Peoria Standard

City of Batavia City Council met June 2.

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), Malay (4), Malone (3), Wolff (2), Solfa (1), Baerren (1), Leman (2), Lohman (3), Fahrenbach (5), Vogelsinger (7).

Attending remotely: Solfa

4. PRESENTATION: Approving a Proclamation Honoring Pride Month and Authorizing Display of the Unity Flag for the Month of June

Ald. Beck read aloud the proclamation.

Motion by Ald. Beck, seconded by Ald. Malay, for approval.

Ald. Anderson arrived at 7:15 p.m.

Sylvia Keppel rose to address the council. She spoke about her religious convictions regarding homosexuality. She asked the Council to reject the proclamation.

Fred Ontiveros rose to address the council. He said that the American flag is inclusive of all Americans. He said that he is against displaying the Unity Flag next to the American flag.

Pastor Paige Wolfanger rose to address the council. She spoke about her religious convictions regarding kindness and acceptance.

Sarah Barrett rose to address the council. She said that she applauds the decision to display the Unity Flag.

Howard Miller rose to address the council. He noted that the pledge of allegiance as originally written did not originally include the phrase “under God.”

Jim Money rose to address the council. He spoke about his experience as a behavioralist and said that flying the flag models inappropriate behavior.

Ryan O’Connell rose to address the council. He expressed gratitude to the Council for supporting displaying the Unity flag.

Brea Hayes rose to address the council. She said that seeing acceptance in the community saves lives. She expressed gratitude for displaying the Unity flag.

Bob McQuillan rose to address the council. He spoke about the City’s flag policy and encouraged the council to consider other options for flags to raise during month-long awareness campaigns.

Ald. Wolff responded to McQuillan’s comments regarding the City flag policy. He noted that no other cause has generated the Council consensus that the Unity Flag has.

Martin Bierne rose to address the council. They said that the flag policy approved by the City Council was written to be in alignment with Supreme Court rulings regarding public speech. They said that seeing the Unity Flag flying is affirming and life saving.

Lexi Wilson rose to address the council. She said that pride should mean love.

Kristen Greece rose to address the council. She said that diversity makes the community better and that she supports the display of the Unity Flag.

Motion carried 11 yea/ 2 nay/ 1 absent.

The Council recessed to raise the Unity Flag at 7:42 p.m.

The Council returned to the Council Chambers at 7:55 p.m.

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

6. ITEMS REMOVED/ADDED/CHANGED

none

7. CONSENT AGENDA

Accept and Place on File:

A. April 2025 Building Report

Approvals:

B. May 23, 2025 Payroll $1,110,728.69

C. Accounts Payable Check Register $2,728,032.15

D. City Council Minutes for May 19, 2025

E. RESOLUTION 2025-081-R: Authorizing the Execution of a Contract in the amount not to exceed $833,6960.00 for the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry & Clothes Closet Remodeling Project at 916 First Street with KWCC Construction, Inc,. of Montgomery, Illinois. (SH 5/23/25 COW 5/27/25)

F. RESOLUTION 2025-079-R and 2025-080-R: Approving contract with Builders Paving, LLC for 2025 Street & SW program & Authorizing MFT with IDOT (TG 5/21/25 COW 5/27/25)

G. ORDINANCE 2025-033: Annexing Properties of South Raddant Road and Wagner Road (SCB 5/19/25 COW 5/27/25 12/0) CD

H. RESOLUTION 2025-076-R: Approving a Plat of Dedication for a Portion of Center Avenue (DMR 5/22/25 COW 5/27/25 12/0) CD

I. ORDINANCE 2025-031: Amendments to Text of the Zoning Code, Chapter 4.1: Site Regulations City of Batavia, Applicant (DMR 5/22/25 COW 5/27/25 12/0) CD

Ald. Beck read aloud the Consent Agenda.

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

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

Carrie Sebold rose to address the council. She noted that she is very involved in the community and loves the city. She spoke about her experience opening a board game restaurant in Batavia. She said that they have encountered two major problems in attempting to locate the board game restaurant in Batavia: infrastructure issues and communication issues with City staff.

She noted that three potential sites for the business in Batavia were found to have soil contamination and code violations. She said that these infrastructure issues are cost prohibitive to a small business seeking to develop these sites.

She explained a series of communications between herself, her team, and City staff in attempting to develop the business. She said that there was misrepresentation by the City staff in those communications.

Ald. Lanci said that he would like to hear a response from staff and to begin a larger conversation with the rest of the Council.

Ald. Wolff supported opening a conversation.

