City of Batavia Committee of the Whole met Nov. 16
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
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
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Schielke at 7:30 p.m. The meeting was held remotely on GoToWebinar due to restrictions in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. INVOCATION followed by PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Schielke offered a brief invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ROLL CALL
13 of 14 aldermen were present at roll call.
Aldermen (by ward) in attendance: Jennifer Baerren (1), Michael O’Brien (1), Martin Callahan (2), Elliot Meitzler (3), Dan Chanzit (3), Tony Malay (4), Joe Knopp (4), Abby Beck (5), Mark Uher (5), Michael Russotto (6), Nicholas Cerone (6), Keenan Miller (7) and Drew McFadden (7) Absent: Alan Wolff (2)
Also attending were the following:
City Clerk, Ellen Posledni
City Attorney, Roman Seckel
City Administrator, Laura Newman
Public Works Director, Gary Holm
Information Systems Director, Howard Chason
4. REMINDER: Please speak into the microphone
Mayor Schielke reminded everyone to use their microphones.
5. ITEMS REMOVED/ADDED/CHANGED
None.
6. CONSENT AGENDA
Ald. Chanzit read the Consent Agenda as follows.
Accept and Place on File:
A. Plan Commission Minutes August 19, 2020
B. Building Reports October 2020
Approvals:
C. November 13, 2020 Payroll $985,902.20
D. Accounts Payable Check Register $1,630,500.26
E. September 2020 City Council Financial Report
F. RESOLUTION 20-126-R: Authorization to Bind Insurance (PC 11/13/20 COW 11/10/20 13/0) GS
G. RESOLUTION 20-127-R: Authorizing Execution of Task Order # 23 with Engineering Enterprises, Inc. for Professional Services/Bidding & Construction Engineering related to the Water Treatment Plant No. 1 & 2 Rehabilitation (JB 11/06/20 COW 11/10/20 12/0) PU
Motion by Ald. Chanzit, seconded by Ald. Knopp, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried 13 yea/ 0 nay/ 1 absent.
7. MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC: (For Items NOT on the Agenda) None.
8. PRESENTATION: Batavia Toy Drive – Brittany Bailey
Ms. Bailey reported that the number of families that will be served by the ACCESS Toy Drive this year continues to rise. So far, more than 75 families have signed up with more than two weeks left to sign up. She noted that no family will be turned away. This year, only new toys will be accepted for donation due to the pandemic. Toys will be distributed December 13. Volunteers will personally “shop” for families based on each child’s list of interests, and gifts will then be delivered to the family outside. Each child will receive a toy, hat, gloves, book, puzzle, game and some stocking stuffers. The biggest needs are for boys 6 to 12 years old and teens.
Mayor Schielke thanked the Bailey and Dubis families for their continued commitment to this event, now in its 70th year. It has been ongoing since 1950, started by Bud Richter, former Fire Chief in Batavia.
9. MAINSTREET
Executive Director Beth Walker said MainStreet continues to help businesses, and is setting up an online directory to downtown businesses. They are hosting an event with the Chamber of Commerce to help businesses set up e-commerce for safe shopping during the pandemic. The owners of Heart and Hammer and Six+Cypress will share tips.
The Home for the Holidays promotion through December 18 will encourage local shopping with a drawing for a prize package.
Mayor Schielke thanked Ms. Walker for MainStreet’s efforts, noting a lot of new businesses are moving downtown with a lot of local support.
10. APPROVAL: Waive Formal Bidding to Award Copier Contract to Gordon Flesch (HC)
Ald. Chanzit introduced the item regarding waiving formal bidding. The city has an aging fleet of copiers, and the city can take advantage of increased reliability and lower service cost by replacing the copiers.
Motion by Ald. Chanzit, seconded by Ald. Malay, to approve the item as presented. Motion carried 13 yea/ 0 nay/ 1 absent.
