DeKalb Times

City of Genoa City Council met Aug. 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Brust called the meeting of the City Council to order at 7:02 p.m. Roll call was taken. Aldermen Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Hughes and Holcomb were present. Alderman Winter absent. Quorum present.

Mayor Brust led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Guest Speakers – None

Motion made by Alderman Pulley to accept the minutes from the July 20, 2022 City Council meeting, seconded by Alderman Stage. Voice vote was taken. All voted yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Alderman Wesner to approve the account’s payables for July 30, 2022, seconded by Alderman Holcomb. Alderman Cravatta inquired about the Dispatcher charges and getting a better rate. Finance Director Tures and Chief Smith stated that this was the cheaper rate and that every July per the contract the cost will rise some. Roll call vote was taken. Alderman Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Cravatta, Hughes and Holcomb voted yes. Motion carried.

ITEMS FROM INDIVIDUALS IN ATTENDANCE – None

OLD BUSINESS - None

NEW BUSINESS 

APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A GENERAL CONDITIONS AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES WITH FEHR GRAHAM FOR MATERIALS REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR AN IEPA LOW INTEREST LOAN NOT TO EXCEED $78,000: Motion made by Alderman Pulley to approve and authorize the mayor to execute a general conditions agreement for professional services with Fehr Graham for materials required to apply for an IEPA low interest loan not to exceed $78,000, seconded by Alderman Holcomb. In the packet is a proposal and agreement with Fehr Graham to apply for an IEPA low interest loan (including design engineering). The purpose of applying to the IEPA Low Interest Loan is for the replacement of lead service lines. Public Works has been actively working to complete an inventory to establish a list of identified lead service lines that require replacement. Fehr Graham has had great success in applying for IEPA Low Interest Loans and receiving forgiveness from the IEPA. If the application is approved without forgiveness, the city could at that time decide whether or not to take out the loan. State law requires that the city create an inventory of lead service lines and begin replacing no less than 7% per year, which could be approximately 15 lead service lines per year. If the city were to borrow funds and/or receive forgiveness, the project would be done in a 1–2-year time frame. The city also received a proposal from Baxter and Woodman for $64,980. Staff is recommending the agreement with Fehr Graham due to their success with receiving forgiveness for large IEPA loan projects and recommendations from other local communities. Darin from Fehr Graham spoke to the council in regards to their company and how they have helped other municipalities to try and get grants to either fully fund or hoping to at least pay for half of the replacement of the lead lines throughout town. He stated that the average cost per home is between 6,000-15,000 depending on what is needed to replace the line. The work that they complete will leave a resident’s home as it originally was. Roll call vote was taken. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Cravatta, Hughes and Holcomb voted yes.

APPROVE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 3, CHAPTER 3, LIQUOR CONTROL, SECTION 8 OF THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF GENOA: Motion made by Alderman Cravatta to approve an ordinance amending Title 3, Chapter 3, Liquor Control, Section S of The City code of The City of Genoa, seconded by Alderman Hughes. The City of Genoa has received a request from an existing business owner for a liquor license. The business would most appropriately fall under the City’s “R Liquor License” which allows the sale of beer, wine, and ale at a restaurant or banquet facility. The business will also likely add on the alcoholic liquor add on as well as the outdoor seating add on. The Council is considering this amendment to add an additional R liquor license. Alderman Stage asked what the “R” Liquor License was, City Administrator Seguss stated it meant Restaurant and Banquet. The existing business is Open Door Coffee, they are trying to have events that they are hoping will attract more people if they have alcohol. Most of the clientele at this time is mostly female and children. Roll call vote was taken. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Cravatta, Hughes and Holcomb voted yes.

APPROVE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 9 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF GENOA: Motion made by Alderman Pulley to approve an ordinance amending Title 9 of the Municipal Code of The City of Genoa, seconded by Alderman Stage. This ordinance adopts the following building codes by reference with amendments as detailed in the ordinance: 2012 International Building Code; 2012 International Fire Code; 2012 International Mechanical Code; 2012 International Property Maintenance Code; 2012 International Residential Code; 2012 International Existing Building Code; 2012 International Energy Conservation Code; 2011 National Electrical Code; 2014 Illinois Plumbing Code 77 IL Admin Code 890; 2012 Life Safety Code; and the 2019 Illinois Accessibility Code. City Administrator Seguss stated that there is a revision to the ordinance that was in the packet and its under residential code section E sub section XR3- 13 and XR3-13.2 that talks about fire sprinklers in residential homes, we are going to repeal that section and let the residents have that option if they want to install that or not. Alderman Hughes asked about one of the homes over in River Bend that has residents from Genesis House, Chief Smith stated that he knows there is a fire monitoring system that goes directly to the police department and fire department. The city is going to notify the state and put the information on the website about the updated Ordinance. The staff is also working on making adjustments on the building permits and some of the fees that need to be adjusted per the new ordinance. The staff will also be looking at the bonds that the city has currently for temporary occupancy. Alderman Cravatta had some concerns about the verbiage in the code about the dumpsters and porta potties needing to be at every construction site. Alyssa is going to check into this and try to get some clarification. Roll call vote was taken. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Cravatta, Hughes and Holcomb voted yes.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS 

Finance Report – Treasurer & Finance Director, Jan Tures stated that they are finishing work on the audit, and had the first Finance Committee Meeting which went very well. A great group of people, Alderman Cravatta, is on the committee. The next meeting the auditors will be there to discuss the annual report and discuss and see what they feel is important to be addressed, points to be made and get background information before it’s presented to the council.

Public Works – Public Works Director Janice Melton stated that they have been busy with the lead service lines investigating which homes around town have the lead service lines and which don’t, they still have about 100-120 homes left to inspect. They have been putting in disc golf at Carroll Park so far it has been a huge hit with the residents, ribbon cutting ceremony will be August 23rd. Central Park is being designed right now

Janice is working with Alderman Hughes and Alderman Holcomb at completing this and getting quotes to have everything done. Tree removal and trimming is being completed.

Police Department –Chief Smith reported that written tests will be conducted tomorrow night for entry level candidates, the experienced officers will start with lateral interview’s starting next week; there were about 20 applicants. School starts August 16th and we are still in need of crossing guards if anyone knows someone that would be interested. There have been a couple gun calls, Genoa is pretty quiet but we still have quite a bit of activity in town. A few of the incidents could have potentially been worse than what they were.

Administrative Report – City Administrator, Alyssa Seguss reported that the building inspector is out of the office with an injury in the interim, we are using BNF. The staff is looking into a Plan B if this will be an extended leave. All Aldermen have been sent an email in regards to the fitness center agreement to look over before the next meeting and if they have any questions to send them to Alyssa before the next meeting.

Mayor’s Report – Mayor Brust reported that he has nothing new to share at this time

ANNOUNCEMENTS – There is a Harvest Fest meeting on 8/15 at 10am, Prairie State Winery has an event on Aug 19th and the car show will be 8/20. Volks Fest planning is underway.

Motion to adjourn the meeting of the City Council was made by Alderman Wesner, seconded by Alderman Freund. Voice vote was taken. All voted yes. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m.

https://www.genoa-il.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Meeting-Minutes-08032022-1.pdf