NW Illinois News

City of Byron City Council met Sept. 3.

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: Herb Santiago, Mittzi Fulrath, Ron Boyer, Doug Wilken, Jessica Nehring, Michael Gyorkos. Six members present.

Aldermen Absent: Todd Isaacs, Christy Hanlin

Motion by Alderman Nehring 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. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. Seven present.

PRESENT: Mayor John Rickard

City Attorney Aaron Szeto

City Clerk Caryn Huber

City Administrator Patricia Diduch

City Engineer Jason Stoll

Police Chief Jeremy Boehle

Public Works Dir. Aaron Vincer

Others Charles Van Horn, Ken Mrozek

4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Led by Mayor Rickard

5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Motion by Alderman Boyer to approve, as presented, the September 3, 2025, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Nehring. Roll call vote: Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Wilken, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Santiago, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

6. MINUTES –

a. August 20, 2025 – City Council Regular Meeting Minutes –Motion by Alderman Boyer to approve, as presented, the August 20, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting minutes. Seconded by Alderman Wilken. Roll call vote: Boyer, AYE; Wilken, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Santiago, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None

8. TREASURER’S REPORT – No report.

9. LIST OF BILLS – SEPTEMBER 3, 2025 – Motion by Alderman Boyer to approve, as presented, the September 3, 2025, List of Bills in the amount of $297,555.25. Motion seconded by Alderman Santiago. Roll call vote: Wilken, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE: Hanlin, AYE; Santiago, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

10. MAYOR’S REPORT – No report.

11. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – Administrator Diduch plans on scheduling one on one meetings with Aldermen in the near future. She will publish a report on Dropbox on the Friday before council meetings.

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

13. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT – Martin and Company will begin street work tomorrow on Mineral St.

14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT –

a. Public Works Building Update – The public works building is nearing substantial completion.

b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – Director Vincer will be meeting soon with Engineer Matt Johnson to review plans for the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

c. Other –No updates.

15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – No report.

16. COMMITTEE REPORTS –

a. Community Services – Alderman Boyer reported that most items discussed in committee are on the agenda. We are waiting for a response from ComEd regarding bridge lights.

b. Public Safety – No report.

c. Administrative – No report.

17. CONTINUING BUSINESS –

a. Approval to Bid WWTP – Engineer Stoll reported that this item is still in process.

b. Flooding on Franklin St. – This subject was discussed at committee. Director Vincer will meet with the homeowner and discuss options to alleviate water collecting around his home.

18. NEW BUSINESS –

a. Fehr Graham Change Orders for Engineering Fees for Additional Street Work – The Fehr Graham proposal includes three change order amounts totaling $19,500 (Peru and Market St. Resurfacing - $5,870, Mineral St. concrete shoulders - $9,200, and E. Mill Rd. patching - $4,430). The Community Services Committee recommends approval of the change orders. The item is on the agenda for 1st read.

b. Mrozek TIF Development Agreement – Administrator Diduch stated that this item is on the agenda for 1st read. The request for funds for façade improvements to 124 & 126 W. 2nd St. is TIF eligible and the agreement is complete except for one or two details regarding start and end dates. Alderman Boyer noted that Brad Miller has not submitted bills to the city yet for his TIF project. Fehr Graham will submit bills from DPI for the city’s portion of work on the Kobel’s project at 221 N. Walnut St.

c. Whitaker Rd. Resolution for Maintenance Using MFT Funds – This resolution is required by IDOT in order to use MFT funds for road maintenance. The second sealcoating of Whitaker Rd. has already been completed, and the Community Services Committee recommends waiving first read and approving the Resolution for Maintenance Using MFT Funds. Roll Call vote: Wilken, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE: Hanlin, AYE; Santiago, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

19. COUNCIL TALK – None

21. COMMUNICATION –

a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 6:30 pm

22. ADJOURN – Alderman Boyer motioned to adjourn. Motion seconded by Alderman Santiago. Roll call vote: Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Santiago, AYE; Fulrath, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Wilken, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 0.

Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 6:45 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09032025-40