11. RESOLUTION 20-129-R: Approve Copier Refresh Contract with Gordon Flesch for an Amount Not to Exceed $82,963.75 (HC 11/06/20 COW 11/10/20 13/0) GS
Motion by Ald. Chanzit, seconded by Ald. Malay, to approve the item as presented. Motion carried 13 yea/ 0 nay/ 1 absent.
12. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Administrator Newman shared that Heart and Hammer was highlighted in the Illinois Made Program through the Chicago Board of Tourism, and was written up with 30 other small businesses in Chicago Magazine.
Beardsgaard was featured in a story about companies following COVID-19 safety protocols. Tax levy ordinances will be on tomorrow night’s COW agenda.
Last week, a Community Development employee tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, the department is closed until November 24. Some staff are working remotely. Applications for permits can be left in the drop box at City Hall. Permit applications can also be submitted online, or you can call to talk to someone on the phone.
For the Area 3 sewer separation project, asphalt is done but landscaping may not be finished until next spring.
Electric crews are starting to put up holiday decorations. There may be a delay in the area of Main Street and First Street due to construction.
Bids for reconstruction of the Paramount substation have been received and will be considered in December.
Ald. Beck asked if the Batavia Reconnected Committee is going to meet again regarding remaining grant funds. Administrator Newman said about $50,000 in grant funds remain. There are currently no plans to meet to discuss a winter program, but they may survey businesses regarding funds they need. The county has grants available for $10,000 and $20,000.
Ald. Beck asked if there is any update on placing a bike rack in front of Limestone. Administrator Newman noted that some protection needs to be in place for people who will be removing their bikes from the rack on Wilson Street. She added that winter is a good time to discuss parklets, which would run May through October, so they could be removed for snow removal.
Mayor Schielke asked about the timing of opening Main Street. Administrator Newman said the No. 1 priority is getting down as much binder course as possible. They are hoping to open four lanes if not at least three on Rt. 31. Public Works Director Gary Holm said the goal is to get to Van Nortwick, noting that if the asphalt isn’t down by Thanksgiving, it won’t be down until spring. Mayor Schielke asked if the mild winter might be helpful. Director Holm said concrete work has been delayed. He said the asphalt needs to get down first, and then they can return to concrete. He said the goal is to open three lanes for the winter.
Ald. O’Brien asked if asphalt plants may stay open longer due to the mild weather. Director Holm said there is a lack of projects right now and they are only staying open now because of Batavia’s project.
Mayor Schielke said he appreciates the dialog and the fact that staff is on top of project timelines. He is sensitive to businesses in the area that are under stress due to the construction. He is excited about new businesses coming to town. Discussions are ongoing about which streets to shut down next year. He said Fermilab employees and visitors enjoy coming into town for the variety of restaurants.
13. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Ald. Chanzit said the COW will discuss the budget and setting the tax rate for cannabis.
14. OTHER BUSINESS
Ald. Cerone said some residents are launching a friendly competition called We Side With Batavia Restaurants to encourage patronizing Batavia restaurants. The promotion will kick off next week.
Ald. Chanzit said each year former Ald. Brown would note the importance of Toy Drive donations. Ald. Chanzit said in previous years, he has committed one month of his city stipend to donate to the Toy Drive, and he challenged his fellow Council members to do the same.
15. MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Schielke said he and several local mayors have contacted Gov. Pritzker to request reopening of restaurants with additional safety protocols in place: temperature checks, wearing of masks except while eating and drinking, maintaining social distance, and asking bars and restaurants to collect patrons’ names, email addresses, phone numbers and time of their arrival/departure to aid in contact tracing should a COVID-19 infection be connected to the establishment. He said the idea was well received, and other mayors in the area have tried similar ideas. He said restrictions on restaurants have been problematic for business owners and residents.
Mayor Schielke noted that the city has acquired an inventory of face masks, so anyone who needs masks can get them from the city at no charge.
16. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Ald. O’Brien, seconded by Ald. Malay, to adjourn. Motion carried by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm.
https://www.cityofbatavia.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11162020-1643
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