NW Illinois News

City of Byron City Council met June 18.

Here are the minutes 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, Herb Santiago, Mittzi Fulrath, Ron Boyer, Doug Wilken, Jessica Nehring, Michael Gyorkos. Seven members present.

Aldermen Absent: Christy Hanlin

Motion by Alderman Gyorkos to allow Alderman Christy Hanlin to attend the meeting electronically. Motion seconded by Alderman Fulrath. 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

4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Led by Mayor Rickard

5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as presented, the June 18, 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. June 4, 2025 – City Council Regular Meeting Minutes –Motion by Alderman Fulrath to approve, as presented, the June 4, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderman Isaacs. 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.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None

8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Huber stated that the Treasurer’s report for May is in Dropbox. She added that the mural is nearing completion. A ribbon cutting will be held in the next several weeks.

9. LIST OF BILLS – June 16, 2025 – Alderman Gyorkos asked about the $220 charge from Lincoln Rent-All Inc. Director Vincer stated this was used for asphalt patching. Motion by Alderman Boyer to approve, as presented, the June 18, 2025, List of Bills in the amount of $132,261.94. Motion seconded by Alderman Wilken. 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.

10. MAYOR’S REPORT – No report.

11. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – Administrator Brooks reported that the City Administrator Recruitment Committee met and selected three candidates to interview. A questionnaire will be sent to them in advance of their interviews. Interviews will be scheduled for July 14.

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

13. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT – Engineer Stoll reported that the change orders are approved for the 2025 Streets Program, and Martin and Company should begin work in mid to late July.

14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT –

a. Public Works Building Update – Director Vincer reported that the water and sewer connection has been made to the new Public Works Building. They are now waiting for power from ComEd.

b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – No updates

c. Other – The backhoe is in for repairs on the drum cylinder. The County will be replacing the Mill Creek bridge on Mill Rd. west of town. Mill Road will be closed west of ShadowWood Dr. for an extended period of time for this work. At the clean-up day on June 14, ten dumpsters in total were hauled out of the boat dock, and 60 manhours were used. Director Vincer would like to develop a better system for the event in the future.

15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Boehle reported that Hunter Ilkow is doing well at training. Officer Morrissey is attending SRO school this week at Sauk Valley. Chief Boehle attended a reunification training at Harlem High School. If there was a need to evacuate the schools, this training assists with procedures to reunify parents and children.

16. COMMITTEE REPORTS –

a. Community Services – No report.

b. Public Safety – No report.

c. Administrative – Alderman Fulrath reported that the Administrative Committee is recommending that we proceed with implementing the grocery tax and has asked Attorney Szeto to prepare an ordinance for the council to review.

17. CONTINUING BUSINESS

a. 705 W. Blackhawk Dr. Alley Vacation – Administrator Brooks reported that he has received the survey and description of the property from Engineer Stoll and Attorney Szeto is in the process of drafting the ordinance for the alley vacation.

b. Fehr Graham Proposal for Easement Documents West of 538 All Saints Dr.- Administrator Brooks stated that this is a vacant lot where the city has water and sewer lines from Hamer Ct. to All Saints Dr. The owner of the property wants to develop it. We need to be certain that our water and sewer lines are in the easements that are provided for in the plat and that the easements are of sufficient width. The Fehr Graham proposal for $2,000 will find the lot lines and mark off the utilities to ensure we have enough room. If not, we will need to adjust the easements. The Community Services Committee recommends council approval of the Fehr Graham proposal in the amount of $2,000. 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.

18. NEW BUSINESS - None

19. COUNCIL TALK – Mayor Rickard has had conversations with Barb Dowd about expanding the American Flag display along Blackhawk Dr. from Union St. to Colfax St. Mayor Rickard has concerns about the cost of the flags as well as the manpower to put them up and take them down for various holidays (Memorial Day, Flag Day, etc.). It was suggested we leave them up from Memorial Day to the 4th of July, but that would require purchasing a better quality flag. Alderman Boyer suggested spacing the flags out more. Director Vincer stated that there are places along the route that do not have green space, and the holders would need to be drilled into concrete or asphalt. Director Vincer suggested assisting with the program but asking a community organization to take over at a certain point. Alderman Santiago will discuss with the VFW. Mayor Rickard referred the topic to the Administrative Committee for further discussion.

20. COMMUNICATION –

a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, July 2, 2025, 6:30 pm

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

Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 6:53 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/media/4626