NW Illinois News

City of Byron City Council met Nov. 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. CALL TO ORDER – Clerk Huber called the meeting to order at 6:41 pm.

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Led by Clerk Huber

3. ROLL CALL – Aldermen present: Todd Isaacs, Emily Gerdes, Ron Boyer, Jessica Nehring, Michael Gyorkos. Five members present.

Aldermen Absent: Christy Hanlin, Mittzi Fulrath

Alderman Gerdes motioned to allow Alderman Hanlin to attend the meeting electronically. Motion seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 5; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. Six members present.

PRESENT:

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, Gary Treese, Brian Malone, Bill Pirnat, Brian Borger, Donna Gruber, Ray Gruber, Amanda Martinez

Alderman Gyorkos motioned to appoint Alderman Todd Isaacs as Temporary Chairperson in the Mayor’s absence. Motion seconded by Alderman Boyer. Roll call vote: Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

4. REVERENCE PERIOD – None

5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Motion by Alderman Nehring to approve, as presented, the November 6, 2024, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Boyer, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

6. MINUTES –

a. October 16, 2024 – Committee of the Whole Special Meeting Minutes – Motion by Alderman Gerdes to approve, as presented, the October 16, 2024, Committee of the Whole Special Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Boyer. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

b. October 16, 2024 – City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Motion by Alderman Boyer to approve, as presented, the October 16, 2024, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT –

Creekside resident Bill Pirnat spoke against the zoning amendment proposed in the Creekside/Mill Creek subdivision to re-zone current R-2 and R-3 lots to R-1 single family. He is particularly concerned about those lots that are contiguous with the current two-family and multi-family units. He asks that homes on those lots be built at the end of the project. Creekside/Mill Creek resident Brian Borger spoke in favor of the zoning proposal, stating that it will reduce the potential density of the subdivision, increase property values, and bring more “rooftops”, and tax money, to the city.

8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Huber reported that the 5th property tax distribution is in Dropbox.

9. LIST OF BILLS – November 6, 2024 –Motion by Alderman Nehring to approve, as presented, the November 6, 2024, List of Bills in the amount of $451,649.80. Motion seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

10. MAYOR’S REPORT – None

11. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – Administrator Brooks reported that bonding for the Public Works Building is moving forward, and funds should be transferred sometime next week. Several local banks are interested in purchasing the bonds. A new public fund account at Byron Bank has been opened to receive the funds as soon as they are available.

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

13. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT – The Boat Dock shelter and roof are up, and the landscaping is done. We should have final pay estimates to review soon. Engineer Stoll reported that DPI Construction has completed the inlets on River Drive, and this officially completes the 2024 streets program. Only one of the new docks was installed this year. The concrete base of the second dock was moved in an ice jam and had to be replaced. Because of the flooding this year, this work was delayed, and the dock was not put in. Both docks will be in place next Spring.

14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT –

a. Public Works Building Update – Director Vincer reported that site work is near completion. Water and sewer line work will be done by the Public Works Department next. There is a fiber line that they are waiting to have removed to complete the driveway.

b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – Sewer tanks have been drained and measurements were taken to continue work on the design of the new wastewater treatment plant.

c. Other – Staff continues to clean sewer lines and will be working on road edges on Barker Rd. and Tower Rd. in preparation for winter. Boat docks will be pulled next week.

15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Boehle reported that field training of the two new officers is going well. They will soon start the “shadow” period of training where they will work on their own with observation and assistance when needed from the training officers. One of the FLOCK cameras has been installed and has already proven to be useful. The other cameras should be installed next week. Chief Boehle added that between 1,300 and 1,800 cars are traveling Tower Rd. daily.

16. COMMITTEE REPORTS –

a. Community Services – All items are on the agenda.

b. Public Safety – No report.

c. Administrative – No report.

17. CONTINUING BUSINESS

a. 221 N. Walnut St. Sidewalk and Ramp Replacement – No update.

b. Tax Levy – Estimate of Funds Needed – Administrator Brooks reported that our Tax Levy needs to be passed and filed by the last Tuesday in December. Twenty days before passage, the amount of funds to be raised by the levy needs to be determined. The Administrative Committee expressed their desire to stay under the 5% increase in taxes, while still meeting our financial needs. Administrator Brooks calculated the amount to be raised by tax levy at $723,500, which is 4.853% of the extended tax levy from last year. Alderman Nehring motioned to approve the amount of the 2024 levy at $723,500. Motion seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

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

18. NEW BUSINESS

a. Ordinance to Amend Zoning Map for 9251 N. Tower Rd. to District 9 I-1 Light Industrial – There was a ZBA hearing on October 24. This parcel is where our new Public Works Building is being built, and is currently zoned Highway Frontage Business. This zoning classification was eliminated in 2008. The ordinance changes the zoning to District 9 I-1 Light Industrial Zoning, which allows for public use. The ZBA motioned to recommend approval of the zoning re-classification. Alderman Gerdes motioned to waive first read and approve the ordinance rezoning 9251 N. Tower Rd. from District No. 4-Highway Frontage Business District to District 9 I-1 Light Industrial. Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

b. Ordinance to Amend Zoning Map for several parcels in Creekside/Mill Creek Subdivisions to District R-1 Single – At the same ZBA meeting on October 24, the committee reviewed an application to re-zone several lots in the Creekside/Mill Creek Subdivision from R-2 two-family and R-3 multi-family to R-1 single family. The R-1 classification is also requested on two parcels that are not platted. There are two lots that are between multi-family units that the builder is not requesting a change in zoning for. During public comment at the ZBA meeting, the builder agreed to not allow fencing on the properties that are contiguous to the existing two- and multi-family units currently there. Some of the properties are in the flood plains. They will be permitted through the state for the 100-year flood plain. Homes in both areas and will be built at least two feet above the flood plain (only one foot is required). The ZBA motioned to recommend council approval of the zoning reclassification of these properties. Alderman Isaacs motioned to waive first read and approve the ordinance for the zoning reclassification of properties in Creekside/Mill Creek. Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, NAY; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, NAY; Boyer, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 2; ABS, 0.

c. Designate Remaining ARPA Funds – Administrator Brooks distributed a listing of the status of our ARPA funds. With the remaining $174,000, he is recommending the purchase of a generator for the Razorville pump station and the new Public Works Building.

Pricing will be available at the next meeting. The funds need to be committed by December 31, 2024.

d. City Liability Insurance – Our liability/workman’s comp insurance is up for renewal. There was a 6% increase over last year’s premium, but the renewal premium amount is less than the amount we have budgeted. Alderman Boyer motioned to approve the insurance renewal. Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. Alderman Isaacs asked for a competitive quote for next year.

e. Byron Chamber Miracle on 2nd St. Approval – Sean Smith, Executive Director of the Byron Chamber of Commerce, asked for approval of this year’s Miracle on 2nd St. event on Friday, December 6. There are no changes to last year’s layout. Information was in Dropbox for Council members to review. The plan also names the Mayor as the Emergency contact and gives him the authority to approve any last-minute changes if necessary. Alderman Nehring motioned to waive first read and approve the Miracle on 2nd St. event requests. Motion seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

f. Electric Bids for Pumping – The committee will review on November 20. g. Electric Bids for Street Lighting – The committee will review on November 20.

19. COUNCIL TALK – None

20. COMMUNICATION –

a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, November 20, 2024, 6:30 pm

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

Alderman Isaacs adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:15 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/media/4061