Peoria Standard

City of Batavia City Council Met Dec. 21.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

PLEASE NOTE: These minutes are not a word-for-word transcription of the statements made at the meeting, nor intended to be a comprehensive review of all discussions. Minutes are intended to make an official record of the actions taken by the Committee/City Council, and to include some description of discussion points as understood by the minute-taker. Any references to discussion and/or statements are only to provide greater clarity to the public and they may not reference all, some, or any of an individual speaker’s comments.

1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Schielke at 7:31 p.m. The meeting was held remotely on GoToWebinar due to restrictions in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2. INVOCATION followed by PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Schielke offered a brief invocation. Ald. Cerone led the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. ROLL CALL

14 of 14 aldermen were present at roll call.

Aldermen (by ward) in attendance: Jennifer Baerren (1), Michael O’Brien (1), Alan Wolff (2), Martin Callahan (2), Elliot Meitzler (3), Dan Chanzit (3), Tony Malay (4), Joe Knopp (4), Abby Beck (5), Mark Uher (5), Michael Russotto (6), Nicholas Cerone (6), Keenan Miller (7) and Drew McFadden (7)

Also attending were the following:

City Clerk, Ellen Posledni

City Attorney, Roman Seckel

Public Works Director, Gary Holm

Assistant City Administrator, Anthony Isom

Community Development Director, Scott Buening

Information Services Director, Howard Chason

4. REMINDER: Please speak into the microphone

Mayor Schielke reminded everyone to use their microphones.

5. ITEMS REMOVED/ADDED/CHANGED

None.

6. CONSENT AGENDA

Ald. Chanzit read the Consent Agenda as follows.

Accept and Place on File:

A. Committee of the Whole Minutes October 27, 2020 and November 10, 2020 

B. Plan Commission Minutes November 4, 2020

C. Historic Preservation Commission September 14, 2020 and November 9, 2020 

D. Building Reports November 2020

Approvals:

E. December 11, 2021 Payroll $928,514.72

F. Accounts Payable Check Register $5,614,560.34

G. City Council Minutes for December 7, 2020

H. October 2020 City Council Financial Report

I. RESOLUTION 20-135-R: Authorization of Employee Agreement with John Dillon (GH 12/10/20 COW 12/15/20 13/0) GS

J. RESOLUTION 20-138-R: Authorizing a Contract with GovHR in the Amount of $21,000 for Recruiting of the Project Engineer Position (GH 12/11/20 COW 12/15/20 13/0) PU

K. ORDINANCE 20-76: Amending Title 8, Chapter 1 of the Municipal code related to interconnecting Small Photovoltaic Systems (GH 12/3/20 COW 12/15/20 13/0) PU L. RESOLUTION 20-136-R: Authorizing a contract execution with Michels Power to provide Substation Construction Services for Paramount park Substation Upgrade for an amount not to exceed $1,949,731 which includes 10 percent contingency amount (RB 12/10/20 COW 12/16/20 13/0) PU

M. RESOLUTION 20- 137-R: Authorizing Task order #13 with Power System Engineering (PSE) to provide Construction Supervision for Paramount Park Substation upgrade for an amount not to exceed $244,344 (RB 12/10/20 COW 12/15/20 13/0) PU

N. ORDINANCE 20-78: Declaring Surplus Property (SRM 12/8/20 COW 12/15/20 13/0) CS

Motion by Ald. Chanzit, seconded by Ald. Knopp, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried 14 yea/ 0 nay/ 0 absent.

7. MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC: (For Items NOT on the Agenda) None.

8. MAINSTREET

Executive Director Beth Walker reported that MainStreet wrapped up the Home for the Holidays promotion, which was a success. The Boardwalk Shops have now closed until next year. Applications for 2021 are being accepted until January 31. The Indoor Farmers Market is going well and will be closed the next two weekends.

Mayor Schielke thanked MainStreet for the organization’s commitment to Batavia in what has been a very difficult year. He is very proud of the new businesses in town and the many customers being drawn to Batavia.

Ald. Callahan said he saw a review of Boardwalk Shops numbers on Facebook and asked Ms. Walker to share those. She reported that the shops had $270,800 in retail sales for 2020 (June through November), with an average of 300 customers every weekend. The Empty Bowls fundraiser brought in $3,700 for local food banks in one day. And five shops are signing brick and-mortar leases for 2021.

