Carbondale Reporter

City of Genoa City Council met April 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

PUBLIC HEARING ON THE ANNUAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING MAY 1, 2023 AND ENDING APRIL 30, 2024

Mayor Brust called the public meeting on the annual budget for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2023 and ending April 30, 2024 to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll call was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Cravatta, Hughes and Holcomb were present. Quorum present.

Public Comment – Gordon Jones asked if this is the largest budget in the city’s history. City Administrator, Alyssa Seguss stated that yes this is larger than recent years.

Motion to close the public hearing of the City Council was made by Alderman Winter, seconded by Alderman Pulley. There was no further discussion. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Cravatta, Hughes and Holcomb voted yes.

Motion to adjourn the public 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 7:03 p.m.

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, Cravatta, Hughes and Holcomb were present. Quorum present.

Mayor Brust led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Guest Speakers – None

Motion made by Alderman Hughes to accept the minutes of the March 15, 2023 City Council meeting, seconded by Alderman Freund. 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 March 31, 2023, seconded by Alderman Winter. No further discussion. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Cravatta and Holcomb voted yes. Motion carried.

ITEMS FROM INDIVIDUALS IN ATTENDANCE – None

OLD BUSINESS - None

FUTURE ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: Alderman Hughes passed out information on earth cam, it’s a fixed camera that shows different areas of the world. He is proposing that the city invest in these cameras so that people can see our downtown area. He said that he saw an area looking at this site and wanted to go see it due to seeing it online, this might be something to help attract people to the city.

NEW BUSINESS:

APPROVE AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING MAY 1, 2023 AND ENDING APRIL 30, 2024 FOR THE CITY OF GENOA, DEKALB COUNTY, ILLINOIS: Motion made by Alderman Cravatta for approval of an ordinance adopting the annual budget for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2023 and ending April 30, 2024 for the City of Genoa, DeKalb County, Illinois, seconded by Alderman Holcomb. Total City Revenues are expected to be $11,481,820 in 2023-2024. Total Expenditures are expected to be $13,012,405. Expenditures are higher than revenues due to over $7,000,000 in capital purchases and projects that will be completed in FY 2023-2024, including Street, Downtown and Grant projects. However, the General Fund, which is the major operating fund is balanced. Priorities between budget years for operations remain largely the same with an emphasis on capital for streets, water and sewer infrastructure and a large Downtown Revitalization project. Highlights of the 2023-2024 budget include an overall balanced General Fund budget with an increase of 16% in revenues and a 13% increase in expenditures to the General Fund since Fiscal Year 2022-2023 and over $7 million in capital expenditures. FY 2023-2024 Budget Highlights • MFT Rebuild IL Street Project - $342,420 • Over $90,000 in street and sidewalk repairs • New Comprehensive Plan, Strategic Plan, and Housing Study • Purchase of a new K-9 Squad - $70,000 • Public Works purchases of a Skid Loader and 3 Pick-up Trucks - $164,200 • $140,000 in improvements to the Waste Water Treatment System • Water Main Project - $120,000 • $4 Million Lead Service Line Replacement Program in partnership with the IEPA Low Interest Loan and Grant (if awarded) • $1.5 Million Downtown Revitalization Project. No further discussion. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Cravatta, Hughes and Holcomb voted yes. Motion passed.

APPROVE A BUSINESS ASSOCIATE AGREEMENT WITH HUB INTERNATIONAL MIDWEST LIMITED: Motion made by Alderman Pulley to approve a business associate agreement with HUB International Midwest Limited, seconded by Alderman Wesner. HUB International is the City’s broker for health insurance. As such, they may obtain information belonging to City Employees protected under HIPPA. They have provided the agreement within the packet detailing their responsibilities to comply with HIPPA but also authorizing HUB to use and disclose the information to obtain healthcare quotes and the City’s responsibilities to disclose the information. No further discussion. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Cravatta, Hughes and Holcomb voted yes. Motion passed.

APPROVE THE TRANSFER OF $1,500,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE GOVERNMENTAL CAPITAL FUND AND $1,000,000 FROM THE WATER AND SEWER OPERATING FUND TO THE WATER AND SEWER CAPITAL FUND: Motion made by Alderman Wesner to approve the transfer of $1,500,000 from the General Fund to the Governmental Capital Fund and $1,000,000 from the Water and Sewer Operating Fund to the Water and Sewer Capital Fund, seconded by Alderman Cravatta. No further discussion. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Cravatta, Hughes and Holcomb voted yes. Motion passed.

APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH FEHR GRAHAM FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES RELATED TO AN OPEN SPACE AND LAND ACQUISITION GRANT APPLICATION, NOT TO EXCEED $9,500: Motion made by Alderman Hughes to approve and authorize the mayor to execute an agreement with Fehr Graham for the professional services related to an open space and land acquisition grant application, not to exceed $9,500, seconded by Alderman Holcomb. There is an agreement for Fehr Graham to submit an Open Space and Land Acquisition Grant for Central Park in Riverbend. A resident survey will go out soon to gather feedback on what the community would like to see installed at the park utilizing potential grant funding. Then concept plans will be drawn up, a Public Hearing to review the concepts will be held, and finally modifications to the plans will be made, if necessary, before final submittal for the OSLAD Grant Program. Alderman Holcomb asked the representative from Fehr Graham if in his experience this is a success grant that is usually awarded. The representative stated that it is a difficult grant to achieve but is also very plausible to do so. This is a competitive grant it’s all about how you write the grant and go about it, they as a company have been very successful with these grants, with other communities. He feels we have a good basis with the grounds and everything that the city is asking for at this time for the grant. Fehr Graham is helping the city with some other grants such as the lead service line as well as looking into other grants to help the city to complete this project. Alderman Cravatta asked how much the grant is, the representative stated that he would like to ask for a million dollars and feels that is a good application amount as long as we can prove the justification amount, he feels confident the city has a good chance at getting the grant. Alderman Winter asked why the Park District was not handling this grant or funding the equipment to be put in. City Administrator Seguss stated that the park district maintains the equipment once it is put in. This park was originally supposed to be completed by the developer of the subdivision, which was not completed. Alderman Cravatta stated that he read in the packet that the amount proposed was $10,500, City Administrator Seguss stated that amount includes if there needs to be an amended drawing, this should say up to $10,500. Mayor asked for a revised motion not to exceed $10,500. There was a motion made by Alderman Hughes to approve and authorize the mayor to execute an agreement with Fehr Graham for the professional services related to an open space and land acquisition grant application, not to exceed $10,500, seconded by Alderman Holcomb. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Cravatta, Hughes and Holcomb voted yes. Motion passed.

APPROVE A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE FOR THE GENOA HARVEST FESTIVAL: Motion made by Alderman Wesner to approve a resolution authorizing a temporary road closure for the Genoa Harvest Festival, seconded by Alderman Freund. Alderman Hughes asked where the temporary road closure would be? Alderman Pulley stated that the closure will be the same as it is for Genoa Days, Main Street is closed from Sycamore Street to Washington Street, Alderman Pulley has also spoken to Open Door Coffee and they are good with moving their Market in front of Mobil, in fact this is better for them as they can make their Market larger. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Cravatta and Holcomb voted yes. Motion passed.

AUTHORIZE THE USE OF THE MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT FOR AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE FOR A CUSTOMER APPRECIATION LUNCH ON JUNE 17TH, JULY 22ND AND AUGUST 5TH FROM 10 AM TO 2 PM: Motion made by Alderman Cravatta to authorize the use of the municipal parking lot for American Family Insurance for a customer appreciation lunch on June 17th, July 22nd and August 5th from 10am to 2pm, seconded by Alderman Holcomb. No further discussion. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Cravatta and Holcomb voted yes. Motion passed.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Finance Report – Treasurer & Finance Director, Jan Tures stated that the new budget will be recorded with the county either the end of this week or beginning of next week, we have until the end of the month to file it. Starting to do preliminary work for the audit. Finishing up all the current outstanding projects get completed by the end of the fiscal year, working with department heads to get them done.

Public Works – Public Works Director, Janice Melton stated that public works will be planting the next few weeks. They have 3 big projects the River Bend Central Park is moving forward with the plantings, the Reforestation Grant that is starting she just picked up 50 bald cypresses for the bald cypress grove, with the 200 trees they are planting they wanted to start with 50 to get 25% completed, with it being Spring Public Works hits the ground running. Brush pick up is happening next week with the first planned round. One was done earlier this year after the wind event the city had. We had a surprise from the EPA, apparently the whole system needs to be documented. This information was not in any of the paperwork that was given to the municipalities, Genoa was not the only one who did not have this completed, however public works is getting the information that the EPA needs and will get it in on time. Alderman Hughes asked about the Street Light going into River Bend, he has had a resident that has reached out about the light that is not working. Janice asked that Alderman Hughes forward the email to her so that she can understand what the resident is asking for. Alderman Wesner stated that on the corner of Homewood and Stott Street a resident reached out about the grass that was tore up during the winter and was wondering when or if the city was going to repair it or if they should. Janice stated that all repairs like that will be completed on or around May 1st. They do their best to try and not tear up the grass during snow events but it is not always easy to tell where the grass is.

