City of Byron Community Services Committee met Nov. 2.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
Alderman Fulrath called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.
1. ROLL CALL:
MEMBERS PRESENT: Alderman Zeke Hobbie, Chairman Alderman Mittzi Fulrath, Alderman Mike Gyorkos, Alderman Emily Gerdes
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Mayor John Rickard, Engineer Jason Stoll, Director Aaron Vincer, Director Larry Hewitt, Attorney Aaron Szeto
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – NOVEMBER 2, 2022 –Alderman Gerdes motioned to approve, as presented, the November 2, 2022, Community Services Committee meeting agenda. Seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hobbie, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – OCTOBER 5, 2022 –Alderman Hobbie motioned to approve, as presented, the October 5, 2022, Community Services Committee meeting minutes. Seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
5. WATER/SEWER RATE REVIEW – Director Vincer does not have anything new to add. Alderman Isaacs is calculating proposed new rates.
6. PURCHASING PROPERTY FOR PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING – Director Vincer stated that he, Director Hewitt and Engineer Stoll met with Forest Preserve personnel to look at several locations for the new Public Works building. After viewing several locations, the one best suited for the building is near the turf maintenance building, next to the city’s well #5 and city salt storage. There is property there that we already own. The Forest Preserve will donate an additional acre and a half. This location will allow shared space/resources with the Forest Preserve. Electricity is already there in order to run the well. If at some point in the future we decide to build a city center near the quarry, this building will be useful to the Forest Preserve. We can also trade land for land. Director Vincer stated that a new building could be built by next fall. He added that the Forest Preserve board would like to see a plan. Discussion at TAS also included the possibility of using a portion of the wastewater treatment plant site for vehicle/equipment storage and building a slightly smaller new building. Alderman Gerdes motioned to recommend council approval of the proposed location for the Public Works building site. Motion seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
7. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL-PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING – Director Vincer stated that a Request for Proposal has been put together for design/build contractors for the public works building. He plans on interviewing at least three companies.
8. CONSTELLATION SEWER LINE EXTENSION – Engineer Stoll reported that soil borings are complete. Preliminary engineering plans identifying three route options to the plant will be completed in December.
9. WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT – A tour of several facilities will take place next week. Director Vincer, Steve Christiansen (TEST) and Matt (Fehr Graham) will be looking at newer plants and identifying elements of the plants that we may want to incorporate into our plans.
10. TARP GRANT-COLFAX ST. PROJECT – Engineer Stoll reported that IDOT has asked for a resolution establishing a Class II truck route on Colfax St. This item is next on the agenda. He anticipates bidding in January. Part of the design will require construction to accommodate the truck traffic.
11. RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING CLASS II TRUCK ROUTE ON COLFAX ST. – Alderman Gyorkos motioned to recommend council approval of the Resolution Establishing a Class II Truck Route on Colfax St. Motion seconded by Alderman Hobbie. Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Gerdes, ABS; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 3; NAY, 0; ABS, 1.
12. SUNSHINE PARK PURCHASE – Attorney Szeto stated that a revised plan is included in Dropbox. Hairy Cow Brewery would like to purchase the entire property, rather than purchasing a small area for a parking lot with a right of refusal for more. They would like the city to contribute by providing street parking. IDOT Route 2 construction plans will not affect this area. Phasing would include building the banquet facility first, then the retail space. Parking needs to be addressed to accommodate additional patrons. Alderman Gerdes would like to proceed with discussions, agreeing to the city providing on-street parking. Alderman Fulrath is not in favor of adding parking until the retail center is built. Attorney Szeto added that his parking lot should be adequate to accommodate his banquet facility, however, he may not have enough room on the property. Director Hewitt cited locations where the city has included parking into street plans in order to assist businesses, namely County Market and Sunrise. Attorney Szeto discussed the aspect of economic development with the city providing some parking. Engineer Stoll believes the property will need 20-30 additional parking stalls between the retail and banquet facility. Alderman Gerdes added that the street does need work, and the city should consider the economic development benefits that this project will bring. The committee agreed that discussions should continue.
13. 2023 STREETS PROGRAM – A large portion of the 2023 budget will be going towards the Colfax St. project. Alderman Gerdes asked if a bike path is planned to go north on Colfax to the Brighton Ridge subdivision. Director Vincer said that if a grant is secured, a bike path can be planned, but the cost is very high.
14. BERGAGNA ALLEY VACATION – 113 E. 2nd St. NORTH SIDE ALLEY – Jim Bergagna, owner of the building at 113 E. Second St., would like to use the alley for dock loading and parking. The committee has no issue with the vacation of this 14’ alley. Item will move to council.
15. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN – No updates per Mayor Rickard. They will be putting together an RFP and exploring grant money available.
16. ROUTE 2 RECONSTRUCTION – A Zoom meeting with IDOT is scheduled for November 17 from 6-8pm. It is open to the public.
17. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE – Director Vincer reported that a mis-marked watermain was hit. Many residents lost water pressure and the towers were drained by three feet. The break was isolated and repairs were made the same day. A boil order was not necessary. He discussed the need to have water storage on that side of the river. • Director Vincer stressed the importance of residents not raking leaves into the street. They clog the sweeper.
Alderman Fulrath suggested adding additional Community Services Committee meetings since there are so many items on the agenda. They will add meetings at 5:30 pm, prior to council, on the second meetings of the month in November, January and February.
18. ADJOURN - Alderman Gyorkos motioned to adjourn the Community Services Committee meeting. Seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. Alderman Fulrath adjourned the meeting at 6:27 pm. The next regular Community Services meeting is December 7, 2022. A special Community Services Committee meeting will be November 16, 2022 at 5:30 pm.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/community_services_committee/meeting/3987/11-02-22_csc_minutes-approved.pdf
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