DeKalb Times

City of Genoa City Council met April 21.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Vicary called the public hearing to order for the Annual Budget for the Fiscal Year beginning May 1, 2020 and ending April 30, 2021 at 7:03 p.m. Roll call was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido and Lang were present. Alderman Winter was absent. A motion was made by Alderman Di Guido to allow Aldermen Stevenson, Cravatta and Brust to attend remotely due to a family or other emergency, seconded by Alderman Wesner. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Di Guido, Stevenson, Cravatta, Brust, Lang, Wesner and Carroll voted yes. Motion carried. There were no comments from the public or the Aldermen. Mayor Vicary closed the public hearing. Motion to adjourn the public hearing was made by Alderman Wesner, seconded by Alderman Lang. Voice vote was taken. All voted yes. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 7:08 p.m.

Mayor Vicary called the regular meeting of the City Council to order at 7:09 p.m. Roll call was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido and Lang were present. Alderman Winter was absent. A motion was made by Alderman Di Guido to allow Aldermen Stevenson, Cravatta and Brust to attend remotely due to a family or other emergency, seconded by Alderman Lang. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Di Guido, Stevenson, Cravatta, Brust, Lang, Wesner and Carroll voted yes. Motion carried.

Mayor Vicary led the Pledge of Allegiance. Guest Speaker – None.

Motion made by Alderman Di Guido to approve the minutes of the April 7, 2020 City Council meeting, seconded by Alderman Lang. Voice vote was taken. All voted yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Alderman Wesner to approve payment of the accounts payables for the first half of April 2020 in the amount of $96,913.91, seconded by Alderman Lang. Chief Smith was asked why payment was made to Ford in Belvidere. He responded that the vehicle is under warranty and there is no Ford Dealership in Genoa, so it was taken to Belvidere for service. Administrative Director, Alyssa Seguss was asked if line item #9 to Equirrium is a new website vendor. She responded that it is an update for the City’s mobile app, due to some residents being unable to pay their water bills on the old app. She indicated that it is the same company, they just had a name change. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido, Stevenson, Cravatta, Brust and Lang voted yes. Motion carried.

ITEMS FROM INDIVIDUALS IN ATTENDANCE – Gordon Jones from Pebble Beach Drive addressed Council and asked if the debris from the demolition of the house at 131 South Sycamore Street was hauled away or if it was buried underground and if someone from the City was there observing the demolition. Public Works Director, Rich Gentile responded that the City’s Building Inspector, Dave Eggleston was there observing; the water and sewer hook-ups were disconnected and the foundation and other debris was hauled away. The property was back-filled with earth material. There was some discussion regarding why the garage was not demolished. It was due to it being on a separate parcel. Some of the Aldermen were not aware that the garage would remain standing and some of the Aldermen stated that they were aware of this. City Attorney, Jack Slingerland was asked what the City’s next step is in this process. He responded that the judge will need to approve the City’s bill and enter a judgment against the property owner for that amount of money and begin the foreclosure process.

OLD BUSINESS – None

NEW BUSINESS

CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING MAY 1, 2020 AND ENDING APRIL 30, 2021 FOR THE CITY OF GENOA: Motion made by Alderman Lang to approve an Ordinance adopting the Annual Budget for the Fiscal Year beginning May 1, 2020 and ending April 30, 2021 for the City of Genoa, seconded by Alderman Di Guido. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Lang, Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido, Stevenson, Cravatta and Brust voted yes. Motion carried.

CONSIDER THE ANNUAL INCREASE FOR WATER AND SEWER RATES: Motion made by Alderman Stevenson to approve an Ordinance amending Title 8, Chapter 6, rates and charges, of the municipal code for the City of Genoa, DeKalb County, Illinois, seconded by Alderman Di Guido. There was no discussion. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Stevenson, Cravatta, Brust, Lang, Wesner, Carroll and Di Guido voted yes. Motion carried.

CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE INCREASING REFUSE AND RECYCLING FEES PER THE CONTRACT WITH WASTE MANAGEMENT: Motion made by Alderman Lang to approve an Ordinance amending Title 4, Public Health and Safety, Chapter 2, Garbage, Junk and Refuse, of the City of Genoa municipal code for the City of Genoa, DeKalb County, Illinois, seconded by Alderman Di Guido. There was no discussion. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Lang, Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido, Stevenson, Cravatta and Brust voted yes. Motion carried.

