City of Byron Administrative Committee met Nov. 6.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Alderman Christy Hanlin (5:35pm), Alderman Todd Isaacs, Alderman Dan Reilly
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Mayor John Rickard, City Attorney Kim Krahenbuhl, Economic Development Director Larry Hewitt, Director of Public Works Aaron Vincer, City Clerk Caryn Huber, Linda McNames
The meeting began at 5:22 pm with no quorum. Alderman Isaacs began with public comment.
1. PUBLIC COMMENT – Linda McNames asked to address the committee. She has been working for the City of Byron for eight years. She distributed a history of her employment which included filling in at the Police Department (entering officer reports, answering phones and assisting at the front window), assisting and filling in for water and sewer, and assisting and filling in for accounts payable/receivable. She also went through 225 boxes of city records, sorting and destroying those according to Illinois statute. Over the past five years, her total average hours have been 555, with approximately 60% spent in water and sewer, and 20% each for City Hall and the Police Department. She has not received a raise since she began at $12.00/hour. She is requesting a raise to $12.50/hour. Because of the upcoming amendment by the governor to increase the minimum wage, her increases will then follow accordingly. Alderman Reilly asked if she is requesting a retroactive raise, but she is not. Director Vincer, her supervisor for the time she works in water and sewer, has said they have made a lot of progress with changing meters and other projects she has assisted with. Alderman Isaacs and Alderman Reilly agree with the increase, and the Mayor will mention this in his report tonight.
Chairman Hanlin arrived at 5:35pm and a quorum is established.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OCTOBER 2, 2019: Alderman Reilly motioned to approve the Administrative Committee meeting minutes of October 2, 2019, seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Motion passed.
3. PHONE STIPEND – Director Vincer receives a monthly phone stipend, and he is requesting a phone stipend for the other three public works employees. They all use their cell phones for work. There is no radio system in the trucks, and their only means of communication with each other is by cell phone. He prefers not to offer city phones, as that would require them to carry two phones. He recommends offering a phone stipend. The city is currently at their capacity in minutes, and does not have extra phones available. Director Vincer added that having a phone is a condition of working in the Public Works Department since he needs immediate communication with them. Alderman Isaacs said that a stipend will be less expensive than putting them on a city plan, and motioned that we provide a stipend of $30-$40/month. Alderman Hanlin said that a phone plan typically costs approximately $45/month. Since the phones are also used for personal use, Alderman Isaacs does not feel it is necessary to cover the entire cost. Mayor Rickard added that if we pay for the entire plan, they need to be using it 100% for work, otherwise the difference is taxable. Alderman Hanlin motioned to offer a $35 phone stipend per Public Works employee per month. Seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Motion passed.
4. REVISIONS TO PERSONNEL POLICIES – Mayor Rickard said the personnel policy changes are being recommended to clarify a gap in hours for full time and part time employees. To correct this gap, he recommends changing the language on full time employees from 40 hours a week to 32 to 40 hours a week. Part time is less than 32 hours. On page 6 of the personnel policy manual, he recommends deleting the information relating to police officers, since it is covered under their union contract. Alderman Isaacs recommends the changes as proposed. Alderman Reilly seconded. Motion passed.
5. CANNABIS ORDINANCES – The council has not discussed if they are in favor of allowing cannabis businesses in Byron, and there is some question whether there is any place in Byron to legally locate a cannabis business. Alderman Gerdes attended seminars at IML, and they are hoping to set up a special meeting with her on November 20 at 5:30 pm
6. UTILITY TAXES-COM ED – Attorney Krahenbuhl said the Nicor tax went into effect on November 1. He reported that ComEd has approved the wording on our proposed ordinance. The tax rate is graduated, and most people will fall into the.61 cents per kilowatt hour. Alderman Hanlin asked at what point it will be decided what these funds would be used for. Attorney Krahenbuhl said it was discussed to be able to hire an additional police officer. Alderman Hanlin would like to see the funds divided between the Police Department and Public Works, and hopes that the Police Department can bring salaries in line with the surrounding communities so we do not continue to lose officers. The Police Department does not keep surplus funds at the end of the fiscal year, and they return to the general fund. Alderman Isaacs said that no department keeps surplus funds. Attorney Krahenbuhl said he hopes the community will support the tax knowing that the Police Department needs two new officers, which includes one SRO. Alderman Isaacs pointed out that the Police budget has always budgeted for five officers plus the chief. Alderman Isaacs feels we should discuss the SRO contract with the school to be certain the school will agree to hire a Byron Police officer when available. Attorney Krahenbuhl said we should start seeing funds from ComEd in February, and from Nicor in January. One of the police officers will be deploying with the military soon, but it is unclear when or for how long. Alderman Isaacs questioned the percentage going to the police department, and estimates the cost of a new officer for one year to be approximately $70,000. Attorney Krahenbuhl said that the Police Department is beginning union negotiations, and we should wait to assign funds until those negotiations are complete. Clerk Huber is completing the paperwork for Nicor, and asked Alderman Isaacs how he would like the funds sent – to be electronically transferred to one of our accounts, or a physical check. For now, we will have checks sent to us. Clerk Huber also asked about a Facebook post regarding the utilities taxes, and read a draft of a post that the mayor has already approved. The committee approved the post. Alderman Hanlin made a motion to recommend to council to approve Ordinance 2019-3 implementing a ComEd utility tax. Alderman Isaacs seconded. Motion passed.
7. SLOT MACHINES-FELKER – Clerk Huber said that this subject was discussed at the TAS committee this morning. The general feeling there was not to allow the slot machines, but they wanted to get the opinion of the committee. There was some discussion regarding the alcohol serving requirements with slot machines. The committee was not in favor of the slot machines at grocery stores, since they have already said no to the gas stations requests.
8. HIGHWAY AND DOWNTOWN FAÇADE DESIGN STANDARDS – Nothing new.
9. EXECUTIVE SESSION (Section)(c)(1)-Personnel - No Executive Session.
10. EXECUTIVE SESSION (Section)(c)(21)-Review and Approval of Closed Meeting Minutes - No Executive Session.
11. ADJOURN – Meeting was adjourned by Alderman Hanlin at 6:16 p.m.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/vertical/sites/%7B67304C08-5FC3-4329-8F07-4786D33EE040%7D/uploads/11-6-19_Admin_Comm_Minutes-Approved.pdf
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