City of Byron Community Services Committee met Aug. 7.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Alderman Mittzi Fulrath, Alderman Emily Gerdes, Alderman Mike Gyorkos, Alderman Zeke Hobbie
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: City Engineer Jason Stoll, Public Works Director Aaron Vincer Alderman Fulrath called the meeting to order at 5:31 pm.
1. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES JULY 3, 2019: Alderman Gerdes motioned to approve the Community Services Committee meeting minutes of July 3, 2019, seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Motion passed.
3. BYRON REC PATH/MAINTENANCE BUDGET – Discussion continued regarding maintenance of the existing bike path. Engineer Stoll will continue to keep the committee informed about the next ITEP grant cycle. Part of the grant program requires preliminary engineering work, and the city would need to consider adding this item (approximately $30,000) to the next budget. The extension would be along Mill Road from Kingsway to the Shadow Wood subdivision. The path would ideally be in the right of way, but the ditch would need to be filled in, and curb, gutter and storm sewer would need to be installed. Alderman Hobbie asked if a crosswalk could be painted at Kingsway (over to Fawn Ridge) and a bike path lane painted from Fawn Ridge to Blackhawk Park. Engineer Stoll will see if the road is wide enough. One suggestion was to paint a path on the south side of the road, and add a crosswalk at the entrance to Blackhawk Park. Alderman Fulrath suggested opening up discussions with the school and the park district to see if they are interested in splitting the cost of the bike path extension with the city.
4. INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH BYRON TOWNSHIP – Director Vincer reported that Commissioner Ron Gibson has not looked at the agreement in depth, but did say there were some items he still wants to discuss, and added that he didn’t see why something other than the original agreement is necessary. That agreement is designed as a Township to Township agreement. At this point, Director Vincer thinks the project should be abandoned, and perhaps readdressed in the future. He does feel that the township would be willing to assist the city if needed (and vice versa).
5. DOWNTOWN SIDEWALK SNOW PLOWING – Not all downtown business owners are clearing their sidewalks of snow, and the TAS Committee has been discussing options to solve the problem. It has been suggested that the city find a contractor to shovel the snow on the sidewalks into the street. The city would then follow and finish plowing the street. Funds will be collected from downtown merchants in their water bills, and the city will make the payment to the contractor. Aaron has been in touch with several contractors, and asked if anyone has leads of snow removal companies he could contact. Discussion was held regarding the possibility of ticketing business owners who don’t comply and don’t shovel their walks. Alderman Fulrath will look into any ordinances that apply. Alderman Gyorkos asked about liability if anyone slips and falls.
6. DECLARE EXCESS PUBLIC WORKS EQUIPMENT – With the purchase of a new plow truck, the Public Works Department now has an old truck to sell. In order to start that process, council must pass a resolution authorizing Director Vincer to dispose of the equipment by accepting bids. A copy of the resolution is in Dropbox. Director Vincer is unsure how much the truck will sell for, but he is hoping for $10,000. He has the right to accept or reject bids according to the resolution. The vehicle is a 2008 Chevy 5500 Dump Truck with a snow plow and will be sold as is. All parts needed for the snow plow will be sold with the truck, it will pass a DOT inspection, and will be safe to drive. It will be placed outside of the Public Works building, and Director Vincer will begin advertising in the paper and online. Alderman Hobbie asked if he will reach out to other municipalities. Director Vincer said smaller municipalities will be possibilities, but the larger cities would most likely not be interested. All proceeds from the sale of the truck will be put toward the loan on the new truck. Alderman Gerdes motioned to move forward with declaring the 2008 Chevy 5500 Dump Truck as an excess vehicle. Seconded by Alderman Hobbie. Motion passed.
7. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE – Prior to discussing the sale of the Chevy 5500, Director Vincer brought that vehicle, and the other Chevy 5500 that the city owns, to Bonnell Industries. They took the best equipment from the vehicles, and moved it to the truck that will be kept by the city. Items switched were the snow plow, brake lines and fuel line.• Public Works has been doing some blacktop on much needed areas, such as Mill Rd., Lafayette & 2nd St., Kaiser Dr., Peru St. by Hairy Cow, and Old State Road. • Work is being done on the sewer plant by TEST. Water was drained out of one of the bays, and new aeration was installed (coarse air to fine air). This allows smaller bubbles to enter the bay and oxygenate the bacteria in the bay which allows it to break down more efficiently. • Alderman Gerdes recommended that aldermen tour with Director Vincer to learn about the water and sewer system. • Director Vincer plans to have a budget by the start of the fiscal year. • Director Vincer reported that he has plans to conduct a facility plan in the near future. The plan would look at the entire facility and how all of the parts of the plant work together. Tom Glendenning from Fehr-Graham (Tom used to run the Byron sewer plant) would conduct the study. The plan would examine the next ten years, and would map out the direction the plant will go, and outline where money would be best spent in order to achieve our long term goals. The last plan was done in 2005. Engineer Stoll also pointed out that the EPA requires that any changes to the water process treatment need to be permanent, and they will not allow any changes until they see a facility plan. The plan typically costs approximately $40,000, and was budgeted for this year. Alderman Fulrath asked if the water-sewer capital monies collected on water bills go towards projects like this. Those funds are not part of his budget, but can be used for special projects and bond payments. We are still paying bonds for Headworks and water tower maintenance
8. EXECUTIVE SESSION (Section)(c)(21)-Review and Approval of Closed Meeting Minutes. No Executive Session.
9. Alderman Fulrath adjourned the meeting at 6:24 pm. The next regular meeting is September 4 at 5:30 pm.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/vertical/sites/%7B67304C08-5FC3-4329-8F07-4786D33EE040%7D/uploads/8-07-19_CSC_Minutes-Approved.pdf
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