City of Byron City Council met Dec. 4.
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, Michael Gyorkos, Christy Hanlin. Seven members present by roll call vote.
Quorum established.
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, Bill Pirnat, Chamber Director
Sarah Downs, Kristen Diehl
4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.
5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Motion by Alderman Hanlin to approve, as presented, the December 4, 2019, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
6. MINUTES –
a. November 20, 2019, Regular Council Meeting Minutes – Motion made by Alderman Hanlin to approve, as presented, the November 20, 2019, Regular Council minutes, seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Mayor Rickard reported that he continues to look for an individual to fill the vacant Treasurer position. Reports are in Dropbox.
9. LIST OF BILLS - The tentative bills for the City of Byron were presented to the Council for discussion. There are two lists, and each will be voted on separately. One is to Byron Bank for a bond payment in the amount of $173,486.79. Motion made by Alderman Isaacs to approve the payment to Byron Bank for $173,486.79, seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE, Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABSTAIN, 0. Motion made by Alderman Hanlin to approve the second list of bills in the amount of $52,750.98, seconded by Alderman Hobbie. Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE, Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABSTAIN, 0.
10. MAYOR’S REPORT – A census meeting was held yesterday. The Library has already begun to distribute information, and the school will start this week. We will begin at the end of January. There are videos and pamphlets available from the Census Bureau, and the committee will develop their own pamphlets as well. The count influences the amount of funding available, so it is important we reach everyone, and assist those that need help. • The mayor will meet with the Police Union next week. • The Christmas party is next Friday, December 13, at Stronghold. • There will not be a second council meeting this month. • The mayor would like to schedule a budget meeting on Saturday, January 11, from 9am-noon, in Council Chambers.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – No report.
12. CITY ENGINEER’S PROJECT STATUS – No report. All items are listed on the agenda.
13. REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – No report.
14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Well #3 (in town) tested high for tetrachloroethylene. This was one of the reasons Well 1 and 2 were shut down years ago. When the water reads 2.5 parts per billion, the EPA takes action. The maximum is 5 parts per billion. The city tested at 2.6 recently. The EPA has sent a representative to test the water again, and Director Vincer anticipates hearing the results of that test later this week. If we test 2.5 or higher, a public notice is required, and the EPA requires a plan to be in place on how we intend to handle this problem. There is no health risk. • An email module was implemented for water and sewer billing, and 200 people are signed up to date for a savings of $70/month. Linda is making calls to the people who are already signed up for automatic billing. The information is included on the water bill.
15. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – Alderman Fulrath reported that the committee discussed a letter to N-Trak. It is on the agenda under New Business. They also discussed a list of change orders. $116,000 will continue to the next budget year. • The committee has recommendations later in the agenda for ByronFest, alley vacation request, and parking lot signs.
b. Public Safety – No report.
c. Administrative – Alderman Hanlin reported that the committee has several ongoing agenda items. She has not heard back from any Aldermen regarding their thoughts on the Cannabis items on the agenda. • The committee will recommend passage of the 2019-2020 tax levy later in the agenda.
16. CONTINUING BUSINESS –
a. Rush Property – Nothing new to report.
b. Cannabis Ordinances –Nothing new to report.
c. Parking Lot Signage – The Community Services committee looked at two quotes for parking lot signage, and recommends accepting the quote from Select-A-Sign, a local company, with the cost not to exceed $2,000. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE, Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABSTAIN, 0.
d. Tax Levy Ordinance – Alderman Hanlin reported that it is the recommendation of the Administrative Committee to approve Ordinance 2019-4, the 2019-2020 tax levy. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE, Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABSTAIN, 0.
17. NEW BUSINESS –
a. ByronFest Approval –Alderman Fulrath reported that the committee discussed the ByronFest request for a possible alternate location for the carnival. The committee has some concerns regarding the carnival being in the vicinity of so many bars, but these concerns can be addressed by the ByronFest layout committee. They did recommend approval of the dates of July, 10, 11 and 12. Director Downs explained that this alternate layout would also allow ByronFest to move their stage in a position to take advantage of the electrical power available at the original stage location. Motion by committee is to approve the ByronFest dates of July 10, 11 and 12, and allow ByronFest to consider an alternate location for the carnival, with the understanding that concerns with the location be addressed at a later time. Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABSTAIN, 0.
b. Alley Vacation Request – A request was made by Jim Bergagna for the city to vacate the alley in back of his building at 113 E. 2nd St. The committee recommends approval of his request. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABSTAIN, 0.
c. Walnut St./N-Trak – Engineer Stoll reported that binder has been laid on Walnut St. N-Trak did not complete this project, or the paving in the Edge-Of-Town subdivision. Work on both will continue in spring. He wrote a letter listing all of the issues with the workmanship and non-completion of the project. In lieu of fines, which could total $18,000, the city is instead asking that five conditions be met: The contractor will make any repairs to the road that are necessary at their own expense; they will repair any base failures that did not meet minimum compaction requirements; they will extend the warranty from a one year to a three year maintenance bond; they will resume work no sooner than May 1, and have all work completed in 15 working days; and there will be no remobilization or cleaning costs to the city. Director Vincer added that some change order costs will come from water/sewer funds. The mayor called for a vote to send the letter to N-Trak. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABSTAIN, 0.
18. COUNCIL TALK – Alderman Isaacs and Director Vincer discussed the need to anticipate extra work on projects and budget accordingly, particularly in the older parts of town.
19. 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.
20. COMMUNICATION –
a. Next Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, January 8, 2019 @ 6:30pm.
Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:04 pm.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/vertical/sites/%7B67304C08-5FC3-4329-8F07-4786D33EE040%7D/uploads/Minutes_-_2019-12-04-Approved.pdf
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