City of Byron City Council met March 18

By Kristine Gonzales-Abella

Apr 13, 2020

City of Byron City Council met March 18.

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 (via telephone), Mittzi Fulrath, Dan Reilly, Zeke Hobbie, Michael Gyorkos, Christy Hanlin. Seven members present by roll call vote. Quorum established.

* - denotes start of the roll call vote

Aldermen Absent: None

PRESENT: Mayor John Rickard

City Clerk Caryn Huber

City Attorney Kim Krahenbuhl

Police Chief Todd Murray

Dir. of Econ. Dev. Larry Hewitt

Dir. of Public Works Aaron Vincer

Citizens Bill Pirnat

4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.

5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Mayor Rickard amended the agenda, under Mayor’s Report, to include “An Ordinance Pertaining to Local State of Emergency”, and “A Proclamation of State of Emergency”. Motion by Alderman Hanlin to approve, as amended, the March 18, 2020, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Reilly. 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. March 4, 2020, Regular Council Meeting Minutes – Motion made by Alderman Hanlin to approve, as presented, the March 4, 2020, Regular Council Meeting minutes, seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, ABSTAIN; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 6; NAY 0; ABS 1.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None

8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Huber reported that a Treasurer’s Report for the month of February is included in Dropbox. All changes as far as accounts and CDs are complete. She has been monitoring daily rates of return on the Illinois Funds (which she will give Council members more information at a later date) and it is currently dropping daily, therefore we will not be considering moving any funds until the rates stabilize.

9. LIST OF BILLS –

a. 3/4/20 - The tentative bills for the City of Byron were presented to the Council for discussion. Clerk Huber explained there are three sets of bills. The first is a detailed account of the bills presented and approved on 3/4/20. It is less $350.00 due to an administrative tow refund not paid. No vote taken since it was already approved.

b. 3/4/20 (2) – Alderman Isaacs asked about the charge from LOCIS. Chief Murray explained that is our membership for our financial software. Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve the list of bills dated March 4, 2020, in the amount of $26,154.16. Seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0.

c. 3/18/20 – Motion by Alderman Hanlin to approve the list of bills dated March 18, 2020, in the amount of $82,261.27. Seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0.

10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Rickard referred to the document in Dropbox pertaining to declaring a local state of Emergency. “An Ordinance Pertaining to Local State of Emergency” is also included in Dropbox, which must be passed before the mayor can issue the state of emergency (it authorizes the action). Alderman Reilly asked if there is a timeline on the declaration. Mayor Rickard replied the deadline is 60 days, or the next time Council meets. Alderman Gerdes asked if we should consider a requirement that employees ask for the mayor’s approval before they make larger expenditures. The Mayor felt that was not necessary at this time. Motion by Alderman Gyorkos to approve Ordinance 2019-7, An Ordinance Pertaining to Local State of Emergency, seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0.

Pursuant to the authority vested in the office of Mayor by the Illinois Municipal Code, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Ordinance 2019-7 of the City of Byron, the Mayor has declared a local state of emergency as of March 18, 2020. The declaration allows the mayor to continue operations and payment of all accounts payable in the event City Council cannot meet, to make decisions on behalf of City Council when necessary, and take other actions allowed under Ordinance 2019-7. The declaration will be reviewed after 60 days, or until Council meets again.

11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – No report.

12. CITY ENGINEER’S PROJECT STATUS – No report.

13. REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT –Director Hewitt reported that financial assistance (grants, SBA loans, etc.) will also be available for businesses who are reporting a loss during this time.

14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Director Vincer reported that they have postponed bidding the Mill Road project until they are able to gather more data. Testing on the road has indicated the materials under the road are not as dense as originally thought. The Public Works Department is focusing on water and sewer. Especially at this time when toilet paper is scarce, we plan to ask residents, through Facebook, not to flush other items down the toilet (including items that are listed as flushable, such as wipes). Alderman Hobbie asked about the chip on the roads, and if we should consider renting or borrowing one while we wait to receive our new sweeper. Since it is expected mid-April, the consensus was to wait. Alderman Fulrath asked if Aaron would have the terms of the loan requoted since interest rates are dropping. He will ask the bank.

15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT

a. Cyber Security – The Public Safety Committee meeting was cancelled earlier in the evening, but Chief Murray’s notes are included in Dropbox. There is also a Cyber Security document which outlines items to look for both on City and personal email accounts.

16. COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Community Services – No report.

b. Public Safety – No report.

c. Administrative – No report.

17. CONTINUING BUSINESS –

a. Rush Property – Nothing new to report.

b. 2020 Streets Program – Director Vincer reported that bids are out.

c. 2020-2021 Budget – A copy of the budget and the budget Ordinance are included in Dropbox. Alderman Isaacs met with department heads earlier in the week. He has reduced Sales Tax and Video gaming tax by 1/12 in response to the COVID-19 situation. Alderman Hanlin asked if these anticipated losses are recoverable. Mayor Rickard replied that we may not see those funds until the next fiscal year. In this budget, he is not using the local tax to cover roadwork (he is using it for the general fund). Director Vincer emphasized the need for a water rate study. Water loss is currently 15-17%, and they are working to reduce that more. He will also be looking for grant projects to fund capital improvements to the water and sewer system. If we increased water bills by $10 per month (1800 users), it would generate $216,000 per year. Director Hewitt said we need to consider alternate revenue sources, and suggested the possibility of increasing sales tax. It would need to be done by referendum. Alderman Isaacs said the budget needs to be approved by the end of April. If need be, the declaration allows the mayor to approve purchases into the next budget year. The Public Hearing is scheduled for April 1.

18. NEW BUSINESS –

a. Community Room – The Community Room is closed until further notice. City Hall is closed to the public at least until the end of March.

b. ALS Walk – Director Hewitt reported that the ALS Association would like to host their walk in Byron on September 19, which is also the same date as the Chamber’s ChiliFest. They would like to walk around the high school or middle school. We are waiting for the school to confirm the date.

19. COUNCIL TALK – None

20. 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.

21. COMMUNICATION –

a. Next Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, April 1, 2020 @ 6:30pm.

b. ENGIE Meeting – Wednesday, April 1, 2020 @ 6:00 pm.

c. Public Hearing – Budget – Wednesday, April 1, 2020 @ 6:25 pm.