NW Illinois News

City of Byron City Council met Jan. 22.

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, Mittzi Fulrath, Ron Boyer, Michael Gyorkos. Four members present.

Aldermen Absent: Emily Gerdes, Christy Hanlin

Alderman Fulrath motioned to allow Alderman Gerdes and Alderman Hanlin to attend the meeting electronically. Motion seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; 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 Charles VanHorn, Humberto Santiago

Kevin Wills (Bernardi Securities)

4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Led by Mayor Rickard.

5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as presented, the January 22, 2025, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Boyer. Roll call vote: Boyer, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

6. MINUTES –

a. January 8, 2025 – City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Motion by Alderman Boyer to approve, as presented, the January 8, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, ABS; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 5; NAY, 0; ABS, 1.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None

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

9. LIST OF BILLS – January 22, 2025 – Alderman Isaacs asked about the charge by Airgas. Director Vincer stated that this is for the rental of several gas tanks. Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as presented, the January 22, 2025, List of Bills in the amount of $196,026.36. Motion seconded by Alderman Boyer. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Rickard stated that an updated engagement agreement is in Dropbox from Sosnowski Szeto. The Administrative Committee will review at the February meeting. The Ogle County Economic Development Corporation will not be renewing the contract of Executive Director Charlene Coulombe. The organization has received $18,000 in private donations. The eventual goal is for public and private contributions to each fund 50% of the organization.

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 – Engineer Stoll stated that they are working on engineering for the 2025 Streets Program and manhole replacement and rehabilitation. He anticipates having plans available in February.

14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT –

a. Public Works Building Update – No report.

b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – Engineer Stoll reported that plans and specs for the new Wastewater Treatment Plant are at the EPA and a reviewer has been assigned.

c. Other – Director Vincer reported that he is working on an insurance claim that involved a driver hitting a fire hydrant. Staff have been assisting residents with frozen water lines. The city will need to replace 2 lead and 84-86 galvanized water service lines as mandated by the EPA. Options for funding will be discussed at a Committee of the Whole meeting next week.

15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – No report. All items are on the agenda.

16. COMMITTEE REPORTS –

a. Community Services – No report.

b. Public Safety – Alderman Fulrath reported that the committee discussed the sale of THC infused products, as well as several other items on the liquor ordinance.

c. Administrative – Alderman Isaacs reported that the committee discussed the TIF agreement for 221 N. Walnut St. Administrator Brooks had updated the committee that Mr. Miller has received quotes on replacing the brick façade and moving the front doorway. The amount of the TIF grant to be awarded will need to be decided. A Committee of the Whole meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 29 at 6pm to discuss further as a council. The committee also reviewed the budget for this year and are beginning work on next year’s budget.

17. CONTINUING BUSINESS

a. A Resolution Expressing Support Regarding the Proposed Development of a Commercial Solar Facility in Ogle County by New Leaf Energy, Inc. – The Community Services Committee is in support of the development of the solar facility, but they did not have the Resolution to review. Alderman Fulrath motioned to approve the Resolution Expressing Support Regarding the Proposed Development of a Commercial Solar Facility in Ogle County by New Leaf Energy, Inc. Motion seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Isaacs, NAY; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, NAY; Gyorkos, NAY; Hanlin, AYE. Motion tied. Mayor Rickard, NAY. Motion failed: AYE, 3; NAY, 4; ABS, 0. Motion by Alderman Isaacs to amend the resolution to take no stand regarding the proposed development of a commercial solar facility in Ogle County by New Leaf Energy, Inc. Motion seconded by Alderman Boyer. Roll call vote: Gerdes, NAY; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, NAY; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 4; NAY, 2; ABS, 0.

b. 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 – Kevin Wills from Bernardi Securities addressed the council. This is the concluding step in the process of issuing General Obligation Bonds every two years for street and road improvements. This is the bond and interest Levy that has been in effect for a number of years. Bids will be collected and awarded to the lowest bidder. The ordinance delegates the authority to Administrator Brooks and the Mayor to sign off on the bond issue without further City Council action as long as the parameters set in this ordinance are met. He anticipates the bonds will close in February. The Administrative Committee recommends council approval of the G.O. Bonds ordinance. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

18. NEW BUSINESS

a. Paved Surface Ordinance – Alderman Isaacs reported that the paved surface ordinance was discussed at the Administrative Committee meeting. The ordinance originally stated that paved surfaces need to be concrete, asphalt or gravel. The committee instead would like to change the ordinance to read that the paved surface should match the material of the driveway. Residents will have six months to come into compliance. Discussion continued at council. The committee will continue to discuss at their February meeting.

b. Waive Formal Bidding Process to purchase Materials for Water/Sewer Extensions to New Building – Director Vincer stated that water/sewer extensions will be added to the new Public Works building. The Public Works Department, in conjunction with an excavating company, will do the work. He anticipates the cost of materials to exceed $25,000, which is the amount that a formal bidding process is required. Director Vincer asks that he be allowed to obtain pricing from the three main suppliers in the area (which is likely who would bid on the job in a formal bidding process) and accept the lowest bidder. This will speed up the process and ensure materials are on hand when needed. Alderman Gyorkos motioned to waive first read and bypass the formal bidding process for materials for the water/sewer extensions to the new Public Works building. Motion seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Boyer, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

19. COUNCIL TALK – None

20. COMMUNICATION –

a. Committee of the Whole Special Meeting – Wednesday, January 29, 2025, 6:00 pm

b. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, February 5, 2025, 6:30 pm

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

Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:07 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/media/4276