City of Byron Community Services Committee met Oct. 2.
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: Public Works Director Aaron Vincer, City Engineer Jason Stoll, Mayor John Rickard
Alderman Fulrath called the meeting to order at 5:33 pm.
1. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES SEPTEMBER 4, 2019: Alderman Hobbie motioned to approve the Community Services Committee meeting minutes of September 4, 2019, seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Motion passed.
3. BYRON REC PATH/MAINTENANCE BUDGET – Alderman Fulrath reported that Engineer Stoll is starting to get cost estimates in preparation for the next grant cycle. Further discussion will be held after Engineer Stoll is in attendance.
4. MILL RD. CROSSWALK/BIKE PATH EXTENSION – Tabled until later in agenda.
5. PARKING LOT SIGNS – Alderman Fulrath reported that Clerk Huber is waiting for another quote for the signs for the entrances to the public parking lots. Alderman Hobbie asked if we could decide next month in order to get the signs up before winter. The committee agreed. Alderman Gerdes asked if the committee could address angled parking by Hairy Cow Brewery at the next committee meeting. Alderman Fulrath said she would add to next month’s agenda. She added that there has also been discussion about making the street one way. Alderman Hobbie asked if residents have the opportunity to provide feedback before a decision like that is made. Alderman Fulrath said that residents are informed ahead of time and their comments are taken into consideration.
6. DOWNTOWN SIDEWALK SNOW PLOWING – No further discussion. Item will be removed from the agenda.
7. SANITARY SEWER APPROVED MATERIAL LIST – Director Vincer reported that the subject of approved materials came up during meetings with Exelon, who wanted to run a sewer line to the city (the project is now on hold indefinitely). There are specifications that he would like to use in order to set a standard for contractors working in Byron. As he was reviewing the list of materials in place now, he discovered there were other items that needed to be specified, such as pumps. All lists would include the phrase “or equivalent as approved by the Director of Public Works”. This subject would not necessarily need to be approved by the committee, but Director Vincer wanted to make the committee aware of the possible changes and additions to the materials list.
8. SCHOOL HYDRANTS – Director Vincer reported that the School District has twelve fire hydrants on the school property that are owned by the district, not the city. Director Vincer spoke with Superintendent Barton about the possibility of the city taking care of the maintenance and repair of these hydrants during their annual check of city hydrants. Since an intergovernmental agreement already exists between the city and the school, an additional agreement should not be necessary. Engineer Stoll added that the city has an easement around the school that will allow them the opportunity to maintain the hydrants. Director Vincer said that the easement does not show up on GIS. Mayor Rickard requested that a letter be sent to Superintendent Barton to clarify what the city and the school’s responsibility will be regarding the maintenance of the hydrants.
9. WALNUT STREET CHANGE ORDERS – Director Vincer reported that construction work on Walnut Street revealed two water mains. One newer poly line and one older cast iron line. Both are still operating. Services to the homes are from the older line, and service to Rogers Ready Mix are from the newer line. They plan on bringing all service to the newer line, and abandoning the older line. Two manholes will also be replaced. This change would result in additional charges of approximately $20,000 for the manholes and $6,500 for the water services. This is for labor only. The city has agreed to pay for materials out of the water/sewer capital fund and the utility system line item. Alderman Fulrath asked how much has been spent on the repairs on Mill Rd. Director Vincer estimates $2,500 out of the streets line item. Additional repairs to Mill Road to fix the road will need to come out of the 2020 budget. At this point the Streets budget line item is approximately $35,000 over budget due to change orders on Walnut Street and 3rd Street. Some of the money from 3rd Street could have been attributed to last year’s budget, but since we waited for the freeze/thaw cycle before finishing the road this past spring, it ended up on this year’s budget cycle.
10. HARVEST DRIVE STREET CONVEYANCE – Engineer Stoll suggested that Tom Palmgren attend this committee meeting to answer questions from committee members, but he was unable to attend because of work. The committee is questioning whether or not Mr. Palmgren has the right to make the request of the city to take possession of 100 ft. of road in the Jackson Knolls subdivision, or is it the property owner, Jerry Jackson, that should make the request. If the street is not conveyed, they are unable to close on the property located where the street crosses. The homeowner would not have access to a public street. Mr. Palmgren has already paved the street and Engineer Stoll confirmed that the work has been done according to city specs. At the last council meeting, Alderman Isaacs had concerns about heavy equipment using the road if the property beyond the road is developed. Alderman Vincer and Engineer Stoll feel that the possibility of additional property being developed is very slim. Jerry Jackson is owner of the property, and Attorney Krahenbuhl will prepare paperwork for Mr. Jackson to sign first. Alderman Gerdes asked if anyone has spoken to Mr. Jackson, and feels someone should before any money is spent on legal work. After discussion, Alderman Fulrath will report that the committee recommends that the property be conveyed to the city if Jerry Jackson agrees to convey it, and if Mr. Palmgren will agree to pay for any legal fees generated as a result of the conveyance.
BYRON REC PATH/MAINTENANCE BUDGET – The city will add slurry seal to portions of the bike path next year.
MILL RD. CROSSWALK/BIKE PATH EXTENSION – Director Vincer will cover this subject in the Public Works update.
11. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE – Director Vincer reported that he spoke with Neil Wills regarding pouring concrete to make a “landing spot” for the crosswalk across Mill Road. However, this location is a drainage inlet from the road. It will involve tearing up and rebuilding that inlet. Director Vincer feels we can get this done, however, it will be on Mr. Wills’ timeline, and he is very busy. Alderman Hobbie asked if the cost is substantially more since they have to tear up the drainage inlet (yes per Director Vincer), and if there is another concrete vendor we could contact..Director Vincer will contact Custom Concrete, but they tend to do larger jobs. He will also contact additional companies. • The Public Works Department had a recent visit from the Illinois Department of Labor regarding safety. They were given a list of items to fix, and they have taken care of most of the items. There are items on the list of bills as a result of the visit. Engineer Stoll added that Fehr-Graham offers safety training if needed. • Director Vincer contacted companies for salt prices, and he will report at the next council meeting. • Chris Logston is a mower currently, and Director Vincer would like to make him a snow plow driver this winter, effective November 1. He will earn more as a snow plow driver than as a mower. • Both vehicles that the city had for sale have sold. They received $8500 for the truck (less than hoped for) and $2700 for the car (more than hoped for). Money has gone into the general fund. The money for the truck will be put towards payment on the new truck, and the money from the car will be put back into the Police budget. • Director Vincer hopes to begin a hydrant painting program next year. Tools are available that will do paint prep quickly, and he will try to have the Fire Department assist with the project. The art department would like to help paint the hydrants. • Two of the three aeration bays were cleaned and they will be rebuilt by TEST. • Mayor Rickard would like to look into solar power for the sewer plant. • Director Vincer and Engineer Stoll recently attended the water and wastewater show at McCormick place. They learned about some hardware they would like to use at the plant when money is available. • The water main on Walnut Street will be shut down on Saturday for several hours while they relocate a fire hydrant. Businesses and homeowners have been notified.
12. EXECUTIVE SESSION (Section)(c)(21)-Review and Approval of Closed Meeting Minutes. No Executive Session.
13. Alderman Fulrath adjourned the meeting at 6:24 pm. The next regular meeting is November 6 at 5:30 pm.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/vertical/sites/%7B67304C08-5FC3-4329-8F07-4786D33EE040%7D/uploads/10-2-19_CSC_Minutes-Approved.pdf
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