Carbondale Reporter

City of Genoa City Council met Feb. 1.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Brust called the meeting of the City Council to order at 7:03 p.m. Roll call was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Hughes and Holcomb were present. Alderman Cravatta was absent. Quorum present.

Mayor Brust led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Guest Speakers –

A) RECOGNITION OF ASA ANDREWS FOR RECEIVING HIS EAGLE SCOUT RANKING – Mayor Brust stated that this is the highest rank that can be achieved in scouting and that when he was in it, there was a 2% rank of people that achieved this ranking. This is a very select group, this has to be completed before they turn 18. Mayor Brust introduced and congratulated Asa Andrews on receiving his eagle scout ranking. Asa shared with the council on his project, he built a life vest and paddle drying rack for the kayaking and canoe service at the Genoa Pool, he wanted to do something based around water as he has always loved swimming. This was sponsored and paid for mostly by his parents with some help from local Ace store. Most of the work was done by himself, friends of the troop and the troop. Mayor Brust asked Asa what his fondest memory of scouting, Asa stated that his most memorable moment in scouts was going to summer camp which is a week-long camp, he first went when he was around 11, at the time he was excited to go to camp but was also homesick, the staff at the camp was great, they were welcoming and pushing the scouts to do great things.

B) KIWANIS – JIM RONCHFORD AND KENDRA MORRIS – Susan Dubbler from Kishwaukee Kiwanis in DeKalb, they are sponsoring the new Kiwanis Club of Genoa-Kingston. They have several members here today. It’s very exciting to have this club come to Genoa-Kingston, back in 2005 the original club disbanded at that time, so it’s very exciting to have a new club here again. Kiwanis is very big on youth, a key club is going to be started at the High School, the superintended Mr. O’Daniell is going to be the new president of the club, Jan from the library is going to be the secretary, Nick from Open Door is going to be the president elect. Meeting will be held on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at 8:30am, starting March 2nd, at the library’s event center for right now. If anyone would like an application to join, please talk to one of the members. Meeting dates can change and be flexible to accommodate members.

C) DEKALB COUNTY BOARD, DISTRICT 2 – KATHY LAMPKINS AND PATRICK DEUTSCH Mayor Brust introduced Kathy Lampkins and Patrick Deutsch to the council, Kathy and Patrick represent the county board district 2 that represent Genoa and other towns in the district. The city asked them to come to the council and introduce them selves and share anything that is happening at the county level. Kathy Lampkins spoke to the council stating the herself and Pat represent most of Genoa, it uses Madison St and East as a dividing line. Kathy worked for the county for 22 years as the chief of information officer at the courthouse, she has been on county board since December of 2020, they were just redistricted in 2022. Both contact information can be found on the county website. Each county board member serves on two committees in addition to committee of the whole and the full county board. Kathy is on the law and justice committee and one of the items that they are looking at is replacing the body cams for the sheriffs deputies; on January 1st body cameras became required and our current system is not doing the job. The county board in the last year had to make the tough decision to sell the nursing home; it was going to have a large deficit even if the county did a referendum. It is currently in the final stages of selling. Patrick spoke to the council, he stated that he has lived in this area his entire life; he chairs the highway committee and also on the law and justice committee. Highway committee is working diligently on Peace Road and Plank Road, there is a fairly new subdivision that residents are having a big concern pulling out onto Plank Road, the subdivision is adjacent to a school and it gets very busy on school days. The mayor asked if a resident reaches out to either the city or alderman when is best to have them reach out to the county? Kathy stated that the county board has no jurisdiction over Genoa. They deal with more at the county level with sheriffs department, nursing home, highway, judicial, circuit clerk, treasure. Mayor Brust asked what the biggest challenge that the county level currently is facing? Kathy stated that in her opinion is the finalization of selling the nursing home, the county loaned the nursing home over 8 millions dollars thus far and it took 8 million dollars out of other accounts; so now we have to build those funds back up. Alderman Hughes asked if there has been any discussion about Baseline Road and Route 23 with either adding a 4 way stop or stop light? Patrick stated that as of now they do not know of anything however Route 23 is a State Highway and Baseline is a township road. Patrick stated that they are doing some improvement on Annie Glidden Road and Baseline Road, they are going to do some reconstruction to make that crossing safer, there is a bad blind spot on that road.