9. RES 20-139-R: Support for Completion of the Fox River Connectivity & Habitat Study by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (LN 12/17/20) GS

Director Holm introduced the item related to a request to send a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers to complete the Fox River Connectivity & Habitat Study that was halted halfway through due to lack of funds. The study involved communities up and down the Fox River that wanted the EPA to come up with standards for the Fox River. The initial data has been used as the basis for water treatment plans along the river. Funding is apparently now available to finish the study, and the communities involved want to request funds for 2021. The City of Batavia paid about $6,000 last year as part of the study group.

Ald. Wolff noted the importance of the study and Batavia’s involvement, saying it will affect the plan to remove the dam, preserve the Depot Pond and perform bank stabilization.

Mayor Schielke agreed, saying this information will go along with the plan with the Batavia Park District for these changes. It’s important for downtown Batavia and will help guide future decisions.

Ald. Uher noted the information will also help when some residents don’t support dam removal. It will support the city’s stance that dam removal is important for both safety and ecology. Mayor Schielke added that dam removal will be a monumental decision.

Motion by Ald. Wolff, seconded by Ald. Uher, to approve the resolution as presented. Motion carried 14 yea/ 0 nay/ 0 absent.

10. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Assistant Administrator Isom reported that the next two COW meetings are canceled. City Hall is closed December 24 – 25. Department reports:

• Finance Department: Paymentus is up and working – thanks to the staff for their work on this. Also, a preliminary audit was completed December 18.

• Community and Economic Development: Currently closed to the public with some staff working remotely.

• Public Works: Streets Department is doing pre-treatment on the roadways to reduce the need for salt treatment during the winter. A water treatment project is kicking off in early 2021.

• Police Department: Officers participated in Shop With a Cop on December 18. 

• Fire Department: Staff received COVID-19 vaccines from Mercy Hospital.

Mayor Schielke noted that even when City Hall is closed, many city employees are still working, including those in the Police Department, Fire Department and Public Works, who are always on call. Call volume tends to spike around the Christmas season.

11. COMMITTEE REPORTS

None.

12. OTHER BUSINESS

Ald. Beck said she emailed staff today regarding construction disruption to local businesses during One Washington Place construction. She said she wants there to be more transparency regarding construction closures and suggested establishing a “no fly zone” along River Street that would not be affected by construction closures. She said area businesses are panicking, and thinks a plan to protect them should be pulled together before a final vote.

Mayor Schielke said it would be difficult to pull something like this together over the holidays, but it should be discussed at an upcoming COW meeting.

Ald. Wolff said if the One Washington Place project moves forward, the city needs to decide how it will communicate with local businesses. He said it will be very important to keep the street open as much as possible. He said State Street will likely be closed through most of construction. He said the Farmers Market may fit between State and Spring streets, and they could maintain one-way traffic on River Street.

Ald. Beck said a communications person would be ideal. She asked what kind of agreement the city has with Shodeen regarding closures, and suggested an agreement in writing before the Council signs off on the project.

Director Buening said Administrator Newman was having regular meetings with area businesses during bridge construction and suggested that may be an option in this case. He said the RDA was open-ended because it is difficult to anticipate all of the construction needs in advance of the project.

Ald. Baerren said ongoing business owner input would be important, especially with regards to special events.

Ald. O’Brien said he fully agrees that communication will be important, but that they also don’t want to hamstring construction. Weekly meetings would be good, but Shodeen also has to cooperate with city requests. He said this is a partnership, and they need to understand the needs of the city.

13. MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Schielke said he has had a lot of calls in the past 10 days regarding the new COVID 19 vaccine. The city will communicate information as it becomes available. Right now, hospital workers and firefighters are getting shots. They will be opening up to older adults and those with health challenges. Local vaccination locations are being considered. The old Sam’s Club is now being used as a COVID-19 testing site. Cooperation and understanding from all parties will be necessary to create a vaccination plan.

The mayor was on WGN Radio last week to talk about Batavia’s Christmas light traditions. He noted that the Woodland Hills neighborhood carries out a luminaria tradition every Christmas Eve. Visitors from other towns continue to give rave reviews about Batavia’s Christmas decorations, and the mayor shared his gratitude to all who participate in lifting spirits during the holidays, especially at this difficult time.

The mayor closed by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, and hoped that 2021 will be happy and joyous, and will allow us to regain all we have lost this year and that the many traditions in Batavia will be able to return.

14. ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Ald. Chanzit, seconded by Ald. Knopp, to adjourn. Motion carried by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:14 pm.

http://www.cityofbatavia.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_12212020-1659