City of Geneva City Council met Aug. 4

Anaïs Bowring, 1st Ward Alderman | City of Geneva

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Sep 2, 2025

City of Geneva City Council met Aug. 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 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

Elected Officials present:

Alderpersons: Anaïs Bowring, Larry Furnish, Dean Kilburg, William Malecki, Richard Marks, Amy Mayer, Jeff Palmquist, Martha Paschke, Mark Reinecke.

Mayor Kevin Burns, City Clerk Vicki Kellick.

Elected Officials attending by video or teleconference: Brad Kosirog.

Elected Officials absent: None.

Others Present: City Administrator Stephanie Dawkins, Assistant City

Administrator Benjamin McCready, City Attorney Ron Sandack, Public Works Director Rich Babica, Finance Director Jennifer Milewski, Economic Development Director Cathleen Tymoszenko, Facilities Manager Pete Adams, Fire Chief Michael Antenore, Police Chief Eric Passarelli.

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

Consider Mayor’s Appointment of Alexandra Voigt as City Administrator

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

Mayor Burns noted Ms. Voigt’s numerous work and educational accomplishments and welcomed her to the City of Geneva.

AYES: 10 (Bowring, Furnish, Kilburg, Kosirog, Malecki, Marks, Mayer, Palmquist, Paschke, Reinecke)

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 0

Admin. Voigt thanked the Mayor and the Council and stated that she is looking forward to working with everyone and is excited to get started.

Fire Department Badge Presentation - Firefighter/Paramedic Sean E. Warren

Sean Warren has been with the fire department for just over one year. He grew up in DeKalb and has wanted to be a firefighter since he was a boy. He took fire science classes in high school, completed an internship with the Sycamore fire department and has held various positions with other departments.

Consider Mayor’s Reappointments to City Boards and Commissions

Moved by Ald. Reinecke, Seconded by Ald. Mayer.

Geneva City Council Meeting – August 4, 2025

AYES: 10 (Bowring, Furnish, Kilburg, Kosirog, Malecki, Marks, Mayer, Palmquist, Paschke, Reinecke)

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 0

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 JULY 21, 2025 REPORTS

*Approve Resolution No. 2025-88 Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute a Contract with Era-Valdivia Contractors, Inc. for a total not-to-exceed amount of $445,500 for Kirk Road Water Tower Painting.

Moved by Ald. Marks, Seconded by Ald. Palmquist.

AYES: 10 (Bowring, Furnish, Kilburg, Kosirog, Malecki, Marks, Mayer, Palmquist, Paschke, Reinecke)

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 0

Approve FY2026 1st Quarter Goals Status Report

Moved by Ald. Paschke, Seconded by Ald. Malecki.

MOTION CARRIED by voice vote 10-0.

MUNICIPAL BILLS FOR PAYMENT: $3,102,163.12

Moved by Ald. Bowring, Seconded by Ald. Reinecke.

AYES: 10 (Bowring, Furnish, Kilburg, Kosirog, Malecki, Marks, Mayer, Palmquist, Paschke, Reinecke)

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 0

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ITEMS OF BUSINESS

Consider Resolution No. 2025-87 Authorizing Execution of a Service Agreement with All City Management for Crossing Guard Services.

Moved by Ald. Marks, Seconded by Ald. Palmquist.

On a question by Ald. Reinecke, Admin. Dawkins noted that the difference between having crossing guards serve as independent contractors or employees includes the city’s payment of costs such as workers' compensation, payroll taxes, and so forth if they are employees.

Ald. Paschke stated that there are big asks coming up and asked the Council to be cautious in this area. She noted that police officers cover five percent of the crossing coverage which she did not see as too significant. She noted that having two backup guards may be a better consideration

Ald. Bowring stated that she understands the need to use the officers’ time efficiently, but that privatizing should be a last resort for city functions. She suggested that if all guards were employees and had higher pay, that might bring in more applicants.

On a question by Ald. Malecki, Admin. Dawkins noted that the contract shows that the company would receive $41.90 per guard for the first year, $43.16 per guard for the second year, and $44.44 per guard for the third year. Chief Passarelli noted that $90,504 is the contract price with $23.50 per guard for the first year with other increases based on City Council approval.

AYES: 6 (Furnish, Kosirog, Marks, Mayer, Palmquist, Mayor Burns)

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 5 (Bowring, Kilburg, Malecki, Paschke, Reinecke)

PRESENTATION OF ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, OTHER ITEMS

Consider Resolution No. 2025-89 Resolution Declaring Real Estate as Surplus and Authorizing the Advertisement and Negotiation of Sale of Said Real Estate

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

AYES: 10 (Bowring, Furnish, Kilburg, Kosirog, Malecki, Marks, Mayer, Palmquist, Paschke, Reinecke)

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 0

Consider Resolution No. 2025-90 Rescinding Resolution No. 2025-26 and Authorizing the Execution of a Contract with Tracy & Ed Construction, Inc. in an Amount Not to Exceed $298,475.50 for Replacement of Trench Drains at the Public Works Facility at 1800 South Street.

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

AYES: 10 (Bowring, Furnish, Kilburg, Kosirog, Malecki, Marks, Mayer, Palmquist, Paschke, Reinecke)

ABSENT: 0

NAYS: 0

Consider Resolution No. 2025-91 Authorizing the Execution of a Destination Geneva Grant Agreement by and between the City of Geneva and Vargo’s Dance LLC.

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

On a question by Ald. Bowring, Dir. Tymoszenko explained that although there was a request for only $2,000, the authorization is for $2,500. However, the applicant must show that it can be funded. It is ok if less than that amount is spent.