Carbondale Reporter

City of Genoa City Council met Sept. 20.

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.

Mayor Brust led the pledge of allegiance.

GUEST SPEAKERS – None

Motion made by Alderman Braheny to accept the minutes from the September 6, 2023, City Council meeting, seconded by Alderman Freund. Voice vote was taken, all voted yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Alderman Wesner to approve payment of the accounts payable for September 15, 2023, seconded by Alderman Pulley. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

ITEMS FROM INDIVIDUALS IN ATTENDANCE – None

OLD BUSINESS – None

FUTURE ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION – None

NEW BUSINESS:

RECOGNITION OF BEVIA PROBST UPON HER RETIREMENT AS A SCHOOL CROSSING GUARD

Police Chief Robert Smith recognized Bevia Probst upon her retirement as a school crossing guard and thanked her for her continuous years of service to Genoa and its students.

INTRODUCE OFFICER MARISOL ALEMAN

New officer Marisol Aleman introduced herself before the council and talked about her background working in the city of Chicago. Chief Smith updated the council on her training as well.

SWEARING IN OF OFFICER IAN BILYK

City Clerk Becca Stevenson swore in new officer Ian Bilyk. Chief Smith informed the council he will start his training the following week and upon his swearing in, the Police Department is fully staffed.

PRESENTATION BY CLOUD PERMIT

Brian from Cloud Permit gave a presentation on the company and explained that Cloud Permit is a community development software that specializes in building permitting, licensing, planning and zoning, and code enforcement. There was a discussion within the council following his presentation about the potential of using this software in the future. Although the software is a bit on the higher end of pricing, many of the council members and staff believe it will be worth it. There will be more discussion on this at a later meeting.

APPROVE THE USE OF DOWNTOWN PARKING SPACES BY CRUISIN’ TO HAVE A CAR SHOW ON SEPTEMBER 23RD FROM 9AM TO 3PM

Alderman Braheny made a motion to approve the use of downtown parking spaces for a car show, seconded by Alderman Wesner. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

WAIVE THE BID PROCESS AND APPROVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW SIDEWALK AND SIDEWALK REPAIR BY UNITRIM CEMENT AND LANDSCAPING, NOT TO EXCEED $25,437

Alderman Pulley made a motion to waive the bid process and approve the construction of new sidewalk and sidewalk repair by Unitrim, seconded by Alderman Roca. Public Works director Janice Melton explained that even though this was the only bid that they received, Unitrim has been used before and provides quality work. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

APPROVE A QUOTE FOR SQUAD AND BODY CAMERAS FROM MOTOROLA, NOT TO EXCEED $12,703

Alderman Wesner made a motion to approve the quote for squad and body cameras from Motorola, seconded by Alderman Roca. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

APPROVE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH FEHR GRAHAM FOR CONSTRUCTION OBSERVATION OF STEARN DRIVE, NOT TO EXCEED $2,500

Alderman Wesner made a motion to approve the professional services agreement with Fehr Graham, seconded by Alderman Braheny. There was a brief discussion on where this construction was located and why the agreement was signed after the work was already done. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF WATER MAIN PIPE, COPPER, AND BRASS FITTINGS FOR THE COOPER COURT AND REID ROAD WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT, NOT TO EXCEED $66,150

Alderman Winter made a motion to approve of the purchase, seconded by Alderman Pulley. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

CLOSED SESSION

Alderman Braheny made a motion to go into a closed session for the purpose of approving the minutes of the previous closed session and for the purpose of releasing closed session minutes, seconded by Alderman Hughes. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Winter Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

RECONVENE REGULAR SESSION

Alderman Braheny made a motion to reconvene regular session, seconded by Alderman Freund. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

APPROVE THE RELEASE OF CERTAIN CLOSED SESSION MEETING MINUTES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT

Alderman Braheny made a motion to approve the release of closed session meeting minutes from April 26, 2023, and June 21, 2023, in accordance with the Open Meetings Act, seconded by Alderman Pulley. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

FINANCE:

Finance Director Jan Tures announced that the final paperwork for the audit has been submitted and will be presented to the city council in October for approval. She also explained that the updated budget is right on track for where it should be at this time in the fiscal year.

PUBLIC WORKS:

Public Works Director Janice Melton told the council that they got a few complaints about temporary flooding due to the amount of rain that had fallen and there are a few areas they will be looking into further. She also announced that there is another employee leaving the department for an opportunity with Waste Management.

POLICE:

Police Chief Robert Smith announced that the PD is finally fully staffed, and they will continue testing for an additional sergeant in December. Smith also went over the new SAFE-T Act that went into effect September 18, 2023, and there was some discussion on what this entailed. Any further questions can be directed towards Chief Smith.

MAYOR:

Mayor Brust informed the council that himself and a few other fellow alderman and city staff will be attending several events in the following weeks. He also announced that Ampler Development closed on the property from IDOT and they are getting ready to break ground for the new Taco Bell.

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 8:05pm.

https://www.genoa-il.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Meeting-Minutes-09202023.pdf