City of Batavia City Council Met April 5.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Schielke at 7:31 p.m.
2. INVOCATION followed by PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Schielke offered a brief invocation. Ald. O’Brien led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ROLL CALL
13 of 14 aldermen were present at roll call.
Aldermen (by ward) in attendance in person: Jennifer Baerren (1), Michael O’Brien (1) and Michael Russotto (6)
The following aldermen attended via the internet: Alan Wolff (2), Martin Callahan (2), Dan Chanzit (3), Elliot Meitzler (3), Joe Knopp (4), Tony Malay (4), Abby Beck (5), Mark Uher (5), Nicholas Cerone (6) and Drew McFadden (7)
Absent: Keenan Miller (7)
Also attending were the following:
In person:
City Clerk Ellen Posledni
City Administrator Laura Newman
City Attorney Roman Seckel
Public Works Director Gary Holm
Via internet:
Community and Economic Development Director Scott Buening
Police Chief Dan Eul
Fire Chief Randy Deicke
Finance Director Peggy Colby
Assistant City Administrator Anthony Isom
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 for February 3, 2021
B. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes for February 8, 2021
C. December 2020 City Council Financial Report
Approvals:
D. March 19, 2021 Payroll $915,648.24 and April 2, 2021 Payroll $961,938.09
E. Accounts Payable Check Register $4,701,628.23
F. City Council Minutes for March 15, 2021
G. 2020 Budget Amendment and Reconciliation Report
H. APPROVAL: COW Executive Session Minutes for January 12, 2021, February 2, 2021 and February 9, 2021
I. RESOLUTION 21-027-R: Authorizing Execution of a One-Year Renewable Contract With Shamrock Hardscapes & Restoration, Inc. for 2021 West Side Property Maintenance (SH 3/11/21 COW 3/16/21 11/0) CS
J. RESOLUTION 21-028-R: Approve Execution of Contract with Hoerr Construction Inc. for Sanitary & Storm Sewer Pipe Lining (JPB 3/17/2021 COW 3/23/21 11/0)
K. RESOLUTION 21-029-R: Consideration of an Application for Grant Funds Offered through the City’s Downtown Signage Assistance Program to Light & Pine Collective 222 E. Wilson Street in the Amount of $995.34 (SB 3/30/21 COW 3/30/21 11/0) CD
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.
Ald. Beck left the meeting at 7:36 p.m.
8. APPROVAL: Class B1 (Package Sales) Liquor License Application for AA Suman, Inc., d/b/a R & S Liquors – 415 E. Wilson Street (DME 3/24/21 COW 3/30/21 11/0) Ald. Chanzit introduced the item regarding a request for a new liquor license. The request comes as the result of the purchase of the business. Police completed a background check and have no concerns.
Motion by Ald. Chanzit, seconded by Ald. Russotto, to approve the item as presented. Motion carried 12 yea/ 0 nay/ 2 absent
Ald. Beck returned to the meeting at 7:42 p.m.
9. APPOINTMENT: Reappoint Nancy Vance to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners (JEM 3/23/21)
Mayor Schielke requested that Nancy Vance be reappointed as a commissioner. She has served in this role for several years and is highly respected.
Motion by Ald. O’Brien, seconded by Ald. Russotto, to approve the appointment as requested. Motion carried 13 yea/ 0 nay/ 1 absent
10. PRESENTATION: Fox Valley Food for Health – Zac Cesario
Zac Cesario from Fox Valley Food for Health shared an overview of the organization, which promotes nutrition through educating teens and serving healthy, locally sourced food to people having a health crisis. The organization maintains an organic garden at Mooseheart, where they teach volunteers about sustainable farming. Some produce is donated back to Mooseheart and some used in the meals prepared for delivery.
The organization prepares food in a kitchen at Kane County Fairgrounds. They have 15 to 20 volunteers per shift, with four shifts per day. They have about 200 volunteers a week. Teen chefs prepare meals and get nutrition education in the process. The program has been a great way to get teens together in a safe environment during the pandemic, when many teens have felt isolated.
Food is prepared using local, seasonal ingredients purchased from local sources. Six meals are delivered weekly to each recipient. Meals are delivered across the Fox Valley. In 2020, 297 people were served by 75 teen chefs; 17,064 meals were delivered for free. Fifty-seven Batavians received 3,106 meals, and 11 teens from Batavia volunteer for the program. Batavia is the highest-served community.
