NW Illinois News

City of Byron City Council met May 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. CALL TO ORDER – Clerk Huber called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Led by Clerk Huber

3. ROLL CALL – Aldermen present: Todd Isaacs, Herb Santiago, Mittzi Fulrath, Doug Wilken, Jessica Nehring, Michael Gyorkos. Six members present.

Aldermen Absent: Ron Boyer, Christy Hanlin

Alderman Nehring motioned to allow Alderman Fulrath to serve as Temporary Chair in the absence of Mayor Rickard. Motion seconded by Alderman Santiago. Roll call vote: Santiago, AYE; Fulrath, ABS; Wilken, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 5; NAY, 0; ABS, 1.

PRESENT: City Attorney Aaron Szeto

City Clerk Caryn Huber

City Administrator Brian Brooks

City Engineer Jason Stoll

Police Chief Jeremy Boehle

Public Works Dir. Aaron Vincer

Citizens Charles Van Horn, Carrie Boehle, Blaike Boehle, Logan Boehle, Amy King, Officer Tyler Hankins, Natalie Hankins, Sergeant Garrett Henderson, Officer Michael Curtis, Officer Tanner Schrock, Hunter Ilkow, Leslie Ilkow, Terry Ilkow, Walter Ilkow, Linda Ilkow

4. REVERENCE PERIOD – None

5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Motion by Alderman Nehring to approve, as presented, the May 21, 2025, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Wilken, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Santiago, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

6. MINUTES –

a. May 7, 2025 – City Council Regular Meeting Minutes –Motion by Alderman Wilken to approve, as presented, the May 7, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Wilken, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Santiago, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None

8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Clerk Huber reported that the April 2025 Treasurer’s Report is in Dropbox. She stated that she periodically reviews interest rates on our Public Funds, CDs and other investment avenues, and Public Funds are still yielding us the highest amount of interest. She also reported that priming on the mural will begin this week. Over $3,000 has been received in sponsorships to date.

9. LIST OF BILLS – May 21, 2025 – Alderman Isaacs asked about the charge from Bonnell in the amount of $2,000. Director Vincer stated this is the deposit for the new truck we ordered. Motion by Alderman Nehring to approve, as presented, the May 21, 2025, List of Bills in the amount of $512,816.60. Motion seconded by Alderman Wilken. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE: Isaacs, AYE; Santiago, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Wilken, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Clerk Huber administered the Oath of Office to Police Officer Hunter Ilkow. Police Chief Jeremy Boehle presented the following awards: Officer Michael Curtis (10 DUI arrests), Sergeant Garrett Henderson (25 DUI arrests), and Officer Tyler Hankins (life-saving letter of commendation and pin).

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

12. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – All items are on the agenda.

13. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT – Engineer Stoll reported that he is working on contract documents for the 2025 Streets program and will be scheduling a pre-construction meeting soon.

14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT –

a. Public Works Building Update – Heat and electric are being installed at the new Public Works Building. A meeting is scheduled with CORD and ComEd tomorrow to discuss electric hook-ups. Construction remains within budget.

b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – Engineer Stoll stated that the draft intended funding list will be released by the EPA in the next several weeks.

c. Other – Director Vincer reported that the Kobel’s construction is in progress, but the basement had water after a recent rain. They are working to find the cause.

15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – No report.

16. COMMITTEE REPORTS –

a. Community Services – No report.

b. Public Safety – All items are on the agenda.

c. Administrative – The committee discussed the City Administrator position which is now posted. Several resumes have been received.

17. CONTINUING BUSINESS

a. 2025 Streets Program-Possible Change Order – No update.

b. Ordinance Approving IL Public Works Mutual Aid Network Agreement – This is a renewal of a contract we entered into last year. The organization updated their bylaws and new contracts needed to be signed. The Community Services Committee recommends council approval of the agreement. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE: Isaacs, AYE; Santiago, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Wilken, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

c. Fehr Graham Proposal for Professional Engineering Services 2025-2026- The Community Services Committee recommends Council approval of the Fehr Graham Engineering proposal for 2025-2026. The proposal includes a slight increase over last year’s contract. Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Santiago, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Wilken, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

18. NEW BUSINESS

a. Ordinance Authorizing Disposal of Personal Property-Police Car – Alderman Gyorkos stated that the Public Safety Committee recommends approval of this ordinance to dispose of a squad car. Motion by Alderman Gyorkos to bypass first read and Approve the Ordinance Authorizing Disposal of a Police Car. Motion seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Roll call vote: Santiago, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Wilken, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. The Police Department will receive sealed bids for the vehicle. If no bids are received, the vehicle will be donated to the Fire Department.

b. Fehr Graham Proposal for Surveying Alley Vacation at 705 W. Blackhawk Dr. – If Council decides to proceed with vacating the alley behind 705 W. Blackhawk Dr., this proposal is for surveying the alley. All costs will be covered by the property owner. This is on the agenda for first read, as the topic will be discussed further at the Community Services Committee meeting on June 4. Neighbors have been notified of the meeting.

c. Fehr Graham Proposal for Easement Documents West of 538 All Saints Dr. – Administrator Brooks stated that this proposal is up for first read. The property west of 538 All Saints Dr. is a vacant lot. South of the lot is Hamer Ct. Water and sewer lines run through the property from Hamer Ct. to All Saints Dr. The property owner wants to develop the property. We are identifying easements that will be large enough to work on the mains that run through the property.

d. Fehr Graham Proposal for Lead Service Line Replacement Inventory – Engineer Stoll stated that the city will be receiving a $40,000 grant to identify lead service lines in town. EPA’s preference is that the grant be facilitated through a professional services contract with the engineer. The goal is to use the bulk of the money to hire a third party company that will do exploratory digging to field locate what materials are being used. They are seeking contractors now. Attorney Szeto questioned whether we would need to go out for bid for the contractor. Engineer Stoll will confirm. This is first read.

e. Fehr Graham Proposal for HSIP Grant Application-Mill Rd. and Tower Rd. – Engineer Stoll reported that we have filed for this funding source in the past. It is an IDOT program (Highway Safety Improvements Program). The application is for construction of a roundabout at Mill and Tower Rds. It is an 80/20 grant. The proposal will be discussed further at the Community Services Committee on June 4.

19. COUNCIL TALK – None

20. COMMUNICATION –

a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 6:30 pm

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

Alderman Fulrath adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:06 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/media/4576