City of Byron City Council met March 3
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Rickard called the meeting to order at 6:38 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Led by Mayor Rickard
3. ROLL CALL – Aldermen present: Todd Isaacs, Emily Gerdes (by phone), Mittzi Fulrath, Dan Reilly (by phone), Zeke Hobbie, Jessica Nehring, Michael Gyorkos, Christy Hanlin (by phone). Eight members present. Quorum established.
* - denotes start of the roll call
Aldermen Absent: None
PRESENT: Mayor John Rickard
City Clerk Caryn Huber
City Attorney Aaron Szeto
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, Herberto Santiago
4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.
5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Motion by Alderman Fulrath to approve, as presented, the March 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, (stepped out of room). Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
6. MINUTES -
a. February 17, 2021-Regular City Council Meeting – Motion made by Alderman Nehring to approve, as presented, the February 17, 2021, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes, seconded by Alderman Hobbie. 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 February 2021 report is in Dropbox. Comparing our revenue to February 2020, she noted that sales tax revenue is down slightly, but income tax and local use tax are higher than last year. We continue to see lower MFT revenue when compared to last year. Several CDs are coming due, and we will renew at shorter terms in the hopes interest rates will begin to go up.
9. LIST OF BILLS – Alderman Fulrath asked about the charges from Direct Energy. Director Vincer said this is our new carrier (it used to be Constellation Energy). Alderman Fulrath motioned to approve the list of bills dated March 3, 2021, in the amount of $55,060.27. Seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. 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 reported that he received a letter from a high school student with questions about Moring’s recycling efforts. He responded after speaking with Moring. They have dual compartment trucks, or they send the same truck back a second time for recycling. They continue to send reports monthly with the amount of pounds we are recycling. • The mayor received an anonymous letter regarding complaints from a list of bills last spring. Several aldermen may have also received the letter. He does not respond to anonymous letters.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – No report. Items are on the agenda.
12. CITY ENGINEER’S PROJECT STATUS – Engineer Stoll reported that a meeting for the facility plan will take place on Monday with the mayor, Director Vincer, and representatives from TEST and Fehr-Graham.
13. REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – Director Hewitt reported that the TAS Committee is discussing several properties in city limits that still have septic systems, as well as several un-annexed properties. • Permits have been received for a possible new tenant in the old Family Video building.
14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Director Vincer reported that pot hole filling has begun now that the weather is improving. • The city has posted short Mill Road. Barker Rd. and Tower Rd. are not holding up well. He has informed Roger’s that they will have to use alternate routes for now. • The street sweeper was out today and the new sweeper is working well. • Boat docks are being repaired. • We have used a little over 100% of our road salt this year. We had pre-bought for a lower price, but needed to purchase one more load. • Director Vincer is working on the department’s budget for next year. He would like to purchase a used backhoe from the township. He would also like to purchase a skid loader. • If there is room in the streets budget, he would like to do more “drop and drag” paving. • Crack sealing will begin in Brighton Ridge in preparation for slurry seal.
15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Murray reported that the new officer is being trained.
• Chief reviewed a new bill that goes into effect July 1. Uniform tickets will be used by all police departments. Body cams will be required by 2025 at an additional cost to departments. He expressed concerns regarding eliminating qualified immunity. As a result, insurance costs would increase, and this cost is levied in taxes. School Resource Officers will no longer be allowed. The bill was introduced and passed in a very short time. Anonymous complaints (which have not been allowed up to this point) would stay in personnel files forever. Officers will not be able to use body cam footage when writing their reports, however, the footage can be used against the officer in court. Attorney Szeto added that IML is working to add amendatory bills in response, and he noted that letters can be written to legislators regarding this crime bill as well.
16. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – Alderman Fulrath reported that all items are on agenda.
b. Public Safety – No report.
c. Administrative – Alderman Hanlin reported that the committee discussed the offer from SBA regarding a buyout. They have decided to not move forward at this time.
17. CONTINUING BUSINESS
a. Ordinance Amending License Fee – Change in Ownership – Alderman Fulrath reported that the Community Services Committee recommends the approval of this ordinance that amends the license fees when there is a change in ownership of Liquor License holders. 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.
18. NEW BUSINESS
a. Byron Municipal Code Amendments to Chapter 2 – In committee.
b. NextSite – In committee.
c. 2021-2022 Streets Program – Bids for slurry seal in Brighton Ridge came in today. They will be voted on at the next committee meeting. The Community Services Committee is also considering expanding the streets program, but will wait until they receive the remaining bids for the work that has already been approved.
19. COUNCIL TALK – Director Hewitt will continue to send updates to aldermen from IML and from legislators, and will try to summarize those that may be most important to the city.
20. EXECUTIVE SESSION –
a. Section 2(c)(21) – Review of Closed Meeting Minutes – Mayor Rickard stated that twice a year, we are required to go into closed session to review prior closed meeting minutes and decide if they can be released to the public. We will go into closed session at the next meeting to review what we have.
Mayor Rickard added that we are looking at an app that would allow us to communicate with residents via text message. Residents would also be able to communicate with the city on a limited basis. The cost is $3,800 a year, and includes all set up fees. It would link with our web site and Facebook page, and has Twitter ability.
21. COMMUNICATION –
a. City Budget Meeting – Wednesday, March 17, 2021, 5:00 pm.
b. Next Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, March 17, 2021, 6:30 pm.
22. ADJOURN – Alderman Gyorkos motioned to adjourn. 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. Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:16 pm.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/vertical/sites/%7B67304C08-5FC3-4329-8F07-4786D33EE040%7D/uploads/Minutes_-_2021-03-03-Approved.pdf
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