NW Illinois News

City of Byron City Council met Dec. 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Minutes Approved as Presented 1/8/25

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, Mittzi Fulrath, Ron Boyer, Jessica Nehring, Michael Gyorkos. Five members present.

Aldermen Absent: Emily Gerdes, Christy Hanlin

Alderman Isaacs motioned to allow Alderman Hanlin to attend the meeting electronically. Motion seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, 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 Clerk Caryn Huber

City Administrator Brian Brooks

Police Chief Jeremy Boehle

City Engineer Jason Stoll

Citizens Charles Van Horn, Amy King, Jenny Henderson, Tyler Hankins, Spencer Morrissey, Hunter Ilkow, Dalton Powell, Tanner Schrock, Garrett Henderson, Scott Randals, Michael Curtis

4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Led by Mayor Rickard.

5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Motion by Alderman Fulrath to approve, as presented, the December 18, 2024, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Boyer. Roll call vote: Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

6. MINUTES –

a. December 4, 2024 – City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Motion by Alderman Boyer to approve, as presented, the December 4, 2024, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None

8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Huber reported that the November 2024 Treasurer’s Report is in Dropbox.

9. LIST OF BILLS – December 18, 2024 – Alderman Isaacs asked about the charge for gutter replacement by BP Roofing Solutions. Administrator Brooks explained this was for gutters on the Municipal Building. Motion by Alderman Boyer to approve, as presented, the December 18, 2024, List of Bills in the amount of $318,934.22. Motion seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

10. MAYOR’S REPORT - Mayor Rickard administered the Oath of Office to Police Officer Garrett Henderson on his promotion to Sergeant of the Byron Police Department.

11. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – No report. All items are on the agenda.

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

13. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT – No report. All items are on the agenda.

14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT –

a. Public Works Building Update – Administrator Brooks reported that the walls are up and storm lines to the south pond are in. The storm lines to the north pond should be completed soon. The metal building package is expected to be delivered in mid-January. Work will continue as weather allows.

b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – Engineer Stoll stated that permit plans are complete and will be submitted before the holiday.

c. Other – Trucks are salting after yesterday’s snowfall.

15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – No report.

16. COMMITTEE REPORTS –

a. Community Services – No report.

b. Public Safety – No report.

c. Administrative – No report. All items are on the agenda.

17. CONTINUING BUSINESS

a. Designate Remaining ARPA Funds – Administrator Brooks stated that we received quotes for two generators. The Razorville Rd. Booster station generator is $67,329.73 and the Public Works Building generator is $77,412.98. Remaining funds of $30,168.41 are designated towards the Comprehensive Plan. Motion to approve the designation of the remaining ARPA funds by Alderman Isaacs. Motion seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

b. School Resource Officer-Intergovernmental Agreement – The City and the School District have made modifications to the draft document presented at the last meeting. The School District primarily added language required by State statute regarding background checks, fingerprints, etc. Attorney Sosnowski has reviewed the agreement. It will be presented to the School Board at the 12/19 meeting. Alderman Fulrath motioned to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement with the Byron School District regarding the School Resource Officer, pending the Byron School Board’s approval. Motion seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

18. NEW BUSINESS

a. Fehr Graham Proposal – 2025 Streets Program – The Community Services Committee will review this document at the January meeting.

b. Award Bid for Sidewalk Replacement at 221 N. Walnut St. – Administrator Brooks stated that this is part of the dual bid regarding the sidewalk and ramp replacement at 221 N. Walnut St. The ramp portion of the project is still undecided, but in order to keep the bid prices current, the city is ready to award the bid on the sidewalk (public) portion of the project. Alderman Boyer asked about the base and alternate bids. Engineer Stoll explained that the bid was presented two different ways. The base bid included an ADA accessible ramp with a switchback into the city’s portion of the sidewalk. The alternate bid included a motorized lift with a delivery ramp. Because the alternate bid included more public sidewalk, it is approximately $5,000 more than the base bid. Motion by Alderman Boyer to award the alternate sidewalk bid to DPI in the amount of $78,488.40. Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

c. Paved Surface Parking Ordinance – Item is still in committee.

d. Solar Farm Development Request for Pre-Annexation – Mayor Rickard stated that information is in Dropbox from New Leaf Company. They approached the city about pre-annexation for a solar project they are proposing across the river along Kishwaukee Rd. (north of the railroad tracks). The city was approached because they are within a mile and-a-half radius of the city and, with a pre-annexation agreement, it would be subject to our development ordinance. If the City decides they don’t want a pre-annexation agreement, the company will go to the County, which will require action of the municipality in the mile-and-a-half radius to support, oppose, or stand neutral on the project. The Community Services Committee will discuss at the January meeting.

19. COUNCIL TALK – None

20. COMMUNICATION –

a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, January 8, 2025, 6:30 pm

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

Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 6:55 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/media/4146