City of Geneva City Council met Jan. 17.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
CALL TO ORDER
The January 17, 2023 meeting of the Geneva City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall by Mayor Kevin Burns.
Elected Officials present:
Alderpersons: Mike Bruno, Tara Burghart, Amy Mayer, 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: None.
Others Present: City Administrator Stephanie Dawkins, Assistant City Administrator Ben McCready, City Attorney Ron Sandack, Electric Division Superintendent Aaron Holton, Water Division Superintendent Bob Van Gyseghem, Street Division Superintendent Nate Landers, Public Works Director Rich Babica, Community Development Director David DeGroot, Economic Development Director Cathleen Tymoszenko, Human Resources Generalist Mera Johnson, Finance Director Rita Kruse, City Engineer Brian Davids, Police Chief Eric Passarelli, and Fire Chief Michael Antenore.
Others attending by video or teleconference: None.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The pledge was led by Officer Chuck Parisi.
After the pledge, Mayor Burns congratulated Officer Parisi on celebrating his 18th anniversary with the City of Geneva.
PUBLIC HEARINGS, SPECIAL ITEMS AND PRESENTATIONS None.
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 DECEMBER 19, 2022.
*REPORTS
*November 2022 Financial Report
*January 2023 Revenue Report
*COUNCIL COMMITTEES
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ITEMS OF BUSINESS
*Approve Resolution No. 2023-02 Authorizing the Purchase of a Range Advanced Training Simulator from Milo in an Amount Not to Exceed $29,975.00. *Approve Resolution No. 2023-03 Authorizing the Purchase of Three 2023 Ford Police Interceptor Police Vehicles Including Related Equipment and Exterior Graphics in an Amount Not to Exceed $161,908.74.
*Approve Resolution No. 2023-04 Waiving Competitive Bidding and Authorizing the Execution of a Service Partnership Agreement with HACH for the Water and Wastewater Plants at a Cost of $20,100.00.
*Approve Ordinance No. 2023-01 Amending Title 8 (Public Ways and Property), Chapter 1 (Streets, Sidewalks and Public Property) Sections 5 (Encroachments and Obstructions) and 7 (Prohibited Acts and Conditions) of the Geneva City Code.
Moved by Ald. Swanson, Seconded by Ald. Kaven.
Roll call:
AYES: 10 (Bruno, Burghart, Hruby, Kaven, Kilburg, Kosirog, Maladra, Marks, Mayer, Swanson)
ABSENT: 0
NAYS: 0
MOTION CARRIED
OTHER ITEMS AND CORRESPONDENCE
None.
MUNICIPAL BILLS FOR PAYMENT: $1,914,001.30 and $4,901,584.91
Moved by Ald. Bruno, Seconded by Ald. Marks.
Roll call:
AYES: 10 (Bruno, Burghart, Hruby, Kaven, Kilburg, Kosirog, Maladra, Marks, Mayer, Swanson)
ABSENT: 0
NAYS: 0
MOTION CARRIED
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ITEMS OF BUSINESS
Approve Resolution No. 2023-01 Authorizing Acceptance of a Proposal from GovHR, USA, LLC for a Classification and Compensation Study in an Amount Not to Exceed $35,500.00.
Moved by Ald. Kosirog, Seconded by Ald. Mayer.
On a question from Ald. Hruby, Gen. Johnson stated that it has been difficult to fill positions in Geneva due to the age of the City’s current compensation study. Neighboring communities with similar positions to fill have updated compensation amounts for those positions which make those opportunities more attractive to job seekers. Gen. Johnson noted that she is bound by the current compensation plan which does not reflect the market rate. On a further question from Ald. Hruby, Admin. Dawkins noted that the study looks both at compensation and classification. She noted that such a study provides an outside perspective so that it does not appear that City staff is recommending higher or inflated salaries. This study has been done every 5 years, and the guidelines for the study to be done on such a timeline were adopted by the City Council in 2007.
On a question from Ald. Kilburg, Admin. McCready noted that the study performs a broad market analysis including salary and wage scale but also considers how Geneva sits in relation to competitors.
Ald. Burghart stated that in order to keep top talent and stay competitive, this study is necessary.
Ald. Swanson stated that he voted against the study previously not because he didn’t believe in the study, but because the contract was too expensive compared to the previous study.
