NW Illinois News

City of Byron City Council met Feb. 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Minutes Approved as Presented 3/5/25

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, Michael Gyorkos. Four members present.

Aldermen Absent: Jessica Nehring, Christy Hanlin, Emily Gerdes

Alderman Fulrath motioned to allow Alderman Hanlin and Alderman Nehring to attend the meeting electronically. Motion seconded by Alderman Isaacs. 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 Kelly Neslund, Herb Santiago

4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Led by Mayor Rickard.

5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as presented, the February 19, 2025, agenda. 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.

6. MINUTES –

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

7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None

8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Huber reported that the January 2025 Treasurer’s Report is in Dropbox. She noted that Statements of Economic Interests have been distributed and need to be turned in to the County Clerk by May 1, 2025.

9. LIST OF BILLS – FEBRUARY 19, 2025 – Alderman Isaacs asked about the charge from Helm. Director Vincer stated that this was for repairs to the heat on the first floor of City Hall. Alderman Isaacs asked how work was progressing on the Comprehensive Plan. Administrator Brooks reported that the Steering Committee is in the process of reviewing the old Comprehensive Plan, and Chastain is progressing with the updated plan. Motion by Alderman Fulrath to approve, as presented, the February 19, 2025, List of Bills in the amount of $151,649.46. Motion seconded by Alderman Isaacs. 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 – No report.

11. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – Administrator Brooks reported that the 2025 General Obligation Bond funds were received today ($369,000).

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

13. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT – Engineer Stoll reported that engineering on the 2025 Streets Plan is almost complete. He expects to present them at the March Community Services and Council meetings and hopes to go out for bid in later that month.

14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT –

a. Public Works Building Update – Director Vincer reported that the steel panels for the Public Works building have been delivered. Work will continue when the weather breaks.

b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – Meetings are continuing to discuss equipment and parts for the new wastewater treatment plant.

c. Other – The Public Works Department just had their 4th watermain break of the year. Director Vincer recognized his snowplow crew for doing a great job during recent snow events. IDOT plans to upgrade our traffic stoplights to a camera system. We will need to absorb a portion of the cost.

15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – No report.

16. COMMITTEE REPORTS –

a. Community Services – No report.

b. Public Safety – No report.

c. Administrative – Alderman Isaacs reported that most items are on the agenda. Garage Sale Days, held in conjunction with Davis Junction and Stillman Valley, are scheduled for June 5-7. The committee reviewed the first draft of the budget.

17. CONTINUING BUSINESS

a. Byron Streets 2024 – Rock Road Pay Estimate 2 – Final Payment – Engineer Stoll reported that we received the final payment request from Rock Road Companies for the 2024 Streets Program. The total is $163,242.78, which is slightly over the original budget (1.1% or $4,200) due to the additional work added on River Drive. City Council had initially approved this additional work for $50,000. Engineer Stoll has received the final lien waivers and the Community Services Committee recommends payment. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

b. 221 N. Walnut St. TIF Agreement – A TIF Agreement has been drafted (copy in Dropbox) that includes the items discussed at the recent Committee of the Whole meeting. Brad Miller now has the document to review.

18. NEW BUSINESS

a. Legal Fees Increases – Alderman Isaacs reported that the Administrative Committee recommends bypassing first read and recommends Council approval of Sosnowski Szeto’s legal fee increases. Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

b. Ordinance Adding Tattoo Parlors as Special Use in Districts C-2 and C-3 – Administrator Brooks stated that we have had several inquiries in the past several months regarding the possibility of opening a tattoo parlor in Byron. Tattoo parlors are not included in the Zoning Code as either a permitted or special use, which would indicate they are prohibited. The Zoning Board of Appeals held a Public Hearing last week to add tattoo parlors as special use in Districts C-2 (retail commercial) and C-3 (general commercial). The ZBA recommends Council approval of the special use in commercial districts C-2 and C-3. The ordinance is in Dropbox for first read.

c. Mural – Clerk Huber reported that the mural committee has met with Nicole Arand to discuss ideas for the next mural. She hopes to have a design to present to council soon. d. Paved Surface Parking Ordinance – Alderman Isaacs reported that the paved surface parking ordinance was discussed at the Administrative Committee meeting, and the committee asked Attorney Szeto and Administrator Brooks to make minor changes to the proposed ordinance. The Committee will review next month.

e. City Participation with Community Solar – Mike Mudge from Rock River Energy (our electric aggregation company) spoke with Administrator Brooks and Mayor Rickard regarding a program called Community Solar. The state takes money from a tax on electric bills that goes to a state fund that helps encourage development of solar fields by granting credits to subscribers. Businesses, municipalities and individuals can subscribe to a solar field and receive a 10% discount on their electric bill. The City would receive the discount on street lighting and pumping stations. Municipalities are desired subscribers since they will remain for the entire 20-year term. The subscriptions fill up quickly, and Mr. Mudge recommends quick action. He estimates that we would save approximately $4,000/year. There is no cost for the subscription. A resolution is in Dropbox and council can decide to waive first read and act this evening or hold until March 5. Mr. Mudge is willing to appear before council via Zoom with a presentation at the March 5 meeting, if desired. The City of Oregon and Ogle County are already participating in the program. There is a field going online outside of Oregon later this year. Alderman Fulrath motioned to bypass first read and approve the Resolution to Participate in the Community Solar Program. Motion seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, 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, March 5, 2025, 6:30 pm

22. ADJOURN – Alderman Boyer motioned to adjourn. Motion seconded by Alderman Isaacs. 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 6:57 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/media/4371