City of Geneva City Council met Dec. 5
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
CALL TO ORDER
The December 5, 2022 meeting of the Geneva City Council was called to order at 7:02 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall by Mayor Kevin Burns.
Elected Officials present:
Alderpersons: Mike Bruno, Tara Burghart, Becky Hruby, Gabriel Kaven, Dean Kilburg, Brad Kosirog, Craig Maladra, Richard Marks, Robert Swanson.
Mayor Kevin Burns, City Clerk Vicki Kellick.
Elected Officials attending by video or teleconference: None.
Elected Officials absent: Amy Mayer.
Others Present: City Administrator Stephanie Dawkins, Assistant City Administrator Ben McCready, City Attorney Ron Sandack, Public Works Director Rich Babica, Finance Director Rita Kruse, and Water Division Superintendent Bob Van Gyseghem.
Others attending by video or teleconference: None.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The pledge was led by Jean Gaines.
PUBLIC HEARINGS, SPECIAL ITEMS AND PRESENTATIONS Public Hearing to Approve Proposed Property Tax Levy Increase for the City of Geneva for 2022.
Moved by Ald. Marks, Seconded by Ald. Kaven to open the public hearing.
MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote of those present. No public discussion occurred.
Moved by Ald. Kosirog, Seconded by Ald. Kilburg to close the public hearing.
MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote of those present.
Public Hearing to Approve Proposed Property Tax Levy Increase for City of Geneva Special Service Area No. 23 - Sunset Meadows for 2022. Moved by Ald. Kosirog, Seconded by Ald. Bruno to open the public hearing.
MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote of those present. No public discussion occurred.
Moved by Ald. Marks, Seconded by Ald. Kaven to close the public hearing.
Mental Health Board Annual Report Presentation
Mayor Burns welcomed Geneva Mental Health Board Chair Suzy Shogren. Ms. Shogren introduced the other board members who were also present: Vice-Chair Eleanor Hamilton, Jean Gaines, Richard Gabriel, Christine Kautz, Susan Fitzen,
and Connie Wagner. On behalf of the board, Ms. Shogren thanked Admin. Dawkins, Executive Assistant and Deputy Clerk Jeanne Fornari, I.T. Manager Peter Collins, and Communications Coordinator Kevin Stahr for the various help each provides to the board.
Ms. Shogren spoke about how the board has been encouraged this past year by how society and the community have acknowledged mental health needs. She noted the collaboration between the high school’s SADD members, the middle schools’ LEOs, and the board to tie green ribbons and write affirmations during Mental Health Month in May. The board revised its grant applications and at the board’s November meeting, 13 service providers received $177,000 in grant funds.
Ms. Kautz then read a letter from Amy Singer, founder of the Joshua Tree Community. This group began in 2014 to help intellectually disabled individuals who have aged out of the school system. The organization provides over 5,000 hours of community assistance to the individuals they help. The Mental Health Board was able to provide $7,600 to the Joshua Tree which was the group’s total requested amount.
Ms. Hamilton followed and shared information from Sara Gray, Executive Director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness’ local affiliate that serves Kane, DeKalb, and Kendall counties (NAMI KDK). The group provides mental health education, support, and advocacy for individuals, family members, and the community. All services provided are peer-based and are free to the public.
Ms. Fitzen then read a letter from Fox Valley Hands of Hope, an organization that provides guidance and support for individuals and families who are grieving. Services are provided at no-cost through grants and donations, such as those from the Mental Health Board.
Ald. Kilburg thanked the board for its work. He noted that the time and oversight provided by board members should assure residents that their tax dollars are being utilized to fund quality organizations that serve and improve the lives of community members.
Art on Fire Award Presentation
Mayor Burns welcomed Cultural Arts Commission Chair Tim Vetang. Mr. Vetang introduced the Art on Fire program which is now in its eighth year. The program is open to anyone of any age, not only Geneva residents. Mr. Vetang noted that there are over 1,500 fire hydrants in the community and over 120 of these have been painted. The hydrants and their locations are posted on the City website
Mr. Vetang noted that this year, the International Cultural Exchange Committee was interested in participating with their own submission category. ICEC board member Cynthia Albright spoke about how the group believed that the Art on Fire program was an ideal way to reach middle school students. The students were encouraged to consider a design to promote international friendship and the 15 years of friendship between Geneva and Croissy-sur-Seine, France. Ms. Albright then introduced the winner of the ICEC category, Emilia Amaya. Ms. Amaya is a seventh grader at Geneva Middle School North. Her entry is entitled “The Great Getaway” and is located at Brigham Way and Fargo Blvd. Her design features a windmill, a chateau, the skylines of Chicago and Paris, and features the French and United States flags. Ms. Amaya noted that she sought to show the similarities between Geneva and Croissy-sur-Seine as both cities are located on rivers, are outside of large cities, and feature important landmarks. Ms. Albright presented Ms. Amaya with a gift for her work.
Mr. Vetang then spoke about how the Cultural Arts Commission and the Public Art Advisory Committee review the Art on Fire submissions each year. This year, there were three favorites which Mr. Vetang introduced. The artists of each will receive Geneva gift certificates.
