City of Byron Community Services Committee met March 3
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
Alderman Fulrath called the meeting to order at 5:37 pm.
1. ROLL CALL:
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Alderman Mittzi Fulrath, Alderman Emily Gerdes (by phone), Alderman Zeke Hobbie, Alderman Mike Gyorkos
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT:
Mayor John Rickard, City Clerk Caryn Huber (arrived at 5:40 pm from Administrative Committee meeting), Engineer Jason Stoll, Director Aaron Vincer, Attorney Aaron Szeto Alderman Todd Isaacs (arrived at 5:40 pm from Administrative Committee meeting), Alderman Jessica Nehring (arrived at 5:40 pm from Administrative Committee meeting), Director Larry Hewitt, Tom Atchison, Robin Henry, Trent Eddy, Kris and Gregg DeVries, Mark Rundle.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – MARCH 3, 2021 – Alderman Fulrath made two additions to the agenda: #10 Quality Metal Water Bill; #11 5th Street Right of Way. Public Works moves to #12 on the agenda. Alderman Hobbie motioned to approve, as amended, the March 3, 2021, Community Services Committee meeting agenda. Seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hobbie, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT – Trent Eddy spoke regarding purchasing the building at 103 N. Chestnut. He and Kris and Gregg DeVries are interested in opening an upscale, sustainable gaming parlor with six machines. They would have a beverage counter serving coffee, water, and simple spirits, along with packaged snacks. They do not plan on serving food, rather, they would encourage patrons to order food from local establishments. The business aims to attract a mature crowd that would prefer not to be in a bar atmosphere. The location on Route 2 has approximately 11,000 cars driving by daily, and they hope to attract people from surrounding towns as well. The building is located away from the majority of competing gaming establishments, and it is not their intention to take customers away from existing businesses. The building would still house a salon, and it has an apartment with a long term tenant. Kris DeVries added that they are trying to fill a niche in Byron, similar to the gaming parlor located in Oregon.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES –FEBRUARY 3, 2021 – Alderman Fulrath asked to make a change in #5-it is her experience that Aldermen (not residents) are not in favor of adding more liquor licenses. Alderman Gerdes noted that on item #7, Alderman Vincer should be changed to Director Vincer. Alderman Hobbie motioned to approve, as amended, the February 3, 2021, Community Services Committee meeting minutes. Seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
5. BOUTIQUE LIQUOR LICENSE – Alderman Fulrath asked if there were any questions. Director Hewitt added that when altering a building to include separate spaces, the spaces must be separated by a fire wall and have their own egresses. In addition, each space must have its own restrooms.
6. NEXTSITE – Director Hewitt discussed NextSite, a commercial development advisory firm, subsidized by Nicor, that provides data and analytics used in attracting new retail and commercial business to communities. A service of this type would typically cost $35,000- $40,000, but because of the subsidies, will only cost $8,000 for three years. He proposed adding this service into the 2021-2022 budget, with half of the funds taken from the TIF District, and half from Planning and Development. The data also provides information about the labor force. Alderman Gerdes would like to research more. Alderman Gyorkos asked who owns the data they collect. Director Hewitt will ask NextSite.
7. WASTEWATER/SEWER PLANT FACILITY PLAN – Engineer Stoll said they have started collecting historical information, and have the first coordination meeting set for next week. The meeting will include the mayor, Director Vincer and staff, representatives from TEST, and Fehr-Graham staff. His goal is to have a beginning proposal to present to committee by their meeting in April. There is a March 31 deadline for the IEPA funding nomination, which is a non-binding agreement, but allows the opportunity to apply for funding. Director Vincer added that the process typically takes up to 18 months from submitting the plan to receiving funding.
8. ORDINANCE AMENDING LICENSE FEE-CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP – Attorney Szeto explained that this ordinance clarifies the fees in the event there is a change in ownership of liquor license holders. There is a fee of $500 for a change of more than 50%, and $250 for less than 50%. This covers the cost of the background fees required. Alderman Hobbie motioned to recommend to council to approve the Ordinance to Amend Section 5.08.075, License fee-Change in Ownership. Seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Gerdes. AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
9. 2021-2022 STREETS PROGAM – Engineer Stoll reported that bids were received today for the fabric and slurry seal in Brighton Ridge. Struck and Irwin Paving was lowest bidder at $66,000. Engineer estimate was $100,000. Bid tabs will be prepared for first read at the next council meeting. Bids for other street projects will be due in April. Alderman Fulrath said the committee had discussed adding more onto the streets program, but after discussion, the consensus was to wait until the other bids come in. Alderman Fulrath asked Engineer Stoll for a list of potential projects. Alderman Isaacs asked how long slurry seal is expected to last, citing Belair as an example. Engineer Stoll said it has a 5-10 year life. Belair was the first street to be slurry sealed. It did not include road fabric, and did not hold up as well as the subsequent roads that had the fabric plus slurry seal.
10. QUALITY METAL WATER BILL – Director Vincer reported that the TAS Committee had a meeting earlier in the day with Matt Bortoli and Brandon Burr from Quality Metal. During the first month of the rate increase, Quality Metal used a higher number of units than normal (1,977) and their water bill was over $5,000. Quality Metal is the only industrial customer that uses a large amount of water. Some communities offer a bulk discount, and Director Vincer asked if the committee would like to consider this. Nine out of the last twelve months, Quality Metal used over 1,000 units. He proposed the possibility of a 25% discount for number of units above 1,000. In the interest of time, Alderman Fulrath suggested tabling this item until the April meeting.
11. 5TH STREET RIGHT OF WAY – Homes at 5th St. and Chestnut St. share a private driveway over a city street right of way. One of the owners is selling their home, and the bank has asked for a letter stating that the city approves of the driveway’s existence. The street will never be continued north. One parcel is behind it, and access to this property is on 6th St. Attorney Szeto stated that a vacation plat could be drawn which would convey ownership of the ROW to the adjacent property owners (half of the ROW to each adjacent property owner), the two property owners would want to consider creating an access easement for the driveway to ensure that both property owners would have access and use of the driveway. Alderman Hobbie said that because the city is requesting the change, the city should incur the cost. An easement allows the homeowners to continue to share the driveway. If there is no easement, the homeowners would each take possession of half of the driveway, which could lead to problems at some point. The committee is in favor of the vacation, and details will continue to be worked out.
12. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE – Pertinent items will be reported on at the City Council meeting.
Director Hewitt introduced Mark Rundle who is running for the Byron Township Commissioner.
13. ADJOURN - Alderman Hobbie motioned to adjourn the Community Services Committee meeting. Seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. Alderman Fulrath adjourned the meeting at 6:34 pm. The next regular Community Services meeting is April 7, 2021.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/vertical/sites/%7B67304C08-5FC3-4329-8F07-4786D33EE040%7D/uploads/03-03-21_CSC_Minutes-Approved.pdf
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