City of Byron City Council met Jan. 19.
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, Mittzi Fulrath, Cheryl Metz, Zeke Hobbie, Jessica Nehring (by phone), Michael Gyorkos. Six members present. Quorum established.
Aldermen Absent: Emily Gerdes, Christy Hanlin
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, Pam Kultgen
4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.
5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA – Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as presented, the January 19, 2022, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Metz. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
6. MINUTES –
a. January 5, 2022 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Motion by Alderman Hobbie to approve, as presented, the January 5, 2022, City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Metz, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Huber stated that the Treasurer’s Report for December 2021 is in Dropbox.
9. LIST OF BILLS –
a. Alderman Metz noted the cost ($1,089.00) to publish the Annual Treasurer’s Report in the Ogle County Life. Treasurer Huber explained that it is because of the size of the report. She will be working with Attorney Szeto next year to look into the possibility of referencing the report in a public notice and directing residents to our web site. Motion by Alderman Hobbie to approve the lists of bills dated January 19, 2022, in the amount of $101,535.42. Seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Rickard reported that he received thank you card from Jeanine Larson for the flowers the city sent for Ralph Larson’s visitation and funeral.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – No report.
12. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT – Engineer Stoll reported that we have been awarded a TARP grant through IDOT in the amount of $350,000. The amount represents approximately 50% of the cost for roadway improvements on Colfax St., from Route 2 to Water Road. IDOT would like the project targeted in 2023.
13. DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT – Director Hewitt reported that Dollar General should be opening in late February/early March. • Renovations are continuing at Spanky’s. The alley remains closed.
14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Director Vincer reported we may need to modify our street plan due to the TARP grant being awarded. • The department has been doing a lot of snow plowing. Several of the plow trucks have needed repairs. • The department is over budget on tree removal due to the need to remove several large trees on Mill Road. • Director Vincer is still attempting to contact someone about the flashing light at the corner of Colfax St. and Route 2.
15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Murray reported that Officer McNeely has resigned. One candidate is currently in school, and he hopes to have a second candidate starting school in May.
16. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – No report
b. Public Safety – Alderman Hobbie reported that Chief Murray continues to look for a squad car. • Chief Murray is also speaking with the schools regarding taking over the crossing guard program. Levy funds could be used for equipment. • The State of Illinois now allows us to bill establishments $250 per gaming machine. They are allowed up to six machines.
c. Administrative – No report.
17. CONTINUING BUSINESS
a. Mill Road Rec Path – Engineering and design are underway. Engineer Stoll hopes to have a design for committee to review next month. His goal is to have bids go out in spring, with a project completion date before the 2022 school year begins.
b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – Engineer Stoll reported that an EPA Reviewer has been assigned. Attorney Szeto will review the engineering contract for the project. The engineering fee is $947,000, or approximately $80,000/month. The city is eligible to be reimbursed by the loan for the engineering and the $40,000 facility plan.
c. Ordinance Regarding Performance Bonds for ROW Excavations – Attorney Szeto said the committee has reviewed this ordinance and should be making a recommendation next month.
d. City Hall Parking Lot – Plans are continuing for work on the City Hall Parking lot and preliminary plans should be ready in March. They hope to include an electric vehicle charger. Alderman Isaacs asked if grants are available. A new generator for City Hall is also planned. Plans will need to take ByronFest into account.
e. Ordinance Providing for Installation and Operation of Solar Energy Systems - The Zoning Board of Appeals will meet to discuss this ordinance on February 10.
f. Adjustment to Pay Scale – Item is still in committee.
g. COVID Policy – Item is still in committee.
18. NEW BUSINESS
a. Streets Plan – Nothing new to report. The item has been placed on the agenda to allow for future council discussion.
19. COUNCIL TALK – Engineer Stoll reported that the Rebuild Downtown Grant has been submitted in the amount of $2.5 million. The sewer lining grant that we applied for last year should be awarded soon. The amount requested was $1,000,000. We hope to have word on the IDNR Boat Dock Grant in spring.
20. COMMUNICATION –
a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, February 2, 2022, 6:30 pm
21. ADJOURN – Alderman Fulrath motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE; Hobbie, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 6:58 pm.
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