On a question from Ald. Marks, Admin. Dawkins noted that the last study was conducted with Batavia while the upcoming study will be done only for Geneva. She noted that bids received for the study went as high as $80,000. Gen. Johnson stated that Tri-Com is included in the upcoming study and will pay its portion of $5,700. She acknowledged that North Aurora paid $15,000 last fall for a study of 30 positions which is in line with the cost of the upcoming study which reviews 68 positions in Geneva. She noted that if the study is not done, open positions can’t be filled.
On a question from Ald. Kaven, Gen. Johnson stated that the last study was done in 2017. She noted that the previous study was more of a market study while the current study will be more detailed and include a review of the performance evaluation system.
Ald. Bruno stated that the study is important in order to recruit and retain people.
Ald. Mayer stated that she supports the study because of the market, and that the money invested in the study will pay dividends.
On a question from Ald. Hruby, Admin. Dawkins stated that she could see when nearby towns conduct their studies but noted that other cycles may differ from Geneva’s. She also acknowledged that St. Charles has a different pay philosophy than Geneva with the former wanting to be at 75% of market while the latter seeking to be at 50% of market. She also noted that the City Council previously wanted pay ranges to be in the middle and be competitive, while Saint Charles has sought to pay employees the most.
Roll call:
AYES: 9 (Bruno, Burghart, Hruby, Kaven, Kilburg, Kosirog, Maladra, Marks, Mayer)
ABSENT: 0
NAYS: 1 (Swanson)
MOTION CARRIED
PRESENTATION OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS Consider Resolution No. 2023-05 Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute a New Stormwater Management Easement and Vacate the Original Stormwater Management Easement for the Traxler Subdivision.
Moved by Ald. Bruno, Seconded by Ald. Marks.
On a question from Ald. Maladra, Dir. Babica stated that both the staff and City consultant confirmed that the dry wells proposed for the west side of the property have the same or exceed the capacity of the originally proposed bioswales. He acknowledged that the amount of water as well as the direction and timing of the runoff will not change. Ald. Maladra noted that his main concern was that any change to the old plan not cause further impact to neighboring properties.
On a question from Ald. Mayer, Dir. Babica stated that the City Council approved the subdivision with preliminary engineering. While the project progressed, the developer and its engineer reviewed the site conditions and felt that having a storage facility in the rear yard would preclude the owners’ enjoyment of that area. Dir. Babica acknowledged that permanent structures such as sidewalks, pools, patios, gazebos, and fire pits could not be built on drainage easements. Therefore, the developer sought to relocate the facilities to the front yards which are less actively used. On another question from Ald. Mayer, Dir. Babica confirmed that this is a gravel dry well with an underdrain discharging into a storm system being installed onto the 8th Street right-of-way.
Mayor Burns then invited Geneva resident Ginger Reynolds to speak. Ms. Reynolds stated that her home is located next to the development and lies between the new development and the creek. She noted that she was happy with the original developer’s plans. She noted that the developer has put in a substantial berm which will allow water to run through the middle of the property which leads to her home. She would like the original plan used to disperse the water and if necessary, she will have an engineer review the updated easement to determine if it will keep water away from her property.
On a question from Ald. Maladra, Dir. Babica noted that the preliminary engineering that was approved called for a screening berm along the railroad tracks which has not changed. He also noted that the discharge points have not changed. The only change is from a bioswale to catch basins. Dir. Babica stated that catch basins are a recognized best management practice and that Kane County Stormwater Ordinance requires best management practices to accommodate runoff. The City’s consultant verified that this design meets or exceeds the Kane County Stormwater Ordinance and therefore also complies with City Code.
On a question from Ald. Marks, Dir. Babica stated that once the final engineering period approaches, a dormant SSA will be established as long as the property owners maintain the catch basin area.
Mayor Burns then invited chief engineer Jon Green with Engineering Resource Associates to speak. Mr. Green has been involved with the builder and the Traxlers and prepared the individual site development plans for each property. Mr. Green stated that the tributary areas are being maintained as originally improved, and the proposed project will not change the discharge direction or location. Mr. Green noted that original design had dry wells in backyard based on the preliminary house layout. However, since water was draining to 8th Street, it made sense to put the dry wells under the landscaping in the front yard. In response to an earlier inquiry by Ms. Reynolds regarding the rear yard, Mr. Green noted that he placed yard drain inlets and catch basins in the rear yard as part of the project redesign.
