NW Illinois News

City of Byron City Council met Aug. 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Minutes Approved as Presented 9/4/24

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, Ron Boyer, Jessica Nehring, Michael Gyorkos. Six members present.

Aldermen Absent: Christy Hanlin

Motion by Alderman Gerdes to allow Alderman Hanlin to participate by phone. Motion 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. Seven members present.

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 Charlene Coulombe (Ogle Co. Economic Development Corporation), Jeff Hall

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

5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as presented, the August 21, 2024, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

6. MINUTES –

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

7. PUBLIC COMMENT – Jeff Hall, who lives on Luther Drive, addressed the Council. He is concerned with several things taking place in his apartment building and several near him after a new management company has purchased the buildings. These include raising rents significantly, eliminating laundry facilities and blocking the road when doing maintenance. Although the city does not have the authority to address several of the items discussed, Mayor Rickard stated that the city will help where we can.

8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Clerk/Treasurer Huber reported that the July 2024 Treasurer’s Report is in Dropbox.

9. LIST OF BILLS – August 21, 2024 – Alderman Isaacs asked about the charge of $1,125.00 from Steve Benesh & Sons. Director Vincer stated that they were needed for “daylighting” as soil borings were performed at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. They also cleaned out several lift stations. Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as presented, the August 21, 2024, List of Bills in the amount of $157,330.00. Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Rickard introduced Charlene Coulombe, Executive Director of the Ogle County Economic Development Corporation. Ms. Coulombe presented the Mayor with a certificate of appreciation for being a founding partner and for the City of Byron for contributing to the success of the organization. Ogle County Mayors met and discussed the grocery tax. It is still unclear what the Illinois statute allows municipalities to do to replace this tax (implement the grocery tax or a sales tax?). Several nearby communities are updating their solicitor permits (initial fees, fines, enforcement). Tom Demmer was the speaker at a recent Northern Illinois Mayor’s Association meeting. Alderman Boyer was encouraged by the positive vote by the Ogle County Board last night, approving Constellation’s request for rezoning.

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 water is starting to recede at the boat dock and work should begin soon on the shore work and the shelter. HMA overlay work is in progress. 5th St. will be completed tomorrow.

14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT –

a. Public Works Building Update – Materials will be ordered in the next week or two.

b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – Core samples are done. There was no flooding at the site after recent heavy rains.

c. Other – A new snowplow was put on the pick-up truck. Director Vincer stated that he is waiting for a bid from Morton salt for winter salt this year since Glendenning Bros. is no longer in business. Work on the streets is going well, and Director Vincer thanked Gene Stoll for being on the job site.

15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – The two officer candidates (Tanner Schrock and Dalton Powell) will graduate tomorrow from the Police Academy. They will begin training Monday with Sergeant Morrissey and Officer Curtis. Chief Boehle would like to hire another officer but has not had any applicants.

16. COMMITTEE REPORTS –

a. Community Services – No report.

b. Public Safety –No report.

c. Administrative – No report. All items are on the agenda.

17. CONTINUING BUSINESS

a. 221 N. Walnut St. Sidewalk Replacement – Administrator Brooks stated that a meeting is set for next Tuesday with Mr. Miller to discuss how to move forward with the project.

b. Ordinance Adopting 2021 Swimming Pool and Spa International Code– Alderman Isaacs stated that the Administrative Committee recommends City Council approval of the Ordinance Adopting the 2021 Swimming Pool and Spa International Code. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

c. Fehr Graham Proposal for Construction staking - Public Works Building – Administrator Brooks stated the construction staking is part of our cost of the new public works building. The Fehr Graham proposal for construction staking is a lump sum of $8,000. Alderman Boyer motioned to approve the Fehr Graham Proposal for Construction Staking at a cost of $8,000. Motion seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

d. 2024 Street improvements – Change Order – Engineer Stoll stated that during the street walk-through of River Rd., several drainage issues became apparent. He asked the contractor to quote curb and gutter on River Drive near the sanitary lift station to improve drainage and provide a barrier to the lift station. Further east, there is an inlet in the pavement that they recommend being removed and replaced with a curb style inlet. This work was not included in the original bid. In addition, they recommend placing curb and gutter on the east side of Lincoln St. to avoid the pavement deteriorating like it has been. This was presented and discussed at committee, and they requested contractor pricing. Engineer Stoll presented two options. The first is to do the drainage improvements and patching along River Drive only. Paving on River Dr. and River Lane would be done next year. The second option is to do all drainage, curb and paving work along River Dr. and Lincoln St. This includes paving on River Lane. He did point out that the Slurry Seal project came in approximately $25,000 over budget because the estimated quantities were short. Taking this into consideration, option one would put us over budget for the 2024 Streets Program by $20,518.47. If both the drainage and paving are done this year, we would be over budget by $128,936.67. Engineer Stoll thinks this price is high, and Director Vincer questions the ability to complete all of this work by winter. Engineer Stoll stated that his recommendation is to move forward with option one, fixing the drainage this year and doing paving next year. After additional discussion, Alderman Gerdes motioned to accept option one and fix the drainage issues on River Dr. this year, and complete the paving next year. Motion seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

18. NEW BUSINESS

a. DPI Final Payment – No information available.

b. Fehr Graham Proposal for ITEP Grant Application – Mayor Rickard stated that we had, in 2022, applied for a DCO grant to improve downtown 2nd St. between Walnut and Union Streets. The plan includes a streetscape and other beautification efforts. It would also include making 2nd St. one way going east. The deadline for this grant is coming up again in September, and many of the documents prepared for the 2022 application can be updated and utilized for the ITEP grant. The Fehr Graham proposal is for $3,500. The item will be voted on at the next meeting.

c. 2023-2024 Audit – Lindsey Fish from Sikich will be at the next meeting to review the 2023-2024 audit. Drafts of final audit are in Dropbox.

d. Resolution declaring the official intent to reimburse expenditures for the certain capital expenditures of the City with the issuance of not to exceed $2,800,000 General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2024, of the City of Byron, Ogle County Illinois – Alderman Isaacs stated that the Administrative Committee recommends passage of the Resolution. Alderman Gyorkos motioned to bypass first read. Motion seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote to bypass first read and accept the recommendation of committee to approve the Resolution: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

19. COUNCIL TALK – None

20. COMMUNICATION –

a. Public Hearing concerning the intent of the City to issue General Obligation Municipal Bonds – Wednesday, September 4, 2024, 6:20 pm

a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, September 4, 2024, 6:30 pm

21. ADJOURN – Alderman Fulrath motioned to adjourn. Motion seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:47 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/media/3811