Batavia Illinois – The 5th Ward

Women’s history month proclamation, hybrid police vehicles, strategic plan updates, new plaza downtown, we’re making a trip down to Springfield, and more!

Call to Order and Opening Remarks

• The Mayor called the regular meeting of the Batavia City Council to order on March 2, 2026.
  
• An invocation was provided, focusing on gratitude for the community’s strength and asking for guidance during troubling global times.
  
• An Alderperson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
  
• The City Clerk called the roll, confirming that 11 of 14 Alderpersons were present, successfully establishing a quorum.
  
• The Mayor reminded attendees to speak directly into their microphones to ensure the broadcast audience could hear them clearly.
  

Consent Agenda

• The council reviewed the consent agenda, which included past meeting minutes, payroll, accounts payable, and several resolutions.
  
• Notable items included a waterworks master plan update, a downtown improvement grant for a local property group, and a landscaping contract.
  
• One Alderperson explicitly praised the downtown improvement grant, noting that upgrading the building’s electrical system shows dedication to local businesses and tenants.
  
• The consent agenda was approved unanimously by the attending Alderpersons.
  

Chamber of Commerce Update

• The Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce presented an update on community engagement and business support.
  
• The Chamber is hosting a daily “Pot of Gold” raffle throughout March to fund four $1,000 high school scholarships.
  
• Local businesses are engaged in a friendly competition to sell the most raffle tickets.
  
• The annual Inspire celebration is scheduled for April 23rd, which will honor the 2025 Citizen of the Year, alongside various local businesses that have invested heavily in the city.
  
• The Chamber recently hosted successful networking events, including a multi-chamber winter mixer and women-in-business gatherings.
  
• A local psychotherapy business founder and a clinical colleague were introduced as new Chamber members.
  
• The founder explained their business name was inspired by a famous astronomer’s reflection on a photograph of Earth, emphasizing that every individual’s story matters.
  
• The clinical colleague shared that their clinic offers mental health services in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and aims to support diverse professionals and families moving to the area.
  

Women’s History Month Proclamation

• An Alderperson read a formal proclamation declaring March as Women’s History Month.
  
• The proclamation highlighted the historical contributions of several pioneering local women, including early female physicians, a medical technician who contributed to the Manhattan Project, and the founder of a local school for exceptional children.
  
• It also recognized the 2025 Citizen of the Year for her decades of leadership as an educator and volunteer.
  
• The document celebrated that women currently hold five seats on the City Council and lead half of the city’s departments.
  
• The proclamation was unanimously approved by the council and personally presented to the 2025 Citizen of the Year, who expressed gratitude on behalf of all the hardworking women in the community.

River Street Plaza Site Work

• The council reviewed a resolution to execute a contract with a construction firm to build the River Street Plaza.
  
• The project will feature a pre-made, self-cleaning public restroom, benches, and a garden.
  
• The chosen contractor was the lowest responsible bidder and has experience in neighboring communities.
  
• The council unanimously approved the resolution to move forward with the site work.
  

Strategic Plan Update

• A City Official provided a first-quarter update on the strategic plan, noting that the city is nearing the halfway point of the initiative.
  
• Completed Milestones: The city successfully constructed the River Street accessible ramp, supported a 72-unit affordable workforce housing complex, digitized over a thousand boxes of files, and launched a new website.
  
• Technology & Operations: Field staff are now utilizing mobile devices for work orders and GIS mapping, and the IT department successfully integrated new e-ticketing software.
  
• Public Safety & Infrastructure: The city has shifted toward hybrid fleet vehicles, is ahead of schedule on replacing lead service lines, and is actively hiring additional police officers and firefighters.
  
• Upcoming Initiatives: The new budget funds a downtown parking study, a building condition survey, body cameras with AI transcription for police, and a community engagement intern.
  
• An Alderperson inquired about how often the public-facing strategic plan dashboard is updated, and the official clarified that it is updated regularly based on individual project reporting cadences.
  

City Administrator’s Report

• The City Administrator announced a new “Building a Better Batavia” signage program to inform the public about ongoing infrastructure projects, starting with the new restroom plaza.
  
• City IT staff were publicly praised for successfully integrating the police department’s e-ticketing system, saving the city significant money.
  
• GIS staff recently completed boundary surveys essential for accurate census counting, ensuring the city receives appropriate state and federal per-capita funding.
  
• Decorative lights on North River Street trees will temporarily be removed so the trees can be pruned before the summer outdoor season begins.
  
• A new School Resource Officer has been selected and will cross-train with the outgoing officer before taking over full-time in the fall of 2026.
  

Mayor’s Report

• The Mayor shared that the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning will hold a regional meeting at City Hall on May 12th.
  
• The agency chose the city to showcase its successfully renovated downtown, accessible facilities, and public spaces as a model for other suburbs.
  
• The Mayor expressed strong opposition to a recent proposal by the state Governor that would allow the state to override local municipal zoning laws, potentially permitting unwanted high-density housing.
  
• A legislative trip to Springfield is being organized to present unified opposition alongside other municipalities.
  
• Finally, the Mayor suggested collaborating with the Park District to install lighting on the south side of the island so it is visible at night from the Wilson Street Bridge.
  

Executive Session

• The meeting concluded with a unanimous roll call vote to move into an executive session.

Author: Jim Fahrenbach