City of Byron City Council met May 5.
Here is the agenda 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, Randy Stukenberg
(Randy took video and still pictures to document
actions during the pandemic)
4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.
5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Motion by Alderman Hanlin to approve, as presented, the May 6, 2020, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Gerdes. 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. April 15, 2020, Regular Council Meeting Minutes – Motion made by Alderman Hanlin to approve, as presented, the April 15, 2020, Regular Council Meeting Minutes, seconded by Alderman Hobbie. 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 mayor has done some financial projections based on information from IML. It will be discussed further under Mayor’s Report. She added that she included a letter from IML in Dropbox. The letter discusses predictions regarding possible lost tax revenue. The most recent tax revenues received are listed on the Tax Revenue spreadsheet. Total for the month of April will be included in the Treasurer’s report at the next council meeting.
9. LIST OF BILLS – Alderman Isaacs asked about a charge from Core & Main LP for $10,281.63. Director Vincer explained that the charge is for the number of new water meters they project they will need this year. Alderman Hanlin motioned to approve the list of bills dated May 6, 2020, in the amount of $73,571.28. Seconded by Alderman Reilly. 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.
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. His actions regarding this declaration will coincide with the actions of the state. • IML has sent early projections regarding decreases in municipal tax revenues, which they estimate to be between 9% and 17%, or between $240,000 and $450,000 for the city. Our current budget reflects a decrease in revenue at approximately 8%. We will begin to see losses in the April revenues. • Because city staff has not been able to communicate in person, staff meetings will be scheduled weekly on Tuesday mornings at 11:30am. • Mayor Rickard recently received an email asking if there was some way the city could acknowledge volunteers during this pandemic, particularly the residents that are making masks. It was decided that a series of videos will be put on Facebook featuring the mayor thanking the many groups of people aiding in the pandemic.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – No report.
12. CITY ENGINEER’S PROJECT STATUS – Engineer Stoll reported that 2020 streets project bids will be discussed later in the agenda. • Over the next three years, the State of Illinois will distribute $1.5 billion in general obligation bonds to municipalities. Byron’s allocation will be $250,000. It is a grant that will appear in the MFT account in installments over the next three years. It can only be used for capital expenses that are transportation related. We will need to have a separate accounting for these funds in the MFT account.
13. REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT –Director Hewitt reported that we will set up a meeting with Martin to discuss problems with Mill Road. • He has been in touch with a representative from the Farmer’s Market. They will begin scheduling this weekly event, and are expected to follow state and health department regulations. • The Park District expansion project is looking at alternative designs for drainage, other than the underground system that was originally proposed. • Jordan Auker will be mowing empty lots except for Jackson Knolls and Creekside. He plans on mowing every 2-3 weeks.
14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – No report due to Zoom communication issues. Alderman Isaacs asked about the sweeper and it was reported that it is currently in operation.
15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Murray reported that at the next Public Safety meeting we will need to discuss sending an officer to school. The class has been delayed many times, and is now scheduled for June.
16. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – Alderman Fulrath reported that several items discussed appear later in the agenda. In addition, the committee discussed Mill Road and options for lighting on the bridge.
b. Public Safety – No report.
c. Administrative – Alderman Hanlin reported that items discussed appear later in the agenda.
17. CONTINUING BUSINESS –
a. Rush Property – Nothing new to report.
b. 2020 Streets Program – Bids – Alderman Fulrath reported that the committee voted to recommend that council award the 2020 streets program bid to O’Brien Civil Works. Their bid was $137,850.00, and includes work on 3rd St. from Mineral St. to Route 2, and Hamer Court. The bid is $100,000 less that the engineers estimate. We also owe N- TRAK $140,000 for work they will be finishing up from last year. Total award for street program is approximately $280,000. 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.
18. NEW BUSINESS –
a. Certification of Revenues – Alderman Isaacs reported that we are certifying revenues of $5,321,150. He asked that we waive first read. The committee recommends passage. 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.
b. Crest View Trail Water Issue – The committee discussed drainage issues on Crest View Trail. Engineer Stoll will survey the area to evaluate possible solutions.
c. COLA Increase – The cost of living increase, according to the Consumer Price Index, is 1.54%, and will be effective on hours worked after May 1.
d. Carry Out Liquor – Chief Murray will have questions directed to him, and he will update Council.
e. Resolution 2020-1 Authorization to attend IML Conference – Alderman Isaacs motioned to waive 1st read and pass Resolution 2020-1, authorizing city officers and employees to attend the IML Conference in September. Motion seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0.
19. COUNCIL TALK – Alderman Reilly advised that a COVID-19 test site is open at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford. The site is run by the Illinois National Guard. Testing is free, and he encouraged anyone with symptoms or anyone that has been exposed to the virus, to test. It is open to anyone in Northern Illinois. • Alderman Gerdes said that another resident has inquired about backyard chickens, and she will forward the email to Alderman Reilly. It will be placed on the agenda for the Public Safety Committee meeting on 5/20/20. • Alderman Fulrath discussed 4th of July Fireworks. Under the circumstances, current restrictions will prohibit the event. She suggested the possibility of having a fireworks display later in the summer. Alderman Hobbie asked if people could stay in cars to watch the event. Alderman Gerdes expressed concerns regarding residents staying in their cars. • Director Hewitt reported that ByronFest 2020 has been cancelled. The Fire Department has also cancelled their carnival over Memorial Day weekend.
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 20, 2020 @ 6:30pm.
Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:10 pm.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/vertical/sites/%7B67304C08-5FC3-4329-8F07-4786D33EE040%7D/uploads/Minutes_-_2020-05-06-Approved.pdf
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