Kane County Reporter

City of Batavia Committee of the Whole met Aug. 27

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Chair Wolff called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.

1. Roll Call

Present: Barazza, Lanci, Beck, Pieper, Malone, Solfa, Wolff, Ajazi (remotely), Malay, Cerone, Vogelsinger

Absent: Baerren, Uher, Leman

Also Present: Mayor Schielke; Chief Craig Hanson, Batavia Fire Department; Rahat Bari, City Engineer; Steve Allen P.E., Electric Superintendent and Peter Gerardi, Recording Secretary.

2. Reminder: Please speak directly into the mic

3. Items Removed/Added/Changed

None

4. Matters from the public (not on the agenda)

None

Ald. Leman arrived at 7:02PM

5. 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 “package” 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 2024-111-R: Accepting a Utility Easement at Wind Point Shopping Center - 201 to 491 North Randall Road (ZE 8/22/24) CS

b. Resolution 2024-113-R: Microsoft Subscription Renewal (HC)

c. Resolution 2024-119-R: Approving a contract with Michael’s Signs, Inc. for the 2024 City Entrance Sign Project in the amount of $59,100.00 (GH 8/22/24) CS

d. Resolution 2024-112-R: Approving Contract with Dahme Mechanical for Nitrification/Blower Upgrades for $65,000 (ZB 8/07/24) PU

e. Resolution 2024-110-R: Accepting the Public Improvements at 1459 Louis Bork Drive (CB 8/12/24) CS

f. Resolution 2024-117-R: Acceptance of all public improvements and authorize the City Engineer to release the Letter of Credit for Public Improvements at Tanglewood Subdivision Unit 5 (RB 8/22/23) CS

g. Resolution 2024-118-R: Authorizing an agreement with Transystems to provide construction engineering Services for IL 31/Batavia Ave Restricting project for an amount not to exceed $45,000 (RB 8/22/23) CS

h. Resolution 2024-114-R: Authorize to Enter Master Services Agreement with BHMG Engineers, Inc. to provide Professional Engineering Services (SA 8/22/24) PU

i. Resolution 2024-115-R: Authorize Task Order #1 with BHMG Engineers, Inc for Engineering Services for 34kV Pole Replacement (SA 8/22/24) PU

Motion: To approve the Consent Agenda

Maker: Beck

Second: Malay

Voice Vote: 12-0, motion carried.

Ald. Wolff noted one correction in item g of the consent agenda. It should say “Restriping” instead of “Restricting”.

6. Project Status

Max Weiss noted that September is emergency preparedness month. He noted that the City received a verbal IDOT permit to move forward on the Route 31 Road Diet and that the procuring steps are being taken. Weiss mentioned the work of two members of the Fire Department for their work on scene at the Democratic National Convention. Ald. Lanci asked how the Road Diet project would be executed in terms of removal. City Engineer Bari explained that the existing pavement markings would be removed by water blasting and that the project would be done in sections or phases. He said the contractor will use temporary striping to change it from 4 lanes to 3 lanes. 

Ald. Leman asked about bollards at the intersection of First and Water Streets. Bari noted the bollards have been ordered but there is a delay in that order.

Ald. Uher arrived at 7:15PM

7. Other: Ald. Beck requested a future discussion regarding a process matter involving planting and removal of plants in the Fox River. She mentioned that the environmental commission planted some 700 water willows in the river and it took 60 hours to do the work and noted that they have since been cut down twice. She noted that work took place on a gravel pile that was generated by a mistake in the past when engineers organized the last bridge reconstruction, leaving in place one of the supports that eventually crumbled and created a rocky island. Mayor Schielke said he ordered the plants cut and took responsibility. He said there were a number of utility pipes in the same area and that Northern Illinois Gas expressed their concern to him about the rocky island over their pipe. He said the island collects debris and has become a trash heap that needs to be cleaned up from time to time. Ald. Wolff mentioned his concern that the City is spending money on something that others are changing - a plan which was previously approved and paid for by the City. There seemed to be a consensus about the need for a maintenance plan for the area and better communication for items like this.

8. Adjournment

There being no other business to discuss, Chair Wolff asked for a motion to adjourn. There was a motion by Ald. Solfa and a second by Ald. Malay. By a voice vote, all were in favor and the motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30PM. 

https://www.bataviail.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08272024-2306