City of Byron City Council met Oct. 20.
Here are 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: Emily Gerdes (by phone), Mittzi Fulrath, Cheryl Metz, Jessica Nehring, Michael Gyorkos, Christy Hanlin. Six members present. Quorum established.
Aldermen Absent: Todd Isaacs, 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, David Nall (Family Video)
4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.
5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Motion by Alderman Hanlin to approve, as presented, the October 20, 2021, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
6. MINUTES –
a. October 6, 2021 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Motion by Alderman Metz to approve, as presented, the October 6, 2021, City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Huber stated that the September 2021 treasurer’s report, along with accompanying monthly reports, is in Dropbox. Monthly income was discussed at the first meeting of the month. She invited aldermen to call with questions.
9. LIST OF BILLS – Motion by Alderman Fulrath to approve the list of bills dated October 20, 2021, in the amount of $190,298.03. Seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Metz, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Rickard reported that he attended a recent event at the school, celebrating the fact that Exelon will remain open. He presented a proclamation to Christine Lynde for her work on this effort. • He recently joined Director Hewitt, Engineer Stoll, Clerk Huber and Fehr Graham Landscape Engineer Dylan Schroeder for a walk through downtown. Grant money is available through DCEO for the purpose of revitalizing commercial corridors and main street areas. • A representative from Surf Broadband was scheduled to attend the meeting tonight, but is not present.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – Attorney Szeto is in the process of developing forms for the Administrative Hearing process.
12. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT – The DCEO grant that Mayor Rickard mentioned is a no match grant, and project awards begin at $250,000. Applications are due in January. He hopes to have concept drawings to show the committee soon. • The 2020-2021 Streets program is almost complete except for some landscaping and restoration work that needs to be done to finish the Union St. project.
13. DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT – Director Hewitt reported that Athletico is opening on Monday. • The ZBA met on Thursday, October 14. Items discussed are all on tonight’s agenda. • We are setting records for the number of building permits issued this year, many of them being re-roofs due to a recent storm. • Clerk Huber has begun setting up meetings with several artists to discuss the downtown mural project.
14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Director Vincer reported that the transmission has been replaced in one of the pick-up trucks, and they are still waiting on a repair on the dump truck. • He reported they have done some repairs to the sewer jetter, and it will not need to be replaced this year. • The street sweeper has been out, and will continue to be out after it rains. Director Vincer asked everyone to remind residents not to rake leaves into the street. We will continue to post on Facebook regarding this. • Tomorrow, they will be installing a flushing station on River Road which will flush a dead end water main. • They will be replacing a pressure reducing valve from Tower to Well #3 (the valve is in the Byron Hills area). • Road salt has been preordered in preparation for the coming snow plow season. • Work has begun on a capital improvement plan for utilities.
15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Murray reported that seven candidates (out of 30 applications) showed up and passed the physical agility portion of testing for police officer. They now move on to the written portion and background checks. Training class begins mid-January. • Chief Murray has begun looking for a squad car. So far he has only found pre-packaged administrative vehicles, which do not have the equipment that a squad car requires.
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 – Item is being discussed in committee.
b. Rush Property Demolition – Demolition has not been completed yet.
c. Greg & Michelle Jozefowicz/Paradise Nutrition TIF Application – Agreement is drafted and will be reviewed in committee.
d. Wastewater Treatment Plant – Discussed at the Committee of the Whole meeting earlier this evening.
e. UTV Ordinance – Item is being discussed in committee.
f. Ordinance to Allow for Short-Term Rentals – The Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously to approve short term rentals. Ordinance will go to committee.
g. Ordinance to Amend Zoning Fees - The Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously to amend the wording regarding zoning fees. Ordinance will go to committee.
18. NEW BUSINESS
a. Ordinance-Amendments to Tobacco Ordinance – This ordinance amends our ordinance to be the same as state law. Ordinance will go to committee.
b. Family Video Addition Variance – Director Hewitt reported that the Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously to approve a set-back variance for the Family Video building. Dollar General wishes to add a 2,000 sq. ft. addition on the west side of the building, extending it by 21ft. The roof lines will match, the entrances will remain the same, and there haven’t been any parking or driving hazards identified. Because the addition is time sensitive due to weather, Director Hewitt asked the council to consider passing tonight. David Nall from Family Video is present to answer questions. Alderman Metz asked about the ability to have semi trucks deliver to that location. Mr. Nall replied that the addition will be the supply room, and will have double doors to accept deliveries. All deliveries are contained within the parking lot. In addition, most deliveries are “key drops”, where the drivers have keys that enable them to deliver in the early morning hours. Alderman Gyorkos motioned to bypass first read. Motion seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS 0. • Alderman Fulrath motioned to grant the set back variance to the Family Video addition as presented. Seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
c. Mrozek Downtown Airbnb - Director Hewitt will provide a summary of discussion from the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting. Cornerstone Embroidery has reduced their square footage, allowing enough room for an Airbnb to be placed in back of the store. The zoning board voted to grant a special use and allow the Airbnb in this location. Item will be discussed in committee.
19. COUNCIL TALK – Alderman Metz asked about the Facebook post regarding leaves. She will share the post. Clerk Huber will post a reminder.
20. COMMUNICATION –
a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, November 3, 2021, 6:30 pm.
21. Alderman Fulrath motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 6:54 pm.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/vertical/sites/%7B67304C08-5FC3-4329-8F07-4786D33EE040%7D/uploads/Minutes_-_2021-10-20-Approved.pdf
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