City of Byron Public Safety Committee met July 21.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
Alderman Hobbie called the meeting to order at 6:08 pm.
1. ROLL CALL:
MEMBERS PRESENT: Alderman Chairman Zeke Hobbie, Alderman Mike Gyorkos, Alderman Cheryl Metz, Alderman Christy Hanlin (Arrival 6:11 pm)
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Alderman Jessica Nehring, Clerk Caryn Huber, Police Chief Todd Murray, Attorney Aaron Szeto
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – JULY 21, 2021 – Alderman Gyorkos motioned to approve, as presented, the June 21, 2021, Public Safety Committee meeting agenda. Seconded by Alderman Hobbie. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Metz, AYE; Hobbie, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 3; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
4. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – MAY 19, 2021 –Alderman Hobbie motioned to approve, as presented, the May 19, 2021, Public Safety Committee meeting minutes. Seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Metz, ABS; Hobbie, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 2; NAY, 0; ABS, 1.
Alderman Hanlin arrived at the meeting.
SOCIAL MEDIA – Clerk Huber asked members of the committee to share city Facebook posts on their personal pages. We currently have almost 1,400 followers, and that number continues to grow. She invited aldermen to share ideas for posts.
5. POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET– Nothing to report.
6. POLICE DEPARTMENT ACTIVITY & UPDATE – The ByronFest weekend went well. Attendance was down due to weather. There were several incidents but no arrests were made, and no accidents or arrests were reported by the county on the roads exiting Byron. • Chief Murray will be placing an ad for two new police officers. We have spots reserved for training in January and May. There is sufficient money in the budget to cover these two hires. He is currently using two part time officers who are working for the Sheriff’s office as well. • The new records management system installed in squad cars is now being used. It connects Byron with the Sheriff’s office, Rochelle, and Oregon. • Presently, the city has only two crossing guards, and it is difficult to fill the additional positions. Chief Murray has been in discussions with the school to have them take over the crossing guard program. Currently, the school pays half of the crossing guard salary ($20/day) and the city receives a tax for their portion, which we would pay back to the school. Crossing guards are utilized at Rt. 2 and Colfax, 2nd St. and Colfax, and 3rd St. and Colfax. Alderman Metz asked about using signs (positioned in the middle of the street) that direct cars to stop if pedestrians are in the road. Chief Murray questioned the effectiveness of the signs, and noted that the signs are typically removed at night (who would remove them and where would they be stored?). Alderman Metz is particularly concerned about crossing Route 2, especially after the scheduled reconstruction. She would like to further explore ways to make crossing Route 2 safer in order for the public to access parks and other attractions on south side of the road. Alderman Hanlin noted that, because these are state roads, we unfortunately do not have any authority to place signage.
7. SOCIAL MEDIA – Discussed earlier in meeting.
8. ADJOURN - Alderman Hobbie motioned to adjourn the Public Safety Committee meeting. Seconded by Alderman Metz. Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Metz, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. Alderman Hobbie adjourned the meeting at 6:30 pm. The next regular Community Services meeting is September 15, 2021.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/vertical/sites/%7B67304C08-5FC3-4329-8F07-4786D33EE040%7D/uploads/07-21-21_Public_Safety_Regular_Meeting_Minutes-Approved.pdf
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