City of Byron Community Services Committee met March 2.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
Alderman Fulrath called the meeting to order at 5:40 pm.
1. ROLL CALL:
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Alderman Mittzi Fulrath, Alderman Emily Gerdes, Alderman Mike Gyorkos, Alderman Zeke Hobbie (5:45 pm arrival)
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Mayor John Rickard, Engineer Jason Stoll, Director Aaron Vincer
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – MARCH 2, 2022 – Alderman Gerdes motioned to approve, as presented, the March 2, 2022, Community Services Committee meeting agenda. Seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 3; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – FEBRUARY 2, 2022 –Alderman Gerdes motioned to approve, as presented, the February 2, 2022, Community Services Committee meeting minutes. Seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 3; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
5. SURF BROADBAND – Surf Broadband is currently reviewing the changes proposed by Attorney Szeto.
6. SEWER LINE EXTENSION – Constellation (formerly Exelon) has informed the city that they would like to run a sewer line from their plant to our treatment plant. Constellation will pay for all engineering and construction, and then turn the line over to the city. They would like the project to be done this year. Construction will begin immediately upon council approval. The exact route is still being worked out. Future development would be possible along the route and along German Church Road. The river crossing will likely be the Exelon train bridge. Alderman Gerdes asked if our treatment plant can handle the extra water. Director Vincer said that it could – estimates are that it will only be about 5,000 gallons of water a day. The line will allow Nordic Woods homes to hook on to city water and sewer once their septic systems start to fail. Alderman Gyorkos motioned to recommend council approval of the Resolution that includes a letter of understanding to Constellation allowing them to construct the line. Motion seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
7. SUNSHINE PARK PURCHASE – Mayor Rickard reported that Attorney Szeto is reviewing a proposal by Hairy Cow, and will write a redevelopment agreement as well as the real estate agreement if council agrees to sell them the rest of Sunshine Park.
8. AN ORDINANCE REGARDING WATER/SEWER CONNECTION FEES – A resident near Mill and Tower Rd. contacted Director Vincer and stated that their septic is failing. By IL state code, if a sewer line is within 300 ft. of a home, they must connect to it. Director Vincer would also like them to hook up to water, since water can be metered and that is the only way to determine the amount of wastewater going into the system. Attorney Szeto amended our water and sewer ordinance stating that if a home needs to connect to water and sewer, the home must annex into the city if the property is contiguous. Sewer connection fee is $3,000, but the city will waive the water connection fee if annexed. If a home is not contiguous, the homeowner will enter into a pre-annexation agreement with the city. Mayor Rickard reported that the homeowner needs to take action as soon as possible, since the septic will fail soon. Alderman Gerdes motioned to bypass first read on the ordinance, and recommends council approval on the ordinance amending water and sewer connection fees. Alderman Hobbie seconded. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
9. WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT – Director Vincer reported that a kick off meeting will be held soon, and they will be touring the treatment plant in South Beloit. He hopes to have some target dates by the next meeting. An EPA representative toured our plant recently, and agreed that the city is in need of a new sewer plant.
10. ROUTE 2 RECONSTRUCTION – IDOT is interested in having the city pass a resolution that states we will take over maintenance of a new bike path and lift station. Director Vincer stated that it is too early, without seeing plans, to pass that resolution. Director Hewitt will ask if IDOT has a resolution template so we have a better idea of what they are expecting at this point. Mayor Rickard feels that since the bike path will be outside of city limits, the park district would be a better fit for the maintenance responsibility. He is open to the idea of an intergovernmental agreement between the city and the park district to share in the upkeep of the path if need be.
11. MILL ROAD REC PATH – Engineer Stoll reported that plans are 80% complete, and they should be ready to go out to bid in the next few weeks. Bids should be ready for the committee to review in April. A four way stop is being proposed at the intersection of Mill and Old Hunter Run. There will also be a crosswalk on the other side of the hill. The stop will include flashing red lights.
12. 2022 STREETS PLAN - Bids should be returned for the committee to review in April.
13. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE – Director Vincer reported that we still have a watermain break under the train tracks. The water is shut off. He fears that if any other breaks occur, the school will lose water. Union Pacific railroad was contacted, and were in agreement that a permit should be issued immediately. Director Vincer is hoping council will waive the bidding requirement due to the urgency of the project. He will still get comparison prices from Kelsey and Martin Excavating. • Prices have been received for generators at city hall and three lift stations. Total cost for the four generators (plus installation) is $265,000, and we are planning to use ARPA funds. The only cost that isn’t included is running a gas line to the generator. Lead time on the generators is approximately nine months. We will propose a resolution for the spending of the ARPA funds. • Deb Johnson will be retiring soon, and Director Vincer is looking for someone to hire to begin training with her. He is also looking for summer help, and welcomes recommendations.
14. ADJOURN - Alderman Gerdes motioned to adjourn the Community Services Committee meeting. Seconded by Alderman Hobbie. 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 6:19 pm. The next regular Community Services meeting is April 6, 2022.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/community_services_committee/meeting/3964/03-02-22_csc_minutes-approved.pdf
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