At a recent meeting, the Batavia City Council approved an intergovernmental agreement between the city and Kane County for animal-control services.
The Batavia City Council serves as the legislative division of the city government. Members are elected to serve four-year terms.
Below are the minutes from this meeting, as provided by the council.
CITY OF BATAVIA
MINUTES OF THE BATAVIA CITY COUNCIL
May 2, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. - City Council Chambers
100 N. Island Ave. Batavia, Illinois
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 by Mayor Schielke 7:32 p.m.
2. INVOCATION followed by PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Ald. Cerone
3. ROLL CALL: 12 of 14 aldermen were present.
Aldermen (by ward): Michael O’Brien (1), Carl Fischer (1), Martin Callahan (2), Alan Wolff (2),
Kyle Hohmann (3), Paula Mueller (4), Susan Stark (4), Kevin Botterman (5), Nicholas Cerone
(6), Michael Russotto (6), David Brown (7) and Drew McFadden (7) were present. Lucy Thelin
Atac (5) and Dan Chanzit (3) were absent.
Also present were BATV and members of the press, public and the following:
City Administrator William McGrath
City Attorney Roman Seckel
City Clerk Heidi Wetzel
Finance Director Peggy Colby
Fire Chief Randy Deicke
Human Resources Director Wendy Bednarek
Economic Development Advisor Chris Aiston
4. ITEMS REMOVED/ADDED/CHANGED - none
5. CONSENT AGENDA
Accept and Place on File:
A. Committee of the Whole Minutes for April 5, 2016
Approvals:
B. April 22, 2016 Payroll $771,580.68
C. Accounts Payable Check Register $751,233.32
D. ORDINANCE 16-21: Declaring Surplus Property
(Scott Haines 4/6/16 COW 4/26/16 13/0) CS
E. RESOLUTION 16-40-R: Requesting Permit from IDOT for Road Closures for
2016 Farmer’s Market (Gary Holm 4/6/16 COW 4/26/16 13/0) CS
F. RESOLUTION 16-43-R: Requesting Permit from IDOT for Road Closures for 2016
Triathlon (Gary Holm 4/12/16 COW 4/26/16 13/0) CS
May 2, 2016 Minutes of the Batavia City Council, Batavia, Illinois Page 1 of 4
G. RESOLUTION 16-35-R: A Resolution Approving IGA for Animal Control Services
with Kane County (Gary Schira 4/12/16 COW 4/26/16 13/0) GS
Motion by Ald. McFadden, seconded by Ald. Cerone, to approve the Consent Agenda as
presented. Motion Carried 12 yea/ 0 nay/ 2 absent
6. MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC: (For Items NOT on the Agenda)
Todd Zies, who is running for the Kane County Board District 10 seat, introduced himself to the
assembled.
7. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Holly Deitchman announced upcoming Chamber Events including a May 18th networking event
which is a par 3 challenge at the Mill Creek Golf Club that is free and open to the community at
large. The putts and pig golf classic will be on Monday June 6 at Eagle Brook Country Club. The
Chamber is producing the official city map.
Deitchman introduced Mary and Chris Ginder of Gindo’s Spice of Life. The couple started their
company in Los Angeles and are in 150 restaurants there. They have moved to be closer to
family and look forward to buying a house in Batavia, start manufacturing in the city, and
eventually open a restaurant here.
8. RESOLUTION 16-44-R: Authorizing Execution Of A Contract For The Execution of a
Contract with Geneva Construction Company of Aurora, Illinois for the Wilson Street
Sidewalk Construction Project in the amount of $41,000.00 (Tim Grimm 4/20/16 COW
4/26/16 13/0) CS
Ald. Wolff explained the sidewalk will be located on the north side of Wilson Street and is the
last missing piece of sidewalk between Kirk Road and downtown Batavia. A portion of the cost
for this project will be paid for by grant from Kane County and the City cost will be $15,000.
Ald. O’Brien thinks it is very good that this is being done to keep residents safe.
Ald. Wolff also noted the $41,000 plus the 5% contingency amount comes to $43,050.00.
Motion by Ald. Wolff, seconded by Ald. O’Brien to approve Resolution 16-44-R:
Authorizing Execution Of A Contract For The Execution of a Contract with Geneva
Construction Company of Aurora, Illinois for the Wilson Street Sidewalk Construction
Project for a not-to-exceed amount of $43,050.00. Motion carried 12 yea/ 0 nay / 2 absent
9. RESOLUTION 16-45-R: Authorizing the Execution of a Contract with Ehlers Inc. for
Economic Development Consulting Services: Reviewing Developer’s Proposal and Request
for Financial Assistance, in the amount of $12,500.00
(Chris Aiston 4/21/16 COW 4/26/16 14/0) GS
Ald. McFadden introduced the resolution and noted this was to hire a TIF consultant to review
the Blue Goose proposal. He thinks this is an important project for the City and must be done in
May 2, 2016 Minutes of the Batavia City Council, Batavia, Illinois Page 2 of 4
the most prudent fashion possible. He asked the city Economic Development Consultant Chris
Aiston to explain.
