NW Illinois News

City of Byron City Council met Sept. 17.

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, Ron Boyer, Doug Wilken, Jessica Nehring, Michael Gyorkos. Six members present.

Aldermen Absent: Mittzi Fulrath, Christy Hanlin

Motion by Alderman Nehring to allow Aldermen Mittzi Fulrath and Christy Hanlin to attend the meeting electronically. Motion seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Santiago, AYE; Boyer, AYE; Wilken, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS, 0. Eight members 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, Zach Van Velzer, Michelle Lorenz

4. REVERENCE PERIOD – Led by Mayor Rickard

5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Motion by Alderman Boyer to approve, as presented, the September 17, 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. September 3, 2025 – City Council Regular Meeting Minutes –Motion by Alderman Boyer to approve, as presented, the September 3, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting minutes. Seconded by Alderman Wilken. Roll call vote: Boyer, AYE; Wilken, AYE; Nehring, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, ABS; Santiago, AYE; Fulrath, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 7; NAY, 0; ABS, 1.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None

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

9. LIST OF BILLS – SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 – Motion by Alderman Isaacs to approve, as presented, the September 17, 2025, List of Bills in the amount of $142,655.20. Motion seconded by Alderman Nehring. 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 announced that Halloween Trick or Treating will be on Friday, October 31, from 5-8pm.

11. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – Administrator Diduch presented a detailed report at the Administrative Committee meeting. Her written report is in Dropbox.

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

13. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT – Engineer Stoll reported that Martin and Company should be finishing work on Mineral St. in the next several days.

14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT –

a. Public Works Building Update – The public works building is nearing substantial completion. Several items need to be addressed before a final inspection can be scheduled and a Certificate of Occupancy issued.

b. Wastewater Treatment Plant – Director Vincer and Administrator Diduch met with engineers from Fehr Graham to review the design plans for the Wastewater Treatment Plant. They hope to have the bid package ready to review at the October Community Services Committee meeting.

c. Other – There was a lateral break in a water main at 5th St. and Chestnut. The pipe is oversized cast iron. IEPA has informed the department that water samples at Well 4 only need to be done every three years.

15. POLICE CHIEF REPORT – No report.

16. COMMITTEE REPORTS –

a. Community Services – No report.

b. Public Safety – Alderman Gyorkos reported that the committee discussed e-bike regulations.

c. Administrative – Alderman Fulrath reported that all items discussed at the Administrative Committee are on the agenda.

17. CONTINUING BUSINESS –

a. Approval to Bid WWTP – Engineer Stoll reported that this item is still in process. The plans and final estimate of cost will be presented at the Community Services Committee meeting in October.

b. 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 council approval of the change orders. 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.

c. Resolution Approving TIF District Agreement with KKM Commercial I – Items 17c. and 17d. will be voted on together. The TIF Development Agreement is an attachment to the Resolution. The Administrative Committee recommends council approval of the Resolution to approve the TIF agreement for façade improvements to 124 and 126 W. 2nd St.in the amount of $21,040.90. 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.

d. Mrozek TIF Development Agreement – See item 17c.

18. NEW BUSINESS –

a. Byron Chamber of Commerce ChiliFest Approval – Byron Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Michelle Lorenz presented the plans for this year’s ChiliFest. She is asking for permission to close 2nd St. between Walnut and Union St. and also Municipal parking Lot #2 on Saturday, October 25. Alderman Nehring motioned to bypass first read and approve the plans for ChiliFest. Motion seconded by Alderman Santiago. 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.

b. Fehr Graham Payment Estimate – DPI – Walnut St. (Kobel’s) – Mayor Rickard stated that the final payment for DPI for work on Walnut St. is $73,297.71, which is below the estimated cost. Fehr Graham is recommending that final payment be made. Alderman Isaacs motioned to bypass first read and approve the payment to DPI Construction for $73,297.71. Motion seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. 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.

19. COUNCIL TALK – Alderman Boyer was approached by Rob Hunter, owner of Rob’s Barbershop, to discuss 2nd St. parking by local business employees during business hours. Mr. Hunter wrote a letter addressing these parking issues, and the letter was distributed to council members. He proposed several options for discussion. Mayor Rickard referred the topic to the Administrative Committee.

21. COMMUNICATION –

a. Regular City Council Meeting – Wednesday, October 1, 2025, 6:30 pm

22. ADJOURN – Alderman Boyer motioned to adjourn. Motion seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. 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 6:55 pm.

https://www.cityofbyron.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09172025-42