NW Illinois News

City of Byron City Council met Dec. 4.

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, Michael Gyorkos. Five members present.

Aldermen Absent: Christy Hanlin, Jessica Nehring

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

PRESENT: Mayor John Rickard

City Attorney Aaron Szeto

City Administrator Brian Brooks

Police Chief Jeremy Boehle

City Engineer Jason Stoll

4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Led by Mayor Rickard.

5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Motion by Alderman Boyer to approve, as presented, the December 4, 2024, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

6. MINUTES –

a. November 20, 2024 – City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as presented, the November 20, 2024, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Boyer. Roll call vote: Boyer, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, ABS. Motion passed: AYE, 5; NAY, 0; ABS, 1.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None

8. TREASURER’S REPORT – No report.

9. LIST OF BILLS – December 4, 2024 –Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as presented, the December 4, 2024, List of Bills in the amount of $45,935.84. Motion seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

10. MAYOR’S REPORT – No report.

11. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – Administrator Brooks stated that personnel from Chastain will be at Miracle on 2nd St. Friday night, in the City Hall parking lot, to encourage residents to fill out the Comprehensive Plan survey. We have over 250 responses to date.

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

13. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT – No report.

14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT –

a. Public Works Building Update – Administrator Brooks reported that the footings have been poured, and half of the walls are up. Work will continue as weather permits.

b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – No updates.

c. Other – No updates.

15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Boehle reported that he is close to adding an 8th officer to the Police Department. Provided the next steps go smoothly, the anticipated hire date is December 16, 2024, with Academy training beginning January 5, 2025.

16. COMMITTEE REPORTS –

a. Community Services – No report. All items are on the agenda.

b. Public Safety – No report.

c. Administrative – No report.

17. CONTINUING BUSINESS

a. Tax Levy Ordinance – Administrator Brooks reported that the Administrative Committee recommends council approval of the 2024-2025 Tax Levy Ordinance. The levy is under the 5% increase and will not require a public hearing. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

b. Designate Remaining ARPA Funds – Administrator Brooks stated he is still in the process of getting a generator quote and will have a price and be ready to commit the funds at the December 18 meeting.

c. Ordinance Abating Tax Levy on G.O. Bonds Series 2014A – Items 17c., d. and e. will be voted on together. Mayor Rickard stated that the Administrative Committee recommends council approval of the three ordinances abating taxes on GO Bonds Series 2014A, 2014 B, and Series 2024. Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

d. Ordinance Abating Tax Levy on G.O. Bonds Series 2014B – See item 17c. e. 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 17c. f. School Resource Officer-Intergovernmental Agreement – Chief Boehle has been in touch with the School District. He hopes to have their proposed changes by the next meeting.

18. NEW BUSINESS

a. Approve 2025 Meeting Schedule – Administrator Brooks stated that because the first meeting of 2025 would fall on January 1, the January meetings have been changed to January 8 and 22. Committee meetings will change to those dates as well. Alderman Gerdes motioned to bypass first read and approve the proposed 2025 meeting calendar. Motion seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE;Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

19. COUNCIL TALK – None

20. COMMUNICATION –

a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, December 18, 2024, 6:30 pm

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

Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 6:41 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/media/4106