Kane County Reporter

City of Geneva City Council met Sept. 30

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER

The Geneva Special City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Kevin Burns at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

Elected Officials present:

Alderpersons: Anaïs Bowring, Mike Bruno, Becky Hruby, Dean Kilburg, Brad Kosirog, Craig Malara, Richard Marks, Amy Mayer, Robert Swanson.

Mayor Kevin Burns, City Clerk Vicki Kellick.

Elected Officials attending by video or teleconference: Martha Paschke.

Elected Officials absent: None.

Others Present: City Administrator Stephanie Dawkins, Assistant City

Administrator Ben McCready, City Attorney Ron Sandack.

Others attending by video or teleconference: None.

Mayor Burns invited Ald. Craig Maladra to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor Burns requested a moment of silence in honor of longtime resident, retired Geneva Park Board commissioner, and co-owner of Valley Animal Hospital Kay Lovett.

Mayor Burns also requested a moment of silence in honor of Clif Schory, husband for 43 years of reporter Brenda Schory, and father to their daughter Rita.

ITEMS OF BUSINESS

Consider Resolution No. 2024-94 Adopting the 2030 Strategic Plan Document

Moved by Ald. Kosirog, Seconded by Ald. Bruno.

Strategic Plan Advisory Committee Chair Winnie Frankel explained that the 2030  Strategic Plan was derived from the input of residents, business owners, city staff, and the City Council. The purpose of the plan is to serve as a communication document as well as a dynamic starting point for policy conversation and actionable implementation for the City Council and city staff.

Admin. McCready credited SPAC for the group’s commitment to the plan and its update. He noted that the plan in the packet is a starting point and is one component of SPAC’s work. He explained that the document is strategic and tactical. Upon adoption of the plan, the strategic planning website will be updated and in phase 2, a digital dashboard will provide the community with updates and will help City Council to make informed policy decisions in the future.

On a question by Ald. Bowring, Ms. Frankel noted that SPAC worked with the consultant on the project, CP2, during the process and learned that the terms used within the document reflect industry standards. The verbiage is consistent with other strategic plan documents that other municipalities may be using. On another comment from Ald. Bowring, Ms. Frankel explained that as the plan proceeds further into each indicator, it will become more specific with each step. The desired outcomes listed are less specific because the plan starts with a vision and becomes more specific with time.

On another question by Ald. Bowring, Admin. McCready stated that after discussions with the consultant, the plan notes the need to develop a mission statement and values statement as a potential action item for the future. On another question, Admin. McCready noted that a community survey is conducted every two years to ensure that the City is keeping residents informed. These surveys are done to ensure that the responses are addressed by staff. Where the plan notes a need to develop a presence at City events, this is a broad statement written to provide latitude for different groups such as the Bike Committee, SPAC, and others to be present at festivals, events, and activities to keep the community involved in and apprised of the work done by these groups.

Admin. Dawkins noted that the City Council prioritizes the strategic plan and its desired outcomes each year. The items are discussion starters and can be refined.

City staff realizes that it cannot address every item each year.

Ald. Swanson noted that the percentage of energy produced coming from sustainable sources was not mentioned in the plan but that he would like it to be addressed and be increased. He also noted that he would prefer that the plan note the importance of an increase in downtown occupancy rates instead of an increase in hotel tax collection. Another item he addressed was measuring affordable housing by the number of affordable units in the city.

Ald. Swanson then questioned whether the plan established a goal for or a cap on energy being produced by customers with solar generation capabilities. He stated that the percentage of power generated by sustainable sources should be increased or at least maintained. He also noted that the on-target annual assessment for TIF performance should be measured via EAV growth. Ald. Swanson also stated that the measure of the percentage of individuals responding positively to having a sense of belonging in Geneva would need to be determined.

On a question by Ald. Kilburg, Ms. Frankel noted that there were focus groups held and more than 1,700 community responses to the plan. Of all those responses, the topic of video gaming did not come up. On another question by Ald. Kilburg,

Ms. Frankel noted that intergovernmental communications and relations are represented in the plan.

Ald. Bruno stated that he hoped for an online version in which readers could drill down from top to bottom on any specific topic.

Ald. Kosirog noted that the only thing missing in the plan is an energy portfolio and that this would be an important goal for environmental stewardship. He suggested a quarterly update from the SPAC president to put plan items in front of the Council and the community regularly.

On a question by Ald. Kilburg, Admin. Dawkins stated that there is no mention of a referendum in the plan. However, the facilities master plan and funding options could potentially require a referendum. On another question by Ald. Kilburg,  Admin. Dawkins noted that the library development would be addressed under the section regarding adopting a facilities master plan. Ald. Kilburg also stated that the status of the dam should be considered.

Admin. McCready noted that many of the comments made were in alignment with SPAC’s vision for the reporting of the indicators and that the City Council and SPAC agreed on many of the indicators.

Roll call:

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

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 0

Public Comment

None.

New Business

Ald. Bruno recognized Ald. Maladra for his service on the City Council. He stated that Ald. Maladra was a thoughtful and pragmatic voice with whom he enjoyed working.

Ald. Swanson stated that he appreciated working alongside Ald. Maladra over the past eight years. He noted that while they sometimes disagreed, he was never able to change Ald. Maladra’s mind.

Ald. Maladra noted that someone asked him, after stating that he’d been on the Council for a long time, “But what have you done?” Ald. Maladra stated that the work was never about what he had done, but what “we’ve” done. He noted the many changes that had occurred during his tenure including development of the Randall Rd. corridor, a recession, and a pandemic. He stated that there is commitment, courage, and compromise in working together. He thanked many people for their support, especially his wife who always supports him. He stated that it has been an honor to serve as an alderperson.

Closed Session on Pending Litigation 5 ILCS 120/2 (C)(11)

Moved by Ald. Bowring, Seconded by Ald. Bruno.

Roll call:

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

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 0

MOTION CARRIED to enter into closed session at 8:22 PM.

Moved by Ald. Bowring and Seconded by Ald. Mayer, to return to open session.

Roll call:

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

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 0

MOTION CARRIED to return to open session at 8:42 PM.

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 8:42 PM.

https://www.geneva.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09302024-2422