Police Department – Deputy Chief Edwards stated that last Friday and today they were activating the tornado sirens, lucky we did not have much damage here in town. We had people show up on Friday and use the facility as a tornado shelter. Back in December there was a bunch of car burglaries, one of the burglaries a gun was taken out of the vehicle and that gun since has been recovered the other day it was being used in an attempted arm robbery and it was also possibly used in a shooting a few weeks ago in a different city. Rockford has two people now in custody. Kane who was the chiefs K9 partner had to be put down unfortunately today due to medical reasons. Mayor Brust had a question in regards to the tornado siren, since this morning there was not a tornado close by but the siren was used for severe weather. Deputy Chief Edwards stated that the siren is set off for warnings of bad weather and tornado, the siren is not set off for watches. Alderman Pulley stated that Hampshire Police Department put out a nice report about the tornado sirens and their meanings for different weather, he was wondering if it would be beneficial if our Police Department did something similar. Alderman Winter stated that something like this has been done and was reposted on the Facebook page.

Administrative Report – City Administrator, Alyssa Seguss stated that the next meeting will be on Monday April 17th at 7pm and if Alderman are not able to attend, please let her know ASAP so that if we don’t have a quorum we can reschedule to a different day. Starting in May residents will be getting a real bill in an envelope instead of the post card. Next Monday there will be a downtown business owner meeting to talk about the downtown revitalization and get feedback from owners. There were a couple that submitted feedback in the survey and on social media that they had some concerns and would like to discuss in person and there is some mis information that is going around, so this will hopefully clear up any issues or concerns. The comprehensive plan surveys are now closed; the residents can still go on the comprehensive map and still make comments but the surveys themselves are closed. NIU is analyzing that data and that data will be used for the comprehensive plan and the housing plan which are both are still on schedule as well as the strategic plan. There will be another meeting with that in May with the city council.

Committee, Boards and Commission Reports (WTC, EDC, PC, PC, PP, TB, DBC AND FAC) – Waste Water Treatment Committee- Alderman Wesner stated that we met tonight and just went over and reviewed all the information that has been gathered and presented. They are hoping by next meeting to put a recommendation in front of the council about the rates for the water bills and the larger meters for businesses. Economic Development Committee- City Administrator, Alyssa Seguss stated that they have not had a meeting since she last updated the council.

Planning Commission- Administrator Seguss stated that planning commission will meet on April 13th to go over some amendments to the UDO, that is to amend the UDO to only allow tobacco and vape shops in an industrial zoning to avoid them in commercial areas. Amend the unified development ordinance to come up with some regulations for outdoor storage of recreational vehicles such as RV’s; this will be commercially not individually changes; there is a business that is interested in storing RV’s and boats, they want to come up with some standards such as screening and up keep of the property. They will also provide some feedback to the council for the plans on a property for a Taco Bell with a drive through. Council will vote on April 17th unless there is some big hang up then it will continue into May. Alderman Hughes asked about the Dunkin Donuts, Alyssa stated that they are still working on their monument sign and hoping they open soon. Sounds like they are pulling staff from other locations is why we haven’t seen no hiring signs. Alderman Winter asked about the other two spaces. Alyssa stated that she has been in contact with the owner of the building and it sounds like they have two more users for the units and once she knows what they will be she will let the council know.

Police Commission & Fire Commission- They meet again later this month

Tree Board- Tree Board is getting rekindled and will have updates in the next month or so when new people are appointed

Downtown Beatification Committee- Mayor Brust stated they have been very busy finalizing plans and designs for Emmett Street; last week a walk through every square block of downtown with the engineering firm was done with discussion of what needs to be done and how it should be done to finish up the plans. Those plans will be shared with the council soon.

Finance Committee- Nothing new at this time

Mayor’s Report – Mayor Brust congratulated those that won the election yesterday. Next meeting is planned for April 17th. On April 19th there is going to be an IML Lobby Day in Springfield, any and all Alderman are welcome to attend, it’s a great event. Please let Alyssa or Mayor know tonight if you would like to attend tonight. Happy Easter to everyone.

ANNOUNCEMENTS –

Motion to adjourn the meeting of the City Council was made by Alderman Wesner, seconded by Alderman Holcomb. Voice vote was taken. All voted yes. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 7:49 p.m.

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