NW Illinois News

City of Byron City Council met Feb. 7.

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

Public Works Dir. Aaron Vincer

Police Chief Todd Murray

City Engineer Jason Stoll

Citizens Bill Pirnat, Mike Traum, Jeff Wig,

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 February 7, 2024, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Boyer. 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. January 17, 2024 – City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – Motion by Alderman Hanlin to approve, as presented, the January 17, 2024, City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Fulrath, ABS; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 1.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None.

8. TREASURER’S REPORT – No report.

9. LIST OF BILLS – Alderman Hanlin motioned to approve the List of Bills dated 02/07/24, in the amount of $142,239.74. 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.

10. MAYOR’S REPORT – The Ogle Council Mayors gathered recently and discussed approving a resolution or agreement for the cities and villages within the County to assist each other when needed, similar to Fire and Police Department agreements.

Mayor Rickard spoke to a representative at Republic Services regarding a possible credit due to missed service days because of bad weather. Republic responded that they do not issue credits and stated that they assumed the extra costs involved in picking up the extra garbage after the weeks they were unable to pick up. Additional discussion was had regarding ways Republic can be involved in the community.

Resumes were received until January 15 for the Police Chief position. 29 resumes were received. After review, 11 questionnaires were sent out, with six being returned. From those, three candidates were chosen to take part in the IL Association of Chiefs of Police assessment center. Two final candidates were then chosen. An open Public Forum to meet the candidates will be held on Wednesday, February 21, from 5-6pm. Council will go into executive session with the candidates that evening. Final interviews will take place on February 22. Mayor Rickard hopes to announce a new Chief of Police at the meeting on March 6.

11. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – Administrator Brooks attended a meeting of area administrators recently. 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 2024 street program bid packages have been released. Bid opening is February 28 at City Hall.

14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT –

a. Public Works Building Update – No updates.

b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – No updates.

c. Other – Full-time employee Austin Yuill has resigned, and part-timer Jeremiah Poulsen will be filling the full-time position. Well number 3 is fixed and is back in service. Christmas trees can still be brought to the boat dock until the end of February.

15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Murray discussed the incident at the Middle School this morning. The SRO had called for assistance. After investigation, it was determined there was no threat. The person in question was a Park District employee bringing equipment to the Middle School theater. Chief Murray assisted Superintendent Barton in crafting his message to parents and staff. Mayor Rickard thanked the officers for their quick response.

16. COMMITTEE REPORTS –

a. Community Services – Alderman Gerdes reported that Director Vincer will be bidding through the county for chip sealing Whitaker Road. The Ogle County Highway Department will do the work on the road. Because of safety reasons and EPA directives, Director Vincer is discussing changing the well sites from chlorine gas to sodium hypochlorite liquid. An ordinance regarding new water rates will be presented in March. b. Public Safety – No report.

c. Administrative – No report.

17. CONTINUING BUSINESS

a. 221 N. Walnut St. Sidewalk Replacement – Director Vincer has been in touch with property owner Brad Miller. The project is moving forward.

b. Ordinance Updating Building Codes – Alderman Isaacs reported that the Administrative Committee recommends council approval of the Ordinance Updating Building Codes. 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. Financial Policies – Alderman Isaacs reported that the Administrative Committee recommends council approval of the Investment, Credit Card and Capital Asset Policies. 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.

i. – Investment Policy –

ii. – Credit Card Policy –

iii. – Capital Asset Policy –

18. NEW BUSINESS –

a. Byron Fire Department Street Closing Request – Mike Traum was in attendance to request street closings for the Fire Department carnival on Memorial Day weekend. There are no changes to the plan from previous years. Alderman Fulrath motioned to bypass first read and approve the Fire Department’s request for street closures. 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.

b. Fehr Graham Public Works Building Site Work Proposal – Alderman Gerdes stated that the Community Services Committee recommends Council approval to bypass first read and approve the Fehr Graham proposal for additional services at the new Public Works Building site. The work will be billed by time and materials, and the amount is capped at $15,000. 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. Bid Award for Boat Dock Improvements – Alderman Gerdes reported that the Community Services Committee recommends Council approval to bypass first read and award the boat dock improvement bid to O’Brien Civil Works for $207,700. 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.

d. Juneteenth Holiday – Administrator Brooks stated that, as part of the FOP contract, Juneteenth was added as a paid holiday for police officers. The Administrative Committee recommends that full-time city hall staff also receive this day as a paid holiday. A vote will be taken at the next meeting.

19. COUNCIL TALK – Chief Murray wanted to acknowledge that two of his off-duty officers also responded to the incident at the Middle School after receiving an alert on their phones.

23. COMMUNICATION –

a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at 6:30 pm.

25. ADJOURN – Alderman Fulrath motioned to adjourn. Motion 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.

Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:02 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/4203/minutes_-_2024-02-07-approved.pdf