Carbondale Reporter

City of Genoa City Council met Oct. 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Brust called the meeting of the City Council to order at 7:02pm 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 October 4, 2023, City Council meeting, seconded by Alderman Pulley. Voice vote was taken, all voted yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Alderman Pulley to approve payment of the accounts payable for October 15, 2023, seconded by Alderman Freund. 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 – Alderman Hughes mentioned that he would like to discuss the plan for street repairs throughout the city of Genoa at a future meeting, including microsurfacing.

NEW BUSINESS:

PRESENTATION OF THE CITY OF GENOA FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023 AUDIT REPORT BY SIKICH

Kellen O’Malley, a senior manager at Sikich, presented the report for the audit that they recently completed for fiscal year 2022-2023. Within the report was the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the fiscal year 2021-2022. This was the city’s 17th consecutive year receiving this award. Upon acceptance, the 2022-2023 report will also be submitted for review for this award.

APPROVE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 3, CHAPTER 3, LIQUOR CONTROL, SECTION 13 OF THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF GENOA

Alderman Wesner made a motion to approve the amendment to the ordinance, seconded by Alderman Braheny. There was a brief discussion regarding why the change was brought up and what businesses this will benefit. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Winter, Braheny, and Hughes voted yes. Alderman Roca voted no. Motion carried.

ACCEPT THE ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 2023

Alderman Pulley made a motion to accept the annual comprehensive financial report, seconded by Alderman Wesner. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

APPROVE HEALTH INSURANCE RENEWAL EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 1, 2023, THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2024

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

APPROVE PATCH WORK ON NORTH MONROE STREET BY ROYER ASPHALT, NOT TO EXCEED $10,620

Motion made by Alderman Wesner to approve patch work on North Monroe Street, seconded by Alderman Braheny. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

APPROVE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 7, PUBLIC WAYS AND PROPERTY, CHAPTER 4, TREES, SHRUBS, AND OTHER PLANTS, OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF GENOA

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

APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH FEHR GRAHAM FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, NOT TO EXCEED $1,200

Alderman Winter made a motion to approve of the agreement with Fehr Graham, 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 had nothing more to report after the thorough presentation by Sikich. Mayor Brust highlighted how important the information really is and how well the City of Genoa is doing when it comes to financial reporting.

PUBLIC WORKS:

Public Works Director Janice Melton reported that they are working on filling the last of the potholes before it gets too cold. Street sweeping will begin soon as the leaves start falling, they have two pieces of equipment on the road for street sweeping this season. Melton reported that everything is going well, water is flowing nicely, and they are moving towards the media replacement that was previously approved for the filtration system which will happen in December.

POLICE:

Police Chief Robert Smith gave an update on the new hire list. The two laterals on the list, Marisol and Ian, have both been hired and are now working for the city, and there were four basic recruits, no experience, which is now down to one. That person is an auxiliary, and they are hoping to send him to academy in January.

ADMINISTRATION:

City Administrator Alyssa Seguss announced that they have received the strategic and comprehensive plan drafts and will be meeting with NIU to go over them. They will then be sent out to council members to receive feedback on. After it is reviewed internally, it will be revealed to the public for feedback and eventually adopted by the council. She also went over a couple of things that the city has been working on that will be seen at future meetings. Seguss announced that after almost 30 years of service to the city, Janice Melton will be retiring at the end of this year. We wish Janice nothing but the best upon her retirement and thank her for her years of service.

MAYOR:

Mayor Brust told the council about some recent and upcoming meetings he has, including meeting with the new interim superintendent of the schools and the president of NIU. He also announced that there is a small Italian take out place that has shown interest in coming to Genoa and they are working with a developer to move forward.

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 7:49pm.

https://www.genoa-il.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Meeting-Minutes-10182023.pdf