City of Batavia City Council met Nov. 4.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Schielke at 7:30 p.m.
2. INVOCATION followed by PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Schielke offered a brief invocation. Ald. Malay led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ROLL CALL
12 of 14 aldermen were present.
Aldermen (by ward): Michael O’Brien (1), Scott Salvati (1), Martin Callahan (2), Alan Wolff (2), Elliot Meitzler (3), Tony Malay (4), Joe Knopp (4), Mark Uher (5), Abby Beck (5), Michael Russotto (6), Drew McFadden (7) and Keenan Miller (7) were present. Dan Chanzit (3) and Nicholas Cerone (6) were absent.
Also present were BATV and members of the press, public and the following:
City Attorney Roman Seckel
City Clerk Ellen Posledni
City Administrator Laura Newman
Fire Chief Randy Deicke
Police Chief Dan Eul
4. REMINDER: Please speak into the microphone for BATV recording
Mayor Schielke reminded all in attendance to use the microphones.
5. ITEMS REMOVED/ADDED/CHANGED
None.
6. CONSENT AGENDA
Ald. McFadden read the Consent Agenda as follows:
Accept and Place on File:
A. Committee of the Whole Minutes for October 1, 2019
Approvals:
B. November 1, 2019 Payroll $938,517.97
C. Accounts Payable Check Register $1,259,874.62
D. City Council Minutes for October 21, 2019
E. ORDINANCE 19-67: Amending the Text of the Zoning Code (DMR 10/24/19 COW 10/29/19 13/0) CD
F. RESOLUTION 19-113-R: Authorizing payment of $27,110.21 to Illinois Municipal Broadband Association for City’s Dues (RB 10/25/19 COW 10/29/19 13/0) PU
Motion by Ald. McFadden, seconded by Ald. Uher, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried 12 yea/ 0 nay/ 2 absent.
7. MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC: (For Items NOT on the Agenda) None
8. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Chamber President and CEO Margaret Perreault announced that eight new members joined the Chamber today in time for the deadline to appear in the upcoming print directory. She shared several upcoming events:
- The Mayor’s Breakfast is this week at the Lincoln Inn at 7:30 a.m. They expect 170 attendees.
- On Wednesday is a forum for not-for-profit organizations. About 10 local directors get together for brainstorming and advice.
- November 11 is a ribbon-cutting for Waveform, Patrick Moynihan’s business.
- November 13 is the morning networking group at 7:30 am at Comfort Inn and Suites. Also on November 13 is a Small Business Information Forum with MainStreet.
- November 14 at the Batavia Public Library is a census meeting featuring a panel of organizations to discuss how to reach all residents in the community during the census.
- November 16-17 is a Shop Local event: Every $10 purchase earns a raffle ticket, which can be used to enter a drawing for a prize from K. Hollis.
- November 20 at 8 a.m. is a Valley Industrial event focused on attracting and recruiting qualified associates. Also on November 20 is a networking luncheon featuring 13 area chambers. At 5-7 p.m. that evening is Network-It at El Taco Grande.
- January 23 is the Inspire Awards from 6 to 9 p.m. Ole Awards will be given to outstanding businesses, including a new Green Business Ole Award in conjunction with the Batavia Environmental Commission. This even also features the Citizen of the Year Award. Nominations will be accepted through November 14.
The Chamber is doing a fundraiser selling miniature replicas of Batavia buildings. The first in the “Holiday Village Collection” is the Batavia United Methodist Church. A new building will be available each year. Next year will feature the Depot Museum.
Ms. Perreault introduced the owners of Limestone Coffee and Tea who took over the business in October 2018. The company has been in Batavia for 10 years and at its current location at 8 West Wilson Street for five years. They are open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (hoping to extend to 5 p.m. soon); Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Mayor Schielke noted that he has heard multiple compliments about the company recently and praised it for good food, drinks and conversation.
9. PRESENTATION: Halloween Hooligans Fundraiser and Batavia Arts Council – Julane Sullivan
Julane Sullivan, president of Batavia Arts Council, offered background on the council and noted that the group has given $25,000 in scholarships and grants that have benefited many local organizations, including Water Street Studios, Docs on the Fox, BHS drama/art/music, and the Albright Theater. Their main fundraiser, Halloween Hooligans, recruits local notable residents to wear Halloween costumes based on contributions. Each Hooligan gets 20% of the funds raised to donate to their organization of choice. The winners get a bonus 10%. Ald. Wolff and his fellow BATV football commentator Dave Lundborg were the winners this year. They earned $646 for a BATV scholarship fund.
