City of Byron City Council met April 19.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Minutes Approved as Presented 5/3/23
1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Rickard called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Led by Mayor Rickard
3. ROLL CALL – Aldermen present: Todd Isaacs, Emily Gerdes, Mittzi Fulrath, Ron Boyer, Zeke Hobbie, Jessica Nehring, Michael Gyorkos. Seven members present.
Aldermen Absent: Christy Hanlin
PRESENT: Mayor John Rickard
City Clerk Caryn Huber
City Attorney Aaron Szeto
City Administrator Brian Brooks
Public Works Dir. Aaron Vincer
Police Chief Todd Murray
Engineer Jason Stoll
Citizens Pam Kultgen, Bill Pirnat, Jacqueline Holder, Terry Weil
4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.
5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA – Mayor Rickard asked to add Mussel Survey under Continuing Business as item 17g and Sam’s Drive in Liquor License/Video Gaming under Continuing Business as 17h. Under New Business, he asked to add Certification of Revenues. Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as amended, the April 19, 2023, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Boyer, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
6. MINUTES –
a. April 5, 2023 – City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – Motion by Alderman Gyorkos to approve, as presented, the April 5, 2023, City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Huber stated that her report for March can be found on Dropbox. The report illustrates the six CDs that were cashed in and transferred to Public Fund Money Manager Accounts. The two new money manager accounts are highlighted on the report. They are named General Fund 2 and General Fund Streets. The Tort & Insurance money manager account, also highlighted, had been opened previously and two Tort CDs were transferred into this account. The interest rate on the Public Fund accounts right now is 5.05%. As a result of these changes, interest earned for the month of March totaled $17,000.95.
9. LIST OF BILLS – Alderman Gerdes asked if the City is paying employees for vaccines. Administrator Brooks said that the information was recently given to employees and several stipends have been paid. Alderman Hobbie motioned to approve the List of Bills dated 04/19/23, in the amount of $76,198.25. Motion seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Hobbie, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Rickard reported that the city has reserved a table at the Byron Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner on Thursday, April 27. Aldermen that wish to attend should contact Administrator Brooks. • Mayor Rickard read and presented a proclamation to Terry Weil (ABATE) in recognition of Motorcycle Safety Awareness month. • Mayor Rickard and Administrator Brooks attended a meeting of the Ogle County Economic Development Corporation. The organization is working on their bylaws.
11. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – Administrator Brooks reported that the RFP for the Comprehensive Plan went live on March 16. It is on two planning association websites and has been sent directly to planning firms. A pre-response meeting was held on April 10. One participant from NIU attended. The deadline is May 11. • The Park District is reviewing the Intergovernmental Agreement. • The Administrative Committee continues to discuss the sale of land to Hairy Cow for additional parking. Hairy Cow would like to purchase a portion of the park in addition to the ROW. It is being determined as to how much of the park he will need. • Administrator Brooks has reached out to three additional accounting firms for quotes for our annual audit. • An initial meeting with the FOP (scheduled for April 12) has been postponed to May 8. • Elected officials have received the Statement of Economic Interest. They are due May 1. Please submit to Clerk Huber by the end of the week if you want her to file it with the county for you. • The mural committee met with Fatherless, a group of artists that were interviewed by the committee last year. Two locations for the mural are being considered. The first is the Union St. side of Uptown Lanes. The second is the Orthopedic Rehab building, also on Union St. The artists visited the two sites and will give their recommendation as to the location, concept, and cost.
12. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – All items are on the agenda.
13. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT – Engineer Stoll reported that bid packages have been sent out for the balance of the Streets Program. The bids are due May 1. Information will be compiled for committee review May 3.
14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – The Public Works building site work and building design has begun. Norup will look at options for the septic system next week. • Tours of sewer plants are complete and an initial meeting to discuss basic ideas and desired equipment was held with Matt Johnson. • A mussel survey needs to be completed as part of the application for the MPDES Discharge Permit. TEST is working on the majority of the application. • Three lead services have been located and the information has been sent to IEPA. The services will need to be replaced. • The department is working on water issues on Lafayette St. • Seasonal staff has been brought on to begin mowing. • In response to Facebook posts, Director Vincer reminded council that, by ordinance, the homeowner is responsible for maintenance on the water line from the curb stop to their home. For the sewer line, the homeowner is responsible for maintenance of the service lateral from the main to the home.
