DeKalb Times

City of Genoa City Council met Dec. 2.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson called the regular meeting of the City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll call was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido, Cravatta, Brust, Lang and Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson were present. Alderman Winter was absent at this time; she joined the meeting at 7:15 pm. Motion carried.

Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Guest Speaker: Krissy Johnson, Executive Director for the Genoa Area Chamber of Commerce addressed Council. She stated that Public Works and the Police Department have been working very hard setting up and preparing for the Celebrate the Season Event and invited everyone to walk in the Jingle Bell Parade. She stated that she is very appreciative and the Chamber events would not be possible without the support of the City.

Motion made by Alderman Wesner to approve the minutes of the November 19, 2019 City Council meeting, seconded by Alderman Brust. Voice vote was taken. All voted yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Alderman Brust to approve payment of the accounts payables for the second half of November 2019, in the amount of $129,766.36, seconded by Alderman Carroll. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Brust, Lang, Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido, Cravatta and Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson voted yes. Motion carried.

ITEMS FROM INDIVIDUALS IN ATTENDANCE - *Listed under item I on the agenda 

NEW BUSINESS

CONSIDER AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR THE DEKALB COUNTY ENTERPRISE ZONE: 

Motion made by Alderman Di Guido to approve and authorize the execution of the DeKalb County Enterprise Zone Amended Intergovernmental Agreement, seconded by Alderman Lang. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Di Guido, Cravatta, Brust, Lang, Wesner, Carroll and Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson voted yes. Motion carried.

CONSIDER A DOWNTOWN FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM APPLICATION FROM RICK AND MARIA MAMOSER FOR THE BUILDINGS LOCATED AT 220 AND 222 WEST MAIN STREET FOR $10,611.25: 

Motion made by Alderman Cravatta to approve a Downtown Façade Improvement Program Grant and authorize the execution of a Downtown Façade Improvement Grant Agreement for the buildings located at 220 and 222 West Main Street for $10,611.25, seconded by Alderman Wesner. Property owner, Rick Mamoser provided Council with a sample of the material that he will be using. Alderman Brust commended Rick for the fantastic job he and Maria have done maintaining their buildings. Alderman Brust also asked if there will be a detailed list of things that need to be maintained included with the addendum. Administrative Director, Alyssa Seguss responded yes; there will be communication regarding property maintenance, as well as an inspection report. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Cravatta, Brust, Lang, Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido and Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson voted yes. Motion carried.

CONSIDER A RESOLUTION REQUESTING A PERMIT FROM IDOT: 

Motion made by Alderman Wesner to adopt a Resolution requesting a permit from the Illinois Department of Transportation to complete water main improvements beneath Route 72, as part of the Genoa Street Water Main Improvement Project, seconded by Alderman Cravatta. Public Works Director, Rich Gentile was asked where the improvements would be located. He responded from the North side of Genoa Street to the South Side of Genoa Street.

Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido, Cravatta, Brust, Lang and Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson voted yes. Motion carried.

CONSIDER AN AGREEMENT WITH ARTHUR J. GALLAGHER RISK MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR INSURANCE: 

Motion made by Alderman Wesner to adopt a Resolution approving and authorizing the execution of an agreement between the City of Genoa and Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services for insurance between 1/1/2020 and 12/31/2020, seconded by Alderman Di Guido. Finance Office Manager & Treasurer, Janis Tures stated that the City has been using Arthur Gallagher for the past few years and they have been great. They provided quotes without us requesting them and they came in substantially lower. She stated that the coverage is exactly the same as the other companies; Gallagher is reputable and we have no issues with them. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido, Cravatta, Brust, Lang and Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson voted yes. Motion carried.

CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE REGULATING PUBLIC USE AND POSSESSION OF RECREATIONAL CANNABIS: 

Motion made by Alderman Cravatta to approve an Ordinance amending Title 5, Chapter 4, Miscellaneous Offenses, Sections 12 and 13, of the City Code of the City of Genoa, seconded by Alderman Lang. Alderman Lang asked about the cannabis needing to be stored in an odor proof container. Chief Smith and Administrative Director Seguss responded yes; if the cannabis is purchased from an approved dispensary, an odor proof container will be provided. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Cravatta, Brust, Lang, Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido and Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson voted yes. Motion carried.

