City of Byron City Council met May 17.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
1. CALL TO ORDER – In the absence of the Mayor, City Clerk Caryn Huber called the meeting to order at 6:41 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Led by Clerk Huber
Alderman Nehring motioned to nominate Alderman Fulrath to serve as Temporary Chair in the absence of Mayor Rickard. Motion seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Fulrath, ABS; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 5; NAY, 0; ABS, 1.
3. ROLL CALL – Aldermen present: Todd Isaacs, Mittzi Fulrath, Ron Boyer, Jessica Nehring, Michael Gyorkos, Christy Hanlin. Six members present.
Aldermen Absent: Emily Gerdes
PRESENT: City Clerk Caryn Huber
City Attorney Aaron Szeto
City Administrator Brian Brooks
Public Works Dir. Aaron Vincer
Police Chief Todd Murray
Citizens Pam Kultgen, Bill Pirnat, Caitlin Vaughan,
Sheila McCammond
4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Alderman Fulrath led the Council in prayer.
5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Administrator Brooks asked to strike items 11a (Administer Oath of Office to Ron Boyer – this was done at the Administrative Committee) and 18e (Bergagna Alley Vacation Request – request has been withdrawn). Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as amended, the May 17, 2023, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Boyer. Roll call vote: Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
6. MINUTES –
a. May 3, 2023 – City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – Motion by Alderman Hanlin to approve, as presented, the May 3, 2023, City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, ABS. Motion passed: AYE, 5; NAY, 0; ABS 1.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
8. TREASURER’S REPORT –Treasurer Huber stated that the Treasurer’s Report for the month of April is in Dropbox.
9. LIST OF BILLS – There are two lists of bills. Alderman Isaacs asked about the charges from Spinello. Chief Murray stated that we needed to have locks re-keyed. Alderman Hanlin motioned to approve the List of Bills #1 dated 05/17/23, in the amount of $167,397.33. Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. Alderman Isaacs motioned to approve the List of Bills #2 dated 5/17/23, in the amount of $19,852.42. Motion seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS,
10. MAYOR’S REPORT – No report.
11. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – Administrator Brooks reported that we received a quote from Fatherless on the next downtown mural. The price came in higher than we anticipated and we are in further discussions with them.
12. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – All items are on the agenda.
13. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT – Administrator Brooks reported for Engineer Stoll in his absence. Contract documents have been sent to Rock Road Companies for the resurfacing portion of the 2023 Streets Program. A pre-construction meeting with Rock Road Companies has been scheduled for June 7 at City Hall. • The TOPO survey has been completed on the boat dock. A preliminary design should be available in July for committee review. • Preliminary grading and engineering plans have begun on the Public Works Building. • Engineering is underway for the WWTP. The next coordination meeting is scheduled for July.
14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Director Vincer reported that an estimate of $2.9 million has been received from CORD Construction for the Public Works Building. This does not include road work or septic. He recommends that the item return to committee to review options. • There was a city sewer main back up on Front St. An abundance of baby wipes were found. A resident had clean-up costs of $3,027 which the city will pay since it was a city main that backed up. • A curb stop on 4th St. needed to be repaired. They found lead from the curb stop to the main. • Public Works has a $7,000 surplus in road salt this year. • Municipal Lot #1 will be sealed on June 15. • There was a $6,000 bill for sludge hauling this month. Due to the land application permit, the city was able to reduce this year’s sludge hauling costs significantly. • Alderman Fulrath asked if the boat docks are in the water. Director Vincer said no. He stated that he spoke with the supplier of the new docks. All the parts for the new docks are in except for the gang planks that go from the existing pad to the dock. The old docks are falling apart and may not be able to be used in the meantime. Alderman Fulrath suggested placing an exhibit at the boat dock showing the new plans for the area.
15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Murray reported that Officer Hankins is progressing well on his field training. • Attorney Sosnowski is working with former Officer Woolbright to draft a reimbursement agreement for the amount owed to the department for training. • Chief Murray has submitted the reimbursement request to the state for Officer Hankins’ training. In the past, the state has reimbursed us for the $8,000 training costs that appear on the List of Bills this month.
16. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – No report.
b. Public Safety – Chief Murray reported items in his report.
c. Administrative – No report.
