NW Illinois News

City of Byron City Council met Oct. 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Minutes Approved as Presented 11/6/24

1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Rickard called the meeting to order at 6:35 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 Chief Jeremy Boehle

City Engineer Jason Stoll

Citizens Charles Van Horn, Kevin Wills, Gary Treese, Brian Malone

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

5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Alderman Boyer noted that the date was incorrect on the October 16 agenda. Clerk Huber will correct the date. Motion by Alderman Boyer to approve, as amended, the October 16, 2024, agenda. 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.

6. MINUTES –

a. October 2, 2024 – Regular City Council Meeting Minutes – Motion by Alderman Nehring to approve, as presented, the October 2, 2024, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Gerdes. 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 – Treasurer Huber reported that the September 2024 Treasurer’s Report is in Dropbox. She added that the current Public Fund interest rate is 4.69%.

9. LIST OF BILLS – October 16, 2024 –Motion by Alderman Boyer to approve, as presented, the October 16, 2024, List of Bills in the amount of $205,674.48. Motion seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. 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 the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train is scheduled to make a stop in Byron on Wednesday, November 27 from 12:00-12:30pm.

11. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – Administrator Brooks reported that he participated in a bond rating call recently. The city has maintained its’ A+ bond rating.

12. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – No report. All items are on the agenda.

13. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT – Engineer Stoll reported that DPI Construction has completed the inlets on River Drive. The Boat Dock shelter and roof are up, and the landscaping is done. We should have final pay estimates to review soon.

14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT –

a. Public Works Building Update – Director Vincer reported that they have broken ground on the site of the new Public Works Building. Concrete should be poured by the end of October and the building will be delivered in January.

b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – Sludge hauling is taking place this week. Fehr Graham will measure the empty tanks and determine the next steps for the new treatment plant.

c. Other – Well 3 is changing from chlorine gas to sodium hypochlorite. The chemical will be delivered Friday and should be online by Monday. Director Vincer has been in touch with IDOT about bridge lighting. It does not appear that IDOT has any funding available, but he will continue to explore options for lighting the walking path on the bridge. The department has been cleaning sewer lines. There continues to be excessive wipes and diapers in the line, as well as tree roots. A root cutter is used to clear the roots, and they plan to try copper sulfate in the future.

15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – No report.

16. COMMITTEE REPORTS –

a. Community Services – No report.

b. Public Safety – No report.

c. Administrative – No report.

17. CONTINUING BUSINESS

a. 221 N. Walnut St. Sidewalk and Ramp Replacement – Discussion will continue.

b. Setting 2024 G.O. Bond Amount and Term – Alderman Isaacs stated that the Administrative Committee recommends council approval for a 20-year debt service with a bond amount of $2,800,000 plus any additional funds generated by the final interest rate and coupon rate. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, (left room temporarily-no vote); Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

18. NEW BUSINESS

a. Resolution Approving Grant Agreement with ILEAS Re: Less Lethal Alternatives – The Administrative Committee recommends council approval of the resolution approving a grant agreement with ILEAS regarding less lethal alternatives. 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. Tax Levy – Alderman Isaacs reported that the Administrative Committee began to discuss the levy. The committee prefers to levy only up to 105% to avoid a truth in taxation hearing but at the same time making sure we have sufficient balances of cash in our funds. Administrator Brooks will have a draft levy ordinance, and the amount needed to be raised by the levy, at the November 6 meeting.

c. Fehr Graham Proposal for Construction Services, 221 N. Walnut St. Sidewalk and Ramp Replacement – No discussion.

19. COUNCIL TALK – Alderman Boyer praised the Public Works crew for working on a sewer pipe root removal near his home.

20. COMMUNICATION –

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

22. ADJOURN – Alderman Isaacs motioned to adjourn. Motion seconded by Alderman Fulrath. 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.

Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 6:50 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/media/4031