NW Illinois News

City of Byron City Council met July 2.

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

Others Charles Van Horn, Scott Jeffrey, DeKalb Chief of

Police David Byrd, Officer Tyler Hankins, Officer

Tanner Schrock, Officer Dalton Powell

4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Led by Mayor Rickard

5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Motion by Alderman Boyer to approve, as presented, the July 2, 2025, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Isaacs. 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 18, 2025 – City Council Regular Meeting Minutes –Motion by Alderman Fulrath to approve, as presented, the June 18, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes. 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.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None

8. TREASURER’S REPORT – No report.

9. LIST OF BILLS – JULY 2, 2025 – Alderman Isaacs asked about the $175.00 charge from Ehmens. Director Vincer stated that they located a sewer line in the easement between All Saints Dr. and Hamer Ct. Alderman Isaacs also asked about the $542.04 charge from William Charles Electric. Director Vincer stated that this was to locate traffic lights in town as part of the IDOT highway project. Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as presented, the July 2, 2025, List of Bills in the amount of $631,715.37. 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.

10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Dekalb Chief of Police David Byrd was in attendance representing the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police. He presented Byron Police Officer Tyler Hankins with a ILACP Life Saving Award certificate and a pin. Officer Hankins was recognized for the lifesaving efforts he performed on December 14, 2024, for a person suffering from a medical emergency.

Mayor Rickard proposed the appointment of Scott Jeffrey to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Alderman Fulrath motioned to appoint Scott Jeffrey to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Motion seconded by Alderman Isaacs. 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.

Representatives from Constellation met with the TAS Committee this morning to ask for council’s support for the re-zoning of 182 acres of land near the plant from Agriculture to Industrial. Marion Township has already approved the request by a 3 to 1 vote. Mayor Rickard asked if there was any objection to having a resolution of support prepared for the next meeting and whether they wanted a representative of Constellation to be at the next meeting. There were no objections raised, and no one felt that additional information was needed from Constellation.

11. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – Administrator Brooks reported that three candidates will be interviewed on July 14 for the City Administrator position. A questionnaire was sent in advance of the interview.

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

13. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT – Engineer Stoll reported that Martin and Company should begin work in early August on the 2025 Streets Program.

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. Landscaping will be completed soon.

b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – The current wastewater treatment plant is experiencing some small failures. Those expenses should be on the next List of Bills. c. Other – Summer staff has been working on hydrant painting and valve exercising.

15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Boehle reported that Officer Ilkow is now field training with Officer Curtis for the next six weeks. The department will be fully staffed by the beginning of the school year.

16. COMMITTEE REPORTS –

a. Community Services – Alderman Boyer reported that the committee discussed water and sewer billing. The bills are currently due on the 15th, with late charges assessed on the 16th. Discussion was held regarding extending the date to the 20th before late charges are added. All other items are on the agenda.

b. Public Safety – No report.

c. Administrative – No report.

17. CONTINUING BUSINESS - None

18. NEW BUSINESS –

a. Ordinance Implementing a Municipal Grocery Retailers’ Occupation Tax – A draft of the ordinance is in the Dropbox. Alderman Boyer would like to find a way to not implement the tax and is disappointed that the State has put municipalities in this position. Mayor Rickard stated that most cities in Ogle and the surrounding counties are implementing the tax, but the conversation continues in Springfield. To be effective January 1, 2026, the ordinance must be passed and submitted to the Department of Revenue by October 1.

b. Alley Vacation Ordinance for 705 W. Blackhawk Dr. – Administrator Brooks stated that the vacation ordinance is in the Dropbox for first read. The Community Services Committee is recommending passage of the ordinance. Administrator Brooks will send a copy of the ordinance to Mr. Considine for review, particularly the language regarding the easement along the back of the property.

c. East Mill Rd. Resurfacing – Administrator Brooks stated that the Community Services Committee was presented with costs for the repair of east Mill Rd., between Barker Rd. and Byron Hills Drive. The road is in need of patching and the cost is estimated to be approximately $25,000. Engineer Stoll will verify the pricing with Martin & Co. and write a change order to include with this year’s street work. Within the next few years, we hope to apply for grants to resurface the road, or we will include it with our Streets program. The committee has recommended council approval of the change order, pending the cost estimate from Martin & Co.

19. COUNCIL TALK – None

20. COMMUNICATION –

a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, July 16, 2025, 6:30 pm

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

Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 6:55 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/media/4666