DeKalb Times

City of Genoa City Council met Feb. 16.

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 Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Cravatta and Holcomb were present. Quorum present.

Mayor Brust led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Guest Speakers – None

Motion made by Alderman Wesner to accept the minutes of the February 2, 2022 City Council meeting and February 2, 2022 Special Committee of the Whole Meeting, seconded by Alderman Holcomb. Voice vote was taken. All voted yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Alderman Holcomb to approve payment of the account’s payables for February 15, 2022, in the amount of $15,024.00, seconded by Alderman Pulley. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Cravatta and Holcomb voted yes. Motion carried.

ITEMS FROM INDIVIDUALS IN ATTENDANCE – None

OLD BUSINESS - None

NEW BUSINESS

RECOGNITION OF CROSSING GUARD JOHN KITCH UPON HIS RETIREMENT: Chief Smith presented a certificate to crossing guard John Kitch thanking him for his years of service to the community.

APPROVE A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE TERMS OF THE REVOLVING LOAN FUND AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF GENOA AND TOBINSON HARDWARE, INC. DATED AUGUST 1, 2008: Motion made by Alderman Wesner to approve a resolution amending the terms of the revolving loan fund agreement between The City of Genoa and Tobinson Hardware, Inc. dated August 1, 2008, seconded by Alderman Winter. There was no further discussion. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Cravatta and Holcomb voted yes.

APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF A 2022 FORD F-150 POLICE RESPONDER FROM MORROW BROTHERS, NOT TO EXCEED $40,205: Motion made by Alderman Cravatta to approve the purchase of a 2022 Ford F-150 police responder from Morrow Brothers, not to exceed $40,205.00, seconded by Alderman Freund. The Police Department is requesting approval to purchase a new 2022 Ford F-150 to be used as a patrol vehicle. This will be used as a squad for full-time officers and replace a 2012 Chevy Impala. The Police Department alternates buying a new squad once every other year in order maintain adequate funding in the Equipment Replacement Fund but also ensure that the squads are replaced before they begin to incur too many mechanical problems. That being said, the squad that is being considered has been included in the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 budget, which follows every other year cycle. Morrow Brothers has reserved 40 trucks for sale.

There was no further discussion. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Cravatta and Holcomb voted yes.

APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF AN E-FORCE RECORDS SYSTEM, NOT TO EXCEED $26,080: Motion made by Alderman Cravatta to approve the purchase of an E-Force records system, not to exceed $26,080, seconded by Alderman Holcomb. Information regarding the purchase of the Police Department's records management system is included in the packet. This was a budgeted item and replaces the previously approved CAD system from Central Square. The approved Central Square system was $12,000 for one user and a minimum of two users would have been required. The Police Department had intended to use the Central Square CAD system at the recommendation of the County, however, the County also charged yearly fees that were not known to the Police Department when the item was initially requested for approval. The E Force system allows more users to access the system without having to pay per user and ultimately seems to be a better fit for the Police Department. No further discussion. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Cravatta and Holcomb voted yes. Motion carried.

APPROVE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 1, CHAPTER 4, GENERAL PENALTY, SECTION 1 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF GENOA: Motion made by Alderman Pulley, to approve an ordinance amending Title 1, Chapter 4, General Penalty, Section 1 of the Municipal Code of The City of Genoa, seconded by Alderman Winter. The State of Illinois recently passed a law modifying the video gaming regulations. One feature of the law is to raise the annual non-home rule registration fee for video gaming terminals from $25.00 to $250.00. For businesses in Genoa that have Video Gaming currently, all are required to also have a pour liquor license. The ordinance in the packet increases the Video Gaming Terminal fees from $25.00 to $250.00 annually for bars, video gaming cafes, restaurants, and wineries. The Ordinance increases the fee for C Liquor License holders, which are "Clubs" (currently only includes the Vet's Home) from $25.00 to $50.00. The city currently has 45 permitted video gaming terminals, with 5 of them belonging to the Vet's Home. Accounting for the increased fees, this would increase the City's Video Gaming Terminal revenue from $1,125 to $10,250. From January 2021 to December 2021, there was a Net Terminal [video gaming] Income in Genoa of $1,472,1792 with approximately 113 going to the State, 113 going to the business, and 113 to the operator/contractor that owns the machines. After surveying other communities, the $250 rate seems in line with many other communities, some of which are home-rule a can charge more than $250. Huntley- $500 Algonquin- $500 DeKalb - $250 Pingree Grove - $250 Marengo- $25 Crystal Lake- $500 Belvidere- $500 Elburn- $25* East Dundee- $250 Woodstock- $100 Hampshire - $250 West Dundee- $250 Lake in the Hills Sycamore- $250 Cortland - $250 Gilberts- $25* $500 *Considering increase to $250 May 1st. Alderman Holcomb asked if we are trying to get on par with other towns, City Administrator, Alyssa Seguss stated that state law was recently amended so that the city could increase the fees. Alderman Winter asked if this is something we can choose to do it’s not mandated? Seguss stated that is correct. Alderman Freund asked why the Vets Club is not raising as much as the rest of the businesses, Mayor Brust stated that the process was thought as the Vets Club is a non-profit organization, the city could offer a lower tier than the other businesses. There was further discussion about the annual fee. Alderman Cravatta, Freund and Pulley had a few businesses reach out to them with concerns about the Vets Club only going up as much as the others. Roll call was taken to keep the proposed terminal fees. Aldermen Wesner, Pulley, Winter and Holcomb voted yes. Alderman Freund and Stage voted no. Alderman Cravatta Abstained. Motion carried.

APPROVE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 8, CHAPTER 6, RATES AND CHARGES, SECTION 1 OF THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF GENOA: Motion made by Alderman Pulley to approve an ordinance amending Title 8, Chapter 6 rates and charges, Section 1 of The City of Genoa, seconded by Alderman Winter. This ordinance amends the City's charges for water meters and attached equipment. An amendment was made to the rates last May; however, costs have increased since then. Amending the ordinance allows the city to recoup costs from builders when a new residential or commercial building is built and a meter is purchased. The $50 additional charge will cover the City's costs for assembly, issuing meters, and installing permanent meters after a temporary meter is issued. There was no discussion. Roll call vote was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Cravatta and Holcomb voted yes. Motion carried.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Administrative Report – City Administrator, Alyssa Seguss reported that negation for the police union is complete and will have an update for the city council soon and there is an order form for fleece jackets.

Finance Report – Treasurer & Finance Director, Jan Tures stated that she has nothing new to report at this time.

Public Works – Public Works Director, Janice Melton stated that they are ready for the potential storm coming in early tomorrow morning.

Police Department – Chief Smith reported that the department is hiring a new part time police, the department has also brought in a new auxiliary member Kyle Stewart who will be ready for Genoa Days. Alderman Wesner stated that it has been brought to her attention about the gentleman who is seen around town picking up garbage and would like to have him recognized. Chief Smith stated that he believes the Daily Chronicle is doing something, however he will find out his name. Mayor Brust stated that in the new budget he is wanting to put in something to recognize people showing excellence in the community.

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS – Mayor Brust wanted to congratulate Alderman Holcomb and his family on the expecting of another baby. Alderman Cravatta wanted to remind everyone that on Monday February 28th the State of the State at City Hall from 5:30-7 with Tony McCombie and Jeff Keicher. Immediately following will be a meet and greet at Alderman Cravotta’s home.

Motion to adjourn the 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 7:33 p.m.

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