NW Illinois News

City of Byron City Council met May 7.

Here is the agenda 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, Jessica Nehring, Michael Gyorkos. Five members present.

Aldermen Absent: Christy Hanlin

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

City Engineer Jason Stoll

Police Chief Jeremy Boehle

Citizens: Marisol Santiago, Andy Gomez, Colton Russell, Benjamin Calderon, Sunni Lee, Chely Hernandez, Stephen Michnowski, Leticia Santiago, Rick Frank, Michael Schoenhardt, Zechariah Fulrath, Rick Frank II, Ella Fulrath, Ted Engler, Cindy Wilken, Debbie Rickard, Blake Horras

4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Led by Mayor Rickard.

5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA – Mayor Rickard asked to add “Proclamation - Municipal Clerk’s Week” under Mayor’s Report, and Administrator Brooks asked to add “Fehr Graham Engineering Contract 2025-2026” as item 18h. Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as amended, the May 7, 2025, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. 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. April 16, 2025 – Public Hearing – Budget – Motion by Alderman Boyer to approve, as presented, the April 16, 2025, Public Hearing Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

b. April 16, 2025 – City Council Regular Meeting Minutes –Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as presented, the April 16, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None

8. TREASURER’S REPORT – No report.

9. LIST OF BILLS – May 7, 2025 – Motion by Alderman Fulrath to approve, as presented, the May 7, 2025, List of Bills in the amount of $126,079.52. Motion seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

10. MAYOR’S REPORT –

a. Swearing in of Elected Officials – Clerk Huber administered the Oath of Office to John Rickard, Mayor. Mayor Rickard administered the Oath of Office to City Clerk Caryn Huber, and to Aldermen Ron Boyer, Heriberto Santiago, Jessica Nehring, Todd Isaacs, and Mittzi Fulrath.

b. Appointment and swearing in of Doug Wilken as Alderman, Ward 2 – Mayor Rickard proposed the appointment of Doug Wilken as Alderman, Ward 2. Motion by Alderman Isaacs to appoint Doug Wilken as Alderman, Ward 2. Motion seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Santiago, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

c. Resolution Appointing Department Heads and Approving Professional Services Agreements – Mayor Rickard presented a Resolution to make the following appointments: Brian Brooks, Budget Officer; Caryn Huber, Clerical Supervisor; Caryn Huber, Treasurer; Brian Brooks, City Administrator; SosnowskiSzeto, City Attorneys; Brian Brooks, Office of Economic Development and Zoning; Aaron Vincer, Director of Public Works; Jeremy Boehle, Chief of Police; Jeremy Boehle, Office of Emergency Services Disaster Agency Coordinator. Motion to approve the Resolution Appointing Department Heads and Approving Professional Services Agreements made by Alderman Fulrath. Motion seconded by Alderman Boyer. Roll call vote: Santiago, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Wilken, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

d. Committee Assignments – Mayor Rickard presented the committee assignments for FY 2025-2026.

e. Appointment of Dennis Lundberg to Zoning Board of Appeals – Mayor Rickard proposed the appointment of Dennis Lundberg to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Motion by Alderman Nehring to make the appointment. Motion seconded by Alderman Boyer. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Wilken, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Santiago, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

f. Proclamation – ABATE Motorcycle Awareness Month – Mayor Rickard read a Proclamation in recognition of Motorcycle Awareness Month.

g. Proclamation – Municipal Clerk’s Week - Mayor Rickard read a Proclamation in recognition of Municipal Clerk’s Week.

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

12. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – All items are on the agenda. Attorney Szeto congratulated the newly elected and appointed Aldermen.

13. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT – Engineer Stoll reported that Fehr Graham is working to facilitate the documents with Martin & Co. for the 2025 Street Program. He anticipates they will begin work shortly after Memorial Day. The ITEP grant should be awarded soon.

14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT –

a. Public Works Building Update – Administrator Brooks reported that interior work is progressing at the public works building.

b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – We are hoping to get an updated cost estimate in the next several weeks.

c. Other – No report.

15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – No report.

16. COMMITTEE REPORTS –

a. Community Services – Alderman Boyer reported that most items discussed at committee are on the agenda. The committee asked Director Vincer to continue exploring options for bridge lighting.

b. Public Safety – No report.

c. Administrative – No report.

17. CONTINUING BUSINESS

a. 2025 Streets Program – The Community Services Committee discussed adding additional work on Peru St. and N. Market St. as well as a concrete ribbon on Mineral St. Engineer Stoll will request cost estimates for the additional work.