17. CONTINUING BUSINESS
a. Fehr Graham Proposal for Mussel Survey – Alderman Brooks stated that, at the committee’s request, Fehr Graham received a second bid from Bio Survey. The first bid was received from Lewis. Later, Lewis’s bid was increased due to additional insurance requirements. In addition, Fehr Graham received a third bid for over $19,000. The Fehr Graham proposal using Bio Survey was $12,452. EPA requires that we prove we have someone hired and scheduled by the end of the week. Director Vincer added that the results of the study might allow the EPA to relax ammonia discharge limits. Alderman Fulrath motioned to approve the mussel survey bid from Fehr Graham to hire Bio Survey for $12,452. Motion seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
b. Peru St. ROW Vacation and Possible Land Sale – Nothing to report.
c. Resolution Approving Intergovernmental Agreement with Park District – Alderman Hanlin stated that this item came out of committee with a recommendation to approve. Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
d. Annual Employee Wage Increases – Alderman Isaacs stated that the Administrative Committee recommends approval of an employee COLA increase of 4.98%. In addition, there are step increases that were approved last year. Roll call vote: Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
e. Bergagna Alley Vacation Request – Request withdrawn.
f. 221 N. Walnut St. Sidewalk Replacement – Administrator Brooks stated that the Committee of the Whole recommends reimbursing Mr. Miller 75% of the cost of ramp replacement as a TIF grant. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
18. NEW BUSINESS –
a. Comprehensive Plan Proposal Recommendation – Administrator Brooks stated that three proposals for the Comprehensive Plan update have been received, ranging in price from $28,000 to $82,500. The NIU Center for Governmental Studies had the lowest bid. They work in conjunction with Egret/Ox, a planning firm. Administrator Brooks made several reference calls and received mixed results. He asked for direction on how to proceed. Alderman Fulrath felt that the proposal from Chastain ($82,500) was more detailed and better put together. Attorney Szeto suggested contacting their references since Chastain is better known for their engineering. Administrator Brooks stated that it may be possible to wait another year in order to adequately budget for a more costly update. Administrator Brooks will make more calls and report to committee at the next meeting.
b. Audit Proposal Recommendation – Alderman Hanlin reported that a recommendation came out of committee to hire Sikich to conduct the 2022-2023, 2023- 2024 and 2024-2025 audits. Administrator Brooks added that they conduct audits for many local communities: Stillman Valley, Davis Junction, Dixon, Belvidere, to name a few. He spoke with representatives from these communities and received good recommendations. Alderman Isaacs motioned to bypass first read. Motion seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. The Administrative Committee recommends council approval to hire Sikich to conduct the 2022-2023 audit. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
c. TEST Contract for Managing Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants – Director Vincer stated that the renewal is due for our contract with TEST. There is a 2% increase in price. As we plan for a new sewer plant, his recommendation is that we renew the contract with TEST.
d. ByronFest Approval – Alderman Hanlin stated that the Administrative Committee reviewed the ByronFest proposal. The only change the committee requests is movement of the reefer truck out of the City Hall parking lot. Chief Murray added that with the changes made to the parking lot, it will restrict the ability to get the reefer into place. Alderman Hanlin motioned to bypass first read. Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
The Administrative Committee recommends council approval of the 2023 ByronFest proposal. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
19. COUNCIL TALK – None
20. EXECUTIVE SESSION - Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS120/2(c)(5) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act to discuss Collective Negotiating/Bargaining – Alderman Hanlin motioned to go into Executive Session at 7:17 pm. Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
Administrator Brooks, Attorney Szeto and Clerk Huber remained.
Council returned from Executive Session at 7:56 pm. Council members present: Nehring, Gyorkos, Hanlin, Isaacs, Fulrath, Boyer. Also present: Administrator Brooks, Attorney Szeto, Clerk Huber. Alderman Fulrath stated there was no action taken during Executive Session.
21. COMMUNICATION –
a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, June 7, 6:30 pm.
22. ADJOURN – Alderman Isaacs motioned to adjourn. Motion seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
Alderman Fulrath adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:57 pm.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/4118/minutes_-_2023-05-17-approved.pdf
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