City of Byron City Council met Oct. 19.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Minutes Approved as Presented 11/2/22
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. Six members present.
Aldermen Absent: Alderman Emily Gerdes, Alderman Christy Hanlin
PRESENT: Mayor John Rickard
City Clerk Caryn Huber
City Attorney Aaron Szeto
Dir. of Public Works Aaron Vincer
Dir. of Econ Dev. Larry Hewitt
Engineer Jason Stoll
Citizens Bill Pirnat, Pam Kultgen, Herb Santiago, Charles
Scott (Frontier), Brad Cox, Rick Robeson
4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.
5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Motion by Alderman Gyorkos to approve, as presented, the October 19, 2022, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
6. MINUTES –
a. October 5, 2022 - City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Motion by Alderman Metz to approve, as presented, the October 5, 2022, City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Metz, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT – Charles Scott, Vice President of External Affairs at Frontier, spoke regarding a city-wide project that they are undertaking to upgrade existing facilities to fiber. Fiber is cleaner and easier to maintain. The upgrade will bring 1 gig of service directly to homes. The network interface will be on the back of homes and will be installed at the resident’s request. Cost will range from $49-$59/month, and should drive competition. To complete the project, they will go into the existing right of way where copper is now. The copper does need to stay since some security systems and other devices will not work with fiber until they are upgraded. They are boring, not trenching. Neighbors will be notified via door hangers. The hangers will include a phone number to call with any complaints. Engineering has begun, and permits have been applied for. A start date depends on weather, and most likely will be the first quarter of 2023. The project covers all areas within city limits and beyond. Director Vincer asked if some Frontier owned poles could be removed or moved as part of this project. Mr. Scott said that this could be part of their discussion. Fiber equipment is also being installed in the Frontier building on 2nd St. Director Hewitt stated there are 13 different permits and bonding for $450,000 has been determined. Once the checks are received, permits will be released.
8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Huber reported that the September Treasurer’s report is in Dropbox. Alderman Metz noted the decrease in video game tax.
9. LIST OF BILLS –Alderman Isaacs asked about charges from Thayer Energy. This was for the concrete pad installation and the car charger installation. The charger will be activated in several days. Cost is $0.15 per kilowatt hour. Alderman Hobbie asked about the payment to the Byron Library. This is a portion of our PPRT that we are required to pay them. Alderman Metz inquired about the charge for $418.78 for Community Relations from the Police Department. Chief Murray was not at the meeting, but it was speculated that the costs may have been related to the Fire Department Open House. Alderman Metz motioned to approve the list of bills dated 10/19/22 in the amount of $193,261.62. Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Rickard reported that he is reviewing the job description for the City Administrator. A draft of the job description is in Dropbox. The position will start to be advertised in the next week or two. Starting pay is $90,000 to $125,000.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – All items are on the agenda.
12. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT – All items are on the agenda.
13. DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT – Director Hewitt reported that the dragstrip has contacted the city regarding hosting fireworks next year. A group will be formed to help organize the event.
• TIF checks will be distributed by the next meeting. They will appear on the 11/2 list of bills.
14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Director Vincer reported that a water main break occurred at Perene and River Drive on October 12. Kelsey Excavating was called to assist.
• The Public Works Department will be replacing a water valve at Byron Hills Drive and Colfax.
• Salt was ordered from Glendenning at a cost of $32,000. The cost is just slightly up from last year.
• The Acorn water tower tank has been painted and inspected and is now back in service.
• Paving will be finished next week.
• Boat docks will be removed by the end of the month.
• IDOT has asked if we would like to have emergency beacons at the light at Route 2 and 72. They would be installed for approximately $9,000 at our expense. Director Vincer has contacted Chief Murry and Fire Chief DeMik.
• Alderman Metz asked about the sidewalk that needs repairs on 2nd St. next to the monument. Director Vincer will look at it. He has told the owner that they are responsible for sewer line repairs from the main to the home.
15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – No report.
16. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – No report.
b. Public Safety – No report.
c. Administrative – No report.
17. CONTINUING BUSINESS
a. Sunshine Park Purchase – Item was discussed at Committee of the Whole meeting earlier in the evening.
b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – Director Vincer reported that he and several others will be touring wastewater treatment plants to identify equipment elements that they would like to see implemented at Byron’s new plant.
c. TARP Grant-Colfax St. – Plans are currently at IDOT for review. A copy of the Fehr Graham agreement for Construction Engineering is included in Dropbox. The committee has previously approved the engineering portion of the project. This contract allows them to be on site during the construction. Billing will be in May or June. The TARP grant will cover the cost of the engineering. Alderman Isaacs motioned to approve the Fehr Graham Construction Engineering Agreement in the amount of $40,000. Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE; Hobbie, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
d. Constellation Sewer Extension – Engineer Stoll will be sharing a report on soil borings soon, and bi-weekly reports are in Dropbox.
e. Water/Sewer Rate Review – A meeting was scheduled with Aldermen Isaacs and Fulrath, Director Vincer, and Engineer Stoll to discuss how to proceed with the water and sewer rates. Discussion will continue at committee.
f. Moring Waste Disposal – Resident Fees – The Administrative Committee is reviewing the resident fee structure.
g. Comprehensive Plan – No report.
h. Sale of Surplus Property – Detention Pond – The public notice has been published for three weeks as legally required. Bid opening will take place November 1.
i. RFP – Public Works Building – Alderman Fulrath explained that this RFP is to identify qualified contractors. It has been published on our website and Engineer Stoll has distributed it to companies that he has previously worked with.
18. NEW BUSINESS
a. Ordinance Authorizing Disposal of Property-Police Squad Cars – Ordinance is in Dropbox for first read and will be discussed at committee in November.
19. COUNCIL TALK – Alderman Isaacs asked to have Tax Levy put on the Administrative Committee and Council in November.
• Discussion was held regarding the new Public Works Building and the benefits of funding the project through a local loan rather than through the IEPA. Private funding will allow the project to start immediately, and it won’t be subjected to IEPA standards. A bridge loan is not possible since IEPA loan funds will not pay for existing notes.
• Alderman Metz asked if Moring has accepted the terms of their contract and asked if the two additional roll outs will begin this Fall.
20. COMMUNICATION –
a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, November 2, 6:30 pm.
21. ADJOURN – Alderman Hobbie motioned to adjourn. Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Metz, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:21 pm.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/3948/minutes_-_2022-10-19-approved.pdf
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