NW Illinois News

City of Byron City Council met Nov. 1.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Minutes Approved as Presented 11/15/23

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. 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 Donna Gruber, Bill Pirnat, Christie Cox, Marty Cox

4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Mayor Rickard led the Council in prayer.

5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA – Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as presented, the November 1, 2023, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Hanlin. 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. October 18, 2023 – City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – Motion by Alderman Boyer to approve, as presented, the October 18, 2023, City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Hanlin. 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.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT – Christie Cox, candidate for Ogle County Coroner, addressed the council.

8. TREASURER’S REPORT – No report.

9. LIST OF BILLS – Administrator Brooks stated that TIF information has been received from the County, and this list of bills includes annual TIF payments. Alderman Isaacs motioned to approve the list of Bills dated 11/01/23 in the amount of $250,893.84. Motion seconded by Alderman Hanlin. 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.

10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Rickard reported that the City Christmas party is scheduled for Thursday, December 21 at PrairieFire. Invitations will be sent soon.

11. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – Administrator Brooks reported that he has filed the 22-23 TIF report. All other items are on the agenda.

12. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – No report. All items are on the agenda.

13. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT – Engineer Stoll reported that the Merchant St. manholes are installed and paving will be done in two weeks.

14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT –

a. Public Works Building Update – No update.

b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – No update.

c. Other – The replacement of the manholes on Lafayette St. uncovered some watermain work that will need to be done. The manholes were nearing 100 years old. • Boat docks will be removed Friday. • Snowplows are ready.

15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Murray has been in touch with the railroad police regarding the Holiday Train, scheduled to stop in Byron on November 26. They will have 5- 6 people available to assist with traffic. • Halloween was uneventful. • The new squad car has been delivered. • Chief Murray has been in touch with our phone and IT company regarding the quality of sound in Council Chambers. They will discuss options to improve. • Chief Murray announced that he will retire March 8. The search for a new chief will be discussed at the next Public Safety meeting.

16. COMMITTEE REPORTS –

a. Community Services – All items are on the agenda.

b. Public Safety – No report.

c. Administrative – No report.

17. CONTINUING BUSINESS

a. 221 N. Walnut St. Sidewalk Replacement – A meeting is scheduled with Brad Miller tomorrow morning. Fehr Graham has begun to prepare designs for the sidewalk. The meeting will clarify who is responsible for what. It is unlikely the work will be done this year.

b. Ordinance Regarding Allowing UTVs in Park District Parking Lots – Ordinance will be reviewed by the Public Safety Committee in November.

c. Ordinance Updating Building Codes – The Administrative Committee will review at their November 15 meeting.

d. Voluntary Dental/Vision and Life Insurance policies/City-provided Disability – The Administrative Committee recommends council approval to change voluntary dental and vision companies from Equitable to Pacific Life. This will allow the same coverage at a lower rate. The committee also recommends maintaining the policies at our current company for life insurance and short-term disability. Administrator Brooks added that the start date for Pacific Life is January 1. Our renewal date for Equitable is 12/1. We will extend the Equitable renewal for one month to cover this time. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. The rep for CoyleKiley will be at City Hall next week to speak with employees.

e. Fehr Graham Proposal for Various Watermain Replacement Project – Administrator Brooks stated that this is a proposal for engineering on the $2 million congressional grant to replace 4” watermain. If we include this cost as part of the grant, we will have to go out for bids. It will also reduce the amount of money we would have to spend on the projects. If we pay for ourselves, we can use Fehr Graham and begin the design engineering and have more money for actual work. The Community Services Committee recommends council approval of the proposal from Fehr Graham for the Various Watermain Replacement Project in the amount of $237,000. 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.

18. NEW BUSINESS –

a. Bid Opening - 412 E. 2nd St. – Clerk Huber opened the two bids that were received. The first was from Gary Treese for $5,010.00 The second bid was from Austin Luepkes for $5,000.00. Neither bid included contingencies. Action will be taken at the next council meeting.

19. COUNCIL TALK – Mayor Rickard announced that the second mural is complete. Clerk Huber added that she is coordinating with the artists to schedule a ribbon cutting. She is also working on copy to include on our website that gives further explanations and information about the murals.

20. EXECUTIVE SESSION - Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS120/2(c)(2) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act to discuss Collective Negotiating/Bargaining Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS120/2(c)(5) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act to discuss the purchase or lease of real property and 5ILCS120/2(c)(21) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act to Review Closed Session Minutes. There was no need for Executive Session.

21. RECONVENE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING – No Executive Session

22. APPROVAL OF FOP LABOR AGREEMENT – Document is not ready yet.

23. APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES –

a. October 18, 2023-Executive Session Minutes – No Executive Session

24. COMMUNICATION –

a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, November 15, 6:30 pm.

25. ADJOURN – Alderman Fulrath motioned to adjourn. Motion seconded by Alderman Isaacs. 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.

Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 6:53 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/4145/minutes_-_2023-11-01-approved.pdf