NW Illinois News

City of Byron City Council met Jan. 3.

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, Mittzi Fulrath, Ron Boyer, Jessica Nehring, Michael Gyorkos, Christy Hanlin. Six members present.

Aldermen Absent: Emily Gerdes

PRESENT: Mayor John Rickard

City Administrator Brian Brooks

City Clerk Caryn Huber

City Attorney Aaron Szeto

Public Works Dir. Aaron Vincer

Police Chief Todd Murray

City Engineer Jason Stoll

Citizens Caitlin Vaughan, Bill Pernat, Heriberto Santiago,

Charles Van Horn (102.3 The Coyote)

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

5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA – Motion by Alderman Fulrath to approve, as presented, the January 3, 2024, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

6. MINUTES –

a. December 6, 2023 – City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – Motion by Alderman Hanlin to approve, as presented, the December 6, 2023, City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS 0.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None

8. TREASURER’S REPORT – No report.

9. LIST OF BILLS –

a. December 20, 2023 (1) – Alderman Hanlin motioned to approve the List of Bills dated December 20, 2023 (1) in the amount of $134,882.25. Motion seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS 0.

b. December 20, 2023 (2) – Alderman Isaacs motioned to approve the List of Bills dated December 20, 2023 (2) in the amount of $2,520.00. Motion seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS 0. c. January 3, 2024 – Alderman Fulrath motioned to approve the List of Bills dated January 3, 2024, in the amount of $97,249.18. Motion seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS 0.

10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Rickard reported that the Ogle County Economic Development Corporation is negotiating with a candidate to fill the role of Executive Director. • The city will be recognizing the Byron High School Football team with updated street signs. He plans to invite the team to a council meeting and present a proclamation. • Administrator Brooks updated council members on the search for a new Police Chief. Application deadline is January 15. They have over 20 applications currently. From these applications, eight or nine will be chosen to fill out a questionnaire. From there the selection will narrow, and the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police will do an all-day assessment on February 9. From this assessment, the Association will make a recommendation. Administrator Brooks hopes to hire a candidate prior to Chief Murray leaving to allow for some overlap.

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 – Surveying has begun for the $2 million watermain replacement project. A grant application has been submitted for a TARP grant for Walnut St. (IL 2 to Mill Rd.). If awarded, this would be a 2025 street project.

14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT –

a. Public Works Building Update – No update.

b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – No update.

c. Other – Repairs are needed at the Mill Rd. lift station. The repairs are estimated to be $60,000. Two watermain breaks occurred over the holidays on E. 4th St. and Tower Rd. A chlorine cylinder leak was detected at well 4. The Kohler generator at City Hall is wired and ready. A Kohler representative needs to be present for start-up.

15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – No report.

16. COMMITTEE REPORTS –

a. Community Services – No report. 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 – Administrator Brooks stated that discussions are continuing with Mr. Miller to determine the best placement of the lift and ramp. He hopes to finalize in the near future.

b. Ordinance Updating Building Codes – No update. Item is pending in committee.

18. NEW BUSINESS –

a. Chief of Police Search Budget Adjustment – Mayor Rickard and Administrator Brooks will present a recommendation to the Administrative Committee for a line-item adjustment for the Police Chief search. This includes fees charged by the IL Association of Chiefs of Police, interviewing costs, travel and possible relocation costs.

b. Martin Final Pay Estimate-Merchant Street – Administrator Brooks stated that a final pay estimate for Martin & Co. for the paving of Merchant St. is in Dropbox. The Community Services Committee recommends council approval to waive first read and make payment to Martin & Co. in the amount of $62,650 for paving of Merchant St. Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS 0.

c. Ordinance Amending Water Shut Off Provisions of the Code – Administrator Brooks stated that this ordinance clarifies language in the water shut off code. The Community Services Committee recommends council approval of the Ordinance Amending Water Shut Off Provisions of the Code. Alderman Isaacs motioned to waive first read. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS 0.

d. Agreement with Byron Schools for Regulation of Traffic – No update. Chief Murray recommends removing the item from the agenda for now.

19. COUNCIL TALK – None

23. COMMUNICATION –

a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 6:30 pm.

25. ADJOURN – Alderman Fulrath motioned to adjourn. Motion seconded by Alderman Boyer. Roll call vote: Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 6:47 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/4187/minutes_-_2024-01-03-approved.pdf