CONSIDER THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF A MULTIRAKE BAR SCREEN FOR THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT:

 Motion made by Alderman Lang to waive the bid process and approve the purchase of a multirake bar screen for the wastewater treatment plant from Enviro-Care, not to exceed $151,100, seconded by Alderman Wesner. There was no discussion. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Lang, Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido, Stevenson, Cravatta and Brust voted yes. Motion carried.

 Motion made by Alderman Wesner to waive the bid process and approve the installation of a multirake bar screen for the wastewater treatment plant by Dahme Mechanical, not to exceed $53,375, seconded by Alderman Carroll. Alderman Cravatta was concerned as to why the installation cost is so expensive and would it be possible to find another contractor that would be cheaper. Public Works Director, Rich Gentile responded that due to this being a specialized piece of equipment, he would not like to risk any contractor installing it. He indicated that some of the installers from Dahme Mechanical were involved in the design and fabrication of the product and installation requires a special skill set. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido, Stevenson, Cravatta, Brust and Lang voted yes. Motion carried.

CONSIDER RENEWING LEASE AGREEMENTS FOR OLD CITY HALL AT 113 NORTH GENOA STREET:

 Motion made by Alderman Wesner to approve a renewal of a lease agreement with Scott Herron for property at 113 North Genoa Street, Unit 1, seconded by Alderman Carroll. Alderman Lang expressed that the timing of the lease renewal and increase in rent is coming during a difficult time and suggested possibly not increasing the rent until June or July when the business re-opens, instead of in May. Administrative Director, Alyssa Seguss responded that she has spoken with Mr. Herron and he is okay with the increase. Also, he has requested forbearance for April and May payments, which if approved, he would not be required to pay the increased amount until at least June and would have until the end of his lease in April 2021 to make up his payments. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido, Stevenson, Cravatta, Brust and Lang voted yes. Motion carried.

 Motion made by Alderman Lang to approve a renewal of a lease agreement with the Genoa Area Chamber of Commerce for property at 113 North Genoa Street, Unit 2, seconded by Alderman Wesner. There was some discussion regarding whether or not the Chamber should have to pay rent, not just utilities. It was determined that the City will continue to provide in-kind services for the rent. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Lang, Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido, Stevenson, Cravatta and Brust voted yes. Motion carried.

 Motion made by Alderman Wesner to approve a renewal of a lease agreement with Crown Exteriors for property at 113 North Genoa Street, Unit 3, seconded by Alderman Lang. There was no discussion. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Carroll,

Di Guido, Stevenson, Cravatta, Brust and Lang voted yes. Motion carried.

CONSIDER PLACING HERRON AND CO BARBERS’ RENT PAYMENTS IN FORBEARANCE: Motion made by Alderman Wesner to approve a Resolution authorizing the forbearance of Scott Herron’s/Herron and Co Barbers’ rent payments during its closure due to COVID-19, seconded by Alderman Lang. There was no additional discussion. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido, Stevenson, Cravatta, Brust and Lang voted yes. Motion carried.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Administrative Report – Administrative Director, Alyssa Seguss reported that she received a presentation from a company called MetroNet regarding fiber optic internet, cable and phone services, that would like to enter into a franchise agreement with the City. It is being reviewed and will be presented at the 2nd City Council meeting in May. If the agreement is approved, construction would tentatively begin in June with projected completion in October. A Public Hearing will also be required before proceeding forward.

Finance Report – Finance Office Manager & Treasurer, Jan Tures reported that the City has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the GFOA for the 14th consecutive year. She also reported that there have been 17 building permits issued in the last few weeks. Included in these permits are 3 large remodels, a new home in the Oak Creek subdivision and another 4 Unit in the Riverbend subdivision. Council commended Treasurer Tures for her excellent work in receiving the GFOA award again this year.

Public Works – Director Gentile reported that letters regarding the water main work will be going out to the residents in the surrounding area to notify them, as well as provide information as to how they will be effected. He also stated that the sewer lining projected has been pushed back to June.

Police Department – Chief Smith reported that the Police Department has a new part time Officer Ryan Kovacs. He also stated that American Family Insurance donated food for all of the Officers.

Mayor’s Report – Mayor Vicary stated that he and Director Seguss have been on some conference calls with the Governor and hopes that things will begin opening up soon.

ANNOUNCEMENTS – None

Motion to adjourn the regular meeting of the City Council was made by Alderman Wesner, seconded by Alderman Di Guido. Voice vote was taken. All voted yes. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

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