Aiston noted that an associate at Ehler’s had appeared before the Committee of the Whole with
their proposal. To determine if and how much financial assistance would be required to make the
redevelopment of Batavia Plaza as proposed by Blue Goose and BEI economically viable.
Ald. McFadden announced the cost will covered out of the funds available City economic
development professional service budget.
Ald. O’Brien reminded all that Ehler’s is in the business of representing municipalities in these
types of actions. He thinks the information will be important in making the right decisions.
Motion by Ald. McFadden, seconded by Ald. O’Brien, to approve Resolution 16-45-R:
Authorizing the Execution of a Contract with Ehlers Inc. for Economic Development
Consulting Services: Reviewing Developer’s Proposal and Request for Financial
Assistance, in the amount of $12,500.00. Motion carried 12 yea/ 0 nay/ 2 absent.
10. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – City Administrator Bill McGrath
The MetroWest drive down to Springfield is this weekend and Batavia will have the largest
contingent with 10 aldermen and the Mayor going to meet with leaders in the State Legislature.
May 21st is the River Clean Up people who are interested should bring gloves and garbage bags
and wear sturdy shoes
May 15-21 is Public Works Week. The Director of Public Works Gary Holm will be at the
library reading books and there will be a snowplow for the kids to inspect. Sign up at the library
The City met with the Park District and asked if it would be acceptable to have the Park Board in
on Tuesday May 31st to discuss future plans including the river and the Depot Museum.
There were no objections to the meeting date.
There are some inquiries about the Golden Corral. Suncast has filed the paperwork to put a
300,000 sq ft addition to their facility on Suncast Lane. This will increase manufacturing space.
The City met with MainStreet to discuss signage downtown branding and marketing. There will
be a discussion at the May 24 COW regarding the possibility of hiring a professional to help with
this.
11. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Community Development Committee- Ald. Brown
The Committee of the Whole meeting for May 3 has been canceled as many of the aldermen will
be in Springfield. The Community Development Committee meet in the Committee of the Whole
May 2, 2016 Minutes of the Batavia City Council, Batavia, Illinois Page 3 of 4
on May 10. The Plan Commission will meet on May 4. Historic Preservation Committee will
meet May 9.
Government Services Committee- Ald. McFadden
The Government Services Committee will meet in the Committee of the Whole May 10.
City Services Committee – Ald. Wolff
The City Services Committee will meet in the Committee of the Whole on May 10.
Public Utilities – Ald. O’Brien
The Public Utilities Committee will meet in the Committee of the Whole on May10.
Ald. Atac entered the meeting at 8:03 thus making 13 of 14 aldermen present.
12. OTHER BUSINESS
Ald. Callahan announced there is much interest in the Soapbox race being planned for June 12 at
3 p.m.
There is another event planned for June 14 from 7-9 p.m. that will include the Air Force Band
and a Luminaria display. The Committee of the Whole will be cancelled for that night.
Ald. Stark thanked the community and announced $259.15 was donated during the loyalty day
parade. Volunteers will be needed to work the parking lots and take collections on the 4th of July.
13. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor reminded the Council that on May 13 and May 18 the Council will meet to interview
the candidates for the position of City Administrator. All this will be done in executive session.
Next Monday morning at 10 am will be a gathering of the staff and friends of Valley Sheltered
Workshop for a recommittal of the facility and recap of the their first 50 years.
14. CLOSED SESSION: 8:16 -9:17
a. Acquisition of Real Property
b. Personnel
Motion by Ald. Brown, seconded by Ald. Hohmann, to enter into Closed Session to discuss
Acquisition of Real Property and Personnel. Motion carried 12 yea/ 1 nay (Wolff)/ 1 absent.
All those who entered into Closed Session returned to Regular Session.
15. ADJOURNMENT 9:17 p.m.
Motion to adjourn by Ald. Brown, seconded by Ald. O’Brien, motion passed by voice vote.
Minutes prepared and submitted by,
Heidi Wetzel
City Clerk
May 2, 2016 Minutes of the Batavia City Council, Batavia, Illinois Page 4 of 4
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