City of Byron City Council met Jan. 20.
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: Emily Gerdes, Mittzi Fulrath, Dan Reilly, Zeke Hobbie, Jessica Nehring, Michael Gyorkos. Six members present by roll call vote, with Alderman Hanlin arriving at 6:32 pm. (All aldermen participated electronically). Quorum established. * - denotes start of the roll call
Aldermen Absent: Todd Isaacs
PRESENT: Mayor John Rickard (participating in person at City Hall)
City Clerk Caryn Huber (participating in person at City Hall)
City Attorney Aaron Szeto (participating electronically)
Police Chief Todd Murray (participating in person at City Hall)
Dir. of Public Works Aaron Vincer (participating electronically)
Dir. of Econ. Dev. Larry Hewitt (participating electronically)
City Engineer Jason Stoll (participating electronically)
Citizens Pam Kultgen, Bill Pirnat, Sarah Downs (all participating electronically)
4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.
5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Mayor Rickard had two additions to the agenda: Under New Business as 18c.– Abating tax on G.O. Bonds Series 2014A and 18d.- SBA Lease Buyout. Motion by Alderman Reilly to approve, as amended, the January 20, 2021, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
6. MINUTES -
a. January 6, 2021-Regular City Council Meeting – Motion made by Alderman Reilly to approve, as presented, the January 6, 2021, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes, seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, 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 December is in Dropbox, along with accompanying reports. As we discussed last month, sales tax income is up considerably (this would be the tax paid in September), and MFT is down slightly, as we anticipated.
9. LIST OF BILLS –Alderman Gerdes asked Director Vincer about the charge from Share Corporation. He explained this was for brake cleaner, lube, and other chemicals used in the shop. Alderman Hobbie motioned to approve the list of bills dated January 20, 2021, in the amount of $96,411.61. Seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0.
10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Rickard reported that he anticipates that meetings in February will be in person. • The Public Works Department is in need of an additional part time person for snow removal, and will hire Seth Kuss at $18.00/hour.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT - No report.
12. CITY ENGINEER’S PROJECT STATUS – No report.
13. REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – Director Hewitt reported that he has been doing census reporting. • 103 building permits were issued last year. • There are 3-4 empty storefronts downtown, but there is a significant amount of interest in filling them. • There are three open foundations in town, and he would like the TAS committee to begin discussions regarding a possible ordinance granting builders between 30 and 60 days to frame, or a fence needs to be installed around the property.
14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Director Vincer reported that the department has been snow plowing and salting and servicing equipment. • Tomorrow they will repair a curb stop. • Work is continuing on the 2021-2022 budget. • Director Vincer again offered alderman and staff the opportunity to ride along and learn about the water and sewer department.
15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Murray reported that the new officer has graduated from the academy, and will be sworn in next month. All other items are later in the agenda.
16. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – No report.
b. Public Safety – The committee had a meeting tonight, and discussed UTV’s on city streets. Information is in Dropbox. • The Police Department needs a new squad car. The funds are in the budget. The oldest car will be kept, as they are currently down a car. • The committee also discussed purchases proposed for using the CURE funds. They include squad car cameras and video downloading equipment, cameras at city hall and public works, and a SKADA system for public works. A new roof is also needed over the Police Department.
c. Administrative – No report.
17. CONTINUING BUSINESS
a. Ordinance 2020- Amendments to Byron Municipal Code Chapter 17 – Director Hewitt reported that the Zoning Board of Appeals met last week to discuss the proposed changes, and voted 6-0 to accept the changes as presented. It will be Ordinance 2020-07. Alderman Reilly motioned to accept the proposed amendments for Chapter 17. Seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Alderman Gerdes questioned the numbering of the Ordinance as her copy listed the Ordinance number as 2020-04. Clerk Huber explained that several ordinances have passed since the writing of this ordinance, and had to be numbered in sequence. 2020-07 is the correct number, and no additional changes were made between the two copies. Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos,
AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0.
b. UTVs on City Streets – Tabled.
c. 2021 Streets Program – Alderman Fulrath reported that the committee reviewed the three options presented for the 2021 Streets Program, and recommends Option 3 at an estimated total of $436,839.86. Engineer Stoll clarified that this document represents the scope of work and engineer estimates. He will now begin working on bid documents. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE . Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0.
d. CURE Act Expenditures – Chief Murray reported that the proposed expenditures are listed in Dropbox. We have certified the police payroll and have received our entire allotment. Expenditures include squad car cameras and video downloading equipment, cameras at city hall and public works, and a SKADA system for public works (it allows Director Vincer to monitor systems remotely). A new roof is also needed over the Police Department. Alderman Hobbie motioned to approve CURE expenditures as set forth by Chief Murray. Seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0.
e. ENGIE Contract Proposal – Nothing new at this time.
18. NEW BUSINESS –
a. Byron Chamber of Commerce Byron Rocks 5K/10K Event-May 1, 2021 – Chamber Director Sarah Downs is asking for council approval for a 5K/10K race on May 1, 2021. Detailed information is in Dropbox. The race will be kept on the south side of the railroad tracks, utilizing the bike paths. Traffic/crossing guards will be used as necessary. The start and stop of the race will be in the City Hall parking lot. They are asking for approval of the event, barricades at the City Hall parking lot, and the authorization for Mayor Rickard to approve changes. Alderman Gerdes motioned to approve the Chamber requests for the event. Seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0.
b. Ordinance 2020-Abating Tax of G.O. Bonds Series 2014B – Attorney Szeto explained that the city has two bonds outstanding: 2014B and 2014A. Both are general obligation bonds but have alternate revenue sources. They are secured by property taxes, so if there is not enough money to make the payment, the County Clerk will charge residents additional money through their taxes to cover the payments. Since we have enough money to make these payments, the bonds need to be abated with the County Clerk’s office. March 1st is the deadline to file the abatements. Alderman Gyorkos motioned to bypass the first read and pass Ordinance 2020-08 Abating Tax of G.O. Bond Series 2014B. Seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0.
c. Ordinance 2020-Abating Tax of G.O. Bonds Series 2014A – Because this item was an addition to the agenda, Council will have first read but cannot act on it until the next meeting.
d. SBA Lease Buyout- Director Hewitt reported that this buyout offer is for $300,000 for the 3rd Street cell tower with a 50 year lease. Current rent is $1529. This is a 15 year buyout. Mayor Rickard said the Administrative Committee will discuss further at their meeting in February.
19. COUNCIL TALK – None
20. EXECUTIVE SESSION - Mayor Rickard advised there was no need for an Executive Session.
21. COMMUNICATION –
a. Next Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, February 3, 2021, at 6:30pm.
22. ADJOURN – Alderman Reilly motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0. 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_-_2021-01-20-Approved.pdf
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