City of Byron City Council met July 6.
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, Mittzi Fulrath, Cheryl Metz, Zeke Hobbie, Jessica Nehring, Michael Gyorkos, Christy Hanlin (by phone). Seven members present.
Aldermen Absent: Emily Gerdes
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 (by phone)
City Engineer Jason Stoll
Citizens Bill Pirnat
Derek and Tyler Humphrey (Midwest Disposal)
Ken Mrozek (Valu Pros)
4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.
5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA – Mayor Rickard asked to add “Change order to Mill Road Rec Path-ADA Ramps on Colfax” as item a. under New Business. Motion by Alderman Fulrath to approve, as amended, the July 6, 2022, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
6. MINUTES –
a. June 15, 2022 - City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Motion by Alderman Gyorkos to approve, as presented, the June 15, 2022, City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Metz, ABS; Hobbie, ABS; Nehring, ABS; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Mayor Rickard, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 5; NAY, 0; ABS 3.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
8. TREASURER’S REPORT – No report.
9. LIST OF BILLS – Alderman Isaacs asked about the charge for barricades. Director Vincer said it was a budgeted expense for this year along with the sign trailer which should appear on the list of bills next month. Alderman Isaacs also asked about the charge for a deposit on sealing the parking lot. Director Vincer said this is for the city parking lot behind Weezy’s, and funds will come out of the TIF fund. Alderman Hobbie asked about charges for EV charging units. Director Hewitt explained these are for the car chargers which will be added to the City Hall parking lot. Alderman Metz motioned to approve the List of Bills dated 7/06/22 in the amount of $191,565.28. Motion seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Rickard congratulated our schools on being listed as one of the best districts in Northern Illinois. • The TAS Committee discussed the use of our Emergency Notification System (Go Notify). We are making an effort to increase usage, and will give Director Vincer and Chief Murray access to posting on the system. • Mayor Rickard and Director Hewitt attended a meeting of the Northern Council of Governments, who have contracted to get group discounts on EV charging stations. Many local organizations participated in the meeting as well.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – A complaint has been drafted for 412 E. 2nd St. and it should be filed within the week.
12. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT – No report. All items are on the agenda.
13. DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT – Director Hewitt met with the contractor and owner of Spanky’s to discuss changes to their building plans. • Items are on order for the City Hall Parking lot (chargers, generator, etc). • Illinois has a grocery tax suspension for one year (1.5%), as well as a school supply tax suspension from 8/5-8/14. The state is also freezing CPI increases on the motor fuel tax.
14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Director Vincer reported that well #3 failed on July 4, and the water needs to be moved differently until a repair can be made. • Martin & Co. did skip patching on Front St., Merchant St. and E. 4th St. • The department just received a first shipment of a new type of water meter that has the capability to shut water off from inside a vehicle. This equipment is more expensive than the water meters we currently use, and will be used in homes that frequently have their water turned off for non payment. • On the list of bills, Director Vincer noted charges for sludge hauling. This will continue over the next several weeks.
15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Murray reported that he is preparing for ByronFest. He will be using our part time officers as well as others available. He has also asked the Sheriff’s Department for additional patrols in the area throughout the weekend.
16. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – No report. All items are on the agenda.
b. Public Safety – No report.
c. Administrative – Alderman Hanlin reported that Attorney Szeto has received two garbage proposals. He will be sending to the committee.
17. CONTINUING BUSINESS
a. Sunshine Park – Ken Mrozek appeared before council at their request to receive more information about the appraisal updating process on the Sunshine Park property. Alderman Isaacs asked why the appraisal was done as a residential property instead of commercial. Mr. Mrozek stated that the property is zoned residential at this time, but the appraisal is comparable either way, and land value hasn’t changed. The best comp is in Oregon for a property on the river but off of Route 64. Director Hewitt reminded council of the property and sales tax that will be generated once the property is developed. Alderman Fulrath hesitates to sell quickly, but Alderman Isaacs would like to proceed in order to hear more about the plans for the property. Attorney Szeto stated that the business needs to know if the price is reasonable before negotiating a redevelopment agreement which will state details about the project, time frame, etc. After additional discussion, Alderman Metz motioned to authorize Attorney Szeto to proceed with negotiations at $70,000 contingent upon a redevelopment agreement. Motion seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE; Hobbie, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
b. Mill Road Rec Path – Alderman Fulrath reported that the project is graded, but temporarily halted until next week. Residents are already using the path.
c. Wastewater Treatment Plant – Engineer Stoll stated that he, Aaron and Steve will begin touring other facilities to look at equipment.
d. City Hall Parking Lot – Engineer Stoll reported that a pre-construction meeting was held last week. Work will begin in August, and should take 3-4 weeks. The lot will be closed during construction, and an alternative entrance to City Hall will be used.
e. UTV Ordinance – Alderman Hobbie addressed an email that was sent to council members by Director Hewitt asking council to consider issuing a UTV day pass. Chief Murray stated that it would make the passes unenforceable. Alderman Hanlin reported that the Administrative Committee discussed the topic, and suggests waiting until fall to address all recommendations and possible changes to the UTV ordinance.
f. TARP Grant-Colfax St. – Engineer Stoll reported that cores along Colfax St. have been completed and an IDOT review should happen at the end of the week.
g. Constellation Sewer Extension–Engineer Stoll reported that we are waiting for a reimbursement agreement from Constellation. We have received a verbal agreement to reimburse $580,000 according to the engineer’s estimate.
h. Resolution Approving Renewal of IML Membership – Alderman Gyorkos motioned to renew the City’s IML Membership. Motion seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE; Hobbie, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
i. Resolution Approving Attendance at 2022 IML Conference – Alderman Fulrath motioned to approve attendance at the 2022 IML Conference. Motion seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
18. NEW BUSINESS
a. Change order to Mill Road Construction Project-ADA ramps on Colfax St. – Engineer Stoll reported that, as part of the requirements of the TARP Grant to repave Colfax St., the ADA ramps along the route need to be rebuilt in order to be compliant. He recommends that the ramps be completed ahead of time in order to save time and engineering and environmental costs. The six ramps are located at Third and Colfax, at the school’s parking lot, and two at Byron Hills Drive. He estimates the cost to be $30,000, but will write the change order to include a 15% contingency ($35,000). He recommends that this be done as a change order to the Mill Road Rec Path. The original estimate of the Mill Road Rec Path is $70,000 less than the engineer estimate so the funds are available. This is on the agenda for first read, and will not return to committee due to time constraints. Between now and the next meeting, we will receive a quote from Martin & Co. and Engineer Stoll will write the change order.
19. COUNCIL TALK – Alderman Hobbie discussed the UTV Ordinance, and it has been determined that the Administrative Committee will revisit the topic in the fall. • Director Hewitt invited council members to the Byron Chamber of Commerce Golf Playday on August 25.
20. COMMUNICATION –
a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, July 20, 2022, 6:30 pm.
21. ADJOURN – Alderman Isaacs motioned to adjourn. Motion seconded by Alderman Hobbie. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:30 pm.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/3922/minutes_-_2022-07-06-approved.pdf
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