Carbondale Reporter

City of Genoa City Council met July 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Brust called the meeting of the City Council to order at 7:01pm followed by roll call. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca were present. Alderman Stage was absent. Quorum present.

GUEST SPEAKERS – None

Motion made by Alderman Wesner to accept the minutes from the June 21, 2023, City Council meeting, seconded by Alderman Freund. Voice vote was taken, all voted yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Alderman Pulley to approve payment of the accounts payable for June 30, 2023, seconded by Alderman Wesner. There was a brief discussion regarding items 11 and 48. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

ITEMS FROM INDIVIDUALS IN ATTENDANCE – Dan Dwyer of 213 S Brown St came before the council to ask if more could be done about the fireworks, such as a higher fee, due to his yard being covered in trash from the fireworks the night before.

OLD BUSINESS – None

FUTURE ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION – None

NEW BUSINESS:

RECOGNITION OF DEPUTY CHIEF GREG EDWARDS UPON HIS RETIREMENT

On behalf of the City of Genoa, both Chief Robert Smith and Mayor Brust recognized Deputy Chief Greg Edwards for his 26 years of service for our community and wished him the best upon his retirement.

APPROVE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 3, CHAPTER 3, LIQUOR CONTROL, SECTION 8 OF THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF GENOA

Alderman Wesner made a motion to approve the ordinance and therefore create an additional R Liquor License, seconded by Alderman Braheny. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

APPROVE AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO A PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT FOR A TRAINING FACILITY LOCATED AT 515 FOREST VIEW DRIVE

Alderman Wesner made a motion to approve the ordinance that approves an amendment to a preliminary and final planned unit development for IBEW, seconded by Alderman Freund. Alderman Freund, being a backyard neighbor to the training facility, commented on how great they have been as neighbors and voiced her support of their proposal and new plans. Mayor Brust also recognized IBEW for their work and professionalism within our community. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH FEHR GRAHAM FOR A PHASE 1 ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT FOR 3 PARCELS ALONG MONROE STREET, NOT TO EXCEED $2,600

Alderman Hughes made a motion to approve of the above stated agreement with Fehr Graham, seconded by Alderman Pulley. There was some discussion regarding what would come after Phase 1 and what the city would be held accountable for if something were to be found. City Administrator Alyssa Seguss and City Attorney Kelly Cahill further explained the assessment and next steps. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE CHIEF OF POLICE AND MAYOR BRUST TO EXECUTE A SPECIAL OPERATIONS TEAM AGREEMENT WITH THE DEKALB COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, PENDING ATTORNEY REVIEW

Motion made by Alderman Braheny to approve and authorize the execution of a Special Operations Team agreement with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, seconded by Alderman Roca. Chief Robert Smith explained the agreement and how the opportunity would benefit the City of Genoa. He also stated that Officer Havlicek would be the officer to join the Special Operations Team and he already owns most additional equipment that would be needed. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

APPROVE A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF SURPLUS PUBLIC REAL ESTATE

Alderman Braheny made a motion to approve a resolution authorizing the sale of surplus public real estate, seconded by Alderman Winter. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF GENOA AND GENOA-KINGSTON SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER PROGRAM

Motion made by Alderman Wesner to approve and authorize the mayor to execute the memorandum of understanding, seconded by Alderman Freund. There was some discussion regarding which schools this memorandum applied to. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A SIDE LETTER WITH THE GENOA-KINGSTON SCHOOL DISTRICT

Alderman Braheny made a motion to approve and authorize the mayor to execute the side letter, seconded by Alderman Hughes. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

FINANCE

Finance Director Jan Tures informed the council that they sent out the new utility bills and had mostly positive feedback with minor issues which are being worked out. She also announced that the Government Finance Officers Association rewarded the finance department with the certificate of achievement for excellence in financial reporting for fiscal year 2021. The reward is the 17th consecutive reward for the department and the highest achievement possible for financial reporting.

PUBLIC WORKS

Public Works Director Janice Melton explained the situation surrounding the water main that broke the previous week and how it will be repaired. She reported that sewer flows are still very low despite the bit of rain we have gotten. She also informed the council that street painting has been started and tree maintenance is ongoing. After a few days of watching the traffic flow for Dunkin Donuts in the mornings Melton was very impressed with their efficiency and lack of backup into the road which was a traffic concern in the first week of it being open.

POLICE

Police Chief Robert Smith informed the council of a single vehicle accident that happened on Saturday July 1st which resulted in the death of a 60-year-old male from Cary, IL. Two new speed signs were purchased with the goal of leaving one on Madison and the other being able to float through various problem areas throughout the city. Smith also told the council that police applications are ongoing through the end of July. There was a complaint about streetlights being out in Riverbend and the police department is actively working to find which ones are out in order to get them replaced.

ADMINISTRATIVE

City Administrator Alyssa Seguss announced that Genoa was chosen by NIU to have an intern come from their Ignite program to work within the city. The student will either be a business or marketing major, and they are meeting next week to discuss next steps. She also confirmed that the July 13th planning commission meeting is cancelled. Per last week’s meeting the city is moving forward with the acquisition of the Heartland Bank’s properties despite the seller’s denial of the contract language changes that the council proposed. Seguss announced the ribbon cutting for Main Street Bar & Grill will happen at 11am on July 6th. Alderman Pulley asked Seguss about the IDOT survey that was posted on the city page and wanted to know how the responses affect IDOT. Seguss and Mayor Brust explained that the responses are helpful in showing IDOT which areas need the most improvements.

ANNOUNCEMENTS – Happy Birthday Alderman Wesner!

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 was carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:40pm.

https://www.genoa-il.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Meeting-Minutes-07052023.pdf