NW Illinois News

City of Byron City Council met April 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

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, Emily Gerdes, Mittzi Fulrath, Ron Boyer, Jessica Nehring, Michael Gyorkos. Six members present.

Aldermen Absent: Christy Hanlin

Alderman Nehring motioned to allow Alderman Hanlin to attend the meeting electronically. Motion seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. Seven members present.

PRESENT: Mayor John Rickard

City Attorney Laura Goding

City Clerk Caryn Huber

City Administrator Brian Brooks

Public Works Dir. Aaron Vincer (6:41pm Arrival)

Police Chief Jeremy Boehle

Citizens Herb Santiago, Charles Van Horn

4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Led by Mayor Rickard.

5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA – Administrator Brooks asked to move item 17a. (2025-2026 Budget Ordinance) to item 22 (After Approval of FY 25-26 Non-Union Wages). Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as amended, the April 16, 2025, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

6. MINUTES –

a. April 2, 2025 – City Council Regular Meeting Minutes –Motion by Alderman Boyer to approve, as presented, the April 2, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None

8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Huber stated that the March 2025 Treasurer’s Report is in Dropbox.

9. LIST OF BILLS – April 16, 2025 – Alderman Isaacs asked about the bill from Lawson in the amount of $7,777.16, and the charge from Core & Main for $23,441.01. The charge from Core & Main is for the water and sewer pipes and materials for the new Public Works building. Following his arrival later in the meeting, Director Vincer stated that the charge from Lawson is for a hydraulic hose making machine. Motion by Alderman Fulrath to approve, as presented, the April 16, 2025, List of Bills in the amount of $373,995.45. Motion seconded by Alderman Boyer. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Todd Tucker, Executive Director of the Forest Preserve, has retired after 30 years of service. Scott Jeffrey, Byron Park District Commissioner, is also retiring after 30 years of service. Mayor Rickard thanked Emily Gerdes for her service on the City Council. Mayor Rickard, Alderman Boyer and Director Vincer met with IDOT last week regarding lights on the bridge. IDOT does not light pedestrian walkways and will not allow any lights to shine on the roadway. Any plan we put together regarding lights needs to be approved by the IDOT office in Springfield.

11. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – All items are on the agenda.

12. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – No report.

13. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT – No report.

14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT –

a. Public Works Building Update – Walls are up, and conduit is on the ground in the new public works building.

b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – No report.

c. Other – The department is conducting lead and copper water samples. 40 kits will be dropped off at homes throughout the city for sampling. The last well has been switched from chlorine gas to sodium hypochlorite.

15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Boehle reported that the FLOCK cameras are proving to be useful as Officer Powell recovered a stolen vehicle over the weekend. The Blood Drive went very well, but the Fire Department pulled ahead in the last few minutes with three votes and won the trophy. This event is one of the busiest drives and Rock River Valley Blood Bank has asked the Police and Fire Departments to repeat the event next year.

Director Vincer arrived at 6:41pm and the List of Bills and the Director of Public Works Report were discussed and finalized.

16. COMMITTEE REPORTS –

a. Community Services – No report.

b. Public Safety – No report.

c. Administrative – Alderman Isaacs stated that all items are on the agenda.

17. CONTINUING BUSINESS

a. 2025-2026 Budget Ordinance – Moved to item 22.

b. Ordinance Prohibiting Permits and Licenses when Applicant owes City – Administrator Brooks stated that this ordinance prohibits residents from acquiring permits when they owe the city money (i.e. for water bills, fines, etc.). The Administrative Committee recommends council approval of this ordinance. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, NAY; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

c. Award 2025 Streets Bid – Administrator Brooks stated that the Community Services Committee recommends awarding the 2025 Streets bid to Martin & Company for $537,647.78. Because the awarded amount is below the Engineer’s estimate, Alderman Boyer proposed adding some additional upgrades to curb and gutter. Mayor Rickard stated that this would be discussed with the TAS Committee and will be referred to the Community Services Committee. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

d. Motion to Reconsider Ordinance 2024-22 – The Ordinance 2024-22 states that servers of alcoholic beverages must be 21. After discussion with bar owners where they stated that this will cost them employees and create staffing issues, the proposed ordinance eliminates the language requiring servers to be 21 years of age. Our code already has a provision requiring those who pour alcoholic drinks must be 21 years of age. State statute enables 18-year-olds to serve alcoholic beverages. Mayor Rickard stated this change must be made in three motions. The first is to re-consider the original approved motion. If that motion carries, the second motion is to amend the ordinance by deleting section B. If that is approved, we will vote to adopt the ordinance as amended. Motion 1 to re-consider the original motion made by Alderman Boyer. Seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. Motion 2 to amend ordinance changing Section 5.08.240 by deleting Section B by Alderman Fulrath. Motion seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. Motion 3 to approve amended ordinance with the changes to Section 5.08.240 by Alderman Gerdes. Motion seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

18. NEW BUSINESS

a. Ordinance Authorizing the City of Byron to Borrow Funds from the Water Pollution Control Loan Program – Alderman Isaacs stated that the Administrative Committee recommends waiving first read and recommends council approval of the Ordinance Authorizing the City of Byron to Borrow Funds from the Water Pollution Control Loan Program for funding the new Wastewater Treatment Plant up to a maximum of $30,000,000.00. Mayor Rickard added that this is the loan we have been discussing regarding funding the wastewater treatment plant through IEPA. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

b. Ordinance Amending FY 2024-2025 Budget – Administrator Brooks explained that this is the annual amending of the budget after the most recent List of Bills. The Administrative Committee recommends waiving first read and recommends council approval of the ordinance amending the FY 2024-2025 budget. Roll call vote: Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

19. COUNCIL TALK – Alderman Fulrath asked if IDOT has any plans to address the road in front of the Mobil station at Union and Route 2. Director Vincer will contact IDOT. Alderman Gerdes thanked the council for their support during her 8-year tenure as Alderman.

20. EXECUTIVE SESSION – There was no need for Executive Session.

21. APPROVAL OF FY 25-26 NON-UNION WAGES – Administrator Brooks stated that the latest version of the step schedule, combined with the cost-of-living increase of 2.4%, is in Dropbox. It is the recommended wage increases for non-union city employees. The Administrative Committee recommends council approval of the proposed FY 25-26 Non-Union wages. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

22. (Item 17a.) 2025-2026 BUDGET ORDINANCE – The Administrative Committee recommends council approval of the 2025-2026 Budget Ordinance. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

23. COMMUNICATION –

a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, May 7, 2025, 6:30 pm

22. ADJOURN – Alderman Gyorkos motioned to adjourn. Motion seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:05 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/media/4491