DeKalb Times

City of Genoa City Council met Dec. 4.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Vicary opened the Public Hearing on the 2018 Tax Levy for Oak Creek Estates, Unit Four Special Service Area at 7:02 p.m. Roll call was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido, Stevenson, Winter, Cravatta, Brust and Lang were present. There were no public comments. Mayor Vicary closed the Public Hearing and the meeting was adjourned at 7:04 p.m.

Mayor Vicary called the regular meeting of the City Council to order at 7:05 p.m. Roll call was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido, Stevenson, Winter, Cravatta, Brust and Lang were present.

Mayor Vicary led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Guest Speakers: Niamh Welp, Principal for the Northwest Center for Autism and Theresa Smith, Vice President for Camelot Education. Principal Welp announced that Camelot will be having an open house from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 12, 2018, with the ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:00 p.m. that day as well. She also expressed that Genoa has been very receptive to them and expressed her gratitude to the Police Department for their assistance with the State mandated Intruder Drill. She stated that the Fire Department included Camelot in Fire Prevention Month back in October, which was very educational and fun for the students. Ms. Welp stated that the school has been equipped with more sensory devices and adaptions for the students. Theresa Smith provided some background information regarding Camelot. She stated that they exist all over the country and serve children with special needs as well as students that have not been successful in a traditional public school system. They provide detailed programming, which includes special sensory rooms, basic grooming courses and life skills, such as making beds and washing clothes. Ms. Smith stated that Camelot has been providing these services in DeKalb County for almost 30 years and is looking forward to celebrating their accomplishments at the ribbon cutting in their new school. Council asked a few questions and Principal Welp responded that they currently have 90 students with a capacity of 100 and there is currently a wait list for the elementary classes. They also have approximately 100 staff members. Also, any student that completes all of the required classes receive a diploma from the school district that they live in, as opposed to one from Camelot.

Guest Speaker: Tim Hughes, DeKalb County Representative provided Council with updates regarding solar gardens and wind turbines. He stated that the solar gardens Ordinance was passed in April of 2018. He indicated that there are approximately 55 proposed solar gardens in DeKalb County and of those, approximately 7 to 10 will be located in District 2. Mr. Hughes stated that it has not been determined yet as to who will be allowed to develop the solar gardens and who will not; he believes it will be some type of lottery. Mr. Hughes then stated that the wind turbines were just passed last month. He indicated that Planning and Zoning did a great job of putting provisions in the Ordinance to help protect the residents. Mr. Hughes also stated that some concerns people have is with the windfall associated with the turbines. He indicated that the windfall is greater at the beginning, but decreases each year. Council thanked Representative Hughes for his time and efforts.

Motion made by Alderman Lang to approve the minutes of the Special City Council meeting of November 14, 2018, seconded by Alderman Winter. Voice vote was taken. All voted yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Alderman Brust to approve the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of November 20, 2018, seconded by Alderman Lang. Voice vote was taken. All voted yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Alderman Brust to approve payment of the accounts payables for the 2nd half of November 2018, in the amount of $235,314.38, seconded by Alderman Lang. Alderman Stevenson asked if line item #61 to Zukowski, Rogers and Flood for the October 2018 Riverbend litigation legal fees would be the last payment. Consultant Ganek responded that the payment is a transfer; meaning the Developer is required to put money in an escrow account to pay those fees. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Brust, Lang, Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido, Stevenson, Winter and Cravatta voted yes. Motion carried.

ITEMS FROM INDIVIDUALS IN ATTENDANCE – None OLD BUSINESS – None

NEW BUSINESS

CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE ABATING THE TAX HERETOFORE LEVIED FOR THE YEAR 2018 TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON BONDS:

 Motion made by Alderman Wesner to approve an Ordinance abating the tax heretofore levied for the year 2018 to pay the principal and interest on $1,250,000 general obligation bonds, Series 2005, of the City of Genoa, Illinois, seconded by Alderman Brust. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido, Stevenson, Winter, Cravatta, Brust and Lang voted yes. Motion carried.

 Motion made by Alderman Stevenson to approve an Ordinance abating the tax heretofore levied for the year 2018 to pay the principal of and interest on $550,000 general obligation bonds, Series 2010 of the City of Genoa, Illinois, seconded by Alderman Lang. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Stevenson, Winter, Cravatta, Brust, Lang, Wesner, Carroll and Di Guido voted yes. Motion carried.

