DeKalb Times

City of Genoa City Council met June 16.

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, Winter and Lang were present. Alderman Stevenson was absent. A motion was made by Alderman Carroll to allow Aldermen Brust, Di Guido and Cravatta to attend remotely due to a family or other emergency, seconded by Alderman Winter. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Carroll, Di Guido, Winter, Cravatta, Brust, Lang and Wesner voted yes. Motion carried.

Mayor Vicary led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Guest Speaker – Joe Salerno, Market Manager for MetroNet provided a presentation regarding fiber-optic internet, television and phone services. He provided a brief overview of the benefits to having fiber optic services. There were some questions from Council regarding the recently developed subdivisions that are not eligible for the fiber optic services at this time. Mike Taylor, Project Manager for MetroNet explained that those areas are what they call a “high cost per pass” (home); meaning there’s a low density of homes in those areas, which means it would be a couple thousand dollars per home to install the fiber optics. He indicated that he will install some devices, so in the future they will be able to expand services to the homes in those areas.

Motion made by Alderman Di Guido to approve the minutes of the June 2, 2020 City Council meeting, seconded by Alderman Winter. 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 June 2020 in the amount of $112,682.32, seconded by Alderman Carroll. Roll vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido, Winter, Cravatta, Brust and Lang voted yes. Motion carried.

ITEMS FROM INDIVIDUALS IN ATTENDANCE – Jerry Sester addressed Council to express his concern regarding the permit that was issued for a band that was playing on Main Street in a residential area on the previous Saturday afternoon. He indicated that the band was really loud and the people that were there were not following the 6-foot social distancing order. Mr. Sester expressed that he doesn’t feel a permit should be issued for a band in a highly populated residential area. Mayor Vicary apologized for the loud noise and let Mr. Sester know that staff would discuss the issue and make any needed amendments to the permit process going forward.

OLD BUSINESS – None

NEW BUSINESS

CONSIDER AMENDING THE CITY’S SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY: Motion made by Alderman Di Guido to approve an Ordinance amending Title 1, Chapter 17, Ethics, Section 7 of the Municipal Code of the City of Genoa, seconded by Alderman Winter. There was no discussion. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Di Guido, Winter, Cravatta, Brust, Lang, Wesner and Carroll voted yes. Motion carried.

CONSIDER A FINANCIAL ADVISORY AGREEMENT FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A BOND FOR STREET AND PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS: Motion made by Alderman Lang to approve a Resolution approving and authorizing the execution of a Financial Advisory Agreement with PMA Securities, seconded by Alderman Winter. There was no discussion. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Lang, Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido, Winter, Cravatta and Brust, voted yes. Motion carried.

CONSIDER THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF A NEW FURNACE AND AIR CONDITIONING UNIT AT OLD CITY CALL: Motion made by Alderman Wesner to approve the purchase and installation of a new furnace and air conditioning unit at 113 North Genoa Street by DeKalb Mechanical, not to exceed $7,950, seconded by Alderman Lang. There was no discussion. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Carroll, Di Guido, Winter, Cravatta, Brust and Lang, voted yes. Motion carried.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Administrative Report – Administrative Director, Alyssa Seguss reported that she is currently working on Food Truck permitting. There are 5 annual food truck permits so far. She indicated that she will have a façade program grant request at the next City Council meeting for Open Door Coffee. Lastly, she stated that a copy of the Annual ComEd report is in the packet. She indicated that George Gaulrapp normally comes to the meeting and goes over the report with Council, but due to COVID-19, he decided it would be best to come to a future meeting if anyone was interested.

Finance Report – Finance Office Manager & Treasurer, Jan Tures stated building permit applications are continuing to be submitted; 28 since the last Council meeting. She also reported that she is continually preparing for the upcoming audit.

Public Works – Director Gentile reported that due to all of the flooding recently, he is working on configuring costs and getting quotes for repairs. He indicated that there are approximately 8 locations that have issues, some of which have been going on for many years, and need to be taken care of as soon as possible.

Police Department – Chief Smith reported that there was a fatal heroin overdose; a planned peaceful protest came through town, which equated to 4 cars; the new squad car was picked up and should be fully operational by the end of July. He stated that he, Director Seguss, Alderman Stevenson and Ron Sheahan met with the Pastor of the Gospel Life Bible Church, his wife and some community members to have a discussion regarding ideas of how to bring Genoa together as a community. There was a Genoa Days protest parade, which consisted of about 20 cars, ATV’s and some golf carts. Lastly, noise complaints were received regarding the band that Mr. Sester brought up early in the meeting.

Mayor’s Report – Mayor Vicary thanked Chief Smith for the all the work the Police Department has been doing due to on-going issues. He then indicated that by the July 21st meeting, everyone should be able to attend the Council meeting in person, as Illinois has moved to phase 4.

ANNOUNCEMENTS – None

Motion to adjourn the regular meeting of the City Council was made by Alderman Cravatta, seconded by Alderman Winter. Voice vote was taken. All voted yes. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

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