NW Illinois News

City of Byron City Council met March 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Rickard called the meeting to order at 6:35 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 Nehring. 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 Charles Van Horn, Kelly Neslund, Herb Santiago

4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Led by Mayor Rickard.

5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Motion by Alderman Boyer to approve, as presented, the March 5, 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. February 19, 2025 – City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Motion by Alderman Boyer to approve, as presented, the February 19, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. 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 – No report.

9. LIST OF BILLS – MARCH 5, 2025 – Motion by Alderman Boyer to approve, as presented, the March 5, 2025, List of Bills in the amount of $485,753.68. Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. 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 we have received a $40,000 EPA grant for our lead service line inventory. Earlier this week, he and the mayor met with a representative from Rep. LaHood’s office. They discussed the $2 million grant we were awarded for the water line work on 2nd St. They advised that we continue to request a grant agreement through HUD, administrators of the grant, in order to secure the funds.

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

13. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT – Engineer Stoll reported that they are making progress on the project plan for the lead service lines. The goal is to have the report finalized by the end of the month. It will be sent to EPA along with the funding nomination form. A third funding nomination form for the new wastewater treatment plant will be submitted to EPA as well.

14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT –

a. Public Works Building Update – Director Vincer reported that the walls are up on the new Public Works building. The roof will be installed this week and next. The target move in date is mid to late July. Council had previously waived bidding on purchasing the pipe for the water/sewer line for the building. Director Vincer was able to purchase the pipe for $23,886 from Core & Main.

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

c. Other – Permits are submitted for the sodium hypochlorite upgrade for wells 4 and 5. SKADA upgrades are being done.

15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – No report.

16. COMMITTEE REPORTS –

a. Community Services – All items are on the agenda.

b. Public Safety – Chairman Nehring reported that the March 19 Public Safety meeting is being moved to March 12 at 6pm.

c. Administrative – No report.

17. CONTINUING BUSINESS

a. 221 N. Walnut St. TIF Agreement – Administrator Brooks reported that the 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.

b. Ordinance Adding Tattoo Parlors as Special Use in Districts C-2 and C-3 – The ZBA and the Administrative Committee recommend council approval of the Ordinance Adding Tattoo Parlors as Special Use in Districts C-2 and C-3. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

c. Mural – Clerk Huber introduced a draft of this year’s mural. The mural will be discussed at the Administrative Committee March 19. The location has not been finalized, as the design will need to be approved by the building’s owner. The mural features a map of Byron in the background with prairie flowers and a bird in the foreground. Alderman Boyer questioned the location of the mural due to the number of windows on the building.

18. NEW BUSINESS

a. Alley Improvement and Maintenance Policy – No update.

b. Fehr Graham Proposal for Environmental Services Change Order at WWTP – The Community Services Committee recommends bypassing first read and recommends council approval of the Fehr Graham proposal for Environmental Services Change Order at WWTP. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

c. 2025 Streets Program – Engineer Stoll anticipates having bid specs ready in two weeks, with bid results by the first meeting in April.

19. COUNCIL TALK – Alderman Gyorkos noted some chatter on Facebook regarding residents being allowed to have chickens.

20. COMMUNICATION –

a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 6:30 pm

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

Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 6:54 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/media/4406