Motion made by Alderman Pulley to accept the minutes of the January 18, 2023 City Council meeting, seconded by Alderman Hughes. No further discussion. Voice vote was taken. All voted yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Alderman Holcomb to approve payment of the account’s payables for January 31, 2023, seconded by Alderman Wesner. No further discussion. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Hughes and Holcomb voted yes. Motion carried.

ITEMS FROM INDIVIDUALS IN ATTENDANCE – Resident Jake Wesner handed out a map to council regarding properties located at 229 E Railroad St and 309 E Railroad St, these properties are residential properties that are zoned as industrial. He will be meeting with the planning commission at their next meeting to apply to have the properties re-zoned to be a spot zoning. The reason for the spot zoning is due to these properties currently zoned as industrial if they are destroyed more than 50% of the current dwelling, they cannot be rebuilt nor will any lender loan any money on these properties currently. Mayor Brust asked Attorney Cahill if she knew of any other zoning that these properties could be zoned; Attorney Cahill stated that she would need to look at the city’s ordinance but they might be able to be marked as a use variance as alternative option. She will look into this and get back to the mayor. Gordon Jones expressed his concern with item A on agenda to approve a work authorization for engineering a sidewalk along Route 72, not to exceed $8900, plus the $40,000 cost estimate for construction, he feels that the approximate $100 a foot. He is questioning where the sidewalk will go with the gravel parking lot, ditch and part of it also goes by the museum. Mayor Brust stated that we have a plan with engineering looking into the right away with IDOT, park of the engineering is to place the sidewalk where it needs to go and see if any signage needs to be moved; property owners would be contacted before the city would move forward with a project like this. City Administrator Seguss also stated that the sidewalk is in right away and goes through IDOT. The city has contacted the museum and the business owners with the plans for that area. Part of the reason that the cost is $40,000 is the ditch and going around the sign, dealing with IDOT and building a retention wall there is several factors that go into this. Alderman Pulley stated that it’s a big slope there by the museum and if they were planning on doing stairs? Seguss stated that as far as she knows it will be a sidewalk with a retention wall; however there is no engineering done at this time. Alderman Pulley feels that this will be helpful if the city can get a safe passage grant to get something completed down 72 out to the high school.

OLD BUSINESS - None

FUTURE ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: Alderman Pulley stated that at the next meeting there will be a discussion about Harvest Fest if any council members have any input of things they would like to see at Harvest Fest. Mayor Brust and Seguss stated that this might be better to have a committee of the whole meeting instead of something that is on the city council agenda.

NEW BUSINESS:

APPROVE A WORK AUTHORIZATION FOR ENGINEERING A SIDEWALK ALONG ROUTE 72, NOT TO EXCEED $8,900: Motion made by Alderman Wesner to approve a work authorization for engineering a sidewalk along Route 72, not to exceed $8,900, seconded by Alderman Winter. This is for a work authorization for engineering of a sidewalk along Route 72 to connect the sidewalk fronting the Kishwaukee Valley Heritage Society to just past the west property line of Warehouse on Park. This project specifically was not budgeted this year but funds are available for general engineering and construction of the sidewalk is included in the draft budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024. The city has wanted to construct the sidewalk for a number of years, however, as you can see from the notes on the attached exhibit, it is a complicated sidewalk to install. Construction costs are estimated at $40,000, however may increase in cost due to IDOT’s requirements. Alderman Winter stated that this has been talked about for many years and she feels that this is a great idea to have done with the 55 and up community growing and have a sidewalk out to the high school for everyone to walk safely is a great idea, she understands it can be expensive but the benefits will out weight the cost. Alderman Winter also asked if this is something that is budgeted for next year? Mayor Brust stated that it is and to Alderman Pulleys point with trying to get a grant for the safe passage this shows our commitment in that project. Alderman Holcomb stated that we have a thriving business down there that does a lot of good and is starting to do more events and shop there it would be great to have the sidewalk. We will also soon have a restaurant there will also be a positive to have the sidewalk completed. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Hughes and Holcomb voted yes. Motion carried.

