Kane County Reporter

City of Geneva City Council met Feb. 3

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 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

Elected Officials present:

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

Mayor Kevin Burns, City Clerk Vicki Kellick.

Elected Officials attending by video or teleconference: None.

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.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Burns invited Admin. Dawkins to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

PUBLIC HEARINGS, SPECIAL ITEMS AND PRESENTATIONS

Proclaim February as Black History Month

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

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

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 0

Geneva Library Presentation on “One Book, One Community” Program

Lauren Maxwell, Information and Reader Services Coordinator, noted that this is the library’s fourth annual “One Book, One Community” program. The program will begin on February 8 and the book chosen for this year is No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister. Ms. Maxwell explained that this work explores the interconnectedness of our experiences and the impact that a book can have on our lives. She shared the book with members of the City Council. The library will give away 1,295 copies of the book which were donated by the Friends of the Geneva Public Library. Other events being held during the program include a Tiny Art Show, Community Resource Fair, and blood drive, ending on April 13 with the author discussing her book.

Public Hearing on the FY 2026 City of Geneva Budget

Moved by Ald. Marks, Seconded by Ald. Bowring to open the public hearing.

MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote of those present.

No comments were made during the hearing.

Moved by Ald. Mayer, Seconded by Ald. Bowring to close the public hearing.

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 JANUARY 21, 2025.

*REPORTS

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ITEMS OF BUSINESS

*Approve Resolution No. 2025-10 Authorizing the Execution of a Professional Services Agreement with Fehr-Graham in an Amount Not to Exceed $40,500 for Design of Sanitary Sewer on Reed Road.

Moved by Ald. Paschke, Seconded by Ald. Mayer.

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

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 0

MUNICIPAL BILLS FOR PAYMENT: $1,758,922.24

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

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

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 0

PRESENTATION OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

Consider Resolution No. 2025-11 Authorizing the Execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement Providing for Membership in the Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network Agreement.

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

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

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 0

Consider Resolution No. 2025-12 Adopting the FY 2026 City of Geneva Budget.

Moved by Ald. Marks, Seconded by Ald. Kosirog.

Ald. Swanson stated that because of the facilities study and the likelihood of a future referendum, he would like to have the lobbyist agreement for $55,000 removed from the budget. He noted that he doesn’t see the need for the expense.

Moved by Ald. Swanson, Seconded by Ald. Hruby to remove the lobbyist agreement line item from the FY 2026 City of Geneva budget.

Mayor Burns noted that the lobbyist has been working with the City for some time, securing and resecuring funds for items such as energy, transportation, housing, and LGDF. He also noted that $2 million was secured by the lobbyist for the East State St. corridor reconstruction.

Ald. Bowring stated that while she appreciated the sentiment behind Ald.

Swanson’s motion, she believes that the City will save money if it spends its money wisely. She noted that she believes that there are likely to be more impactful things coming at the state and federal levels with which a lobbyist will help. Ald. Bruno commented that we get more out of using a lobbyist than we put into it.

On a question by Ald. Kosirog, Admin. Dawkins stated that funding for the lobbyist is divided between the general fund and the types of legislation that the lobbyist is working on at the time.

Ald. Kilburg stated that he recently asked the mayors of Batavia and Carpentersville if they utilized lobbyists and neither city has one. Ald. Kilburg noted that it would be beneficial to have our lobbyist come to a meeting to update the City Council on his work. Ald. Hruby and Ald. Malecki stated that they would like updates from the lobbyist so that residents will know what is being addressed.

Ald. Mayer stated that the way that money flows through the state to the city combined with the uncertainty of the federal government means that the lobbyist should stay in the budget and be used when needed. Ald. Paschke agreed that this may be the year that the city needs a lobbyist the most. She also noted that the alderpersons have received updates on the lobbyist’s work.

Mayor Burns commented that the Council receives issues of the Illinois Municipal League newsletter and from that are aware that there are presently fire, police, operations, infrastructure and other issues are currently being worked on in Springfield. Additionally, he noted that in the first two weeks of the Illinois General Assembly’s current session 1,800 bills were submitted. He stated that when the city lobbies, those are the most powerful voices of all, but when the people can’t get in the door, we rely on those who can and can amplify our voice.

He noted that personal lobbying at the state and local level can fall short. However, this lobbyist’s job is to do that work and it is a sound investment as it has yielded the returns needed.

Vote on the motion to remove the lobbyist agreement line item from the FY 2026 City of Geneva budget:

AYES: 2 (Hruby, Swanson)

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 9 (Bowring, Bruno, Kilburg, Kosirog, Malecki, Marks, Mayer, Paschke,

Mayor Burns)

Vote to adopt the FY 2026 City of Geneva budget:

AYES: 11 (Bowring, Bruno, Hruby, Kilburg, Kosirog, Malecki, Marks, Mayer, Paschke, Swanson, Mayor Burns)

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 0

PUBLIC COMMENT

Robyn Chione of the Chamber of Commerce announced the Coffee Crawl on April 17 and stated that there will be over 30 businesses participating in the event. She also reminded Chamber members of the new member reception on February 27 from 5-7 pm. She introduced new board member Chris Wallace.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

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 7:33 PM.

https://www.geneva.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02032025-2479