NW Illinois News

City of Byron City Council met Aug. 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Minutes Approved as Presented 8/21/24

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 Clerk Caryn Huber

City Attorney Aaron Szeto

City Administrator Brian Brooks

Public Works Dir. Aaron Vincer

Police Chief Jeremy Boehle

City Engineer Jason Stoll

Citizens Charles Van Horn, Daniel O’Connor, Linda Ryddick, Heriberto Santiago, Kevin Wills (Bernardi Securities)

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

5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Administrator Brooks asked to remove item 18a, DPI Final Payment, and insert Fehr Graham proposal for construction staking. Motion by Alderman Gerdes to approve, as amended, the August 7, 2024, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Isaacs. 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. July 17, 2024 – City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – Motion by Alderman Nehring to approve, as presented, the July 17, 2024, City Council regular meeting minutes. Seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Fulrath, ABS; Boyer, ABS; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 0; ABS, 2.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None

8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Clerk/Treasurer Huber reminded council members that election packets will be available starting August 20. The open positions are Mayor, City Clerk, Aldermen (4-year terms) in each of the four wards, and Alderman (Ward 1-2-year term).

9. LIST OF BILLS –

a. August 7, 2024 – Motion by Alderman Fulrath to approve, as presented, the August 7, 2024, List of Bills in the amount of $91,830.48. 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 – No report

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 HMA overlay projects will begin Monday.

14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT –

a. Public Works Building Update – None

b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – Soil borings are being done around the plant.

c. Other – Director Vincer reported that a new Bobcat was delivered this week. There were 9 days of clean-up after the recent storm, using 382 manhours and 376 machine hours. Outside companies were used to assist with the clean-up at a cost of $5800. He expects more trees will need to be cut as a result of the storm, and we will likely surpass our budget for tree removal. We received a discharge permit from the EPA to be publicly reviewed. The report was positive. Well 5 is up and running. The boat dock was located about ¼ mile downstream and has been returned.

15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Both recruits are doing well and are looking forward to completing class and beginning training. They will begin on August 25 and 26, and will be training with Sergeant Morrissey and Officer Curtis. National Night Out was well-attended. Alderman Isaacs asked about the condition of Sam’s Drive In. Chief Boehle has been in touch with the owner.

16. COMMITTEE REPORTS –

a. Community Services – No report. All Items are on the agenda.

b. Public Works –No report. Administrator Brooks asked Alderman Nehring if they want to consider adding a special meeting to discuss the Pedal Bus Alcohol License, since the committee doesn’t meet again until September. No meeting is set at this time. c. Administrative – No report.

17. CONTINUING BUSINESS

a. 221 N. Walnut St. Sidewalk Replacement – An inspection was done on the building and there have been some redesign ideas based on suggestions of the structural engineer. They are looking at cost-saving measures for the redesign.

b. Ordinance Vacating Portion of Alley North of 319 N. Market St. – The survey and description of the property have been completed, and everything is in place to pass the ordinance. Administrator Brooks has contacted the resident who wishes to take ownership of the property and advised them that the reimbursement costs total is $1,060. The ordinance will not be recorded until the funds are received. The Community Services Committee recommends council approval of the ordinance vacating a portion of the alley north of 319 N. Market St. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

c. Pedal Bus Alcohol License – Item is still in committee.

d. Boat Launch Construction Change Order – The Community Services Committee recommends council approval of the boat launch change order. The change order will increase the cost by $3,600 and push back the completion date to October 15, 2024. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

e. Health Insurance Renewal – Administrator Brooks stated that we have a grandfathered plan that is very good. The renewal quote shows a 1.1% decrease in total premiums. Some of the individual premiums will increase slightly. The renewal begins October 1, 2024. Alderman Isaacs motioned to approve the health insurance renewal. Motion seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

f. Swimming Pool & Spa International Code Adoption – Item is still in committee.

g. An Ordinance authorizing the issuance of General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), in one or more series, of the City of Byron, Ogle County, Illinois, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $2,800,000 for the purpose of financing the costs of various capital improvements within the City including, but not limited to, the construction of a new public works building and paying for costs related thereto. – Kevin Wills from Bernardi Securities addressed the council. Tonight’s ordinance begins the process of legal proceedings to be in position to issue the bonds. If the ordinance is passed, it will be published in the newspaper and a public hearing will be held. The public hearing will likely be Wednesday, September 4, and funds should be available at the beginning of October. He is encouraged that rates are beginning to trend downward. He is continuing to monitor the water/sewer bonds that were issued in 2014, which are at 4%, to see if a refinance should be considered. We are also getting ready to make final payment on our 2-year bond and he suggested holding a public hearing for the next 2-year bond issue as well. Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve the Ordinance Authorizing the Issuance of the General Obligation Bonds not to exceed $2,800,000. Motion 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.

18. NEW BUSINESS

a. Fehr Graham Proposal for Construction Staking – Administrator Brooks stated that we have received a proposal from Fehr Graham to do the construction staking at the new Public Works Building site. The item will be discussed in committee.

b. Burn Ordinance Amendment – Administrator Brooks stated that this was discussed at the last meeting due to the extensive storm damage. It would allow residents to begin burning now until the end of November. The amendment will be in effect for this year only. Motion by Alderman Fulrath to waive first read and approve the ordinance extending burning times for this year only. Seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE, Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

c. 2024 Street Improvements-Change Order – Administrator Brooks reported that this change order involves postponing HMA overlay on River Dr. and using those funds to complete curb and storm drain work this year. At this point, we have only cost estimates which appear to be $4,900 more than the scheduled work. The changes would allow us to take more stormwater and avoid it entering the sanitary sewer. The committee asked to get a quote from the contractor and review the numbers at the next meeting. We will also be asking for a quote to complete paving on River Lane (cul-de-sac). Alderman Boyer would like to see the entire project (curb and storm drain work and HMA overlay) completed this year.

19. COUNCIL TALK – Alderman Fulrath asked questions about the electric aggregation program.

20. COMMUNICATION –

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

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

Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:04 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/media/3786