City of Geneva City Council met April 17.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
CALL TO ORDER
The April 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: Tara Burghart, Becky Hruby, Gabriel Kaven, Dean Kilburg, Brad Kosirog, Craig Maladra, Richard Marks, Amy Mayer, Robert Swanson.
Mayor Kevin Burns, City Clerk Vicki Kellick.
Elected Officials attending by video or teleconference: None.
Elected Officials absent: Mike Bruno.
Others Present: City Administrator Stephanie Dawkins, Assistant City Administrator Ben McCready, City Attorney Ron Sandack.
Others attending by video or teleconference: None.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The pledge was led by Cathy Humphreys, Amy Goedken, and Mary Humphreys of Up North Wine Tasting Room.
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.
*6. APPROVE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MINUTES FROM APRIL 3, 2023
*7. REPORTS
*8. COUNCIL COMMITTEES
Moved by Ald. Swanson, Seconded by Ald. Marks.
Roll call:
AYES: 9 (Burghart, Hruby, Kaven, Kilburg, Kosirog, Maladra, Marks, Mayer, Swanson)
ABSENT: 1 (Bruno)
NAYS: 0
MOTION CARRIED
OTHER ITEMS AND CORRESPONDENCE
None.
MUNICIPAL BILLS FOR PAYMENT: $ 3,540,860.87
Moved by Ald. Burghart, Seconded by Ald. Mayer.
Roll call:
AYES: 9 (Burghart, Hruby, Kaven, Kilburg, Kosirog, Maladra, Marks, Mayer, Swanson)
ABSENT: 1 (Bruno)
NAYS: 0
MOTION CARRIED
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ITEMS OF BUSINESS
None.
PRESENTATION OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS Consider Ordinance No. 2023-05 Amending Title 4, Chapter 2 (Liquor Control), Section 4- 2-13 (License Fees and Number of Licenses) Adding One Class C-3 Liquor License for Up North Winery at 9 N. 2nd Street.
Moved by Ald. Marks, Seconded by Ald. Kaven.
Cathy Humphreys commented that Up North received its first liquor license in March of 2022 for beer and wine. Up North has had a positive reception from visitors who enjoy wines from the Traverse City, MI area. They would like to now expand their offerings to include Michigan-based cocktails with spirits from Mammoth Distillery in Michigan.
Roll call:
AYES: 9 (Burghart, Hruby, Kaven, Kilburg, Kosirog, Maladra, Marks, Mayer, Swanson)
ABSENT: 1 (Bruno)
NAYS: 0
MOTION CARRIED
Consider Ordinance No. 2023-06 Amending Title 4, Chapter 2 (Liquor Control), Section 4- 2-13 (License Fees and Number of Licenses) Adding Two Class A-5 Liquor Licenses for The Walrus Room at 415 W. State and Alchemist at 477 S. 3rd St., Suite 100.
Moved by Ald. Swanson, Seconded by Ald. Burghart.
Roll call:
AYES: 9 (Burghart, Hruby, Kaven, Kilburg, Kosirog, Maladra, Marks, Mayer, Swanson)
ABSENT: 1 (Bruno)
NAYS: 0
MOTION CARRIED
Consider Resolution No. 2023-37 Authorizing Acceptance of a Proposal to Bind Coverage for Property, General Liability, Automobile, Public Officials’ Employment Practices, Law Enforcement, Crime, Cyber, Excess Liability, and Workers’ Compensation Insurance Coverage Effective May 1, 2023. Moved by Ald. Marks, Seconded by Ald. Kosirog.
On a question from Ald. Swanson, Admin. McCready that the 15% increase in exposure for automobiles was a result of the increased dollar value of vehicles. The increased cost of vehicles increases the value of the insurance. The 21% premium increase looks at the value year over year. On another question from Ald. Swanson, Admin. McCready explained that there was an increase in losses from $21,000 in 2021 to $106,000 in 2022, and $75,000 so far this year as a result of activities and traffic returning to pre-COVID levels. While the City is seeing more losses, Admin. McCready noted that the City is working with Dir. Babica on loss prevention strategies. Ald. Swanson requested loss amounts from before COVID and Admin. McCready agreed to provide those.
On a final question from Ald. Swanson, Admin. McCready noted that the IDRF has a new classification system which resulted in the fire prevention payroll not being included last year. Previously, anyone who was involved with a fire in any way was counted as a firefighter. After a payroll audit, only employees who are firefighters (not employees in fire prevention, for example) are counted on the payroll.
Rich Stokluska of A.J. Gallagher then spoke to Ald. Swanson’s questions and noted that the City’s previous insurer, Liberty Mutual, no longer insures public utilities. They were competitively priced, but now the remaining insurance companies must absorb the risk from companies that left the business. Mr. Stokluska commented that the insurance industry faced property losses in 2018- 2019 and then faced COVID. In removing the property portion from the analysis, a 6% increase remains year over year. He noted that a 6-8% increase year over year is good.
On a question from Ald. Marks, Mr. Stokluska explained that whatever costs are not covered on the property policy will be covered on the equipment breakdown.
On a question from Ald. Kilburg, Mr. Stokluska noted that there is approximately $65,000 in flood insurance coverage out of the property premium. He noted that different locations in the U.S. have different concerns.
On a question from Ald. Mayer, Mr. Stokluska confirmed that it is best to keep certain policies together. His group did ask Chubb to separate City-owned buildings from utilities, but the insurer wanted to keep the policies together. He explained that if there were damage to both types of property, there would only be one company, one claim, and one deductible involved.
On a question from Ald. Kosirog, Mr. Stokluska explained that a hard market is one lacking in competition and capacity, with an increase in rates. Roll call:
AYES: 9 (Burghart, Hruby, Kaven, Kilburg, Kosirog, Maladra, Marks, Mayer, Swanson)
ABSENT: 1 (Bruno)
NAYS: 0
MOTION CARRIED
Consider Resolution No. 2023-38 Authorizing Execution of Ride in Kane Service Agreement with the County of Kane.
Moved by Ald. Swanson, Seconded by Ald. Kosirog.
On a question from Ald. Burghart, Admin. Dawkins confirmed that there are 250 registered users of the Ride in Kane program. Ald. Burghart noted that a co-worker of hers finds this program incredibly useful.
Roll call:
AYES: 9 (Burghart, Hruby, Kaven, Kilburg, Kosirog, Maladra, Marks, Mayer, Swanson)
ABSENT: 1 (Bruno)
NAYS: 0
MOTION CARRIED
NEW BUSINESS / PUBLIC COMMENT
Ald. Kilburg commented on the 2022-23 sales tax revenue and noted that it is encouraging that the City is $1.2 million ahead of historical totals. He noted that this is likely an indication that the economy has rebounded from COVID. Admin. Dawkins noted that this is also a direct result tax now paid by Amazon and other online merchants, which took effect after January 2021.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, moved by Ald. Kosirog to adjourn the Geneva City Council meeting.
MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote of those present. The meeting adjourned at 7:32 PM.
https://www.geneva.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_04172023-2130
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