City of Byron City Council met July 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 Alderman Isaacs
3. ROLL CALL – Aldermen present: *Todd Isaacs, Emily Gerdes, Mittzi Fulrath, Dan Reilly, Jessica Nehring, Michael Gyorkos, Christy Hanlin. Seven 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
Dir. of Public Works Aaron Vincer
Engineer Jason Stoll
Citizens Pam Kultgen, Bill Pirnat
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 15, 2020, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
6. MINUTES -
a. July 1, 2020 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes – Motion made by Alderman Gerdes to approve, as presented, the July 1, 2020, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes, seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Nehring, 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 the month of June is in Dropbox. All figures are consistent with last year at this time, and we are not yet seeing anticipated decreases in revenue.
9. LIST OF BILLS – The first item addressed were bills held over from last meeting for Watson Septic. Director Vincer explained that charges from Rock River on the last list of bills were for sludge hauling last spring. After Rock River decided to no longer handle sludge hauling, Watson Septic took over the job. They were called to empty the tank to allow aerations to be replaced. Alderman Isaacs noted that between the two vendors, almost $20,000 has been spent so far, and asked if this was high for the time period.
Director Vincer replied that the budget for sludge hauling is $55,000, which they use. He added that this is significantly lower than several years ago when the budget was $80,000. This cost was able to be reduced by Steve and TEST being able to reduce the sludge produced by the sewer plant. He hopes that future upgrades to the sewer plant will reduce this even more. Alderman Reilly motioned to approve the bills for Watson Septic. Seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Reilly, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE;. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0.
On the list of bills, Alderman Isaacs asked if the charge from IL EPA is an annual charge. Director Vincer explained that this is the one year license fee that enables us to discharge treated wastewater into the Rock River. Alderman Isaacs motioned to approve the list of bills dated July 15, 2020, in the amount of $181,438.66. Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Nehring, 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 City Hall is currently shut down because a worker tested positive for COVID-19. All who had immediate contact with the worker have been tested. As soon as reports come back negative, City Hall will re-open. The city has purchased Plexiglas partitions for council chambers.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – Attorney Krahenbuhl reported that the city has filed a lawsuit to have the Baker house demolished. The Bakers were served a summons on 7/9 and they have 30 days to respond to the complaint. They can file a motion to dismiss or a motion to answer. If there is no answer from them, the city will file for a default judgement.
12. CITY ENGINEER’S PROJECT STATUS – Engineer Stoll reported that N-TRAK work on Walnut St. as part of the 2019 Streets Project is complete and they are waiting to close out on the maintenance bond. Once the bond is received, payment will be due. Construction on the 2020 Streets Project, which includes 3rd Street and Hamer Court, is expected to begin in 1-2 weeks.
13. REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT –Director Hewitt reported that Rob’s Barber Shop is now open. • Weezy’s has settled on a façade design, and their TIF Application will go to committee next month. • ServPro has been called in to sanitize City Hall. • The Park District expansion project is going well, and needs to be complete by the time school is in session. • Brandon Wolf is making parts for steel drums in the Quality Metal Shipping Building. He is sharing the process with Quality Metal. He is working with the Small Business Development Center in Rockford to receive capital for new machines. • Alderman Isaacs asked if all COVID expenses are being kept separate. Chief Murray and the Mayor replied that they are, however, there have not been many expenses yet. The city’s allocation is $154,000, and we can apply from 8/1/20-12/31/20. To date, expenses total approximately $7,000-$8,000 for concrete barriers, Plexiglas, building cleaning, etc.
14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Director Vincer reported that his department has been doing quite a bit of branch clean up due to recent storms. • A water main broke on 2nd Street, between Walnut and Washington, early Sunday morning, and has been repaired. The condition of the main from Walnut St. west is poor, and they will address this summer. • The rate study is complete. There are shortfalls, and we are undercharging for water. The study will appear on Dropbox next week, and will be discussed at the next Community Services Committee.
15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – The Byron Fire Department will have a food truck located at the Fire Station from noon-6pm on Saturday and Sunday. The food truck, from Skinner Amusements, will be serving carnival food. The Health Department has approved the event.
16. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – No report.
b. Public Safety – Alderman Reilly reported that the committee met earlier in the evening, and discussed a request by a resident to allow chickens at his home on Friday Road. After discussion, the committee decided to keep the ordinance as is, and not allow exceptions. • The City of Byron Facebook page now has over 750 followers. • Some Police Department special funds have been diverted to other accounts to pay for COVID-19 related expenses. • Police Department activity is increasing, but is less than last year at this time. • We have one officer at the academy, and they are due to graduate 10/1. Swearing in will be shortly after that.
c. Administrative – No report.
17. CONTINUING BUSINESS –
a. Rush Property – Nothing new to report.
18. NEW BUSINESS –
a. Weezy’s Façade TIF Grant Application – Weezy’s will be presenting final drawings to the Admin Committee next month.
b. Nicor Reimbursement Therms – Mayor Rickard is looking into this matter and is attempting to get in touch with Nicor to discuss.
19. COUNCIL TALK – Alderman Reilly urged everyone to get a COVID-19 test. Results come within 3-4 days. • Alderman Hanlin asked about the Spring property on Crest View Trail. Director Vincer said that O’Brien will be helping install an additional storm drain in the next month or two. Mr. Spring has hired an attorney, so all communication will now go through our lawyers. Attorney Krahenbuhl has not heard back from them.
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, August 5, 2020 at 6:30pm.
Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:09 pm.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/vertical/sites/%7B67304C08-5FC3-4329-8F07-4786D33EE040%7D/uploads/Minutes_-_2020-07-15-Approved.pdf
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