Kane County Reporter

City of Batavia City Council met Oct. 21

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER

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

2. INVOCATION followed by PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Ald. Barraza led the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. ROLL CALL

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

Attending remotely: Uher

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. Committee of the Whole Minutes September 24, 2024

B. Plan Commission Minutes August 7, 2024, September 18, 2024 and October 2, 2024

C. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes August 26, 2024

D. Building Reports September 2024

E. August Financial Reports

Approvals:

F. October 11, 2024 Payroll $1,029,630.89

G. Accounts Payable Check Register $6,819,790.34

H. City Council Minutes October 7, 2024

I. APPROVAL: 2025 Meeting Calendar

J. RESOLUTION 2024-133-R: Accepting a Public Utility Easement at 1150 McKee Street (RB 10/11/2024 COW 10/15/24 12/0) PU

K. RESOLUTION 2024-132-R: Accepting a Public Utility Easement at 1320 Hart Rd (RB 10/11/24 COW 10/15/24 12/0) PU

L. RESOLUTION 2024-130-R: Authorizing Software License and Services Agreement. (HC 10/11/24 COW 10/15/24 13/0) GS

M. RESOLUTION 2024-131-R: Confirming Appointment of Director and Alternate to the Board of the Northern Illinois Municipal Power Agency (GH 10/09/24 COW 10/15/2024 13/0) PU

N. RESOLUTION 2024-127-R: Authorizing the Fire Chief to execute a contract with Fire Service, Inc. in the amount not to exceed $2,060,390 for a Tower Aerial Ladder (CH 10/15/24 COW 10/15/24 13/0) GS

O. RESOLUTION 2024-129-R: Authorizing Approval of Plat of Easement for 550 N Randall Road (TG 10/3/24 COW 10/15/24 13/0) CS

P. ORDINANCE 2024-064: 2025 Wages & Salaries Non-Collective Bargaining Employees (WB 10/22/24 COW 10/15/24 13/0) GS

Q. APPROVAL: COW Executive Session Minutes

a. July 23, 2024 – Contracts Relating to the Purchase, Sale or Delivery of Electricity

b. July 30, 2024 – Decision on 3rd Ward Alderman Appointment

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)

none seen

8. PRESENTATION: Update on the Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehabilitation Project – Scott Trotter, Trotter & Associates

Scott Trotter rose to address the Council. He presented a report on the progress of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehabilitation Project. Water Street work is almost complete, which will conclude most of the offsite work. The UV equipment is one of the most important components of the project, and its installation is on schedule. By schedule, the project is about 40% complete, no change orders have been requested, and the project is on time. Mayor Schielke asked where funding for this project is coming from. Mr. Trotter responded that roughly 50% of the project will be funded by the federal government, 50% by the State of Illinois. Mayor Schielke commended Mr. Trotter for his work on this project, which represents a model facility for others in the state. For more information about the project, residents can visit bataviail.gov.

Ald. Vogelsinger arrived at 7:08 pm.

9. MAINSTREET MINUTE

Director Beth Walker delivered her report on the recent and upcoming activities of Batavia MainStreet. BatFest will take place on October 26th. Residents and visitors are encouraged to visit Downtown Batavia to take part in holiday festivities. Holiday Sneak Peek on November 7th will offer retailers downtown the opportunity to showcase their stock in advance of the holiday gift giving season. The Illinois MainStreet conference will take place in Batavia, November 12th-14th.

10. PUBLIC HEARING: 7:35 PM – Establishing Special Service Area Number 71 – Ashton Ridge Subdivision

Mayor Schielke opened the special Public Hearing at 7:35 pm. Scott Buening addressed the council to present the establishment of a Special Service Area to create a backup fund for subdivision maintenance in the case of neglect.

Ald. Malone asked for clarification on the conditions under which the SSA would activate. Buening clarified that the SSA would activate in the unlikely event of a neglectful Home Owners Association that did not maintain the property of the subdivision in accordance with City Code.

Seeing no other speakers, Mayor Scheilke closed the public hearing at 7:43 pm.

11. ORDINANCE 2024-063: Establishing Special Service Area 71 (Ashton Ridge - SSA 71) (ZE 10/10/24 COW 10/15/24 12/0 ) CD

Motion by Ald. Wolf , seconded by Ald. Solfa, to approve the ordinance. Motion carried

14 yea/ 0 nay/ 1 absent.

12. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

Administrator Newman delivered her report on the recent and upcoming initiatives of the City of Batavia. Leaf collection season started this week and will continue through November 25th, as weather permits. She encouraged residents to keep leaf piles six feet back from the curb to keep the roads clear. Please be aware of sewer grates and keep them clear to prevent flooding.

Bids are expected to open for the build out of the new Batavia Food Pantry and Clothes Closet in January 2025, with construction completed in Spring, 2025. The 2024 Toy Drive distribution will take place at the new First Street facility.

The new fire engine will be delivered to the Fire Department in early November. City staff has found that the new EV vehicles have greatly reduced fuel consumption.

Scott Buening also mentioned that there will be an open house for South River Street Corridor Plan on October 24th, at 6:00 pm.

Early voting is now taking place at the City Government Center.

Ald. Lanci asked for an update on the Road Diet. Questions have been raised as to why in Batavia the road merges to the center of the road, rather than from the left to the right, as in Geneva. Administrator Newman explained that based on the measurements of the road, this layout was most favored by IDOT. Striping was completed on Sunday, pavement markers, crosswalks, and street signs are still forthcoming. Mayor Schielke remarked that residents have generally been complimentary of the new system.

Ald. Uher noted that he has observed traffic traveling much more safely and slowly on 31.

13. OTHER BUSINESS

None seen.

14. MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Schielke delivered his report. He spoke about the early voting process. He spoke about the activities of the Batavia Police and Fire Departments, including response to the recent hurricanes.

15. ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Ald. Solfa, seconded by Ald. Wolf , to adjourn. Motion carried by voice vote.

The meeting adjourned at 7:48 p.m.

https://www.bataviail.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10212024-2329