Kane County Reporter

City of Geneva City Council met Dec. 2

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: Mike Bruno, Becky Hruby, Dean Kilburg, Brad Kosirog, William Malecki, Richard Marks, Amy Mayer, Martha Paschke, Robert Swanson.

Mayor Kevin Burns.

Elected Officials attending by video or teleconference: Anaïs Bowring.

Elected Officials absent: City Clerk Vicki Kellick.

Others Present: City Administrator Stephanie Dawkins, Assistant City Administrator Ben McCready, City Attorney Ron Sandack, Economic Development Director Cathleen Tymoszenko, City Planner Matt Buesing.

Others attending by video or teleconference: None.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Burns invited American Legion Post 75 Commander Mike Ferrari to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

PUBLIC HEARINGS, SPECIAL ITEMS AND PRESENTATIONS

Geneva Mental Health Board Annual Report Presentation

Board member Christine Kautz spoke and introduced the other members who were present including vice chairperson Eleanor Hamilton, Jean Gaines, Richard Gabrielle and Connie Wagner. She then presented the Board’s annual report noting that the Board was able to allocate $200,000 to serve over 2,000 Geneva residents. She reminded residents that mental health and substance abuse resources, as well as assistance for those with developmental disabilities, are available.

On a question by Ald. Hruby, vice chairperson Hamilton stated that anyone seeking assistance can call or text 988. This is a nationwide program which can provide resources to callers in their own communities and answer their questions.

On a question by Ald. Kilburg, Ms. Kautz stated that all funds have been allocated and no reserves are available.

Ms. Kautz’s statement is attached to these minutes.

Facilities Community Engagement Phase 2 Update

Ed Sullivan presented the findings from Phase 2 of the update. He explained that 125 responses were received from the community committee, public engagement sessions, and online feedback. There were also 517 phone survey responses. He noted that the phone survey of the Phase 2 analysis resulted in an 89% overall positivity rating of Geneva.

Overall facility improvements were supported with a 20% net favorability rating. The order of priority for the facility improvements were, first, the police station, followed by City Hall and the old library redevelopment, fire station number 2, Public Works, and finally, fire station number 1. Mr. Sullivan noted that while the police station improvements ranked highest on the list of priorities, they had a low favorability rating which is likely due to its possible future location. Mr. Sullivan explained that an explanation for the public will be needed for future phases.

Within the facilities, residents stated that the top priorities of every group are infrastructure/mechanicals and safety/security. These are followed by historical preservation, accessibility, and technology. Issues of parking and space had the lowest priority. Additionally, Mr. Sullivan explained that the public wants to support historical buildings but also improve them for efficiency.

Mr. Sullivan then explained that the data showed that the high funding level which would result in a $300 property tax increase annually was opposed by 63% of the public, with 44% strongly opposing it. He noted that the community committee favored medium funding at a $215 increase, and the general public favored the lowest funding of a $125 tax increase.

A general question was also included regarding whether Geneva should have home rule status. Across all demographics, 64% of respondents supported home rule status.

Phase 3 will occur in the next few weeks. Admin. Dawkins noted that the Phase 2 report will be available on the Facilities Community Engagement page of the Geneva website.

Public Hearing on East State Street Tax Increment Financing District (TIF 2) Amendment #1.

Moved by Ald. Marks, Seconded by Ald. Bruno to open the public hearing at 8:04.

MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote of those present.

There was no comment by the public.

Moved by Ald. Marks, Seconded by Ald. Kosirog to close the public hearing at 8:05.

MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote of those present.

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 NOVEMBER 18, 2024.

*REPORTS

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ITEMS OF BUSINESS

*a. Approve Resolution No. 2024-123 Authorizing the Mayor to Execute the

Restated Intergovernmental Agreement for Tri-Com Central Dispatch.

*Approve Resolution No. 2024-124 Waiving Competitive Bidding and Authorize

the Purchase and Installation of Two Variable Frequency Drives at a Cost Not-to

Exceed $31,500.00.

*Approve Resolution No. 2024-125 Authorizing the Purchase of a Tennant M20 Floor Sweeper-Scrubber from Grainger in the Amount of $83,494.26.

