Kane County Reporter

City of Geneva Committee of the Whole met Oct. 21

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

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

Elected Officials Attending by Teleconference: Ald. Mayer.

Elected Officials Absent: None.

Others Present: City Admin. Dawkins, Asst. City Admin. McCready, City Attny. Fintzen, Dir. DeGroot, Dir. Kruse, Dir. Tymoszenko, Chief Antenore.

Others attending by video or teleconference: None.

Call to Order

Robert Swanson, serving as chair, called the meeting to order at 7:42 PM noting all council members were present with Ald. Mayer attending remotely.

Approve Regular Committee of the Whole Minutes from October 7, 2024.

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

MOTION CARRIED by voice vote 9-0.

Items of Business

Consider Draft Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of a 2024 Ford F-150 Hybrid Truck from Morrow Brothers Ford in the Amount of $58,788.00.

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

On a question by Ald. Marks, Chief Antenore explained that there is a cab over the back of the pickup truck. This type of vehicle was considered as it would be safer to have equipment located apart from the occupants.

MOTION CARRIED by voice vote 9-0.

Consider Draft Resolution Authorizing Execution of a Redevelopment Agreement by and Between the City of Geneva Benchmark Developers, Inc. (302 River PUD).

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

Dir. DeGroot and Dir. Tymoszenko provided a presentation explaining the 302 River PUD redevelopment project. Dir. DeGroot noted that the project closely aligns with the 2025 and 2030 strategic plans. He explained that the 2.1-acre block is surrounded by Stevens St., Ford St., River Lane, and North 1st St. The block is zoned for townhomes along 1st St. and multi-family homes along the river. The development proposes 114-unit multi-family apartment buildings and 12 rental townhomes. The single-family home at 305 N. 1st St. will be preserved and moved to the corner of Ford and 1st and will be used as a leasing office. Dir. DeGroot explained that this project is being proposed as a PUD.

Dir. DeGroot noted that the Planning and Zoning Commission was supportive of the project in principle and concept but did feel that the developer should break up the mass of the building and be more consistent with the character of the neighborhood. Revisions included using traditional building materials, eliminating modern “eyebrows”, adding angled parking on the east side of River Ln., brick to replacing railings, reducing the scale of the project, and adding garage vents and bike racks.

Dir. Tymoszenko explained that TIF 3 was created as an implementation strategy for the downtown master plan. A public private partnership is needed to make the project possible. The project is anticipated to be completed by 2026 with full occupancy by 2027. The project will cost $44.7 mil. and the project would need public assistance to move forward because of the previously unknown unique site costs. The developer is requesting financial assistance through the TIF on a pay-asyou-go basis. Dir. Tymoszenko explained that the financial but-for analysis completed by SB Friedman found that $8.9 mil. in TIF assistance from the City is less than what the developer requested. The project can be funded from revenue because the TIF can stimulate the funding it needs. She also noted that the public contribution would total 17% while private contributions would total 83%.

On a question by Ald. Hruby, Dir. Tymoszenko noted that there are no affordable units planned in the building. Anthony Pecoraro of Benchmark Developers explained that the apartments will have a range of sizes and rents from studios at $1,500 to three-bedroom townhomes priced at $4,000.

Ald. Bruno stated that he is excited about the density close to downtown but is not a fan of the townhomes. Ald. Bowring stated that she is also excited about the density of the project and the appropriate use of the TIF but is concerned about potentially losing some existing affordable structures.

Ald. Marks noted that he could not approve the financing without more details about the project. Dir. Tymoszenko noted that if the matter advances to the City Council, both the financing and the plans could be considered. Ald. Marks stated that he still needs more information before approving the resolution. Ald. Kilburg stated that he agrees with Ald. Marks and asked why there was a delay in having more details on the plans. Mr. Pecoraro explained that it is important for the RDA and the entitlements to be voted on together as the RDA is critical for the development.

Mayor Burns made a point of order stating that the redevelopment agreement was not a site plan or PUD. He noted that what the development looks like is not relevant to the resolution and that an RDA is the only focus.

