DeKalb Times

City of Genoa City Council met Feb. 18.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Vicary called the regular meeting of the City Council to order at 7:07 p.m. Roll call was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido, Stevenson, Winter, Cravatta, Brust and Lang were present.

Four Cub Scouts from Pack 117 of Genoa assisted Mayor Vicary in leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

Guest Speaker: Vaughn Kuerschner from Waste Management addressed Council to discuss 2 services that Waste Management provides to the City of Genoa. The “At Your Door” program and the recycling program. The “At Your Door” program is a hazardous waste and electronics recycling program where the items are picked up at the resident’s door for no extra charge. He indicated that 18,000 lbs. of electronics were collected in 2019, in which 14,000 lbs. were actually recycled. He then discussed the regular recycling program. He stated that China will only accept 0.5% of contaminated recycling. The national average of contaminated recycling is 25% and Genoa is currently at 32%. In order to reduce the percentage of contaminated recycling, Waste Management would like to roll out a curbside education program in April of this year, which entails the driver’s putting tags on cans that contain contaminated recycling. The tag will notate what the contaminate is. The driver will take the contaminated recycling for a few weeks. If the contaminate continues to be in the recycling after that, a tag will be put on the can and it will not be taken. Before and during the roll out of the program, Waste Management will provide information to the residents as to what is and is not recyclable. Lastly, he stated that recycling is approximately $100 per ton to process, so it is important that residents be educated on correct recycling.

Motion made by Alderman Brust to approve the minutes of the February 4, 2020 City Council meeting, seconded by Alderman Lang. Voice vote was taken. All voted yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Alderman Carroll to approve payment of the accounts payables for the first half of February 2020, in the amount of $92,803.22, seconded by Alderman Brust. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Carroll, Di Guido, Stevenson, Winter, Cravatta, Brust, Lang and Wesner voted yes. Motion carried.

ITEMS FROM INDIVIDUALS IN ATTENDANCE – J.T. Anesi addressed Council and stated that after the Building Inspector’s report on the house located at 131 South Sycamore Street, he feels the house absolutely needs to be demolished due to years of neglect that has caused unsafe and inhabitable conditions.

OLD BUSINESS - None

NEW BUSINESS

CONSIDER REIMBURSING FUNDS FOR A FAÇADE GRANT: Motion made by Alderman Stevenson to waive the interior property maintenance inspection requirement and reimburse grant funds for the property at 415 West Main Street in the amount of $15,000, seconded by Alderman Wesner. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Stevenson, Winter, Cravatta, Brust, Lang, Wesner, Carroll and Di Guido voted yes. Motion carried.

CONSIDER A FINAL PAYMENT FOR THE NORTH ELEVATED WATER STORAGE TANK REPAINTING AND IMPROVEMENTS: Motion made by Alderman Wesner to approve a final payment for the North Elevated Water Storage Tank repainting and improvements to L.C. United Painting Company, INC. not to exceed $354,000, seconded by Alderman Carroll. Alderman Brust asked if the $354,000 is the City’s portion that is due. Treasurer, Jan Tures and Public Works Director, Rich Gentile responded that the City will have to pay the $354,000 up front and will be reimbursed approximately 75% upon completion. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido, Stevenson, Winter, Cravatta, Brust and Lang voted yes. Motion carried.

CONSIDER ACCEPTING A ROAD DEDICATION: Motion made by Alderman Cravatta to approve an Ordinance accepting the dedication of a part of Railroad Avenue to the City of Genoa, seconded by Alderman Winter. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Cravatta, Brust, Lang, Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido, Stevenson and Winter voted yes. Motion carried.

CONSIDER AWARDING A CONTRACT FOR SANITARY SEWER LINING: Motion made by Alderman Di Guido to award a contract to Hoerr Construction, INC. for sanitary sewer lining, not to exceed $101,612.80, seconded by Alderman Stevenson. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Di Guido, Stevenson, Winter, Cravatta, Brust, Lang, Wesner and Carroll voted yes. Motion carried.

DISCUSSION REGARDING 131 SOUTH SYCAMORE STREET AND CONSIDERATION OF DEMOLITION, NUISANCE ABATEMENT AND /OR REPAIR:

 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 Winter. No further discussion, as this subject was discussed at the Committee of the Whole meeting earlier in the evening. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Di Guido, Stevenson, Winter and Brust voted yes. Aldermen Cravatta, Wesner and Carroll abstained and Alderman Lang voted no. Motion carried.

*Since the motion passed for demolition, the nuisance abatement and/or repair options were nullified.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Administrative Report – Administrative Director, Alyssa Seguss reported that the City received a petition from Open Door Coffee for a Planned Unit Development. They would like to open a coffee shop with a drive-thru at 502 West Main Street. The Public Hearing will be on March 12, 2020 and then come to a City Council meeting for final approval. She then reported that she, Chief Smith and Alderman Di Guido met with DeKalb County to discuss the dispatching situation and due to Sandwich, Illinois joining the dispatch center, our cost will decrease by approximately $65,000. Lastly, she reported that staff is continually working on the parking situation in the Oak Creek subdivision.

Finance Report – Finance Office Manager & Treasurer, Jan Tures reported that staff is continually working on the Budget and currently there is a short-fall of $117,000. She indicated that since the City will be saving in dispatching fees, the deficit will decrease substantially. She stated that other cuts have been made as well, along with redistributing some money to another fund. Jan was asked what created the large deficit. She responded that our largest hurdles are dispatch fees and the Police Pension Fund. She indicated that staff is looking into using MFT funds to pay for street lighting, which costs the City approximately $75,000 a year. This will assist in reducing the Budget deficit.

Public Works – Public Works Director, Rich Gentile reported that included in the packet was a map showing where the water main repairs will be. He also reiterated what Treasurer Tures talked about pertaining to using MFT money for street lighting. Lastly, he reported that Sprint is interested in putting antennas on our South Water Tower, which will increase cellular service and create additional revenue for the City.

Police Department – Chief Smith reported that a glass window has been installed at the Police Station front desk. A donation from previous Alderman, Laurie Curley was used to pay for the window. He then reported that all the squads now have printers in them. They were installed at no cost and the County will supply the paper at no cost as well. Eventually tickets will be submitted electronically. Susie Smith celebrated her 16th anniversary on February 4th; Officer Schuring completed his 18-month probation; Officer Barnett shoveled an elderly man’s driveway during the last snowstorm; and during a traffic stop, Officer Baxa discovered there was a kidnapping warrant in Rockford for the passenger in the car.

Mayor’s Report – None

ANNOUNCEMENTS – Annual Chamber Dinner on Wednesday, February 19th and the Fire Department Chili

Supper on Saturday, February 22nd at the Veteran’s Club.

Motion to adjourn the regular meeting of the City Council was made by Alderman Wesner, seconded by Alderman Lang. Voice vote was taken. All voted yes. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

https://www.genoa-il.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Meeting-Minutes-20200218.pdf