Peoria Standard

City of Batavia City Council met June 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER

The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm.

2. INVOCATION followed by PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Ald. Baerren led the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. ROLL CALL

Aldermen in attendance at roll: Lanci (6), Beck (5), Chanzit (3), Solfa (1), Baerren (1), Leman (2), Ajazi (3) Malay (4), Uher (5), Cerone (6).

4. REMINDER: Please Speak Into The Microphone For BATV Recording

5. ITEMS REMOVED/ADDED/CHANGED

none

Ald. Miller arrived at 7:06 pm.

6. OATH OF OFFICE: Dustin Pieper – 4th Ward Alderman

Mayor Schielke administered the Oath of Office to Dustin Pieper. Ald. Pieper immediately took his seat at the Council table.

Ald. Vogelsinger arrived at 7:09 pm.

7. CONSENT AGENDA

Accept and Place on File:

A. Committee of the Whole Minutes April 11, 2023, April 25, 2023 and May 9, 2023 Approvals:

B. June 9, 2023 Payroll $1,069,772.56

C. Accounts Payable Check Register $5,923,265.92

D. City Council Minutes June 5, 2023

E. RESOLUTION 23-079-R: Authorizing Execution of an Agreement with Kane County for the Ride in Kane Program (MW 6/13/23 COW 6/13/23 11/0) GS

F. ORDINANCE 23-24: Annexing Properties on Chillem Drive, Hart Road and Meadow Drive (SCB 6/1/2023 COW 6/13/23 11/0) CD

G. RESOLUTION 23-083-R: Requesting a permit from IDOT for the closure of Rt. 31 for 2023 July 4th fireworks display special event (GH 6/7/2023 COW 6/13/23 11/0) GS

H. RESOLUTION 23-080-R: Authorizing Execution of Quit Claim Deeds for 5 parcels at Deerpath & Main to Kane County Division of Transportation (AMP 6/2/23 COW 6/13/23 11/0) CS

I. RESOLUTION 23-082-R: Policy on Voting Method Used by City Council to Select Candidates for Council Vacancies (MW COW 6/13/23 11/0) GS

J. RESOLUTION 23-084-R: Authorizing Execution of an Agreement with Kane County to Construct a Sidewalk on Madison St and Church St and Reappropriate Safe Route to School Funding to pay for the City’s Portion of the Construction (RB 6/8/23 COW 6/13/23 11/0) CS

K. APPROVAL: Firework Permit for the July 4th Firework Show (CH 6/05/23) CS

L. APPROVAL: Class F Liquor License (Special Event Not for Profit) - Batavia Main Street Cocktails in the Park (SM COW 6/13/23 11/0) CS

M. APPROVAL: Class I Liquor License Application for Damo BBQ LLC – dba Damo BBQ, located at 12 S. Water Street Batavia (SM 6/05/23) CS

Ald. Chanzit read aloud the Consent Agenda.

Motion by Ald. Chanzit, seconded by Ald. Solfa, to approve the consent agenda. Motion carried 14 yea/ 0 nay/ 0 absent.

8. MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC: (For Items NOT On The Agenda)

Carmen Hansen rose to address the Council. She said that she is in favor of removing marked crosswalks across Route 31. She shared information in support of removing marked crosswalks.

Matt Hanson from Montgomery, Illinois, State Representative for the 83rd District, rose to address the Council. He expressed appreciation for the conversation regarding the crossing at Route 31 at the Committee of the Whole. He also expressed support for both long term solutions and short term mitigation to resolve the issue of public safety at this roadway.

Donetta McGrath rose to address the Council. She spoke about the effort to raise awareness for Brady O’Neal, a pedestrian who was struck while crossing Route 31, and encouraged the Aldermen to keep Brady’s condition in mind during deliberation.

Bill McGrath rose to address the Council. He asked if the removal of the flashing light crosswalk is bound up with the issue of the road diet, or whether the issues could be considered independently. He expressed regret that these crossings were installed when he was at the City if they are dangerous. Administrator Newman indicated that she believed that these issues could be addressed separately.

9. OATH OF OFFICE: Full-Time Firefighter/Paramedic Richard Schmidt

Chief Hanson introduced Firefighter/Paramedic Richard Schmidt and spoke about his qualifications for the position.

Mayor Schielke administered the Oath of Office to Firefighter/Paramedic Richard Schmidt.

