NW Illinois News

City of Byron City Council met Oct. 2.

Here are the minutes 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

Alderman Fulrath motioned to allow Alderman Hanlin to attend the meeting electronically. 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. 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 Charles Van Horn

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

5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as presented, the October 2, 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 18, 2024 – Public Meeting - ITEP Grant Minutes – Motion by Alderman Gyorkos to approve, as presented, the September 18, 2024, Public Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Isaacs. 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.

b. September 18, 2024 – Regular City Council Meeting Minutes – Motion by Alderman Gerdes to approve, as presented, the September 18, 2024, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Fulrath. 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.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None

8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Clerk/Treasurer Huber stated that the 4th distribution of property taxes is in Dropbox.

9. LIST OF BILLS – October 2, 2024 –Alderman Isaacs asked about the $5,397.20 bill from Sabel Mechanical. Director Vincer stated that this company is our new pump contractor, and the charge was for the pulling, refurbishing and reinstallation of a pump at the sewer plant. Alderman Gerdes asked if the charge from Helm was under budget for the sealcoat work on Whitaker Rd. Director Vincer replied that it is. Director Vincer added that the charge from Hanlin’s Repair was to repair the brush cutting mower. Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as presented, the October 2, 2024, List of Bills in the amount of $104,623.47. 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 reported that he recently visited 5th grade classrooms to discuss government.

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 he, too, will be visiting classrooms soon to discuss engineering. The ITEP grant has been submitted. Results are expected in December or January. Alderman Boyer asked if anything has been discussed regarding lighting on the bridge. Engineer Stoll and Director Vincer will try to contact IDOT. In the past, IDOT would not allow any lights to illuminate the driving lanes.

14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT –

a. Public Works Building Update – Fehr Graham will schedule staking of the site. The Public Works Department, together with Kelsey Excavating, will begin water, sewer and storm sewer work this fall. Attorney Szeto stated that, depending on estimated costs, council may need to formally waive the bid process for this project.

b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – Design is 90% complete.

c. Other – A service line break recently occurred on Park Dr. The Public Works Department joined the Fire Department to participate in a trench safety class at the Forest Preserve Tuesday. Landscaping has been done at the boat launch. The price for road salt this year is $84.75/ton, which is less than we have been paying for the last several years. Director Vincer asked for 350 tons and is obligated to purchase 40% of that. We now have an agreement with Rockvale Township to do the ditch mowing on Tower and Barker Roads.

15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Boehle reported that the Police Department is receiving a 50/50 grant through the Bureau of Justice for bullet proof vests. The vests cost over $1,000/each. They have also been awarded 5 new tasers at a total cost of $15,668 through ILEAS. He will present the grant agreements to council for approval.

16. COMMITTEE REPORTS –

a. Community Services – All items are on the agenda. Administrator Brooks reported that he participated in a bond rating call with Standard and Poors. The City is in good financial shape, and we will find out our rating soon. The Administrative Committee will be discussing length and terms of the bonds at the next meeting.

b. Public Safety – No report.

c. Administrative – No report.

17. CONTINUING BUSINESS

a. 221 N. Walnut St. Sidewalk Replacement – Administrator Brooks reported that bids were received today for the 221 N. Walnut St. project. Engineer Stoll is compiling the bids to be presented and discussed at a Committee of the Whole Special Meeting on Wednesday, October 16, from 6-6:30pm.

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 – The Administrative Committee recommends Council approval of the Ordinance Authorizing and Providing for the Issuance of not to exceed $2,800,000 G.O. Bonds. 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.

18. NEW BUSINESS

a. DPI Final Payment – The Community Services Committee recommends bypassing the first read and Council approval of the DPI Final payment in the amount of $28,866.36 for Sanitary Manhole Replacements. 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.

b. O’Brien Civil Works Boat Launch Project, Payment Estimates 1 and 2 – The Community Services Committee recommends bypassing first read and Council approval of Payment Estimates 1 and 2 for O’Brien Civil Works for the Boat Launch. payment estimate 1 is for $90,225.00 and payment estimate 2 is for $54,405.00. Roll call vote: 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. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, October 16, 2024, 6:30 pm

22. ADJOURN – Alderman Isaacs motioned to adjourn. Motion 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.

Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 6:55 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/media/3941