On a question from Ald. Burghart, Mr. Green stated that there is no change in discharge toward Ms. Reynolds’ property. On another question from Ald. Burghart, Mr. Green noted that this will hold 1 ¼” of rainfall over the proposed new impervious area which is a reasonable and customary once every 3-4 months. He noted that a 100-year rainfall totals 11”.
Ald. Kosirog stated that he would like to give Ms. Reynolds two weeks to conduct research to determine if she is comfortable with the results.
Ald. Maladra stated that this is an issue of a change being made to the original plan and agrees with giving Ms. Reynolds extra time to consider the changes.
On a question from Ald. Swanson, Dir. Babica noted that there is a two-step process involved in accepting any public improvement. The first step is getting a certificate of completion, and the second step is attaining a certificate of acceptance after a 12-month maintenance period. Dir. Babica stated that if there were concerns, property owners can contact the appropriate staff who could then follow up with the issues.
Ald. Swanson then proposed a motion to postpone a decision on this matter until the February 6 City Council meeting. Moved by Ald. Swanson, Seconded by Ald. Kosirog.
Discussion took place among the alderpersons regarding whether the extra time was needed by Ms. Reynolds to review potential issues regarding the easement.
Ms. Reynolds then noted that during construction, there were two instances when water flowed through her yard and she alerted the City staff but was not pleased with the response. She stated that she had no desire to spend money to have the easement reviewed if nothing will change.
Ald. Swanson moved to withdraw the motion, Seconded by Ald. Kosirog. A vote was then taken on the original motion.
Roll call:
AYES: 8 (Bruno, Kaven, Kilburg, Kosirog, Maladra, Marks, Mayer, Swanson)
ABSENT: 0
NAYS: 2 (Burghart, Hruby)
MOTION CARRIED
Consider Resolution No. 2023-06 Authorizing a Certificate of Acceptance for “Fabyan Crossing – Fresh Thyme”.
Moved by Ald. Kilburg, Seconded by Ald. Marks.
Roll call:
AYES: 10 (Bruno, Burghart, Hruby, Kaven, Kilburg, Kosirog, Maladra, Marks, Mayer, Swanson)
ABSENT: 0
NAYS: 0
MOTION CARRIED
Consider Resolution No. 2023-07 Authorizing a Certificate of Acceptance for “Fabyan Crossing – Oberweis”.
Moved by Ald. Marks, Seconded by Ald. Kosirog
Roll call:
AYES: 10 (Bruno, Burghart, Hruby, Kaven, Kilburg, Kosirog, Maladra, Marks, Mayer, Swanson)
ABSENT: 0
NAYS: 0
MOTION CARRIED
Consider Resolution No. 2023-08 Authorizing a Certificate of Completion for “Cooper Woods”.
Moved by Ald. Marks, Seconded by Ald. Swanson.
Roll call:
AYES: 10 (Bruno, Burghart, Hruby, Kaven, Kilburg, Kosirog, Maladra, Marks, Mayer, Swanson)
ABSENT: 0
NAYS: 0
MOTION CARRIED
Consider Resolution No. 2023-09 Authorizing a Certificate of Completion for “Emma’s Landing”.
Moved by Ald. Marks, Seconded by Ald. Bruno.
Roll call:
AYES: 10 (Bruno, Burghart, Hruby, Kaven, Kilburg, Kosirog, Maladra, Marks, Mayer, Swanson)
ABSENT: 0
NAYS: 0
MOTION CARRIED
Consider Resolution No. 2023-10 Authorizing a Certificate of Completion for “Greenhouse Pointe”.
Moved by Ald. Kosirog, Seconded by Ald. Mayer.
Roll call:
AYES: 10 (Bruno, Burghart, Hruby, Kaven, Kilburg, Kosirog, Maladra, Marks, Mayer, Swanson)
ABSENT: 0
NAYS: 0
MOTION CARRIED
NEW BUSINESS / PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
Geneva City Council Meeting January 17, 2023 2274
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 8:09 PM.
https://www.geneva.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01172023-2074
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