City of Byron City Council met Oct. 16.
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 Chief Todd Murray
Dir. of Econ. Dev. Larry Hewitt
City Engineer Jason Stoll
Citizens Pam Kultgen
4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.
5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA – Mayor Rickard asked to amend the agenda and add Harvest Drive Street Conveyance under Continuing Business, Item e. Motion by Alderman Hanlin to approve, as amended, the October 16, 2019, agenda, seconded by Alderman Dach. 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. October 2, 2019, Regular Council Meeting Minutes – Motion made by Alderman Fulrath to approve, as presented, the October 2, 2019, Regular Council minutes, seconded by Alderman Reilly. 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. Alderman Dach asked about two similar charges to the US Postmaster. Chief Murray explained that charges are often split between two departments. Alderman Hobbie asked about the $30,750.00 charge for Glendenning, and noted it is on the agenda for discussion tonight. Director Vincer explained that none of the bills on the List of Bills are paid without council approval. If council does not approve the bill after discussion, it will not be paid. He added that charges to Core & Main are for parts for Walnut St. Motion made by Alderman Hanlin to approve the payment of bills dated October 16, 2019, in the amount of $120,752.00. Motion seconded by Alderman Isaacs. 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 – The census committee is meeting and beginning work on the upcoming census. They aim to get as complete a count as possible, and are beginning to identify those populations within the community that may be more difficult to count. They are working on transportation and childcare options to transport people to a place where they can fill out the form. They do not know how long the form will be at this point.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – No report.
12. CITY ENGINEER’S PROJECT STATUS – Engineer Stoll reported that work is continuing on Walnut Street. The underground work (storm sewer, water services hooked on to the newer water main, replacement of two sanitary manholes) is complete. Director Vincer added that the homes on Walnut Street were connected to the old cast iron water main, and they were all switched to the newer main. They are prepping to put in curb and sidewalk, and hope to be paving by the end of the month. At that time, they will also pave the remaining work in the Edge of Town subdivision. Initial compaction reports on the sewer lateral trenches from the materials tester were not good, and settlement could occur if it is not compacted properly. They will determine how to proceed with the contractor, and have recommendations by the next meeting. One possibility is to put binder down before winter (like we did on 3rd St. last year), and finish paving in spring to be certain the road won’t settle.
13. REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – No report.
14. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – No report.
b. Public Safety – No report.
c. Administrative – No report.
15. CONTINUING BUSINESS –
a. Rush Property – Chief Murray is still trying to reach the guardian of the son.
b. Revisions to personnel policies – No updates – in committee.
c. Cannabis Ordinances –The committee hopes to schedule a special meeting in October to discuss further.
1. Retailers’ Occupation Tax Ordinance 2. Business Zoning Ordinance
d. Utility Taxes – Now that the minutes from October 2 are approved, Attorney Krahenbuhl will be sending a certified copy to Nicor. Clerk Huber has also certified that the Ordinance was published in pamphlet form. Nicor is hoping to implement the tax by November 1. Attorney Krahenbuhl has also contacted Tom Przytulski to begin the process with ComEd.
e. Harvest Drive Street Conveyance – At the October 2 council meeting, council had voted to take the right of way on Harvest Drive, provided several conditions were met, including a letter of intent from Jerry Jackson, and the agreement that Tom Palmgren will pay for any legal expenses incurred from the conveyance. Mayor Rickard reported that both of these conditions have been satisfied since the last meeting.
Alderman Fulrath motioned to accept the conveyance of Harvest Drive to the city. 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. Attorney Krahenbuhl will have the deed recorded, and will notify the title company after receiving a certified copy of the recorded deed.
16. NEW BUSINESS –
a. Road Salt – Director Vincer reported that road salt is $102.50/ton, down from $107/50/ton last year. Last year we purchased 275 tons plus additional (487 tons total) for a total cost of approximately $60,000. The price of road salt typically goes up as the season goes on. He would like to purchase 300 tons to start, at a cost of $30,750.00.
If we purchase too much salt and don’t use it, we need to store it. Throughout the winter season, we are able to receive it on an as needed basis. Alderman Reilly motioned to purchase 300 tons of road salt at $102.50/ton for a total of $30,750.00. Motion seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Dach, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE, Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE, Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABSTAIN, 0.
b. Parking Lot Signage – Clerk Huber has another quote to present to committee at the next meeting.
17. COUNCIL TALK – Public Works employees are temporarily helping out as crossing guards. • Alderman Hobbie asked if, in the event we purchase too much salt, we can sell it to other communities. Director Vincer will look into this.
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, November 6, 2019 @ 6:30pm.
Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 6:58 pm.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/vertical/sites/%7B67304C08-5FC3-4329-8F07-4786D33EE040%7D/uploads/Minutes_-_2019-10-16-Approved.pdf
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