Carbondale Reporter

City of Genoa City Council met May 7.

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. Aldermen Wesner, Pulley, Stage, Winter, Braheny, and Roca were present. Quorum present.

SWEARING IN OF ELECTED OFFICIALS

A. City Attorney Kelly Cahill swore in Jonathon Brust as Mayor for the City of Genoa.

B. Mayor Brust swore in Rebecca Stevenson as City Clerk for the City of Genoa

C. City Clerk Rebecca Stevenson swore in Christopher Pulley as Ward 1 Alderman for the City of Genoa.

D. City Clerk Rebecca Stevenson swore in Courtney Winter as Ward 3 Alderman for the City of Genoa.

E. City Clerk Rebecca Stevenson swore in Dean Gudeman as Ward 4 Alderman for the City of Genoa. Alderman Gudeman was present at 6:30pm but wasn’t included in roll call as he wasn’t a pre-existing alderman.

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 1-5 within the consent agenda, seconded by Alderman Stage. No further discussion. Aldermen Wesner, Pulley, Stage, Winter, Braheny, Gudeman and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

1. Approval Of The Minutes From The April 16, 2025, City Council Meeting

2. Approval Of The Accounts Payables Dated April 30, 2025

3. The Use And Closure Of South Washington Street From West Church Street To West Hill Street For The Marine Vets Motorcycle Club Memorial Ride Staging, From 8:30am-11:00am On May 10, 2025

4. The Use And Closure Of North Emmett Street From Route 72 To The Alley For Main Street Bar And Grill’s Block Party On July 19th From 12pm-10pm

5. An Ordinance Amending Title 3, Chapter 3, Liquor Control, Section 8 Of The City Code Of City Of Genoa

NEW BUSINESS:

APPROVE STAFF, COMMISSION, AND BOARD APPOINTMENTS AS LISTED IN THE MEMO DATED MAY 5, 2025, FROM MAYOR JONATHON BRUST Alderman Stage made a motion to approve staff, commission and board appointments, seconded by Alderman Wesner. No further discussion. Aldermen Wesner, Pulley, Stage, Winter, Braheny, Gudeman and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF AN I TOUCH BIOMETRICS LIVE SCAN FINGERPRINT SYSTEM FROM I TOUCH BIOMETRICS, NOT EXCEED $12,710 Alderman Pulley made a motion to approve the purchase from I Touch Biometrics, seconded by Alderman Roca. Alderman Braheny asked if there was an option to purchase this that wouldn’t have an annual fee assessed. Chief Hathcoat explained that unfortunately that is not an option. No further discussion. Aldermen Wesner, Pulley, Stage, Winter, Braheny, Gudeman and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF 10 KENWOOD 5400 SERIES RADIOS AND ACCESSORIES, NOT TO EXCEED $29,918.50

Alderman Roca made a motion to approve the purchase of 10 Kenwood 5400 series radios and accessories, seconded by Alderman Gudeman. There was a brief discussion on the lifespan of these radios and the ones the department currently has. No further discussion. Aldermen Wesner, Pulley, Stage, Winter, Braheny, Gudeman and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

APPROVE A QUOTE FOR DOWNTOWN CROSSWALKS FROM GALLAGHER ASPHALT, INC., NOT TO EXCEED $68,524

Alderman Stage made a motion to approve the quote for downtown crosswalks, seconded by Alderman Pulley. There was a discussion on this topic because it did come in over budget. Public Works Director Smith explained that despite this being slightly over budget, the initial part of the downtown project came in under budget. Some aldermen were concerned that this a large sum of money and may be used better elsewhere or saved for future unexpected expenditures. There was also a discussion on how the crosswalks are being constructed and how they will hold up over years to come. No further discussion. Aldermen Pulley, Stage, Gudeman and Roca voted yes. Alderman Braheny voted no. Aldermen Wesner and Winter abstained. Motion carried.

APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR TO PURCHASE A VERMEER WOODCHIPPER FROM MIDWEST VERMEER, NOT TO EXCEED $61,675.80

Alderman Pulley made a motion to approve and authorize the Public Works Director to purchase a Vermeer Woodchipper, seconded by Alderman Winter. There was a brief discussion on how often this piece of equipment is used and whether this expense is necessary. Public Works Director Smith explained that this is one of the most used pieces of equipment within the department and is budgeted into the equipment replacement fund. No further discussion. Aldermen Wesner, Pulley, Stage, Winter, Braheny, Gudeman and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH FOUR SEASONS AMUSEMENTS FOR HARVEST FEST RIDES AND A GENERATOR RENTAL, NOT TO EXCEED $12,565

Alderman Winter made a motion to approve and authorize the mayor to execute a service agreement with Four Seasons Amusements for Harvest Fest rides, seconded by Alderman Roca. There was some discussion on the cost of the event and what the revenue from the event looks like. There was also discussion about doing two rides rather than three to cut the cost down. No further discussion. Aldermen Wesner, Pulley, Stage, Winter, Braheny, Gudeman and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

PRESENTATION OF THE 2025-2 MUNICIPAL SNAPSHOT

City Administrator Seguss presented the 2025-2 municipal snapshot to the council. Within the packet there is more information on what the city does as a whole, what each department does specifically, contact information, elected officials’ information, calendars, budget information, future goals for the city and more.

FUTURE ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION – Alderman Winter brought up concerns for the future in regards to the budget. Mayor Brust explained that all of the departments within the city have worked very hard to cut out any excess expenditures from their budgets that they could. He explained that the first draft of the budget was approximately $400,000 more than the budget that was presented to council after all of the different cuts. He explained that the city can continue to look at each budget item and evaluate its necessity, but he wanted to ensure the council that the city and all departments are working very hard to ensure the city’s success for years to come. Alderman Roca wanted a follow up on the neighbor of 220 S Genoa St who had come to previous meetings expressing concerns. City Administrator Seguss explained that she has been in contact with her to update her on what the city has been doing in an effort to address her concerns. Alderman Wesner explained that some business owners downtown have expressed concerns about vehicles going West on Main St then stopping in the road to turn left into the diagonal parking in front of Napa and therefore backing up traffic. Additionally, there have been many vehicles doing U-turns in the area as well. Chief Hathcoat explained that they will do some extra patrol in the area.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

FINANCE:

Finance Director Tures explained that the fiscal year just ended, and the new fiscal year started on May 1st. She explained that the exact numbers for the end of the fiscal year probably won’t come in for another 6-8 weeks. She also announced that preliminary audit work starts the following week.

PUBLIC WORKS:

Public Works Director Smith announced that Oak Creek crack filling begins tomorrow. He also gave an update on Willow Glen micro surfacing, the forestry grant and the safe routes to school grant.

ADMINISTRATION:

City Administrator Seguss shared that the comprehensive and strategic plan committee met last week, and they will be giving a report to the council in late June. She also reminded the council that the Open Meetings Act training is due in mid-June.

POLICE:

Chief Hathcoat gave a report on the month of April. He explained that it was slightly slower than March but was a nice break as May has already proven to be busier. He also announced upcoming events such as Cop on a Rooftop at the Dunkin’ Donuts, the Memorial Day parade, and Genoa Days.

MAYOR:

Mayor Brust congratulated all of the newly elected officials and reminded the council that there is still a vacancy in Ward 2 if anyone knows someone who may be interested.

ANNOUNCEMENTS – None

Motion to adjourn the meeting of the City Council was made by Wesner, seconded by Alderman Winter. Voice vote was taken, all voted yes. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:13pm.

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