Kane County Reporter

City of Batavia City Council met March 3

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. Malay led the Pledge of Allegiance

3. ROLL CALL

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

Aldermen not in attendance at roll: Vogelsinger (3)*

*Ald. Vogelsinger entered the meeting at 7:04 p.m.

4. REMINDER: Please speak into the microphone for BATV recording

5. ITEMS REMOVED/ADDED/CHANGED

None

6. CONSENT AGENDA

Ald. Beck read aloud the Consent Agenda

Accept and Place on File:

A. Committee of the Whole Minutes February 11, 2025

Approvals:

B. February 28, 2025 Payroll $1,073,792.57

C. Accounts Payable Check Register $3,187,395.76

D. City Council Minutes for February 17, 2025

E. APPROVAL: City Council Executive Session Minutes for January 21, 2025 – Purchase of Real Estate

F. RESOLUTION 2025-032-R: Authorizing the Mayor to Execute a Mutual Release of Claims with Vega Building Maintenance for Termination of Renewable Contract (SH 02/19/25 COW 2/25/25 12/0) CS

G. ORDINANCE 2025-012: Annexing Property at 02S690 South Raddant Road (SCB 2/3/25 COW 2/25/25 12/0) CD

H. MOTION TO APPROVE of a Request for Proposals for Removal and Relocation of the Tin Shop Building at 106 N River Street (SCB 2/18/25 COW 2/25/25 12/0) CD

I. MOTION TO APPROVE of a Request for Proposals for Demolition, Backfill, Grading and Seeding of the Tin Shop Building Site at 106 N River Street (SCB 2/18/25 COW 2/25/25 13/0) CD

J. RESOLUTION 2025-030-R: Authorizing purchase of Software Server Licenses from SHI International (HC 02/14/2025 COW 2/25/25 12/0)

K. ORDINANCE 2025-015: Amending 2025 Wage and Salary Ordinance for Non-Collective Bargained Employees PW Changes (WB 2/25/25 COW 2/25/25 14/0)

Motion by Ald. Beck , seconded by Ald. Solfa, to approve the consent agenda. Motion carried 14 yea/ 0 nay/ 0 absent

7. MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC: (For Items NOT on the Agenda)

None

8. APPROVAL: Class B-1 Liquor License for Krishuda Ohm LLC d/b/a Windmill Food, Wine and Spirits – 336 E. Wilson Street, Owners Mehul Patel and Ashik Patel Mayor Schielke noted that this item involves the building on the southwest corner of Wilson Street and Prairie Street. Mehul Patel made a brief presentation indicating he owns two other liquor stores. Patel noted this will be a convenience store to help the community and that he will use his own money on the property to make it nice and professional. Ald. Piepar asked where the other stores are located. Patel noted both stores are on the northside in Chicago.

Motion by Ald. Solfa, seconded by Ald. Vogelsinger, to approve the application. Motion carried 14 yea/ 0 nay/ 0 absent

9. PRESENTATION: BATAC Quarterly Update

Regan Boll gave a brief presentation noting a complete turnover of new Commission members recently. He noted the Commission’s work with Public Works on the bike friendly community application which has to be renewed every few years and on the pedestrian camera monitor system. Boll noted that mobile units have now been obtained and the Commission will be reviewing where in the City to focus those efforts. Ald. Baerren asked about the height of the cameras and potentially using QR codes on signs so residents can learn about projects. Gary Holm noted the monitors are at a height where people can be counted noting these are counting devices intended to provide data to support projects in the City. Holm indicated a hesitancy to use QR codes because they can be altered. Ald. Uher indicated it would be nice to see conversations from the Commission around other forms of transportation. Boll noted that the Commission looks at it all. Ald. Malone asked what kind of granularity is obtained by the devices. Holm noted these are directed toward pedestrian pathways and would not distinguish between a bike and an e-bike going the same speed.

