City of Byron City Council met July 5.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Rickard called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Led by Mayor Rickard
3. ROLL CALL – Aldermen present: Todd Isaacs, Emily Gerdes, Mittzi Fulrath, Ron Boyer, Michael Gyorkos. Five members present.
Aldermen Absent: Jessica Nehring, Christy Hanlin
PRESENT: Mayor John Rickard
City Clerk Caryn Huber
City Attorney Aaron Szeto
Police Chief Todd Murray
City Engineer Jason Stoll
Citizens Pam Kultgen, Caitlin Vaughan, Gary Treese,
Brian Malone
4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.
5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA – Motion by Alderman Gerdes to approve, as presented, the July 5, 2023, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Boyer. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 5; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
6. MINUTES –
a. June 21, 2023 – City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – Motion by Alderman Fulrath to approve, as presented, the June 21, 2023, City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Boyer. Roll call vote: Boyer, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 5; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
8. TREASURER’S REPORT –No report.
9. LIST OF BILLS – Alderman Isaacs asked about the restitution payment from IL Counties Risk Mgmt Trust. Chief Murray replied that this was a restitution check for a squad car damaged in a chase several months ago. Alderman Gerdes motioned to approve the List of Bills dated 07/05/23, in the amount of $145,327.99. Motion seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 5; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Rickard reported that he attended a ribbon cutting and grand opening for Wave Avenue at 703 N. Walnut St. He also visited Kinetic Grit Crossfit who recently moved to the same location. • He was not able to attend the fireworks, but has heard that it was a successful event.
11. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – Clerk Huber gave updates for Administrator Brooks. He has not been contacted by Mr. Bergagna or Mr. Ebens regarding the vacation of the north/south alley and rescission of the vacation of the east/west alley. • Chastain has agreed to provide the Comprehensive Plan update for $60,000. An agreement was sent this past Friday, although Administrator Brooks has not had a chance to review it thoroughly. It is in Dropbox. • The audit is underway, and auditors from Sikich have been at City Hall several days over the last two weeks. Staff is responding to requests and things are progressing nicely.
12. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – Attorney Szeto has received a letter from the auditor requesting information about current litigation. He will prepare a response.
13. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT – Engineer Stoll reported that slurry seal is expected to start on July 17, weather permitting. He asked Clerk Huber to prepare a Facebook post. The contractor also sends notifications to homeowners. • The Colfax/Tower Rd. project will begin this month. They have been able to coordinate with the railroad today, and all details should be worked out shortly. • Contract documents are being prepared for Merchant St. manhole work and paving. That work is expected to begin in August or September. • Alderman Boyer asked about the scheduled roadwork on Mineral St. The railroad has not approved work on the crossing yet, but Engineer Stoll is encouraged by the communication they had earlier today.
14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Engineer Stoll reported that he e-mailed CORD last week after the City Council meeting with an update. He recommended scheduling a meeting with Director Vincer and Administrator Brooks prior to the next committee meeting.
15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Murray reported that he, along with the Public Works Department, are preparing for ByronFest. He will be receiving additional security assistance from the Sheriff’s office. • Alderman Isaacs inquired about a home in Prairie Place that has a lot of items in the front yard. Chief Murray will check into it. Chief Murray added that he is still working with the insurance company and homeowner regarding demolition of the 3rd St. house.
16. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – No report. Alderman Gerdes reported that the meeting was cancelled this evening due to lack of a quorum.
b. Public Safety – No report.
c. Administrative – Alderman Isaacs reported that he would like to change the next Administrative Committee meeting to June 12 at 6pm.
17. CONTINUING BUSINESS
a. Annual Employee Wage Increases – No report.
b. 221 N. Walnut St. Sidewalk Replacement TIF Agreement – No report.
c. Mural – Clerk Huber reported that she and Administrator Brooks spoke with the artists and provided them with feedback from the council on their concept design. We expect an updated design soon. She thanked Ron Boyer, who provided her with a contact at True Value. They have agreed to donate paint for the primer and base layer of the mural.
d. Bergagna Alley Vacation Reconsideration – No report.
e. Fehr Graham 221 N. Walnut St. Sidewalk Engineering Proposal – No report. Still in committee.
f. Velvet Poppy TIF Grant Development Agreement – The Administrative Committee recommends council approval of the Velvet Poppy TIF Grant Development Agreement. Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 5; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
18. NEW BUSINESS –
a. Fehr Graham Alley Vacation Proposal – No report. Still in committee. b. Chastain Agreement for Comprehensive Plan – Information given in City Administrator’s report.
19. COUNCIL TALK – Alderman Boyer has had several residents contact him regarding vacant homes. Chief Murray asked him to contact him with more information. Attorney Szeto added that if there are code violations, we can start the process of finding the owners. • Alderman Gerdes thanked Aldermen Fulrath and Nehring, and the rest of the fireworks committee, for their work on the July 4th Fireworks event.
20. EXECUTIVE SESSION - Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS120/2(c)(5) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act to discuss Collective Negotiating/Bargaining – Alderman Isaacs motioned to go into Executive Session at 6:49 pm. Motion seconded by Alderman Boyer. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 5; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. Mayor Rickard, Attorney Szeto and Clerk Huber remained.
Council returned from Executive Session at 7:18 pm. Council members present: Fulrath, Boyer, Gyorkos, Isaacs, Gerdes. Also present: Mayor Rickard, Attorney Szeto, Clerk Huber. Mayor Rickard stated there was no action taken during Executive Session.
21. COMMUNICATION –
a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, July 19, 6:30 pm.
22. ADJOURN – Alderman Isaacs motioned to adjourn. Motion seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Boyer, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 5; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:18 pm.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/4125/minutes_-_2023-07-05-approved.pdf
Alerts Sign-up