Here’s a detailed breakdown of what went down at the Batavia City Council meeting on April 20, 2026. The night was packed with feel-good moments, including several public safety oaths and awards, an update on the downtown scene from Batavia Main Street, and a deep dive into the police department’s 2025 stats.
Opening and Consent Agenda
The meeting kicked off with standard opening procedures and quickly moved to approve a lengthy consent agenda. This allowed the council to efficiently pass several financial reports, lease agreements, and administrative resolutions in a single collective vote.
- The meeting was called to order on April 20, 2026, and began with a short invocation asking for guidance for the City Council and first responders, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Roll call confirmed that 14 alderpersons were present with none absent.
- The consent agenda passed unanimously, approving financial reports and accounts payable totals exceeding $3.2 million.
- Various resolutions were passed in the agenda, including an IT fiber lease agreement, contracts for waterworks system programs, a $637,913 payment for the police body-worn camera program, and late-night liquor licenses.
Police Department Oaths of Office
The Batavia Police Department welcomed two new probationary officers to help fill vacancies created by a recent authorized staffing increase. Both officers have local educational ties and campus safety backgrounds, and they were officially sworn in surrounded by family.
- Officers Logan Perry and Brianna Chacon were hired to fill vacancies after the department’s authorized staffing increased from 43 to 45.
- Officer Perry is a Waubonsee Community College graduate who previously worked there as a campus safety officer.
- Officer Chacon, an Aurora University graduate with a degree in social work and criminal justice, served as a campus safety dispatcher and department trainer for the last three years.
- Both officers were scheduled to begin training at the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy on Monday, April 27, 2026.
Fire Department Promotion
History was made in the Batavia Fire Department as Christina Roberts was officially promoted to Fire Lieutenant. She is the first full-time female to achieve a promoted rank in the department’s history.
- Christina Roberts is the second full-time female hired by the department, and the first to be promoted to any rank.
- She has served the department for over 20 years, holding roles such as TRT special teams coordinator, quartermaster, and public education outreach leader.
- Retired Chief Demenza from Winfield, who was her very first chief and trainer, attended the ceremony to pin her badge and administer the oath of office.
Police and Community Awards
The Police Department took time to recognize exceptional service from both community members and its own staff during the 2025 calendar year. The awards highlighted dedication to community service, investigative excellence, and incredible composure during critical incidents.
- Joanne Spitz received the 2025 Joseph M. Burke Award for her dedication to the Shop with a Cop program, including creatively sourcing alternative funding when standard grant money fell through.
- Becca Lambert, a part-time weekend records technician, was named Civilian Employee of the Year for managing critical incidents entirely alone, including a severe microburst and an active shooter event.
- Austin Robinson received the Frederick Boehner Award for his outstanding volunteerism and leadership as the department’s liaison for the Special Olympics of Illinois.
- David Saad was named Officer of the Year for leading the department in DUI arrests, managing the department’s social media content, and taking brave, life-saving actions during an active shooter incident to protect innocent children.
- Detective Bryce Renninger was recognized as the Kane County Officer of the Year for his work as a computer forensics expert, successfully leading major multi-agency investigations into child sexual abuse material.
Batavia Main Street Update
Beth Walker presented an update on the successes and upcoming plans for Batavia Main Street. The organization has seen significant growth in its community markets and events, drawing substantial crowds from both inside and outside the city.
- The recent Step Into Spring Wine Walk sold over 400 tickets, with 56% purchased by non-residents, and 82.9% of attendees reporting they had an excellent time.
- A new business, “a rooted home,” opened downtown utilizing a downtown improvement grant to significantly renovate and beautify their space.
- The organization successfully streamlined its events, eliminating six while maintaining a total revenue of $61,000, allowing more focus on growing the heavily attended farmers and artisan markets.
- The Boardwalk Shops’ seventh season opens on May 8th with ten new shops, and the Farmer’s Market kicks off its 32nd season on May 16th.
2025 Police Department Annual Report
The Police Chief presented a comprehensive review of the department’s operations, crime statistics, and community engagement in 2025. The data reflected a general decline in overall crime rates, successful grant utilization, and an ongoing emphasis on specialized training.
- Crime rates fell across the board in 2025, which aligns with national post-COVID trends and is aided by the use of new law enforcement technologies.
- Traffic crashes decreased to the mid-600s, though pedestrian crashes saw a spike, particularly during the warmer months between May and October.
- The department officially transitioned from 8-hour patrol shifts in 2025 to 12-hour shifts in 2026, a move that has received largely positive feedback from the staff.
- Major incidents in 2025 included high-profile pedestrian crashes on Kirk Road, a suicidal active shooter incident, and the city’s first homicide in about 12 years (which was quickly resolved).
- Officers completed over 3,300 hours of training (averaging about 80 hours per officer), with 88.4% of the force certified in Crisis Intervention Training (CIT).
- Incidents requiring use of force were remarkably low, occurring only 15 times out of over 19,000 calls for service.
Arbor Day Proclamation
The council officially recognized the importance of urban forestry by passing a city proclamation. This celebration highlighted Batavia’s long-standing dedication to maintaining its local tree canopy and environmental health.
- The Mayor Pro Tem proclaimed Friday, April 24, 2026, as Arbor Day in the City of Batavia.
- The proclamation detailed the environmental benefits of trees, such as combating climate change, moderating temperatures, and producing life-giving oxygen.
- It proudly noted that Batavia has been recognized as a Tree City USA for 39 consecutive years.
- The council approved the proclamation unanimously.
City Administrator’s Report
The City Administrator provided updates on various city projects, pending grant applications, and departmental activities. A key focus was on securing funding and technical assistance for utility programs and community safety initiatives.
- The city submitted a grant application via the Illinois Finance Authority for up to $200,000 to create a demand response roadmap for utility customers to help reduce energy demand.
- Staff are actively collaborating on an education program and potential videos regarding new e-mobility legislation, which will incorporate upcoming state-level rules.
- Grants were submitted for an exterior building conditions assessment in the downtown historic district, as well as for technical assistance regarding downtown bike and pedestrian safety studies.
- The Fire Department’s Apparatus Spec Committee conducted a pre-con meeting with a manufacturer to review specifications for a new ALS rescue squad.
Mayor Pro Tem’s Report & Adjournment
The Mayor Pro Tem concluded the meeting with reflections on public safety and persistent local traffic issues. He expressed frustration with reckless driving habits in the city before wrapping up the session.
- The Mayor Pro Tem expressed immense appreciation for the hard work of the police and fire departments, noting that the public on social media often fails to understand the time and effort these personnel put into their daily jobs.
- He highlighted ongoing severe traffic safety issues, particularly on Randall Road, where drivers have recently been clocked speeding at over 100 mph on a weekly basis.
- He suggested that driver impatience and a lack of attention, rather than the flashing yellow traffic lights, are the main causes of reckless turning decisions at local intersections.
- Following the Mayor Pro Tem’s remarks, the council made a motion to adjourn the meeting, which passed.
Author: Jim Fahrenbach
Meeting Documents: https://bataviail.community.highbond.com/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Id=203
Leave a Reply