City of Byron Council met Oct. 21.
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, Mittzi Fulrath, Dan Reilly, Zeke Hobbie, Jessica Nehring, Michael Gyorkos (by phone), Christy Hanlin. Seven members present by roll call vote. Quorum established.
* - denotes start of the roll call
Aldermen Absent: Emily Gerdes
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
City 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 Fulrath to approve, as presented, the October 21, 2020, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Reilly. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
6. MINUTES -
a. October 7, 2020, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes – Motion made by Alderman Hanlin to approve, as presented, the October 7, 2020, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes, seconded by Alderman Hobbie. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Huber had given her monthly report at the October 7 meeting, however, she added that a draft copy of the city’s audit has been received.
9. LIST OF BILLS – Alderman Isaacs asked Director Vincer about the charge for road salt. Director Vincer said they did purchase salt at $2.00 less per ton than last year. It is less expensive to purchase now – If we need to buy additional salt over the winter we have to pay market price. Glendenning stores the salt, and delivers it to us as needed. Alderman Isaacs motioned to approve the list of bills dated October 21, 2020, in the amount of $323,859.44. Seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0.
10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Rickard reported that four applications for City Attorney have been received. Interviews will take place the week of October 26, and he hopes to have a recommendation in the first part of November. • Since everyone is wearing a mask, it is sometimes difficult to hear the recording of our meetings. The mayor asked that people remove their masks when speaking.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – Attorney Krahenbuhl reported that he appeared in court today regarding the Baker house. The Bakers have arranged to have the 4th St. house demolished by Martin & Co. They are selling the contents of the interior, and demolition should occur in December. Attorney Floski will give Attorney Krahenbuhl a copy of the contract with Martin and Co. The next court case is scheduled for January.
12. CITY ENGINEER’S PROJECT STATUS – Engineer Stoll reported that a final pay estimate for N-TRAK is in Dropbox. • October 30 is the submittal deadline for the ITEP grant. There is a resolution on the agenda tonight that allows the city to commit 20% of the cost of the project if the grant is approved. • Engineer Stoll and Director Vincer will discuss street projects for next year and will bring to committee soon. • Sean Adams has paved the cul de-sac in Brighton Ridge, and Engineer Stoll recommends that the city take jurisdiction of that street. The item is on the agenda under new business.
13. REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT –Director Hewitt reported that he and Clerk Huber will be implementing new permitting software soon. The program will allow permit submittals and payments online, which will be especially helpful for out of town contractors. It will also allow us to compile a permit database • The Park District plans to open their new expansion in early December. The Park District will now have its’ own address which will be 500 N. Colfax. They plan to hold a grand re-opening. • The façade improvements for Weezy’s will begin soon.
14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Director Vincer thanked the council for their patience with the water/sewer rate study. New numbers were received yesterday, and he will have recommendations for a Committee of the Whole meeting on November 4. • Two companies have completed the Request for Proposal for sewer plant energy savings. The deadline is October 26. • Rock River Reclamation will no longer haul sludge, but will accept it. We have hired Watson Septic to haul. There has been a significant price increase by Rock River Reclamation, and even though we should remain within budget with the increase, Director Vincer is looking for alternatives. • All of the aeration at the sewer plant has been upgraded by TEST. • The department has done additional drop and drag paving, and now the focus is on snow plows. • Director Vincer will work with Engineer Stoll on a plan for the 2021 street projects. The sooner that bids go out, the better chance we have of getting the best pricing. • Alderman Isaacs suggested that we hold the check for Rock River Reclamation until Director Vincer can discuss the price increase with them.
15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Murray reported that a vicious dog hearing was held earlier tonight. An 11-year old child was bit on the face on the way to the bus stop on Brentwood. The dog was quarantined, and also bit a member of the staff at a vet clinic in Oregon. Animal control had deemed the dog as dangerous. The dog has been ordered to be removed from the city. • In the Byron Fire District, there have been 17 new positive COVID cases, with seven of them being from three residences. Out of the 17, seven are within city limits. This is higher than what is usually reported. The information comes from the Health Department, and the departments are notified in the event they are sent to an address with positive COVID cases.
16. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – No report.
b. Public Safety – No report.
c. Administrative – No report.
17. CONTINUING BUSINESS –
a. Water Rate Study – The Committee of the Whole will meet again on November 4 at 5pm.
b. RFP Energy Savings – Update reported by Director Vincer earlier.
c. Sale of General obligation Bonds to Finance Municipal Improvements – A public hearing was held at 6:15pm this evening. There were no public comments, and we are ready to proceed. Mayor Rickard asked for a motion to move and approve the authorization of Chapman and Cutler LLP, Chicago IL, to prepare the necessary legal proceedings for the proposed issuance of $370,000 general obligation bonds, and retain First Midstate, Bloomington IL, as placement agent or underwriter of the bonds, and to authorize City Council to execute an agreement retaining First Midstate, Bloomington IL, as placement agent or underwriter of the bonds. Alderman Isaacs motioned to approve. Seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0.
d. Police Union Contract – The Police Union Contract is in Dropbox. Unless there is further discussion, Mayor Rickard asked for a motion to ratify the contract. Alderman Hanlin motioned to ratify the contract. Seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0.
e. Ordinance 2020-5 Amendments to Byron Municipal Code Chapter 17 – Still in committee.
f. Declaration of Local State of Emergency – This item will stay on agenda in the event the mayor has to make the declaration.
g. Ordinance 2020-4 Bars request for Extended Hours – Tabled due to enhanced mitigations recently implemented.
18. NEW BUSINESS –
a. Resolution 2020-4 Resolution Committing Local Funds-ITEP Grant –A public hearing was held earlier this evening. There was no public comment. Alderman Fulrath reported that the Community Services Committee recommends approval of this ordinance. Alderman Isaacs asked where the money for the project would come from, expressing concern that we would be short-changing the streets program. Mayor Rickard explained the project would cover three budget years, and he will recommend that we use the MFT Rebuild Illinois funds for the project. Alderman Fulrath added that even if we are approved for the grant, we can decide not to go through with the project at any time. Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0.
b. Warrenton Ct. /Adams Point Street Acceptance – Engineer Stoll referenced a cul-de-sac in the Adams Point Subdivision, on the north side of Everett, east of the water tower. The street was built approximately 10 years ago, but the top 1-1/2” surface course was never completed. Sean Adams has been maintaining the road, but is now asking the city to accept the street. Martin and Company have completed edge milling, laid pavement fabric, and added 2” of new pavement. It has been done according to IDOT specs, and Engineer Stoll recommends the acceptance of the road. A letter is included in Dropbox. This will appear on the November 4 agenda under new business.
c. N-TRAK Final Payment – Final payment for N-TRAK is due for the 2019 streets program. Information is in Dropbox. Engineer Stoll recommends that the city release the final payment. Motion by Alderman Isaacs to issue the final payment to N-TRAK. Seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0.
19. COUNCIL TALK – None
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. Committee of the Whole Special Meeting – Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at 5:00 pm.
b. Next Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at 6:30pm. Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:00 pm.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/vertical/sites/%7B67304C08-5FC3-4329-8F07-4786D33EE040%7D/uploads/Minutes_-_2020-10-21-Approved.pdf
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