NW Illinois News

City of Byron Community Services Committee met Oct. 4.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Alderman Gerdes called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.

1. ROLL CALL:

MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Alderman Emily Gerdes, Alderman Jessica Nehring, Alderman Mike Gyorkos, Alderman Christy Hanlin

MEMBERS NOT PRESENT: None

OTHERS PRESENT: Mayor John Rickard, Director Aaron Vincer, City Administrator Brian Brooks, City Attorney Aaron Szeto, City Clerk Caryn Huber, Police Chief Todd Murray, Alderman Todd Isaacs, Alderman Ron Boyer, City Engineer Jason Stoll

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – OCTOBER 4, 2023 –Alderman Hanlin motioned to approve, as presented, the October 4, 2023, Community Services Committee meeting agenda. Seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

3. PUBLIC COMMENT – None

4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 REGULAR MEETING –Alderman Gyorkos motioned to approve, as presented, the September 6, 2023, Community Services Committee meeting minutes. Seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

5. PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING/PROPERTY ACQUISITION – Administrator Brooks stated that we are exploring options for the location of the new Public Works building. Item will be discussed in Executive Session later in the agenda.

6. WATER/SEWER RATES – Administrator Brooks stated that he is in the process of working with Fehr Graham to collect comparable water/sewer rates from other communities. He hopes to have a comparison by next month. He and Director Vincer have been discussing the CPI, and whether we should still implement a CPI increase every year in addition to the annual increase in water rates. There is a possibility that keeping the CPI increase in October will lessen the amount of the annual increase in May.

7. FEHR GRAHAM PROPOSAL FOR ENGINEERING-SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PLAN – Director Vincer reported that his department had an EPA inspection, and this item was in the notes from that inspection. A source water protection program is required to be in place by July 2024. Fehr Graham has provided a proposal for $5,000 to develop the plan. This is a reduced rate from Fehr Graham. The funds for the plan are in the budget. Alderman Hanlin motioned to recommend council approval of the Fehr Graham proposal for Source Water Protection Plan in the amount of $5,000. Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

8. FEHR GRAHAM FINAL PAY ESTIMATE TO ROCK ROAD COMPANIES – Engineer Stoll presented a first and final pay estimate in the amount of $216,991.97 to Rock Road Companies for work on Mineral St. and N. Fox Run Lane. This amount is approximately $9,700 under bid, however, this money was instead paid to Martin & Co. for their work at the railroad crossing on Mineral St. There is a separate list of bills for the Rock Road payment. Alderman Hanlin motioned to recommend that council waive first read and make the final payment to Rock Road Companies in the amount of $216,991.97. Motion seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

9. 221 N. WALNUT ST. SIDEWALK REPLACEMENT – Director Vincer will meet with the company that does concrete lifting tomorrow. They will attempt to lift the ramp back into place. If this works, the sidewalk can be replaced. If it doesn’t work, the ramp will need to be rebuilt. The work will be paid for by a TIF grant.

10. FEHR GRAHAM 221 N. WALNUT ST. SIDEWALK ENGINEERING PROPOSAL – No update.

11. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE –

a. Public Works Building Update – Item will be discussed in Executive Session.

b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – Engineer Stoll reported that his office is working on a preliminary design memo as well as the 30% plans. The reworking of the design of Headworks is furthest along in the planning. The engineer estimate of probable cost will need to be updated. They are waiting for updated pricing from vendors.

c. Other – No updates.

12. CITY ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE – No updates.

13. EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO 5 ILCS 120/2 (C)(5) OF THE ILLINOIS OPEN MEETINGS ACT TO DISCUSS THE PURCHASE OR LEASE OF REAL PROPERTY - Alderman Hanlin motioned to go into Executive Session at 5:46 pm. Motion seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. Mayor Rickard, Administrator Brooks, Attorney Szeto, Clerk Huber, Director Vincer, Alderman Isaacs, Alderman Boyer remained.

Committee returned from Executive Session at 6:06pm. Council members present: Gyorkos, Hanlin, Gerdes, Nehring. Also present: Mayor Rickard, Administrator Brooks, Attorney Szeto, Clerk Huber, Director Vincer, Alderman Isaacs, Alderman Boyer, City Engineer Jason Stoll. There was no action taken during Executive Session.

14. ADJOURN – Alderman Nehring motioned to adjourn the Community Services Committee meeting. Seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. Alderman Gerdes adjourned the meeting at 6:07 pm. The next regular Community Services meeting is November 1, 2023, at 5:30pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/community_services_committee/meeting/4140/10-04-23_csc_minutes-approved.pdf