NW Illinois News

City of Byron City Council met Jan. 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Rickard called the meeting to order at 6:31 pm.

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Led by Mayor Rickard

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

Aldermen Absent: Todd Isaacs, Christy Hanlin

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

Public Works Dir. Aaron Vincer

Police Chief Jeremy Boehle

City Engineer Jason Stoll

Citizens None

4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Led by Mayor Rickard.

5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Motion by Alderman Boyer to approve, as presented, the January 8, 2025, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

6. MINUTES –

a. December 18, 2024 – City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Motion by Alderman Boyer to approve, as presented, the December 18, 2024, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, ABS; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 5; NAY, 0; ABS, 1.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None

8. TREASURER’S REPORT – None

9. LIST OF BILLS – January 8, 2025 –Motion by Alderman Fulrath to approve, as presented, the January 8, 2025, List of Bills in the amount of $370,379.58. Motion seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, 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 reported that he submitted the final report for the BAAD grant. It is under review, and he hopes to receive the $200,000 reimbursement soon. He is still working on getting the last $18,200 from the State for the TARP grant (Colfax St.).

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 – Director Vincer is happy with the progress they are making overall and thanked the City Council for the work they have been doing. Director Vincer’s report was given at the committee meeting prior to this meeting.

a. Public Works Building Update –

b. Wastewater Treatment Plant –

c. Other –

15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Boehle reported that Officer Ilkow has started his training at Sauk Valley. He will receive progress emails as the program continues. Officer Morrissey is now at the schools as the School Resource Officer. An officer’s squad car was backed into, causing some cosmetic damage totaling $2,400. Chief Boehle has been in touch with the insurance companies.

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. 2025 Streets Program – Alderman Gerdes reported that the Community Services Committee recommends Council approval of the 2025 streets program as presented. Mayor Rickard stated that engineering will be covered under a separate item. A portion of the work (Washington St. on-street parking- $63,696) can be paid for with TIF funds. Alderman Fulrath asked about the curbing on River Drive. Director Vincer stated that the Streets Program right now is focusing on surfaces. Once the surfaces are done, the focus will turn to more reconstructive projects where needed. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

b. Fehr Graham Proposal-2025 Streets Program – Administrator Brooks stated that the Community Services Committee recommends Council approval of the Fehr Graham proposal for engineering for the 2025 Streets Program. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

c. Solar Farm Development Request for Pre-Annexation – Alderman Gerdes reported that the Community Services Committee does not recommend pre-annexation, however, they recommend moving forward with a recommendation in favor of the solar farm to the County, as the County requires some input from the City whether in favor, opposed or no position. A Resolution will be drafted for review at the next meeting.

d. Fehr Graham Proposal – 221 N. Walnut St. Construction Engineering – Alderman Gerdes reported that the Community Services Committee recommends Council approval of the Fehr Graham proposal for construction engineering at 221 N. Walnut St. for $18,000. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

18. NEW BUSINESS

a. An Ordinance Providing for the issue of an amount not to exceed $400,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2025, of the City of Byron, Ogle County, Illinois, to finance certain capital expenditures in and for the City, provide for the levy of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on said bonds – Administrator Brooks explained that the ordinance caps the amount of the bonds at $400,000. Kevin Wills from Bernardi Securities will attend the next meeting to answer questions from Council.

19. COUNCIL TALK – Alderman Gerdes has received many positive comments from parents and students about Officer Morrissey being at the schools.

20. COMMUNICATION –

a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 6:30 pm

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

Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 6:53 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/media/4181