City of Byron City Council met April 7
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Rickard called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Led by Mayor Rickard
3. ROLL CALL – Aldermen present: Todd Isaacs, Mittzi Fulrath, Zeke Hobbie, Jessica Nehring, Michael Gyorkos, Christy Hanlin (by phone). Six members present. Quorum established.
* - denotes start of the roll call
Aldermen Absent: Emily Gerdes
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, Ken Mrozek
4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.
5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Mayor Rickard added an Ordinance to Amend the Fiscal Year Budget 2020-2021 as item 18e. under New Business. Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as amended, the April 7, 2021, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
6. MINUTES -
a. March 17, 2021-Committee of the Whole Meeting – Motion made by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as presented, the March 17, 2021, Committee of the Whole Minutes, seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
b. March 17, 2021-City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – Motion made by Alderman Gyorkos to approve, as presented, the March 17, 2021, City Council Regular Meeting Minutes, seconded by Alderman Hobbie. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Huber noted that the monthly revenue for the month of March 2021 is in Dropbox. Sales tax figures are still ahead of last year and we are seeing a significant increase in the local use tax. She noted that there have been recent decreases in the telecommunications tax which other communities are experiencing also. We hope to be able to identify the reason for the decrease. Attorney Szeto knows of another community that is also experiencing decreases in the telecommunications tax. They spoke with a Verizon representative who said the usage of landlines is decreasing, and the taxes are lower when items are “bundled”. We will continue to explore additional reasons for the decrease. The city has received its’ third Rebuild Illinois MFT check for $41,222. This payment is the third of six, with the total being just over $247,000.
9. LIST OF BILLS –Alderman Fulrath motioned to approve the list of bills dated April 7, 2021, in the amount of $80,366.75. Seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 6; NAY 0; ABS 0.
10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Chief Murray and the Mayor participated in a zoom call with the Fire District Board regarding the movement of the emergency operations center to the Fire Department. Their attorney is preparing a letter of agreement. • More federal funds for infrastructure will soon be available, and State Representatives will be able to submit ten proposals for consideration. The mayor has asked Engineer Stoll to prepare applications for building a round-about at Mill and Tower and a cul-de-sac on Peru St. in front of Hairy Cow Brewery. • The Mill and Tower intersection project will also be applied for as part of the Highway Safety Program grant, which is a 90%/10% split. • We will also be applying for a TARP grant to redo Tower Road from the water tower to Route 2.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – No report. Items are on the agenda.
12. CITY ENGINEER’S PROJECT STATUS – Engineer Stoll reported that a kick off meeting was held for the WWTP Facility Plan. He submitted the EPA funding nomination form, which is a notification that we intend to apply for funding up to $12 million.
13. DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT STATUS – Director Hewitt reported that, with the planned construction on Union Street, they will have a structural engineer look at the Spanky’s building to make sure it is structurally sound and can withstand the heavy equipment and activity that will be taking place during the street project. • IDOT has started surveying for the reconstruction of Route 2, and even though the project is still several years away, we should begin planning for detour routes that would work best for our community. • Director Hewitt is working on concept drawings for improvements to the boat launch area through the Boater Access Grant program. Applications will be due next spring.
14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Director Vincer reported that there was a sewer back up last week due to lift station failure (lightning strike) at the Shadowwood subdivision. • A recent power outage led to a failure at the River Road lift station. There was no sewer back up, but they did lose some hardware which needs to be replaced. He will check the city insurance policies. • Director Vincer will work with Engineer Stoll to put together a streets program. It will include a plan to chip seal roads in the older part of town. • Parts have been ordered for a SKADA computer system upgrade that was purchased with CURE funds. • Jerry Oleson is the Legion Commander in Byron, and he and Director Vincer have been discussing placing a large American flag near the public works building. The Legion and the family of Dan O’Reilly will donate funds toward this project in memory of Alderman O’Reilly.
15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Murray reported that the liquor and tobacco licenses have gone out today. • A generator is needed at city hall if funds become available. • Some trees in town have green and orange ribbons around them. These are ComEd ribbons – green means the tree will be trimmed, and orange means the tree will be removed. • Ogle County is advertising that they are hiring new police officers. They will lateral up to 8 years, and they are offering a $9,000 bonus upon hire. • There is a bill in the legislature that will require new officers to have a 4 year degree with a minor in social work. Military service will not count toward this requirement.
16. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – Items are on agenda.
b. Public Safety – No report.
c. Administrative – Items are on agenda.
