NW Illinois News

City of Byron Committee of the Whole met Oct. 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

CALL TO ORDER – Mayor John Rickard called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm

1. ROLL CALL – Aldermen present: Todd Isaacs, Emily Gerdes, Mittzi Fulrath, Ron Boyer, Jessica Nehring, Michael Gyorkos. Six members present by roll call vote. Quorum established.

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 Attorney Aaron Szeto

City Clerk Caryn Huber

City Administrator Brian Brooks

Dir. Of Public Works Aaron Vincer

Engineer Jason Stoll

Police Chief Jeremy Boehle

Citizens Brad Miller, Charles Van Horn,

Kevin Wills

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA –Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as presented, the October 16, 2024, Committee of the Whole Agenda. Motion 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.

3. PUBLIC COMMENT – None

4. 221 N. WALNUT ST. SIDEWALK AND RAMP REPLACEMENT – Administrator Brooks stated that bids were received for the work at 221 N. Walnut St. The bid was split into City Work in the Public ROW (sidewalk and curb, drainage and two parking spaces) and Private Work for Ramp/Foundation (shoring up the foundation wall, excavation, foundation for ramp, installation of ramp). The base bid included an ADA accessible ramp and the alternate bid had a ramp (non-ADA) with an ADA accessible lift. Bid tabulations are in Dropbox, showing DPI Construction as the low bid in both the base and alternative bids. Administrator Brooks reviewed where the city stands with TIF funds and current obligations. Current cash on hand is $534,000 with most of the 2023 tax money having been received. Anticipated expenses for the year are $130,700, leaving an estimated $403,900. Looking at the TIF budget, there is $228,000 available in budgeted but unallocated TIF funds. The least expensive option from DPI is the alternate bid totaling $214,330.30. If the City took on this entire expense, it would leave a TIF reserve of $189,569.88. He asked Council if they want to proceed with this work, and if so, are they agreeable to using TIF funds for the public portion of the work. In addition, do they want to discuss a TIF agreement for the private portion of the bid, and if so, what percentage of the project do they want to fund. Fehr Graham has presented a Construction Engineering proposal for $29,000 which is not included in the total. Another item that is not included in this total is the brick façade work and replacement of the main door and entry work.

Mr. Miller stated that he has not received any evidence to suggest that the ramp structure is inadequate. Because the ramp is failing on the street side of the ramp, and because the sidewalk and curb are tilting toward the road, he attributes this damage to a previous water main break. He has contacted an expert to provide an opinion. Alderman Boyer asked what the findings were from the Fehr Graham Structural Engineer. Engineer Stoll said there were some openings in the foundation wall. Mr. Miller stated that the engineer’s observations were from the inside only and were not made from the outside of the building (even though there were exploratory holes dug), and nothing from the sidewalk settling toward the road. He believes there is nothing to suggest the ramp was washed out by anything but a broken watermain. Engineer Stoll believes the plans they presented are based on how to properly support the ramp and were done so independently of the reason why the ramp failed. Mr. Miller does not disagree with the new design as presented.

Mr. Miller noted that the City Council had voted in June 2023, to fund this project 100% through a TIF grant. The vote taken in June 2023 also included the brick façade and the doorway, although the bid specs do not include these items. That vote was rescinded, however, at the last council meeting, based on the new structural information. He added that when the sidewalk was pulled up, the ground was “mushy” underneath, further indicating water damage. Director Vincer stated that excavation of the service line did not show any leaks, and Engineer Stoll attributed the wetness to the rain seeping through cracks in the sidewalk. Alderman Boyer stated that the areas on the inside of the building that need to be filled in are not part of this ramp project, and Mr. Miller has stated that he would pay for the inside masonry construction work to be done. Engineer Stoll stated that the masonry work totals $28,000.

Mr. Miller appreciates the work that City staff and Fehr Graham have done to try and solve this problem. Prior to making a decision, pricing needs to be received for the brick facade and door. Mr. Miller has offered to hook up the electrical on the lift. Due to the time, Mayor Rickard ended the discussion at this point.

5. FEHR GRAHAM PROPOSAL FOR CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, 221 N. WALNUT ST. SIDEWALK AND RAMP REPLACEMENT – No report.

6. ADJOURN – Alderman Fulrath motioned to adjourn the meeting. 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.

Mayor Rickard adjourned the meeting at 6:34 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/media/4026