APPROVE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 1, CHAPTER 4, GENERAL PENALTY, SECTION 1 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF GENOA: Motion made by Alderman Pulley to approve an ordinance amending Title 1, Chapter 4, General Penalty, Section 1 of the municipal code of the City of Genoa, seconded by Alderman Wesner. State law was recently amended to allow non-home rule communities to increase their VGT (video gaming terminal) license fees and accordingly, the city increased the license fee from $25 to $250 in 2022, except for C or Club liquor license holders which only increased to $50. There was some discussion amongst both the Council and businesses that have non-C Liquor Licenses as to the fairness of this policy considering all those with VGTs receive the same percentage of revenue from VGTs. For this reason, the attached ordinances have been drafted to increase the VGT fee for C Liquor License holders from $50 to $150 in order to work towards the full $250 amount. Seguss stated that when the city council amended the ordinance last year it was decided to amend the license from $25 to $250 which was the new maximum which is the state law except for C license holders and that is club liquor license which in the city’s case it is the Vets home. At that time last year the city council discussed the fairness of increasing everyone else’s fees and only increasing C license holders to $50 instead of $250, after this ordinance was approved there was some feedback from some of the bar and restaurant owners that were frustrated because the C license holders were not increased to the same amount as they have the same revenue type, same revenue and hold some different events that others don’t. For this reason, this is why we are discussing increasing C license holders from $50 to $150, on the way to the $250. Alderman Winter asked if next year will we increase it to $250? Seguss stated that there was no discussion on future increases. Alderman Stage stated that it would be nice if the owners of the establishments came in so that we could have a discussion with them. He feels that our Veterans should be helped out where we can, he understands that it’s a small amount but it’s something that we can do for them, we are here because of them. Alderman Wesner stated that she feels that we should be helping the Vet’s home as much as we can, she feels they are very generous at helping the community with having events there that they don’t charge them for and she feels that they still don’t make as much money for what they charge for their drinks and food, plus their hours are not as much as other businesses and the traffic is not as much as the other businesses. She is not thrilled about going up to $150 but if that is what other council members feel it should be then she will support that. Alderman Winter asked if this is per machine? Mayor Brust stated that this is for each gaming machines. Alderman Wesner stated that she did discuss with one of the other liquor holders that was really concerned with the difference in prices and their attitude has changed after some discussion, that it is the club and they do help out the town a lot. Alderman Winter also stated that she would be comfortable to go up to the $150 but also keeping down under the $250, she feels is also fair. Alderman Pulley stated are we able to go up to $100 with a schedule that every 2 years it will go up? Mayor Brust stated that these are gambling machines and there really is not a cost to the establishments for them. As the money that is put in the machines a percentage goes to the establishment. So this is essentially paid for by the machines as well, and he feels that this is a fair price for the fees; and also respect other business owners of their concerns of the fee difference. Alderman Winter asked if they had an issue with the increase last time. Seguss stated that she does not recall any issues being brought to her attention. Finance Director Tures also stated that the supplier of the video gaming machine pays ½ of permit fee. Alderman Winter stated that she has seen reports of the money that is put in and gone out in the establishments and they are profitable. She does not feel that it would affect the Vet Home that much. She feels that $150 seems fair and if they have an issue with it, we can always come back and visit it. Motion made by Alderman Hughes to table this to a future meeting, seconded by Alderman Wesner. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Hughes and Holcomb voted yes. Motion carried.

