Peoria Standard

City of Batavia City Council met May 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER

Mayor Schielke called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

2. INVOCATION followed by PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Council and guests recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. ROLL CALL

Aldermen in attendance at roll: Barraza (7), Lanci (6), Beck (5), Malone (3), Wolff (2), Solfa (1), Baerren (1), Leman (2), Lohman (3), Pieper (4), Fahrenbach (5), Anderson (6), Vogelsinger (7).

Attending remotely: none

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

5. ITEMS REMOVED/ADDED/CHANGED

Ald. Beck made a correction to a typo found in Item 16. The correct figure is $9,795,000.00.

6. CONSENT AGENDA

Accept and Place on File:

A. Committee of the Whole Minutes April 29, 2025

B. Plan Commission Minutes March 19, 2025

Approvals:

C. May 9, 2025 Payroll $1,067,282.68

D. Accounts Payable Check Register $4,365,417.18

E. City Council Minutes for May 5, 2025

F. RESOLUTION 2025-067-R: Authorizing the Execution of a Contract for the JDS Government Center Roof Replacement and Fall Protection with Malcor Roofing of St. Charles, Illinois (SH 5/5/25 COW 5/13/25 12/0) CS

G. RESOLUTION 2025-071-R: Approving a contract with Substation Enterprises Inc to Purchase structural components for the Main Substation reconfiguration in the amount of $185,900 which includes 10 percent contingency (ES 5/9/25 COW 5/13/25 12/0) PU

H. RESOLUTION 2025-072-R: Approving Task order 6 with Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories to Purchase Relay Panel for the Main Substation reconfiguration in the amount of $109,646 which includes 10 percent contingency amount (ES 5/9/25 COW 5/13/25 12/0) PU

I. RESOLUTION 2025-073-R: Authorizing Execution of an IGA with IDOT for Routine Maintenance of Certain State Routes (JB COW 5/13/25 12/0) PU

J. RESOLUTION 2025-074-R: IDOT Resolution for Municipal Construction on State Highways (JB COW 5/13/25 12/0)

K. RESOLUTION 2025-066-R: Approving Early Termination for the Cable Franchise Agreement with Metronet (MW COW 5/13/25 12/0)

L. RESOLUTION 2025-069-R: Hosted Phone System (HC COW 5/13/25 12/0)

M. RESOLUTION 2025-070-R: Phone Upgrade (HC COW 5/13/25 12/0)

N. RESOLUTION 2025-075-R: Authorizing a Master Service Agreement and Task Order #1 With Sustained Ability Construction for GREEN Audit and Grant Program Administration (MW COW 12/0)

O. MOTION: Approve of a Bid to Purchase Land West of 122 S. Van Buren Street (SCB 5/5/25 COW 5/13/25) CD

Ald. Beck read aloud the Consent Agenda.

Motion by Ald. Beck, seconded by Ald. Solfa, to approve the consent agenda. Motion carried 13 yea/ 0 nay/ 1 absent.

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

David Peebles rose to address the Council. He thanked the Council for following through with construction of the sidewalk on Republic Road and Maple. He also asked the Council to consider ways to retain in the community those residents living on fixed incomes.

8. PRESENTATION: Update of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehabilitation Project – Jerry Ruth, Trotter & Associates

Jerry Ruth from Trotter & Associates delivered his report on the recent progress of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehabilitation Project. Phase 2A is ongoing, including brickwork and HVAC at the headworks building. Ruth shared photographs of the progress.

No dates for final completion have changed, but Ruth anticipates that based on the rate of progress, the project will be complete about 5 months ahead of schedule.

Ald. Wolff complimented the engineering crew on the execution of their plan and the accuracy of their projections.

Scott Trotter addressed a number of questions presented prior to the meeting.

A facility plan conducted in 2008 outlined the need to upgrade the capacity from 4.2 to 4.9 Million Gallons per Day to serve the community. Additionally, the current facility was at the end of life and new regulations of phosphorus output prompted the upgrade of the structures. Every neighbor in the Batavia area is undergoing similar necessary upgrades to keep their plants functional and in good service.

Trotter concluded that the Batavia plant is now better equipped to meet future requirements.

Ruth said that credit for the success of the project is owed to the competence of the team including Dan Gillespie, Andrew Puccini, Jake Robinson, Zac Bonesz, Andrea Podraza, Gary Holm, and Vince McCarthy.

Please review the recording for comments in full.

9. PRESENTATION: Water Street Studios – Year in Review

Jessica Jecmen, President of the Board of Water Street Studios, presented a report on the efforts of the organization in 2025. The goal of the organization is to be a place for those in the community to feel welcome to explore art. Water Street Studios offers studio space for artists, art shows, classes, outreach programs, and collaborative events with community partners. Jecmen proposed installing a welcoming “gateway” mural on the back of the Comedy Vault building and requested that the Council take up this

Ald. Beck commended the board members for their volunteerism and hard work supporting community art.

Ald. Farenbach said that he used to live near Water Street Studio and enjoyed the programs.

Mayor Schielke said that he was pleased with the attention and interest that Water Street Studios brings to the community.

10. PROCLAMATION: Motorcycle Awareness Month May 2025 Ald. Beck read aloud the proclamation.

Motion by Ald. Beck, seconded by Ald. Malone, for approval. Motion carried 13 yea/ 0 nay/ 1 absent.

Mayor Schielke presented the proclamation to Mark Garrison on behalf of ABATE DuKane Chapter.