Ald. Fahrenbach asked Sebold to email a bullet-pointed list of her struggles and concerns to the Council. She agreed.

Ald. Malone said that he would like to see a follow up at an upcoming committee meeting.

Ald. Leman asked how long the project has been ongoing. Sebold responded that they have been earnestly working on this project for 18 months to a year.

Ald. Anderson requested that the emailed bullet point list would be submitted in time to discuss this issue at the next Committee of the Whole.

Review recording for comments in full.

9. PROCLAMATION: Honoring Teacher Kim Anderson Upon her Retirement Ald. Vogelsinger read aloud the proclamation.

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

Mayor Schielke presented the proclamation to Kim Anderson. Anderson offered her thanks to the community for support, encouragement, and the opportunity to teach.

Aaron Kilburg rose to address the Council. He said there is no more caring and selfless person than Kim Anderson. He said that she will be missed as an educator and that her legacy will continue.

10. PROCLAMATION: Law Enforcement Civilian Personnel Week Ald. Beck read aloud the proclamation.

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

Administrator Newman thanked the personnel who have chosen to serve the City of Batavia. She invited Chief Blowers to address the Council. He said that the glue behind the scenes of a functioning department are the civilian personnel.

11. PRESENTATION: BATAC Quarterly Report

Liam McKay, representing the Batavia Active Transportation Commission, delivered a report on the activities of the BATAC in the last quarter. He spoke about the outreach and advocacy efforts of the BATAC, which is an advisory committee that helps the Council prioritize resources.

12. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

President Margaret Perreault rose to address the Council. She spoke about the recent and upcoming programs and projects of the Chamber of Commerce. Among other activities, registration is now open for the 52nd Golf Outing on June 23rd.

Please review the recording for comments in full.

She introduced Eileen Pasero, Executive Director of the Interfaith Food Pantry. Pasero spoke about the shortfall of funding created by cuts at the federal level. She also spoke about the new facility on First Street, which will help support the community. She mentioned that about 80% of the work being done at the Food Pantry is done by volunteers.

13. RESOLUTION 2025-077-R:Approving Variations to the Subdivision Regulations Center Avenue, Michelle Lambert, Applicant (DMR 5/22/25 COW 5/27/25 10-2) CD

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

14. ORDINANCE 2025-008: Restriction on sale of Kratom and Hemp-Derived Products (EB)

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

15. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

Administrator Newman delivered her report on the recent initiatives and projects of the City of Batavia. The City is a major sponsor for the Batavia Park District’s Senior Expo. The Police Department will be on site to educate patrons on how to protect themselves from fraud. Reusable bags will also be available.

June 14th will be an opportunity for the community to meet and greet their Alderpersons at the Farmer’s Market. That Saturday the City will also host Flag Day activities to commemorate former Batavian Dr. Cigrand who helped advocate for a National Flag Day.

The GREEN Program will launch soon which offers free home energy audits to help residents lower their utility bills and reduce energy waste. The application period will open June 16, and the deadline for the first round of this program is July 16, 2025.

On May 28th, comfort dog River celebrated her first birthday.

Ald. Lohman asked if a crossing guard would be stationed at Union Street during the Quarry season. Administrator Newman responded that the City was not planning to fund a crossing guard at this location due to the road diet infrastructure updates. Ald. Lohman asked for this to be a subject of future discussion.

Ald. Baerren asked if there are updates regarding the energy omnibus bill. Newman responded that there was no vote taken on this bill in the recent legislative session. Baerren asked if there were other state legislation that might affect Batavia and if the City staff would review any relevant legislation in detail with the Council. Newman responded that if there are any questions on specifics, City staff could help clarify. Baerren asked for a summary of anything that would affect Batavia.

Discussion ensued.

Ald. Fahrenbach asked for an update on the status of the dam. Newman responded that the City is waiting for a response from the Park District. She said that she will be attending the June 17th Park Board meeting to continue the discussion.

Please review the recording for comments in full.

16. OTHER BUSINESS

none seen

17. MAYOR'S REPORT

Mayor Schielke delivered his report. He spoke about the popularity of Batavia senior living communities in Batavia.

Please review the recording for comments in full.

17. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Purchase of Real Estate

Motion by Ald. Wolf , seconded by Ald. Malay, to enter the executive session for the discussion of purchasing real estate. Motion carried 13 yea/ 0 nay/ 1 absent.

18. ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Ald. Wolf , seconded by Ald. Malay, to adjourn. Motion carried by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m.

https://www.bataviail.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_06022025-2421