NW Illinois News

City of Byron City Council met Aug. 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Minutes Approved as Presented 9/3/25

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 Isaacs. 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 Laura Goding

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, Patricia Diduch

4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Led by Mayor Rickard

5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as presented, the August 20, 2025, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Fulrath. 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. August 6, 2025 – City Council Regular Meeting Minutes –Motion by Alderman Boyer to approve, as presented, the August 6, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting minutes. 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.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None

8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Huber reported that the July 2025 Treasurer’s Report is in Dropbox.

9. LIST OF BILLS – AUGUST 20, 2025 – Motion by Alderman Fulrath to approve, as presented, the August 20, 2025, List of Bills in the amount of $107,520.65. Motion seconded by Alderman Boyer. 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 does not have anything new to report on bridge lighting. He spoke with IL Representative Tony McCombie, and there are other options being discussed to help replace the grocery tax, such as giving municipalities the ability to increase sales tax or implementing a LGDF increase.

11. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – Administrator Brooks thanked the council for the opportunity to work with them, and he is proud of what they have accomplished together.

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

13. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT – Martin and Company was scheduled to begin street work this week, but they have been delayed until next week.

14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT –

a. Public Works Building Update – Director Vincer reported that a punch list walk through has been done, and he expects to be moving into the new building by the end of the month. Landscaping around the building has started.

b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – No updates.

c. Other – Staff has been replacing older water meters. Residents that will be affected by this year’s road work have been notified.

15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – Chief Boehle reported that Officer Ilkow is in the final stages of field training and should be on his own in September. School has started and the police department has extra patrols to slow speed on Tower and on Mill rd.

16. COMMITTEE REPORTS –

a. Community Services – No report.

b. Public Safety – No report.

c. Administrative – Alderman Fulrath reported that the committee met tonight. Everything is on the agenda except for a TIF application from Ken and Kathy Mrozek. The committee asked the attorney to draft an agreement for the requested façade improvements.

17. CONTINUING BUSINESS –

a. Fehr Graham Proposal for Surveying WWTP IDOT Excess Parcel Transfer – Engineer Stoll stated that there was a request for more information as to how the fee was determined for this survey. A written explanation is in Dropbox. 58 hours are estimated to complete the project, which includes preparing the plat and calculating coordination time with IDOT. There are 10 hours of contingency. Because the survey is more involved than other surveys, senior staff is being utilized to complete it. Fehr Graham has agreed to do the work on a time and materials basis, with a not to exceed amount of $9,500. Alderman Isaacs motioned to accept the Fehr Graham proposal with the not to exceed number of $9,500. Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Santiago, ABS; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Wilken, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 1.

b. Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Insurance Renewal – Alderman Fulrath reported that rates are 6% lower than last year, and the Community Services Committee recommends council approval of the BCBS renewal plan. Roll call vote: Gyorkos, AYE: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Santiago, ABS; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Wilken, AYE; Nehring, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 1.

18. NEW BUSINESS –

a. Approval to Bid WWTP – Engineer Stoll reported that documents will be ready soon for council review.

b. Ordinance Providing for Fine Schedule as Part of Administrative Hearing Process – Alderman Fulrath reported that the Administrative Committee reviewed this ordinance. It involves a text change in our ordinances that will allow us to change fines without changing the ordinance itself. There is some newly passed legislation that may affect the ordinance, and it is on hold for now.

c. Other Health-Related Insurance Renewals – After reviewing rates with several other companies, Coyle Kiley and Administrator Brooks suggest staying with our current insurance carrier for dental, vision, life and disability. The Administrative Committee recommends bypassing first read and recommends council approval of the recommendation to renew our health-related insurance with the current companies. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Santiago, ABS; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Wilken, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 1.

d. Flooding on Franklin St. – Mayor Rickard stated that this subject will be discussed at the next Community Services Committee meeting. The road is very flat on Franklin between 2nd and 3rd, and during big rains, the storm sewer is overwhelmed. Information is being gathered for further discussion.

19. COUNCIL TALK – Alderman Hanlin stated that there is a company (Rouse Consulting Group) coming to the Golf Playday tomorrow. There are looking to locate in this area and she asked council members and staff to introduce themselves. Alderman Isaacs thanked Administrator Brooks for his years of service to the city.

20. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(6) of the Open Meetings Act to discuss the setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the city. Alderman Gyorkos motioned to go into Executive Session at 6:53 pm. Motion seconded by Alderman Isaacs. 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. Mayor Rickard invited Attorney Goding, Clerk Huber, Administrator Brooks, Engineer Stoll, and Patricia Diduch to remain.

The City Council returned to Open Session at 7:20 pm. Roll call: Isaacs, Santiago, Fulrath, Boyer, Wilken, Nehring, Gyorkos, Hanlin. Also present: Mayor Rickard, City Administrator Brooks, Attorney Goding, Clerk Huber, Patricia Diduch, Charles Van Horn. There was no action taken in Executive Session.

21. COMMUNICATION –

a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, September 3, 2025, 6:30 pm

22. ADJOURN – Alderman Boyer motioned to adjourn. Motion seconded by Alderman Wilken. 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 7:21 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08202025-34