Kane County Reporter

City of Geneva Committee of the Whole met Nov. 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Elected Officials Present: Mayor Burns, Ald. Bowring, Ald. Bruno, Ald Hruby, Ald. Kilburg, Ald. Kosirog, Ald. Maladra, Ald. Marks, Ald. Mayer, Ald. Paschke, Ald. Swanson, Clerk Kellick.

Elected Officials Attending by Teleconference: None.

Elected Officials Absent: None.

Others Present: City Admin. Dawkins, Asst. City Admin. McCready, City Attny. Sandack, Dir. Babica, Dir. Kruse, Dir. Tymoszenko, Chief Passarelli, GIS Coordinator Mike Bledsoe.

Others attending by video or teleconference: None.

Call to Order 

Council member Craig Maladra, serving as chair, called the meeting to order at 8:01 PM noting all council members were present.

Approve Committee of the Whole Minutes from October 16, 2023 and Special Committee of the Whole Minutes from October 23, 2023. 

Moved by Ald. Paschke, seconded by Ald. Bowring.

MOTION CARRIED by voice vote 10-0.

Items of Business 

Consider Draft Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Axon Body Worn  Cameras, Vehicle Cameras, and Supporting Software at a Cost Not-to-Exceed  $404,703.34 Over a Five-Year Term Utilizing the Sourcewell Contract. Moved by Ald. Paschke, seconded by Ald. Kilburg.

On a question from Ald. Bruno, D.C. Dean noted that the body cameras themselves include a 2 ½ year refresh. At the end of the term, the Department would own the cameras they still have and get the updated cameras at the current cost. D.C. Dean noted later in the discussion that the Sourcewell contract identified three primary vendors they identified. Axon is the industry standard based on feedback. Roll call:

AYES: 10 (Bowring, Bruno, Hruby, Kilburg, Kosirog, Maladra, Marks, Mayer, Paschke, Swanson)

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 0

MOTION CARRIED

Consider Draft Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Two X10 Unmanned  Aerial Systems at a Cost Not-to-Exceed $58,654.12 from Skydio, Inc. Through GSA Contract.

Moved by Ald. Bowring, seconded by Ald. Marks.

On a question from Ald. Swanson, Coord. Bledsoe stated that this model is not the “Cadillac” of drones. It is expensive because of the thermal camera included in the model. He noted that while there are more inexpensive drones available, they are manufactured by Chinese companies and the Department of Defense had identified security issues with those. Additionally, these drones have object avoidance systems, a radiometric thermal camera, and a color palette camera.

Dir. Babica noted that thermal analysis of transformers requires two linemen to physically go out with older, bulky thermal cameras at a specific time of day to conduct measurements for the most accurate readings. He also stated that there will soon be proposed requirements that Public Works conducts outfall inspections every month. This is now done only biannually but ties up a City Engineer for five days. There are other applications such as overflights of construction sites, roof inspections on Public Works buildings, water tower inspections, and providing data logs to the IL EPA of river bloom. This could also be available for City tourism videos. It will also aid in damage assessment after storms. Roll call:

AYES: 10 (Bowring, Bruno, Hruby, Kilburg, Kosirog, Maladra, Marks, Mayer, Paschke, Swanson)

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 0

MOTION CARRIED

Consider Draft Resolution Authorizing Execution of a Development Economic  Incentive Agreement Between the City of Geneva and Woodmont Tapville Geneva  LLC for 101-105 W. State Street, Geneva, IL.

Moved by Ald. Bowring, seconded by Ald. Bruno.

Dir. Tymoszenko introduced a public/private partnership opportunity for the former Little Owl property in the Historic District. After the Little Owl closed, a new owner purchased the property in 2019. Unexpected retrofitting challenges and COVID slowed work on the building and the owners sold it in 2021. The current owners purchased the building in November 2022 and will open a Tapville Social Restaurant concept in the space. A July HPC meeting highlighted some of the issues to be solved at the beginning of the project including structural and masonry work to be done on the south façade. There is a commitment to address these issues in Phase 1. The estimated work on this side will total $173,500. The Economic Development Department is recommending a $138,800 grant from the ARPA fund payable at occupancy. The Phase 2 east elevation work will cost an estimated $189,000 and a sales tax rebate of no more than $151,200 is recommended with a completion deadline within 24 months.

Discussion involved many alderpersons voicing support for the owners and the business bringing life back to the building and business back to the City. Ald. Swanson noted that he is also happy with the concept but would like a clawback provision that would require that the owners be in business for a specific minimal amount of time or return the funds to the City. Dir. Tymoszenko stated that this was not suggested because the City is not investing in the business but in the structure itself.

Roll call:

AYES: 9 (Bowring, Bruno, Hruby, Kilburg, Kosirog, Maladra, Marks, Mayer, Paschke)

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 1 (Swanson)

MOTION CARRIED

Consider Draft Ordinances for Estimated 2023 Tax Levies.

Moved by Ald. Bowring, seconded by Ald. Marks.

Roll call:

AYES: 10 (Bowring, Bruno, Hruby, Kilburg, Kosirog, Maladra, Marks, Mayer, Paschke, Swanson)

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 0

MOTION CARRIED

Consider Draft Ordinance Amending Title 4 (Business and License Regulations), Chapter 2 (Liquor Control) of the Geneva City Code.

Moved by Ald. Marks, seconded by Ald. Bowring.

Roll call:

AYES: 10 (Bowring, Bruno, Hruby, Kilburg, Kosirog, Maladra, Marks, Mayer, Paschke, Swanson)

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 0

MOTION CARRIED

Public Comment  

None.

New Business 

None.

Closed Session on the Purchase or Lease of Real Property for the Use of the Public Body, Including Meetings Held for the Purpose of Discussing Whether  a Particular Parcel Should Be Acquired.” 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5).  Moved by Ald. Bowring, seconded by Ald. Swanson to enter into closed session at 9:22 PM.

Roll call:

AYES: 10 (Bowring, Bruno, Hruby, Kilburg, Kosirog, Maladra, Marks, Mayer, Paschke, Swanson)

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 0

MOTION CARRIED.

Moved by Ald. Kosirog, seconded by Ald. Bowring to enter into open session at 10:07 PM.

MOTION CARRIED unanimously by voice vote of those present 10-0.

Adjournment 

On a motion by Ald. Kosirog, the meeting was adjourned by unanimous voice vote at 10:07 PM.

https://www.geneva.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11062023-2249