City of Byron Community Services Committee met Aug. 24.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
Alderman Fulrath called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.
1. ROLL CALL:
MEMBERS PRESENT: Alderman Emily Gerdes, Alderman Mike Gyorkos, Alderman Zeke Hobbie, Chairman Alderman Mittzi Fulrath
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Mayor John Rickard, Engineer Jason Stoll, Director Aaron Vincer
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – AUGUST 4, 2021 – Alderman Gerdes motioned to approve, as presented, the August 4, 2021, Community Services Committee meeting agenda. Seconded by Alderman Hobbie. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hobbie, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JULY 7, 2021 –Alderman Gerdes motioned to approve, as presented, the July 7, 2021, Community Services Committee meeting minutes. Seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hobbie, ABSTAIN; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 3; NAY, 0; ABS, 1.
5. WATER/SEWER CPI RATE INCREASE – Director Vincer explained that, according to ordinance, water and sewer rates should increase annually by the CPI. The ordinance states that “Rates shall be increased by a percentage equal to or greater than the preceding year's rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index”. The CPI traditionally is 3%, however, this year is 5.4%. Because of the recent rate increase, Director Vincer only wanted to implement a 4% increase. According to our ordinance, this would not be allowed. He would like to discuss a change to the ordinance to read “In a year where there has been a rate increase, the CPI increase is at the discretion of council”. He will discuss further with attorney Szeto. Alderman Fulrath prefers to increase by the CPI and take that off of the scheduled rate increase. Director Vincer said we would lose the CPI, which keeps us where we need to be. The other increase will allow us to do maintenance and repairs to the system. Mayor Rickard noted that the time frame of the CPI increase is not stipulated in the ordinance, it just says “annually”. Alderman Hobbie suggested spacing out the CPI increase and the rate increase at two times during the year. After discussion, the committee recommends that the CPI will increase this year by 5.4%, which matches the CPI and follows our ordinance. We will review in January to see if the rate increase needs to be adjusted.
6. ORDINANCE AMENDING PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE EXPENDITURES – The committee discussed this ordinance at the last meeting. Presently, Public Works employees that are on call need to have approval from Director Vincer or Mayor Rickard to purchase supplies needed for repairs. This ordinance allows them to spend up to $500 without prior approval. Alderman Gyorkos motioned to recommend council approval for the ordinance amending public works employee expenditures. Motion seconded by Alderman Hobbie. Roll call vote: Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
7. BOAT LAUNCH GRANT – A $200,000 100% grant is available through DNR to improve our boat launch. The only money we would spend, to be taken out of the Development budget, is $7,500 for Fehr-Graham to write and submit the grant application. The plan includes new docks, fencing, landscaping, a gazebo/shelter and updated restroom. Deadline for the application is September 1. Concept drawings are available in Dropbox.
8. QUALITY METAL SEWER – After researching other industrial rates in neighboring communities, the average price is $.004/gal. Using this figure, the monthly payment for Quality Metal to discharge into our sanitary sewer would be $4,670/month ($.004/Gallon). Annual total would be $56,000. If council approves, Director Vincer will present this information to Quality Metal. This is a starting point to see if Quality Metal is seriously considering this option, and, if they are, will be the beginning of negotiating a rate.
9. ROUTE 2 RECONSTRUCTION – Director Vincer recommends that the city consider replacing the sewer and water lines from Route 2/72 to Peru St. during the Route 2 reconstruction. Even though the project is four to five years out, we should start planning.
10. WWTP FACILITY PLAN – Engineer Stoll recommends scheduling another Committee of the Whole meeting to review the facility plan, which is 90-95% complete. Engineer Johnson and his team are waiting for instructions on how to proceed (complete project, phased project, no project). As Engineer Johnson stated in the last meeting, we are better off financially if we complete the entire project at once. A phased program will involve multiple mobilizations, and the financing terms now are as good as they may get. Alderman Fulrath asked for a better understanding of what the phased program would look like. Director Vincer asked if we are looking at a wide enough scope. He feels we should also take the existing collection system into account. Alderman Fulrath stated that the entire sewer system should be included in the plan. The last sewer project was completed when downtown reconstruction was done years ago.
11. MILL ROAD REC PATH – Since we did not receive a grant, Engineer Stoll stated that we will proceed with the Mill Road Rec Path project as a city funded project. Funds that will be used are American Rescue Plan funds and MFT Rebuild Illinois funds.
12. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE – Will be given at City Council meeting.
13. ADJOURN - Alderman Gerdes motioned to adjourn the Community Services Committee meeting. Seconded by Alderman Hobbie. 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 6:30 pm. The next regular Community Services meeting is September 1, 2021.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/vertical/sites/%7B67304C08-5FC3-4329-8F07-4786D33EE040%7D/uploads/08-04-21_CSC_Minutes-Approved.pdf
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