Kane County Reporter

City of Geneva City Council met March 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, Richard Marks, Amy Mayer, Martha Paschke, Robert Swanson.

Mayor Kevin Burns, City Clerk Vicki Kellick.

Elected Officials attending by video or teleconference: William Malecki

Elected Officials absent: None.

Others Present: City Administrator Stephanie Dawkins, Assistant City Administrator Ben McCready, Superintendent Streets and Fleet Dan Javed, Water Division Superintendent Bob Van Gyseghem, Public Works Director Rich Babica, Fire Chief Michael Antenore.

Others attending by video or teleconference: City Attorney Ron Sandack.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Burns invited Dan Javed and Jake VanBogaert to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

PUBLIC HEARINGS, SPECIAL ITEMS AND PRESENTATIONS

Proclaim March as Women’s History Month

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

MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote of those present.

Introduce Superintendent of Streets and Fleet Dan Javed and Street Maintenance Worker Jake VanBogaert

Mayor Burns welcomed Dan Javid who has been with the City for two months. He worked for many years at AT&T and moved to the public sector in 2019. He worked in Marengo before joining the City of Geneva. He enjoys cooking for friends and family and is a godfather to ten.

Mayor Burns then welcomed Jake VanBogaert who served two years with the National Guard as an MOS combat engineer. He will be deployed to Puerto Rico in mid-July for two weeks. He is a graduate of Kaneland High School and lived in Sycamore before moving to Elburn 12 years ago.

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 FEBRUARY 18, 2025.

*REPORTS (N/A)

*9. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ITEMS OF BUSINESS

*a. Approve Ordinance No. 2025-06 Amending Title 3 (Boards and Commissions),

Chapter 4 (Board of Fire and Police Commissioners), Section 3 (Application Fee) and Section 4 (Emergency Medical Technician Licensure Required).

*b. Approve Resolution No. 2025-17 Authorizing the Purchase of Replacement Computers from Saitech, Inc. in the Amount of $126,004.00.

*c. Approve Resolution No. 2025-18 Authorizing the City Administrator to Negotiate Temporary Construction Easements for Certain Properties for the Purpose of Replacing Lead and Galvanized Water Services Contingent Upon Review by the City Attorney.

*d. Approve Resolution No. 2025-19 Authorizing a Contract with Dahme

Mechanical Industries, Inc. for Wastewater Plant Waste Activated Sludge Pump Replacement for a Total Not-to-Exceed Amount of $54,876.80.

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

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

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 0

MUNICIPAL BILLS FOR PAYMENT: $1,507,359.96

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. 2025-20 through 2025-24 Authorizing the Use of Public Right of Ways and City Services; and Approving Illinois Dept. of Transportation Resolutions/Closure of Traffic Lanes for 2025 Festivals and Large-Scale Events.

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

On a question by Ald. Hruby, Admin. Dawkins stated that the festivals and events involved include the Memorial Day parade, Swedish Days and Parade, the Geneva Arts Fair, the Concours d’ Elegance, Festival of the Vine, the Fox Valley Marathon, the GHS Homecoming Parade, and the Christmas Walk.

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

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 0

Consider Resolution No. 2025-25 Declaring Fire Department Equipment as Surplus Property.

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

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

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 0

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mark Porter of Geneva expressed concerns regarding the Burton Foundation’s plans to develop the Duke & Lee’s site into affordable housing including a letter sent to IDHA from Mayor Burns. He expressed additional concerns for the process, not the project.

Chairman Mike Olesen introduced Jeanine McMillen as the newest Chamber of Commerce Board member. She has been a resident since 2008 and is an assistant dean at Waubonsee Community College. She has been a member of the Natural Resources Committee as well as the DEI Task Force. Chamber President Paula Schmidt announced that the Chamber welcomed 90 new members in the past year and 37 of those members attend the recent new member reception. She reminded everyone about the Chamber golf outing on July 14 at Eagle Brook Country Club.

Additionally, there will be 30 vendors hosting this year’s Coffee Crawl on April 19.

Three hundred tickets are available.

Jim Pomillo voiced his concern about the police station and referendum. He also expressed concern regarding Emma’s Landing, by stating he sees questionable activities and believes the development is not in compliance. He noted this is the same developer looking to develop another property in downtown.

Kathy Showalter stated that she lived in Geneva for all but three years. She noted that Geneva needs affordable housing but does not want it in downtown Geneva and the development will keep children and families from going downtown.

Katie Lapetina commented that residents don’t want a ghetto downtown. She stated that while this is affordable housing for seniors, people know what will be going on there. She questioned if the mayor received a cut for the development and questioned why anyone would want affordable housing on Third St. She noted that downtown merchants had already suffered from Covid and that this development will bring shoplifting to downtown.

Kathryn Sandman stated that it is outrageous to put something like this at the gateway to Geneva. She doubted that residents of the development would be shopping downtown or dining at the expensive restaurants there. She stated that this would be an eyesore. She questioned whether the Chamber of Commerce or retailers were in favor of this and noted that she doubted that.

Michael Restivo asked what the next steps are and what the mayor would do with the feedback received.

Mayor Burns stated that he does not have the authority to waive the rules of conduct during the public comment period.

Moved by Ald. Kosirog, Seconded by Ald. Bowring to suspend the rules of public comment.

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

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 0

Mayor Burns stated there are affordable housing opportunities throughout the community, with the goal for each Illinois community at 10%. Geneva is at approximately 7.3%. Geneva’s EAV has risen over the years. He stated that he cannot be any more clear that a concept plan for any development is not a formal plan and no formal plan has been submitted by the Burton Foundation. He noted that concept plans are submitted all the time. Developers, business owners, and residents constantly request zoning determination letters in advance. The determination letter sent to the Burton Foundation was just that. He noted that he understands that a quick review of such a letter may give the impression that the City supports or has taken a position on such a matter.

He explained that neither he nor any council member, PZC member, or HPC member can state prior to or upon receipt of a formal application for any development whether they support that application or not. To do so would be a violation of due process as codified in state statute and the Geneva code of ordinances. Only when a formal proposal is submitted does it become a public document by review and consideration by the public.

Further comments were made by several alderpersons with overall comments explaining that there will be a public process at some point but that there is nothing officially submitted by the Burton Foundation at this time. Comments were also made that there was nothing untoward happening behind the scenes. It was noted that the Strategic Plan Advisory Committee has stated that affordable housing is needed in Geneva. Several alderpersons noted that nothing official had been submitted or approved.

NEW BUSINESS

Ald. Paschke expressed her gratitude to Mrs. Heinrich for the recent GHS choir tour of and performances in London and Paris. She noted that some members of the audience in Paris included residents of Geneva’s sister city Croissy-sur-Siene.

Ald. Mayer shared that Roger Parazaider of Harrison St. School passed yesterday.

She noted that services will be held Saturday at Malone Funeral Home.

Ald. Swanson requested that the Aurora Area CVB provide a presentation in the future as to what the Geneva marketing plan is and an update on their strategic plan.

Alds. Kilburg, Marks, and Kosirog agree that such a presentation is needed.

Ald. Kilburg recognized the Geneva Boys Basketball team which won the regional and will be advancing to the sectional game. They will play at 7:00 pm on March 5 against Wheaton-Warrenville.

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 9:35 PM.

https://www.geneva.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03172025-2502