The program closed for two weeks at the start of the pandemic. It has gotten overwhelming support and has expanded client criteria to help more people during the pandemic. They continue to expand into underserved communities in Aurora and Elgin. They are searching for a new property to build their own kitchen.
Mayor Schielke thanked Mr. Cesario for the good work the organization is doing for Batavia.
Ald. O’Brien noted his wife works at Moosheart and has praised the program and the healthy food the kids are getting.
The organization is online at fvffh.org. The site includes an intake form for clients and information about volunteering.
11. PROCLAMATION: National Library Week
Batavia Public Library Executive Director George Scheetz shared that the theme for National Library Week this year is Welcome to Your Library. The library is happy to be welcoming patrons back after pandemic limitations were lifted. He said Batavia has always been very supportive of the library.
Anthony Isom played a video montage of library staff reading the proclamation. Mayor Schielke presented a framed proclamation to Mr. Scheetz and board president Jo Ann Smith.
12. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
President and CEO Margaret Perreault said the chamber continues to support its members and economic vitality in Batavia. They remain in touch with government officials and the Kane County Department of Health to keep businesses up to date. Three new funding programs for businesses are included in the new stimulus bill, and the Paycheck Protection Program has been extended to May 31.
Restaurant Madness is now over.
Applications are due at the end of the month for four chamber scholarships for Batavia High School students.
Several new businesses have joined the chamber.
Chamber Bucks are still available.
The chamber continues to offer webinars to support businesses navigating the pandemic.
Upcoming events:
• April 13, 11:30: Women in Business webinar
• April 14, 8 am: BC2 breakfast networking
• April 21, 9 am: Rebuild and Reenergize series
• May 20, 6 pm: Inspire celebration, register now
• May 25, 11:30 am: 47th annual golf outing, register online
Jane Johnson from The Landings, a new senior living community in Batavia that opened March 22, addressed the council. The address is 2450 W. Wilson St. The community opened with 35 deposits, although only 10 were expected. Most people are coming from a five-mile radius. They expect to employ more than 200 people when full. The community will house four restaurants, not yet open to the public although they may do that in the future.
Administrator Newman noted that The Landings have been wonderful partners, from the builder to the staff and executive director. They have already become part of the community. A full mural inside the building represents Batavia’s history.
Mayor Schielke noted this is a wonderful community and thanked Ms. Johnson for bringing it to Batavia.
13. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Administrator Newman said there is no COW meeting tomorrow.
The PPS Department set up outdoor dining areas today in preparation for outdoor activities downtown.
Temporary daytime closures will be done on Main Street to allow work to be finished. Planning is underway for phase two of the wastewater treatment plant upgrade.
Staff met with IDOT last week to discuss their request to make River St. one-way. For approval, the city would need to do additional engineering, so the plan is to move ahead with shutting down the street.
Staff is meeting with Batavia Park District and Hitchcock Group on the river Master Plan. Residents will be surveyed regarding riverfront usage and what they hope to see along the river.
14. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Ald. Callahan reported that the Plan Commission will discuss a building on Pearson, and next week the COW will discuss signage in the DMU district.
Ald. Wolff said brush pickup starts this week on the east side. The schedule is on the city website.
15. OTHER BUSINESS
Ald. Wolff shared that BHS football beat Geneva 42-0 last week. This Friday, they play Wheaton-Warrenville South. Next week, they will be at Glenbard North, and then the 23rd or 24th they will play at Northern Illinois University against Wheaton North.
16. MAYOR’S REPORT
The mayor noted that everyone wants to know if the July 4 fireworks show will happen this year. He is hopeful there will be a show, and funding from last year is available. The Citywide Garage Sale is a fundraiser for the show, and it is happening this year on April 30 and May 1. Maps will be available at the city and other sites around town. Almost 40 people have already signed up to participate.
The legality of whether new council members can be sworn in online or if they need to be in person is being explored by the city attorney.
17. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Ald. O’Brien, seconded by Ald. Russotto, to adjourn. Motion carried by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.
http://www.cityofbatavia.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_04052021-1705
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