City of Byron City Council met March 2.
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: 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, Pam Kultgen
4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.
5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA – Motion by Alderman Metz to approve, as presented, the March 2, 2022, 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. February 16, 2022 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Motion by Alderman Fulrath to approve, as presented, the February 16, 2022, City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, ABS; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS 1.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Huber stated that the Monthly Revenue for February 2022 and tax revenue comparison are in Dropbox.
9. LIST OF BILLS – Alderman Isaacs asked about the charges from Kelsey Excavating. Director Vincer said these were from work on a watermain break under the train tracks and well as an additional watermain break. Alderman Metz asked about the Roto-Rooter charge. Director Vincer said that the price was negotiated for work done on Market St. The original bill was approximately four times the amount. Motion by Alderman Hanlin to approve the list of bills dated March 2, 2022, in the amount of $39,998.27. Seconded by Alderman Nehring. 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 – No report.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – No report. All items are on the agenda.
12. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT –Engineer Stoll anticipates having 2022 street project bids by the April committee meeting. All other items are on the agenda.
13. DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT – Director Hewitt reported that the Spahn and Rose property is under contract. • Hairy Cow Brewery has made an offer to purchase Sunshine Park. Attorney Szeto has reviewed the offer, and discussion will continue.
14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Director Vincer reported that the department is within their salt budget for this year. • The street sweeper should be in operation soon. Even though it was a nice day today, there is still too much salt on the streets to run the sweeper.
15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Murray reported that a background check is continuing on a potential police officer candidate. The psychological evaluation was earlier today. • UTV stickers are being made.
16. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – No report. All items are on agenda.
b. Public Safety – No report.
c. Administrative – No report. All items are on agenda.
17. CONTINUING BUSINESS
a. Mill Road Rec Path – Bids should be ready to present to committee on April 6.
b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – Fehr Graham Agreement – Engineer Stoll reported that a kick off meeting will be scheduled for next month. A group will also be touring the treatment plant in South Beloit.
c. City Hall Parking Lot – Engineer Stoll reported that survey work was completed today and the design phase of the project will begin. Bids should be back by May.
d. Contagious and Emerging Diseases Policy – Attorney Szeto has reworked the proposed policy to be inclusive of all contagious diseases. It does not include additional PTO time, but will include cash incentives for vaccinations (i.e., flu, pneumonia, shingles, COVID, etc). Alderman Hanlin reported that the Administrative Committee recommends council approval of the policy. 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.
e. UTV Ordinance – UTV stickers are on order. Item will remain on the agenda in case revisions need to be made to the ordinance prior to implementation of the program.
f. An Ordinance Regarding Water/Sewer Connection Fees: This ordinance amends water and sewer connection fees for homes outside of city limits. Homes that need to connect, and are contiguous to the city, would require annexation into the city. There is currently a homeowner that needs to connect to city sewer because their septic is failing and the county will not allow replacement or repair. Sewer connection also requires water connection in order to meter. There is a $3,000 connection fee for sewer, but the connection fee for water will be waived as long as they annex to the city. Alderman Fulrath reported that the Community Services Committee recommends bypassing first read of the ordinance. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE; Hobbie, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABS 0. Alderman Fulrath reported that the Community Services Committee recommends council approval on the ordinance to amend water/sewer connection fees. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
g. Surf Broadband – Surf Broadband is currently reviewing our proposed changes to the contact. At the last meeting, Alderman Metz asked about the type of connection from the main line to the home. Attorney Szeto confirmed that fiber will run into the home.
h. Leaf Burning Ordinance – The proposed amendment to the leaf burning ordinance allows for city council to temporarily amend burning dates if necessary. The Administrative Committee will review the ordinance in April.
i. Sunshine Park Purchase – Hairy Cow Brewery has made an offer on the Sunshine Park property. Attorney Szeto is reviewing the offer. As we get more details, it will go to committee. Alderman Isaacs asked why there was no earnest money deposit made with the proposal, and why there is a five month hold on a piece of land. Attorney Szeto will suggest that they enter into a redevelopment agreement (separate from the real estate agreement) which will require them to specify a timeframe and what the property will be used for. If they do not meet the deadlines specified in the agreement, the property would revert back to the city. The property needs to first be declared surplus property. Alderman Gyorkos asked if anyone else will have the opportunity to bid on the land. Attorney Szeto explained there are two ways to sell the property. If there is a specific buyer in mind, an MAI certified appraisal needs to be done, and the purchase price has to be at least 80% of the appraisal. The city can also sell the property by a sealed bid process, where the highest bidder purchases the land. The downside to this is that the city loses control of the development of the property. Director Hewitt said the property was appraised previously and the contract reflects 80% of the appraisal. Alderman Gerdes asked if the appraisal can be shared with council. Alderman Metz added that it is important to keep open the access on the road leading to the old boat dock. Director Hewitt said that the Park District has plans to extend the bike path through that area.
18. NEW BUSINESS
a. Sewer Line Extension – Constellation Energy has asked if we would accept wastewater via a sewer line from the nuclear plant to our treatment plant. They will pay for engineering and construction of the sewer line, and we will take over the maintenance of the line after completion. Constellation will pay for the amount of wastewater being treated. Constellation has money in the budget for this year, and design work can start immediately after council approval. Running this sewer line opens up many possibilities for development along German Church Road. In addition, the Nordic Woods subdivision will eventually need to hook on to city sewer. Alderman Fulrath motioned to bypass first read of Resolution 2021-08, which approves a Letter of Understanding with Constellation Nuclear regarding Acceptance of Wastewater Treatment from the Byron Generating Station. Seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. The Community Services Committee recommends council approval of Resolution 2021-08. Alderman Isaacs asked if the Constellation proposal includes the cost of generators for new lift stations. Director Vincer replied that it does. Alderman Isaacs asked if we can connect others to the line, and if so, will they need to annex into the city. Mayor Rickard said that we can, and they will be required to annex if they are contiguous. Otherwise, they would enter into a pre-annexation agreement.
Alderman Hanlin asked if the treatment plant can handle the additional wastewater. Director Vincer said that they have the capacity to handle the anticipated 5,000 gallons a day, even if additional homes hook on to the line. Alderman Metz asked if this will have any impact on the new fee structure. Director Vincer said no since this will be an industrial rate. Even if the plant would stop producing electricity, there will always be water used at that location. The sewer line will be a $3-4 million dollar investment in our infrastructure. Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
b. Intergovernmental Agreement - EOC – Will be discussed by the Public Safety Committee at its next meeting.
19. COUNCIL TALK – None
20. COMMUNICATION –
a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, March 16, 2022, 6:30 pm
21. ADJOURN – Alderman Hanlin motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Alderman Isaacs. 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.
Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:16 pm.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/3897/minutes_-_2022-03-02-approved.pdf
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