City of Byron Community Services Committee met July 3.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Alderman Mittzi Fulrath, Alderman Emily Gerdes, Alderman Mike Gyorkos
MEMBERS ABSENT: Alderman Zeke Hobbie
OTHERS PRESENT: City Clerk Caryn Huber, City Engineer Jason Stoll, Public Works Director Aaron Vincer, Mayor John Rickard
Alderman Fulrath called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.
1. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES JUNE 5, 2019: Alderman Gerdes motioned to approve the Community Services Committee meeting minutes of June 5, 2019, seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Motion passed.
3. BYRON REC PATH/MAINTENANCE BUDGET – Engineer Stoll reported that there will be some grant opportunities coming up. We will be too late for ITEP, but Safe Routes to School has funding available next year up to $200,000 with no match. Applications due in Fall 2020. We have had initial conversations with the school district and the park district regarding partnering on the project.
4. INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH BYRON TOWNSHIP – Attorney Krahenbuhl has revised the document, and it has been presented to the Township.
5. DOWNTOWN SIDEWALK SNOW PLOWING – Not all downtown business owners are clearing their sidewalks of snow, and the TAS Committee has been discussing this in an effort to find possible ways to resolve the problem. Director Vincer is looking for quotes, and has asked Bill Hanlin, Kim Hogan and Jeff Feste. Alderman Gerdes asked about approaching various high school groups to give them an opportunity to earn money and community services hours. Director Vincer is open to speaking with them, however, the groups would need to begin work at about 3am. Going out for public bid is also a possibility. Funds will be collected from downtown merchants in their water bills. The city will make the payment to the contractor and clean the street after the snow is shoveled there from the sidewalk. Standards will need to be set for how many times they need to shovel depending on the amount of snow. Director Vincer asked if we will get any pushback from the union.
6. PLOW TRUCK – Director Vincer would like to purchase a snow plow truck this year with a loan from Byron Bank. All of the information regarding the truck he would like to purchase is in Dropbox. The truck is being held, and we would need to act on this tonight, as there are not many of these already built trucks available. It could be another year before another one would be available. Annual payment would be $20,942.28 for five years. Once the old truck is sold (he is hoping to sell it for approximately $10,000), that money could also be used as part of the down payment. Alderman Gyorkos motioned to recommend the purchase of the snow plow truck. Seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Motion passed.
7. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE – Hydrant flushing is done. Several Fire Department cadets assisted with the project. The flushing reduces the sediment and allows fresh water to run through the lines. Two measurements are taken to determine flow rate. An ISO review is due soon, which is administered through the Fire Department. A big part of the review is water availability. ISO is an independent company that insurance companies look to when determining rates. All data has been given to the Fire Department. Alderman Gyorkos asked if the hydrants ever fail. Director Vincer said they do break, but they can usually be repaired in place. There are seven hydrants that need to be fixed. • There are a few islands on 3rd Street that did not get finished. They will be filling those with road rock. Engineer Stoll and Director Vincer met with William Charles to review the final bill. Several of the smaller final items will be done in house. • A new vendor has been found for the city’s paper water bills which will save approximately $1,000 per order (an order is placed 2-3 times a year) • There were some alarm system issues at Headworks. During the last windstorm, the power fluctuations knocked out the pumps and the radio, so Director Vincer was not alerted that there was a problem. The building then filled with wastewater. The water entered the electronics room and they lost one pump which should have been sealed. The system is running now, and the radio that didn’t transfer is now backed up by another radio. • The Water and Sewer Department received a certificate from the American Dental Health Association and CDC for 50 years of pumping floride into the water. • Alderman Gyorkos asked about the 2nd St. lift station. Director Vincer said at one point they lost power there and at River Drive. They had a company come in and inspect the pumps and found that three pumps (two at the sewer plant) are close to failure. • Alderman Gerdes asked about the status of Mill Road. Director Vincer thinks it is almost done settling, however, he would like to go through a freeze-thaw cycle before attempting to repair the road. They will re-access in Fall to see if additional blacktop is needed to smooth out the road, and then evaluate in the Spring and determine how to fix.
8. EXECUTIVE SESSION (Section)(c)(21)-Review and Approval of Closed Meeting Minutes. No Executive Session.
9. Alderman Fulrath adjourned the meeting at 6:10 pm. Next regular meeting is August 7, 2019, at 5:30 pm.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/vertical/sites/%7B67304C08-5FC3-4329-8F07-4786D33EE040%7D/uploads/7-03-19_CSC_Minutes-Approved.pdf
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