DeKalb Times

City of Genoa City Council met Sept. 3.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Vicary called the regular meeting of the City Council to order at 7:00 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 Speaker: Corey Brackman, owner of the property located at 705 E Main Street began by stating that approximately a year and a half ago, City Council gave him approval to build a 3 unit building. He stated that he has received approval from Dunkin Donut’s headquarters and the franchise owner and they will be occupying one of the units, but in order to secure a loan from the bank, at least 2 of the units need to be leased. He currently does not have a 2nd tenant secured, but has had some discussions with someone who is possibly interested. The interested party currently owns some gaming cafés, but also has a takeout food place with gaming in it, which is what he will be proposing here in Genoa. The interested party believes that a 2nd source of income besides the gaming is needed, such as a chicken & pizza place or a deli. Mr. Brackman indicated that the party interested in his 2nd unit will be opening a new place in approximately a month near the intersection of Routes 72 & 47 and told Council members that he could arrange a tour if they would be interested. Mr. Brackman was asked if it would be possible to build a 2 unit building instead of a 3 unit. He responded no because due to the smaller price paid per square foot in Genoa than in larger cities, he would need 3 sources of revenue in order to make any profit from the building. After some discussion, consensus amongst Council was to gather more information to determine whether his business would be a good fit for Genoa.

Motion made by Alderman Wesner to approve the minutes of the August 20, 2019 City Council meeting, seconded by Alderman Lang. Voice vote was taken. All voted yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Alderman Winter to approve payment of the accounts payables for the second half of August 2019 in the amount of $144,463.41, seconded by Alderman Brust. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Winter, Cravatta, Brust, Lang, Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido and Stevenson voted yes. Motion carried.

ITEMS FROM INDIVIDUALS IN ATTENDANCE – Darlene & Dave Gurke, residents who live on Joshua Lane in the Oak Creek Estates subdivision, expressed their concerns regarding the field located near their home that is used for youth football practice. Darlene stated that every Monday through Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for 3 months, there are cars everywhere. They park in front of fire hydrants, park on both sides of the street and some are parked the opposite direction of the flow of traffic and it becomes a one lane for traffic instead of 2. Darlene indicated that if there was an emergency, there would be no way for the emergency vehicle to get through with all of the congestion. She also stated that there were football games all day on a Saturday and the mailman had to get out of his vehicle to deliver the mail to all the homes in that area. They had a few other concerns and suggested either creating a parking lot at the end of the park or put up no parking signs on the residential side of the street. Lastly, the Gurke’s stated that there are no speed limit signs posted and people are flying in and out of there. Mayor Vicary thanked them for bringing their concerns to us. Chief Smith has spoken with the coaches regarding this matter and the police have been keeping a better eye on it, therefore, the situation should be rectified very soon.

Ron Sheahan thanked the Police Department & the City of Genoa for their quick social media response regarding the recent crimes that have been going on. Mr. Sheehan stated that he came to discuss e-bikes. He indicated that e-bikes have the same right-of-way as bicycles; they don’t require a driver’s license or lights and are slow moving vehicles. He indicated that the City has the authority to create an Ordinance restricting them from streets and highways and would like Council to consider putting one in place.

NEW BUSINESS

CONSIDER AN APPOINTMENT TO THE POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSION: Motion made by Alderman Wesner to approve the Appointment of Frank Trost as a member of the Police & Fire Commission, seconded by Alderman Lang. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido, Stevenson, Winter, Cravatta, Brust and Lang voted yes. Motion carried.

CONSIDER BIDS FOR ASBESTOS REMOVAL AND DEMOLITION OF 131 SOUTH SYCAMORE STREET:

1. Motion made by Alderman Di Guido to award a bid to Ironwood Environmental, INC. for asbestos removal for the property located at 131 South Sycamore Street, not to exceed 9,900, seconded by Alderman Brust. Alderman Cravatta asked how much money the City has paid out in legal fees and liens for this property. Attorney Slingerland responded that he did not have the amount on hand, but would let him know. City Administrator, Art Osten stated that he has spoken with Attorney Slingerland regarding filing an additional lien to try and recoup as much of our expenses as possible. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Di Guido, Stevenson, Winter, Brust, Lang and Wesner voted yes. Aldermen Cravatta and Carroll abstained. Motion carried.

2. Motion made by Alderman Di Guido to award a bid to Alpine Demolition Services for demolition of a home, not to exceed $9,500, seconded by Alderman Brust. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Di Guido, Stevenson, Winter, Brust, Lang, Wesner and Carroll voted yes. Alderman Cravatta abstained. Motion carried

CONSIDER A LEASE AGREEMENT FOR CITY PROPERTY AT 111 NORTH SYCAMORE STREET: Motion made by Alderman Wesner to approve a lease agreement with Curran Contracting for the property at 111 North Sycamore Street, seconded by Alderman Stevenson. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido, Stevenson, Winter, Cravatta, Brust and Lang voted yes. Motion carried.