APPROVE A FUND BALANCE POLICY: Motion made by Alderman Pulley to approve a fund balance policy, seconded by Alderman Holcomb. A Fund Balance Policy would regulate the balance of the General Fund, the Water and Sewer Fund and the Water and Sewer Capital Fund. This policy has been reviewed by the Finance Advisory Committee and recommended for approval. This is a new policy that the City has not had in the past and can be amended from time to time as the Finance Advisory Committee and/or the City Council see fit. Finance Director Tures stated that with this new policy we are being over cautious, we are making it a 50% fund balance reserve, most audits or bond services want a 30%, so we are going a little heavy at first to get used to having a policy in place and then it can be changed at a later date but for now we are going to start with a 50% of annual expenditure total we have to have in reserve, so we will have enough money in reserve to get through a ½ of year if there was a problem. Seguss asked Tures that last time at our last bond issue even though we had 30% or more they really didn’t like what we had in reserve because the City of Genoa’s General Fund Reserve is much smaller because our budget is much smaller than other communities, so it could be impacted really easily? Tures stated that it was a dollar amount to them that because it was under a million dollars, even though we had over 30% in reserve, however we have surpassed that since then, so that part of it is not an issue, but the committee felt that if we stayed at the 50% and if we wanted to do another bond issue or anything we would have better numbers so that we don’t have those types of comments again. Seguss stated that the Finance Committee felt that this point in time the 50% is reasonable at this time but at some point it might not be reasonable any longer and it might have to be brought back for discussion and reduced. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Hughes and Holcomb voted yes. Motion carried.

APPROVE AN INVESTMENT POLICY: Motion made by Alderman Wesner to approve an investment policy, seconded by Alderman Winer. This Investment Policy assigns responsibility for investments as well as establishing the city’s risk tolerance. This policy has been reviewed by the Finance Advisory Committee and recommended for approval. This is a new policy that the city has not had in the past and can be amended from time to time as the Finance Advisory Committee and/or the City Council sees fit. Finance Director Tures stated that when the finance committee looked at this was to determine how much risk we wanted to take with our investments going forward, we are going to stay on the safe side to start and depending on where our fund balances go we might move some stuff around and be a little more daring with our funds, but at this point it will only be with an FDIC insured investment or a CD, not really getting into the stock market at this time. This lays out what we can and cannot do, who oversees it and how many sets of eyes looks at different transfers. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Hughes and Holcomb voted yes. Motion carried.

APPROVE A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A SUBORDINATION OF MORTGAGE: Motion made by Alderman Hughes to approve a resolution authorizing the execution of a subordination of mortgage, seconded by Alderman Holcomb. A business obtained a Revolving Loan from the City of Genoa for $75,000 in 2014 with the business’s property as collateral. Payments have continued to be current and just under $35,000 is remaining on the loan with a final payoff in 2029. In 2019, the City Council authorized the mayor to execute a “Subordination of Mortgage” allowing Golden Eagle State Bank to be the first lien holder on the business’s property instead of the City. This means that in the case of default, the loan with Golden Eagle State Bank will be settled first. The business is planning to add/remodel bathrooms to their building and will be refinancing with a new bank, First State Bank, that has made the same request that the city be the 2nd lien holder. Per the bank, there are no other liens on the property. Approving the resolution in the packet authorizes the mayor to execute a Subordination of Mortgage for repayment of the Revolving Loan. Alderman Pulley asked if this is just the business getting a different lender? Seguss stated that we are on their current mortgage that we are the second lean holder but because they are refinancing and going with a different bank it takes another approval by the city council because it’s a different bank. Mayor Brust asked how their payment record has been? Seguss stated that they are always on time with payments and currently half paid off, it will be paid off in 2029, they want to add some bathrooms and expand their business which opens up their ability to do different kinds of events and larger events by providing more bathrooms. Alderman Wesner thinks it great they are an asset to our community. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Hughes and Holcomb voted yes. Motion carried.

