NW Illinois News

City of Byron City Council met Feb. 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Rickard called the meeting to order at 6:31 pm.

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Led by Mayor Rickard

3. ROLL CALL – Aldermen present: Todd Isaacs, Emily Gerdes, Mittzi Fulrath, Jessica Nehring, Michael Gyorkos. Five members present.

Aldermen Absent: Christy Hanlin, Ron Boyer

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, Jeremy Boehle, Jeff Wig, Charles Van Horn

Alderman Gyorkos motioned to allow Aldermen Hanlin to participate by phone. Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 5; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. Six members present.

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

5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA – Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as presented, the February 21, 2024, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

6. MINUTES –

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

7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None.

8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Huber stated that the Treasurer’s Report for the month of January is in Dropbox. We have one CD left that is maturing in March. She will check interest rates and determine what to do with it at that time.

9. LIST OF BILLS – Alderman Gerdes motioned to approve the List of Bills dated 02/021/24, in the amount of $169,247.78. Motion seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS 0.

10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Rickard reported that he was pleased with the turn out for the Open Forum for the Police Chief candidates earlier this evening. It is estimated that 50 people were in attendance.

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 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 – A meeting is scheduled for tomorrow to discuss the Public Works building design.

b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – Director Vincer reported that he is in regular communication with Matt Johnson regarding the WWTP design. Engineer Stoll added that we are approximately 30% completed with engineering.

c. Other – None.

15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Murray reported that he is doing a background check on one police officer candidate, and possibly another one shortly. He hopes to have two candidates to send to Sauk Valley Academy for training in May.

16. COMMITTEE REPORTS –

a. Community Services – No report.

b. Public Safety – No report.

c. Administrative – Alderman Isaacs reported that a Special Meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 13, 5:30pm to discuss the 2024-2025 budget. The budget needs to be voted on in April. Everyone is invited to attend. The committee is discussing possible changes to the raffle ordinance that include increasing the maximum value of prizes and the length of time that the raffle may be held.

17. CONTINUING BUSINESS

a. 221 N. Walnut St. Sidewalk Replacement – No updates.

b. Juneteenth Holiday – The Administrative Committee recommends council approval to add June 19 (Juneteenth) as a paid holiday for City Hall full-time employees. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

18. NEW BUSINESS –

a. Fehr Graham Proposal for Well Houses – A Fehr Graham proposal for replacing the chlorine gas tanks with liquid sodium hypochlorite for the three well houses is in Dropbox. Total cost is $25,000, which will be in the 2024-2025 budget. Director Vincer is asking for consideration tonight so engineering and permitting can begin, and the switch over can be made in May or June. There is no cost for the permits, but a separate EPA permit is needed for each facility. The cost for replacement is estimated to be less than $20,000 per site. Alderman Fulrath motioned to bypass first read and approve the Fehr Graham Proposal for engineering for the well houses for $25,000. Motion seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

b. Manhole Replacement on 4th St. – 4th St., from Walnut to Lafayette, is scheduled for HMA overlay as part of the 2024 Streets Program. Director Vincer would like the council to consider bidding the replacement of the four manholes in the intersections, which would then be scheduled before the overlay. The engineer estimate for replacement is $100,000 ($25,000 per manhole). The bids can be rejected if they are not favorable. There is money in reserve to pay for the work. Because this bid will go out separately from the street bids, they will be due mid-March. Alderman Gerdes motioned to approve bidding the replacement of the four manholes on 4th St. between Walnut and Lafayette. Motion seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE, Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

19. COUNCIL TALK – None

20. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS120/2(c)(1) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees. Alderman Isaacs motioned to go into Executive Session at 6:54 pm. Motion seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. Mayor Rickard, Administrator Brooks, Clerk Huber and Attorney Szeto remained.

RECONVENE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - Council returned from Executive Session at 8:57pm. Council members present: Isaacs, Gerdes, Fulrath, Nehring, Gyorkos, Hanlin. Also present: Mayor Rickard, Administrator Brooks, Attorney Szeto, Clerk Huber. Mayor Rickard stated there was no action taken during Executive Session.

21. COMMUNICATION –

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

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

Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 8:58 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/media/3291