City of Byron City Council met May 5.
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 (by phone), Jessica Nehring, 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, Bill Pirnat, Ted Engler, Zach Fulrath
Terry Weil, Bob Conroy, Wayne Groer (ABATE)
4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.
5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA – Motion by Alderman Gerdes to approve, as presented, the May 5, 2021, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Fulrath. 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. April 21, 2021 Public Hearing-Budget – Motion by Alderman Fulrath to approve, as presented, the April 21, 2021 Public Hearing-Budget 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.
b. April 21, 2021-City Council Regular Meeting – Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as presented, the April 21, 2021 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Huber stated that the income figures for the month of April 2021 are in Dropbox, as well as a comparison of income for the past two years. We are ahead in most income categories, but have seen, and continue to see, decreases in Motor Fuel Tax and Telecommunications Tax.
9. LIST OF BILLS – Alderman Isaacs asked about the $1,750 charge from Kirby Cable Services. A copper water line had failed at a home and Director Vincer said Kirby did a directional bore from the watermain to the driveway. This was to avoid trenching the street and was a quicker, easier and cheaper way to solve the problem. Alderman Isaacs motioned to approve the list of bills dated May 5, 2021, in the amount of $75,141.42. Seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. 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 – Clerk Huber administered the oath of office to re-elected Mayor John Rickard. Mayor Rickard administered the oath of office to re-elected Clerk Caryn Huber, and re-elected Aldermen Emily Gerdes (Ward 1), Mittzi Fulrath (Ward 4), Jessica Nehring (Ward 2), and Todd Isaacs (Ward 3). • Mayor Rickard read a proclamation declaring May 2021 as Motorcycle Awareness month. • There is an open seat for Alderman Ward 1. The mayor asked aldermen to forward names of possible candidates. • Chief Murray reported there has been a change of ownership at Uptown Lanes, and the Busser’s are the sole owners. Matt Pendergrass has purchased Century Tap. The Forest Preserve will require another liquor license for Prairie Fire as it now has a separate address.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – The Baker house was scheduled for demolition on April 26, however, Martin & Co. got behind in their schedule. Equipment has been moved to the location, and tear down is now scheduled for tomorrow, 5/6/21.
12. CITY ENGINEER’S PROJECT STATUS – A second facility plan coordination meeting is scheduled for Monday at 3pm at City Hall. • DCEO will be announcing grant recipients in the third quarter. Our grant request is for a sewer lining project. • ITEP grants should be awarded in the next several weeks. We had submitted a project to extend the bike path on Mill Road. • Engineer Stoll expects to hear more information regarding the expected stimulus money the city will receive.
13. DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT STATUS – Director Hewitt reported that IDOT is planning for the Route 2 expansion and has begun discussions for land acquisition. By widening the right of way, property setbacks won’t be met. We will encourage them to focus on taking ROW on the north side of the highway, as the lots on the south side are very small, and set backs have already been compromised. The center line is still conceptual. • A meeting will be planned with Martin & Co. to discuss Mill Road. Fehr-Graham had placed pins on the road, and reports indicate that the road has not shifted during the winter.
14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Director Vincer reported that the department has been working on cleaning up downtown, and has been doing sewer cleaning. There is still a problem with residents putting flushable wipes and rags, and other items, in the toilet. Sewer lining should help with this. • He is working with Engineer Stoll on a schedule to maintain our streets. The department will continue to do “drop and drag” paving when necessary. • The chlorine injection heads at all of the well sites need to be updated at a cost of approximately $20,000. It is a safety issue. • There is an effort to put a large flag pole and flag, dedicated in memory of Alderman Dan Reilly, outside of the public works building. Dan and Jerry Oleson had been working on this project through the American Legion prior to Dan’s death. The American Legion, Fehr-Graham and Sosnowski Szeto have pledged donations.
15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – In addition to the liquor license update provided earlier, the department is looking into a traffic issue on 2nd Street between Colfax and Maple. Officers have already issued a ticket and several warnings for speeding.
16. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – Alderman Fulrath reported that the committee discussed several watermains, the facility plan, and a street maintenance plan. All other items are on the agenda.
b. Public Safety – No report.
c. Administrative – Alderman Hanlin reported that the committee discussed changes to Municipal Code Chapter 2. Attorney Szeto is working on an ordinance updating our permitting codes. The committee discussed the COLA increases, the Certification of Revenues, and electric aggregation.
17. CONTINUING BUSINESS
a. Byron Municipal Code Amendments to Chapter 2 – Attorney Szeto stated that there is a summary of the Chapter 2 amendments included in Dropbox and invited questions. The Administrative Committee recommends the approval of the proposed changes to the Byron Municipal Code Chapter 2. 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.
b. Certification of Revenues – The Administrative Committee recommends approval of the Certification of Revenues 2021-2022. 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.
c. Ordinance Amending Permit Fees – It was recently discovered that the permit fees listed in our Municipal Code are different than the updated fees we are charging now. Rather than amend the ordinance every time the rate changes, he will change the ordinance to read “in accordance with the rate schedule, which may be amended by the city council from time to time”. Attorney Szeto stated this was added to the Administrative Committee agenda tonight and was only up for discussion. The committee will review at their next meeting and make a recommendation to council.
d. Ordinance Amending Zoning Code to Allow Short Term Rentals as Special Use – The Zoning Board of Appeals will meet to discuss prior to council approval.
e. 2021-2022 Street Program bid-Sumner/Union St. – Bids came in lower than expected for work on these street projects. Because of additional funds being available, an alternate plan was proposed to eliminate work on Sumner from CrestView Trail to River Drive, and instead, add a slurry seal application to the Fawn Ridge subdivision. Alderman Isaacs asked if the quote for the alternate bid would hold through the summer. Engineer Stoll believes that it will. Alderman Isaacs will review to see if funds will be available to do both projects. The Community Services Committee recommends waiving first read and awarding the base bid from Martin & Co. for $241,785.04. Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, NAY. Motion passed: AYE 6; NAY 1; ABS 0. Alderman Fulrath motioned to table Alternate Bid 1 pending research by the Budget Officer to confirm our ability to fund the project. Seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, NAY; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 1; ABS 0. Engineer Stoll added that the committee and council will review a change order for Struck & Irwin to include the Fawn Ridge slurry seal project next month.
f. NextSite – Director Hewitt stated that money is included in this year’s budget for NextSite. A proposal for scope of work and an initial site visit are the next steps.
18. NEW BUSINESS
a. ByronFest 2021 Approval – Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sarah Downs presented the plan for ByronFest 2021 on July 9, 10 and 11. The only significant change to previous years is moving the carnival to the opposite end of the festival, near Union St. and Municipal Parking Lot #2. This area is noted on the map of festival grounds. All other information regarding the festival is in Dropbox. Alderman Isaacs motioned to bypass first read and approve plans for ByronFest 2021. Motion seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. 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.
b. Cost of Living Adjustment – The Administrative Committee recommends bypassing the first read and approving the COLA increases beginning with the next pay period. Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
c. Resolution Regarding Electric Aggregation – The Administrative Committee recommends bypassing first read and passing Resolution 2021-01 which authorizes the mayor to negotiate and enter into a wholesale electricity supply contract for the City. 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.
d. Food Truck Application/Ordinance – Director Hewitt discussed the recent interest and inquiries into food truck events. A new application for food truck vendors was developed and is included in Dropbox. Attorney Szeto will draft an ordinance outlining the terms and conditions specified in the application.
19. COUNCIL TALK – Alderman Isaacs asked if engineers will be present during the re-paving of Mill Road. Engineer Stoll stated that Fehr-Graham will donate their time in order to do this. Traffic can be re-routed through Fawn Ridge if necessary. Every effort will be made to avoid working before and after school hours.
20. COMMUNICATION –
a. Next Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, May 19, 2021, 6:30pm.
21. ADJOURN – Alderman Isaacs motioned to adjourn. 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.
Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:30 pm.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/vertical/sites/%7B67304C08-5FC3-4329-8F07-4786D33EE040%7D/uploads/Minutes_-_2021-05-05-Approved.pdf
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