0.
d. Cave Inn Outdoor Fence Variance Approval – The Administrative Committee has recommended approval of the proposed fence at Cave Inn. A diagram of the placement of the fence is available in Dropbox. Roll Call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Dach, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABSTAIN, 0.
e. O’Hare Hairport’s TIF Application – Details of the application are still being worked out.
16. NEW BUSINESS –
a. Haub Variance – The zoning committee met last week to discuss a variance for a corner lot home on E. Merchant St. They would like to add a wrap-around porch, however, the front set backs are shy of where they should be. Director Hewitt added that very few homes in the older section of town meet the setback requirements. There were no objections by neighbors. The Zoning Board has recommended that the variance pass.
Alderman Isaacs motioned to accept the recommendation of the Zoning Board and allow the variance. Motion seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Dach, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABSTAIN, 0.
b. Snodgrass Special Use Permit – Director Hewitt said this was also discussed by the Zoning Board last week. This is a 2 acre parcel on Mineral St., before Jackson Knolls. Custom Concrete would like to move their operations to the site. They would put up two buildings for offices and equipment storage. Fehr-Graham will be doing the site design. They are applying for a Special Use Permit, which is required on all industrial property. Neighbors are happy to have the property cleaned up and raised no objections. The Zoning Board discussed lighting, street traffic, hours of operation, etc. and the board voted to recommend to Council that the Special Use Permit be issued and a set back variance be allowed due to where the buildings have to be placed on the property for proper drainage. Mayor Rickard said this is the first read, and it will be placed on the agenda for a vote at the next meeting.
c. Unmetered/Unbilled Water Accounts – The Administrative Committee has recommended that most unbilled water accounts be charged for their water usage. This is on the agenda for first read, and will be placed on the agenda for a vote at the next meeting.
d. Drainage Reimbursement – This subject was turned down at committee.
e. Prevailing Wage Ordinance – Nothing new.
f. Cub Cadet TIF Grant – The committee is waiting to view pictures of the signage.
g. Edward Jones TIF Grant – The Administrative Committee has recommended
that Council approve their request for reimbursement for a new awning and façade painting for a total of $1,695.00. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Dach, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABSTAIN, 0.
h. Peddler’s Permit – Attorney Krahenbuhl will be making revisions after committee discussions.
i. 2019-2020 Budget – Alderman Isaacs invited Aldermen to contact him with any questions regarding the proposed budget. He will not be at the next Council meeting, but anticipated having a final version for passage by the first meeting in July. Included in the Dropbox are the budget and the budget summary. He would still like to see the General Accounts reduce some expenses.
17. COUNCIL TALK – We are hoping to get samples of shirts from Cornerstone by the next meeting. • Alderman Gerdes asked why we were not having 4th of July fireworks this year. Chief Murray explained that the venue has an event already scheduled, donations are down, and volunteers are hard to get. He is trying to get a service organization to take on the project so it can continue in future years. • Engineer Stoll reminded Council to be careful when driving on Mill Road. There has been settling due to large amounts of rain falling recently, and the road is very uneven.
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, June 19, 2019 @ 6:30 pm.
Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:10 p.m.
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