City of Geneseo Mayor Sean A. Johnson and family | City of Geneseo
City of Geneseo Mayor Sean A. Johnson and family | City of Geneseo
City of Geneseo City Council met Nov. 14.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The Regular Council of the City of Geneseo was called to order on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at 6:00 PM, in the Council Chambers, with the following members present:
COUNCIL PRESENT: Council Bob James, Council Brett Barnhart, Council Craig Arnold, Mayor Sean Johnson, Council Martin Rothschild, Council Paula Simosky, Alderman Kent Swanson, Council Keith Kennett, and Alderman James Roodhouse
COUNCIL ABSENT:
STAFF PRESENT: Director of Finance Jamie Matthews, City Administrator Brandon Maeglin, Director of IT Garrett Griswold, Attorney Derke Price, Chief of Police Casey Disterhoft, Director of Public Works Chad VandeWoestyne, Building Inspector Rick Mills, City Clerk Paige Seibel, and Director of Electrical Operations Eric Rowold
PUBLIC PRESENT:
1 INVOCATION
2 Pledge of Allegiance
3 Roll Call
Meeting began at 6:00 p.m.
Alderman Arnold left meeting at 7:00 p.m.
4 Chamber of Commerce Report
Chamber Director Sullivan gave his Chamber report.
Upcoming Chamber Events:
November 15th - Fall Breakfast
November 17th - Christmas Open House
∙ Horse & Wagon Rides
∙ Candlelight Shopping
∙ Downtown Christmas Lights
December 9th, 2023, Geneseo Christmas Walk
∙ Gingerbread House Party
5 Public Comment - Agenda Items
City Ordinance allows members of the Public to speak and give input up to 3 minutes during Public Comment, there can be no debate or action by the City Council at this time.
None
6 Mayor's Comments
Mayor Johnson thanked Public Works Director VanDeWoestyne for him and his staffs great work with making sure the road closures are back open at night, and overall great work with road closures.
7 City Council Comments
Alderman Arnold asked Director of Electrical Operations about the power outages, Rowold advised when starting the transmission, the relay opened causing engine to go down, then a squirl took out the line.
8 City Administrator's Comments
City Administrator Maeglin advised the Culver's round up for IMPACT is tonight from 5-8 p.m.
City Administrator Maeglin gave a reminder that petitions for Mayor and Alderman are from 11/27/2023-12/04/2024.
9 Finance Director Comments
Finance Director Matthews gave her report.
A Q&A took placed between council members and Matthews.
Director of Electrical Operations Rowold gave his project summary report.
A Q&A took place between council members and Rowold.
Public Works Director VanDeWoestyne gave his project summary report.
A Q&A took place between council members and VanDeWoestyne.
9.1. Treasurer's Report and Capital Asset Reports as Submitted.
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Keith Kennett, Motion to approve the Treasurer's Report and Capital Asset Reports as submitted.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Keith Kennett AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold,Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, Keith Kennett, and James Roodhouse |
10 Unfinished Business
Items requested to be removed from consent agenda.
Alderman Arnold requested to remove 11.3 "Intergovernmental Agreement - Henry County Tourism Bureau" off the Consent Agenda for further discussion.
11 Consent Agenda
11.1. Approval of Previous Minutes.
Public Hearing - 10 Oct 2023 - Minutes
Regular Council - 10 Oct 2023 - Minutes
Committee of the Whole - 24 Oct 2023 - Minutes
Special City Council - 24 Oct 2023 - Minutes
11.2. Windy Point Observation Area Sign
Motion to recommend to the City Council Meeting the expenditure of $18,595.00 to replace the Windy Point Observation Area Sign, with $10,000 coming from received insurance claim funds and $8,595.00 from the Route 82 Commercial Tif Fund, and to place on the consent agenda.
11.3. Intergovernmental Agreement - Henry County Tourism Bureau
Motion to recommend to the City Council Meeting the IGA between the HCTB and The City of Geneseo and to place on the consent agenda.
11.4. O-23-15 - Tax Levy for Fiscal Year 2024
Motion to recommend to the City Council Meeting O-23-15 and to place on the consent agenda.
11.5. Consideration of Ordinances O-23-16 through O-23-20 Abatement of General Obligation Bonds.
Motion to recommend to the City Council Meeting ordinances O-23-16 through O-23-20 and to place on the consent agenda.
11.6. Consideration of R-23-20 A Resolution Regarding the Intergovernmental Cooperation Contract with Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association
Motion to recommend to the City Council Meeting R-23-20 and to place on the consent agenda.
