City of Byron City Council met March 4.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Rickard called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Led by Mayor Rickard
3. ROLL CALL – Aldermen present: *Todd Isaacs, Emily Gerdes, Mittzi Fulrath, Dan Reilly, Michael Gyorkos, Christy Hanlin. Six members present by roll call vote. Quorum established.
* - denotes start of the roll call vote
Aldermen Absent: Zeke Hobbie
PRESENT: Mayor John Rickard
City Clerk Caryn Huber
City Attorney Kim Krahenbuhl
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
4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.
5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Motion by Alderman Hanlin to approve, as presented, the March 4, 2020, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
6. MINUTES –
a. February 19, 2020, Regular Council Meeting Minutes – Motion made by Alderman Reilly to approve, as presented, the February 19, 2020, Regular Council Meeting minutes, seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Fulrath, ABSTAIN; Reilly, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed:
AYE 5; NAY 0; ABS 1.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Caryn Huber reported that she has implemented the changes discussed at the February 19 meeting. These include: Changing the Street Improvements savings account to an Investor Savings Account; Changing the Police Foundation and Police Vehicle checking accounts to savings accounts; and implementing changes to four CDs in order to increase the amount of interest being earned.
9. LIST OF BILLS - The tentative bills for the City of Byron were presented to the Council for discussion. Melissa Baxter, who normally prepares the List of Bills, has been away from the
office, and this list of bills was compiled by the department heads. Clerk Huber explained this is temporary, and more detail would be provided when Melissa returns. Motion by Alderman Fulrath to approve the list of bills dated March 4, 2020, in the amount of $42,153.50. Seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Reilly, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 6; NAY 0; ABS 0.
10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Rickard reported that he attended the Northern Illinois Mayor’s Association meeting this month. He also attended the Byron Museum’s Open House to view their recent renovations.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – No report.
12. CITY ENGINEER’S PROJECT STATUS – Engineer Stoll reported that he just received the reports from TSC on Mill Road. They will be reviewing this information and making recommendations to committee at the April 1 meeting. He does recommend that we not bid the Mill Road project until further discussions take place.
13. REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT –Director Hewitt reported that there are several larger projects in progress. The Top Tracer facility at PrairieView Golf Course will be opening soon, and a soft opening is expected later this month. • The Park District expansion project is out to bid. • There are many state grants available, and he will be meeting with the mayor and Director Vincer to explore infrastructure and streetscape projects. He suggested allocating money in next year’s budget for preliminary engineering costs, and cost share percentages on future grants. • Director Hewitt reported that the Gouker estate is in probate, and he has been in touch with the executor who will begin clean-up of the house and property.
14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Director Vincer is on vacation. A report is included in Dropbox.
15. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – Alderman Fulrath reported that items discussed at tonight’s meeting are included on the agenda.
b. Public Safety – No report.
c. Administrative – Alderman Hanlin reported that the committee discussed the 2020-2021 budget. Alderman Isaacs will meet with department heads to tighten up the numbers before presenting a finalized budget by March 18. The committee also discussed a resolution that would change the personnel that sign checks.
16. CONTINUING BUSINESS –
a. Rush Property – Nothing new to report.
b. Municode Chapter 9 repeal – Ordinance – Clerk Huber reported that the TAS Committee is recommending the repeal of Chapter 9.22 of the Byron Municipal Code in Ordinance 2019-5. This chapter has to do with massage therapy and massage therapists, and because the laws governing this are fully covered in the Illinois Code, it is unnecessary to duplicate them in our code book. The ordinance is included in Dropbox. Alderman Isaacs motioned to repeal chapter 9.22 of the Byron Municipal Code, seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 6; NAY 0; ABS 0.
c. Amendment regarding budget officer - Ordinance – Ordinance 2019-6 amends Chapter 2.10 of the Byron Municipal Code regarding the budget officer. The amendment is in Chapter 2.10.020, C., and changes “Appropriations and Tax Levy” to “Budget and Tax Levy”. Alderman Hanlin motioned to approve Ordinance 2019-6, amending the ordinance regarding the budget officer. Alderman Gyorkos seconded. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 6; NAY 0; ABS 0.
d. Street Sweeper Purchase – Mayor Rickard reported that council had already approved the purchase of a new street sweeper up to $170,000, pending a contract and loan agreement. These have been provided by Director Vincer and are included in Dropbox. Alderman Isaacs motioned to proceed with the purchase of the street sweeper, seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 6; NAY 0; ABS 0.
e. 2020 Streets Program – Engineer Stoll reported that bid documents and specifications are being prepared. He hopes to have bids back to present to committee in April. He reminded council that they will not bid Mill Road until thoroughly reviewing the TSC results.
17. NEW BUSINESS –
a. 2020-2021 Budget - Alderman Isaacs reminded council to click on the 2020-2021 button in order to view the budget on Dropbox. Several items are highlighted, and he would like to discuss these further with department heads. Mayor Rickard said that the public hearing on the budget would be held April 1, and the final vote taken on April 15.
b. Review authorized bank signatures – Alderman Hanlin reported that the Administrative committee recommends the removal of Melissa Baxter from the list of authorized signatories at Byron Bank. Since she reconciles the checking accounts and cuts checks, it is a better practice not to have her sign checks also. Alderman Hanlin motioned to make this change on our bank accounts, seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 6; NAY 0; ABS 0.
18. COUNCIL TALK – Chief Murray informed the council that Assistant Public Works Director Jerry Oleson cut his leg while operating an angle grinder at the Public Works building. There was no permanent damage, but he does have five stitches.
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, March 18, 2020 @ 6:30pm.
Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 6:55 pm.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/vertical/sites/%7B67304C08-5FC3-4329-8F07-4786D33EE040%7D/uploads/Minutes_-_2020-03-04-Approved.pdf
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