City of Byron City Council met Oct. 7.
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 (by phone), Mittzi Fulrath, Dan Reilly, Zeke Hobbie, Jessica Nehring, Michael Gyorkos, Christy Hanlin. Eight members present by roll call vote. Quorum established.
* - denotes start of the roll call
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
Citizens Pam Kultgen, Bill Pirnat, Sarah Downs (Byron Chamber of Commerce)
4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.
5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Motion by Alderman Reilly to approve, as presented, the October 7, 2020, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
6. MINUTES -
a. September 16, 2020, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes – Motion made by Alderman Fulrath to approve, as presented, the September 16, 2020, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes, seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Huber gave her monthly report for September. Income for the month is stable, and in some cases, is higher than last year. We received the first payment since May for the Video Gaming tax.
9. LIST OF BILLS – Alderman Isaacs asked Chief Murray about the charge from Barback Communications in the amount of $8,927.81. Chief Murray explained that this charge was for a squad computer and antennas and extenders for squad cars for a new reporting system being implemented in the next few months. The majority of the new system is being paid for by 911. Alderman Isaacs motioned to approve the list of bills dated October 7, 2020, in the amount of $129,144.36. Seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 8; NAY 0; ABS 0.
10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Rickard reported that Halloween suggestions for this year are in Dropbox. The proposed hours are from 3-7pm in order to extend the daylight hours. He also hopes that people will spread out more over the four hour time span. There were no objections from Council. Information will go out over Facebook. • The city has purchased yard signs that urge people to save the nuclear plant. He invited everyone to take one and display in their yards. • The Canadian Pacific holiday train will not be running this year.
They are planning a virtual event. • City Hall will close on Election Day. Voters will enter via the front doors and exit out of the community room. Payroll hours will be sent in for CURE reimbursement. • There was discussion at TAS regarding renewing the Declaration of Local State of Emergency. It was decided to wait and see if further restrictions are mandated. •
There is one request for extended bar hours. With the indoor dining and 11pm closing restrictions in place right now, the Mayor will wait to make a decision. There have been several requests to open at 8am on Sundays in order to serve brunch. If there are no objections, Attorney Krahenbuhl will draft an ordinance, and it will be on the agenda for first read at the next council meeting. The ordinance will include all establishments that hold that type of license.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – Attorney Krahenbuhl reported that Judge Hansen granted a continuance on the Baker house until October 21. At that point, if there is no response from the Bakers, a trial date will be assigned.
12. CITY ENGINEER’S PROJECT STATUS – Engineer Stoll reported that he is preparing the closing documents on the 2020 street projects. • Sean Adams has paved the cul-de-sac in Brighton Ridge, and Engineer Stoll recommends that the city take jurisdiction of that street.
13. REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT –Director Hewitt reported that he and Clerk Huber are looking at demos of permitting software. The one that they will likely use is $2,500/year. All licensing and payment can be done online, and a history database can be built. • New homes are being built on two lots in Brighton Ridge.
14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – No report.
15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Murray reported that Mary Morgan School is taking an “adaptive pause” for two weeks due to a COVID outbreak at the school. • He spoke to the Ogle County Health Department, and they have received complaints about one establishment in town that is not adhering to the COVID guidelines. • A new police officer candidate will attend the academy from 10/11-1/15.
16. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – Alderman Fulrath reported that the committee discussed Mill Road. They will monitor the road this winter, and wait until spring to repair. • The cost for the bike path extension to ShadowWood came to $1.3 million. The grant is an 80/20 split, and our cost would be $238,000. It will be $9,000 for the preliminary work and grant application. A public hearing will be scheduled for October 21 at 6pm, provided the notice can be published next week. If not, the hearing will be held on October 28. • Public Works is doing crack filling and other end of the season projects. • Director Vincer will have a price for salt by the next meeting.
b. Public Safety – No report.
c. Administrative – Chapter 17 updates to the Byron Municipal code are proposed in Ordinance 2020-04. These updates are being made to ensure the code matches what is Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Byron City Council Wednesday, October 7, 2020 Page #3 current practice. • The city has received quotes on an electronic sign at city hall. It is hoped that funds from the CURE act will pay for the sign, however, we will wait and try to get a better idea before purchasing.
17. CONTINUING BUSINESS –
a. Water Rate Study – The Committee of the Whole met tonight, with another meeting scheduled for 5:00 pm on October 21.
b. RFP Energy Savings – Alderman Fulrath said there are at least two companies interested in bidding. Deadline for proposals is October 26.
c. Sale of General obligation Bonds to Finance Municipal Improvements – A public hearing will be held at 6:15pm on Wednesday, October 21, and a representative from First Midstate will attend to answer questions. If council wishes to continue with the bond issue, a bond ordinance will be voted on in November.
d. Police Union Contract – Negotiations are finished. Changes are in holiday pay calculations, authorizing Chief Murray to do lateral hires, and payroll. The contract calls for a 4.95% pay raise from May 2019 through this year, then 2.5% during the last two years of the contract. This change should put us equal to the Oregon Police Officers. Contract will be put on Dropbox for aldermen to view.
18. NEW BUSINESS –
a. Byron Chamber of Commerce Miracle on 2nd Street Approval – Byron Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sarah Downs presented plans for this year’s Miracle on 2nd Street. All events will take place outside, and she asked to be able to host events in the City Hall parking lot. They are encouraging businesses to also be outside. She asked to put up barricades at 4pm, and block off 2nd St. from Washington to Union St. The event is typically over by 8:30pm. There will be no tree lighting, but they will “light the park” next to Byron Bank. Two hay wagons will offer rides, starting at Uptown Lanes. Alderman Reilly motioned to grant approval of the Miracle on 2nd Street requests. Seconded by Alderman Hobbie. Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 8; NAY 0; ABS 0.
b. Video Gaming – A developer has asked if the city would allow a video gaming site in town as part of a new strip mall. Alderman Fulrath said that the committee is not interested in this initial request, but will have further discussion if a concrete plan is proposed.
c. Ordinance 2020-4 Amendments to Byron Municipal Code Chapter 17 – In committee.
19. COUNCIL TALK – Mayor Rickard reported that the city has received three proposals for a new city attorney. He, Clerk Huber, Director Hewitt and Chief Murray will review the proposals and interview candidates. A recommendation should be made in late November.
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. Public Hearing – G.O. Bonds – Wednesday, October 21, 2020 at 6:15pm. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Byron City Council Wednesday, October 7, 2020 Page #4
b. Next Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, October 21, 2020 at 6:30pm. Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:07 pm.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/vertical/sites/%7B67304C08-5FC3-4329-8F07-4786D33EE040%7D/uploads/Minutes_-_2020-10-07-Approved.pdf
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