NW Illinois News

City of Byron City Council met June 4.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Rickard called the meeting to order at 6:34 pm.

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Led by Mayor Rickard

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

Aldermen Absent: Christy Hanlin

Motion by Alderman Fulrath to allow Alderman Christy Hanlin to attend the meeting electronically. Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Santiago, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Wilken, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. Eight 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

Public Works Dir. Aaron Vincer

Citizens Charles Van Horn, Christopher Vargas

4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Led by Mayor Rickard

5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as presented, the June 4, 2025, agenda. 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.

6. MINUTES –

a. May 21, 2025 – City Council Regular Meeting Minutes –Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as presented, the May 21, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Fulrath. Roll call vote: Boyer, ABS; Wilken, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Santiago, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 1.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None

8. TREASURER’S REPORT – No report.

9. LIST OF BILLS – June 4, 2025 – Alderman Isaacs asked about the charge from A-L-L Equipment in the amount of $6,697.00 Director Vincer stated this is for an air compressor dryer and timer for the new public works building. He also asked about the charges totaling $110,329.39 from United Electric. Director Vincer stated that these are payments for the generators at the new public works building and at the Razorville Rd. pump station.

Alderman Isaacs also asked about the charge from Sherwin Industries for $4,600 for the Super Shot Rental. Director Vincer stated that this was for crack sealing. Motion by Alderman Boyer to approve, as presented, the June 4, 2025, List of Bills in the amount of $148,801.11. Motion seconded by Alderman Wilken. 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.

10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Rickard reported that he recently met with members from the Region 1 Planning Council and discussed the bridge lighting project. There may be funds available for the project as well as an engineer that can assist with the design.

11. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – Administrator Brooks noted that the deadline for submitting applications for the City Administrator position is June 12. Mayor Rickard added that he and Brian will be reviewing the applications and putting together a committee to conduct interviews and participate in the hiring process.

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

13. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT – All items are on the agenda

14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT –

a. Public Works Building Update – Director Vincer reported that ComEd is working on getting power to the new building, and water and sewer connections should be made next week. The driveway is also being constructed.

b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – Engineer Stoll reported that the EPA has released a draft of the intended funding list and Byron has been approved for funding for a loan up to $30,000,000 with $4,500,000 (15%) in principal forgiveness. The final list will be published next month. The funds will be available in the next fiscal year. We could potentially put the project out to bid in August or September with construction beginning in Spring. We should have a loan agreement by the end of the year, at which time we can apply to reimburse our engineering costs to date which total approximately $1,000,000.

c. Other – Director Vincer reported that summer help has started working. The city clean-up is scheduled for Saturday, June 14 from 9am-2pm at the boat dock.

15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Boehle reported that squad car 7 has been fixed.

16. COMMITTEE REPORTS –

a. Community Services – Alderman Boyer reported that all items are on the agenda.

b. Public Safety – No report.

c. Administrative – No report.

17. CONTINUING BUSINESS

a. 2025 Streets Program-Possible Change Order – Engineer Stoll reported that there are two proposed change orders to the 2025 Streets Program. The first adds overlay on Market St. from IL 2 to 2nd St. and on Peru St. from 2nd St. to 5th St. Total cost of change order 1 is $103,075.40. The Community Services Committee recommends Council approval of change order 1. Alderman Fulrath asked if any other change orders are anticipated. Director Vincer stated that no others are expected. 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. Change order 2, totaling $40,000, adds 750 ft. of concrete curb on Mineral St. The Community Services Committee recommends Council approval of change order 2. 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.

b. 705 W. Blackhawk Dr. Request for Alley Vacation – Two adjoining homeowners attended the Community Services Committee meeting tonight. They do not have any objection to the alley vacation provided they can still access the back of their property. A recorded easement can be filed to maintain access to their property. After discussion, the committee decided to move forward with drafting an ordinance to vacate the alley and another to reserve the easement. Engineer Stoll will create the legal description.

c. Fehr Graham Proposal for Surveying Alley Vacation at 705 W. Blackhawk Dr. – The Community Services Committee recommends council approval of the Fehr Graham proposal for $1,500 to survey the alley at 705 W. Blackhawk Dr. 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.

d. Fehr Graham Proposal for Easement Documents West of 538 All Saints Dr.- Administrator Brooks stated that there is a vacant property just west of 538 All Saints Dr. that the owner wants to develop. There is a utility easement on each side of the property line. We need to make sure there is no need for additional easements for city utilities. Director Vincer is in the process of identifying the water and sewer lines in the property. Once we know that, we will know if we need additional easements. The Community Services Committee recommends council approval of the Fehr Graham proposal for $2,000 to produce easement documents if there is a need after the city utilities are identified.

e. 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. Alderman Boyer asked if there are any known lead or galvanized services. Director Vincer stated that we know what goes into the house, but not what connects to the system. The Community Services Committee recommends council approval of the Fehr Graham proposal for $40,000 for lead service lines replacement inventory. 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.

f. Fehr Graham Proposal for HSIP Grant Application – Mill Rd. and Tower Rd. - Engineer Stoll stated that this is a funding opportunity through IDOT. The project is for a roundabout at Mill and Tower Rds. We have applied for funding for this project through other avenues in the past. Engineer Stoll has agreed to bill on a time and materials basis, with a “not to exceed” amount. The Community Services Committee recommends council approval of the Fehr Graham Proposal to prepare and submit the HSIP grant application for a Roundabout at Mill and Tower Rds., not to exceed $6,500. Roll call vote: Santiago, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, NAY; Wilken, NAY; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, NAY; Hanlin, AYE, Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 5; NAY, 3; ABS, 0.

18. NEW BUSINESS

a. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING MAYOR TO SIGN WPCLP LOAN APPLICATION DOCUMENTS – Administrator Brooks stated that this Resolution authorizes the Mayor to sign the EPA Water Pollution Control Loan documents on behalf of the city. The Community Services Committee recommends bypassing first read and recommends council approval of the Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign WPCLP Loan Application Documents. 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.

b. Kirby Request to Utilize Downtown Alley for New Business – Administrator Brooks stated that the Kirby’s have purchased the Command Post and plan to open an ice cream shop. They are speaking with the committee about potentially using the alley for outside seating. Discussion will continue at TAS.

19. COUNCIL TALK – None

20. COMMUNICATION –

a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 6:30 pm

22. ADJOURN – Alderman Boyer motioned to adjourn. Motion seconded by Alderman Wilken. 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.

Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:08 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/media/4596