City of Byron City Council met Sept. 18.
Here is the minutes 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, Emily Gerdes, Mittzi Fulrath, Dan Reilly, Zeke Hobbie, Amber Dach, Michael Gyorkos, Christy Hanlin. Eight members present by roll call vote. Quorum established.
* - denotes start of the roll call vote
PRESENT: Mayor John Rickard
City Clerk Caryn Huber
City Attorney Kim Krahenbuhl
Dir. Of Public WorksAaron Vincer
Police Dept. Jeremy Boehle
Dir. of Econ. Dev. Larry Hewitt
City Engineer Jason Stoll
Citizens Pam Kultgen, Tom Przytulski (ComEd), Anthony Przytulski
4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.
5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA – Motion by Alderman Reilly to approve, as presented, the September 18, 2019, agenda, seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Dach, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
6. MINUTES –
a. September 4, 2019, Regular Council Meeting Minutes – Motion made by Alderman Hanlin to approve, as presented, the September 4, 2019, Regular Council minutes, seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Dach, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE.
Motion passed: AYE 8; NAY 0; ABS 0.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
8. TREASURER’S REPORT – No report.
9. LIST OF BILLS - The tentative bills for the City of Byron were presented to the Council for discussion. Motion made by Alderman Hanlin to approve the payment of bills dated September 18, 2019, in the amount of $94,058.71. Motion seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Dach, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE, Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABSTAIN, 0.
10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Byron Bank has requested a formal resolution that states Carol Walters was appointed Treasurer. The resolution authorizes Carol Walters to be a signator for the city, as well as John Rickard, Todd Murray, Aaron Vincer and Melissa Baxter. Alderman Gyorkos motioned to approve the Corporate Authorization Resolution 2019-4 which gives Carol and four others banking authorization. Motion seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE; Dach, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE, Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABSTAIN, 0.
Mayor Rickard sent Council members a 2020-2021 proposed budget schedule and asked them to review. He has moved the schedule up in order to have a budget approved by April 15, 2020. It is open for revision. Next year he hopes to begin in August or September in order to have a tentative budget in place by the time we need to do the levy in December. Since there was no objection by Council, the schedule will begin in October with department head meetings.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – No report.
12. CITY ENGINEER’S PROJECT STATUS – Work has begun on Walnut Street. Storm sewer installation will be done in about a week, followed by curbs and shaping for new pavement. ComEd will be relocating a pole at the end of the month, which fits in with the construction schedule. • N-Trak will be back on Crestview Trail to get the remaining driveways paved and finished. • Alderman Fulrath asked about the detour around Walnut Street, since cars were being routed to Mill Rd. instead of 7th St. They have since gone back to the original plan, and traffic will be routed to 7th St. Notifications have gone to the School District, Moring Disposal, and the Police and Fire Departments.
13. REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – There is new construction in Brighton Ridge – several houses and condos. • We have issued almost 100 building permits this year. • As a result of the recent rain, there have been some mowing complaints particularly with undeveloped lots in subdivisions. Director Hewitt spoke with Jordan Auker who mows the majority of these lots, and he said the ground it still wet and muddy, but he will continue to mow when he is able.
14. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – No report.
b. Public Safety – Alderman Reilly reported that his committee discussed the Rush property (no updates). • There is no update at this time regarding the hiring of a new police officer because we are waiting for a slot to open at one of the academies. • The committee is recommending that the city implement a social media campaign, administered by the city clerk.
c. Administrative – No report.
15. CONTINUING BUSINESS –
a. Rush Property – No updates.
b. Revisions to personnel policies – No updates – in committee.
c. Cannabis Ordinances – In committee. Hoping to gain more knowledge at the IML conference. Alderman Reilly asked if anyone has expressed an interest in growing or selling cannabis in Byron. Director Hewitt said no, but there has been an interest in selling paraphernalia.
1. Retailers’ Occupation Tax Ordinance
2. Business Zoning Ordinance
d. Utility Taxes – The committee is recommending the implementation of utility taxes. We are waiting to receive paperwork from Nicor and ComEd to continue the process. Alderman Reilly asked how much revenue these taxes could potentially generate. Director Hewitt said projections are approximately $45,000/year from Nicor, and $185,000 from ComEd if we tax at the maximum of 5%. Most communities implement the maximum amount.
e. McLester Sign Variance – Director Hewitt reported that the Zoning Board of Appeals met last Thursday regarding a sign variance for the outdoor wall signs at Hairy Cow Brewery. The signs are larger than the ordinance maximum. There were no objectors. The Zoning Board approved the variance, and City Council had already approved the variance pending Zoning Board approval.
f. Harvest Drive Street Conveyance – Tom Palmgren has requested that the city take the right of way on Harvest Drive. There is 150 ft. of road going west to the far limits of the condos and Mr. Palmgren is requesting that the city take on the responsibility of street maintenance and accept the right of way. He has built the road according to city standards and requirements, and Engineer Stoll has inspected the road and issued a letter of recommendation to the city confirming this. They also provided a legal description of the property to Attorney Krahenbuhl for him to begin drafting documents for council consideration. Alderman Isaacs asked if this is the end of the property, or is there additional property that could potentially be built on past the road. Engineer Stoll stated there is a gravel road that connects to it and makes a loop around, and original plans were to continue building, however, that has changed and there are no plans at this time to continue building in this subdivision. Alderman Isaacs is concerned about heavy equipment driving on the road should the area continue to be built out. Alderman Hobbie suggested adding language that states that Mr. Palmgren is responsible for road repair until construction is complete, however, Attorney Krahenbuhl feels we should accept it or not accept it without stipulations. Mayor Rickard suggested the possibility of a pre- annexation agreement, and Alderman Isaacs suggested posting a weight limit. Attorney Krahenbuhl added that the title company will not show clear title unless they have public access. He has been in touch with the title company and is waiting to hear back. Engineer Stoll suggested referring this back to committee for further discussion while waiting for additional documents and information from the title company. Alderman Fulrath noted that this has not yet been discussed in committee. Director Hewitt said it would be difficult to hold Mr. Palmgren responsible for the road because he will no longer have anything to do with development there. He suggested telling Jerry Jackson that no farm equipment or heavy equipment are allowed on the road. Director Vincer said it is unlikely they will be using the road to access farm fields. He added that Public Works does plow the gravel portion of that road so school buses can turn around. Discussion will continue at committee.
16. NEW BUSINESS
a. Social Media – The Public Safety committee is recommending that the city begin a social media campaign. Alderman Reilly motioned to enact the social media campaign, administered by the City Clerk. Motion seconded by Alderman Hobbie Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE; Dach, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE, Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABSTAIN, 0.
b. Downtown Snow Ordinance – No update.
c. William Charles final payment – Engineer Stoll and Director Vincer will meet with the Administrative committee and give a presentation regarding the change order requests that contributed to the final payment amount. All of the documents have been submitted to the city.
17. COUNCIL TALK – Mayor Rickard mentioned that the IML Conference begins tomorrow.
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.
b. COMMUNICATION
a. Next Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, October 2, 2019 @ 6:30 pm.
Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:03 pm.
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