Batavia Illinois – The 5th Ward

Consent Agenda

The board swiftly processed routine administrative approvals to authorize engineering and infrastructural contracts, ensuring ongoing city developments and utility upgrades proceed without delay.

• The committee approved the consent agenda, which authorized several infrastructural and engineering contracts.
• Specific approvals included task orders and contracts with Strand Associates Inc. for sidewalk gap engineering, Mead Inc. for main substation feeder upgrades, and Electric Conduit Construction for fiber engineering services.
• The committee also officially accepted the public improvements for the Prairie Commons Development.

Proposed Cat Cafe (Kitty Coco Cafe, LLC)

The committee reviewed a zoning text amendment and conditional use permit to enable a new downtown business, focusing the discussion heavily on establishing strict operational boundaries and health protocols to protect public safety and ensure sanitary conditions.

• The committee reviewed a zoning text amendment and conditional use permit to allow a pet cafe to operate at 139 First Street, a space formerly occupied by the Tabianum Clinic.
• The applicant, representing Kitty Coco Cafe, LLC, explained the business will feature a separated cat lounge and a cafe serving coffee and baked goods.
• BEI is working with the board to install windows so patrons can view the cats from outside the enclosure.
• To address health and safety concerns regarding animal aggression, the applicant confirmed they will enforce strict internal policies, utilize separate quarantine cages, require entry waivers, and report any incidents directly to the Health Department.
• The cafe will partner directly with local shelters to foster and find homes for adoptable cats.
• The committee unanimously approved both the zoning text amendment and the conditional use permit.

Active Transportation Committee Annual Budget & Public Comments

The Active Transportation Committee Chairperson advocated for a $100,000 budget increase to combat inflation and project cost shortfalls, emphasizing that enhanced funding is critically needed to close dangerous sidewalk gaps and accelerate the city’s delayed 10-year pedestrian infrastructure plan.

• Liam McKay, the newly appointed Chairperson of the Active Transportation Committee, requested an annual budget increase from $300,000 to $400,000 to combat inflation and project cost shortfalls.
• McKay cited data from Divi bikes and mathematical studies equivalent to Fermilab research, demonstrating that protected bike lanes reduce cyclist injury risk by up to 90%.
• Highlighting recent successes, McKay noted the affordable safety improvements built near the new Pulte Houses on McKee Street.
• Sharing feedback from public door-knocking, McKay relayed a story about an elderly resident named “Betty” who has mobility difficulties.
• Betty expressed deep concern over the lack of sidewalks in her neighborhood, explaining that navigating the dark, snowy streets alongside cars in the winter feels as isolating as the COVID-19 lockdowns.
• A committee member shared additional public feedback from a family living on Republic Street; despite initial neighborhood pushback regarding lawn repairs, the family expressed immense gratitude for the new sidewalk because it provides a safe space for their young child.
• Committee members noted a rapid rise in e-bikes and e-motos, stressing that the city must prioritize public education for youth regarding traffic rules.
• McKay formally requested that the Public Works Department and its engineers provide updated GIS mapping to help prioritize missing sidewalks near schools and downtown corridors.

2027 Wages and Salaries for Non-Union Employees

The Human Resources Department presented an ordinance to establish 2027 compensation rates for non-union employees, seeking to remain competitive in the local government labor market while proactively navigating steep, impending hikes in employee health insurance premiums.

• The Human Resources Department presented an ordinance to establish 2027 wages for non-collectively bargained employees.
• The HR Director recommended a 3.5% wage increase, balancing the 3.5% Consumer Price Index (CPIU) and the 3.4% local government Economic Cost Index.
• The committee was informed that health insurance premiums through the IPBC (Intergovernmental Personnel Benefit Cooperative) are projected to spike by 16.67%, marking the largest increase since the city joined in 2016.
• Due to these rising costs, the HR Director announced plans to issue a full Request for Proposals (RFP) for insurance services to explore potential savings.
• The committee unanimously approved the wage ordinance.

Human Resources Department Staffing Structure

The HR Director proposed a departmental restructuring to better handle absorbed payroll responsibilities by trading a vacant high-level position for an entry-level role, a move designed to generate immediate cost savings while promoting and rewarding existing, talented staff.

• The HR Director proposed restructuring the department to better manage payroll processing, a responsibility they absorbed after implementing the Paycom human capital management system and collaborating with the Finance Department.
• The board approved trading an unfilled, high-level Management Analyst position (Pay Grade 19) for an HR/Payroll Assistant (Pay Grade 8) to handle administrative tasks.
• This transition allows the existing HR Coordinator to be promoted to Pay Grade 10, and provides a one-step pay increase for the Benefits and Payroll Specialist, who will be retitled to Supervisor.
• This internal promotion structure will result in an immediate $2,929 cost savings for the current fiscal year.
• The motion passed unanimously.

Strategic Plan Update

The Assistant City Administrator evaluated the progress of the city’s multi-year strategic plan, sparking a candid board discussion about balancing ambitious municipal goals against actual staff bandwidth, and highlighting the critical need for transparent, real-time tracking of commercial property vacancies.

• The City Administrator provided a progress report on the multi-year strategic plan, noting that the Police Department and IT Department successfully deployed an internal e-citation system that outside vendors could not figure out.
• Community Development and Public Works were recognized for transitioning more fleet vehicles to plug-in hybrids and adding over 20 building permits online.
• The Emergency Services and Disaster Agency (ESDA) was praised for expanding its volunteer corps from 5 to 18 members.
• The board celebrated economic development milestones, including the recruitment of QT9 and a 14-0 council vote approving 72 units of affordable workforce housing on South River Street using TIF funding.
• Committee members debated the optics of ongoing commercial vacancies, specifically requesting a better way to track properties like Hubbard, Aqua Viva, and Pal Joey’s.
• As the board prepares for the 2028 strategic plan, committee members stressed the need to prepare for a potential economic recession and heavily emphasized that stabilization of the Fox River Dam must be included in future plans, involving coordination with the Corps of Engineers.

City Council Updates and Project Status

Leadership briefed the committee on collaborative intergovernmental agreements and ongoing feasibility studies to ensure the council remains aligned on upcoming major community developments, regional tax strategies, and space needs.

• An intergovernmental agreement is currently being drafted alongside the school, library, and Park District to share legal representation and jointly challenge tax appeals.
• The city met with FGMA for a space needs analysis and will meet with the Park District and city engineers to assess utilities on the Mooseheart properties for a potential shared recreational facility and Police Department.
• The City Administrator announced that a recent study confirmed Batavia can successfully support a new hotel development, prompting targeted marketing efforts to developers.

Author: Jim Fahrenbach

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