NW Illinois News

City of Byron City Council Met July 7.

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, Cheryl Metz, Jessica Nehring, Michael Gyorkos, Christy Hanlin. Seven members present. Quorum established.

* - denotes start of the roll call

Aldermen Absent: Zeke Hobbie

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, Randy Snider

4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.

5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Mayor Rickard asked to add Resolution to Pay IML Dues as item 18e. under New Business. Motion by Alderman Fulrath to approve, as amended, the July 7, 2021, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS 0.

6. MINUTES –

a. June 16, 2021 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – Motion by Alderman Metz to approve, as presented, the June 16, 2021, City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS 0.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None

8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Huber stated that the treasurer’s report for the month of June is in Dropbox. Looking at the comparisons to the past two years, we have several significant increases, including MFT. Telecommunications tax continues to trend downward.

9. LIST OF BILLS – Alderman Isaacs asked about the $2,160.00 charge from Stewart Spreading. Director Vincer explained this charge is for sludge hauling, and payments are spread out over time. Alderman Gerdes asked how many inspections per month are conducted by Casper Manheim. Director Hewitt will provide an answer by the next meeting. Alderman Fulrath motioned to approve the list of bills dated July 7, 2021, in the amount of $184,865.13. Seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Metz, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0.

10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Rickard asked for a motion to appoint Randy Snider to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Alderman Isaacs motioned to appoint Randy Snider to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term of three years. Motion seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0. Mayor Rickard administered the oath of office to Randy Snider. • Downtown bar owners have submitted a request for extended hours on several dates throughout the coming year. This will be discussed later in the agenda. • On June 2, council had passed Ordinance 2021-02 regarding permit and fees. There were two paragraphs in the ordinance pertaining to collection/donation boxes and bins that inadvertently did not get deleted (we no longer have donation boxes). There was no objection from council to delete these two paragraphs. • Mayor Rickard has written an editorial to the Chicago Tribune regarding the status of the Exelon plant in Byron. Currently, Exelon has a plan to stay open and a plan to close.

11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – Attorney Szeto reported that all items are on the agenda.

12. CITY ENGINEER’S PROJECT STATUS – Engineer Stoll reported that Martin & Co. is ready to start on the 2021 street projects as soon as ByronFest is over. A pre-construction meeting is scheduled for next week. • Later in the agenda, council will be reviewing a change order from Struck & Irwin adding slurry in Fawn Ridge. City crews will have work ahead of the project.

13. DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT STATUS – Director Hewitt reported that we plan to pursue plans for the Mill Road bike path. • IDOT is continuing plans for the Route 2 reconstruction between Byron and Rockford. Land acquisitions should be starting soon. • As part of the WWTP project, some concept work is being done to move the boat marina by the Forest Preserve.

14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Director Vincer reported that the department has been resurfacing on Friday Road. • They abandoned the water line to the Rush house. • The department will be crack-sealing prior to the slurry seal in Brighton Ridge and Fawn Ridge.

15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Murray reported that the Rush house is ready for demolition as soon as the utilities are disconnected and the title work is received. • The sheriff’s office will be lending cameras for use at ByronFest. • Chief Murray and Michele met with Roxanne Sosnowski regarding Officer Henderson’s military deployment.

16. COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Community Services – Alderman Fulrath reported that the committee discussed the purchase of a new implement for the Public Works Department. It is a flail mower and is an attachment to the backhoe that is available through Rockvale Township. Cost is $5,000. • Alderman Fulrath reminded the committee that there is a Committee of the Whole scheduled for Wednesday, July 21 at 5:00 pm to discuss the Waste Water Treatment Plant. • We will continue to discuss the Mill Road bike path.

b. Public Safety – No report.

c. Administrative – Alderman Hanlin reported that most items are listed later in the agenda.

17. CONTINUING BUSINESS

a. Food Truck Application and Ordinance – Alderman Hanlin reported that the Administrative Committee recommends council approval of Ordinance 2021-04 which creates a new Section governing mobile food vehicles. This does not include food trucks that participate in ByronFest. The mobile food truck application is included with this recommendation. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0.

b. Approval of Permit Fee Schedule – The Administrative Committee will continue to review the fee schedule.

c. Ordinance Amending Zoning Code to Allow Short Term Rentals as Special Use – This needs to first go to the ZBA for a recommendation.

d. Struck & Irwin Change Order – Slurry Seal in Fawn Ridge – Engineer Stoll reported that the amount approved previously for 2021 street projects is $436,840. This includes $66,875 for slurry seal in Brighton Ridge, $241,785 for Union and Sumner St. and $95,000 for engineering. Additional slurry seal in Fawn Ridge is $72,000, raising the total to $475,000, or $38,000 over the original approved amount. Alderman Isaacs said we need to consider costs that may be associated with the Spanky’s building. Director Hewitt anticipates the appraisal should be ready in the next few days. Any damage to the building during construction will be covered under the contractor insurance. Alderman Fulrath reported that the Community Services Committee recommends council approval of the Struck & Irwin change order for $71,932.00, adding Fawn Ridge slurry seal to the 2021 street projects. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0.

e. Administrative Hearings-Compliance – The Administrative Committee recommends the approval of Ordinance 2021-05, Creating a Code Hearing Division. The ordinance allows an alternative method for nuisance and building code enforcement. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0.

f. P.U.D. Plat for First Midwest - This needs to be discussed by the ZBA.

18. NEW BUSINESS

a. Engineering Contract – Alderman Hanlin reported that the Administrative Committee recommends waiving the first read and recommends council approval of the 10-month contract for Fehr-Graham at an annual total of $20,500. Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0.

b. Resolution to attend IML – Alderman Isaacs motioned to bypass first read and approve Resolution 2021-02, which approves attendance and payments to the annual IML conference, September 23-25, in Chicago. Motion seconded by Alderman Metz. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE, Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0.

c. Extended Bar Owners Request – Byron bar owners have submitted a request listing 14 days they would like to remain open until 2:00 am (an hour later than normal). Mayor Rickard and Chief Murray recommended approving the first three dates requested, but would like to discuss the rest at a later time. Alderman Gerdes motioned to allow the bars to remain open an extra hour on Friday and Saturday, July 9 and 10 (ByronFest), and Saturday, October 30 (Halloween). Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Metz, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0.

d. Ordinance Amending Public Works Employee Expenditures – This ordinance allows on call public works employees to expend up to $500.00 without additional authorization from the Public Works Director or the Mayor. It is on the agenda as first read.

e. Resolution to Pay IML Dues – This resolution authorizes the payment of $450.00 for the City’s continued membership in the Illinois Municipal League. Since this item was added to the agenda, it cannot be voted on until the next meeting.

19. COUNCIL TALK – Alderman Nehring is on the ByronFest Steering Committee and asked council members to consider volunteering for ByronFest this weekend. • Alderman Gerdes continued discussion about Spanky’s. She asked if we can take a closer look at the building to know exactly what code violations may be there. Director Hewitt will ask if the structural engineer is able to examine the interior of the building. Alderman Gerdes expressed concern that the contractor is assuming all of the liability of the building, and that they and other contractors may be reluctant to do work in Byron as a result of it.

20. COMMUNICATION –

a. Committee of the Whole – Wednesday, July 21, 2021, 5:00 pm.

b. Next Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, July 21, 2021, 6:30 pm.

21. ADJOURN – Alderman Hanlin motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 7; NAY 0; ABS 0.

Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:24 pm.

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