City of Byron City Council met July 1.
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, 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 (by phone)
Police Chief Todd Murray
Dir. of Econ. Dev. Larry Hewitt
Dir. of Public Works Aaron Vincer
Engineer Jason Stoll
Citizens Pam Kultgen, Bill Pirnat, Amber Dach, Bryan Spring
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 Reilly to approve, as presented, the July 1, 2020, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Hanlin. 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. June 17, 2020 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes – Motion made by Alderman Hanlin to approve, as presented, the June 17, 2020, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes, seconded by Alderman Gerdes. 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.
b. June 24, 2020 Public Hearing Minutes - Motion made by Alderman Fulrath to approve, as presented, the June 24, 2020, Public Hearing Minutes, seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Reilly, ABS; Hobbie, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS 1.
c. June 24, 2020, Special City Council Meeting Minutes – Motion made by Alderman Hobbie to approve, as presented, the June 24, 2020, Special City Council Meeting Minutes, seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE; Gyorkos, ABS; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, ABS. Motion passed: AYE 5; NAY 0; ABS 2.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT – Resident Bryan Spring, 934 Crest View Trail, addressed the council. He notified them that he has hired someone to unplug his sewer line and they would be digging next week. The house is currently vacant.
8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Huber reported that the monthly revenue listing for June 2020 is in Dropbox, as well as the revenue comparison table. She noted that we are not yet seeing decreases in Sales Tax or MFT, but are seeing decreases in income tax and video gaming tax ($0). The amount for Ogle County tax receipts has decreased significantly due to the extension of the first due date, but we expect to see that even out in the next month or two.
9. LIST OF BILLS – Alderman Isaacs asked about the sludge hauling charges from Watson Septic, and asked how they bill for services. Director Vincer said they do this twice a year, and the department has $55,000 budgeted for it. There is another sludge hauling charge from Rick River Disposal in the amount of $3,849.42. Alderman Isaacs asked how the
billing is done in both companies, and asked to hold them until the next List of Bills. Alderman Gerdes asked about the $663.93 charge from Share Corporation. Director Vincer explained this was for annual washing of their vehicles. Alderman Isaacs motioned to approve the list of bills dated July 1, 2020, (with the exception of Watson Septic) in the amount of $85,833.68. Seconded by Alderman Reilly. 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 reported that he does not see the need to extend the Local State of Emergency, and therefore, it will lapse. • The Rochelle Rescue Mission has excess food available at their food pantry. Anyone interested should contact the Mission. • The city received a thank you note from the Millard Family for the gift sent by the city in remembrance of Delores Millard.
Mayor Rickard administered the oath of office to Jessica Nehring. She will be filling the position of Alderman, Ward 2.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – Attorney Krahenbuhl reported that the city has filed a lawsuit to have the Baker house demolished and our legal fees and expenses paid. Summons will be issued tomorrow.
12. CITY ENGINEER’S PROJECT STATUS – Engineer Stoll reported that work on 3rd St. and Hamer Ct. will begin in two weeks. • The Byron Schools are doing construction on Maple Ave. It is a private road, and is not a city project.
13. REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT –Director Hewitt reported that there are two TIF applications on the agenda. • 2nd St. will see several changes soon – Radiant Salon will be at the corner of 2nd and Walnut St., and Sweet and Sassy Bakery will move in next door to that. Rob’s Barber Shop will be a few doors down. • The Park District building extension is on schedule. • The ALS Walk has been cancelled for this year, but they are eager to have the walk in Byron in 2021. • Alderman Fulrath asked if outdoor dining will continue on 2nd Street. Director Hewitt reported that several locations are still offering outside seating. If they wish to make it permanent, they should submit proposals to city council.
14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Director Vincer reported that the city is conducting hydrant flushing. If residents need to run water to remove the rusty color, their water bills will not reflect the additional water running. • The public works department is working with the fire department to organize volunteers to paint the fire hydrants throughout town. • There was a water service break on S. Lafayette St. • Norup discovered an old sewer and water line by the new Sweetbean location. • The department will be working on in-house paving, and anticipate spending approximately $20,000 in mix this summer. • The water rate study is almost complete.
15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Martin will be closing the pedestrian path across the bridge at various times in order to expedite construction.
16. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – Alderman Fulrath reported that the committee discussed Mill road, bridge light options and the ShadowWood detention clean up. Sharon Uslan from ENGIE gave a presentation to the group.
b. Public Safety – No report.
c. Administrative – Alderman Hanlin reported that the committee met and reviewed two TIF applications. The committee also discussed the information received from WIPFLI and Meristem regarding services assisting with budget planning and projections. They are asking that the companies make short presentations at the next committee meeting.
17. CONTINUING BUSINESS –
a. Rush Property – Nothing new to report.
b. Crest View Trail water issue – Nothing new to report.
c. Ordinance 2020-02 Amber Dach Special Use Permit – Alderman Fulrath reported that the Community Services Committee recommends council approval on Ordinance 2020-02, allowing a special use permit for Amber Dach for her cross-fit business located at 697 N. Colfax. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 8; NAY 0; ABS 0.
18. NEW BUSINESS –
a. Weezy’s Façade TIF Grant Application – Weezy’s is getting additional cost estimates for different material, and the application is tabled at this time.
b. Rob’s Barber Shop TIF Application – Alderman Hanlin reported that the Administrative Committee recommends that we award $1,475.00 to Rob Hunter, Rob’s Barber Shop, for a new awning. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 8; NAY 0; ABS 0.
c. Nicor Reimbursement Therms – The Administrative Committee hopes to speak to a representative from Nicor before making a decision on whether the city should continue to be reimbursed for unused therms (current agreement), or if they should pay for actual therms used.
19. COUNCIL TALK – Alderman Fulrath reported that the fireworks committee had originally hoped to schedule a fireworks display later this summer, however, due to businesses being closed and having limited resources to make donations, the fireworks will be postponed until next year. • Chief Murray advised the council that Lesher Automotive will be moving to Enterprise Drive where Nielson Automotive used to be. This will open up several parking spots on Second St.
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, July 15, 2020 at 6:30pm.
Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:18 pm.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/vertical/sites/%7B67304C08-5FC3-4329-8F07-4786D33EE040%7D/uploads/Minutes_-_2020-07-01-Approved.pdf
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