City of Byron City Council met Nov. 18.
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, 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, Aaron Szeto, Roxanne Sosnowski
Police Chief Todd Murray
Dir. of Public Works Aaron Vincer
Dir. of Econ. Dev. Larry Hewitt
City Engineer Jason Stoll
Citizens Pam Kultgen, Bill Pirnat, Tom Przytulski (ComEd)
4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.
5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Motion by Alderman Reilly to approve, as presented, the November 18, 2020, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Isaacs. 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. November 4, 2020-Committee of the Whole – Motion made by Alderman Hanlin to approve, as presented, the November 4, 2020, Committee of the Whole Minutes, seconded by Alderman Fulrath. 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.
b. November 4, 2020-G.O. Bonds – Motion by Alderman Hanlin to approve, as presented, the November 4, 2020, General Obligation Bonds Minutes, seconded by Alderman Reilly. 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.
c. November 4, 2020-Regular City Council Meeting – Motion made by Alderman Hobbie to approve, as presented, the November 4, 2020, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes, seconded by Alderman Isaacs. 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.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Huber reported that the Treasurer’s Report for October is in Dropbox. Under checks received, there is a new category for CURE funds received by the city. Two CD’s in the general fund matured (one on 11/13, and one on 11/19). Those have been renewed for one year at.3%. One other general fund CD matures on December 1. We are still not seeing anticipated decreases in our revenue. MFT is slightly down this month.
9. LIST OF BILLS – Alderman Isaacs asked about the charge from Altorfer Industries in the amount of $4,964.58. Director Vincer reported this charge was for backhoe repairs. The machine is approximately 15 years old, and they were unable to do the repairs. Clerk Huber mentioned that the final payment for O’Brien Civil Works is on the List of Bills. Paperwork and documentation is in Dropbox. Alderman Isaacs motioned to approve the list of bills dated November 18, 2020, in the amount of $452,115.90. Seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 8; NAY 0; ABS 0.
10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Rickard reported that COVID-19 cases are increasing in the community. Former city worker Andy Jackson has passed away from the virus. • Mayor Rickard introduced and welcomed Roxanne Sosnowski and Aaron Szeto as the new city attorneys. They will officially begin December 1. Current city attorney Kim Krahenbuhl is retiring, and the mayor thanked him for his service to the City of Byron.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – Attorney Krahenbuhl thanked the mayor for the opportunity to serve as Byron’s city attorney, and wished the council well.
12. CITY ENGINEER’S PROJECT STATUS – Engineer Stoll reported that he is working with Director Vincer to put together a list of 2021 street project recommendations. They are looking at a state program to obtain grant funding for street projects.
13. REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – Director Hewitt and Clerk Huber have been working to put new permitting software online. The software will allow residents to apply and pay for permits through the city website. We will be entering data from our old permits to be able to have an online database. • A new salon and flower shop are opening downtown. • An axe throwing business is remodeled and ready for an inspection. They will be opening when businesses start to reopen. • Work on Weezy’s facade has begun.
14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Director Vincer reported that a wind/rain storm last week knocked power out for quite some time. He thanked the Police Department and Public Works staff for their help throughout the night. He would like to look at purchasing additional generators. They have one now, and it is used at nine sites. This week the department did tree clean up after the storm. • He recently reported that sludge hauling charges have increased significantly, and he is looking at other vendors. The next sludge pick up is in spring. • As mentioned earlier, there were significant repairs needed on the backhoe, and they were unable to do in house. • The department is working on drainage at ShadowWood Dr. to the detention pond. They are hoping that success at this location will enable them to use the same method at other problem locations.
15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Murray reported that the newest officer is home attending classes due to a positive COVID test at the training institute. Training is still on schedule. • Christmas decorations will be going up downtown this weekend and next. • Operation Santa has begun. Byron Kiwanis is taking on a bigger role in the project, and the police department will continue to work with them as needed. • Chief Murray has been distributing information to officers regarding new mitigations. • One officer had exposure, but tested negative. • City Hall card readers had some damage after the recent storm. • Property and Casualty Insurance is renewing and cost has gone down. Cost this year is $100,000, as compared to last year’s cost of $120,000.
16. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – No report.
b. Public Safety – Alderman Reilly reported that much of what the committee discussed was covered in Chief Murray’s report. • Police activity last month was down slightly over last year. • He asked that items of interest be forwarded to Clerk Huber for inclusion on the city Facebook page. • The committee also discussed UTVs on public streets. Discussion will continue.
c. Administrative – No report.
17. CONTINUING BUSINESS –
a. Declaration of Local State of Emergency – This item will stay on the agenda in the event the mayor has to make the declaration.
b. Ordinance 2020- Amendments to Byron Municipal Code Chapter 17 – In committee.
c. Tax Levy – Alderman Isaacs reported that Attorney Krahenbuhl has reviewed the tax levy. He doesn’t see any changes being made to it at this point. Alderman Reilly motioned to pass the tax levy in the amount of $642,200. Seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Clerk Huber added that the Ordinance number is 2020-05. 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.
d. Audit Approval – In committee
e. Comcast Franchise Renewal – In committee
f. Ordinance 2020- Water and Sewer Rate Increases – Director Vincer reported that even though the council had approved the new water sewer rate increases, an ordinance has not been passed listing the changes. Ordinance number is 2020-06. Alderman Fulrath motioned to approve Ordinance 2020-6 regarding water and sewer rates. Seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, NAY; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 1; ABS 0.
18. NEW BUSINESS –
a. Resolution naming ENGIE as chosen provider – In committee
b. UTVs on City Streets – Alderman Reilly reported that the committee voted to table discussion until after the first of the year.
19. COUNCIL TALK – Alderman Gerdes asked Attorney Krahenbuhl for an update on the Baker 4th Street house. Attorney Krahenbuhl stated that Attorney Floski has not sent the demolition contract that the homeowner has with Martin & Co. The next hearing is January 13. • Alderman Gerdes asked about plans for Miracle on 2nd St. considering that COVID cases are increasing. Mayor Rickard said that the plan was to hold the entire event outside. Director Hewitt said that the Chamber’s next board meeting is Tuesday, Nov. 24. They have had concerns about the hayrides, and are discussing if these should be cancelled. Alderman Gerdes stated that it is important to follow the new mitigations that are in place.
20. EXECUTIVE SESSION - Mayor Rickard advised there was no need for an Executive Session.
21. COMMUNICATION –
a. Next Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 6:30pm.
Alderman Isaacs motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 8; NAY 0; ABS 0. 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_-_2020-11-18-Approved.pdf
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