DeKalb Times

City of Genoa City Council met June 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Brust called the meeting of the City Council to order at 7:00pm followed by roll call. Alderman Pulley, Freund, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca were present. Alderman Wesner and Stage were absent. Quorum present.

Mayor Brust led the pledge of allegiance.

GUEST SPEAKERS:

PRESENTATION OF COMED ANNUAL REPORT

Nick Escobar, a representative from ComEd, came before the council to give the annual report.

PUBLIC COMMENT – Gordon Jones of 11794 Pebble Beach Drive in Genoa complimented Officer Hoffstead for his efforts in returning Gordon’s keys to him after they were lost.

OLD BUSINESS – None

CONSENT AGENDA

Alderman Pulley made a motion to approve of items 1-13 within the consent agenda, seconded by Alderman Winter. No further discussion. Alderman Pulley, Freund, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

1. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE MAY 22, 2024, SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING

2. APPROVAL OF THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLES DATED MAY 31, 2024 (FY 24/25)

3. APPROVAL OF THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLES DATED MAY 31, 2024 (FY 23/24)

4. APPOINT RON SHEAHAN, JACOB WADDLE, AND RICK HOFFMAN TO THE COMPREHENSIVE AND STRATEGIC PLAN COMMITTEE

5. APPROVE THE 2025 CITY HALL CLOSINGS LIST

6. APPROVE THE 2025 ANNUAL MEETINGS CALENDAR

7. APPROVE A SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH FOUR SEASONS AMUSEMENTS FOR A FUN FAIR SLIDE FOR HARVEST FESTIVAL, NOT TO EXCEED $4,290

8. APPROVE THE USE OF DOWNTOWN PARKING SPACES FOR THE CRUISIN’ RESTAURANT CAR SHOW FROM 9AM-3PM ON JUNE 16TH

9. APPROVE A RESOLUTION FOR IMPROVEMENT UNDER THE ILLINOIS HIGHWAY CODE

10. APPROVE A SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH DEEPWALK RESEARCH, INC. NOT TO EXCEED $ 11,440

11. APPROVE A LOAN AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF GENOA AND LS HOLDINGS LLC

12. APPROVE AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF REAL ESTATE

13. APPROVE AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SALD OF SURPLUS PUBLIC REASL ESTATE

NEW BUSINESS:

GIVE ADVICE AND CONSENT TO THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF CHRISTOPHER HATHCOAT AS CHIEF OF POLICE EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 7, 2024

Alderman Braheny made a motion to give advice and consent to the mayor’s appointment of Christopher Hathcoat as Chief of Police, seconded by Alderman Roca. Mayor Brust explained that Robert Smith will still be acting Chief until September 7th when Hathcoat will officially take over. No further discussion. Alderman Pulley, Freund, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

DISCUSS THE 2024 FLEET ASSESSMENT

Public Works Director Lucas Smith explained that they have created an assessment of all vehicles within the city’s fleet, including public works vehicles along with police department vehicles. Within the fleet assessment, each vehicle received a score based on certain criteria. By tracking the conditions of the vehicles, their routine maintenance schedules, mileage, etc., they will be able to better prepare for when vehicles will need to be replaced. He also brought up software that they can use to better track things such as routine maintenance and mileage. There will be more information on the fleet assessment and the potential for new software at later meetings.

APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF A FORD F750 FROM LIBERTY FORD NOT TO EXCEED $171,938

Public Works Director Lucas Smith explained that the department currently has two plow trucks with blown motors and this F750 will be replacing one of them. The funds are currently available in the replacement budget, but they were originally not going to be replacing it until the next fiscal year. Because of the blown motor, the item has been moved up to this fiscal year. No further discussion. Alderman Pulley made a motion to approve the purchase, seconded by Alderman Roca. Alderman Pulley, Freund, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE CITY’S PERSONNEL MANUAL

City Administrator Seguss explained that this amendment changes the way that the city gives vacation time to its personnel. No further discussion. Alderman Winter made a motion to approve the amendment, seconded by Alderman Hughes. Alderman Pulley, Freund, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

APPROVE AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING AN EXTENSION OF THE LIMITED TEMPORARY REDUCTION IN CERTAIN FEES AS AN INCENTIVE FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION

Alderman Winter made a motion to approve the ordinance, seconded by Alderman Braheny. Mayor Brust and City Administrator Seguss clarified that this is valid for any new homes within Genoa and is not limited to a certain subdivision. No further discussion. Alderman Pulley, Freund, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

APPROVE A SERVICE ORDER AND AGREEMENT WITH CLEARGOV, NOT TO EXCEED $11,667

Alderman Braheny made a motion to approve a service order and agreement with ClearGov, seconded by Alderman Hughes. No further discussion. Alderman Pulley, Freund, Winter, Braheny, Hughes and Roca voted yes. Motion carried.

DISCUSS THE INSTALLATION OF AERATORS IN THE DETENTION PONDS IN THE RIVERBEND AND DERBY ESTATES SUBDIVISIONS

Public Works Director Lucas Smith gave the council the prices for one aerator in each pond, along with the prices to be able to put two aerators in some of the larger ponds. He also mentioned that if the council were to decide to move forward with this, the funds would be coming from the funds that were to be used to match if the city were to receive the OSLAND grant. There was some discussion on potentially using funds from the subdivisions SSA’s, but this would require an increase in property taxes. Mayor Brust explained that if they were to go that route, this would not strictly be a decision the council would make and there would be surveys sent out to residents of both subdivisions. This will be discussed further at a later meeting.

FUTURE ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION – None

DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

FINANCE:

Finance Director Jan Tures explained that they have been working on the audit and preparing for the field work on July 8th.

PUBLIC WORKS:

Public Works Director Lucas Smith updated the council on what the department has been working on including sending various projects to bid, preparing for projects such as the start of pavement data collection for all city streets and the downtown streetscape project, and finishing a water main. He announced that the final IDOT contract was signed for the street rehabilitation project so they are now trying to narrow down a construction schedule for certain streets so they can let residents know. Smith also told the council that in regards to the SRF funds for lead lines, the city was on the funding list but not for principal forgiveness. They instead offered the city a loan with 0% interest for 30 years. Smith’s recommendation is to continue forward with the design of the project so that there is a better chance for the city to receive funding should one of the communities granted it not meet the criteria needed to receive it.

ADMINISTRATION:

City Administrator Seguss announced that they will have a special plan commission meeting June 24th to kick off the Unified Development Ordinance. She gave an update on the issue of the Maddogs fan being too loud, which seems to have been fixed, and updated the council on the implementation of the new permit software. Seguss also announced that the city did receive the Safe Routes to School grant which is $250,000 to go towards sidewalks. The city will also have to contribute funds to the project due to its size so they are working on finalizing quotes now and they will be seen at a future meeting.

POLICE:

Chris Hathcoat told the council that the department got their new body cams in, and they will be implemented the following week. Additionally, the new e-citation software will start in July and take about 6-8 months to get fully deployed. He explained that Officer Hoffstead took the proper training to be able to operate a drone and will be coming in to do a presentation on its features at a future meeting. He also announced that Genoa Days went off with no major issues.

MAYOR:

Mayor Brust explained that now that the comprehensive and strategic plan committee is fully staffed, they will begin to meet on a monthly or quarterly basis.

ANNOUNCEMENTS – None

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 was carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:59pm.

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