City of Byron Public Safety Committee met Jan. 19.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
Alderman Hobbie called the meeting to order at 6:08 pm.
1. ROLL CALL:
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Al Zeke Hobbie, Alderman Mike Gyorkos, Alderman Cheryl Metz
MEMBERS ABSENT: Alderman Christy Hanlin
OTHERS PRESENT: Alderman Jessica Nehring (by phone), Clerk Caryn Huber, Police Chief Todd Murray, Attorney Aaron Szeto, City Engineer Jason Stoll, Bill Pirnat, Pam Kultgen
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – JANUARY 19, 2022 – Alderman Gyorkos motioned to approve, as presented, the January 19, 2022, Public Safety Committee meeting agenda. Seconded by Alderman Metz. 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 – NOVEMBER 17, 2021 –Alderman Hobbie motioned to approve, as presented, the November 17, 2021, Public Safety Committee meeting minutes. Seconded by Alderman Metz. Roll call vote: Metz, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 3; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
5. SQUAD CARS – Chief Murray continues to look for a squad car. He is looking in Illinois and Iowa. He may have to wait until the 2022 models come out.
6. CROSSING GUARDS – The city currently levies taxes for crossing guards. These taxes, in the past, have only been used for wages for crossing guards. The school pays for half of the wages and the City pays for the other half through the levied taxes. There is currently some excess funds and Alderman Isaacs has suggested we use some of the excess funds for equipment (reflective vests, coats, etc.) rather than paying for equipment out of the general fund. The school purchases some of the equipment as well. Chief Murray continues talks with the Superintendent about taking over the crossing guard program. The Police Department has difficulty filling the positions, but the school has support staff that could possibly work in this role.
7. INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR EOC – Director Vincer is looking for a generator which would enable us to host the EOC.
8. FIRE CODE INSPECTIONS – Nothing to report.
9. GAMBLING TERMINAL TAX INCREASE WITH LIQUOR LICENSE RENEWAL – Although we could charge $25 per gaming machine, we currently do not charge a permit fee. New legislation now allows municipalities to charge up to $250/machine. If the city decided to implement the fees, the charges would begin with liquor license renewal at the beginning of the fiscal year. The funds that are generated could go to the Police Department to offset expenses. Establishments are allowed to have six machines. The council would have to approve the added fee by ordinance.
10. POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET– Chief Murray is working on next year’s budget. This year’s budget is in line. Items that will need to be discussed in the upcoming budget include repairs to the municipal building, generators at multiple sites, HVAC updates to city hall, etc.
11. POLICE DEPARTMENT ACTIVITY & UPDATE – Chief Murray issued a memo that Officer McNeely resigned last week. He did not go through the academy, so no money is owed back to the city on his contract. The newest hire is in training in Champaign. He passed the POWER test over the weekend. A background check has started on another candidate. We have a training spot reserved in May. The Officer that is deployed is expected to return in Spring of 2023. • A UTV mock up sticker is included in Dropbox. It is 4” x 6”. Renewable stickers could be placed in the upper left hand corner. It was suggested that verbiage be added to the ordinance to exclude ATVs, golf carts, etc. Other small changes have been suggested as well.
12. SOCIAL MEDIA – Clerk Huber reported that the UTV post generated a lot of interest. There were 48 shares and 17 comments.
13. ADJOURN - Alderman Metz motioned to adjourn the Public Safety Committee meeting. Seconded by Alderman Hobbie. Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Metz, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 3; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. Alderman Hobbie adjourned the meeting at 6:31 pm. The next regular Public Safety Committee meeting is March 16, 2022.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/public_safety_committee/meeting/3887/1-19-22_public_safety_regular_meeting_minutes-approved.pdf
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