City of Geneva City Council met Feb. 18.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Staff Responses to Council Questions
Agenda Item. 8. Reports
a. Tax Reports
Q: On page 23, sales tax revenue has increased significantly in the current month (November sales) from 2009 - 2018, but in 2019 there was a drop. Does this portend something more ominous, as holiday spending was up last year? Was November an aberration, and do we know if there was a rebound in December?
A: The 2019 November sales are more in line with previous November sales; the outlier is 2018 and this is directly related to there being five weekends in 2018 and typically there are only four. The Thanksgiving holiday fell late in the month allowing fewer shopping days. Since December numbers are not yet available, we cannot make any definite statements regarding holiday spending trends.
Q: The 0.5% sales tax as shown on page 28 increased from January levels, do we know why?
A: No, we do not know the exact reason. Note that in years past, the February (November) numbers are typically higher than the January (October) numbers year over year. It would seem that this is most likely related to holiday spending on low tax items due to entertaining and gift-giving activities.
Q: Local use tax revenue had been increasing by more than 10% every month as compared to last year. In February, this revenue stream also slowed significantly. Do we know why?
A: The use tax changes effective on Jan. 1, 2020 (and 2021) were not yet in effect for this collection period. Therefore, we can only speculate that the lack of increase is due to changing consumer spending habits, the extra weekend in November 2018 that in this case would represent an increase in 2019 or flat holiday sales which we cannot determine until we see the December numbers. For more information (analysis), the most recent February 2020 issue of the Illinois Municipal Review Magazine provides updated projections for various revenue streams.
Agenda Item 11. Municipal Bills for Payment 1) Public Storage, $141
Q: What do we store in the Cultural Arts Commission storage unit for $141 a month?
A: The storage unit is 10 x 10 and holds a variety of supplies used by the Cultural Arts Commission, including different types of event signs and sign equipment (banners, A-frame, lawn); event supplies (cash boxes, donation baskets, clipboards, garbage bags, tape, locks, radios, portable exit signs, curtains, hospitality items; administrative supplies (stationery, badges, rack cards, volunteer sheets, ticket rolls, volunteer aprons, lanyards and badges. Items were previously stored at Public Works but because after-hour and weekend access to supplies was necessary, and a variety of volunteers needed to access supply inventories, the Cultural Arts Commission determined that independent storage was preferred.
Agenda Item 12. Committee of the Whole Items of Business
a. Approve Resolution No. 2020-10 Authorizing Execution of a Contract with Municipal Well & Pump for Well No. 10 Rehabilitation Project in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $59,369.
Q: What is the overall purpose of this well?
A: This is a shallow well that delivers water to the Water Treatment Facility.
Q: How was it determined that this well had failed in November?
A: The well stopped working, and we were notified through the SCADA computer that there was a problem. City staff troubleshooted to determine if it was a problem in the control cabinet next to the well or if it was the motor in the well.
Q: Is this well located on private property at 252 Westhaven Circle with a utility easement, or along the parkway?
Q: Where exactly at 252 Westhaven Circle is the well (backyard, side of the house, on the curb)?
Q: What is the typical time-frame for the work to rehab this well?
A: Removing the pump and motor will take a few days. The motor will be examined to determine if it can be repaired or if a new one is required. This review could take a few weeks to a month depending upon the determination. We anticipate all work to be completed by the end of April.
Q: Have the residents at 252 Westhaven been notified of the upcoming needed repair work or how will they be notified?
A: No, but they will be notified prior to the work beginning.
Q: How large of an area needs to be excavated for this project?
A: No excavation is required.
Q: If applicable, how will the site be properly secured, especially after work hours to ensure children do not fall in etc.? The address is adjacent to Heartland Elementary School and the pedestrian path, etc.
A: There will be a metal cap bolted to the top of the well for safety.
https://www.geneva.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02182020-1576
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