Garrison addressed the Council and spoke about the mission of ABATE to promote road safety for motorcyclists and other road users. They speak to the driver’s education classes at Batavia High School to encourage young drivers to be aware of other users of the roads, including motorcyclists.

Ald. Wolff thanked Garrison for the work ABATE does to create more road awareness and safety.

17. RESOLUTION 2025-078-R: Establishing the Batavia Community Flag as the Official Flag of the City of Batavia (MW)

Ald. Leman moved to advance Item 17 to follow Item 10 in the interests of the assembled audience. Ald. Lohman seconded. Mayor Schielke agreed. No vote was undertaken.

Margaret Perreault rose to address the council and introduced Marty Callahan, vexillologist, who promoted the proposal of the Batavia Community Flag. He said that a flag is a representation of what a community is. The committee received 110 proposal submissions from all over the world in the course of the design phase.

Kathleen Tieri Ton, Graphic Arts teacher at Batavia High School addressed the Council and introduced Rachel Agro, the creator of the winning design. Tieri Ton spoke about her experience teaching Agro.

Agro addressed the Council and thanked everyone involved who made the project a positive experience for her.

Ald. Vogelsinger thanked Agro for the inspiration she has given to the rest of the community.

Ald. Wolff commented that this might be one of the only design projects that the City Council could unanimously agree to support.

Motion by Ald. Wolf , seconded by Ald. Leman, for approval. Motion carried 13 yea/ 0 nay/ 1 absent.

11. PROCLAMATION: National Public Works Week May 18-24, 2025 Ald. Beck read the proclamation.

Motion by Ald. Beck, seconded by Ald. Wolf , for approval. Motion carried 13 yea/ 0 nay/ 1 absent.

Administrator Newman thanked the Council and spoke to the diligent work of the Public Works Department. She asked the Public Works staff representatives to rise to accept the proclamation.

12. RE-APPOINTMENT: Dennis Anderson to the Batavia Board of Fire & Police Commissioners

Mayor Schielke recommended the approval of Dennis Anderson to the Batavia Board of Fire & Police Commissioners.

Motion by Ald. Wolf , seconded by Ald. Vogelsinger, for approval. Motion carried 13 yea/ 0 nay/ 1 absent.

13. MAINSTREET MINUTE

Director Beth Walker delivered her report on the recent and upcoming activities of Batavia MainStreet. Staff recently attended the Economic Vitality Workshop in Aledo, Illinois where they were encouraged and inspired by suggestions for placemaking and highlighting downtown appeal.

New board members Andrew Wallance and Joe Hunt were selected to join the board.

Farmer’s Market season opened on the 17th with support from the city and good turn out, despite windy weather conditions. Staff recently appeared on a segment of Good Day Chicago. WBEZ named Batavia market one of the top 15 Farmer’s Markets in the Chicago area.

Ald. Malone shared that he recently brought family to enjoy the Boardwalk shops and they were impressed by the community. The organization will be working with a public relations firm for three months to draw more attention to the Batavia community, thanks to a grant from Illinois MainStreet.

14. MOTION: TIF Support Request for Proposed Multifamily Development in 400 block of South River Street (SCB 4/23/225 COW 5/13/25 12/1) CD

Ald. Wolff presented the motion and encouraged its support.

Ald. Malone said that Batavia needs housing stock and using TIF funds to support the project makes sense.

Ald. Pieper said that given the size of the project, it should refill the TIF fund within a few years.

Ald. Wolff asked how many years are left on the TIF. Newman responded that the TIF expires in 2039. Scott Buening added that discussions with the developer have included a stipulation that the property would generate property tax.

Motion by Ald. Wolf , seconded by Ald. Lohman, for approval. Motion carried 13 yea/ 0 nay/ 1 absent.

15. APPROVAL: Authorize a Firework Permit for the Batavia Firework Committee (CH 5/13/25)

Ald. Wolff presented the Motion.

Motion by Ald. Wolf , seconded by Ald. Leman, for approval. Motion carried 13 yea/ 0 nay/ 1 absent.

16. ORDINANCE 2025-032: An Ordinance providing for the issuance of approximately $9,795,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2025, of the City of Batavia, Kane and DuPage Counties, Illinois, for the purpose of financing capital improvements in the City, including construction of a wastewater treatment plant and rehabilitation of a lift station and a force main, providing for the levy and collection of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on said bonds, and authorizing the sale of said bonds to the purchaser thereof.

Ald. Beck presented the Ordinance. She invited Peggy Colby to address any questions.

Ald. Fahrenbach noted that these bonds will be available on the public market as an investment option.

Motion by Ald. Beck, seconded by Ald. Wolf , for approval. Motion carried 13 yea/ 0 nay/ 1 absent.

18. DISCUSSION: Outdoor Seating Tables on N. River Street

Administrator Newman presented the discussion item. Batavia MainStreet asked if tables would be available on River Street again this summer season to support the Farmer’s Market patrons. Newman suggested that benches that conform with the streetscape might be another option.

Discussion ensued.

19. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

Administrator Newman delivered her report on the recent initiatives and projects of the City of Batavia.

Please review the recording for comments in full.

20. OTHER BUSINESS

none seen

21. MAYOR'S REPORT

Mayor Schielke delivered his report. He and other local leaders are working to coordinate a gathering of elected officials to foster greater understanding and collaboration across government bodies.

Please review the recording for comments in full.

22. ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Ald. Wolf , seconded by Ald. Solfa, to adjourn. Motion carried by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

https://www.bataviail.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05192025-2417