City of Batavia Committee of the Whole met July 25.
Here are 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. They 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. They may not reference some of the individual attendee’s comments, nor the complete comments if referenced.
Chair Chanzit called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.
1. Roll Call
Present: Miller, Lanci, Beck, Pieper, Chanzit, Solfa, Wolff, Baerren, Ajazi, Malay, Uher, Cerone, Vogelsinger.
Absent: Leman*
Also Present: Mayor Schielke; Chief Craig Hanson, Batavia Fire Department; Laura Newman, City Administrator; Anthony Islom, Community Development Manager; Gary Holm, Director of Public Works; Drew Rackow, Planning and Zoning Officer; Jeff Albertson, Building Commissioner; and Ellyn Theis, Recording Secretary.
*Ald. Leman entered at 7:05pm
2. Reminder: Please speak directly into the mic
3. Approve minutes for May 27th, 2023
Motion: To approve minutes
Maker: Solfa
Second: Malay
Roll Call Vote:
Aye: Miller, Lanci, Beck, Pieper, Chanzit, Solfa, Wolff, Baerren, Leman, Ajazi, Malay, Uher, Cerone, Vogelsinger.
Nay:
13-0, 1 absent, motion carried.
4. Items Removed/Added/Changed
Move item 14 Resolution 23-099R to 11A
Motion: To approve amended agenda
Maker: Solfa
Second: Malay
Roll Call Vote:
Aye: Miller, Lanci, Beck, Pieper, Chanzit, Solfa, Wolff, Baerren, Ajazi, Malay, Uher, Cerone, Vogelsinger.
Nay:
13-0, 1 absent, motion carried.
5. Matters from the public (not on the agenda)
None
6. Consent Agenda:
(The consent agenda is made up of items recommended by city staff that require recommendation to the full City Council by the CoW. This agenda is placed as a separate item of the CoW agenda. The items on the consent agenda are usually minor items, already budgeted, standard non-policy activities or outgrowths of earlier meetings and are voted on as a “packed” in the interest of saving time on non-controversial issues. However, any council member may, by simple request, have an item removed and placed on the regular agenda.)
a. Resolution 23-095-R: Authorizing Execution of a Contract with Western Specialty Contractors for the River Street Parking Structure 2023 Maintenance Repairs for an Amount Not to Exceed $117,600.00 which includes 10 percent contingency amount. (CB 7/18/23) CS
b. Resolution 23-096-R: Approving a construction contract with Surface Construction to install decorative crosswalks on Island Ave and Wilson Street for an amount not to exceed 54,656 which includes 10 percent contingency amount (RB 7/19/2023) CS
c. Resolution 23-097-R: Approving a License agreement with Batavia Park District for reconstruction of Main Street and ongoing maintenance, repair and replacement along Engstrom Park (RB 7/19/2023) CS
d. Resolution 23-098-R: Approving a License agreement with Batavia Park District to improve the access Apron at the southeast corner of Main Street and Millview intersection (RB 7/19/2023) CS
e. Resolution 23-94-R: Approving Contract for Northeast and Southeast Substation Maintenance (SA 7/19/23) PU
f. Approval: Class F Liquor License – Batavia Main Street – Dinner Table Event Sunday, August 13, 2023 (SM)
Motion: To approve Consent Agenda as presented
Maker: Chanzit
Second: Solfa
Roll Call Vote:
Aye: Miller, Lanci, Beck, Pieper, Chanzit, Solfa, Wolff, Baerren, Leman, Ajazi, Malay, Uher, Cerone, Vogelsinger.
Nay:
14-0, absent, motion carried.
7. Resolution 23-086-R: Approving A Façade Improvement Grant To Grainology Brewstillery 131 Flinn St. (AI 7/25/23) CD
Anthony Islom presented a facade improvement grant for Grainology Brewstillery in the amount of $5,000. This grant will be used to help with the construction of an ADA compliant ramp to replace two concrete steps, a north window with an exterior door, and to rework a steel man door to make it ADA compliant. Total investment will be $24,021.
