Kane County Reporter

City of Batavia City Council met Feb. 19

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER 

The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. 

2. INVOCATION followed by PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

Ald. Chanzit led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

3. ROLL CALL 

Aldermen in attendance at roll: Barraza (7), Lanci (6), Beck (5), Pieper (4), Wolff (2), Solfa (1), Bearren (1), Ajazi (3), Malay (4), Uher (5), Cerone (6), Vogelsinger (7). 

Attending remotely: Beck, Wolff 

4. REMINDER: Please Speak Into The Microphone For BATV Recording 5. ITEMS REMOVED/ADDED/CHANGED 

None seen 

6. CONSENT AGENDA 

Accept and Place on File: 

A. Plan Commission Minutes August 2, 2023, September 20, 2023 and October 4, 2024 

Approvals: 

B. February 16, 2024 Payroll $1,015,355.77 

C. Accounts Payable Check Register $4,641,634.56 

D. City Council Minutes February 5, 2024 

E. RESOLUTION 2024-023-R: Accepting a Grant of Easement for Cell Tower Access in the Winding Creek Development (SCB 2/5/24 COW 2/13/24 11/0) CD 

F. RESOLUTION 2024-024-R: Authorizing a contract with Raucci and Sullivan Strategies, LLC for governmental representation services. (MW 2/5/24 COW 2/13/24 11/0) CS 

G. RESOLUTION 2024-025-R: 2013 GO Bond Abatement IEPA Refunding (LP 2/6/24 cow 2/13/24 11/0) GS 

H. RESOLUTION 2024-026-R: 2015 GO Bond Abatement Electric 138kV (LP 2/6/24 COW 2/13/24 11/0) GS 

I. RESOLUTION 2024-027-R: 2017 GO Bond Abatement Drainage/Windows (LP 2/6/24 COW 2/13/24 11/0) GS 

J. RESOLUTION 2024-028-R: 2019 GO Bond Abatement Fire Stations (LP 2/6 24 COW 2/13/24 11/0) GS 

K. RESOLUTION 2024-029-R: 2020 GO Bond Abatement Water Mains (LP 2/6/24 COW 2/13/24 11/0) GS 

L. RESOLUTION 2024-020-R: Execution of a contract with Homer Tree Service for the Carriage Crest Detention Basin Tree Removal (AMP 1/30/24 COW 2/13/24 12/0) CS 

M. ORDINANCE 2024-016: Amendment to the Text of the Zoning Code - Mobile Home Park Regulations (DMR 2/8/23 COW 2/13/24 12/0) CD 

N. ORDINANCE 2024-017: Amending Title 3 of the City Code for Mobile Home Park Regulations (DMR 2/8/23 COW 12/13/24 12/0) CD 

O. RESOLUTION 2024-022-R: Acceptance of Notice of Decision for Carriage Crest Tree Preservation (ZE COW 2/13/24 12/0) CS 

P. ORDINANCE 2024-019: Variance for Fence Height - 1318 Aster Ct, 1320 Aster Ct, 1322 Aster Ct, 1338 Wintergreen Ter, 1339 Wintergreen Ter, 1321 Violet Ln, And 1329 Violet Ln (ZE 2/8/24 COW 2/13/24 12/0) CD 

Q. ORDINANCE 2024-020: Amendment to the Text of the Zoning Code- Chapter 2.3 (ZE 2/8/24 COW 2/13/24 12/0) CD 

R. ORDINANCE 2024-021: Amendment to the Official Zoning Map to add a Planned Development Overlay District. (ZE 2/8/2024 COW 2/13/24 12/0) CD S. RESOLUTION 2024-021-R: Approving Final Plat of Subdivision – Wind Point Shopping Center 201-491 North Randall Road (ZE 2/8/24 COW 2/13/24 12/0) CD 

T. APPROVAL: Class D1 Liquor License – Overflow 144 W. Wilson Street (SM) Ald. Chanzit read aloud the Consent Agenda. 

Motion by Ald. Chanzit, seconded by Ald. Solfa, to approve the consent agenda. Motion carried 13 yea/ 0 nay/ 1 absent. 

7. MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC: (For Items NOT On The Agenda) 

Bob Miquelon, Batavia resident, rose to address the Council. He recently attended a planning commission meeting to discuss the future of the “Batavia Center,” formerly the Sam’s Club property. He said he is concerned about the increased traffic that will accompany future development of the Winding Creek subdivision, and particularly people who will use the neighborhood roads to circumvent traveling on Randall Road. He suggested that at relevant intersections a “no through traffic” sign be added to deter cut through traffic. He also suggested that the workforce at the new Batavia Center development be encouraged to travel on Randall instead of neighborhood roads. 