11.7. IMEG Proposal - Preliminary Engineering & Design - Deep Well & Water Facility
Motion to recommend to the City Council Meeting the proposal from IMEG for Water System Study & Preliminary Engineering Services in the amount of $91,500 and to place on the consent agenda.
11.8. Omnibus method
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Brett Barnhart, Motion to approve using the omnibus method and to approve items 11.1,11.2, 11.4, 11.5, 11.6, 11.7, & 11.8.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Brett Barnhart AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, Keith Kennett, and James Roodhouse |
12.1. Application for Multi-Message Digital Billboard from Robinson Outdoor
City Administrator Maeglin advised the permit for the construction of a multi message billboard sign within the HCOD, went to the Plan and Zoning Board where both boards did not approve.
A conversation took place between council and staff.
Keith Kennett moved, seconded by Kent Swanson, Motion to approve a permit for the construction of a Multi-Message Billboard Sign within the Highway Corridor Overlay District, allowing for an Off-Site Signage variance to Sec. 40-150(b) of Chapter 40 of the code of ordinances, at 1000 S Oakwood Ave.
| RESULT: DEFEATED.
MOVER: Keith Kennett SECONDER: Kent Swanson AYES: NAYS: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, Keith Kennett, and James Roodhouse ABSENT: Craig Arnold |
12.2. FACADE GRANT APPLICATION
Simosky Tax & Accounting has applied for a facade grant to replace 9 windows in the business located at 213 W. First Street. Facade grants are operated through the Downtown TIF Program, and can be approved for 50% of project expenses, up to $10,000.
James Roodhouse moved, seconded by Bob James, Motion to approve the Facade Improvement Grant Application for up to $4,150.50 in reimbursable facade expenditures for the Simosky Tax & Accounting building located at 213 W. First Street.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: James Roodhouse SECONDER: Bob James AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Martin Rothschild, Kent Swanson, Keith Kennett, and James Roodhouse ABSENT: Craig Arnold ABSTAIN: Paula Simosky |
12.3. Cancellation of the 12/26/23 Committee of the Whole Meeting due to the holidays.
No discussion was had.
Martin Rothschild moved, seconded by Kent Swanson, Motion to approve the cancellation of the regularly scheduled Committee of the Whole Meeting on 12/26/23.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Martin Rothschild SECONDER: Kent Swanson AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, Keith Kennett, and James Roodhouse ABSENT: Craig Arnold |
13.1. Approval of City bills
No discussion was had.
James Roodhouse moved, seconded by Paula Simosky, Motion to approve the City Bills as presented.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: James Roodhouse SECONDER: Paula Simosky AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, Keith Kennett, and James Roodhouse ABSENT: Craig Arnold |
14 Public Comment - All Other Items
City Ordinance allows members of the Public to speak and give input up to 3 minutes during Public Comment, there can be no debate or action by the City Council at this time.
Resident Gary Joyner expressed that it is refreshing to see council having healthy conversations and spoke on the expertise and his appreciation for all that council does.
15 move into Executive Session
5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting.5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21) Discussion of minutes of meeting lawfully closed under this Act, whether for purposes of approval by the body of the minutes or semi-annual review of the minutes as mandated by Section 2.06.
15.1. Move into Executive Session
Open Session adjourned at 7:08 PM.
Brett Barnhart moved, seconded by Martin Rothschild, Motion to move into executive session per 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21).
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Brett Barnhart SECONDER: Martin Rothschild AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, Keith Kennett, and James Roodhouse ABSENT: Craig Arnold |
16 Open Session
Open Session resumed at 7:35 PM
16.1. Roll Call
17 Actions after executive session
17.1. Approval of Executive Session Minutes 05/09/2023 & 06/13/2023 Brett Barnhart moved, seconded by Kent Swanson, Motion to approve executive session minutes 05/09/23 & 06/13/23.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Brett Barnhart SECONDER: Kent Swanson AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, Keith Kennett, and James Roodhouse ABSENT: Craig Arnold |
17.2. R-23-21: Release of Executive Session Minutes
Brett Barnhart moved, seconded by Kent Swanson, Motion to approve R-23- 21.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Brett Barnhart SECONDER: Kent Swanson AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, Keith Kennett, and James Roodhouse ABSENT: Craig Arnold |
18 Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 7:37 PM
18.1. Move to close the meeting
Martin Rothschild moved, seconded by James Roodhouse, Motion to
Adjourn
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Martin Rothschild SECONDER: James Roodhouse AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, Keith Kennett, and James Roodhouse ABSENT: Craig Arnold |
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