City of Byron City Council met Nov. 17.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Rickard called the meeting to order at 6:32 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 Bill Pirnat
4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.
5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA – Motion by Alderman Nehring to approve, as presented, the November 17, 2021, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Fulrath. 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. November 3, 2021 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Motion by Alderman Hanlin to approve, as presented, the November 3, 2021, City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Metz, ABS; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS 1.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Huber stated that the October 2021 Treasurer’s Report and accompanying documents are in Dropbox. Two CDs matured this week, and were renewed for 90 days each. Alderman Hobbie asked if all CDs are at Byron Bank, and if we check with other banks regarding CD interest. Treasurer Huber said that she periodically checks with other banks, but no one has been able to match Byron Bank’s rates.
9. LIST OF BILLS – Alderman Isaacs asked about the charges for Entre. Chief Murray said that new wiring was installed on phones to make us less vulnerable. The charge for $1,400 is an annual charge for phone support and this is the last year we need to pay this charge. Alderman Gerdes asked about charges for cedar from Spahn and Rose. Director Vincer said this charge was for posts and hardware for the city parking lot signs. Alderman Gyorkos asked about the $112,000 charge for Martin Excavating. This was for the Union St. project. Alderman Gerdes asked about charges from Helm regarding the boiler. Chief Murray said the boiler did not start like it was supposed to, but the problem is now fixed. Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve the two lists of bills dated November 17, 2021, in the amounts of $112,513.74 and $49,101.89. Seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Metz, AYE; Hobbie, AYE: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Rickard reported that the Canadian Pacific Holiday train will not be having live concerts this year, however, a virtual concert will be shown on December 18 at 7:00 pm. They will again make a donation to People Helping People. • The City Christmas party will be held on December 9 at PrairieFire. The Mayor asked that everyone RSVP if they haven’t already. • Comments have appeared on Facebook regarding leaf burning. Some residents have expressed concern regarding the burning of leaves due to difficulty breathing, asthma, etc. A resident called today asking if leaf burning could be extended since the trees are dropping their leaves so late. It is too late for council to formally act on this request, however, the mayor suggested adding it to the Administrative Committee agenda for discussion. Alderman Hanlin asked Director Vincer about the street sweeper. He said the sweeper can pick up some leaves, but not an entire yard full. We do not have the attachment needed in order to do this. • Several months ago we signed a municipal aggregation agreement with Eligo Energy. They have sent a letter asking to back out of the contract for six months (during which time residents would be charged by ComEd). The group of mayors that signed the contract decided that they would ask that Eligo instead honor their contract. It is suspected that they underbid the contract. If they are unable to do this, the aggregation would likely re-bid. The Mayor said there would be no interruption of service, and accounts would default back to ComEd. • The City’s new website is getting close to going live, and council was given a preview of the new look.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – Attorney Szeto has been researching Airbnbs and Vrbos and the paying of the 5% hotel tax. There is still some question about collection of the tax, whether it is paid by the homeowner or the Airbnb or Vrbo website. Attorney Szeto is exploring how to set up a contract with the websites.
12. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT – Engineer Stoll reported that work is in progress on the streets document and they will be presenting it to the Community Services Committee. Other items are on the agenda.
13. DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT – Director Hewitt reported that an estimate was done on improvements to the City Hall parking lot and came in at $105,000. The TIF District funds are fairly healthy right now, and the Administrative Committee will discuss further. • Surf Broadband would like to make a presentation to council to discuss bringing fiber internet to Byron. A date and time will be discussed further in the agenda under council talk. • The Dollar General addition is progressing. Walls are up and it should be closed in soon.
14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Director Vincer reported that the Public Works Department has been getting trucks and snow plows ready for winter. Two loads of salt have been delivered. They are down one truck due to repairs needed on the lift box. Bonnell, who has regularly repaired our trucks, is experiencing problems with parts delivery. • Every Wednesday, the department has been working on service line inventory for lead identification (mandated by the EPA). Appointments have to be made with homeowners since it requires entering the home. • They have also been doing sewer cleaning and sludge hauling. • Several residents are raking leaves into the curb line. Director Vincer will draft a letter to the residents. He will be exploring options and discussing with the Community Serves Committee. A program to pick up leaves will require additional manpower and equipment. The leaves in the street clog storm drains and lead to flooding issues.
15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Murray reported that council can expect to see charges on the next bill run for property/casualty. It went up slightly in order to raise our cyber security from $100,000 to $1,000,000.
16. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – No report.
b. Public Safety – Alderman Hobbie reported that his committee met tonight. Chief Murray continues to look for a squad car. • Chief Murray is still working with the Fire Chief on an Intergovernmental Agreement for the EOC. • The department budget comparison and activity update will be uploaded to Dropbox. • A new officer candidate has passed his test, and will be offered a position. Academy begins January 17. • Chief Murray warned staff and council about emails that are supposedly being sent by the mayor but are scams.
c. Administrative – No report.
17. CONTINUING BUSINESS
a. Mill Road Rec Path – Engineer Stoll reported that surveys are scheduled and design work will begin soon.
b. Rush Property Demolition – Demolition has not been completed yet.
c. Wastewater Treatment Plant – Nothing new to report.
d. Water/Sewer Rate Ordinance – Item is being discussed in Committee.
e. UTV Ordinance and application – Item is being discussed in Committee.
18. NEW BUSINESS
a. Tax Levy – Alderman Isaacs said there is not much of a change in the tax levy from last year (less than 5%). We will need to act on this at the first meeting in December in order to meet the filing deadline.
19. COUNCIL TALK – The Surf Broadband meeting will be held at 5:30 pm on January 19, followed by Public Safety Committee at 6:00 pm. They will be given 30 minutes which will include time for questions and answers.
20. COMMUNICATION –
a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, December 1, 2021, 6:30 pm.
21. Alderman Fulrath motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:08 pm.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/vertical/sites/%7B67304C08-5FC3-4329-8F07-4786D33EE040%7D/uploads/Minutes_-_2021-11-17-Approved.pdf
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