18. NEW BUSINESS

a. Byron Chamber of Commerce ByronFest Proposal – ByronFest Co-Chair Blake Horras presented the 2025 ByronFest plans. He stated that the committee is working with Chief Politsch and BJ Vangsness to move the carnival back to its’ original location at the Fire Station and BJ Way Park. The committee is requesting approval of the street closings, traffic rerouting for the parade on Saturday, the use of City Hall, and the ability for Mayor Rickard to authorize last minute changes. Alderman Nehring motioned to bypass the first read and approve the ByronFest 2025 requests as presented. Motion seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Boyer, AYE; Wilken, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Santiago, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

b. Certified Estimates of Revenues by Source May 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026 – Administrator Brooks stated that we are required to file a Certified Estimates of Revenues by Source after the Budget is adopted. The document is in Dropbox. Alderman Gyorkos motioned to waive first read and approve the Certified Estimates of Revenues by Source May 1, 2025-April 30, 2026. Motion seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Wilken, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Santiago, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

c. Constellation Reimbursement Agreement – Alderman Boyer stated that the Community Services Committee recommends council approval of the Constellation Reimbursement Agreement for updated costs of the sewer line. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Santiago, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Wilken, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

d. Approval of 5/1/25 Bond Wire Transfer to Heartland Bank for $151,343.75 – Administrator Brooks reported that when bond payments were arranged for the Mill Road project, they picked May 1 as the payment date. Because this is the first day of our fiscal year, we must do a wire transfer of the payment. This year the payment totaled $151,343.75, exceeding our wire transfer limit of $150,000. Byron Bank agreed to make the payment but they are asking for us to retroactively approve the transaction. Alderman Isaacs motioned to bypass first read and approve in arrears the wire transfer on May 1, 2025, in the amount of $151,343.75 for the payment of principal and interest on the 2014 Alternate Revenue Bonds for streets, as such payment exceeded the existing wire transfer limit of $150,000. Seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Santiago, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Wilken, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

e. Approval of Updated Wire Transfer Agreement with Byron Bank – Administrator Brooks stated that this document allows us to increase the amount of approved wire transfers to $200,000. Alderman Isaacs motioned to waive first read and to approve the new Business Wire Transfer Agreement with Byron Bank as presented and designate Melissa Baxter, Caryn Huber and Brian Brooks as Authorized Wire Transfer Signatories. Motion seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Santiago, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Wilken, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

f. Ordinance Approving IL Public Works Mutual Aid Network Agreement – Administrator Brooks stated that we joined this organization last year in order to share equipment with surrounding communities, particularly during emergencies. The organization has grown and has, within the last year, redone their by-laws, and therefore new agreements need to be signed. The ordinance allows for the signing of the agreement.

g. 705 W. Blackhawk Dr. Request for Alley Vacation – Administrator Brooks reported that Sean Considine, owner of the former Sam’s lot at 705 W. Blackhawk Dr., is requesting that the alley on the north side of the property be vacated to him to increase the total size of the lot. The Community Services Committee has requested that Mr. Considine attend the next committee meeting to answer questions. Neighbors will be given notice and invited to attend if they wish. The vacation will include only that portion of the alley that adjoins the Sam’s lot.

h. Fehr Graham Engineering Contract – The proposed 2025-2026 contract for Engineering Services is in Dropbox. The agreement includes a 4-4.5% increase, or $150/month. The agreement includes attendance at meetings, and certain general engineering and water/sewer map updating projects.

19. COUNCIL TALK – Mayor Rickard thanked Aldermen Santiago and Alderman Wilken for serving on Council. Alderman Isaacs thanked the City Hall staff for the work that they do.

20. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(1) of the Open Meeting Act to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees – Alderman Isaacs motioned to go into Executive Session at 7:13pm. Motion seconded by Alderman Boyer. Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Santiago, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Wilken, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

The City Council returned to Open Session at 7:26pm. Roll call: Isaacs, Santiago, Fulrath, Boyer, Wilken, Nehring, Gyorkos, Hanlin. Also present: Mayor Rickard, City Administrator Brooks, Attorney Szeto, Clerk Huber. There was no action taken in Executive Session.

21. COMMUNICATION –

a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 6:30 pm

22. ADJOURN – Alderman Boyer motioned to adjourn. Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Santiago, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Wilken, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 8; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:27 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/media/4536