Motion: To approve resolution grant as presented
Maker: Solfa
Second: Leman
Roll Call Vote:
Aye: Miller, Lanci, Beck, Pieper, Chanzit, Solfa, Wolff, Baerren, Leman, Ajazi, Malay, Uher, Cerone, Vogelsinger.
Nay:
14-0, motion carried.
8. Resolution 23-087-R: Approving a Downtown Improvement Grant to Grainology Brewstillery - 131 Flinn Street (AI 7/25/23) C
Downtown improvement grant not to exceed $25,000. This grant will be used for the installation of new electrical, water and HVAC services to transform the current office and warehouse to a newly constructed brewery, distillery and taproom. Total investment of $347,000 will be put into the building.
Motion: To approve resolution as presented
Maker: Solfa
Second: Leman
Roll Call Vote:
Aye: Miller, Lanci, Beck, Pieper, Chanzit, Solfa, Wolff, Baerren, Leman, Ajazi, Malay, Uher, Cerone, Vogelsinger.
Nay:
14-0, motion carried.
9. Ordinance 23-34: Amending Variance Application Fees and Permit Fees (SCB 7/11/23) CD
Drew Rackow presented an amendment that would increase standard residence variance fees from $200 to $750 which would be in line with other variance fees. Included in the report are a selection of other municipalities and fees for several variance types. Ald. Pieper asked about adopting the escrow style of variance fee structure to provide a wider cost range. Rakow replied that the current practice is that for things covered by escrow, the city typically bills after the fact to the applicant. Ald. Malay asked how many applicants have been received at the $200 rate, to which Rakow replied there are typically under 5 residential applicants yearly.
Motion: Table until permit processing study is completed
Maker: Malay
Second: Vogelsinger
Roll Call Vote:
Aye: Miller, Lanci, Beck, Pieper, Solfa, Wolff, Leman, Ajazi, Malay, Uher, Cerone, Vogelsinger.
Nay: Baerren, Chanzit
12-2, motion carried.
10.Resolution 23-100-R: Authorize Budget Amendment For The Community And Economic Development Department (SB 7/21/23) CD
Laura Newman presented a budget amendment in the amount of $45,000 for the permit study and $80,000 for a property acquisition. Finance department has reviewed and determined that sufficient funds exist.
Motion: To approve amendment as presented
Maker: Leman
Second: Uher
Roll Call Vote:
Aye: Miller, Lanci, Beck, Pieper, Chanzit, Solfa, Wolff, Baerren, Leman, Ajazi, Malay, Uher, Cerone, Vogelsinger.
Nay:
14-0, motion carried.
11. Ordinance 23-37: Establishing a six month moratorium on the acceptance and processing of certain building and zoning applications for the LI - Light Industrial and GI - General Industrial properties in the SRS - South River Street Gateway Overlay District in place of the truck regulations (DR 7/21/23) CD
Proposed temporary six month moratorium regarding issuance of permits for building additions of greater than 1,000sqft. The city has budgeted for study of the South River Street corridor. There was a public hearing held with the plan commission on June 21st where several members of the public spoke regarding the proposed moratorium impact to 400 South River Street. Attorney Kate McCraken, who represents the property owner, Martin Farm, is asking for the exemption of one property that is actually under contract. It has been executed by the purchaser, the listing agreement for this property was executed in December of 2022.
Motion: To recommend to council without exemption
Maker: Uher
Second: Vogelsinger
Roll Call Vote:
Aye: Miller, Beck, Pieper, Wolff, Leman, Malay, Uher, Vogelsinger
Nay: Lanci, Chanzit, Solfa, Baerren, Ajazi, Cerone
8-6, motion carried.
12. Resolution 23-099-R: A resolution supporting a design concept for configuration of the River and Depot Pond in the event of removal of the Batavia Dam (LN 7/20/23) GS
Option “A”, at $4.5 million, creates a berm from the end of Duck Island over to the west bank of the river, including a pump system to draw in water. Option “B”, at $14.5 million, includes a rock weir that starts at 6ft and diverts the water to maintain the level in the pond.
Chair Chanzit opened the item up for public discussion.