CONSIDER AN AMENDMENT TO THE MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING ESCROW ACCOUNTS FOR BUILDING PERMITS: Motion made by Alderman Winter to approve an Ordinance amending Appendix A of the City Code of the City of Genoa, seconded by Alderman Stevenson. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Winter, Cravatta, Brust, Lang, Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido and Stevenson voted yes. Motion carried.

OTHER BUSINESS (ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION)

A. DISCUSSION REGARDING LIQUOR LICENSES AND VIDEO GAMING (POSSIBLE ACTION) – Motion made by Alderman Winter to approve an Ordinance amending Title 3, Chapter 3, Liquor Control, of the City Code of the City of Genoa, seconded by Alderman Di Guido. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Winter, Cravatta, Lang, Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido and Stevenson voted yes. Alderman Brust abstained. Motion carried.

B. DISCUSSION REGARDING FOOD TRUCK LICENSING (FUTURE ACTION): Assistant City Administrator, Alyssa Seguss began the discussion by stating that a draft food truck ordinance was in the packet. She indicated that a permit would need to be obtained through the County in order to serve the food and the City would receive sales tax revenue. They would be restricted to commercial areas, unless agreed upon by a property owner for a special event. Food trucks are becoming popular and the City would like to have a process in place when presented with a request for a food truck. There was some discussion regarding signage. Public Works Director, Rich Gentile stated that downtown, the businesses are allowed to use a sandwich/message board, so perhaps we could extend that to the food trucks.

C. DISCUSSION REGARDING THE CITY OF GENOA’S REVOLVING LOAN PROGRAM (FUTURE ACTION): Assistant City Administrator, Alyssa Seguss began the discussion by stating the City was granted funds in 1988 by the State to begin the CDAP Program. She indicated that within the last 5 years, the State has turned the money over to the City; therefore, we no longer have to follow the grant guidelines that we were given the money under originally. Due to this, the City has revised the application packet to simplify it. She stated that both Attorney Slingerland and the Waubonsee Business Development Center have reviewed the application packet.

D. DISCUSSION REGARDING RECREATIONAL CANNABIS: City Attorney, Jack Slingerland began the discussion by stating that municipalities are allowed to regulate some of the following things:

 Pass a tax of up to 3% of the gross retail sales

 Prohibit or limit the number of organizations or licensees operating in town

 Amend the Zoning Ordinance to specify where dispensaries, growers, etc. can be located

 Whether or not on-site consumption will be allowed inside the dispensaries

 Mimick State Law to allow the City to write ordinance violations and keep the money locally instead of it going to the State

 Regulate the operating hours of the cannabis licensees

City Administrator, Art Osten asked Council for direction regarding any or all of these things that they would like to pursue and Attorney Slingerland will bring more information so we can begin putting things in place. After a lengthy discussion, Mayor Vicary indicated that since no one seems to be adamantly opposed to it, Jack, Art and Alyssa will work on putting some language together to begin the process of getting an Ordinance in place to encompass the new laws regarding cannabis.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Administrative Report –None

Public Works – Public Works Director, Rich Gentile, asked Council if they had any questions regarding the IEPA Project. No questions.

Police Department – Chief Smith reported that 8 unlocked vehicles had been gone through; some theft occurred. One vehicle was taken, but has been recovered. There were 2 heroin overdoses as well. Lastly, he reported that he is working with Advancer Homes to update their emergency plan.

Mayor’s Report – Mayor Vicary reported that he will be unable to attend the next Council meeting due to a work related convention. All the Aldermen indicated that they would be able to attend the next Council meeting.

ANNOUNCEMENTS – Volksfest begins Friday, September 6th.

RECESS INTO CLOSED SESSION: Motion made by Alderman Wesner to go into closed session for the purpose of approving the minutes of the previous closed session and for the purpose of discussing Collective Bargaining as provided for in 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2), seconded by Alderman Winter. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido, Stevenson, Winter, Cravatta, Brust and Lang voted yes. Motion carried.

RECONVENE INTO REGULAR SESSION: Motion made by Alderman Brust to reconvene into the regular session, seconded by Alderman Winter. Voice vote was taken. All voted yes. Motion carried.

In closed session, the City Council accepted the August 20, 2019 closed session minutes.

Motion to adjourn the regular meeting of the City Council was made by Alderman Brust, seconded by Alderman Winter. Voice vote was taken. All voted yes. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 9:10 pm.

https://www.genoa-il.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/CCMinutes20190903.pdf