City of Geneva City Council met Nov. 4

Mike Bruno, 1st Ward Alderman | City of Geneva

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Dec 1, 2024

City of Geneva City Council met Nov. 4

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER

The Geneva City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Kevin Burns at

7:02 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

Elected Officials present:

Alderpersons: Anaïs Bowring, Becky Hruby, Dean Kilburg, Brad Kosirog, Richard Marks, Amy Mayer, Martha Paschke, Robert Swanson.

City Clerk Vicki Kellick.

Elected Officials attending by video or teleconference: Mike Bruno.

Elected Officials absent: None.

Others Present: City Administrator Stephanie Dawkins, Assistant City Administrator Ben McCready, City Attorney Ron Sandack, Electric Division Superintendent Aaron Holton, Public Works Director Rich Babica, Community Development Director David DeGroot, Economic Development Director Cathleen Tymoszenko, Fire Chief Michael Antenore.

Others attending by video or teleconference: None.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Burns invited Jackie Boling to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

PUBLIC HEARINGS, SPECIAL ITEMS AND PRESENTATIONS

Introduce Preservation Planner Jackie Boling

Planner Boling has been with the City since June. Her family lives in Savannah, GA where she graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She previously worked with the Historic Preservation Commission of Tybee Island and served as an easement intern with the Historic Savannah Foundation.

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA

None.

OMNIBUS AGENDA (OMNIBUS VOTE)

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 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES FROM OCTOBER 21, 2024.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ITEMS OF BUSINESS

*Approve Resolution No. 2024-109 Authorizing the Purchase of a 2024 Ford F150 Hybrid Truck from Morrow Brothers Ford in the Amount of $58,788.00.

Moved by Ald. Marks, Seconded by Ald. Paschke.

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

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 0

REPORTS

FY25 2nd Quarter Goals Status Report

Moved by Ald. Bowring, Seconded by Ald. Mayer.

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

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 0

MUNICIPAL BILLS FOR PAYMENT: $2,033,636.37

Moved by Ald. Bowring, Seconded by Ald. Kosirog.

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

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 0

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ITEMS OF BUSINESS

Consider Resolution No. 2024-108 Authorizing Execution of a Tourism Investment Agreement with Aurora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Moved by Ald. Bowring, Seconded by Ald. Paschke.

Ald. Bruno stated that he believes that this is a holistic regional approach and that the net positives of such a program are worth pursuing.

Ald. Kosirog stated that the timing is not right to move ahead because there are other issues which need to be considered before this is executed. He believes that this is a major policy change in the funding of tourism. He noted that this is not a defunding of the Chamber but that it does affect Chamber funding and the distribution of responsibilities. He would like the CVB to postpone this decision.

Ald. Swanson stated that he agrees with Ald. Kosirog and that a delay in approving the agreement is warranted. He noted that the plan offers 60% of the hotel tax to the CVB and that that amount had been given to the Chamber in the past. He stated that there is no rush to join the CVB this year simply because the group’s strategic plan is being finalized.

Ald. Mayer stated that this issue has been discussed several times and that the hotel owners should have the primary say in how this issue moves forward. Ald. Bowring noted that any questions posed about the agreement have been answered, especially how this is likely to bring more heads to beds in Geneva.

On a question by Ald. Paschke, Executive Director of the AACVB Cort Carlson stated that the group would welcome Geneva at any time but that the group is already planning its sales and marketing efforts two to three years out to develop a destination plan for the region. He noted that the organization is a growth phase and is trying to plan how Geneva can be part of its long-range plans.

On a question by Ald. Hruby, Mayor Burns stated that members of the Chamber and its board have spoken regarding their opinions on the matter. He noted that there has been ample opportunity for discourse and discussion over the past several years. Ald. Hruby requested that emails from Bruce and Kristie Dienst be included in the minutes. On another question by Ald. Hruby, Mayor Burns noted that misinformative emails to various alderpersons regarding the City’s desire to defund, harm, or close the Chamber are false. He noted that there are two parallel paths involved: the investment in a state-certified regional convention and visitors bureau, and the question of how the City will continue to fund, support, and enhance the Chamber of Commerce as it has done for decades. He stated that the City must determine whether to partner with the AACVB, as well as how to develop a grant program within the confines of state law to provide the Chamber with funds.

Ald. Kilburg stated that he has no issues with Aurora but that the path of the process raises questions. While hotels support the partnership, he noted that the Herrington’s former manager felt that the organization’s proposals don’t benefit the Herrington. On a question, Mr. Carlson stated that Naperville was never a part of the AACVB.

Moved by Ald. Kilburg, Seconded by Ald. Swanson to postpone the AACVB decision to the December 2, 2024, City Council meeting.

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

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 5 (Bowring, Bruno, Marks, Mayer, Paschke)

Ald. Swanson noted that the cost to participate in the organization will be $176,000 per year but there are only 160 beds, meaning that over $1,000 per year will be spent to increase hotel occupancy which is already at 60%. He also stated that Geneva would be the highest paying member of the CVB.

On a question by Ald. Bowring, Attny. Sandack stated that the statute promotes tourism and conferences resulting in overnight stays.

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

ABSENT: 0

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

PRESENTATION OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

Consider Ordinance No. 2024-48 Granting Preliminary/Final Planned Unit Development Approval and Preliminary/Final Plat of Subdivision Approval – Benchmark Developers, Inc.

Moved by Ald. Paschke, Seconded by Ald. Marks.

Anthony Pecoraro of Benchmark Developers provided an overview of the development at 302 River Lane. The development will consist of 126 units divided between 114 apartment units and 12 townhomes plus a historic home on the property that will be moved to serve as a leasing office. This is a structure of 5 floors with 19 studios, 69 1-bedroom units, 7 units with 1 bedroom plus a den, and 19 2-bedroom units. The 12 townhomes will have 3 bedrooms, 2 ½ bathrooms, and 2-car garages. He noted that the developers will also improve the riverfront and will continue to improve the landscaping to the north as well as adding 50 parking spaces. He stated that while the parking stalls will have a 0-foot setback, the building will have a 23-foot setback.

Eleni Pecoraro with Benchmark Developers explained that changes to the development’s design were made based on suggestions from Planning and Zoning and the Historic Preservation Commission. She noted that the design added more masonry on the east side of the building, removed grills in the parking garage area, incorporated a green wall, eliminated glass railings, changed the color scheme to match other developments in the neighborhood, added gables to the roof, and connected sidewalks to the current walking path along the river.

Ald. Bruno noted that the project meets the changes suggested by the PZC and HPC. He stated that the positives of the project include adding downtown density, improving the economy based on its proximity to downtown, and providing onestory no-maintenance housing options. He noted that he would have preferred there to be all electric appliances, some portion of the development designated as affordable, and the entire façade on First St. to have featured historic homes.

Ald. Marks stated that this development does not check all the boxes for him but that it is a good middle ground.

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

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 2 (Hruby, Swanson)

Consider Resolution No. 2024-110 Authorizing Execution of a Redevelopment Agreement by and Between the City of Geneva and Benchmark Developers, Inc.

Moved by Ald. Marks, Seconded by Ald. Paschke.

On a question by Ald. Marks, Dir. Tymoszenko explained that the risk of this project is on the developer. There is no City output in advance, and it is a reimbursement basis based on the increment created at the site.

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

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 2 (Hruby, Swanson)

Consider Ordinance No. 2024-49 Designating the Property Located at 949 South Batavia Avenue as a Historic Landmark.

Moved by Ald. Bowring, Seconded by Ald. Paschke.