DeKalb Times

City of Genoa City Council met March 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Brust called the meeting of the City Council to order at 7:01pm followed by roll call. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca were present. Quorum present.

Mayor Brust led the pledge of allegiance.

GUEST SPEAKERS:

RECOGNITION OF DANNY GALLAGHER

Police Chief Robert Smith recognized Genoa resident Danny Gallagher for his many years of service to the city which include serving as an Alderman as well as serving on the Police and Fire Commission.

PUBLIC COMMENT – Chuck Rose, who is running for State’s Attorney for DeKalb County, came before the council to introduce himself and his campaign. Gordon Jones, of 11794 Pebble Beach Dr, came before the council with multiple questions regarding the plans for the downtown streetscape project. There were also 2 Genoa residents, Stefan, and Dorene, both of whom reside near the new Maddogs establishment who came to reiterate some concerns that they had after the public hearing on this topic. There have been many complaints due to the excessive noise of the exhaust fan coming from the building along with traffic safety hazards and lighting issues. These are all being addressed as quickly as possible to come up with solutions that benefit both the establishment and the residents.

OLD BUSINESS – None

CONSENT AGENDA

Alderman Pulley made a motion to approve of items 1-9 within the consent agenda, seconded by Alderman Wesner. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Braheny, Hughes, and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

1. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE MARCH 6, 2024, CITY COUNCIL MEETING

2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE MARCH 6, 2024, PUBLIC HEARING

3. APPROVAL OF THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLES DATED MARCH 15, 2024

4. APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT PURCHASE OF ROAD SALT

5. APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF A BLOCK OF 100 HOURS FROM NETCOM 2000, INC., NOT TO EXCEED $10,000

6. APPROVE AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS BETWEEN THE CITY OF GENOA AND THE GENOA-KINGSTON CUSD #424

7. APPROVE A SIDE LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF GENOA AND GENOA-KINGSTON SCHOOL DISTRICT

8. APPROVE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF GENOA AND THE GENOA-KINGSTON SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER PROGRAM

9. APPROVE A SIDE LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF GENOA AND GENOA-KINGSTON SCHOOL DISTRICT

NEW BUSINESS:

APPROVE AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO A PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT AND SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR OUTDOOR SEATING AND AN ELECTRONIC SIGN AT 705 EAST MAIN STREET

City Administrator Alyssa Seguss gave the council a summary of what was talked about at the Public Hearing within the Plan Commission meeting regarding this topic. She explained that after deliberation, the Plan Commission unanimously recommended approval. The council had a discussion on whether there should be special hours set for the use of the patio to help control the noise. They ultimately decided to add to the ordinance that the patio closure must follow the same hours as the city’s quiet hours. Alderman Pulley made a motion to approve the ordinance, seconded by Alderman Freund. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Braheny and Hughes voted yes. Alderman Roca abstained. Motion carried.

APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF BENCHES, TRASH CANS, AND PLANTERS FOR THE DOWNTOWN STREETSCAPE PROJECT, NOT TO EXCEED $35,000

There was some brief discussion on this item because of the cost of the benches, trash cans, and planters. There was deliberation on whether they should be purchased now or later in case there ends up being a need for the funds elsewhere in the project. Due to the timeline though, they ultimately decided it’s better to purchase them now. Alderman Hughes made a motion to approve the purchase, seconded by Alderman Roca. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Hughes, and Roca voted yes. Alderman Braheny abstained. Motion carried.

AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN A LETTER OF INTENT WITH TOWERPOINT ACQUISITIONS, LLC, SUBJECT TO ATTORNEY REVIEW

Mayor Brust explained that this would not be a final contract but instead it would allow them to have further conversations with Towerpoint to find out what their terms are and decide if the city wants to move forward with them. Any kind of contract or agreement would still come before the council prior to it being put into effect. There was some discussion regarding what information the alderman want from Towerpoint and which of the two options they are leaning towards. No further discussion. Alderman Stage made a motion to authorize the mayor to sign the letter of intent, seconded by Alderman Pulley. Alderman Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Alderman Wesner voted no. Motion carried.

APPROVE AN ENGINEERING WORK ORDER WITH BAXTER AND WOODMAN FOR ENGINEERING THE DESIGN OF TWO IRON FILTER UNDERDRAINS AT THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT, NOT TO EXCEED $10,000

Public Works director Lucas Smith explained what this project entails. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner made a motion to approve the engineering work order, seconded by Alderman

Braheny. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

CLOSED SESSION

Alderman Braheny made a motion to enter closed session for the purpose of reviewing the minutes of the previous closed session, for the purpose of releasing closed session minutes, for the purpose of discussing possible, probable, or imminent litigation and for the purpose of discussing the lease price for a property, seconded by Alderman Stage. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

RECONVENE REGULAR SESSION

Alderman Stage made a motion to reconvene into regular session, seconded by Alderman Roca. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

RELEASE OF CERTAIN CLOSED SESSION MINUTES

Alderman Braheny made a motion that the minutes of closed session meetings of the Genoa City Council be released for public inspection in accordance with the Open Meetings Act. The Minutes to be released are those which are set forth on the list which has previously been submitted to and reviewed by the members of the City Council. The minutes to be released are 3/16/2022, 9/20/2023, 12/20/2023 and 1/3/2024. The minutes to be held are 7/6/2022, 10/5/2022, 1/4/2023, and 10/4/2023. Alderman Pulley seconded. No further discussion. Alderman Wesner, Pulley, Freund, Stage, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

AGENDA ITEMS F, G & H

Mayor Brust announced that agenda items F, G, and H will be tabled for a future meeting.

FUTURE ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION – None

DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

FINANCE:

Finance Director Jan Tures announced that the monthly reports are within the packets, and everything looks good. They are also working with Cloudpermit weekly and hope to go live with the system sometime in April.

PUBLIC WORKS:

Public Works Director Lucas Smith updated the council on several items including tree trimming and street sweeping. He explained that they installed a land bridge at Carroll Park to assist people with getting over the ditched area. Sewer lining will be happening in the next coming weeks and there is another meeting soon for the lead service line replacement project. He also announced that the downtown streetscape project will begin on April 1st.

POLICE:

Police Chief Smith announced that they just completed the written tests for new hires. They had 12 candidates complete the test and all but one passed. The next step will be oral interviews.

ADMINISTRATION:

City Administrator Alyssa Seguss told the council that there will be an update on the action planning within the Strategic Plan at the next meeting.

MAYOR:

Mayor Brust announced that the IML Lobby Day is coming up in Springfield and he will be attending.

ANNOUNCEMENTS – The Taco Bell should be opening within the next couple of weeks.

Motion to adjourn the meeting of the City Council was made by Alderman Wesner, seconded by Alderman Pulley. Voice vote was taken, all voted yes. Motion was carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:53pm.

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