10 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

President Margaret Perreault gave an update noting the winners of the various annual awards. She noted a new initiative called Chamber Eats which will support and promote area restaurants each month. Perreault added that there are four (4) $1,000 scholarship opportunities that run through March 28th for BHS seniors. She welcomed 3 new members to the Chamber and highlighted some upcoming events. Perreault introduced Andrew Schones of Both and Pictures. He made a presentation on what his business does including video production.

11 PROCLAMATION: Women’s History Month

Ald. Beck read the proclamation.

Motion by Ald. Beck, seconded by Ald. Leman to approve the Resolution. Motion carried 14 yea/0 nay/ 0 absent

Club members came up to the podium to receive a framed copy of the proclamation and take a picture with the Mayor. Member Cynthia Kieckhefer made an acceptance speech on behalf of the club.

12 RESOLUTION 2025-029-R: Authorizing Approval for Police Authorized Tow Contracts (EB2/25/25 COW 2/25/25 12/1) CS

Ald. Wolff noted that with this item the City would add a fourth towing company to the rotation.

Motion by Ald. Wolf , seconded by Ald. Lanci to approve the Resolution. Motion carried 13 yea/ 1 nay/ 0 absent

13 RESOLUTION 2025-033-R: Authorizing Approval of a Budget Amendment in the amount of $113,507.00 from the Public Works Capital Fleet Budget (SH 2/19/25 COW 2/25/25 12/0) CS

Ald. Wolff indicated this money was not spent last year and is a carry over to buy a truck chassis which became available this year.

Motion by Ald. Wolf , seconded by Ald. Solfa to approve the Resolution. Motion carried 14 yea/ 0 nay/ 0 absent

14 RESOLUTION 2025-034-R: Authorization to Purchase of one truck chassis from Rush Truck Center of Springfield, IL (SH 2/19/25 COW 2/25/25 12/0) CS

Ald. Wolff indicated this item is for the truck chassis alone noting the body will be separate.

Motion by Ald. Wolf , seconded by Ald. Solfa to approve the Resolution. Motion carried 14 yea/ 0 nay/ 0 absent

15 RESOLUTION 2025-038-R: Authorizing Execution of a Site Host Agreement with Batavia Public Schools for Level 3 EV Fast Chargers (MW 2/21/25 COW 2/25/25 14/0)

Ald. Wolff mentioned that this item is funded through a grant for the installation and maintenance of EV charging stations to be located at the High School.

Motion by Ald. Wolf , seconded by Ald. Beck to approve the Resolution. Motion carried 14 yea/ 0 nay/ 0 absent

16 ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

City Administrator Laura Newman delivered her report to the City Council indicating that 35 City employees participated in a meeting hosted by the Kane County Office of Emergency Management to update the City’s emergency management plan to provide essential services. She also noted that a grant application was submitted to the State Office of the Fire Marshall for fire station upgrades. Newman added that additional signage has been installed on Route 31 as part of the Road Diet project to inform people that the center lane is for turning maneuvers only.

17 OTHER BUSINESS

Ald. Beck mentioned that applications are available until March 10th for the American Walks Walking College program to make communities more walkable. Ald. Baerren noted that non profits receiving City money should be on a non partisan basis referring to a recent email from Batavia MainStreet. Ald. Wolff explained that the weekly newsletter included content about a political candidate. Ald. Baerren added that a council member should be on the board of any organization that receives City money. City Attorney Seckel noted that this seemed unintentional from what was reviewed and added that other questions may need to be addressed but from the City’s perspective there is nothing inherently wrong to worry about but is more of a policy matter. Ald Solfa added that the email appeared to be a direct promotion of a candidate. Ald. Leman indicated she is a member of the MainStreet board and there was no intention behind the posting nor an endorsement of a candidate but are working on a policy to address the matter.

18. MAYOR’S REPORT

The Mayor noted a recent text scam regarding paying late fees supposedly sent from the Illinois Tollway. He indicated its important to safeguard personal information online especially for the senior citizen communities in the City.

19. ADJOURNMENT

There was a motion and a second to adjourn the meeting and by voice vote the motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m.

https://www.bataviail.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03032025-2386