City of Byron City Council Met March 17.
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, Zeke Hobbie, Jessica Nehring (by phone), Michael Gyorkos, Christy Hanlin (by phone). Seven 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
4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer, and had a moment of silence remembering Alderman Dan Reilly, who passed away on March 9, 2021.
5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Motion by Alderman Gerdes to approve, as presented, the March 17, 2021, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Hobbie. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
6. MINUTES -
a. March 3, 2021-Regular City Council Meeting – Motion made by Alderman Hobbie to approve, as presented, the March 3, 2021, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes, seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Huber noted that the treasurer’s report for February 2021 was presented at the March 3, 2021, meeting.
9. LIST OF BILLS – Alderman Isaacs asked about the previously approved roof repair. Director Vincer said the supplies were on order and work should begin soon, depending on the weather. Alderman Hobbie asked about the “Bug Juice” charge under the Aquafix invoice. Director Vincer explained that this is used to reduce grease in the Headworks building. Alderman Isaacs also asked about the charges from LOCIS. This is the annual charge for our accounting program. Alderman Gerdes asked about charges from Kunes Country of Oregon. Chief Murray said that repairs to his vehicle were done here since the local shops could not do the repair. Alderman Isaacs motioned to approve the list of bills dated March 17, 2021, in the amount of $114,716.50. Seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0.
10. MAYOR’S REPORT – No report.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – No report. Items are on the agenda. Alderman Isaacs asked Attorney Szeto to review attorney budget items with him.
12. CITY ENGINEER’S PROJECT STATUS – Engineer Stoll reported that the second bid package (Union St., Sumner St.) should go out to bid next week, with numbers ready for the Community Services Committee meeting in April.
13. DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT STATUS – Director Hewitt reported that with the arrival of nicer weather, and the receipt of stimulus checks, residents are beginning to take on home improvement projects. He noted that city staff spends quite a bit of time speaking to homeowners that are outside of city limits, and he asked aldermen and staff to assist with educating the public, particularly those in the subdivisions just outside of the city, to contact Ogle County with building and permit questions. • A new home will be dug in Jackson Knolls, and work will be continuing on two new homes in Brighton Ridge. • A new tenant will soon be occupying the old Family Video location. • The Zoning Board of Appeals will be discussing the possible addition of vacation rentals and AirBnBs to the list of special use permits.
14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Director Vincer reported that Public Works recently had a water main break, a sewer back up and the deployment of snow plows in a matter of a few days. • Road work and mowing are beginning. • They are modifying some plumbing in the Headworks building. • Public Works will be building covers for their salt bins. • The bathroom in the public works building is being rehabbed. • The street sweeper has been out regularly.
15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Murray reported that the Public Safety discussed a new squad car they are purchasing. It is a Dodge Durango, and should be ready in May. It will be used by one of the sergeants, and their vehicle will then be given to one of the officers, so they can retire a 2013 Charger that will hopefully be sold to their equipment supplier. It is standard practice to retire squad cars at roughly 70,000 miles. • Chief Murray has training spots reserved in 2022. • New software will be installed for the new 911 program, which will connect us with the sheriff’s office. The majority will be paid for by 911. • Chief Murray has been in contact with Buster Barton discussing the possibility of the schools taking over the crossing guard program. • Department activity is down from last February.
16. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – No report.
b. Public Safety – Chairman Hobbie reported that items discussed at committee were covered in Chief Murray’s report.
c. Administrative – No report.
17. CONTINUING BUSINESS
a. Byron Municipal Code Amendments to Chapter 2 – Attorney Szeto reported that the TAS Committee reviewed the proposed changes to Chapter 2 of the Byron Municipal Code. He will be making additional changes based on those discussions. He will also be reviewing the police department references to verify they do not conflict with the police union contract. It should be ready for committee and council review next month.
b. NextSite – Information about NextSite is available in Dropbox. It is a program partially funded by Nicor to provide analytics to aid in economic development. Data collected will be owned by the city, with NextSite retaining a copy. They can aid in identifying what businesses may be interested in locating in Byron based on our population and data. It is a three year commitment at $8,000/year. Discussions will continue at committee in April.
18. NEW BUSINESS
a. 2021-2022 Budget – A preliminary budget should be available by our first meeting in April. After that meeting, it will be available for the public to view and a public hearing will be scheduled before the second meeting in April.
b. 2021-2022 Street program-Slurry Seal Bids – Engineer Stoll presented the bids for slurry seal in Brighton Ridge, with a recommendation to accept the bid from Struck and Irwin Paving. Alderman Fulrath motioned to bypass first read and to accept the bid from Struck and Irwin in the amount of $66,875.30. Motion seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0.
c. Ordinance adding Air BnB/Vacation rentals as Special Use – Attorney Szeto will be writing an ordinance to be presented to the zoning board and then to council, adding Air BnBs and vacation rentals as special use.
d. Mrozek Air BnB Special Use Permit – The Zoning Board of Appeals will meet in April to discuss.
e. Police Department Excess Property – Chief Murray reported he has been unsuccessful in selling a 2010 Dodge Charger to their equipment supplier, and is asking for it to be declared excess property so it can be donated to the Byron Fire Department for training purposes. Because the car is painted black and white, he does not want to sell it locally. An ordinance is included in Dropbox (Ordinance 2020-13). Alderman Hobbie reported that the Public Safety Committee recommends that council bypass the first read and declare the 2010 Charger as excess property. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0.
f. Ordinance Amending Emergency Parking Restrictions – This ordinance clarifies the snow emergency parking and other emergency (i.e. natural disasters) no parking policies. Alderman Hobbie reported that the Public Safety Committee recommends that council bypass the first read and approve the ordinance to amend parking emergencies. (Ordinance 2020-14) Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0.
19. COUNCIL TALK – With the arrival of stimulus funds, Alderman Hobbie asked if there is a way to make donations to those less fortunate. The city does not have the means to determine who is deserving of these funds, but suggestions were made to donate to a church or an established charity. Our local food pantry, People Helping People, uses cash donations to purchase meat, which is often in short supply to those that depend on the pantry. • Alderman Gerdes asked about the status of the Baker House on 4th Street. Attorney Szeto said there is a contract with Martin & Co., and there is a hearing next week to determine a time frame for the house to be demolished. • Clerk Huber reported that a memorial service for Alderman Dan Reilly is Saturday at 11:00 am at the SMSF Club on Kishwaukee Rd.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Byron City Council Wednesday, March 17, 2021 Page #3
20. EXECUTIVE SESSION –
a. Section 2(c)(21) – Review of Closed Meeting Minutes – Mayor Rickard announced that the council will be going into Executive Session for the purpose of reviewing closed meeting minutes. The mayor asked that Attorney Szeto and Clerk Huber remain in the room. Alderman Gyorkos motioned to adjourn to executive session at 7:23 pm. Seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0. Council returned from Executive Session at 7:35 pm. Roll call: Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE. Seven Aldermen present, zero absent. Mayor Rickard stated that a Resolution will be presented and voted on at the next council meeting, listing which minutes can be released, and which should remain confidential.
21. COMMUNICATION –
a. Next Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, April 7, 2021, 6:30 pm.
22. ADJOURN – Alderman Hobbie motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0. Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:37 pm.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/vertical/sites/%7B67304C08-5FC3-4329-8F07-4786D33EE040%7D/uploads/Minutes_-_2021-03-17-Approved.pdf
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