He also suggested that the Environmental Committee use the money raised through the bag fee to purchase reusable bags to distribute to Batavia residents. 

8. OATH OF OFFICE: Probationary Police Officer Inan Macareno 

Chief Mazza introduced Inan Macareno to the Council and spoke to his special skills, training and other qualifications for the role of Probationary Police Officer. 

Mayor Schielke administered the Oath of Office to Officer Macareno. 

9. PRESENTATION: Donation To Batavia Post Prom Committee 

Mayor Schielke spoke about the history of the fundraising effort for the Post Prom event which used fines for non-compliance with liquor codes to provide safe and sober entertainment options after the High School Prom. 

Chief Mazza presented a $3,000 donation from the City to the representatives of the Post Prom Committee. 

10. PRESENTATION: Fermilab Year In Review – Britta McKenna 

Britta McKenna introduced Fermilab Director Lia Merminga. Merminga delivered a presentation on the highlights of the 2023 season at Fermilab. She noted that in 2023, the facility employed over 2,000 people and reached over 30,000 students through field trips and class visits. She announced that the Department of Energy will soon launch a new initiative to offer laboratory technician apprenticeships. She spoke about events at the facility, including the first family day since 2019. 

Merminga also spoke about the LBNF/DUNE project, the largest US scientific collaboration project, intended to unlock the mysteries of neutrinos. Construction on the near site here in Batavia is underway now. 

The DUNE collaboration involves countries, institutions, and scientists from around the world. This project marks the first time the CERN laboratory is contributing hardware to a project outside of Europe. In return Fermilab developed accelerator focusing magnets to improve the Large Hadron Collider at CERN and contribute to the study of the Higgs-Boson particle. 

Merminga also addressed improving access for the community to continue to develop the relationship between the City and the Lab. 

Ald. Chanzit asked what we can do in Batavia to help guarantee funding for Fermi now and into the future. Merminga responded that the Department of Energy is very committed to seeing through the neutrino project, and approved a funding profile that will allow for earlier completion than originally proposed to ensure competitiveness. She said that funding for research can vary from year to year and encouraged Batavia to advocate for the facility and to come and enjoy what the laboratory has to offer. 

Ald. Pieper inquired about the plans to build a hotel on site to house visiting scientists. Merminga responded that funding has been allocated by the state to develop this housing and is working on a wholistic vision for the facility and village. 

Please review the recording for comments in full. 

11. RECOGNITION: Mark Davis – ESDA (CH) 

Chief Hason introduced Mark Davis to the Council. He spoke about the work Davis has done to certify the city as a StormReady community by the National Weather Service. Davis spoke about the qualifications needed to qualify as a StormReady community. He noted that Severe Weather Preparedness week will be taking place March 4th-8th and encouraged Batavians to use the 7 minute siren on Tuesday, March 5th to review and practice their severe weather protocols. 

12. APPROVAL: Tree Commission Appointments 

Motion by Ald. Solfa, seconded by Ald. Malay, to approve the appointments. Motion carried 13 yea/ 0 nay/ 1 absent. 

13. MAINSTREET MINUTE 

Kristen Desler, of Batavia MainStreet delivered her report on the recent and upcoming events and activities of MainStreet. She spoke about the events planned for 2024, a new social media initiative called, “Then and Now,” the upcoming season for the Boardwalk Shops and the Farmer’s Market, and a recent promotion called, “For the Love of Local.” 

Please review the recording for comments in full. 

14. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT 

Administrator Newman delivered her report. She highlighted the work of Scott Hains to coordinate the renovation of the Government Center. Newman noted that access to public services was never restricted during the course of the work. 

She announced the institution of a new Alert Batavia Code Red system. Using this system Batavia Police, Fire and Public Works can alert Batavians immediately of public safety concerns. Newman encouraged residents to enroll for these alerts. 

Please review recordings for comments in full. 

15. OTHER BUSINESS 

None seen. 

16. MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Schielke delivered his report. He said that he and the Police Department will be working together to raise community awareness of fraud schemes targeting senior citizens. He will begin this initiative at the Holmstad facility and plans to visit all six senior living communities in Batavia. 

Please view the recording for comments in full. 

17. ADJOURNMENT 

Motion by Ald. Solfa, seconded by Ald. Lanci, to adjourn. Motion carried by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:18 pm. 

https://www.bataviail.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02192024-2216