10. APPOINTMENT: Katherine Swiecicki To The Batavia Plan Commission For A 3 Year Term That Expires 6/01/2026

Mayor Schielke introduced Katherine Swiecicki. He encouraged the Council to approve her appointment.

Motion by Ald. Solfa, seconded by Ald. Chanzit, to approve the appointment. Motion carried 14 yea/ 0 nay/ 0 absent.

11. PROCLAMATION: Batavia Rotary Club 75th Anniversary Administrator Newman read aloud the proclamation.

Motion by Ald. Solfa, seconded by Ald. Malay, to approve the re-appointment. Motion carried 14 yea/ 0 nay/ 0 absent.

George Scheetz accepted the proclamation on behalf of Rotary. Scheetz thanked the Mayor and the Council for their support of Rotary.

12. MAINSTREET MINUTE

Director Beth Walker delivered her report on the recent and upcoming activities of Batavia MainStreet. Please review the recording for comments in full.

Walker introduced her guests, who are all store owners at the Boardwalk shops: Kira Minadeo from Simply Kirious Soaps, Rebecca Gengler from More Polish Pottery, and Nancy Castro from Fancy Nancy Boards.

Ald. Baerren asked if there would be some shops that have off hours as some have had in the past. Walker said that there would be opportunities throughout the year, and that the best way to find out when those opportunities occur would be to follow Batavia MainStreet on social media.

13. ORDINANCE 23-23: A Conditional Use Permit For A Brewery And Distillery With Tap Room, Over 5,000 Square Feet In The DMU – Downtown Mixed Use District – Grainology Brewstillery 131 Flinn Street, Michael Reed, Applicant (ZE 6/08/23 COW 6/13/23 11/0) CD

Motion by Ald. Solfa, seconded by Ald. Malay, to approve the proclamation. Motion carried 14 yea/ 0 nay/ 0 absent.

Michael Reed from Grainology rose to address the Council. He thanked Mayor Schielke, Administrator Newman, the Planning and Zoning Committee, and the City Council for their support.

14. RESOLUTION 23-085-R: Authorizing Execution Of A Contract With Andy Frain Services For A Crossing Guard At Rte. 31 & Union Avenue (LN)

Administrator Newman explained some of the short term mitigation measures recommended and under consideration to make crossing Route 31 safer. In addition to re-striping crosswalks to make them more visible, staff have pursued a contract with a professional crossing guard.

Ald. Solfa asked if this would authorize city staff to continue the contract for three years. Newman clarified that this would be only for this year.

Mayor Schielke asked what would fill this guard’s time outside of peak traffic hours. Newman suggested that they would be able to sit during some of the time.

Ald. Leman asked what would happen during days when the quarry is closed. Newman responded that there is a great deal of flexibility with this service and the vendor will be able to add or remove shifts as necessary and on demand.

Ald. Pieper asked if the crossing guard will have any traffic control authority, or will they simply be there to help determine safe crossing opportunities. City police staff clarified that the guard will have a stop sign and the authority to halt traffic.

Motion by Ald. Leman, seconded by Ald. Vogelsinger, to approve the proclamation. Motion carried 14 yea/ 0 nay/ 0 absent.

15. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

Administrator Newman delivered her report. She addressed the efforts of city staff to coordinate with other organizations and governing bodies to create greater pedestrian safety in the City. Please review recordings for comments in full.

Ald. Vogelsinger asked if there would be additional conversations about the dam with the Batavia Park District. Newman responded that a conversation could take place on the 27th.

16. OTHER BUSINESS

Ald. Wolff thanked everyone for their well wishes and gave an update on his health. He said that he would like to organize a blood drive to pay forward the benefits he has received from the blood donor registry.

June 20th, 2023, Minutes of the Batavia City Council, Batavia, Illinois 4 of 5

Ald. Uher asked that a discussion about the rapid flashing beacons be added to the upcoming COW. Ald. Malay concurred.

Ald. Chanzit said that he would be meeting with the Batavia Community Diversity Initiative shortly.

17 . MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Schielke delivered his report. He noted the number of tragic events in Batavia and the surrounding areas in recent days and expressed his concern for the first responders who have responded to those events.

He noted that there will be an addition soon to the downtown area of plaques highlighting Batavia history.

View recording for comments in full.

18. ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Ald. Solfa, seconded by Ald. Malay, to adjourn. Motion carried by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:16 pm.

https://www.bataviail.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_06202023-2115