Kane County Reporter

City of Batavia City Council met July 1

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER

The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.

2. INVOCATION followed by PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Ald. Wolff 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), Leman (2), Ajazi (3), Malay (4), Uher (5), Cerone (6), Vogelsinger (7).

Attending remotely: Beck

4. REMINDER: Please Speak Into The Microphone For BATV Recording

5. ITEMS REMOVED/ADDED/CHANGED

Mayor Schielke requested the addition of an Executive Session to discuss the purchase of property.

Motion by Ald. Vogelsinger, seconded by Ald. Malay, to approve the amended agenda.

Motion carried 13 yea/ 0 nay/ 1 absent.

6. CONSENT AGENDA

Accept and Place on File:

A. Committee of the Whole Minutes June 11, 2024

B. Plan Commission Minutes June 5, 2024

C. Historical Preservation Minutes March 25, 2024

Approvals:

D. June 21, 2024 Payroll $1,018,391.16

E. Accounts Payable Check Register $5,406,761.13

F. City Council Minutes June 17, 2024

G. RESOLUTION 2024-094-R: Authorizing Execution of the Notice of Award for the 2023/2024 Lead and Galvanized Steel Water Service Line Replacement Project to Five Star Energy Services, LLC (JPB 6/19/2024 COW 6/25/24 9/0)

H. RESOLUTION 2024-095-R: Approving a Contract with Electric Conduit Construction to Perform 15kV Underground Circuit Installation at 2349 Main Street (TF 6/20/2024 COW 6/25/24 9/0) PU

I. ORDINANCE 2024-048: Conditional Use for Motor Vehicle Sales & Leasing, New & Used – Internet Based in the GI General Industrial District (ZE 6/20/2024 COW 6/25/24 9/0) CD

J. ORDINANCE 2024-049: Conditional Use for Towing Services Establishment in the GI General Industrial District (ZE 6/20/2024 COW 6/25/24 9/0) CD

K. APPROVAL: City Council Executive Session Minutes for June 3, 2024 – Purchase of Real Estate

L. APPROVAL: City Council Executive Session Minutes for June 17, 2024 - Personnel

M. APPROVAL: EPA MOA for Kane County Coalition

Ald. Beck read aloud the Consent Agenda.

Motion by Ald. Beck, 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)

Jean Stone, Client Intake Specialist on behalf of the Congregational Church of Batavia rose to address the Council. She spoke about the Administer Justice Legal Aid Clinic hosted at the church. The clinics are available to any person with a legal problem, whether or not they are members of the church or Christians. Stone spoke about the process of working with Administer Justice.

8. SWEARING IN: Battalion Chief Casey Balsitis

Chief Hanson introduced Casey Balsitis to the Council to be sworn in as Battalion Chief.

Mayor Schielke administered the Oath of Office. Battalion Chief Balsitis introduced his family and offered his gratitude.

9. SWEARING IN: Lieutenant Richard MacDonald

Chief Hanson introduced Richard MacDonald to the Council to be sworn in as Lieutenant. Mayor Schielke administered the Oath of Office. Lieutenant MacDonald introduced his family and offered his gratitude.

Ald. Vogelsinger left the meeting at 7:27 p.m.

10. REAPPOINTMENT: Tom LaLonde And Tom Gosselin To The Plan

Commission For A 3-Year Term Expiring June 1, 2027

Mayor Schielke requested approval for the reappointment of Tom LaLonde and Tom Gosselin to the Plan Commission.

Motion by Ald. Wolf , seconded by Ald. Solfa, to approve the reappointment. Motion carried 12 yea/ 0 nay/ 2 absent.

11. RESOLUTION 2024-099-R: Authorizing The City Administrator To Award

Grants For Flood Recovery (MW)

Alderman Vogelsinger returned to the meeting at 7:28 p.m.

City Administrator Newman presented the Resolution to the Council. Ald. Wolff asked if the financing of these grants would affect the insurance recovery for the affected businesses.

Ald. Cerone asked if there would be limits to flood incident recovery support.

Administrator Newman commented that there are areas of the City that are known to be prone to flooding but that this damage might have been affected by the City construction in the area. Investigation into the causes are ongoing.

Ald. Leman asked if this kind of event might reoccur given the construction in the area.

Newman replied that the contractor has made changes that will hopefully prevent the damage from recurring in case of a future storm event.

Ald. Baerren asked about the financial health of the funds. Administrator Newman said that the most general funds would be used first, with the TIF 3 fund as a last option.

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

12. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

President Margaret Perreault delivered her report on the recent and upcoming activities of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce. Four additional Chamber members have recently completed the Grow Your Business Scholarship. Please review the recording for comments in full. Perreault introduced her guest, Richard Clark of Area Code Audio.

Richard Clark addressed the Council and spoke about the work he does with Area Code

Audio, a professional podcast consulting and production agency.

Ald. Chanzit arrived at 7:46 p.m.

13. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

Administrator Newman delivered her report on the recent and upcoming initiatives of the City of Batavia. Paving on South Water Street has been completed. With the completed purchase of 916 First Street to be the new home of the Food Pantry, renovation work will begin to take place with a hopeful move-in later this year. She showcased the City’s webpage that includes maps that residents may find useful and helpful. Maps include information about Capital Improvement projects, Development projects, public art locations, refuse and recycling schedules, and Ward maps.

Ald. Baerren asked if the fencing change this year for River Rhapsody is working.

Administrator Newman responded that it seems to be working. Ald. Baerren commented that it would be helpful to have some signage restricting the alcohol to certain areas, as is done for businesses on River Street.

Please review the recording for comments in full.

14. OTHER BUSINESS

Ald. Chanzit addressed the Council with his resignation. He spoke about his experience and service as Alderman over the last years. Please review the recording for comments in full. Mayor Schielke thanked Ald. Chanzit for his years of dedicated service.

Administrator Newman invited Ald. Chanzit to return to the next City Council Meeting to be recognized for his service.

15. MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Schielke delivered his report. He said that Batavia and the larger TriCities area is gaining quite a lot of population and experiencing growth.

Please view the recording for comments in full.

16. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Purchase of Property (8:14 pm)

Motion by Ald. Solfa, seconded by Ald. Wolf , to enter Executive Session. Motion carried

14 yea/ 0 nay/ 0 absent.

17. ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Ald. Wolf , seconded by Ald. Chanzit, to adjourn. Motion carried by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.

https://www.bataviail.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07012024-2280