Mr. Vetang introduced the third-place winning entry, “Boba Frett, Litterbug Bounty Hunter,” painted by Carole and Ethan Ellermeier. This hydrant is located on the southwest corner of Second St. and Hamilton St. Mr. Ellermeier is a sixth grader at Geneva Middle School North and Ms. Ellermeier is his grandmother. Ms. Ellermeier explained that the concept and design were Mr. Ellermeier’s. He was concerned about copyright infringement and therefore changed the name from that of the Stars Wars character.
The second-place entry was then introduced by Mr. Vetang. “Floating on Flowers” is located at the northwest corner of Franklin St. and Fourth St. and was painted by Louisa, Lianna, and Chiara Surtz.
Mr. Vetang then introduced the first-place entry, “Flowers in Bloom”. The work was designed and painted by Kristine Metoyer. This hydrant is located on the corner of Sixth and Franklin Streets. Mr. Vetang thanked all the participants for contributing to the program.
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
None.
OMNIBUS AGENDA
All Items listed with an asterisk (*) are considered to be routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion on these items unless a council member so requests in which event the item will be removed from the omnibus (Consent) agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda. All items on the omnibus agenda require a simple majority vote unless otherwise indicated.
*APPROVE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER 21, 2022.
*REPORTS
October Financial Report
*COUNCIL COMMITTEES
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ITEMS OF BUSINESS
*Approve Ordinance No. 2022-48 for the 2022 General Levy in the Amount of $6,008,238.
*Approve Ordinance No. 2022-49 for the Levy and Assessment of 2022 Taxes for Special Service Area No. 1 (Downtown District) in the Amount of $177,000
*Approve Ordinance No. 2022-50 for the Levy and Assessment of 2022 Taxes for Special Service Area No. 4 (Randall Square) in the Amount of $21,174
*Approve Ordinance No. 2022-51 for the Levy and Assessment of 2022 Taxes for Special Service Area No. 5 (Williamsburg) in the Amount of $11,323
*Approve Ordinance No. 2022-52 for the Levy and Assessment of 2022 Taxes for Special Service Area No. 7 (Blackberry) in the Amount of $3,616
*Approve Ordinance No. 2022-53 for the Levy and Assessment of 2022 Taxes for Special Service Area No. 9 (Geneva Knolls) in the Amount of $3,604
*Approve Ordinance No. 2022-54 for the Levy and Assessment of 2022 Taxes for Special Service Area No. 11 (Eagle Brook) in the Amount of $55,600
*Approve Ordinance No. 2022-55 for the Levy and Assessment of 2022 Taxes for Special Service Area No. 16 (Fisher Farms Residential) in the Amount of $161,315
*Approve Ordinance No. 2022-56 for the Levy and Assessment of 2022 Taxes for Special Service Area No. 18 (Wildwood) in the Amount of $3,542
*Approve Ordinance No. 2022-57 for the Levy and Assessment of 2022 Taxes for Special Service Area No. 23 (Sunset Meadows) in the Amount of $2,685
*Approve Ordinance No. 2022-58 for the Levy and Assessment of 2022 Taxes for Special Service Area No. 26 (Westhaven Residential) in the Amount of $8,928
*Approve Ordinance No. 2023-59 for the Levy and Assessment of 2022 Taxes for Special Service Area No. 32 (On Brentwood’s Pond Residential) in the Amount of $3,476
Moved by Ald. Bruno, Seconded by Ald. Swanson.
Roll call:
AYES: 9 (Bruno, Burghart, Hruby, Kaven, Kilburg, Kosirog, Maladra, Marks, Swanson)
ABSENT: 1 (Mayer)
NAYS: 0
MOTION CARRIED
MUNICIPAL BILLS FOR PAYMENT: $2,324,201.32
Moved by Ald. Bruno, Seconded by Ald. Burghart.
Roll call:
AYES: 9 (Bruno, Burghart, Hruby, Kaven, Kilburg, Kosirog, Maladra, Marks, Swanson)
ABSENT: 1 (Mayer)
NAYS: 0
MOTION CARRIED
PRESENTATION OF ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, PETITIONS, BIDS
Consider Ordinance No. 2022-60 Adding One Class A-5 Liquor License for B.A.S.H. Burger and Sushi House at 124 W. State Street.
Moved by Ald. Marks, Seconded by Ald. Burghart.
MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote of those present.
Consider Resolution No. 2022-102 Authorizing Execution of the First Amendment to Master Purchase and Sale Agreement Between the Union Pacific Railroad Company and the City of Geneva.
Moved by Ald. Burghart, Seconded by Ald. Kosirog.
On a question from Ald. Kilburg, Admin. Dawkins noted that surveys have been done and the City is reviewing the property footprint.
Roll call:
AYES: 9 (Bruno, Burghart, Hruby, Kaven, Kilburg, Kosirog, Maladra, Marks, Swanson)
ABSENT: 1 (Mayer)
NAYS: 0
MOTION CARRIED
NEW BUSINESS / PUBLIC COMMENT
Ald. Bruno thanked the Chamber of Commerce for a successful Christmas Walk weekend.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, moved by Ald. Marks to adjourn the Geneva City Council meeting.
MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote of those present. The meeting adjourned at 7:48 PM.
https://www.geneva.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_12052022-2058
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