CONSIDER PERSONNEL POLICY AMENDMENTS RELATED TO RECREATIONAL CANNABIS:

Motion made by Alderman Lang to approve the Personnel Policy amendments related to classifying recreational cannabis as a prohibited drug, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Lang, Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido, Cravatta, Brust and Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson voted yes. Motion carried.

CONSIDER THE PURCHASE OF REAL ESTATE: Motion made by Alderman Lang to approve and authorize the execution of a Real Estate Purchase Contract, with the purchase not to exceed $15,000, seconded by Alderman Cravatta. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Lang, Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido, Cravatta, Brust and Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson voted yes. Motion carried.

*Alderman Winter joined the meeting.

CONSIDER AMENDING THE CITY’S DOWNTOWN FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM: 

Motion made by Alderman Carroll to approve an amendment to the Downtown Façade Improvement Grant guidelines, to require only exterior property maintenance inspections for current and future applicants, seconded by Alderman Cravatta. Alderman Brust requested to see the revised copy of the amended application. Administrative Director Seguss responded that she will provide the revised copy to Council. Roll call vote was taken. Alderman Carroll, Di Guido, Winter, Cravatta, Brust, Lang, Wesner and Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson voted yes. Motion carried.

CONSIDER AWARDING A CONTRACT FOR THE ASBESTOS REMOVAL AND DEMOLITION OF 131 SOUTH SYCAMORE STREET:

o Discussion Regarding 131 South Sycamore Street: Administrative Director, Alyssa Seguss presented 5 options available going forward regarding this property, as well as pros & cons. The options included: *City Council’s discussion regarding options in red

o Leaving the property as is and use property maintenance as a tool to resolve the issues - Property inspections would be done and citations would be issued; the adjudication process would allow us to assess fines and essentially file liens, foreclose on the property and sell it at auction; lengthy process.

Doing nothing does not resolve issues. If property maintenance fines are issued, it doesn’t resolve the condition of the home. Consensus: Not to proceed with this option.

o Property owner sells the property – not likely, but was brought up previously as an option; this would alleviate future costs to the City; the home would be preserved, but if new owner doesn’t repair the home, all of these options would need to be considered again; indefinite timeline. Searching for property owner over several years has been difficult; Attorney Slingerland indicated that he has reached out to family members as well with no results; Administrative Director Seguss stated that if property owner was found and agreed to sell the property, it would be a lengthy process to actually get the home sold; the home has been vacant for close to 20 years, so not likely that the property owner is interested in selling the home; in the October 21, 2014 minutes, this property was discussed regarding property maintenance issues. Consensus: Not to proceed with this option.

o Foreclosure of current weed liens which amount to $290 – If foreclose on these liens, property would be auctioned off to a new owner; minimal future costs to City, unless new owner does not repair the home; the home would be preserved; liens only amount to $290

If the City forecloses on the property, the amount of the liens is only $290 and the home remains in current state. Consensus: Not to proceed with this option.

o Secure the home and file liens – receive a repair order from judge; includes a new legal process and fees associated with it; (City would have to argue against current order of demolition); eventually file liens, foreclose, property to be sold at auction and City would recoup some of expenses; preserves home and increases safety, but repairs would be costly & City may or may not receive reimbursement for repairs.

Making repairs to the home should not be the City’s responsibility and residents should not have to pay for the repairs through tax dollars, but would be much cheaper than demolishing the home for $30,000; Public Works Director indicated that it would take approximately $3,000 to $5,000 to clean up and secure the property and would increase the amount of the current liens of $290; scenario brought up of possibility that after foreclosure, home is purchased at auction and fixed up to bare minimum and used as a cheap rental property; approximate 6 to 12 month process. Consensus: None, various opinions.

o Demolish the home and file liens – already have demolition order in place; already have bids (just need to award); file liens for cost of demolition, foreclose on liens, property to be sold at auction; immediate elimination of eyesore; cost of demolition already included in the 2019/2020 budget (but budgeted through same fund as revolving loans and façade program grants); cost to City $30,000 plus legal fees which will most likely not be fully reimbursed through the foreclosure process; vacant property.