CONSENT AGENDA BY OMNIBUS VOTE:

• MOTION OF UNANIMOUS CONSENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR USE OF AN OMNIBUS VOTE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA: Motion made by Alderman Wesner to approve of unanimous consent of the city council for use of an omnibus vote to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Alderman Freund. No further discussion. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Hughes and Holcomb voted yes. Motion carried.

• MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA THAT INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

A RESOLUTION FOR IDOT APPROVAL TO CLOSE ROUTE 72 (MAIN STREET) FOR THE GENOA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2023 CRUISIN’ TO GENOA CAR SHOW ON • USE OF THE MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT AND CITY STREETS DURING THE GENOA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2023 CRUISIN’ TO GENOA CAR SHOW ON AUGUST 19, 2023 • USE OF CITIZEN’S/CARROLL PARK DURING THE GENOA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RUMBLE ON THE RIVER ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2023

• USE OF CITIZEN’S/CARROLL PARK DURING THE GENOA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE GREAT GENOA DUCK RACE EVENT ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2023

• USE OF THE MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT DURING THE GENOA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE’S FALL CRAWL FROM 2:30 PM TO 5:00 PM ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 • A RESOLUTION FOR IDOT APPROVAL TO CLOSE ROUTE 72 (MAIN STREET) FOR THE GENOA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2023 CELEBRATE THE SEASON EVENT ON DECEMBER 1, 2023

• USE OF THE MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT AND CITY STREETS DURING THE GENOA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2023 CELEBRATE THE SEASON DOWNTOWN EVENT DECEMBER 1, 2023

• A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE FOR THE GENOA KINGSTON HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING PARADE

• A RESOLUTION FOR IDOT APPROVAL TO CLOSE ROUTE 72 (MAIN STREET) FOR THE 2023 GENOA DAYS CELEBRATION/CARNIVAL

• USE OF THE MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT AND CITY STREETS DURING THE G-K FIRE DISTRICT ANNUAL GENOA DAYS EVENT FROM JUNE 6-11, 2023

• CLOSURE AND USE OF NORTH GENOA STREET FROM ROUTE 72 TO THE EAST AND WEST BOUND ALLEY FROM JUNE 6-11, 2023

• USE OF CITIZEN’S/ CARROLL PARK AND DOWNTOWN SIDEWALKS DURING THE EGGAPALOOZA EVENT ON APRIL 1ST, 2023

• USE OF CITIZEN’S/CARROLL PARK DURING THE KISHWAUKEE VALLEY WANDERERS KAYAK & CANOE THE KISH EVENT ON JULY 15, 2023

• USE OF CITIZEN’S/CARROLL MEMORIAL PARK FOR THE VOLKSFEST EVENTS SEPTEMBER 8TH AND 9TH, 2023

• A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE FOR THE MEMORIAL DAY PARADE

Motion made by Alderman Hughes to approve consent agenda that includes the following items, A RESOLUTION FOR IDOT APPROVAL TO CLOSE ROUTE 72 (MAIN STREET) FOR THE GENOA

AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2023 CRUISIN’ TO GENOA CAR SHOW, USE OF THE MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT AND CITY STREETS DURING THE GENOA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2023 CRUISIN’ TO GENOA CAR SHOW ON AUGUST 19, 2023, USE OF CITIZEN’S/CARROLL PARK DURING THE GENOA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RUMBLE ON THE RIVER ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2023, USE OF CITIZEN’S/CARROLL PARK DURING THE GENOA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE GREAT GENOA DUCK RACE EVENT ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2023, USE OF THE MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT DURING THE GENOA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE’S FALL CRAWL FROM 2:30 PM TO 5:00 PM ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2023, A RESOLUTION FOR IDOT APPROVAL TO CLOSE ROUTE 72 (MAIN STREET) FOR THE GENOA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2023 CELEBRATE THE SEASON EVENT ON DECEMBER 1, 2023, USE OF THE MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT AND CITY STREETS DURING THE GENOA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2023 CELEBRATE THE SEASON DOWNTOWN EVENT DECEMBER 1, 2023, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE FOR THE GENOA KINGSTON HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING PARADE, A RESOLUTION FOR IDOT APPROVAL TO CLOSE ROUTE 72 (MAIN STREET) FOR THE 2023 GENOA DAYS CELEBRATION/CARNIVAL, USE OF THE MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT AND CITY STREETS DURING THE G-K FIRE DISTRICT ANNUAL GENOA DAYS EVENT FROM JUNE 6-11, 2023, CLOSURE AND USE OF NORTH GENOA STREET FROM ROUTE 72 TO THE EAST AND WEST BOUND ALLEY FROM JUNE 6-11, 2023, USE OF CITIZEN’S/ CARROLL PARK AND DOWNTOWN SIDEWALKS DURING THE EGGAPALOOZA EVENT ON APRIL 1ST, 2023, USE OF CITIZEN’S/CARROLL PARK DURING THE KISHWAUKEE VALLEY WANDERERS KAYAK & CANOE THE KISH EVENT ON JULY 15, 2023, USE OF CITIZEN’S/CARROLL MEMORIAL PARK FOR THE VOLKSFEST EVENTS SEPTEMBER 8TH AND 9TH, 2023, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE FOR THE MEMORIAL DAY PARADE, seconded by Alderman Pulley. No further discussion. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Hughes and Holcomb voted yes. Motion carried.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Finance Report – Treasurer & Finance Director, Jan Tures stated that they are working on the budget, lots of meetings, lots work, still a long way to go but they are getting closer. They had a request from the chamber wondering what we thought our contribution would be to them next year if it would be the same as last year? At this point Jan has put it into the budget but if there is anyone that would like to change this please let her know. We currently give them $5000 a year in general membership and $1500 for the Lift Program. Mayor Brust stated that traditionally we make a donation on behalf of the chamber on top of the hours that are put in on top of Jans hours and Chief’s hours and they recognize the help that it provides for the events. Each year they will make a request for a donation. This year they are asking for a match from last year. Mayor Brust is looking for a recommendation from council, do we keep it the same, do we lower it, raise it? Alderman Wesner asked if we give them something for rent for the building that they are in as well? Tures stated that they receive free rent and we do charge them $100 for utilities. Alderman Wesner asked if the city goes to any of their events do we pay for the events or is the city given the events for what we donate to them? Tures stated that the majority of the events we still pay for, however the ugly sweater party we didn’t pay for the staff, however the dinner that is coming up we get 2 tickets but we are paying for the rest. Seguss stated that the expo booth the city pays for ½ of the booth rental. Mayor Brust stated that as of a few years ago we bumped it up from 2,500 to 5,000, that is mainly because it was a diffuclt financial time the city felt it was best to double that donation and then last year they started the Lift program which is a program to help the business in town that are prospective chamber business members that maybe don’t have the funds to be part of the chamber they can apply for this program and this allows them to get free membership to the chamber for a year or attend the expo for free. It helps business in town get exposure, so the city donates $1500 to that program, that is matched by Meta, Facebook and other business. The $5000 is just for operation expenses. Mayor Burst is asking for guidance on the amount to give them. Alderman Freund stated that from a new business in town, the chamber offered the Lift program to her and it has helped her out, so she appreciates it. The council was in agreement with giving the chamber the same amount as last year.

