NW Illinois News

City of Byron City Council met Sept. 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

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

Alderman Fulrath motioned to allow Alderman Hanlin to attend the meeting electronically. Motion seconded by Alderman Gerdes. 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 Sgt. Spencer Morrissey

City Engineer Jason Stoll

Citizens Brad Miller, Herb Santiago, Charles Van Horn, Robb Firch (6:55 pm)

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

5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Motion by Alderman Fulrath to approve, as presented, the September 18, 2024, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Boyer. 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. September 4, 2024 – City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as presented, the September 4, 2024, City Council regular meeting minutes. Seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, ABS; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 1.

b. September 5, 2024 – Public Hearing Minutes – Motion by Alderman Boyer to approve, as presented, the September 4, 2024, Public Hearing Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, ABS; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 1.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None

8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Clerk/Treasurer Huber stated that the August Treasurer’s Report is in Dropbox. In addition, the required Annual Treasurer’s Report, which is completed after the audit, is in Dropbox. It will be published in the Tempo and filed with the County Clerk.

9. LIST OF BILLS – September 18, 2024 –Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as presented, the September 18, 2024, List of Bills in the amount of $146,588.34. Motion seconded by Alderman Fulrath. 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.

10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Rickard met with Representative Darin LaHood. He also had a meeting with representatives from Lennar, a housing developer based in Joliet. If they can build homes in several nearby communities they may come to this area.

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 work on the boat launch is continuing, and the shelter should be up soon. The drain inlets on River Dr. should be in within the next few weeks.

14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT –

a. Public Works Building Update – The city has received its stormwater discharge permit for the Public Works Building. The farm field is clear where the public works building will stand.

b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – Once a land application can be completed, Director Vincer reported that the tanks will be emptied and inspected.

c. Other – Two lead lines have been reported to EPA and will need to be replaced. Fall sewer cleaning will begin this month and should take 2-3 weeks. The Public Works Department continued to remove trees that were damaged from the storm.

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 reported that the committee met last week. All items are on the agenda.

c. Administrative – Alderman Isaacs reported that the committee is discussing ordinance violation prosecution since the States Attorney will only handle state violations such as traffic violations and DUIs. We do not have a mechanism to prosecute ordinance violations that are not able to be handled by our administrative hearing system. The mayor will speak with the mayors of other communities to see if they are interested in an Intergovernmental Agreement to share an ordinance violation prosecutor.

17. CONTINUING BUSINESS

a. 221 N. Walnut St. Sidewalk Replacement – Two designs have been proposed for the building – one with a ramp and one with a lift. The plans will go out to bid tomorrow with a due date of October 2.

18. NEW BUSINESS

a. DPI Final Payment – Engineer Stoll will finalize this invoice for the next Community Services Committee meeting.

b. An ordinance authorizing and providing for the issuance of not to exceed $2,800,000 aggregate principal amount General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), of the City of Byron, Ogle County, Illinois, and for the levy of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on said bonds - Administrator Brooks stated that this ordinance defines the parameters of the bond issue for the public works building. It is on the agenda for first read. A vote will be taken October 2. Once this ordinance is passed, we will have several months to issue the bonds.

c. Resolution Authorizing Support and Commitment of Funds for a Grant Application to ITEP – Administrator Brooks stated that this Resolution sets the parameters for the council’s support of the ITEP grant. The maximum grant is $3,000,000 with an 80/20% match. The resolution supports a city contribution of up to $800,000 since some items are not eligible for grant funds (such as repaving the street) or are only eligible up to a certain percentage (lighting is a 50/50 split). The resolution is non-binding and does not obligate the City to anything. Engineer Stoll stated that the resolution is a requirement of the grant application. Alderman Nehring motioned to bypass first read and approve the resolution authorizing support and commitment of funds for a grant application to ITEP. Motion seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, NAY; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, NAY; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, NAY; Mayor Rickard, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 5; NAY, 3; ABS, 0.

d. Purchase of FLOCK Cameras – Administrator Brooks stated that we have budgeted this year for three FLOCK Safety cameras at a cost of $2500 each. The price of the cameras now is $3,000 each (plus an installation charge), with an annual subscription fee of $3,000 per camera. The company has offered to waive installation fees if the city purchases four cameras at $3,000 each. Installation is permitted through IDOT. The annual subscription includes maintenance of the cameras, updates (such as the addition of night vision), and replacement of cameras as newer models are available. The agreement is for two years and there is no exit fee. Vandalism is not covered by the subscription, but they offer a discounted rate of $800 to replace the camera. If a driver is at fault for damaging the camera, the driver’s insurance often pays for replacement of the cameras. Relocation of the cameras is not included in the subscription, and there is a relocation fee. The data collected is owned by the Byron Police Department but is hosted by FLOCK Safety. Images are deleted in 30 days unless they are saved by the Police Department. Currently, there are 327 agencies in Illinois that use the cameras. The Public Safety Committee recommends council approval of the purchase of four FLOCK Safety cameras. Alderman Gerdes motioned to bypass first read and approve the purchase and 2- year subscription of the cameras. Motion seconded by Alderman Boyer. 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.

e. BYOB-1 Pedal Bus Liquor License Ordinance – The Public Safety Committee recommends approval of the BYOB-1 Pedal Bus Liquor License Ordinance. Administrator Brooks presented some highlights of the ordinance. The ordinance allows alcohol to be consumed on the pedal bus only when the person is on the pedal bus, and alcohol is limited to aluminum cans or plastic bottles. The ordinance allows alcohol to be served to those riders over 21, even if there are riders present that are under 21. It is the responsibility of the driver of the pedal bus to ensure that only those over 21 are consuming alcohol. Alderman Gyorkos motioned to bypass first read and approve the ordinance as recommended by committee. Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, NAY; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 1; ABS, 0.

f. Motion to Rescind Previously adopted Motion to Provide 100% TIF Reimbursement Regarding 221 N. Walnut Street Sidewalk Matter – Mayor Rickard explained that council had passed a motion in June 2023 to pay 100% TIF grant for repairs of the ramp at 221 N. Walnut St. We were under the assumption that the City was primarily responsible for the damage to the sidewalk, ramp and façade of the building due to a previous watermain break. New information has surfaced, and the passing of this motion allows the council to decide on a TIF payment considering all the new information. Alderman Isaacs motioned to rescind the motion of June 2023 regarding 100% TIF reimbursement on the 221 N. Walnut St. project. Motion seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, ABS; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 1.

g. Ordinance Defining Paved Surface for Off-Street Parking – Administrator Brooks stated that this Ordinance originated out of the Public Safety Committee because of the lack of definition of a paved surface when parking vehicles on property. He explained that the definition cannot conflict with the definition used in the zoning code for off-street parking. The ordinance will be available for Administrative Committee review on October 16.

h. Setting Trick or Treat Hours on October 31, 2024 – Mayor Rickard recommends that the hours for trick or treating on October 31 are from 5-8 pm. The recommendation was approved by unanimous consent from Council.

19. COUNCIL TALK – Engineer Stoll revisited the ITEP proposal and gave some suggestions on how to potentially lower the cost.

20. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Alderman Fulrath motioned to go into Executive Session at 7:20 pm. Alderman Hanlin left the meeting and was not in attendance for Executive Session. Motion seconded by Alderman Boyer. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

Council returned to open session at 7:32 pm. No action was taken in Executive Session. Members present: Isaacs, Gerdes, Fulrath, Boyer, Nehring, Gyorkos. Six members present. Alderman Hanlin absent.

21. COMMUNICATION –

a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, October 2, 2024, 6:30 pm

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

Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:32 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/media/3906