NW Illinois News

City of Byron City Council met April 17.

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 Roxanne Sosnowski

Police Chief Jeremy Boehle

City Engineer Jason Stoll

Citizens Charles Van Horn, Charlene Coulombe

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

5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Motion by Alderman Fulrath to approve, as presented, the April 17, 2024, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Nehring. 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. April 3, 2024 – City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – Motion by Alderman Boyer to approve, as presented, the April 3, 2024, City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Fulrath. 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 reported that the March report is in Dropbox. As reflected in the reports, we no longer have any CDs, and the funds are in Public Fund accounts earning just over 5%. She reminded council members that she will deliver Statements of Economic Interests to the County Clerk’s office on Monday. They are due in the County Clerk’s office by May 1.

9. LIST OF BILLS – Mayor Rickard stated that there are two lists of bills. One is in the amount of $15,000 to Fehr Graham for engineering work on the Utility Plan. The lists will be voted on together. Alderman Gerdes motioned to approve both Lists of Bills dated 04/17/24, in the amount of $339,224.27 and $15,000. 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 introduced Charlene Coulombe, Executive Director of the Ogle County Economic Development Corporation. She briefly addressed the council. As the newly hired Executive Director, she described what she is qualified to do for the economic development of the county.

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 – No report. All items are on the agenda.

14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Administrator Brooks reported for Director Vincer.

a. Public Works Building Update – Plans for this project are nearing completion and will be going out for bid soon.

b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – No report.

c. Other – No report.

15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Boehle is in the process of finalizing two candidates in hopes of them starting next week.

16. COMMITTEE REPORTS –

a. Community Services – No report.

b. Public Safety – No report.

c. Administrative – In addition to items on the agenda, the city will be joining with Davis Junction and Stillman Valley to hold community garage sales June 6-8.

17. CONTINUING BUSINESS

a. 221 N. Walnut St. Sidewalk Replacement – The City will be fixing the sidewalks, and Mr. Miller is ready to proceed with work on the ramp and stairs. The projects will be bid in May.

b. 2024-2025 Budget Ordinance – Alderman Isaacs stated that the Administrative Committee recommends Council approval of the 2024-2025 Budget Ordinance. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS 0.

c. Budget Adjustments Ordinance – Administrator Brooks stated that this ordinance covers line items that need to be adjusted in the 2023-2024 budget. Alderman Isaacs stated that the Administrative Committee recommends Council approval of the 2023-2024 Budget Adjustments Ordinance. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

d. Electrical Municipal Aggregation Ordinance – Alderman Isaacs stated that the Administrative Committee recommends Council approval of the Resolution Regarding Municipal Aggregation. This is the same resolution that was passed three years ago, which allows the Mayor or City Administrator to act on the Council’s behalf and lock in the best rates possible with Rock River Energy Services. Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

e. Raffle Ordinance – Alderman Isaacs stated that the Administrative Committee reviewed changes to the Raffle Ordinance. The ordinance raises the maximum raffle payout to $1 million and increases the time limit to one year. Other changes were made to align our ordinance with State statute. The Administrative Committee recommends

Council approval of the amendments to the Raffle Ordinance. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

f. Byron Chamber of Commerce Byron Rocks 5K and 10K Event Requests – Administrator Brooks clarified that there will be no alcohol at the event. Alderman Gerdes motioned to approve the Byron Chamber of Commerce Byron Rocks 5K and 10K event requests. Motion seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

g. Amendment to UTV Ordinance to Allow Access to School Parking Lots – Administrator Brooks stated that he and Chief Boehle relayed the council’s concerns to Superintendent Barton. They have clarified their request to state that UTV’s can be in school parking lots, except during the school year, Monday through Friday, from 7am-4pm. The ordinance in Dropbox reflects these changes. Alderman Fulrath motioned to approve the Amendment to the UTV Ordinance to Allow Access to School Parking Lots. Motion seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

18. NEW BUSINESS – None

19. COUNCIL TALK – Alderman Boyer reported that a resident contacted him to discuss 4th St. by the Ashelford Ct. cul-de-sac (Franklin to Ashelford Ct). This section has repeatedly been patched and is in bad shape. Engineer Stoll will look at it and possibly recommend a change order on the 4th St. work this summer. The item will be placed on the May 1 Community Services and Council agendas.

21. COMMUNICATION –

a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 6:30 pm.

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

Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:03 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/media/3476