CONSIDER ORDINANCES LEVYING SPECIAL SERVICE AREA PROPERTY TAXES FOR RIVERBEND, DERBY ESTATES AND OAK CREEK ESTATES, UNIT 4:

 Motion made by Alderman Wesner to approve an Ordinance levying special service area property taxes for the special services to be provided in Riverbend special service area in the City of Genoa, DeKalb County, Illinois for the fiscal year commencing on the 1st day of May, 2018 and ending on the 30th day of April, 2019, seconded by Alderman Carroll. Alderman Lang asked for clarification of what special services are provided. Consultant Ganek responded that it was originally maintenance of the Park areas. Riverbend and Oak Creek Estates subdivisions are not in the Genoa Park District area; they are in the Kingston Park District area. Kingston does not service the parks in those 2 subdivisions, so we have an agreement that 76% of the special services goes to the Genoa Park District and the remaining 24% goes to Public Works for maintaining the Parks and open spaces in those areas. Alderman Brust asked if the Park District provides us with a list of services they have provided. Director Gentile responded yes, periodically. Alderman Brust requested to see an updated list. Alderman Lang stated that she would like to see a fountain in Derby Estates. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido, Stevenson, Winter, Cravatta, Brust and Lang voted yes. Motion carried.

 Motion made by Alderman Stevenson to approve an Ordinance levying special service area property taxes for the special services provided in Derby Estates special service area in the City of Genoa, DeKalb County, Illinois for the fiscal year commencing on the 1st day of May, 2018 and ending on the 30th day of April, 2019, seconded by Alderman Brust. Alderman Winter questioned why there was a detailed notice in the paper for Oak Creek and not the other subdivisions. (Oak Creek is actually the next item on the agenda) Consultant Ganek responded that we were required to publish it, since the tax increase request was over the cost of living amount. He stated that the reason the percentage is higher, is due to the subdivision being sparsely developed. It used to have 3 homes, now it has 8. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Stevenson, Winter, Cravatta, Brust, Lang, Wesner, Carroll and Di Guido voted yes. Motion carried.

 Motion made by Alderman Winter to approve an Ordinance levying special service area property taxes for the special services to be provided in Genoa Oak Creek Estates Unit 4 special service area in the City of Genoa, DeKalb County, Illinois for the fiscal year commencing on the 1st day of May, 2018 and ending on the 30th day of April, 2019, seconded by Alderman Cravatta. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Winter, Cravatta, Brust, Lang, Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido and Stevenson voted yes. Motion carried.

CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE LEVYING TAXES FOR ALL CORPORATE PURPOSES FOR THE CITY OF GENOA: Motion made by Alderman Wesner to approve an Ordinance levying taxes for all corporate purposes for the City of Genoa, DeKalb County, Illinois, for the fiscal year commencing on the 1st day of May, 2018 and ending on the 30th day of April, 2019, seconded by Alderman Carroll. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido, Stevenson, Winter, Cravatta, Brust and Lang voted yes. Motion carried.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Administrative Report – City Consultant, Bill Ganek reported that at least 3 foundations are being removed or filled into the holes in the Riverbend subdivision. He indicated that when homes are being built that do not have basements, concrete can be buried. A licensed engineer will be involved to insure that everything is structurally sound. Mr. Ganek also reported that the Genoa Police Union notified us that after the first of the year, they would like to discuss their Collective Bargaining Agreement that expires in 2019.

Public Works – Director Gentile reported that Public Works has been working on alleys. He hopes to purchase equipment next year to assist with that. Alderman Wesner asked if since there is already an existing sidewalk on the North side of the street in the Dollar Store area, if a crosswalk could be put in from that sidewalk to the Dollar Store and also reduce the speed in that area due to cars flying through there coming into town. Director Gentile responded that IDOT typically doesn’t like uncontrolled crosswalks, but Public Works is still looking into options. Alderman Lang asked Director Gentile to provide a summary of the Public Works fleet. He responded that we have 4 big trucks, 2 one ton dump trucks and 4 to 5 pick-up trucks, in addition to 2 bobcats; staff consists of 6 full time employees and 4 or 5 part time and seasonal employees. He indicated that 12 hours is the maximum amount of time staff is allowed to plow. They have snow routes that they follow; they go through the first time pushing the snow to enable cars to get through and then go back and clean everything up.

Police Department – Chief Smith reported that “No Shave November” is over and the Police Department raised over $8,000. He also stated that Celebrate the Season is Friday, December 7th and they are preparing for that. Alderman Lang raised a concern regarding the traffic at Route 72 and Madison Street. She indicated that since it is difficult to turn left, a lot of students are turning right, making a U-turn in the Sycamore Welding parking lot and then heading toward the high school. She believes when snow and icy conditions exist, it will be a hazard. After some discussion, it was agreed that some type of resolution needs to occur and the topic will be discussed at the weekly staff meeting.

Mayor’s Report – Mayor Vicary reported that there is unfinished business that needs to be discussed regarding the memo in the packet at the previous Council meeting pertaining to the car dealership. He proposed inviting Mr. Harris to meet with a few of the Aldermen to discuss his plans and where he is at with his current projects. Then have those Aldermen report back to the remainder of the Council, to decide what next steps should be taken. Consensus amongst Council was to move forward with Mayor Vicary’s proposal.

Announcements – Alderman Winter announced that the Artisan Market that Open Door Coffee sponsored at Lloyd Landscaping went very well. She indicated that they averaged about 100 people per hour.

Motion to adjourn the regular meeting of the City Council was made by Alderman Wesner, seconded by Alderman Stevenson. Voice vote was taken. All voted yes. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

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