10. WATER STREET STUDIOS – Forgive Loan Year 10 (PLC 10/22/19 COW 10/29/19 13/0) GS
Administrator Newman noted that 10 years ago, the city gave Water Street Studios as forgivable loan contingent on 75% occupancy of space. There is now a waiting list for studio space. The organization has done a great job raising funds and winning grant money, and hosts Second Friday open houses. This is the 10th year of the loan.
Ald. Wolff said this is the best public-private partnership the city has entered into when you consider how many people are drawn into downtown Batavia by Water Street Studios. Ald. O’Brien agreed and said he is proud to have voted for this 10 years ago. He said it shows that Batavia is a society of culture. He added a thank you to BEI for their support of WSS as well.
Motion by Ald. Wolff, seconded by Ald. McFadden, to approve the loan forgiveness as presented. Motion carried 12 yea/ 0 nay/ 2 absent.
11. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT Administrator Newman shared several updates:
• City of Batavia glassware will be sold for the holidays, $20/4 glasses. They are available at the Depot Museum. Proceeds will be split between the Depot expansion project and the city’s windmill maintenance program.
• Staff is preparing for the Nov. 13 Small Business Information Forum to be held from 8 to 10 a.m. Breakfast is included and attendees can sign up on the Batavia MainStreet Facebook page. Thirty people have already registered. The forum will cover everything from starting with a great idea through ribbon-cutting, including resources, site selection, zoning permits and inspection.
• On Wednesday, Administrator Newman and Mayor Schielke will meet with Batavia Public Library Executive Director George Scheetz regarding an idea to place markers around the city noting the location and story behind historic events that have occurred in Batavia.
• In Community and Economic Development, two new members have joined the Historic Preservation Commission. Work continues on Windmill Landings. MetroNet permits are being reviewed; they are trying to finish their work by the end of the year.
• The city is considering creating an easy to read map of all downtown parking. It would be available online as well as in various areas downtown. Signage could be place in various parking lots so that if one lot is full, visitors would have an easy reference to find alternative parking.
• In Public Works, roadway construction continues in Area 3.
• Residents are asked to keep leaves in the parkway and out of the streets, covering sewers.
Both leaf collection and winter operations are ongoing.
• In November and December, the Batavia Police Department is bringing awareness to mental health and suicide prevention programs. They will be wearing pins on their uniforms and have made donations to various charities.
12. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Ald. Callahan shared several items to be on the Plan Commission agenda November 6.
Ald. Wolff reminded residents to keep streets and drains clear of leaves.
Ald. McFadden said the next COW will include budget talks, and next week’s COW will be a public hearing on the budget.
Ald. O’Brien saw the next COW will discuss equipment testing at the McKee substation.
13. OTHER BUSINESS
Ald. Wolff noted that Batavia High School won their first playoff game. The next game is Saturday at home against Hononegah. The state championship will be held at NIU again.
Ald. Meitzler said the Saturday before Thanksgiving is National Suicide Survivor’s Day. A local parent is looking to host an event that day, November 23. He asked a fellow council member to support his request to add this to the next Council agenda. Several agreed to do so. Mayor Schielke said that someone should come to the November 18 meeting to speak about the subject and event.
Ald. O’Brien commended the Batavia Police Department for their interactions with kids in Batavia on Halloween. Mayor Schielke said he hear rave reviews from people in all parts of town about the police efforts to connect with kids in the community.
14. MAYOR’S REPORT
Saturday was the 50th anniversary gala for the Batavia Park District. The Mayor shared the history of some of the people behind the Park District’s success. George Von Hoff was the recreation director. Patricia Berdebar was the first curator of the Depot Museum. Margie Clark was a secretary for the Park District and the glue that held it together.
The Braeburn Marsh behind Fabyan and Randall is almost 100 acres. Former Ald. Linnea Miller raised a concern years ago about the fire danger, so the developer built a raised walkway that would give firefighters easy access to find a fire. A tree came down on the walkway several weeks ago. The Mayor called the Kane County Forest Preserve and they responded within hours to clear the tree.
Saturday was the grand opening of Hearth and Hammer General in downtown Batavia. It is a candle-making shop in the alley across from Moss Funeral Home. Several other businesses are looking to open up downtown.
The Mayor was invited to attend a meeting with State Senator Dewitt at Nosh in Geneva this week but is unable to attend. A few aldermen volunteered to attend in his place.
15. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Ald. Callahan, seconded by Ald. Salvati, to adjourn. Motion carried by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m.
https://www.cityofbatavia.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11042019-1459
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