City of Byron City Council met April 15.
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.
* - 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
Engineer Jason Stoll
Citizens Bill Pirnat
4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.
5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Motion by Alderman Gerdes to approve, as presented, the April 15, 2020, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE;. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
Minutes Approved as Presented 5/6/20
6. MINUTES –
a. April 1, 2020, Public Hearing Minutes – Motion made by Alderman Hanlin to approve, as presented, the April 1, 2020, Public Hearing Minutes, 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.
b. April 1, 2020, Regular Council Meeting Minutes – Motion made by Alderman Hanlin to approve, as presented, the April 1, 2020 Regular Council Meeting Minutes, seconded by Alderman Fulrath. 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 – Treasurer Huber reported that the Treasurer’s report for March 2020 is in Dropbox, and she will continue to include a document that compares, by month, our larger sources of revenue. With the uncertainty of the future as far as our tax revenues, this document should assist with providing information at a glance as to what we are receiving in comparison to what we have received in the past. She continues to monitor IML communications, and reported that originally the Comptroller’s office said that state payments to municipalities would be delayed due to the state’s financial challenges resulting from COVID-19. Since that time, however, the Comptroller’s office has informed local governments that their funds would not be delayed, even if cash flow is limited at the state level. Treasurer Huber also reported that IML is formally requesting that any federal aid received by the state designated for municipal governments be dispersed to all 1,298 municipalities on a per capita basis so that every community receives the financial help they need to weather this crisis.
9. LIST OF BILLS – Alderman Isaacs asked about a charge from Watchguard Video for almost $5,000. Chief Murray explained that the charges are for in-car cameras, to be used for DUI arrests and the like. Alderman Hobbie motioned to approve the list of bills dated April 15, 2020, in the amount of $85,116.38. Seconded by Alderman Gyorkos.
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 has extended the declaration of a local state of emergency for another 60 days, or until Council meets again. • Liquor license renewals will be discussed later in the agenda.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – No report.
12. CITY ENGINEER’S PROJECT STATUS – Engineer Stoll reported that there are 15 days before May 1, the date given to N-Trak to resume work on last year’s street project. N-trak believes the asphalt plants should be opening, and they hope to complete work on Walnut Street, Crest View Trail and Edge-of-Town subdivision soon.
13. REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT –Director Hewitt reported that IDOT is starting work on the bridge patching, overlay, and sidewalk. They will also be putting crosswalks in the intersection of German Church Road and Route 72. They are currently putting up temporary signals, and traffic will be one lane across the bridge. • Building permits, both new homes and home projects, are picking up. • Director Hewitt has been in touch with the school regarding the ALS Walk on September 19. Junior Tackle is scheduled for that date, but Activities Director Jim Kann is confident that both events could run at the same time.
14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Director Vincer reported that the street sweeper should be delivered by the end of the month. Gary Treese will run the machine and they hope to get caught up quickly. • The department continues to do sewer cleaning. Despite Facebook posts, people are still flushing un-flushable items, but it has not been enough to cause any back-ups. • Martin has purchased, or has leased for long term, John King’s asphalt plant. Contractors will be able to get materials easier and locally, and Director Vincer hopes it results in price reductions. It will be helpful when the department is doing drop and drag asphalt repairs. Alderman Isaacs asked that we ensure sales tax is credited to Byron since Martin is an Oregon based company. Director Hewitt will discuss with them. He anticipates they might want to add an additional silo, and there is language in the special use permit that requires them to get approvals from city council before any improvements are made to the property. Alderman Gyorkos asked if the Special Use Permit needs to be re-issued with the change in ownership. Director Hewitt will get more information on this. • Director Vincer reported that there is potential grant money available, and a potential project to apply for would be sewer lining. To line the sewers, it would require approximately 22,000 ft. of lining. The project would include rehabilitating manholes and services and would cost about $65/ft,, or $1,500,000 total in grant money. Applications are due June 30. Most grants require a match from municipalities, and he and Engineer Stoll would suggest 10%, making our cost $150,000, plus $12,000 to submit the grant. This would likely be awarded in next year’s budget. At this time, with uncertain financial futures, many municipalities are backing off of projects, and more money may be available. Alderman Isaacs asked if there are other costs, above the $150,000, anticipated. Director Vincer thinks additional costs would be minimal, however, there may be point repairs if spots are detected where they need to dig and repair a line. Engineer Stoll said that point repairs can be covered by the grant. • During the last rainstorm, water backed up into a home on Crest View Trail. The homeowner believes work that the city did made the water issue worse, and Director Vincer asked if we should consider assisting the homeowner with his attempts to solve the problem. Mayor Rickard asked that this be discussed at the next Community Services Committee.
15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Murray reported that the Emergency Management Report from today listed 28 positive COVID-19 cases. Three of these cases are in the City of Byron, and five are in the Fire District. • The new squad car is expected by the end of the week. • There has been an increase in phone and email scams, and he asked everyone to be aware and be careful when opening emails. • Blue Freedom Nursery has been in the parking lot at Snyder Pharmacy the last several years. They have inquired again for this year. Plants would arrive the first week of May, and they will do phone in orders with curbside pick-up if necessary. Chief Murray will discuss with the mayor, however, he asked that aldermen contact him with opinions and questions.
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 – Alderman Fulrath reported that the committee will take another look at the bids at their next meeting. They hope to have a better idea of what funds are available.
c. 2020-2021 Budget Ordinance 2019-8– Alderman Isaacs said that the Budget Ordinance has a few small changes. The general fund has 2.5 million budgeted for expenditures, and water and sewer has $1,728,000. Total expenditures are $5,605,240. For revenue, he has removed one month worth of revenue on most accounts, but at least two months worth of revenues, and possibly three, will likely be affected due to the COVID- 19 virus. We probably will not have this information until July or August, and he asked that all departments watch expenditures closely. He added that water and sewer needs to do a rate study as soon as possible. Director Vincer said that he and Melissa have started the process. Alderman Gerdes asked if this information would be ready to be discussed at the May committee meeting, but Director Vincer believes it will take several months due to the amount of data that needs to be collected. A recommendation to pass the Ordinance 2019- 8 was made by committee. 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. Clerk Huber will file the budget with the county. Alderman Isaacs asked to add certification of revenues to committee and council meetings in May.
18. NEW BUSINESS –
a. Liquor License Renewal – Mayor Rickard reported that liquor licenses expire April 30. Bars and restaurants, however, have been ordered to remain closed since mid- March. He would like to extend the current licenses until June 30, and then prorate the fee for the remainder of the fiscal year. Grocery stores and gas stations will still renew their licenses April 30 since they have not had to stop liquor sales. Attorney Krahenbuhl said that under the Local State of Emergency Ordinance, the mayor is authorized to make this decision, however, Mayor Rickard wanted to get consensus from council. Alderman Gyorkos motioned to concur with the Mayor’s recommendation regarding liquor license extensions. Alderman Gerdes seconded. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0.
19. COUNCIL TALK – Alderman Reilly received a voice mail from a resident regarding a noise ordinance. The mayor and Alderman Isaacs have been speaking with the resident. • Alderman Hobbie asked who is responsible for drainage lots on Southfield Lane. Because of the wetness, it is overgrown. Directors Hewitt and Vincer will look at it. • Alderman Gerdes had a citizen contact her regarding the sewer back up on Hamer Court. Director Vincer said they cleaned the line, and will continue to monitor it throughout the year. Engineer Stoll said that sewer lining would solve problems like this. Director Vincer has spoken to the resident.
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, May 6, 2020 @ 6:30pm.
Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:28 pm.
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