DeKalb Times

City of Genoa City Council met July 7.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

In Mayor Vicary’s absence, 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, Winter, Brust and Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson were present. Aldermen Di Guido, Cravatta and Lang were absent. In the absence of City Clerk Winker, Jan Tures was City Clerk Pro Tem.

Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Guest Speaker – Beth Fowler of Fowler Dance Studio at 303 West Main Street addressed Council to express her interest in the Façade Grant Program. She gave a brief explanation of the improvements she would like to do.

Motion made by Alderman Wesner to approve the minutes of the June 16, 2020 City Council meeting, seconded by Alderman Carroll. 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 June 2020 in the amount of $687,705.14, seconded by Alderman Wesner. Roll vote was taken. Aldermen Brust, Wesner, Carroll, Winter and Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson voted yes. Motion carried.

ITEMS FROM INDIVIDUALS IN ATTENDANCE – None 

OLD BUSINESS – None

NEW BUSINESS

CONSIDER THE USE OF MFT FUNDS FOR THE PURCHASE OF ROAD SALT, CRACK FILLING, STREET LIGHTING AND STORM SEWER REPAIRS: Motion made by Alderman Wesner to approve an IDOT Resolution allowing motor fuel tax funds to be appropriated to the City of Genoa for crack filling, street lighting, storm sewer repairs and the purchase of road salt, not to exceed $173,250, seconded by Alderman Brust. There was no discussion. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Carroll, Winter, Brust and Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson voted yes. Motion carried.

CONSIDER A FAÇADE GRANT AGREEMENT FOR THE BUILDING TO BE OCCUPIED BY OPEN DOOR COFFEE: Motion made by Alderman Winter to approve a Façade Grant Agreement with Mark Bradac for 502 West Main Street, not to exceed $17,043, seconded by Alderman Brust. Since the building has 2 front entrances; 1 on Main Street and 1 on Washington Street, they would be eligible for $15,000 in reimbursement for each entrance, for a total of $30,000. They are only requesting reimbursement in the amount of $17,043, due to part of the renovations being started prior to the grant being approved. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Winter, Brust, Wesner, Carroll and Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson voted yes. Motion carried.

CONSIDER AN AGREEMENT WITH OPEN DOOR COFFEE FOR THE USE AND MAINTENANCE OF THE PARKWAY: Motion made by Alderman Wesner to approve a Permitted Use and Maintenance Agreement with Open Door Coffee, LLC, seconded by Alderman Winter. There was some discussion regarding the Coffee Truck already being moved before receiving Council’s approval. Public Works Director, Rich Gentile explained the agreement regarding the parking lot & indicated that the truck was moved temporarily due to construction. Chief Smith was okay with it. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Carroll, Winter, Brust and Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson voted yes. Motion carried.

CONSIDER WALNUT STREET CULVERT IMPROVEMENTS: Motion made by Alderman Wesner to approve Walnut Street culvert improvements, not to exceed $10,000, seconded by Alderman Winter. Public Works Director, Rich Gentile explained this will be 1 of 3 culvert projects due to flooding that has been on-going for years. He indicated that in addition to Walnut Street, the other 2 areas are Madison Street and Route 23 behind Genoa Motors. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Carroll, Winter, Brust and Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson voted yes. Motion carried.

CONSIDER CRACK SEALING IN THE RIVERBEND SUBDIVISION: Motion made by Alderman Winter to approve crack sealing in the Riverbend subdivision by Behm Pavement Maintenance, INC., not to exceed $42,593.25, seconded by Alderman Brust. Public Works Director, Rich Gentile explained to Council that there was some confusion as to how much crack sealing was to be done. The crack sealing should have been completed over a 2-year time period, but it was all done at once, therefore; the cost was much higher than budgeted for. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Winter, Brust, Wesner, Carroll and Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson voted yes. Motion carried.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Administrative Report – Administrative Director, Alyssa Seguss was absent.

Finance Report – Finance Office Manager & Treasurer, Jan Tures reported that there have been 42 new permits since the last City Council meeting; including a couple in-ground pools and 1 new house; in addition to 2 Occupancies of Grainger Homes in the Riverbend subdivision. She then reported that she is currently preparing for the remote audit for fiscal year 19/20.

Public Works – Director Gentile reiterated his earlier explanation regarding the temporary parking of the Open Door Coffee Truck. Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson commented that he was glad to see the potholes on Route 72 were filled in a timely manner.

Police Department – Chief Smith asked Council for guidance regarding the K-9 Program going forward. He indicated that there isn’t anything for the program in the budget this year, but there is a surplus due to the new squad car being less than anticipated. He also indicated that there will be extra funds available due to the School Resource Officer, Victoria Gates resigning. Chief Smith explained that the Police Department will not be hiring another School Resource Officer. He stated that it will go from a full time position to a part time position and he will be covering the hours. He expressed that he believes the K-9 would be a piece of equipment & should be paid for by the City. He indicated that fund raising and donations would most likely cover equipment used for the K-9. Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson asked Chief Smith what the K-9 would be used for. Chief Smith responded mostly for Public Relations. The dog would go to the schools, be used for tracking missing children and would also be useful on the nightshift to assist with belligerent people. He then reported that he purchased 3 on-line training courses which include, police response to autism, de-escalation techniques and bias & racial profiling. Part time Officer, Trevor Owens has been temporarily working full time hours to help cover the were crazy over the 4th of July weekend, but no fires or injuries.

Mayor’s Report – None

ANNOUNCEMENTS – None

Motion to adjourn the regular meeting of the City Council was made by Alderman Wesner, seconded by Alderman Winter. Voice vote was taken. All voted yes. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 7:42 p.m.

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