City of Byron City Council met Aug. 2.
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, Jessica Nehring, Michael Gyorkos. Christy Hanlin (by phone). Seven members present.
Aldermen Absent: None
PRESENT: Mayor John Rickard
City Administrator Brian Brooks
City Clerk Caryn Huber
City Attorney Aaron Szeto
Police Chief Todd Murray
Public Works Dir. Aaron Vincer
City Engineer Jason Stoll
Citizens Pam Kultgen, Bill Pirnat, Herberto Santiago
Alderman Isaacs motioned to allow Aldermen Hanlin to participate by phone. Motion seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.
5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA – Motion by Alderman Fulrath to approve, as presented, the August 2, 2023, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
6. MINUTES –
a. July 19, 2023 – City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as presented, the July 19, 2023, City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
b. June 21, 2023 – Executive Session Minutes – Motion by Alderman Boyer to approve, but not release, the June 28, 2023, Executive Session Minutes as presented. Motion seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
c. July 5, 2023 – Executive Session Minutes – Motion by Alderman Gerdes to approve, but not release, the July 5, 2023, Executive Session Minutes as presented.
Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
8. TREASURER’S REPORT – No report.
9. LIST OF BILLS –
There are two lists of bills. The first is for a $5,000 payment to Fatherless LLC for half of the payment for the painting of the mural. Alderman Isaacs motioned to approve the first List of Bills dated 8/2/23, in the amount of $5,000. Motion seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
Alderman Isaacs asked about the charges from TEST. Director Vincer said these are for water testing. Alderman Gerdes asked if the mussel survey has already been paid for. Engineer Stoll stated that it will appear on a Fehr Graham invoice. Alderman Fulrath motioned to approve the List of Bills dated 08/02/23, in the amount of $67,962.63. Motion seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Rickard reported that the Ogle County Economic Development committee is now organized and incorporated. There is a four-person Board of Directors, and Mayor Rickard was appointed Treasurer. The group is looking for a consulting firm to do an Economic Development Comprehensive Plan, and they are searching for an Executive Director.
11. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – As part of the work on the Comprehensive Plan, an executive committee will be formed with individuals from various organizations and businesses in Byron (i.e., School, Forest Preserve, banker, real estate agent, etc.). This committee will meet 4-6 times over the next year. He stated that it would be good to have 1- 2 members from council. • The auditors have finished collecting information for the audit and will begin working on the draft. The List of Bills included progress payments for Sikich.
12. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – No report. All items are on the agenda.
13. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT – Engineer Stoll reported that work on Mineral St. and N. Fox Run is complete. The slurry is also finished for this year. He will be getting the payment information ready. Paving will begin on Colfax/Tower Rd. on Friday.
14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Director Vincer gave a report in committee. All of the Aldermen were in attendance.
15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Murray reported that National Night Out was held Tuesday, August 1. Attendance at the event was good. • The county held a nuclear plant drill this past week. Chief Murray, Administrator Brooks, School Superintendent Buster Barton, and one of the new school principals met to discuss evacuation procedures.
16. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – Alderman Gerdes reported that Director Vincer has re engaged with CORD and Larson & Darby to get the Public Works Building construction underway. Ken Norup is contacting the county about the septic. • The mussel survey is complete. TEST will submit the study with the application for our discharge permit. • A meeting will be held in September with Matt from Fehr Graham to continue plans for the Wastewater Treatment Plant. • Electrical needs to be disconnected before the demolition at 412 E. 2nd St. can take place. • The City Hall elevator is fully functional.
b. Public Safety – No report
c. Administrative – Alderman Isaacs reported that $2,500 has been pledged towards mural sponsorship so far. • The Committee is recommending changes to the Fees and Policies of the Community Room. They will be presented at the next meeting.
17. CONTINUING BUSINESS
a. 2023 Employee Wages – Angie Insko, Amy King and Caryn Huber all received the COLA increase, but did not receive a step increase with the last wage adjustments. Administrator Brooks recommends the step wage increases in addition to COLA, retroactive to the first pay period in May. The Administrative Committee recommends council approval of the wage increases as presented. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
b. 221 N. Walnut St. Sidewalk Replacement TIF Agreement – No report.
c. Fehr Graham 221 N. Walnut St. Sidewalk Engineering Proposal – Hold for now until ramp placement is determined.
d. Peru St. ROW Vacation – No report. Item will be removed from agenda for now.
18. NEW BUSINESS –
a. Ordinance Amending the Number of Missed Meetings for Elected Officials – Attorney Szeto stated that an ordinance in Dropbox changes the number of meetings elected officials can miss, without a decrease in pay, from two to three. This is first read. Item will be voted on at the next council meeting.
b. Employee Health Insurance – Administrator Brooks reported that our insurance rep sent several options of other health plans, along with information regarding CMS, the State of Illinois plan. The Administrative Committee reviewed the plans and agreed that our grandfathered plan is our best option. They are recommending that we stay with our current plan. Council will vote at the next council meeting.
19. COUNCIL TALK – Alderman Boyer asked if there is anything we can revise in our nuisance ordinance that will shorten the process of demoing homes such as the burned home on 3rd Street. Chief Murray explained that because of the death, the State Fire Marshall’s office just released the home. Attorney Szeto explained that an ordinance already exists putting the responsibility on the property owner. We have no jurisdiction over the insurance companies and the Fire Marshall’s office that were responsible for the delay. A letter will be drafted to the homeowner in hopes that it will speed up the demo of the house.
20. EXECUTIVE SESSION - Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS120/2(c)(5) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act to discuss Collective Negotiating/Bargaining – Alderman Fulrath motioned to go into Executive Session at 6:56 pm. Motion seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. Mayor Rickard, Administrator Brooks, Attorney Szeto and Clerk Huber remained.
Council returned from Executive Session at 7:44 pm. Council members present:
Gyorkos, Hanlin, Isaacs, Gerdes, Fulrath, Boyer, Nehring. Also present: Mayor Rickard, Administrator Brooks, Attorney Szeto, Clerk Huber. Mayor Rickard stated there was no action taken during Executive Session.
21. COMMUNICATION –
a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, August 16, 6:30 pm.
22. ADJOURN – Alderman Gerdes motioned to adjourn. Motion seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.
Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:44 pm.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/4130/minutes_-_2023-08-02-approved.pdf
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