City of Byron Community Services Committee met Nov. 6.
Here is the agenda 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, Development Director Larry Hewitt
Alderman Fulrath called the meeting to order at 5:34 pm.
1. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OCTOBER 2, 2019: Alderman Hobbie motioned to approve the Community Services Committee meeting minutes of October 2, 2019, seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Motion passed.
3. MILL RD. CROSSWALK/BIKE PATH EXTENSION – Nothing new to report. Because Fawn Ridge has no curb, gutter or sidewalks, it makes it difficult to legally paint a crosswalk.
4. PARKING LOT SIGNS – A bid has been received from Select-A-Sign for the Municipal Parking lots. There was discussion about the need for double sided signs. Alderman Fulrath pointed out that Signs Now does these type of signs throughout the area. Director Hewitt said that Select-A-Sign is a local company. Discussion tabled until later.
5. SOLAR AT WATER TREATMENT PLANT – Director Vincer reported that the company, ENGIE, will examine the sewer plant and make recommendations on how the plant can be more efficient. There is no cost for them to provide the proposal. If hired, they work with all local contractors. They provide the capital, with a repayment program that is paid with the savings generated from their work. They check efficiency with aeration, lighting, solar panels and more. They guarantee their predicted savings. If the savings aren’t significant, ENGIE won’t take on the project. There is no action to take now, but he would like to have a company representative speak to TAS or committee. They have done several local projects, including Dakota and Stillman Valley School Districts. Director Vincer has also wanted to do a facility plan, and this efficiency study would work into that plan.
Director Hewitt added that ComEd is offering household assessments and residents can potentially receive free showerheads, lightbulbs, faucet aerators, thermostats and power strips. He encouraged the committee members to look into the program.
6. PARKING AT HAIRY COW – Hairy Cow Brewery had looked into adding additional parking north of the restaurant, expanding their current parking. The lot was too narrow and the distance from the highway was too short to make that a viable option. There is a possibility they may expand into the additional space in Sunshine Park. Alderman Gerdes asked if we could put angled parking on Peru Street, and possibly make the street one way. Engineer Stoll feels the road would have to be widened to have angled parking. He added that a possible recommended street project would be Peru and Front Streets, which could then be widened for angled or 90 degree parking. Discussion continued about the possibility of putting a city parking lot in the property that the city still owns in Sunshine Park, and ask Hairy Cow to assist financially. Director Hewitt stated that he believes Hairy Cow would want ownership in that case. Alderman Fulrath asked why their parking does not meet the needs of their occupancy. Director Hewitt said that it does by ordinance. Engineer Stoll said he added a concept drawing of Front and Peru Streets in Dropbox, which also includes a right in/right out at Peru Street onto Route 2. Director Vincer said there are quite a few streets in more need of repair at this time. Alderman Hobbie asked if there has been interest in the rest of the land that the city owns on Front St. Director Hewitt said yes, but feels we need to be proceed carefully in order to make best use of the riverfront. Director Hewitt suggested asking Todd McLester, owner of Hairy Cow, to attend a committee meeting after the new year and share his thoughts. Alderman Gyorkos asked about TIF funds, but that location is not in our TIF District, and Director Hewitt said there are many costs involved in expanding the current TIF District, and that money would be better spent elsewhere. The committee will continue to discuss.
7. STREET PROJECT UPDATE – Engineer Stoll reported that the early cold snap has slowed down the Walnut Street project. Unless we have unseasonably warmer weather coming up, it leaves us with few options. The plan now is to grind, shape and compact the binder. He feels there is enough of a base to support the truck traffic. Alderman Fulrath asked about the results of the compaction testing. Engineer Stoll said the trenches did not meet compliance, but the numbers were close. Alderman Fulrath asked if N-Trak started the project much later than scheduled. Engineer Stoll said yes, but there was a utility pole that needed to be moved by ComEd. He does feel they could have started earlier than they did. There were also some problems with the water services that needed to be fixed, and they lost several weeks of time as a result of that. Alderman Fulrath suggested that in the future we only take bids that will start projects in the spring. This is the second year a street project has gone well into fall, and she has heard many complaints from residents. She is also concerned that the binder will not hold up with the amount of truck traffic on that road. Engineer Stoll said that having the results of the compaction testing, any failures that appear in the spring will be the responsibility of the contractor.
With the City Council meeting beginning at 6:30pm, Alderman Fulrath asked about the possibility of scheduling a Community Services Committee meeting in two weeks. Clerk Huber added that the Administrative Committee discussed having a special meeting on November 20 at 5:30pm to discuss the cannabis laws and ordinances.
8. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE – Committee adjourned prior to report due to start of City Council meeting.
9. EXECUTIVE SESSION (Section)(c)(21)-Review and Approval of Closed Meeting Minutes. No Executive Session.
10. Alderman Fulrath adjourned the meeting at 6:27 pm. The next regular meeting is December 4, 2019, at 5:30 pm.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/vertical/sites/%7B67304C08-5FC3-4329-8F07-4786D33EE040%7D/uploads/11-6-19_CSC_Minutes-Approved.pdf
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