Carbondale Reporter

City of Genoa City Council met Nov. 5.

Here is the agenda provided by the council:

I. CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III. GUEST SPEAKERS

IV. PUBLIC COMMENT

V. OLD BUSINESS

VI. CONSENT AGENDA

A. MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA THAT INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

1. THE MINUTES FROM THE OCTOBER 15, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING

2. THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLES DATED NOVEMBER 1, 2025

3. THE CLOSURE OF SOUTH WASHINGTON STREET FROM THE ALLEY TO ROUTE 72 ON NOVEMBER 15TH FROM 6:00 AM TO 5 PM FOR OPENDOOR’S ARTISAN CHRISTMAS MARKET

4. THE USE OF DOWNTOWN PARKING SPACES, THE CITY’S PARKING LOT, AND NORTH EMMETT STREET FROM ROUTE 72 TO THE ALLEY BY CRUISIN’ TO HAVE A CAR SHOW ON NOVEMBER 9TH, 2025 FROM 9 AM TO 3 PM

5. ACCEPT THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 POLICE PENSION FUND MUNICIPAL COMPLIANCE REPORT AND FUNDING ACTUARIAL VALUATION REPORT

Each Year, the Police Pension Fund has an Actuarial Valuation Report completed to determine the recommended annual Municipal Contribution to the Police Pension Fund to meet State Statute funding requirements. These reports consider current fund balance, active member’s future pension benefits, current pension benefits being paid, investment returns and the projected unfunded liability. The Actuarial is recommending the City contribute $322,986. Included in the draft Fiscal Year 2026 budget is $330,000 contributed from the Police Department budget to the Police Pension Fund.

6. THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF FLOORING IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS BY CARPETLAND USA, INC., NOT TO EXCEED $20,280.12

Following a sewer backup at City Hall, the City filed a claim to replace carpet in the Council Chambers. Replacing the carpet with new carpet vs. vinyl flooring was compared and it was found that the vinyl flooring was only $1,000 more yet offers benefits such as cleanliness and more aesthetics. The cost of the installation for flooring has been covered by the insurance claim.

7. AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO PURCHASE WATER METERS FROM WINWATER, NOT TO EXCEED $19,400

8. A STATEMENT OF WORK WITH SIKICH TO PERFORM THE 2025 ANNUAL AUDIT, NOT TO EXCEED $27,950

The City of Genoa has contracted with Sikich since 1999 for audit services. Sikich provides auditing services to over 100 governmental clients, making them a prominent auditing firm in Northern Illinois. For 25 years, Sikich has provided excellent auditing services as well as outstanding resources regarding accounting issues. This year, the costs of these services amount to $27,950, broken down below, which represents a 3.7% increase in their services from last year. The cost for these services is largely attributed to the City of Genoa Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2025 Audit, which is required by law. An audit of the Police Pension Fund and the Comptroller Report is added as the requirements will be changing this year possibly requiring assistance from Sikich to complete, which is included in the Statement of Work being considered. Also broken down below are additional services provided by Sikich, however, Staff does not anticipate engaging Sikich for. The $27,950 total does not include the other services provided.

Required Services:

City Audit – Not to exceed $23,800

Pension Audit – Not to exceed $2,930

Comptroller Report – Not to exceed $1,220

Other Services Provided:

Single Audit – If Required - $4,700

Pension DOI Report- Completed by Lauterbach & Amen - $3,320

GAGAS Opinion – If Required - $2,350

VII. NEW BUSINESS

A. APPROVE AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN AMENDED FINAL PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT FOR UNITS 5 AND 6 OF THE RIVERBEND ADDITION TO GENOA SUBDIVISION (RIVERBEND ADDITION TO GENOA)

The City annexed, platted, and approved a Planned Unit Development (P.U.D.) for the Riverbend Subdivision in 2002. After the 2008 housing market crash, the subdivision fell into litigation until 2018 when vacant lots were purchased by By Grainger. The petitioner and property owner previously amended the P.U.D. in the Riverbend Subdivision in 2018 and 2019 to allow for the Grainger 55+ Community, including townhomes, condos, and a clubhouse.

Once again, the City has required an amendment to the P.U.D. because under these 2018 and 2019 amendments, the lots proposed for the pickleball courts (Unit 3) and for conversion back to a single-family lot (Unit 5) had previously been designated as green space and parking around the 55+ clubhouse. Further, in the 2018 and 2019 amendments to the P.U.D., floor plans and renderings of units in Unit 6 were approved that included 4-unit buildings, which are now being requested to be revised to include 6 unit buildings.

Since this is an amendment to the Preliminary and Final P.U.D., a Public Hearing was held on September 25, 2025. Minutes from the Plan Commission meeting and Public Hearing are within the packet, as well as a Staff Report provided to the Plan Commission along with submittals from the Petitioner. During the Plan Commission meeting on September 25, 2025, the Plan Commission unanimously recommended to the City Council approval of the modifications to Units 5 and 6 (reverting a parking lot back to a single family lot and modifying the Unit 6 condos from 4 units to 6 units) subject to the conditions within the Item A ordinance. At the same meeting, the Plan Commission unanimously recommended the denial of the modifications to Unit 3 to allow for

pickleball courts in Unit 5 (corresponding denial ordinance as item B below). Based on the Plan Commission recommendations, ordinances were prepared for the City Council for final consideration. Within the ordinances are the Findings of Fact based on the City’s ordinances to support approval of denial.

B. APPROVE AN ORDINANCE DENYING AN AMENDMENT TO UNIT 3 OF THE RIVERBEND ADDITION TO GENOA SUBDIVISION TO PERMIT PICKLEBALL COURTS

(See explanation within item A as well as supporting documents within the packet)

C. APPROVE AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE CITY’S NEW UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE Over the past year, the City of Genoa Plan Commission has been updating its Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) with the help of a planning firm, Egret and Ox. This ordinance establishes development regulations in the City of Genoa. A few examples include:

• setbacks

• zoning types

• signage

• use charts

• lighting

A Public Hearing was by held by the Plan Commission meeting on October 9th, 2025 comments from the public were heard. Following their final review and public comments, the Plan Commission unanimously recommended approval of the 2025 Unified Development Ordinance to the City Council. Egret and Ox will be present to discuss changes and answer questions the Council may have.

D. APPROVE THE 2025 TAX LEVY DETERMINATION FOR THE CITY OF GENOA

Staff has prepared the 2025 Tax Levy Determination:

City of Genoa $ 1,028,000

Genoa Riverbend SSA $ 142,170

Derby Estates SSA $ 12,500

Genoa Oak Creek Estates SSA #4 $ 22,580

The tax levy determination being presented results in a 5.9% reduction in the City of Genoa’s tax rate. A detailed presentation will be provided at the City Council meeting. A Public Hearing and final approval will take place at the November 19, 2025 meeting.

E. FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN PRESENTATION

VIII. FUTURE ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

IX. DEPARTMENT REPORTS

X. ANNOUNCEMENTS

XI. MOTION TO ADJOURN

https://www.genoa-il.com/media/4591