15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Murray reported that Officer Hankins will be graduating from the academy one week from tomorrow. • Officer Woolbright has given notice that he is leaving the department. • 58 UTV renewals have been processed along with four new permits. This number represents approximately half of the 115 total permits issued last year. • At the next committee and council meeting, Chief Murray will introduce an ordinance allowing him to dispose of a 2016 charger to the Fire Department.
16. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – No report.
b. Public Safety – No report.
c. Administrative – No report.
17. CONTINUING BUSINESS
a. Water/Sewer Rate Review – Administrator Brooks stated that water/sewer rates were increased by 5% last September due to the CPI. Because of this, the rates that were determined in the last rate ordinance would have gone down as of May 1, 2023. The ordinance presented adjusts the base rates to keep them where they are currently. There are increases, set to go into effect May 1, that raise the rates on usage per 1,000 gallons over the base rate. These will remain unchanged. Alderman Gerdes asked when the capital improvement fee drops off. Administrator Brooks stated that the rate sunsets on May 1, 2025. Alderman Fulrath asked that the item be put on the Community Services Committee agenda for further discussion on future rates. Alderman Isaacs would like to discuss the possibility of having only one annual increase instead of two (one in May, according to ordinance, and one in September for the CPI). Alderman Isaacs motioned to approve the Water/Sewer Rate Ordinance. Motion seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
b. Budget Adjustments Ordinance – Administrator Brooks explained that this annual ordinance adjusts discrepancies within the categories of the current budget. Alderman Isaacs motioned to approve the Ordinance to Amend the 2022-2023 Budget. Motion seconded by Alderman Hobbie. Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
c. 2023-2024 Budget Ordinance – Alderman Isaacs motioned to approve the 2023-2024 Budget Ordinance. Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
d. Ordinance to Change Administrative Committee Meeting Date – Attorney Szeto stated that this ordinance changes the Administrative Committee meeting date from the 1st Wednesday to the 3rd Wednesday of the month. This will allow staff to attend all committee meetings. We are required to publish the change as a public notice. The next regular meeting will remain the 1st Wednesday of May. If the publication requirement is met, the next regular meeting will be held on May 17. Alderman Gerdes motioned to approve the Ordinance to Change the Administrative Committee Meeting Date. Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
e. ChargePoint Master Services and Subscription Agreement – Administrator Brooks stated that this topic refers to the electric vehicle charging stations in the City Hall parking lot. ComEd charges the city $.09 per kw hour. It usually takes 75-100 kw hours to fully charge a vehicle. 10% gets taken by ChargePoint. $.18-$.24/kw hour is a typical range for the area. We have already paid for a five-year plan with ChargePoint. Once the rate is determined, the chargers can be operational. Administrator Brooks added that the chargers can also be set up to charge an hourly rate. Alderman Boyer motioned to approve the service agreement with ChargePoint and charge $.24/kw hour. Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Boyer, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
f. TIF Development Agreement-Reruns – Administrator Brooks stated that the Administrative Committee had approved a $29,100 TIF Grant to Jacqueline Holder at Reruns subject to a development agreement. The agreement states that if she sells the building within a year, she will return the money to the city. If she sells the building within two years, 50% of the grant will be paid back. The Administrative Committee recommends council approval of the TIF grant and development agreement. Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
g. Mussel Survey – Administrator Brooks received a quote from Fehr-Graham for a mussel survey required as part of the application for the MPDES discharge permit. The item will be up for vote at the next council meeting.
h. Sam’s Drive In Liquor License/Video Gaming – Because the item was added to the agenda, a vote will be taken at the next meeting. A recommendation to approve has been made by committee.
18. NEW BUSINESS –
a. Certification of Revenues – Administrator Brooks stated that this is the revenue portion of the budget. It needs to be passed within 30 days of passage of the budget, so it will be slated for approval next meeting.
19. COUNCIL TALK – Mayor Rickard thanked Alderman Hobbie for his service to the city. His term ends with this meeting. • Mayor Rickard will not be in attendance at the May 17 meeting and asked that anyone interested in serving as Mayor Pro Tem contact him.
20. COMMUNICATION –
a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, May 3, 6:30 pm.
21. ADJOURN – Alderman Fulrath motioned to adjourn. Motion seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Hobbie, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; 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/4113/minutes_-_2023-04-19-approved.pdf
Alerts Sign-up