NW Illinois News

City of Byron Community Services Committee met July 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Alderman Gerdes called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.

1. ROLL CALL:

MEMBERS PRESENT: Alderman Emily Gerdes, Alderman Jessica Nehring, Alderman Mike Gyorkos

MEMBERS NOT PRESENT: Alderman Christy Hanlin

Alderman Nehring motioned to allow Alderman Christy Hanlin to participate by phone. Motion seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 3; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. Four present.

OTHERS PRESENT: City Administrator Brian Brooks, City Attorney Aaron Szeto (by phone), City Clerk Caryn Huber, City Engineer Jason Stoll, Alderman Todd Isaacs

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – JULY 9, 2024 – Motion by Alderman Nehring to approve the agenda as presented. Seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

3. PUBLIC COMMENT – None

4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JUNE 5, 2024, REGULAR MEETING –Alderman Nehring motioned to approve, as presented, the June 5, 2024, Community Services Committee meeting minutes. Seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

5. 221 N. WALNUT ST. SIDEWALK REPLACEMENT – This project is ready to go out for bid. While in the basement of the building, it was discovered that a portion of the foundation is pushing towards the inside of the building. Prior to doing any work, a meeting with Mr. Miller will be scheduled to allow a Structural Engineer (Fehr Graham), Director Vincer, and Building Inspector Casper Manheim to inspect that area of the foundation and determine if it is safe to proceed with the sidewalk and ramp project. If any work needs to be done to the foundation, it will be Mr. Miller’s responsibility. Currently, the ramp is not on a foundation, but rather on dirt. The dirt is eroding, but it is unclear as to the cause. The sidewalk is on gravel. Because the cause is questionable, Alderman Gerdes questioned the city’s responsibility to financially assist with the repair. Administrator Brooks said the TIF funds being used would be available to Mr. Miller either way to repair the ramp. It would just be a matter of how much he would share in the cost.

6. BOAT LAUNCH CONSTRUCTION CHANGE ORDER – Engineer Stoll stated that the Boat Launch change order extends the completion date from 5/31/24 to substantial completion by 8/31/24 and final completion by 10/15/24. The shelter is on backorder and will be delivered and fabricated in August. Shoreline work has been delayed due to high water levels. The change order also authorizes the addition of $3,600 for storm sewer to fill in a culvert on the west side of the parking lot. Alderman Gyorkos motioned to recommend council approval of the Boat Launch Change Order #1. Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

7. DPI MANHOLE PAYMENT – Engineer Stoll stated that the Engineer’s Payment Estimate 1 for DPI Manhole Replacement totals $65,078.71. The patching is now complete, and the final pay estimate is expected soon. There is still a “lip” at the top of the manholes on 4th St., which will be flush with the road once the street is overlayed later this month. The change orders that included pipework connecting the manholes will be included in the final payment. Motion by Alderman Gerdes to recommend council approval of the Engineer’s Payment Estimate 1 in the amount of $65,078.71 to DPI Construction, Inc. Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

8. PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING BID AWARDS – A bid opening was held last week for the Public Works Building. Totals were slightly higher (+113,279) than last estimated. If the bids are approved, we could begin site work, order steel, and have framing up by fall. Multiple bids were received in many of the higher end/larger categories. CORD will receive 6% of the construction costs, and the architect fee is 7%. Administrator Brooks hopes to have our bond agent at the August 7 meeting to discuss alternate revenue bonds. We will fund $500,000 of the project ourselves, with $250,000 from streets, $125,000 from water and $125,000 from sewer. The committee is generally in favor of the bids but would like clarification of the general conditions category.

9. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE –

a. Public Works Building Update –

b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – We are approaching 70% completion on the facility drawings. Comments from the last design meeting have been incorporated into the plans. Structural and process design are continuing. SKADA integration meetings will begin soon. Alderman Isaacs asked about the EPA funding. Engineer Stoll stated that we are on the intended funding list. Once we get construction permits and start bidding, we should be in line for funding in the next fiscal year. A bid certification process is conducted by EPA, as well as a financial audit where they review our rates and ordinances to ensure loan payback. Engineer Stoll added that Fehr Graham will be looking for third party cost estimates to check that projections are as accurate as possible. The treatment plant is operating now under a new discharge permit, and levels will have to be met throughout the construction.

c. Other – Public Works is still waiting for a variable drive to complete the repairs on Well 5. The slurry seal project this year is going well, with Struck & Irwin having less equipment problems and the slurry going down smoother than in the past. The project should have finished today.

11. CITY ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE – Administrator Brooks will be out of the office for two weeks starting July 18. He will have his laptop and will be able to respond to emails.

12. ADJOURN – Alderman Nehring motioned to adjourn the Community Services Committee meeting. Seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. Alderman Gerdes adjourned the meeting at 6:25 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/media/3746