NW Illinois News

City of Byron City Council met March 20.

Here is the agenda 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. Six members present.

Aldermen Absent: Christy Hanlin

PRESENT: Mayor John Rickard

City Administrator Brian Brooks

City Clerk Caryn Huber

City Attorney Eric Miller

Public Works Dir. Aaron Vincer

Police Chief Jeremy Boehle

City Engineer Jason Stoll

Citizens Charles Van Horn

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

5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA – Mayor Rickard asked to have item 18f., 547 E. Blackhawk Sewer Back-up, moved under Mayor’s Report. Motion by Alderman Gerdes to approve, as amended, the March 20, 2024, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

6. MINUTES –

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

7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None

8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Huber stated that the February Treasurer’s Report is in Dropbox. CD 26301 matured on March 12, and the balance ($131,138.58) was transferred to the Water Utility Trust Public Funds account which is currently earning 5.21%. This was the last CD to mature, and all the city’s funds are now in Public Funds or savings/checking accounts.

9. LIST OF BILLS – Alderman Isaacs asked about the $9,650 bill from Fehr Graham. Engineer Stoll stated that this is part of the engineering for the $2 million watermain replacement grant. Alderman Fulrath motioned to approve the List of Bills dated 03/20/24, in the amount of $146,825.66. Motion seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS 0.

10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Rickard reported that he received a thank you note from retired Police Chief Todd Murray. He also received an invitation from Chief Murray’s family to attend a retirement party/open house on Saturday 4/13, 4-7pm, at PrairieView Golf Pavillion.

The City filed an insurance claim for the sewer back-up at 547 E. Blackhawk Dr. The insurance company sent an adjuster out to evaluate. They have set a claim amount at just under $22,000. We will ask the insurance company, without admitting liability, to proceed with the claim and see if they can reach an agreement with the owner.

11. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – No report. All items are on the agenda. He added that the Byron Chamber of Commerce Awards Ceremony and Dinner will be held on Thursday, April 25. He asked that council members who wish to attend contact him in the next week.

12. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – Eric Miller is present in place of Aaron Szeto. No report. All items are on the agenda.

13. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT - No report. All items are on the agenda.

14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT –

a. Public Works Building Update – No updates.

b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – No updates.

c. Other – The department has been doing sewer cleaning and service line inspections. Very soon we will have four working generators at three lift stations and at City Hall.

15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – No report. All items are on the agenda.

16. COMMITTEE REPORTS –

a. Community Services – No report.

b. Public Safety – Alderman Nehring stated that the Police Department is close to hiring two candidates. If all goes well, they should begin training on May 5. c. Administrative – Alderman Isaacs stated that the Administrative Committee is reviewing the Raffle Ordinance. An organization is interested in having a Queen of Hearts raffle which would exceed the dollar amount and time period we specify in our ordinance. The budget will be ready to review by the next meeting.

17. CONTINUING BUSINESS

a. Water/Sewer Rate Ordinance – The Community Services Committee recommends Council approval of the Ordinance Amending Water/Sewer Service Charges. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

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

18. NEW BUSINESS –

a. 2024-2025 Budget Ordinance – Administrator Brooks stated that a draft budget ordinance is in Dropbox. There will still be changes in the next couple of weeks. We will have a copy available for public viewing prior to the Public Hearing, which will be scheduled immediately before the April 17 meeting.

b. Budget Adjustments Ordinance – Administrator Brooks stated that the draft of this ordinance for FY 2023-2024 is in Dropbox. He expects there will be several changes prior to the final form of the ordinance. It will be voted on at the April 17 meeting.

c. Manhole Replacement Package Bid Award – Bids have been received for manhole replacement as part of the 2024 Streets Program. The Community Services Committee will review the bids at the April 3 meeting.

d. 2024 Mural – Alderman Todd Isaacs stated that the Administrative Committee discussed the two versions of the mural for the front of City Hall by artist Brett Whitacre. The committee agreed to forward the designs to the Council for review and feedback. After discussion, there were several changes that council suggested on version 1. Clerk Huber will communicate those changes to the artist and hopefully have a revised design by the next council meeting.

e. Resolution Opposing Elimination of the 1% Grocery Tax – A resolution opposing the elimination of the 1% grocery tax is in Dropbox. Alderman Boyer stated that he is not opposed to eliminating the tax for the benefit of residents, but he is opposed to not having the income that the city will lose made up for in some other way. He would like to see the wording in the resolution be stronger regarding not replacing the city’s income.

f. 547 E. Blackhawk Dr. Sewer Back-up – Discussed under Mayor’s Report. g. Amendment to UTV Ordinance to Allow Access to School Parking Lots – This amendment is still in committee.

19. COUNCIL TALK – Director Vincer thanked Administrator Brooks and the City Council for seeing the bigger picture and doing the work involved in passing the water/sewer rate increases.

21. COMMUNICATION –

a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at 6:30 pm.

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

Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:10 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/media/3426