NW Illinois News

City of Byron City Council met Nov. 20.

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, Ron Boyer, Jessica Nehring, Michael Gyorkos. Four members present.

Aldermen Absent: Christy Hanlin, Mittzi Fulrath, Emily Gerdes (6:38pm arrival)

Alderman Isaacs motioned to allow Alderman Hanlin to attend the meeting electronically. Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Rickard, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 5; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. Five 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, Laura Goding, Mike Mudge

4. REVERENCE PERIOD – None

5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Administrator Brooks requested that item 18f. be added to the agenda as “An Ordinance Abating the Tax Heretofore Levied for the Year 2024 to Pay Debt Service on $2,800,000 General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2024, of the City of Byron, Ogle County, Illinois”. Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as amended, the November 20, 2024, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Boyer, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 5; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

6. MINUTES –

a. November 6, 2024 – Committee of the Whole Special Meeting Minutes – Motion by Alderman Nehring to approve, as presented, the November 6, 2024, Committee of the Whole Special Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 5; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

b. November 6, 2024 – City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Motion by Alderman Boyer to approve, as presented, the November 6, 2024, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 5; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None

8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Huber reported that the October 2024 Treasurer’s Report is in Dropbox. Clerk Huber also reported that the deadline for filing packets for the April 1, 2025 Consolidated election was Monday at 5pm. Candidates that filed are as follows: Mayor (John Rickard); City Clerk (Caryn Huber); Alderman, Ward 1 (Two year term: Ron Boyer); Ward 2 (Jessica Nehring); Ward 3 (Todd Isaacs); Ward 4 (Mittzi Fulrath, Orlando Dowell, Kelly Neslund).

Alderman Gerdes arrived at 6:38 pm.

9. LIST OF BILLS – November 20, 2024 –Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as presented, the November 20, 2024, List of Bills in the amount of $313,849.71. Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. 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 –Mayor Rickard reported that the Girl Scouts are requesting approval to sell cookies from January through March. As a non-profit organization, they are not required to obtain solicitor permits. There was no objection from the council. Mayor Rickard also noted that our first regular 2025 City Council meeting falls on January 1. He recommends moving the January council and committee meetings to January 8 and 22. We will take action at the December 4 Council meeting.

11. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – Administrator Brooks reported that the bond funds arrived last week, and we received just over $2,886,000. The funds are in a public fund at Byron Bank. The Comprehensive Plan is moving along with a second meeting of the Steering Committee held last week. We are in the process of conducting a community-wide survey. Alderman should have received an email with a link to the survey. This is open to all residents in the Byron area (not just within city limits) since the Comprehensive Plan covers the wider Byron area. We have received approximately 200 surveys back. It will be open through the end of the year. Administrator Brooks attended an area Administrator’s meeting last week that included administrators from most of the governmental agencies in the area.

12. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – Attorney Szeto introduced Laura Goding, a new attorney at Sosnowski Szeto.

13. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT – Engineer Stoll reported that he has been working with Director Vincer on a utilities plan. A meeting is scheduled for Friday to review this plan along with the 2025 Streets Plan. He hopes to have a report at the January meetings.

14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT –

a. Public Works Building Update – Director Vincer reported that work is continuing on the Public Works Building. A redesign was necessary on the footing, and they are hoping to pour concrete this year.

b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – No update.

c. Other – Road salt is loaded, and plows are installed on the trucks.

15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – No report.

16. COMMITTEE REPORTS –

a. Community Services – No report.

b. Public Safety – All items are on the agenda.

c. Administrative – Besides items already on the agenda, the committee discussed the definition of paved surface. The committee has asked Administrator Brooks to write an ordinance that would allow only concrete and asphalt as paved surfaces (no gravel, pavers, etc). Alderman Gerdes questioned the change. Administrator Brooks stated that for parking vehicles not on your drive, the ordinance just states that they need to be on a paved surface. This amendment would define what is acceptable as a paved surface. This definition would then be applied to other ordinances that mention paved surfaces. The committee is discussing whether those that currently have gravel and other surfaces would be grandfathered, be given time to come into conformity, or if the ordinance would be immediately enforced moving forward. Alderman Boyer mentioned that some residents drive onto their property from a gravel city alley. Alderman Gerdes believes that residents should have more than two choices. Alderman Gyorkos asked what the purpose of the change is. Alderman Isaacs replied that residents often have grass and weeds growing under and around the vehicle, creating a nuisance. The committee will discuss this further at their next meeting.

17. CONTINUING BUSINESS

a. Tax Levy Ordinance – Alderman Isaacs reported that the Administrative Committee recommends council approval of the 2024-2025 Tax Levy Ordinance. Council will vote on the ordinance at the December 4 meeting.

b. Designate Remaining ARPA Funds – Administrator Brooks stated that there will be a meeting next week with Cord Construction that will provide information to assist in pricing a generator.

c. Electric Bids for Pumping – Mike Mudge from Rock River Energy was in attendance. Our current 3-year contracts with Constellation for street lighting and with Direct Energy for pumping expire at the end of the year. Mr. Mudge gave council an overview of the volitivity of energy rates. After discussion, Alderman Isaacs motioned to contract with Constellation for street lighting for 60 months, and to contract with Constellation for pumping for 36 months. The motion also authorizes Administrator Brooks to sign the contracts. Motion seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE, Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

d. Electric Bids for Street Lighting – See item c.

18. NEW BUSINESS

a. O’Brien Civil Works – Final Pay Estimate – Engineer Stoll stated that with the completion of the boat launch, we have received the final pay estimate of $66,670 from O’Brien Civil Works. Total for the project is $211,300, which is $3,600 over the bid amount. The $3,600 was approved by council in Change Order 1 for additional storm sewer pipe. Alderman Isaacs motioned to bypass first read and approve payment to O’Brien Civil Works in the amount of $66,670. 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.

b. Ordinance Abating Tax Levy on G.O. Bonds Series 2014A – Items b, c and f were discussed together. These three ordinances abate taxes on bond series 2014A, 2014B and 2024. The amounts are abated because we have the funds to pay for the bonds. The ordinances will be voted on at the next meeting.

c. Ordinance Abating Tax Levy on G.O. Bonds Series 2014b – See item b. d. Policy and Procedure – Body Worn Camera & ALPR (License Plate Reader) – Alderman Nehring reported that the Public Safety Committee recommends bypassing first read and recommends council approval of the policy and procedures regarding body worn cameras and ALPR (license plate readers). Roll call vote: Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE, Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Boyer, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

e. School Resource Officer-Intergovernmental Agreement – Alderman Nehring stated that the police department will be providing the School Resource Officer after the first of the year. This agreement is in Dropbox for review and concerns should be discussed with Chief Boehle. It will be sent to the school for their review.

f. An Ordinance Abating the Tax Heretofore Levied for the Year 2024 to Pay Debt Service on $2,800,000 General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2024, of the City of Byron, Ogle County, Illinois– See item b.

19. COUNCIL TALK – Alderman Gerdes is pleased to see we are able to provide a School Resource Officer, and thanks the County for filling the position until we were able to.

20. COMMUNICATION –

a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, December 4, 2024, 6:30 pm

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

Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:21 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/media/4081