DeKalb Times

City of Genoa City Council met Jan. 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Brust called the meeting of the City Council to order at 7:03 p.m. Roll call was taken. Aldermen Pulley, Freund, Winter and Holcomb were present. Alderman Wesner and Cravatta was absent. Quorum present.

Mayor Brust led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Guest Speakers – None

Motion made by Alderman Holcomb to accept the minutes of the December 15, 2021 City Council meeting seconded by Alderman Freund. Voice vote was taken. All voted yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Alderman Pulley to approve payment of the account’s payables for December 31, 2021, in the amount of $158,403.65, seconded by Alderman Winter. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Pulley, Freund, Winter, Holcomb and Mayor Brust voted yes. Motion carried.

ITEMS FROM INDIVIDUALS IN ATTENDANCE – None

OLD BUSINESS - None

NEW BUSINESS

Recognition of Alderman James Stevenson Upon His Retirement as Ward 2 Alderman: Alderman Stevenson has been on the City Council for 10 years, has served as pro-tem Mayor for the City of Genoa and worked in the DeKalb County Jail. Alderman Stevenson has taken a new position as a City of Genoa Police Officer.

Approve a Police Pension Actuarial Engagement Letter with Lauterbach and Amen, LLP: Motion made by Alderman Pulley to approve a police pension actuarial engagement letter with Lauterbach and Amen, LLP, seconded by Alderman Holcomb. Lauterbach and Amen, LLP has provided the City's actuarial services since 2016 and Staff has been happy with their services thus far. The most recent engagement letter has expired and a new engagement letter for a term of 3 years is included in the packet. The services provided will remain the same, however, there has been a 17% increase ($4,050 to $4, 740) between 2021 and 2022. There is a memo in the packet that explains that the cost increases are due to additional actuarial reporting requirements. Staff is requesting the Council approve the engagement letter with Lauterbach and Amen, LLP to provide actuarial services. No further discussion. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Pulley, Freund, Winter, Holcomb and Mayor Brust voted yes. Motion carried.

Approve an Ordinance Deleting Title 4, Chapter 2, Garbage, Junk and Refuse, Section 5 of the Municipal Code of The City of Genoa: Motion made by Alderman Holcomb to approve an Ordinance Deleting Title 4, Chapter 2, Garbage, Junk and Refuse, Section 5 of the Municipal Code of The City of Genoa, seconded by Alderman Winter. Staff is recommending the deletion of the language in the Municipal Code pertaining to the refuse and recycling rate. Because the City previously provided billing services, the rate was updated in the Code each year to authorize the City to charge residents the rate established. With the most recent Flood Brothers contract, the Contractor began billing and therefore it is no longer necessary to include the rate in the Municipal Code and update it each year. The Council will still approve the refuse and recycling rate through the negotiated contract with each hauler. Alderman Holcomb asked for clarification of why this needed to be removed from the city code. City Administrator Alyssa stated that since the city has changed hauling companies and is no longer collecting for this that it just makes sense to take it out of the Ordinance instead of updating this year after year. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Pulley, Freund, Winter, Holcomb and Mayor Brust voted yes. Motion carried.

Approve an Ordinance Amending Title 3, Chapter 3, Liquor Control, Section 7 of The Municipal Code of The City of Genoa: Motion made by Alderman Pulley to approve an Ordinance Amending Title 3, Chapter 3, Liquor Control, Section 7 of The Municipal Code of The City of Genoa, seconded by Alderman Winter. Prairie State Winery has requested to expand their business by selling distilled wine products. Distilling wine creates alcoholic beverages, such as brandy, which typically have a higher alcohol content. The Liquor Commission has met to discuss an amendment to the W Liquor License and has recommended that an "add-on" to the liquor license be created that would allow the sale of distilled wine products in accordance with the liquor code. An ordinance to amend the W Liquor License is included in the packet. Alderman Pulley asked if this was for 80 proof alcohol? Mayor Brust and City Administrator Alyssa stated that this is a special wine that Prairie State Winery would like to start making with a base such as brandy that the city felt it was necessary to create this special code; this will not be a large part of their sales only approximately 10%. This is also regulated by the state and government. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Pulley, Freund, Winter, Holcomb and Mayor Brust voted yes. Motion carried.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Administrative Report – City Administrator, Alyssa Seguss reported that she has order forms for the council for City of Genoa shirts; the city will purchase 1 shirt per person and if any additional would like to be purchased by the council they can do so.

Finance Report – Treasurer & Finance Director, Jan Tures stated that she is working on the budget and on Monday into Tuesday the city is fully up and running with Metronet.

Public Works – Public Works Director, Janice Melton stated that stated that she has nothing new to report at this time.

Police Department – Chief Smith reported that they assisted with the County in the missing person; the first heavy snowfall was the 1st of the year and thank you to public works for clearing and making the streets safe; on January 7th James Stevenson was sworn in as the new police officer.

Mayor’s Report – Mayor Brust stated that she has nothing new to report at this time.

ANNOUNCEMENTS – Congratulations again to James Stevenson and Katie has been working at Public Works and leaves for 3 months, she will be greatly missed while she is gone.

Motion to adjourn the meeting of the City Council was made by Alderman Pulley, seconded by Alderman Winter. Voice vote was taken. All voted yes. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.