NW Illinois News

City of Byron City Council met May 4.

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, Zeke Hobbie, Jessica Nehring, Michael Gyorkos. Six members present. Quorum established. Aldermen Absent: Christy Hanlin, Cheryl Metz

PRESENT: Mayor John Rickard

City Clerk Caryn Huber

City Attorney Aaron Szeto

Police Chief Todd Murray

Dir. of Public Works Aaron Vincer

City Engineer Jason Stoll

Citizens Jeremy Boehle, Justin Woolbright, Mike Curtis, Bill Pirnat, Bob Carroll (ABATE), Terry Weil (ABATE), Sue Woolbright, Tom Woolbright, Herschel Woolbright, Faye Woolbright, Clarence Welte, Kathy Welte, Jamie Curtis, Owen Curtis, Jaden Curtis, Whitney Braun, Kim Braun, Jeff Braun

4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.

5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA – Motion by Alderman Fulrath to approve, as presented, the May 4, 2022, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS 0.

6. MINUTES –

a. April 20, 2022 - City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as presented, the April 20, 2022, City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Hobbie. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS 0.

b. April 20, 2022 – City Council Public Hearing Minutes - Motion by Alderman Fulrath to approve, as presented, the April 20, 2022, City Council Public Hearing Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None

8. TREASURER’S REPORT –Treasurer Huber stated that the monthly revenues, as well as the tax comparisons, are in Dropbox.

9. LIST OF BILLS – Alderman Hobbie asked to verify that the $4,500 payment to Crum Halsted was for work on the Colfax St. watermain at the railroad. Director Vincer confirmed that it was. Alderman Isaacs asked about the $4,645.00 charge from NW Concrete. Director Vincer stated the charge was for replacing a sidewalk on Franklin St. He also asked about $6,520.75 charge from Thayer (final payment for replacing lights at City Hall). Alderman Isaacs stated that the charges from Fehr-Graham, which were held last meeting, are now coded correctly. Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve the list of bills dated May 4, 2022, in the amount of $113,714.18. In addition, two bills from Fehr Graham totaling $7,712.50 (which were held last meeting) may now be paid. Seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE, Hobbie, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS 0.

10. MAYOR’S REPORT –

a. Mayor Rickard administered the Oath of Office to Police Officers Justin Woodbright and Mike Curtis.

b. Mayor Rickard read a proclamation declaring May as Motorcycle Awareness Month. Bob Carroll and Terry Weil from ABATE were present to accept the proclamation.

c. Road Closure Request – Lori Martin from Cornerstone Family Church requested permission to close Peru St. from 3pm-9pm, July 11-15, for their VBS program. They have spoken to all of the neighbors and received no objection. Alderman Gerdes motioned to allow Cornerstone Family Church to close Peru St. during the requested days and times. Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE, Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. The church will borrow barricades from the city.

11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – Attorney Szeto reminded council that even though the Governor’s order is still in effect, because we are back to in person meetings, phone attendance is only allowable for one of three reasons: Illness, employment or family emergency. • Attorney Szeto discussed the need for a new public works facility. If we intend to add the building into the IEPA loan, normal bid procedures are necessary (bid specs/bid requirements). However, if we are funding the building ourselves, we can waive the formal bid process and ask for proposals for design/build. This saves time (we will not be able to demo the old building until a new one is built and ready) and money (we will not have to produce bid specs). We will most likely not have an answer until IEPA approves the facility plan.

12. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT – A pre-construction meeting was held today with Martin & Co. Completion on their road projects is expected by the end of August.

13. DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT – No report.

14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Director Vincer reported that the sewer jetter is out for repairs. He does not have a cost yet. We can borrow Stillman Valley’s sewer jetter if needed. • Boat docks are in. They are in poor shape and may only last through this season. A grant has been submitted for the boat launch that includes the cost of new docks. • The generators will be ordered as soon as requested information is received from Nicor. • Director Vincer has had talks with the Forest Preserve regarding possible sites for the new Public Works building. Land acquisition costs would be low.

15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Murray reported that Officer Woolbright is currently field training with Sergeant Boehle. Officer Curtis will leave Sunday for 14 weeks of training. • 70 UTV stickers have been issued. Chief Murray will order more. Alderman Hobbie asked if there have been complaints or tickets issued. Chief Murray said no. • Two new employees are starting Monday: An Administrative Assistant in the Police Department (Michelle Wills’ replacement), and in Water/Sewer (Deb Johnson’s replacement).

16. COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Community Services – Alderman Fulrath reported that most items are on the agenda. Director Vincer is in need of a new mower. It will appear on the List of Bills next meeting. There was no objection from council.

b. Public Safety – No report.

c. Administrative – Alderman Isaacs reported that the Administrative Committee continues to discuss the garbage contract. • The committee discussed the recommendation for work on the City Hall Parking lot, however, there was no recommendation made since Alderman Isaacs had to abstain as an employee and officer of the company with the lowest quote. They did motion to move the item through to council with no recommendation.

17. CONTINUING BUSINESS

a. Mill Road Rec Path – A pre-construction meeting will be held on May 4 at 3pm. Construction on the project should begin at the end of May.

b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – Director Vincer reported that a planning meeting will be held next Monday. They recently toured the South Beloit WWTP. Mayor Rickard added that the Monday meeting is open to everyone to attend, but we will need to know in advance in the event we need to post the meeting.

c. City Hall Parking Lot –Engineer Stoll reported that three bids were received for the work on the City Hall Parking Lot. Low bid was from Stenstrom at $108,952. Engineer estimate was $152,000. He recommends awarding the bid to Stenstrom. The committee was not able to make a recommendation due lack of a quorum. Alderman Hobbie motioned to award the bid to Stenstrom for $108,952. Motion seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Isaacs, ABS; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE, Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 5; NAY, 0; ABS, 1. The work will begin after ByronFest. Mayor Rickard added that the quote did not include work on the parking lot on the west side of the building. Since the bid was significantly lower than the engineer estimate, a change order to include this area is possible.

d. UTV Ordinance – Nothing new to report.

e. Surf Broadband – There has been no contact from Surf Broadband. The item will be taken off the agenda for now.

f. Sunshine Park Purchase – Alderman Fulrath reported that the committee discussed this item, and asked Director Hewitt to contact the appraiser to ask if he might be able to provide a market adjustment to more accurately reflect what the property value is now. They do not want to incur the cost of another appraisal. The last appraisal was done in September.

g. Bond Refinancing/Ordinance – Alderman Isaacs reported that the Administrative Committee recommends council approval on accepting Bernardi as our bonding agent for bond refinancing. Mayor Rickard added that once we determine who the bonding agent will be, we will pass an ordinance that allows them to watch the market and act immediately when certain criteria is met. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE, Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

h. TARP Grant-IDOT Agreement for Construction Engineering – Alderman Fulrath reported that this item will be temporarily removed from the agenda since it applies to next fiscal year.

i. Insurance-Change Broker of Record – Alderman Isaacs reported that the Administrative Committee recommends council approval on moving our insurance from Crum-Halsted to CoyleKiley. Chad Nelson has been our insurance agent in the past, and he is now with CoyleKiley. We will still have the same carrier, and coverage will not change. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE, Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

18. NEW BUSINESS

a. Certification of Revenues 2022-2023 – Alderman Isaacs reported that the Administrative Committee recommends bypassing first read of the Certification of Revenues. It needs to be approved within 30 days of the budget approval. The revenues are pulled directly from the budget. Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE, Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. Alderman Isaacs reported that the Administrative Committee recommends council approval of the Certification of Revenues 2022-2023 totaling $8,272,740. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

b. Payroll Service – The TAS Committee heard a payroll presentation from Market Dimensions, a division of the Morrissey Family Businesses. Michelle Wills, who has been doing payroll, will be retiring at the end of the month. Estimated cost of the service is $3,600 plus add-ins, with a total estimated cost of $6,000. Mayor Rickard added that we have been using paper time sheets. We will go to an electronic system with the service, which will eliminate the need for anyone having to compile information from written timesheets. The cost of the service will be covered by the difference in pay between the new and previous employee. Alderman Isaacs motioned to waive first read. Motion seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. Alderman Isaacs reported that the Administrative Committee recommends council approval on hiring Market Dimensions for the city’s payroll service. Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

c. COLA Discussion & Approval – Alderman Isaacs stated that the COLA increase is determined at this time of year. Along with the COLA increase, council had previously approved a $1.00 bump in pay for all levels. Two new “working foremen” scales have also been added to the pay scale for Brian Malone and Gary Treese. A vote would approve this as well. COLA this year is 8.54%. Because a payroll cycle is coming up, Alderman Isaacs motioned to waive first read. Motion seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. Alderman Isaacs reported that the Administrative Committee recommends council approval of the COLA increase and adjustments to the pay scale as presented. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

19. COUNCIL TALK – Alderman Fulrath asked about the permanent location of dumpsters at Dollar General. Mayor Rickard stated that Director Hewitt has been in contact with them but does not have an update.

20. COMMUNICATION –

a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, May 18, 2022, 6:30 pm

21. ADJOURN – Alderman Isaacs motioned to adjourn. Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:23 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/3907/minutes_-_2022-05-04-approved.pdf