City of Byron City Council met Jan. 6
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, Christy Hanlin (All aldermen participated electronically). Eight members present by roll call vote. 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 electronically)
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 (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 Continuing Business as 17d– CURE Act Expenditures; and under New Business as 18b-2021 Streets Program. Motion by Alderman Gerdes to approve, as amended, the January 6, 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. December 2, 2020-Regular City Council Meeting – Motion made by Alderman Fulrath to approve, as presented, the December 2, 2020, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes, seconded by Alderman Reilly. 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 reported that the treasurer’s report for the month of November is in Dropbox, along with accompanying reports. Two CDs are maturing this week, and she has been in contact with the bank. The tax revenue comparison is also in Dropbox. 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 – There are two lists of bills, the first dated December 16, 2020. Alderman Gerdes asked if the phone stipends were being paid to employees as a result of them working from home due to COVID. Mayor Rickard replied that they were. Alderman Isaacs asked Director Vincer about the charge from Diamond Maps. Director Vincer said this is a tool they have been using for some time to identify locations of water and sewer lines, curb stops, etc. Alderman Hanlin motioned to approve the list of bills dated December 16, 2020, in the amount of $89,826.51. Seconded by Alderman Isaacs. 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.
List of Bills dated January 6, 2021 – Alderman Gerdes asked about the Ogle County GIS Partnership charge for $1,823.00. Director Hewitt said this is an annual charge for the County GIS service which is a valuable tool for us. Alderman Gerdes asked about the charges from Casper’s Home Inspection. Director Hewitt explained that Casper Manheim has been doing city inspections for many years, and bills monthly. Alderman Reilly motioned to approve the list of bills dated January 6, 2021, in the amount of $285,796.12. Seconded by Alderman Fulrath. 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.
10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Rickard reported that the Governor has indicated that January 15 will be the first day for any Illinois region to have the advanced COVID mitigations removed.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT - Attorney Szeto spoke with Clerk Huber regarding code revisions, and he asked Council if they wanted to proceed to update the municipal code. The council as a whole indicated they wanted to continue with the process.
12. CITY ENGINEER’S PROJECT STATUS – Engineer Stoll reported on grant updates. DCEO (we have a $1 million grant request for sewer lining) announced that grants would likely be awarded in the second quarter of 2021. The ITEP grants should be awarded around the same time period for the bike path extension on Mill Road.
13. REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – Director Hewitt reported that the total permits applied for in 2020 was 101. Quite a few residents are applying for whole house generator permits. • An athletic rehab national brand may be occupying a new building next to the Swedish American Clinic.
14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Director Vincer reported that the department has been taking advantage of nicer weather by doing some sewer jetting. They have been working with the Fire Department to replace fittings on the fire hydrants. • Over 100 loads of snow have been removed from downtown. The last snowfall was extremely icy and heavy• Christmas tree drop off is at the boat dock, and the FFA will also be picking up trees from residents on January 13.
15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Murray reported that the vehicle of a missing person was recovered in the river. Search efforts will continue.
16. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – Alderman Fulrath reported that most items are listed later on the agenda.
b. Public Safety – No report.
c. Administrative – Alderman Hanlin reported that the committee discussed the Comcast renewal, and Attorney Szeto will begin working on the new agreement. • The committee discussed CURE act expenditures, which is later in the agenda. A list of these requested expenditures is in Dropbox, and the quotes are available if anyone wants to view them.
17. CONTINUING BUSINESS –
a. Declaration of Local State of Emergency – Mayor Rickard does not see the need to continue, and recommended that we let the declaration expire.
b. Ordinance 2020- Amendments to Byron Municipal Code Chapter 17 - These amendments will be going before the Zoning Board of Appeals next week.
c. Comcast Franchise Renewal – Attorney Szeto will begin working on the new agreement, which expires in 2023.
d. CURE Act Expenditures – The committee has made the motion to recommend council approval. Information is in Dropbox. We will vote on this item January 20.
e. UTVs on City Streets – Nothing new to discuss. It is on the Public Safety agenda for January 20.
18. NEW BUSINESS –
a. ENGIE Contract Proposal – Alderman Fulrath reported that we are waiting for ENGIE to report back to us regarding IEPA loan information.
b. 2021 Streets Program – Alderman Fulrath reported that the committee will be recommending Option 3, which does not include Lincoln St. Council will vote at the next meeting.
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, January 20, 2021, at 6:30pm.
22. ADJOURN – Alderman Reilly motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 6:59 pm.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/vertical/sites/%7B67304C08-5FC3-4329-8F07-4786D33EE040%7D/uploads/Minutes_-_2021-01-06-Approved.pdf
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