Anticipation of City losing a substantial amount of money due to spending $30,000, in addition to legal fees and would only recoup an estimated amount of half of the expenses; using funds to demolish the home from the fund set up for façade improvements does not appear to be logical; several residents who live in neighboring homes have approached the City and Aldermen to express their concerns regarding this property for many years and in the grand scheme of things, taking a $15,000 loss would be acceptable. City Attorney Slingerland indicated that this property owner has another property that the City would be able to foreclose on as well, which would recoup expenses incurred. Consensus: None; various opinions

o Motion made by Alderman Di Guido to authorize the City Attorney and Mayor to execute a contract with Northern Illinois Service Company for the asbestos removal and demolition of 131 South Sycamore Street, not to exceed $29,355, seconded by Alderman Brust. Several residents expressed their opinions regarding this property, including J.T. Anesi, Heidi Kinney, Ron Sheahan, Rick Mamoser, Sherry Frankenbach, Julie Ratliff and Roger Keys. These residents live or have family members who live on South Sycamore Street and feel the house should be demolished. Some of their concerns included:

o Significant structural issues - wall failure, deterioration and rot

o Safety issues – hole in the ground on the side of the house where sewer line was dug up and not filled back in, porch is falling off, broken windows

o Eyesore for almost 20 years; would rather see a vacant lot

o Rodents previously living in the house; feces inside and outside

o If not demolished, it will continue to be a legal process

o Fear of house being purchased at auction and fixed up to minimum requirements and used as a cheap rental property or purchased by someone not knowing the extent of repairs needed, so property remains dormant in its current state and property maintenance and/or legal process starts over

o No electricity or running water for several years

A few other notes from these residents were that the City has a responsibility to correct the issue at hand. Mr. Sheahan stated that he understands that the Façade Program was created to encourage businesses on Main Street to upgrade the current exterior of their buildings to draw more people to town, but having a property in that condition a block away from the downtown is not doing the City justice. For this reason, he does not have an issue with using the money from the same fund to demolish the house and resolve the issue. Rick Mamoser stated that he would gladly give up his façade grant money to have the house demolished. Roger Keys stated that if it is voted to not tear the house down, a plan needs to be put in place to clean it up and make it safe for the community.

Chris Bradshaw and John Shipley expressed their opinions as to why they feel the house should be left standing. Mr. Shipley is in the construction business and Mr. Bradshaw has rehabbed several houses. Some reasons included:

o The legal process timeframe would be the same whether the house is demolished or left standing 

o They have been through the house and believe it is repairable – steel roof is only 15 years old, newer furnace and there’s not an overabundance of asbestos

o Price per square foot to build a new construction home would be substantially higher than if the house were to be rehabbed

o The City will collect approximately $3,000 per year for property taxes if the house is sold as opposed to taxes from a vacant lot.

Gordon Jones stated that the City would not receive $3,000 for property taxes, as the City only receives approximately $0.08 per dollar. Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson asked Mr. Bradshaw if this house would be a project he would invest his money in to rehab. Mr. Bradshaw responded that it would have to be a low purchase price for him to consider it, as it will take approximately $100K to rehab it.

John Shipley expressed that the City should have already been in the foreclosure process, as it would be easier to resolve the issue if the City had possession of the property. Attorney Slingerland responded that foreclosing on the property does not automatically give the City possession of the property. It would go to Sheriff’s sale and the City would have to bid to try and purchase it. Attorney Slingerland also indicated that the property maintenance fines that were issued to the property owner were paid in 2014. No additional property maintenance fines were issued; the City went in the direction of a lawsuit, as fines would not fix the condition of the property.

Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Di Guido, Winter, Brust and Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson voted yes. Aldermen Wesner, Carroll, Cravatta and Lang voted no. Motion not carried.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Administrative Report – Administrative Director, Alyssa Seguss reported our new building inspector would be in Friday to meet staff and discuss the transition into that position.

Finance Report – Finance Office Manager & Treasurer, Jan Tures reported that the 6 month budget review was in the packets and to contact her with any questions or concerns.

Public Works – Public Works Director, Rich Gentile reported that he will be working with Bill Ganek regarding the water main along Railroad Ave. There are some issues with a property owner and the easement.

Police Department – Chief Smith reported that the winter parking restrictions began December 1st. The Police Department will begin with warnings and then eventually begin issuing citations.

Mayor’s Report – None

ANNOUNCEMENTS – Celebrate the Season Event on Friday at 6 p.m.

Motion to adjourn the regular meeting of the City Council was made by Alderman Wesner, seconded by Alderman Brust. Voice vote was taken. All voted yes. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

https://www.genoa-il.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/CCMinutes20191203.pdf