DeKalb Times

City of Genoa City Council met Nov. 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Brust called the meeting of the City Council to order at 7:08pm followed by roll call. Alderman Wesner, Freund, Stage, Braheny, Hughes and Roca were present. Alderman Pulley and Winter were absent. Quorum present.

Mayor Brust led the pledge of allegiance.

GUEST SPEAKERS – None

Motion made by Alderman Braheny to accept the minutes from the November 1, 2023, City Council meeting, seconded by Alderman Roca. Voice vote was taken, all voted yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Alderman Wesner to approve payment of the accounts payable for November 15, 2023, seconded by Alderman Stage. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Freund, Stage, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

ITEMS FROM INDIVIDUALS IN ATTENDANCE – None

OLD BUSINESS – None

FUTURE ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION – None

NEW BUSINESS:

SWEARING IN OF POLICE OFFICER MIKE WALSH

City Clerk Becca Stevenson swore in Mike Walsh as a police officer for the city of Genoa. Walsh has served for years as an auxiliary officer and will be attending training in January.

APPROVE THE 2023 TAX LEVY DETERMINATION FOR THE CITY OF GENOA

Alderman Wesner made a motion to approve the 2023 tax levy determination for the city of Genoa, seconded by Alderman Braheny. City Administrator Alyssa Seguss then went through a slideshow presentation that explained to the council what the tax levy is and how the numbers came about. There was some discussion within the council along with the citizens present at the meeting regarding how different things would affect the property taxes for various residents. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Freund, Stage, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

APPROVE A FAÇADE GRANT AGREEMENT FOR 101 W MAIN STREET, NOT TO EXCEED $30,000

Alderman Wesner made a motion to approve the façade grant, seconded by Alderman Stage. There were pictures presented to the council of what the owners intend the building to look like within the packet. There was a brief discussion on what happens with the grant should the owner choose to sell the property. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Freund, Stage, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

APPROVE A LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING AFFIRMING WITH THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION THE CITY’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PARKING LANES AND CURB AND GUTTER ALONG ROUTE 72

Motion made by Alderman Hughes to approve the letter of understanding with IDOT, seconded by Alderman Stage. Seguss explained this is already something that is done by the city, but it was not in writing. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Freund, Stage, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

APPROVE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH FEHR GRAHAM

Alderman Stage made a motion to approve of a professional service agreement with Fehr Graham, seconded by Alderman Hughes. Mayor Brust explained to the council that this would be a master service agreement so that smaller engineering projects wouldn’t have to come before the council every time. The city’s spending policy, which says that anything over $5,000 must be approved by the council, will still apply. Anything under $5,000 will be included in this agreement. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Freund, Stage, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

APPROVE AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING TITLE 2 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF GENOA

Motion made by Alderman Braheny to adopt title 2 of the municipal code, seconded by Alderman Stage. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Freund, Stage, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

PUBLIC WORKS:

Public Works Director Janice Melton explained that the department has been doing training over the past 2 weeks, they hosted the village of Kirkland and IML was also present. She announced that hydrant flushing will be happening soon to accommodate IBEW. Bids for the sewer lining project started 11/15 and she happily announced that bids came in under budget. The department has also been doing all the proper maintenance to prepare for the winter.

POLICE:

Police Chief Robert Smith announced that he did CPR training with the public works department, and they also installed defibrillators at city hall. Smith also explained that Walsh will be starting early December and going to academy on January 8th. He told the council that there have been issues with an establishment in town regarding closing times and when people must be out. There will be a letter hand delivered to all establishments in town explaining the closing times. Sergeant testing will be held on December 13th and two officers will be participating. Smith announced that he has to do training with the crossing guards as well.

ADMINISTRATION:

City Administrator Alyssa Seguss addressed the council about the mandatory security awareness training that was sent out early November.

MAYOR:

Mayor Brust told the council that he had an interview with a local radio station, and they will be doing a spotlight of Genoa’s downtown that will air sometime in the following couple of weeks. He also announced that celebrate the season will be happening on December 1st and the official groundbreaking of the new Taco Bell happened earlier in the week.

Motion to adjourn the meeting of the City Council was made by Alderman Wesner, seconded by Alderman Roca. Voice vote was taken, all voted yes. Motion was carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:58pm.

https://www.genoa-il.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Meeting-Minutes-11152023.pdf