Batavia Illinois – The 5th Ward

Consent Agenda

The council swiftly approved a package of routine financial, contractual, and regulatory items to ensure ongoing municipal operations and public works projects proceed without delay.

• The council approved the August 28, 2026, payroll totaling $1,199,033.16 and the September 8 accounts payable totaling $3,950,995.30.
• A resolution was passed to authorize intervention in property tax proceedings before the Kane and DuPage County Boards of Review and the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board.
• The council authorized the purchase of a new Falcon asphalt patch trailer from Midwest Paving Equipment, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $45,774.
• Contracts were approved with Electric Conduit Company for directional boring at 702 Branson Drive, and with Fox Excavating, Inc. for demolition and site grading at 330-338 Webster Street.
• Ordinances were passed approving building demolition at 14 to 18 North Batavia Avenue, granting a conditional use permit for a massage establishment on North River Street, and authorizing the sale of surplus property.

Community & Economic Updates

Representatives from local civic organizations updated the council on their membership growth, fundraising efforts, and regional economic partnerships, highlighting the strong collaborative environment within the local business community.

• A Chamber of Commerce Representative announced the addition of numerous new local businesses and noted the chamber has grown to 549 members, nearing its long-term goals.
• The Chamber partnered with the Kane County Economic Development Corporation, the Illinois Accelerator Research Center at Fermilab, and the Governor’s office to explore Fermilab’s proposed electronic beam technology hub.
• A Rotary Club Representative highlighted the organization’s long-standing history since its 1948 charter, noting members delivered 585 volunteer hours and $53,641 in financial support to local charities over the past year.
• The Rotary Club is currently hosting its 38th annual charity raffle—featuring a vehicle from Gerald Hyundai and Gerald Auto Group—and an upcoming trivia night at Enticing Cuisine to combat polio, where funds raised are matched 2-to-1 by the Bill Gates fund.

Appointments and Proclamations

The council confirmed a civic appointment and issued several mayoral proclamations to formally recognize September as a month dedicated to raising awareness for critical community health and safety causes.

• The council unanimously appointed a resident to the Batavia Historic Preservation Commission for a three-year term.
• A Representative from Northwestern Medicine Living Well Cancer Resources accepted a proclamation designating September 2026 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
• A Representative from Suicide Prevention Services of America—a local organization managing the 988 crisis line for multiple counties—accepted a proclamation recognizing National Suicide Prevention Month.
• An ESDA Representative accepted a proclamation for Emergency Preparedness Month, noting the Batavia Emergency Services and Disaster Agency is marking its 50th year of service and has recently grown to 17 sworn volunteer members who have undergone over 100 hours of training.

Hometown History Presentation

The local historical society introduced a new multimedia project aimed at preserving and sharing the city’s foundational history and industrial roots with residents.

• The Historical Society President introduced a preview of “Hometown History,” a video produced in collaboration with a local production company owner.
• The video highlights the city’s historical industries—such as wagons, windmills, limestone, and rail—and features the historical relocation of the Depot Museum.

Administrator’s Report & Municipal Operations (TAP Telehealth)

The City Administrator delivered operational updates highlighting a major federal grant, employee wellness achievements, and an extensive proposal for a municipal telehealth initiative aimed at providing affordable, supplemental medical access to residents.

• The city secured a $1.2 million federal grant to extend the bike path on the east side of the wastewater treatment plant.
• The city received a $37,500 incentive from the IPBC for ranking in the top 11% of entities participating in a wellness initiative.
• Public Works is nearing the completion of its lead service line replacement program, with roughly 100 out of over 1,000 lines left to replace.
• The City Administrator introduced the TAP (Text a Physician) program, which would charge a $9 monthly utility fee to provide all residents with 24/7 text access to licensed Illinois physicians.
• The service guarantees approximately two-minute response times for non-emergency conditions, offers prescription writing, and assists patients in finding the lowest local medication costs without requiring health insurance or a copay.
• The program requires a negative-option “opt-out” funding model to remain financially viable; the vendor relies on a projected 70% community retention rate to fund the on-call physicians.
• Several Alderpersons debated this billing structure, with some strongly advocating for an opt-in model, while others compared the mandatory availability fee to the city’s brush and garbage collection programs.
• The program is currently free for all residents to test, allowing the city to gather user feedback and utilization data before an upcoming September 29 committee meeting.
• Multiple Alderpersons requested comprehensive community outreach before making a final decision, proposing informational open houses at the library, the homestead, and the Farmer’s Market on September 19.

Mayor’s Report & Executive Session

The Mayor reflected on the city’s soaring regional reputation and robust housing market before transitioning the council into a closed session.

• The Mayor, acting in his capacity as chairman of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s (CMAP) Council of Mayors, noted that the city is currently ranked among the top 10 relocation destinations in the region.
• This demand is heavily driven by the success of the local school system and its sports programs, contributing to the addition of nearly 1,000 new living units between 2022 and 2026.
• The council concluded the public portion of the meeting by passing a 12-1 vote to enter an executive session to discuss pending litigation.

Entities Mentioned

Type	Name
Municipal Government & Departments	City of Batavia, Batavia City Council, Batavia Historic Preservation Commission, Batavia Emergency Services and Disaster Agency (ESDA), Batavia Police Department, Batavia Fire Department, Batavia Public Works Department
Regional & State Authorities	Kane County, Kane County Board of Review, DuPage County Board of Review, Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board, Kane County Economic Development Corporation, Governor Pritzker’s Office, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)
Local Businesses & Contractors	Midwest Paving Equipment, Inc., Electric Conduit Company, Fox Excavating, Inc., Gerald Auto Group, Gerald Hyundai, Sturdy Shelter Brewing, Enticing Cuisine, Apple Villa, von Lars, LAMA, Furnace Electric (former property)
New Chamber Businesses	Fairless Living Yoga and Wellness, Good Energy Women’s Health, Senior Source Senior Living Advisors, Country Financial, Stay Past Professional, Touching Hearts at Home, Harmony Bloom Estates at Keller Williams and Spire, Main and Mini, Aflac, West Suburbs, Gerber Collision and Glass, Net Cash Pro, the lucky ones speech language and learning, Soul Shine Counseling
Healthcare & Wellness Partners	Northwestern Medicine Living Well Cancer Resources, Tri-City Health Partnership, Suicide Prevention Services of America, IPBC, TAP (Text a Physician)
Community Organizations & Non-Profits	Batavia Chamber of Commerce, Batavia Women in Business, Batavia Rotary Club, Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry, Mercy Housing, Batavia Historical Society, Depot Museum, Ronald McDonald House, Bill Gates fund, Eagle Brook Country Club, Catholic Church
Schools & Educational Institutions	Illinois Accelerator Research Center at Fermilab, Waubonsie Community College, Valley Shelter Workshop (VSW’s Life Learner University), Fox Valley Christian Church, Callahan Community Center

Author: Jim Fahrenbach

Batavia Considers Citywide Telehealth, Approves Downtown Demolition