NW Illinois News

City of Byron City Council met Nov. 15.

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. 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

City Engineer Jason Stoll

Citizens Pam Kultgen, Bill Pirnat, Sheila McCammond,

Chris Logston, Brian Malone

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

5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA – Motion by Alderman Hanlin to approve, as presented, the November 15, 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. November 1, 2023 – City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – Motion by Alderman Hanlin to approve, as presented, the November 1, 2023, City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Gerdes. 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 – None

8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Huber stated that the October financial report is in Dropbox. Two CDs will mature at the beginning of December.

9. LIST OF BILLS – Alderman Isaacs asked about the $25,750.00 charge from Rocky Ridge Structures. Administrator Brooks stated that this is for a portable structure that was discussed several weeks ago to replace the old sampling building and last chemical feed station at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Alderman Isaacs motioned to approve the list of Bills dated 11/15/23 in the amount of $482,510.79. Motion seconded by Alderman Fulrath. 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.

10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Rickard reported that Ogle County Economic Development is in the process of hiring an Executive Director to start early next year. The group has received funding commitments from ComEd, Nicor and Comcast.

11. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – No report. All 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 soon.

14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT –

a. Public Works Building Update – There is no further information from the Fire Department but plans for the building are continuing.

b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – No update.

c. Other – Administrator Brooks reported that sludge hauling is done for the year. We have seen savings from land application rather than hauling. • The old final effluent building at the Wastewater Treatment Plant has been replaced. The new building should be operational by the end of the year. • Fall sewer cleaning has begun. Goal is to clean 100% of sewers twice a year. • Watermains were replaced on Merchant St. and Franklin St. during the manhole installation. • The last generator was delivered Tuesday to the River Rd. lift station. Nicor will need to install the gas line. Electrical work is ongoing. Director Vincer hopes to have all units in service by year end. • The Mill Rd. lift station has a broken pipe inside of the tank and only one of the pumps is working. • Well 3 started making noise today that will need to be investigated. The cost to begin is $8,000 to pull the pump so we can investigate the problem. This does not include any costs for repairs. The tower can be filled with Well 5 if necessary.

15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Murray has hired Jacob Breitbach as a new part time officer. He is an Ogle County Deputy.

16. COMMITTEE REPORTS –

a. Community Services – No report.

b. Public Safety – Alderman Nehring reported that the Mayor and Administrator Brooks will be looking into options for hiring a new Police Chief. A new squad car has been received. It will appear on the list of bills at the next meeting.

c. Administrative – Alderman Isaacs reported that most items are on the agenda. The committee is also looking at updating our building codes. An ordinance should be ready for review soon.

17. CONTINUING BUSINESS

a. 221 N. Walnut St. Sidewalk Replacement – Engineer Stoll stated that the engineering plans continue to advance and should be ready for review at the December 6 Community Services Committee meeting. Construction will begin in spring. The ramp and sidewalk may be demo’d this fall.

b. Ordinance Regarding Allowing UTVs in Park District Parking Lots – Alderman Nehring reported that the Public Safety Committee recommends council approval of the ordinance allowing UTVs in Park District Parking Lots. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, NAY; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE, Boyer, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 1; ABS 0.

c. Ordinance Updating Building Codes – No update.

d. Award Bid for 412 E. 2nd St. – Administrator Brooks stated that two bids were opened at the last council meeting. The first was from Gary Treese for $5,010.00 The second bid was from Austin Luepkes for $5,000.00. There was a question regarding whether a City employee could bid on City property, but Attorney Szeto found nothing to prohibit this. Alderman Fulrath motioned to approve the bid from Gary Treese in the amount of $5,010.00. Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. 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.

18. NEW BUSINESS –

a. Miracle on 2nd St. Approval – Sheila McCammond from the Byron Chamber of Commerce presented the plan for Miracle on 2nd St. The set-up schedule and layout are the same as last year. She requested that the tree lighting be held on city property. Alderman Isaacs reported that the Administrative Committee reviewed the plans and recommends council approval of Miracle on 2nd St. including the tree lighting to be held on city property. The motion also includes approval of the Mayor being able to make any last minute decisions on changes to the set-up or layout. Roll call vote: 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.

b. Determination of Funds Needed for 2023 Tax Levy – Administrator Brooks stated that part of the levy process is to estimate the funds needed for the levy. The total comes to $690,000, which is 104.89% of taxes extended for 2022. The EAV increased by $6,000,000. The Administrative Committee recommends bypassing first read and approving the determination of funds of funds to be levied at $690,000. 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.

c. Tax Levy Ordinance – First read.

d. Ordinance Abating Tax Levy on G.O. Bonds Series 2014A – The Administrative Committee recommends Council approval of this ordinance. A vote will be taken at the next meeting.

e. Ordinance Abating Tax Levy on G.O. Bonds Series 2014B – The Administrative Committee recommends Council approval of this ordinance. A vote will be taken at the next meeting.

f. Renewal of Liability and Worker’s Comp Insurance with ICRMT – Administrator Brooks stated that the renewal rate for our liability and Worker’s Comp insurance is only $495 over what was budgeted. He plans to receive quotes from other carriers next year. The Administrative Committee recommends bypassing first read and renewing liability and worker’s comp insurance with ICRMT. 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.

g. Agreement with Byron Schools for Regulation of Traffic – The document is pending the Superintendent’s review.

19. COUNCIL TALK – None

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. RESOLUTION APPROVING FOP LABOR AGREEMENT – A copy of the agreement is in Dropbox. No changes have been made. It has been signed by the union representatives. Alderman Gyorkos motioned to approve the Resolution Approving the FOP Labor Agreement. Motion seconded by Alderman Boyer. 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.

23. APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES –

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

24. COMMUNICATION –

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

25. ADJOURN – Alderman Fulrath motioned to adjourn. 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 adjourned the City Council meeting at 6:58 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/4147/minutes_-_2023-11-15-approved.pdf