City of Batavia City Council met Nov. 21.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
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 Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm.
2. INVOCATION followed by PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Alderman Miller led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ROLL CALL
Aldermen in attendance at roll: Miller (7), Russotto (6), Beck (5), Connelly (4), Chanzit (3), Wolff (2), Solfa (1), Baerren (1), Leman (2), Ajazi (3), Malay (4), Uher (5), Cerone (6), Vogelsinger (7)
Attending remotely: Russotto, Chanzit, Baerren, Ajazi
4. REMINDER: Please Speak Into The Microphone For BATV Recording
5. ITEMS REMOVED/ADDED/CHANGED
6. CONSENT AGENDA
Accept and Place on File:
A. Building Reports October 2022
B. Committee of the Whole Minutes October 11, 2022 and October 25, 2022
C. Historic Preservation Commission October 24, 2022
Approvals:
D. November 11, 2022 Payroll $1,032,664.78
E. Accounts Payable Check Register $3,639,077.57
F. City Council Minutes for November 7, 2022
G. RESOLUTION 22-112-R: Accepting a Deed for Lands in and Adjacent to the Winding Creek Development off McKee Street (SCB 11/3/22 COW 11/15/22 12/0) CD
H. ORDINANCE 22-61: Proposing the Disconnection of Property from Special Service Area Number 11 (SB 11/10/22 COW 11/15/22 12/0) CD
I. ORDINANCE 22-55: Grant of Modification from the City Code (Mobile Home Parks Title 3, Chapter 9) American Mobile Homes Communities, LLC Applicant (2 Oak Terrace Court) (DMR 11/9/22 COW 11/15/22 12/0) CD
J. RESOLUTION 22-110-R: Approving Authorization to bind insurance for Property, Liability and Workers Compensation (PC 11/9/22 COW 11/15/22 12/0) GS
Ald. Chanzit read aloud the Consent Agenda.
Motion by Ald. Chanzit, seconded by Ald. Solfa, to approve the consent agenda. Motion carried 14 yea/ 0 nay/ 0 absent.
7. MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC: (For Items NOT On The Agenda) None seen.
8. OATH OF OFFICE: Deputy Chief John Lucas, Deputy Chief John Kessler, Battalion Chief Robert Hogan And Lieutenant Cale Loebbaka (CH 11/16/22 And 11/17/22)
Chief Hanson introduced four members of the Batavia Fire Department who have been awarded promotions. Mayor Schielke administered the Oath of Office to Deputy Chief Lucas, Deputy Chief Kessler, Battalion Chief Hogan, and Lieutenant Loebbaka.
9. PROCLAMATION: Small Business Saturday
Ald. Chanzit read aloud the proclamation. Mayor Schielke encouraged the council to approve the proclamation.
Motion by Ald. Chanzit, seconded by Ald. Solfa, to approve the proclamation. Motion carried 14 yea/ 0 nay/ 0 absent.
10. MAINSTREET MINUTE
Batavia MainStreet Assistant Director Kristen Desler presented a report on the recent and upcoming activities of Batavia MainStreet.
11. RESOLUTION 22-101-R: Awarding Façade Improvement Grant To Batavia Enterprises (BEI) For 2-8 W. Wilson St. (AI 11/15/22 COW 11/15/22 11/0) CD
Ald. Leman left the meeting at 8:06 PM.
Motion by Ald. Wolf , seconded by Ald. Solfa, to approve the resolution. Motion carried 13 yea/ 0 nay/ 1 absent.
12. ORDINANCE 22-60: An Ordinance Amending Ordinances Adopted By The City Council Of The City Of Batavia, Kane And DuPage Counties, Illinois, Authorizing And Providing For The Issue Of Sewer Revenue Bonds (IEPA) Of Said City (PC 11/9/22 COW 11/15/22 12/0) GS
Ald. Leman returned to the meeting at 8:08.
Motion by Ald. Chanzit, seconded by Ald. Wolf , to approve the ordinance. Motion carried 14 yea/ 0 nay/ 0 absent.
13. ORDINANCE 22-59: An Ordinance Amending The Municipal Code Of The City Of Batavia By Adding A New Chapter 5D To Title 3 Implementing A Retail Single-Use Bag Program (LN 11/10/22 COW 11/15/22 11/0) GS
Ald. Uher left the meeting at 8:11 PM.
Administrator Newman read aloud a communication from resident Yvonne Dinwiddie in opposition to the proposed ordinance.
Rob Hollis rose to raise questions and concerns about the objectives and goals of the ordinance. Ald. Wolff responded to the questions based on his understanding of the program. Hollis asked why there are so many exclusions if the goal is to significantly reduce or eliminate bag use. Ald. Beck replied that the ordinance follows other models that have provided a positive impact. Discussion ensued.
Mayor Schielke suggested that the ordinance progress should be reviewed in six months to assess progress.
Ald. Cerone suggested that a county-wide fee would be helpful in protecting Batavia businesses.
Ald. Connelly reiterated that he has concerns about the ordinance.
Ald. Leman stated that she viewed the ordinance as encouragement to change daily consumer habits.
Carolyn Burnham from the Batavia Environmental Commission addressed the council in support of the ordinance. She suggested that forming strong habits with the biggest businesses will help to reduce bag consumption in smaller businesses as well. She reported that other communities and businesses have had success with ordinances like this. Her research found that a 10 cent fee was enough incentive to change habits without being too onerous for consumers. She emphasized that the BEC is strongly interested in collecting quality data to determine if the ordinance is effective.
Ald. Chanzit commented that changing behaviors takes time and that he was pleased with the leadership role the council was taking by proposing the ordinance.
Ald. Miller spoke to say that he has heard from many residents who both support and oppose the ordinance and is looking forward to seeing the data in July to assess how the program is working.
Ald. Beck thanked the Environmental Commission for their guidance in this project. She clarified that the members working on it are experts in this field and their efforts go beyond just a passion project.
Ald. Solfa stated that he supported the education process, but not the fee.
Mayor Schielke asked if there were measures in place to begin the educational component. Administrator Newman responded that there is a firm under contract to begin this work.
Ald. Malay stated that there is evidence that the fee works to change behavior.
Motion by Ald. Beck, seconded by Ald. Vogelsinger, to approve the ordinance. Motion carried 10 yea/ 3 nay/ 1 absent.
14. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
Ald. Uher returned to the meeting at 8:58 PM.
Administrator Newman delivered her report. Review recording for comments in full.
15. OTHER BUSINESS
Ald. Wolff reminded the council that the Championship game for the Batavia High School Football Team is coming up Saturday at 4:00 PM.
16. MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Schielke delivered his report. Review recording for comments in full.
17. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Setting The Price Of Land For Sale
Motion by Ald. Wolf , seconded by Ald. Connelly, to enter an Executive Session. Motion carried 14 yea/ 0 nay/ 0 absent. Executive session commenced at 9:12 p.m.
Mayor Schielke closed the executive session and returned to regular session at 9:20 pm.
18. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Ald. Wolf , seconded by Ald. Solfa, to adjourn. Motion carried by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 9:21 pm.
http://www.cityofbatavia.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11212022-2021
Alerts Sign-up