City of Byron Community Services Committee met Jan. 5.
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 Zeke Hobbie, Chairman Alderman Mittzi Fulrath, Alderman Emily Gerdes, Alderman Mike Gyorkos
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Engineer Jason Stoll, Mayor John Rickard
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – JANUARY 5, 2022 – Alderman Hobbie motioned to approve, as presented, the January 5, 2022, Community Services Committee meeting agenda. Seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. 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 – DECEMBER 1, 2021 –Alderman Hobbie motioned to approve, as presented, the December 1, 2021, Community Services Committee meeting minutes. Seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
5. WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT – Engineer Stoll reported that the EPA has confirmed they have the document and are starting to review it.
6. WATER/SEWER RATE ORDINANCE – Mayor Rickard reported that a fact sheet regarding the water/sewer rate ordinance is in Dropbox. This document was requested by council in order for everyone to have, and be able to discuss, the same information. Alderman Gerdes asked if this information will be released prior to the rate increase. Mayor Rickard said the information will be published shortly after the ordinance is passed. The rate increase begins in May. Alderman Hobbie motioned to recommend council approval of the Water/Sewer Rate Ordinance. Alderman Gyorkos seconded. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. Engineer Stoll added that information was included on the fact sheet after the TAS meeting this morning to give examples of what the water rate increase would look like to the average user.
7. ORDINANCE REGARDING WATER-SEWER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FEE – Alderman Gerdes motioned to recommend council approval of the Ordinance Regarding Water-Sewer Capital Improvement Fee. Motion seconded by Alderman Hobbie. Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
8. ROUTE 2 RECONSTRUCTION – As part of the plans for Route 2, IDOT has plans to extend the bike path from the city limits to Lake Louise. They have asked the city to take Community Services Committee Minutes Wednesday, January 5, 2022 Page #1 over maintenance of the bike path after construction. Mayor Rickard said this is beyond city limits, and maintenance would be at the city’s expense. He suggested the Park District would be better equipped to care for the bike path. There are still many questions regarding this arrangement, and no final agreement has been reached. There is also a sewer pumping station planned by the second viaduct exiting the city. They have asked the city to assume maintenance of the pumping station as well, however, they would pay the city per year to do standard maintenance. IDOT would also pay for any repairs. The Route 2 project includes paving and opening Old State Road again into Jackson Knolls. IDOT continues to purchase property from the sewer plant to Main Street in Rockford, and Route 2 will shift towards the river. The project is still at least five years away.
9. MILL ROAD REC PATH – Surveying is complete and preliminary drawings are started. Engineer Stoll hopes to have the project out to bid by spring, with completion by the beginning of the school year.
10. STREETS PLAN – Engineer Stoll reported that the street inventory is done, and they have divided the project into three areas. The first is slurry seal projects. Rose Meadows and Prairie Place, originally slurry sealed in 2014, would be redone this year at an estimated cost of $120,000. The second concentration is chip seal with HMH skip patching, to be used in the older parts of town. There are several streets that should take priority - 4th St., Merchant St., and portions of Front St. Estimated cost for these three streets is $180,000. There are no recommendations yet for a reconstruction project. Also listed are projects being discussed that use other funds: Mill Road Bike Path (COVID recovery funds), and City Hall Parking Lot (TIF Funds). Originally, the plan was to divide the streets budget into thirds, with one third to slurry seal, one third to chip seal, and one third to reconstruction. Since reconstruction projects are costly, the city can either save a third of the money over several years until there is enough to pay for a large reconstruction project, or take out a loan and use that third to make a payment towards the loan. Reconstruction projects also include infrastructure repairs. The 2023 program would have a similar amount of slurry seal and chip seal projects. Eventually, the report will include plans and a color coded map for the next five years, but will be reviewed every year in case adjustments need to be made. We have been conservative in spending over the last two years, so we may be able to schedule a larger project this year.
11. ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF SOLAR ENERGY – Alderman Gyorkos motioned to recommend council approval of the Ordinance Providing for Installation and Operation of Solar Energy. Motion seconded by Alderman Hobbie. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hobbie, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
12. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE – Director Vincer will give his report at City Council.
13. ADJOURN - Alderman Hobbie motioned to adjourn the Community Services Committee meeting. Seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote Gerdes, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. Alderman Fulrath adjourned the meeting at 6:20 pm.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/community_services_committee/meeting/3876/01-05-22_csc_minutes-approved.pdf
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