17. CONTINUING BUSINESS
a. Byron Municipal Code Amendments to Chapter 2 – Attorney Szeto has not received any comments or concerns about the amendments to Chapter 2, so he will clean up the red lined copy, and it will be available for vote at the next meeting.
b. NextSite – No new information. Tabled at Community Services Committee meeting.
c. 2021-2022 Budget Ordinance – The Administrative Committee recommends that council approve the 2021-2022 budget ordinance, with the understanding that small changes may still be made before a final vote at the next meeting. There is a public hearing scheduled for April 21 at 6:25 pm. A public notice has already be sent to the newspaper.
d. Ordinance Amending Zoning Code to Allow Short Term Rentals as Special Use – This ordinance allows short term rentals (less than 30 days) to be identified as special use. The only district it will not be allowed is C4, which is large commercial buildings located on the highway. The hotel tax that is already in place needs to be implemented. This change will go to the ZBA for vote this month.
e. Resolution Regarding the Release of Executive Session Minutes - Attorney Szeto prepared this ordinance after reviewing all of the Executive Session Minutes that are still unreleased. Alderman Gyorkos motioned to approve Resolution 2020-06, regarding the release of Executive Session minutes. Seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 6; NAY 0; ABS 0.
f. Ordinance Vacating 5th Street ROW - This ordinance deals with a Right of Way located on the north side of 5th Street at Chestnut. Director Hewitt suggested we vacate that right of way and grant an easement. We would then have no maintenance responsibility or liability. The homeowners on either side use the ROW as a shared driveway, and have no objections to the vacation. The Community Services Committee recommends approval of Ordinance 2020-15, regarding vacating the 5th Street ROW. Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 6; NAY 0; ABS 0.
18. NEW BUSINESS
a. 2021-2022 Street program bid-Sumner/Union St. – Bids will be available at the next council meeting.
b. Fair Housing Proclamation – The Administrative Committee is in favor of issuing a proclamation declaring April as fair housing month. Mayor Rickard will contact Ms. Erickson from the Association of Realtors prior to the next meeting. Attorney Szeto advised that no vote needs to be taken-Mayor Rickard can make the proclamation without council approval.
c. Quality Metal Water Rates – Alderman Fulrath stated that the Community Services Committee is recommending approval of an ordinance to amend the industrial water rate. Up to 1,000 units will be billed at full price. Usage over 1,000 units will receive a bulk discount of 25%. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
Alderman Fulrath stated that the Community Services Committee recommends council approval to backdate the industrial rate discount to January 1, 2021 for Quality Metal Finishing. Discussion followed. Alderman Isaacs referred to the fact that Quality Metal had the wrong meter installed for many years, costing the city quite a bit in lost water revenue. Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, NAY; Isaacs, NAY; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 2; ABS 0. Alderman Fulrath stated that the Community Services Committee recommends council approval to credit Quality Metal Finishing for late fees incurred and paid since January 1, 2021. Alderman Fulrath added that Quality Metal had reacted immediately and asked for council assistance with the water rate. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, NAY; Hanlin, NAY; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 2; ABS 0.
d. Creekside request – Pam Kultgen from the Creekside Homeowners Association appeared before the Community Services Committee. There are seven four-plexes in Creekside that each have one water meter. In two of these buildings, they are asking to separate the one meter into four meters in order for the tenants to be billed separately. A plumber will charge $1200 per building to separate the meters. Meters cost the city approximately $150 each, and the readers are $150 each. Pam is asking for the city to share in the cost of this project by providing the meters at no charge. Creekside will pay for the plumber and the readers, as well as the $25/per unit charge to set up new water accounts. The Community Services Committee recommends council approval to grant the Creekside request to separate the water meters in two buildings at Creekside, and for the city to incur the cost of the new meters. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 6; NAY 0; ABS 0.
e. Ordinance to amend 2020-2021 budget – There are several accounts that have exceeded the budgeted amount. This ordinance allows for funds to be moved from one account into another within the same department to cover these overages. This ordinance also creates several new object classes of revenue, the largest amount being for the CURE funds we received as a result of COVID-19.
19. COUNCIL TALK – Clerk Huber reported that she has been asked by Davis Junction and Stillman Valley if Byron would like to be included in their Community Garage Sales Days June 10-12. There was no council objection, so we will set the same dates as the other communities.
20. COMMUNICATION –
a. Public Hearing-Budget – Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 6:25 pm.
b. Next Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 6:30pm.
21. ADJOURN – Alderman Isaacs motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Alderman Fulrath.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/vertical/sites/%7B67304C08-5FC3-4329-8F07-4786D33EE040%7D/uploads/Minutes_-_2021-04-07-Approved.pdf
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