*Approve Resolution No. 2024-126 Authorizing the Execution of an Easement for Parcel 12-08-102-016.

*Approve Resolution No. 2024-127 Accepting Professional Services Agreement with Stanley Consultants for Design and Project Management Services for Geneva Business Park III Substation Construction in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $145,000.00.

*Approve Ordinance No. 2024-52 Abating Taxes Levied for General Obligation Refunding Bonds (Waterworks and Sewerage Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2021[A][B].

*Approve Ordinance No. 2024-53 Abating Taxes Levied for General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2024.

Moved by Ald. Swanson, Seconded by Ald. Paschke.

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

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 0

MUNICIPAL BILLS FOR PAYMENT: $2,793,677.45

Moved by Ald. Bruno, Seconded by Ald. Paschke.

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

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 0

PRESENTATION OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

Consider Ordinance No. 2024-54 Amending Title 1(Zoning Ordinance), Section 11-5A-3 (Special Uses) of the Geneva City Code by Replacing “Other municipal buildings not herein listed.” with “Other governmental buildings not herein listed.”

Moved by Ald. Paschke, Seconded by Ald. Kosirog.

On a question by Ald. Kilburg, Admin. Dawkins explained that the recycling center occupies 0.3 of the 9.3-acre site.

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

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 0

Consider Ordinance No. 2024-55 Granting a Special Use to Allow a County Electronics Recycling Center at 517 E. Fabyan Parkway, Geneva, IL.

Moved by Ald. Bruno, Seconded by Ald. Malecki.

On a question by Ald. Hruby, Kane County Director of Environmental and Water Resources Jodie Wollnik explained that eWorks operates the site and is assigned to the site and licensed by the state. All electronics that are dropped off for recycling are brought to an eWorks location in the Chicagoland area where employees disassemble the items and identify the parts that can be recycled.

On a question by Ald. Kilburg, Dir. Wollnik noted that the facility is located on a tiny leg of the entire property and its presence won’t impede further development on the property. She noted that the investment is important because the building will be weatherproof and movable. Site improvements will screen the trailer from view. This site will also allow additional recycling that is unable to be done currently.

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

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 1 (Kilburg)

Consider Ordinance No. 2024-56 Approving Amendment No. 1 to the East State Street Tax Increment Finance District (TIF 2) Eligibility Report and Redevelopment Plan and Project.

Moved by Ald. Bruno, Seconded by Ald. Paschke.

On a question by Ald. Kilburg, Admin. Dawkins noted that Kane County, the Geneva Park District, the City of Geneva, and a public member attended the meeting. On another question, Dir. Tymoszenko noted that Waubonsee Community College, Geneva School District, Geneva Library and Geneva Township did not attend but that some taxing districts spoke about the plan amendment to either her or Admin. Dawkins. She also noted that the extension of the TIF already occurred with the support of all taxing districts. This was an extension of the plan to sync up what was extended. Ald. Kilburg stated that attending the meetings by those bodies should be a priority.

AYES: 8 (Bowring, Bruno, Kilburg, Kosirog, Malecki, Marks, Mayer, Paschke)

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 2 (Hruby, Swanson)

PUBLIC COMMENT

Geneva Chamber of Commerce Chairperson Michael Oleson noted that the Geneva Women in Business and Geneva Men in Business recently hosted the Casino for a Cause event which raised $4,000 for the Larry Furnish Foundation. He reminded everyone that the annual Geneva Christmas Walk and House Tour will take place this coming weekend. Less than 300 tickets are still available, and these are expected to sell out. Volunteers are still needed, especially on Saturday afternoon. Interested parties should contact the Chamber of Commerce.

NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Burns noted that following the recent Strategic Planning workshop, he reached out to the Army Corps of Engineers regarding the status of the fate of the dams along the Fox River in Kane County. Mr. Ryan Johnson with the Army Corps advised the mayor that the Corps is finalizing its report for review and that the report will not be completed until late 2025 or early 2026. A determination by each community along the Fox River as to the next steps for each dam will not be required until that time.

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 8:30 PM.

https://www.geneva.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12162024-2458