Nancy Bell of 206 N Water Street asks if the council has considered if they might need more than just the pump and if the pond will be equipped with aeration outlets as well as fountains to maintain the water quality. The enclosed pond would also require periodic water treatment from spring through fall.
Rex Zimmerman of 300 N Water notes that crossing the bridge at Fabyan to be a visual experience.
Ray of 132 Water St is an engineer of 50 years and has a background in financing. KISS- no moving parts. In favor of option B
Motion: To move forward with option “B” design concept
Maker: Uher
Second: Malay
Aye: Lanci, Chanzit, Wolff, Leman, Malay, Uher, Cerone, Vogelsinge
Nay: Miller, Beck, Pieper, Solfa, Baerren, Ajazi
8-6, motion carried.
13. Discussion: Newspaper Boy Alleyway Arch Project
Gary Holm provided an update on the Newspaper Boy Alleyway Arch. The last discussion council had decided on a concept and then received direction to construct a wooden mockup. The wooden mockup was in place for about a month with a purpose to identify any potential conflicts with vehicles. Over the course of the month, the water and sewer crews tried to get the vac truck into the alleyway and they discovered that the north support post was in conflict with the vehicle overhang for the truck.
14.Discussion: Electrification Of Public Works Fleet
Several fleet vehicles could be candidates for the conversion to electric vehicles including pickup trucks, small SUVs and a minivan. The reason they haven’t been replaced yet is due to the pandemic, leading to a supply chain limited inventory issue. Available inventory has been at a high cost, so fleet replacement has been held off. State of IL 21-23 has also canceled large portions of purchasing contracts. Ald. Wolff is in favor of replacing any city vehicle with EV alternatives.
15.Project Status
Laura Newman informed the council that the Community Economic Staff participated in an EV readiness program. Through the metropolitan mayors’ caucus, this will be a program similar to the bicycle friendly community program, but related more to EV readiness. Scott Beuning was involved in the program checklist development, so this should help our qualification for certification.
Ald. Beck and Laura Newman are both involved in the regional Kane County Climate Action Team to create a draft climate implementation plan. The goal is to complete the draft plan by January 2024.
Speed Awareness day is set for Wednesday, July 26th. Our Police Department is joining agencies from 11 other states with the national transportation highway administration regions 5 and 7. The Police Department will be publishing a media release and making
the public aware of this effort and the continued trend of speeding and hazardous moving violations that we continue to see throughout the country.
Public works have continued improvements on the west side of the Government center. A roadway will be resurfaced and the sidewalks and curbs will be replaced.
In early August, staff will be meeting with OSHA officials as part of a voluntary compliance program to have them evaluate our facilities and assist us with safety awareness and training.
In finance, with direction received from council, an account has been set up to restrict the use of the Bag Fee revenue and funds will only be released for spending upon City Council approval.
16. Other
Ald. Malay has been hearing that there has been paramedic service staffing difficulty, and asks if there has been staffing conflicts in Batavia. Laura Newman confirms that indeed there has been trouble with staffing, which is something that has been happening industry-wide. Ald. Malay pointed out that in an other town, the contract that they had with PSI has been breached and they've canceled the contract. Ald. Malay has pointed out in the past that this is an urgent issue and requests again that it is on the next meeting to have a discussion. Laura Newman confirmed it will be on the agenda on August 8th. Malay in agreement. PSI could be considered to be in breach as of Sunday due to lack of staffing, but it is technically a breach contract with Tri City Ambulance, not the City of Batavia specifically. Ald. Lanci notes that perhaps it might be time to consider shopping for new contracts. Chair Chanzit notes that in general, PSI has served the city well.
17.Adjournment
With no further matters to discuss, Chair Chanzit adjourned the meeting.
Motion: To adjourn
Maker: Chanzit
Second: Solfa
Aye:Miller, Lanci, Beck, Pieper, Chanzit, Solfa, Wolff, Baerren, Ajazi, Malay, Uher, Cerone, Vogelsinger.
Nay:
14-0, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:30pm.
https://www.bataviail.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07252023-2131
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