City of Byron City Council Met Feb. 3.
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, Mittzi Fulrath, Dan Reilly, Zeke Hobbie, Jessica Nehring, Michael Gyorkos. Seven members present by roll call vote, with Alderman Hanlin arriving at 6:33 pm. (All aldermen participated electronically). Quorum established.
* - denotes start of the roll call
Aldermen Absent: None
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 Participating electronically: Pam Kultgen, Bill Pirnat (6:55pm arrival), Mike Traum and Ryan Bruce (Byron Fire Dept)
Participating in person at City Hall: Michael Parlapiano, Stacey Parlapiano, Isabella Parlapiano, Emma Parlapiano, Dave Parlapiano, Linda Parlapiano, Dave and Kim Lape, Ron and Em Miller
4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.
5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Mayor Rickard had one addition to the agenda: Under New Business as 17d.– Weezy’s TIF Payment. Motion by Alderman Fulrath to approve, as amended, the February 3, 2021, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Reilly. 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. January 20, 2021-Regular City Council Meeting – Motion made by Alderman Reilly to approve, as presented, the January 20, 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; Isaacs, ABS; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS 1.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Huber reported that the monthly revenue for January 2021 is in Dropbox, as well as a comparison of tax receipts for the last two years. We still are not seeing the decreases we anticipated in most categories.
9. LIST OF BILLS –Alderman Fulrath asked Director Vincer about the charge from Architechnics in the amount of $1,495.00. He explained this was for a review of the financials in ENGIE’s proposal. ENGIE’s federal contract states that a 3rd party verification of the numbers (energy savings, etc) must be performed. Alderman Vincer chose this company out of three that were referred to him. All were in the same price range. Alderman Fulrath asked about the Verizon Wireless charges, since several employees receive a phone stipend for using their own cell phones. Chief Murray explained this was for squad car connections and police officer cell phones, as well as phones for himself, Larry and the mayor. Alderman Fulrath also asked about the charge of $1,182.48 from William Charles Electric. Director Vincer said this was for the annual inspection of stop lights. Some of the money may be reimbursed through IDOT. Alderman Reilly motioned to approve the list of bills dated February 3, 2021, in the amount of $35,783.29. Seconded by Alderman Fulrath. 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 administered the oath of office to new police officer Michael Parlapiano. • The Public Works Department is in need of an additional part time person for snow removal, and will hire Keith Willing at $18.00/hour. • Several months ago, bar owners had asked for extended hours for several dates throughout the year. Due to COVID restrictions, the mayor had not acted on the request. With restrictions loosening, the mayor will grant extended hours for two out of the seven dates to start. Those dates are 3/13 and 5/1. Other dates will be decided later. They have also asked for the ability to open at 8am on Sunday for serving brunch. This Ordinance is later on the agenda. • The mayor, police chief, fire chief and Ogle County emergency management met to discuss moving the emergency operations center out of city hall and into the fire department. The fire chief will present this to his board to get their approval on the move. • Director Hewitt and the mayor have recently participated in webinars with Next Site, an economic development company, subsidized by Nicor, that helps municipalities with commercial and retail development. They do complete demographic profiling to attract businesses. Their cost is $8,000 for three years ($40,000 without the Nicor subsidy). There is a finder’s fee if a new business locates here as a result of their efforts. The amount of the fee depends on the size of the business. The mayor has asked Director Hewitt to include this expense on next year’s budget. • The mayor has scheduled a budget meeting on Saturday, March 6, at 9am, in council chambers. A first reading on the budget needs to be on the council agenda at the first meeting in April.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – Attorney Szeto has made contact with Comcast, and discussions should start this week or next on the Comcast franchise renewal.
12. CITY ENGINEER’S PROJECT STATUS – Engineer Stoll reported that there will be two bid packages for the 2020-2021 Streets project. The first, with bids out in February and ready to be voted on in March, will include the pavement preservation project (fabric and slurry seal) at Brighton Ridge. The second, with bids being voted on in April, will include Union and Sumner Streets.
13. REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – Director Hewitt reported that he has begun work on his portion of the budget. • After a recent house fire at 216 E. 5th St., the insurance company is indicating the home cannot be rebuilt. They will likely make an offer to the city to pay demolition costs in exchange for the property. • The renewable energy pipeline will remain along the river bed. Several homeowners have received compliance/easement offers in order for Soo Green to gain information on what is located on their property.
14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Director Vincer reported that water bills with the new rates were mailed this month. He has not received any feedback. • The EPA conducted an inspection on the sewer plant and they passed. This reflects very positively on TEST. • The department has been plowing and hauling snow out of downtown and intersections.
15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Murray reported that new police officer Parlapiano is doing well, and is ahead in his training. • He included a memo on Dropbox that he asked the council to read. Please call him with questions. • Attorney Szeto is making progress on the Rush property. The bank has agreed to uphold their original offer, and attempts to contact the heirs are being made.
16. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – Alderman Fulrath reported that all items discussed at tonight’s meeting are later on the agenda.
b. Public Safety – No report.
c. Administrative – Alderman Hanlin reported that most items are later in the agenda. One of the items on their agenda was the SBA buyout offer. The committee is split on a decision, and she asked council members to contact her to share their opinion before the next committee meeting in March.
17. CONTINUING BUSINESS
a. UTVs on City Streets – Director Hewitt spoke to IDOT and they are willing to allow UTVs to cross the river. Discussions are continuing with Townships to determine routes to take to get to the river.
b. ENGIE Contract Proposal – Nothing new at this time.
c. Ordinance 2020-Abating Tax of G.O. Bonds Series 2014A- Alderman Isaacs motioned to pass ordinance 2020-09, abating tax on G.O. Bonds Series 2014A. Seconded by Alderman Reilly. 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.
d. Weezy’s TIF Payment – The committee granted a TIF payment to Weezy’s in the amount of $30,000 for façade improvement. The payment would be split, paying $10,000/year over three years. The TIF account is healthy, and the committee recommends that the entire $30,000 be paid to Weezy’s in one lump sum. Voting will take place at the next council meeting.
18. NEW BUSINESS –
a. Fire Department Carnival Request – Mike Traum from the Fire Department is asking council to allow the Fire Department to hold a carnival on Memorial Day weekend. They are asking that portions of Washington St. and 2nd St. around the fire department be shut down. Alderman Gyorkos motioned to grant the requests of the Fire Department, and allow the carnival to be held May 27 to May 30. Seconded by Alderman Hobbie. 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.
b. Boutique Liquor License – Alderman Fulrath reported that this topic was discussed at committee earlier. The council, in the past, has not been in support of issuing additional liquor licenses. This is a different style of license, targeted at gambling parlors.
The committee was not interested in pursuing this further, and has no recommendations for additional liquor licenses or new ordinances. Mayor Rickard added that unless other members of the council want to discuss further, the topic will be dropped.
c. Ordinance to Amend BMC 13.28.055 Water/Sewer Rates – Alderman Fulrath reported that Director Vincer discovered a class of water and sewer that had not been adjusted with the recent rate increase. It is for services outside corporate limits. There are no customers currently in this category. The committee recommends to bypass first read and amend the water rates in this category. This is Ordinance 2020-10. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, NAY; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 1; ABS 0.
d. Extended Bar Hours Ordinance – This ordinance allows bars to open at 8am on Sunday. Alderman Reilly would like to keep as first read. No action was taken. The item will appear on the February 17 council agenda.
e. Wastewater/Sewer Plant Facility Plan – Alderman Fulrath reported that a facility plan for the sewer plant needs to be done in order to qualify for IEPA loans. The Fehr Graham proposal is $39,500. Once completed, the facility plan is good for five years, and will identify projects that need to be completed at the plant. The committee recommends that council bypass first read and approve the proposal to initiate the facility plan by Fehr Graham. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 8; NAY 0; ABS 0.
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 17, 2021, at 6:30pm.
22. ADJOURN – Alderman Reilly motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: 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 7:18 pm.
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