Peoria Standard

City of Batavia City Council met March 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER

The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

2. INVOCATION followed by PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Ald. Malay led the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. ROLL CALL

Aldermen in attendance at roll: Lanci (6), Beck (5), Pieper (4), Malone (3), Wolff (2), Solfa (1), Baerren (1), Leman (2), Malay (4), Uher (5), Cerone (6), Vogelsinger (7).

Attending remotely: none

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

5. ITEMS REMOVED/ADDED/CHANGED

none seen

6. CONSENT AGENDA

Accept and Place on File:

A. Committee of the Whole Minutes February 25, 2025

B. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes February 10, 2025

C. Building Reports February 2025

Approvals:

D. 2025 Payroll $1,083,272.02

E. Accounts Payable Check Register $4,080,695.54

F. City Council Minutes for March 3, 2025

G. 2024 Budget Amendment and Reconciliation

H. APPROVAL: COW Executive Session minutes from February 11, 2025 – a. Personnel and b. Purchase of Real Estate

I. APPROVAL: Class G Liquor License for Book Fair & Brews Event to be held at Hearth & Hammer, 160 First Street, on March 23, 2025 – Sturdy Shelter Brewing Applicant

J. RESOLUTION 2025-035-R: Approving a Contract with Electric Conduit Construction Company to Install Electric Conduits under the Railroad Track at Raddant Road BNSF Crossing for an amount not to exceed $355,025 (RB 3/7/25 COW 3/11/25 11/0) PU

K. RESOLUTION 2025-044-R: Authorizing the Execution of Task Order No. 16 with Allen Pepa Architects for Professional Engineering and Architectural Services for Fire Station #2 Mechanical Upgrades (SH 3/5/25 COW 3/11/25 11/0) CS

L. RESOLUTION 2025-040-R: Authorizing Execution of Task Order No. 52 with Engineering Enterprises, Inc. for Construction Engineering Services of the Year 3 Lead Service Line Replacement Project (JB 3/6/25 COW 3/11/25 11/0) PU

M. RESOLUTION 2024-041-R: Authorizing Execution of the Notice of Intent to Award the Year 3 Lead and Galvanized Steel Water Service Line Replacement Project to Miller Pipeline, LLC (JB 3/6/25 COW 3/11/25 11/0) PU

N. RESOLUTION 2025-042-R: Resolution Approving the 2025 Zoning Map (DMR 3/3/25 COW 3/11/25 11/0) CD

O. RESOLUTION 2025-045-R: Authorizing Payment for Finance Software Maintenance (TD 3/6/25 COW 3/11/25 11/0) GS

P. RESOLUTION 2025-043-R: Authorizing Execution of a One-Year Contract with Clauss Brothers, Inc. for 2025 Code Enforcement Abatement for Lawn Mowing (JA 3/5/25 COW 3/11/25 11/0) CD

Q. RESOLUTION 2025-037-R: Designating Authority as Banking Agents (PC COW 3/11/25 11/0) GS

R. ORDINANCE 2025-016: Amendment to the Official Zoning Map for Multiple Properties at 505, 615, 621, 705, 723, 741, 749, 757, 801 Pine Street, and 937 South Raddant Road (ZE 3/6/25 COW 3/11/25 12/0) CD

S. ORDINANCE 2025-017: Approving a Plat of Vacation for a Portion of Maple Lane (DMR 3/7/25 COW 3/11/25 12/0) CD

T. RESOLUTION 2025-036-R: Preliminary and Final Plat of Subdivision Approval for Hemming Subdivision (403 North Avenue & 420 Maple Lane) – Travis Hemming, Applicant (DMR 3/7/25 COW 3/11/25 12/0) CD

Ald. Beck read aloud the Consent Agenda.

Motion by Ald. Beck, seconded by Ald. Solfa, to approve the consent agenda. Motion carried 10 yea/ 0 nay/ 4 absent.

7. MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC: (For Items NOT On The Agenda) none seen

8. APPROVAL: Appointment of Andrea Podraza to the Position of Director of Public Works

Mayor Schielke introduced Andrea Podraza who will be appointed to the Position of Director of Public Works. He said that the position will be vacant due to the retirement of Gary Holm.

Motion by Ald. Solfa, seconded by Ald. Malay, to approve the appointment. Motion carried 12 yea/ 0 nay/ 2 absent.

City Administrator Newman invited Podraza to address the Council. Podraza thanked Gary Holm for his leadership during his time with the City. She said she is excited to work with the talented staff of the Public Works Department.

9. PRESENTATION: Batavia Environmental Commission Quarterly Update

Alex Zelles, Chair of the Batavia Environmental Commission delivered her report on the recent and upcoming activities of the Commission. She introduced Anna Roberts, student ambassador from Batavia High School, who spoke about her work organizing river clean up events.

Ald. Wolff asked about future plans to incorporate environmental science at the High School. Discussion ensued.

Ald. Barraza arrived at 7:32 p.m.

Some of the goals for 2025 include completing the 2025 Strategic Planning, onboarding new high school ambassadors, continuing education programs, and ecology work.

10. MAINSTREET MINUTE

Director Beth Walker delivered her report on the recent and upcoming activities of MainStreet. She said that the organization received a $5,000 grant from Illinois MainStreet which will help to start a “Hype Team,” which will encourage social media influencers to share news of downtown Batavia activities in an informal way. Social media marketing efforts are growing the audience of people noticing Batavia.

She spoke about the downtown Scavenger Hunt program which encourages people to explore the downtown area. The lineup of Boardwalk Shops has been announced this year, which includes both new and returning vendors.

11. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

Administrator Newman delivered her report on the recent and upcoming initiatives of the City of Batavia. Plans for the new public restroom on North River Street project continue. A number of promotions have been approved within City Departments.

12. OTHER BUSINESS

Ald. Uher reminded the Council that a new BATV board member will need to be appointed to take over for him after the April election.

13. MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Schielke delivered his report. He said that the Batavia Farmers’ Market is a model program for leaders of other cities. He said that the other municipal bodies in Batavia are cooperative parties for the greater good of the community. He said that he often receives positive feedback from former residents who see the changes that Batavia has made over

the years. He spoke about some of the historic events and occurrences in Batavia in the 20th century.

Please review the recording for comments in full.

14. ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Ald. Solfa, seconded by Ald. Wolf , to adjourn. Motion carried by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.

https://www.bataviail.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03172025-2393