City of Byron City Council met Feb. 1.
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. Alderman Gyorkos motioned to allow Alderman Hanlin to participate in the meeting electronically due to illness. Motion seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. Motion passed. Seven members present.
Aldermen Absent: None
PRESENT: Mayor John Rickard
City Clerk Caryn Huber
City Attorney Aaron Szeto
City Administrator Brian Brooks
Dir. of Public Works Aaron Vincer
Dir. of Econ. Dev. Larry Hewitt
Police Chief Todd Murray
Engineer Jason Stoll
Citizens Bill Pirnat, Pam Kultgen, Caitlin Vaughan, Mike Traum (Byron Firefighter’s Association), Shirlee Aldrich (Sam’s Drive In), Brad Cox (Cox’s Roost), Rick Robeson, Herb Santiago, Keith Gartin, Gail Gartin
4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.
5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA – Motion by Alderman Gyorkos to approve, as presented, the February 1, 2023, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
6. MINUTES –
a. January 18, 2023 – City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – Motion by Alderman Gerdes to approve, as presented, the January 18, 2023 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT – Brad Cox, Cox’s Roost, addressed the council. A foundation has been poured on the addition to his building and progress is slowly being made. He asked to be put on the agenda to speak with council about issues relating to the renovation, such as the handicapped accessible sidewalk.
8. TREASURER’S REPORT – No report.
9. LIST OF BILLS – Alderman Isaacs motioned to approve the List of Bills dated 02/01/23, in the amount of $32,520.56. Motion seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Representatives from State Representative Tony McCombie’s office will be in the Community Room on February 21 from 10-11am to speak with residents regarding assistance with State related issues.
11. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – Administrator Brooks reported that he has been working with Director Hewitt. • He has met with Superintendent Barton and Township Commissioner Mark Rundle. • He has revised the staff Organizational chart to reflect the current personnel structure. • Administrator Brooks has asked staff to submit items for Dropbox at least 48 hours in advance of the Committee and Council meetings in order for council members to have adequate time to review documents. • He attended a webinar on the RAISE grant.
12. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – A petition for deed was approved for 412 E. 2nd St. The judge has signed the deed electronically, however, the recorder requires a “wet” signature. He is working with the recorder’s office.
13. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT – All items are on agenda.
14. DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT – Director Hewitt reported that Kinetic Grit will be moving to a new location at the old Spahn & Rose property. The location will also include a wellness center in the front of the building. • The boat launch grant has been approved and work can begin this spring. He has priced new boat docks. They are the same cost as repairing the current docks.
15. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Director Vincer thanked the council for approving the addition of several new snow plow drivers. The new drivers did very well during the most recent snowstorm. • He also thanked Gene Stoll for his work on the streets program. Director Vincer will be working on a similar utility plan.
16. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Murray reported that he is working with Roxanne Sosnowski on one of the officer’s reimbursement contract.
17. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – All items are on the agenda.
b. Public Safety – No report.
c. Administrative – All items are on the agenda.
18. CONTINUING BUSINESS
a. Wastewater Treatment Plant – No updates
b. TARP Grant-Colfax St. – Award Bid - Engineer Stoll reported that three bids were received for the Colfax St. roadway improvements. The low bid was from Martin & Company for $442,424.87, which is 29.5% lower than the engineer’s estimate. The city’s cost for the project will be $221,000. The Community Services Committee recommends council approval to award the Colfax St. bid to Martin & Company for $442,424.87. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. c. Constellation Sewer Extension – No update.
d. Water/Sewer Rate Review – No update.
e. Comprehensive Plan – Attorney Szeto is writing an RFP.
f. Public Works Building-CORD Contract Approval –The contract with CORD was executed today. All updates that were requested were made. Design work will begin.
g. Byron Forest Preserve Agreement – Director Vincer stated that the Forest Preserve Board will take action on this agreement at their February board meeting.
h. 2023 Streets Program – Engineer Stoll presented three options to committee for the 2023 Streets Program. The project includes resurfacing of Colfax/Tower Road. Street maintenance will continue in the Rose Meadows and Fawn Ridge subdivisions, as well as on W. Merchant (approved last year), N. Mineral, N. Fox Run Lane, Perene St., S. Maple Ave., Luther Drive and Allison Circle. Engineer Stoll estimated revenue of $400,000, TARP grant award of $221,000 and half of the G.O. Bonds ($175,000). After review, the Community Services Committee recommends council approval on Option 1, at a total estimated cost of $856,676.00. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
i. Bergagna Alley Vacation – 113 E. 2nd St. North Side Alley – Survey work is done. Fehr Graham will prepare the vacation plat and Attorney Szeto will prepare the necessary vacation ordinance.
19. NEW BUSINESS –
a. Comcast Cable Franchise – Administrator Brooks stated that our 10 year Comcast Franchise Agreement is due. There are several items that Attorney Szeto has requested to the standard contract. The redlined copy is in Dropbox. The changes primarily have to do with ROW maintenance. Comcast is reviewing the proposed changes.
b. Sam’s Drive In Liquor License/Video Gaming – Shirlee Aldrich, owner of Sam’s Drive In, is exploring options to expand her business and appeared before the Community Services Committee to discuss the possible addition of video gaming machines. The committee has asked Shirlee for additional information and will discuss further in March.
c. Byron Firefighter’s Association Street Closure proposal – Administrator Brooks stated that the Administrative Committee discussed the proposal and recommended council approval provided they speak with County Market regarding access to their loading dock during the street closure. Mike Traum stated that they have already done so and their signature appears on the list of neighbor notifications. Alderman Isaacs motioned to bypass first read. Motion seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. The Administrative Committee recommends council approval of the Byron Firefighter’s Association request for street closures from May 25-May 28, 2023. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
d. Resolution in Support of Ogle County Economic Development Corporation – The Ogle County Economic Development Corporation is a private/public partnership that will serve as a clearinghouse of economic development opportunities throughout the County. Administrator Brooks stated that they are requesting participating communities to contribute 10% of their ARPA distribution to use as seed money for beginning salaries and overhead expenses (5% this year and 5% next year). Byron’s commitment would be approximately $49,000 total over the two years. Alderman Fulrath asked if other communities have made commitments. The larger communities have chosen to participate. Alderman Gerdes asked about NextSite. The information that was collected by NextSite will be given to the organization. We are currently in our second year (out of three) with the NextSite contract. Although Mayor Rickard feels their work has been inadequate, he has not had discussions about getting out of the contract. Mayor Rickard and Administrator Brooks will attend a meeting for the Ogle County Economic Development Corporation on February 9. Discussion will continue.
e. Frontier Construction and Utility Use Agreement and Permit – Frontier is preparing to install fiber optic throughout the city. Administrator Brooks is exploring the possibility of preparing a licensing agreement. Frontier was asked for a sample document, but he instead received a permitting agreement. We are not able to collect any more money from them, as we already receive telecommunications tax. Most of the work on the fiber optic install is above ground. Director Hewitt added that a franchise agreement could require service at no cost to municipal buildings.
20. COUNCIL TALK – None
21. COMMUNICATION –
a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, February 15, 6:30 pm.
22. ADJOURN – Alderman Gyorkos motioned to adjourn. Motion seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:06 pm.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/4095/minutes_-_2023-02-01-approved.pdf
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