Batavia Illinois – The 5th Ward

Consent Agenda

The committee swiftly processed a package of routine administrative and purchasing items to maintain city infrastructure and vehicle fleets.

• The committee authorized Phase 2A of a professional services agreement with Bay Corps Group, Inc..
• Resolutions were passed to purchase a large bucket truck from LTAC and a small bucket truck for public works.
• The board approved a contract with Scallion Excavating for the North River Street Storm Sewer Outfall Relocation Project.
• Contracts were approved with Steamsun Petroleum Services Group for fuel tank replacements and with Jacob and Hefner Associates, Inc. for construction oversight.
• The committee authorized grant applications for the Fox River Trail North and South connection projects.

Proposal for Additional Public Parking on Shumway

Prompted by a lack of parking in the southwest quadrant of downtown, the city explored leasing vacant land from BEI Commercial Real Estate to construct a 198-space surface lot costing $1.3 million.

• Multiple Alderpersons pushed back on the high cost and full build-out, arguing the site is prime for future development and should not be paved over for a temporary fix. While others noted the lot has been empty for over twenty years, next to the waste water treatment plant, and assuming development is going in may be overly optimistic.
• Alternative solutions were debated, including building a 72-space parking garage on First Street, maximizing existing bank lots, or adding angled parking on Shumway Avenue.
• The Owners of Sturdy Shelter Brewing provided public comment opposing a proposed 10% Special Service Area (SSA) fee that would assess adjacent businesses, arguing they already pay steeply increased real estate taxes and an extra 2% alcohol tax.
• A Representative from BEI Commercial Real Estate supported short-term parking relief but shared concerns about how the SSA structure might impact future development.
• An Alumni of Batavia High School cautioned the board against bulldozing the area for a massive parking lot, recalling historical entities like the Newton Wagon Factory and Batavia Body Company, and urging the city to preserve its aesthetic charm.
• The committee directed staff to pause on the full build-out, commission a comprehensive parking study that includes evenings and weekends, and explore smaller phased options like angled street parking.

Traffic Safety Ordinances

Following a recent crash involving a child on a bicycle and ongoing sight-distance issues, the committee approved ordinances to strictly control vehicle speeds and intersection safety.

• The board unanimously approved lowering the speed limit to 20 mph on First Street (between Route 31 and Shumway) and unsigned portions of Water Street due to challenging roadway geometry and high pedestrian activity.
• The committee also approved installing all-way stop signs at Branson Drive and Hamesford Avenue, and Branson Drive and Mill Street, mitigating severe blind spots caused by parked cars and landscaping trucks.

Texas Roadhouse Redevelopment Agreement

The city negotiated a sales tax sharing agreement to incentivize the construction of a new Texas Roadhouse restaurant, filling newly platted outlots at the Kohl’s Shopping Center.

• The property owner, PMAT, platted the outlots and actively marketed them to prospective tenants, successfully attracting the restaurant chain.
• Texas Roadhouse opted to construct a brand-new building because the franchise strongly prefers to own its property and specific architectural assets rather than leasing or retrofitting existing spaces.
• City Staff noted that reusing existing vacant restaurants was unviable; the former Bank of America building’s specific design would require a complete tear-down anyway, and the owner of the former Denny’s building obstinately refuses to lease to another restaurant, preferring to build a car wash.
• To offset extraordinary infrastructure costs for the new build—such as complex utility connections and extending a sidewalk down Randall Road—the city offered a 50% share of the 1% sales tax for up to 10 years, capped at $230,000.
• Alderpersons supported the incentive because it relies entirely on “new money” generated by a facility that does not currently exist, meaning there is zero upfront risk to the city’s general fund while generating new property taxes for the school and park districts.
• The committee unanimously recommended the redevelopment agreement to the City Council.

City Council Updates & Landscaping

The meeting concluded with staff updates on new civic technology rollouts and a procedural discussion regarding the management of downtown native plant beds.

• City Staff announced they will offer free temporary access to the new “Text a Physician” telehealth program, hosting town halls and answering questions at the Farmer’s Market to gather public feedback.
• An Alderperson relayed feedback from the Recast Leaders Cohort, noting a perception among business owners that elected officials need to be more visible and present in the downtown community.
• A procedural disagreement arose regarding volunteer landscaping efforts by the Batavia Environmental Commission (BEC).
• A BEC Volunteer expressed frustration that a native planting proposal was pulled from the agenda, but City Staff clarified the delay was simply to ensure proper coordination with the Batavia Park District’s upcoming artwork installation on the Peace Bridge.
• The committee gently redirected the conversation, emphasizing the need for all parties to clarify their internal communication processes moving forward.

Entities Mentioned

AGENDA: https://bataviail.community.highbond.com/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Id=261

Author: Jim Fahrenbach