Public Works – Public Works Director, Janice Melton stated that we had that great snow event this past weekend, everyone did great, everything got cleared out. She recognized Custom Aluminum for letting the city put all of the excess snow at the far North end of their parking lot with the understanding that in the Spring we take the street sweeper and clean up any remaining debris. Shout out to Police Department for having residents move cars off the streets so that plows could clean up. There is an Illinois Water Rule Association is doing a study for us, it is free of charge. If we would have gone out to an engineering company it would have been $25,000. The gentleman that is going to be doing this has done it for a very long time and does a great job, we will present when that come in. He required a lot of financials that Jan took care of for it. He mailed Melton back stating that it was very well put together, he was very impressed. Alderman Hughes asked if there is any status on the questioner that was supposed to be sent out to the residents about central park? Seguss stated that they are making it into a google form so that if you don’t want to mail it in you can submit it online. There will be a paper version mailed to everyone with a QR code that can be scanned and just go into the google form. There is only a couple of questions on the survey but she is going to mail it to everyone to see if there is anything that anyone would like to add. This is to apply later this year for an Ozlad grant, for Riverbend Park and one of the steps in that is sending out a survey to the residents to see what they would like done with the park and then the next step is to get a concept plan together and then a public hearing for everyone to come take a look at it and all of that data is used for the grant in September. Melton stated that Alderman Hughes and Holcomb have received the survey.

Police Department – Chief Smith stated that this year the police department will not be getting their own table and instead be together with the city table. Police department is finalizing budget and getting the last of the information. April the Police and Fire will work on establishing a latter list of officers that already have experience, but currently we won’t have a lateral list, we hired Brian Havelstak that is working for us full time now and the other person did not pass the background. We have a basic recruit list of 3 people so we will start backgrounds on them. We are doing building maintenance with Leslie, Alyssa and Dave. Dave completes the inspection, Leslie sends out the letters and the police department writes the tickets. Mayor Burst stated he appreciated the help with moving cars off streets for the snow removal.

Administrative Report – City Administrator, Alyssa Seguss stated that they had their first Comprehensive Plan meeting they mentioned several times that it was the best attended meeting they have ever had. It was a great discussion, lots of feedback from everyone, giving their concerns about do we stay a small community do we grow the community, safety is really important to them, they want to see a sidewalk here, so they really got into conversation about census data, they talked about Elwood Greens and if that should factor into our Comprehensive Plan even though it is outside of the city, however they do support our local economy, they do support our schools. Great conversations, the next step for them is the NIU Center for Governmental Study is putting together a survey, the task force will review that and then will go to the residents, the data will go to NIU they will share it with the task force and from that start formulating the new compressive plan. The survey data will tell them what the residents, outside of the residents who were at the meeting would like to see in the community in addition to that comment map. This is on schedule to finish up by the end of the year. We are also starting to work on our strategic plan, the council and staff will be involved in this planning. Each ward will have a meeting with NIU and talk about some of the things that are in the comprehensive plan but how do we implement those things that the community would like to see. The meeting for everyone is scheduled March 20th, she will set up times for everyone. They are planning a workshop May 2nd which is

Alderman and Department Heads, this will be a several hour meeting. Mayor Brust stated that he is a big planning person and he thinks it’s great we are knowing what we are working with to build a great plan. We are really lucky to have fresh census data, development opinions, opinions from local residents and business owners. It’s great we have such a great community and group to plan what we want Genoa to be. Alderman Winter asked about the restaurant at the West end of town, when will they open, how are they doing? Seguss stated that she did reach out to them recently and they stated at the time they are planning on a Spring open date. Alderman Hughes stated he sees things moving along with Dunkin Donuts, Seguss stated that the last time she talked to the owner of the building they were planning on a mid-February opening. Alderman Stage asked about recognizing the gentleman that goes around town picking up trash? Mayor Brust stated that he would love to recognize that gentleman but every time he has pushed for it we have gotten the response that he does not want the recognition. We want to be respectful of that but if anyone knows him personally, we would love to recognize him. Alderman Winter asked if instead of brining him in for a recognition maybe buying a gift card to a local establishment as a way of thanking him.

Mayor’s Report – Mayor Brust stated that he had nothing new to share at this time.

ANNOUNCEMENTS – The next city council meeting will be held on Thursday February 16, 2023, at 7:00pm, due to a majority of the council members attending the annual chamber dinner on Wednesday February 15, 2023

Motion to adjourn the meeting of the City Council was made by Alderman Wesner, seconded by Alderman Pulley. Voice vote was taken. All voted yes. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 8:27 p.m.

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