Carbondale Reporter

City of Genoa City Council met Sept. 4.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Brust called the meeting of the City Council to order at 6:31pm followed by roll call. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, and Braheny were present. Alderman Roca was absent. Quorum present. Alderman Hughes was initially absent but was in attendance as of 6:34pm, he was not present to vote on the consent agenda.

Mayor Brust led the pledge of allegiance.

GUEST SPEAKERS – None

PUBLIC COMMENT – None

OLD BUSINESS – None

CONSENT AGENDA

Alderman Wesner made a motion to approve of items 1-4 within the consent agenda, seconded by Alderman Freund. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, and Braheny voted yes. Motion carried.

1. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE AUGUST 21, 2024, CITY COUNCIL MEETING

2. APPROVAL OF THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLES DATED AUGUST 31, 2024

3. APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF JANIS TURES TO THE POLICE PENSION BOARD

4. APPROVE THE 2025 ANNUAL MEETING CALENDAR

NEW BUSINESS:

RECOGNITION OF CHIEF ROBERT SMITH UPON HIS RETIREMENT Mayor Brust and the council recognized Chief Robert Smith upon his retirement from being Chief of Police for the City of Genoa. Smith has served Genoa for 29 years and will continue serving as the School Resource Officer for Genoa-Kingston High School.

SWEARING IN OF CHIEF CHRISTOPHER HATHCOAT

City Clerk Stevenson swore in Christopher Hathcoat as the new Chief of Police for the City of Genoa.

APPROVE AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING TITLE 6 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF GENOA

Alderman Pulley made a motion to approve the ordinance adopting title 6 of the municipal code, seconded by Alderman Stage. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Braheny, and Hughes voted yes. Motion carried.

APPROVE A FAÇADE GRANT AGREEMENT WITH PRIZM REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS, LLC, FOR 105 SOUTH EMMETT STREET, NOT TO EXCEED $30,000, FOR A TERM ENDING ON JANUARY 1, 2025

Alderman Braheny made a motion to approve the façade grant, seconded by Alderman Wesner. Mayor Brust and City Administrator Seguss explained some of the details of the grant and the future plans for the property. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Braheny, and Hughes voted yes. Motion carried.

FUTURE ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION – None

DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

FINANCE:

Finance Director Tures announced that the audit is in its final stages and is to be presented and approved by Sikich in October.

PUBLIC WORKS:

Public Works Director Smith gave an update on the various projects happening within Genoa including the downtown project, the STU project and the water filter rehabilitation project. He also explained they are working with IDOT regarding some concerns they’ve found during work on the First, Prairie, Hickory and Evans Street projects.

ADMINISTRATION:

City Administrator Seguss announced that she met with the Dekalb County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) and a broker for the Crossroads of Genoa property as it is now on the market. The DCEDC will be marketing the property to hopefully find a buyer. She also announced that the strategic plan action steps will be presented to the council on October 2nd and the Unified Development Ordinance will continue to be updated within the next couple of months.

POLICE:

Chief Hathcoat thanked the mayor, the city, Officer Smith and the council for their support as he transitions into his new role. He also told the council that the department is prepared and staffed up for Volksfest over the weekend.

MAYOR:

Mayor Brust invited the members of the council to attend the IML annual conference in Chicago at the end of the month.

ANNOUNCEMENTS – Alderman Pulley announced that Harvest Fest is coming up on October 5th and they need volunteers.

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 adjourned at 7:10pm.

https://www.genoa-il.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Meeting-Minutes-09042024.pdf