City of Byron City Council met Aug. 18.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Rickard called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Led by Mayor Rickard
3. ROLL CALL – Aldermen present: Todd Isaacs, Emily Gerdes, Mittzi Fulrath, Cheryl Metz, Zeke Hobbie, Jessica Nehring, Michael Gyorkos, Christy Hanlin. Eight members present.
Quorum established.
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 Sarah Downs, Kristin Reinders (Byron Chamber of Commerce), Pam Kultgen, Bill Pirnat, Collins Gerdes
4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.
5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Motion by Alderman Gerdes to approve, as presented, the August 18, 2021, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
6. MINUTES –
a. August 4, 2021 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Motion by Alderman Hanlin to approve, as presented, the August 4, 2021, City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Huber stated that she had presented the July Treasurer’s Report at the 8/4 meeting, and has nothing additional to add at this time.
9. LIST OF BILLS – Alderman Hobbie inquired about charges from SES in the amount of $5,081.48. Director Vincer explained that the charge is for chlorine monitoring at well sites. The system has not been changed in 15 years. Alderman Gerdes asked to receive more specific information when items are paid out of petty cash. Motion by Alderman Hobbie to approve the list of bills dated August 18, 2021, in the amount of $118,420.04. Seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Metz, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Rickard reported that he has met with ComEd and they have offered to do an energy audit at City Hall. He is also investigating smart water meters to detect leakage. Director Vincer said our new meters have that capability. There is an upgrade available to allow us to detect leakage. • The mayor was interviewed by WTTW regarding Exelon. • Director Hewitt and Mayor Rickard attended a video meeting regarding electric vehicle charging stations. • The mayor attended the retirement party for Pastor Randy Snider. • Census population figures have been released. In 2010, the Byron population was 3,753, and in 2020 is 3,784.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – Attorney Szeto reported that the title documents for the Rush property have been signed by the two heirs, and the closing could take place at the end of next week. The closing costs are anticipated to be $3,088 but the real estate taxes portion of the closing costs could increase due to late penalties. Chief Murray has received two bids for demolition of the property. One is slightly over $20,000, and one is slightly under $20,000. Council will discuss at the next meeting.
12. CITY ENGINEER’S PROJECT STATUS – Engineer Stoll reported that Sumner St. has been backfilled, and Martin and Co. is working on Union Street now. Both streets will be paved at the same time. • He, Director Vincer, Director Hewitt and the mayor met and walked Mill Road to determine the best course of action for the bike path extension. A revised plan should be available at the next meeting. • The streets planning document is nearing completion, and should be presented to committee in October.
13. DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT STATUS – Director Hewitt reported that Spanky’s intends to rebuild, and has met with Robeson for a quote. As part of the renovations, the owner plans to tear off the back 1/3 of the building and build a new addition. • We recently put out a Facebook post asking for artists interested in a mural project downtown. We have received a lot of interest, and hope to use professional artists with volunteers from the school art club in addition to others. Director Hewitt has also been in touch with the Sterling Mural Society who may be of help on the project. • An appraisal of Sunshine Park was valued at $70,000 for the parcel which is just over two acres. Discussions will continue with Hairy Cow, who have expressed interest in the property.
14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Director Vincer reported that one of the lawn mowers is down due to repairs. • His department recently worked on the road edge on Barker and Tower Roads. They removed four truckloads of material. The process keeps water off of the road. They hope to work with the Township on this project in the future. • Blacktop patching will be done next week, as well as limited drop and drag. They will be using skip patch and stone. 4th Street will be one of the first streets to be done. • King Paving has had to repair a driveway in Rose Meadows due to water work. • We are starting to see increases in water and sewer funds due to our rate increase.
15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Murray reported that applications for a police officer will be accepted until September 15. • He has been a presence at the school during the past several weeks, anticipating challenges with the mask mandate. There were no incidents. • Our health insurance renewal has a rate increase of 10%. It will be on the Administrative and Council agendas on September 1. The property and casualty insurance will also be renewing soon.
16. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – No report.
b. Public Safety – No report.
c. Administrative – No report.
17. CONTINUING BUSINESS
a. Mill Road Rec Path – Nothing new to report. A revised plan, based on the walk today, should be ready by the next committee meeting.
b. Rush Property – Nothing additional to what Attorney Szeto reported.
c. Sidewalk Café Ordinance – This ordinance comes with a recommendation for passage by the Administrative Committee after the date range was added. Fee will be added to the permit fee schedule. Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
d. Boat Launch Grant – The grant application is being done by Fehr-Graham and Director Hewitt. The application fee (between $100-300) and the application are due by September 1, 2021. Alderman Isaacs motioned to allow the mayor to sign the completed grant application and pay the application fee. Motion seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE; Hobbie, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
18. NEW BUSINESS
a. Byron Chamber Duck Race – September 11, 2021 – Kristin Reinders presented on behalf of the Chamber. They are planning a duck race event on Saturday, September 11, on the Rock River, and are asking council for approval to shut down the Rock River from 1pm – 4pm. Additional details and an emergency plan are in Dropbox. Alderman Hobbie motioned to approve the event plan as presented. Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
b. Moring Disposal Request – Moring Disposal is requesting a $.50 rate increase per month, effective September 1, 2021. Alderman Isaacs said this is part of their contract, however, the Administrative Committee will discuss how much of that increase will get passed to customers.
19. COUNCIL TALK – Engineer Stoll reminded everyone of the Top Tracer golf event, hosted by Fehr-Graham, next Tuesday evening. Family members are invited. Contact Kristin Diehl to RSVP.
20. COMMUNICATION –
a. Committee of the Whole – Wednesday, September 1, 2021, 6:00 pm.
b. Next Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, September 1, 2021, 6:30 pm.
21. ADJOURN – Alderman Metz motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE; Hobbie, AYE, Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 8; NAY 0; ABS 0.
Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:01 pm.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/vertical/sites/%7B67304C08-5FC3-4329-8F07-4786D33EE040%7D/uploads/Minutes_-_2021-08-18-Approved.pdf
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