On a question by Ald. Kosirog, Dir. Tymoszenko explained that the parking across the street is part of the plan and wouldn’t be done but-for the development. The developer will complete the public improvement and be reimbursed. Mr. Pecoraro explained that the public improvement benefits both the development and the City.

On a question by Ald. Hruby, Mr. Pecoraro noted that 50% of the units would be one-bedroom units, 35% would have two beds, and 15% would be studios. Indoor parking would cost an additional $80 per month.

On a question by Ald. Kilburg, Dir. DeGroot noted that the plans are currently listed on the City’s project development page.

Roll call:

AYES: 7 (Bowring, Bruno, Hruby, Kosirog, Marks, Mayer, Paschke)

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 2 (Kilburg, Swanson)

MOTION CARRIED

Consider Draft Resolution Authorizing Execution of a Tourism Investment Agreement with the Aurora Convention and Visitors Bureau.

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

Dir. Tymoszenko provided a presentation recommending tourism investment strategies to help the City meet its strategic plan goals. The first strategy is to align with a state-certified convention visitors bureau such as the Aurora Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. The second is to create grant programs to enhance the setting of Geneva and to create and support unique experiences that attract visitors.

Dir. Tymoszenko noted that Geneva hotels and attractions are requesting that the City align with the bureau. The alignment gives the City additional resources to work with stakeholders on marketing campaigns that will be data-driven with quantifiable results. The resources for budget decisions set forth in the strategic plan come from the tourism fund which is made up solely of the City’s 5% hotel operators occupation tax. As a non-home rule community, Geneva has limited authority to utilize those funds to promote tourism or attract non-resident overnight visitors. There are several benefits to aligning with the AACVB such as allowing Geneva to leverage state grants and funding accessible to the AAVCB; elevating Geneva to a regional tourism force; collaborating with municipal, state, and industry partners; growing the tourism market for visitors residing 50 or more miles away; and obtaining trade show and RFP representation. The key markets that the group would focus on are sports, tourism, meetings, and leisure.

On a question by Ald. Kilburg, AACVB Executive Director Cort Carlson confirmed that the fee paid by Geneva to the AACVB is based on the formula of 90% of the first 3% of hotel/motel tax collected on a monthly basis. The formula as applied was based on budgeted, not actual numbers. The fee will likely change over time based on the tax collected.

On a question by Ald. Kosirog, Dir. Tymoszenko explained that The Herrington is very interested in growing meetings and weekday visits. Comfort Suites has opportunities for sports rooms and corporate travel. She noted that on every level there is opportunity for growth. On another question, Admin. Dawkins explained that the hotels are asking for this partnership. Additionally, this partnership can help the Chamber but the City needs to know what the Chamber needs from the City. If the City joins the AACVB, the organization might do advertising that the Chamber won’t need to spend money on. In that case, marketing dollars will come back to the City which will free up funds for the Chamber to use. The goal is to ensure that all needs are met to raise everyone up.

Roll call:

AYES: 6 (Bowring, Bruno, Marks, Mayer, Paschke, Mayor Burns)

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 4 (Hruby, Kilburg, Kosirog, Swanson)

MOTION CARRIED

Consider Draft Resolution Authorizing Establishment of a Strategic Grant Program.

Moved by Ald. Kosirog, seconded by Ald. Bowring to continue this item to a date certain.

MOTION CARRIED by voice vote 9-0.

Attny. Fintzen spoke regarding the second item of business of the evening. During the voting on that item, Ald. Kilburg initially abstained from voting but was advised by Attny. Fintzen that this was not permitted. Attny. Fintzen noted that Ald. Kilburg could in fact have abstained but because a consensus was required, the abstention would have been counted with the majority.

Public Comment

None.

New Business

Ald. Kilburg recognized AACVB Sports Sales Manager Brad Banks who was the Big 10 Player of the Year in 2002 and played for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Adjournment

On a motion by Ald. Kosirog, the meeting was adjourned by unanimous voice vote at 10:13 PM.

https://www.geneva.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11042024-2437