City of Geneseo Committee of the Whole
City of Geneseo Committee of the Whole met Tuesday, Jan. 3.
City of Geneseo, Henry County, Illinois
Committee of the Whole Meeting
January 3, 2017
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call
The City Council of the City of Geneseo met Tuesday January 3, 2017 at the Council Chambers, 115 South Oakwood Avenue. Mayor Kathy Carroll-Duda called the meeting to order at 6:02 pm. Alderman Bob Wachtel, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Brenda Johnson, Jason Robinson, James Roodhouse, Sue Garlick and Kent Anderson answered roll call. Others in attendance included City Administrator Lisa Kotter, City Clerk Loree K Phlypo, Finance Director Kara Wiesemeyer, Public Works Director Chad VanDeWoestyne and Director of Electrical Operations Lewis Opsal, IT Manager Garrett Griswold, HR Generalist Brandon Maeglin, City Attorney Derke Price, Inspector Rick Mills and Chief Piotrowski.
A Quorum was present.
Public Comment
None
Discussion on Amending Section 110.38 of the Code of Ordinances Concerning Hours of Operation for the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages, O-17-196
Discussion was held on changing the start times for selling alcoholic liquor. In the past there have been a couple requests for earlier start times for certain holidays. The Ordinance drafted by City Attorney Price allows for 2 variances per calendar year per liquor license that can be granted by the Local Liquor Commissioner and if a license holder requests a third variance the City Council would vote to grant it or not. Other options discussed were to follow state statutes or to implement hours somewhere in the middle
Motion by Rothschild, second by Garlick to carryover this item to the next Committee of the Whole.
Voice Vote. All Ayes.
Motion Carried
Discussion on Commercial Utility Customers Deposits Ordinance
Discussion was held on the current guidelines for determining a Commercial Utility Customers deposit amount. Currently it states that the City will collect a 1/3 deposit of the annual cost of the business’s utility costs, with improvements to our collection system and enforcement of payments this amount is probably not necessary. The recommendation is two months average of twelve months of utility use. In the event that a Business owner receives a shut off notice and they rent their business space then the property owner also receives the shut off notice because our parameters are set up that the landlord is responsible for the bill if the tenant doesn’t pay it. Recommendation that the Commercial deposit will be two months of a twelve month averaging of utility bills with a twelve month review with a possible increase up or down.
Motion by Rothschild, second by Robinson to recommend to City Council an Ordinance change regarding the Commercial customer utility deposits as discussed and for City Attorney Price to prepare the Ordinance for final review at the January 10 City Council meeting.
ROLL CALL
Ayes 8 Simosky,Robinson,Garlick,Wachtel,Rothschild,Anderson,Johnson,Roodhouse
Nays 0
Absent 0
Motion Carried
Discussion on Cemetery Perpetual and Restoration Fund Investments
The auditors recommend that these funds be put into investments to receive a better return. There is a minimum amount that can never be spent of $59,000 in the Restoration Fund and $200,000 in the Perpetual Fund, the amount over these two amounts is allowed to be spent through Council action in the budget approval process. By recommending this to Council you are formalizing the fact that the funds will be moved from the current mutual funds as directed.
Motion by Wachtel, second by Johnson to recommend to the City Council that the Perpetual Fund and Restoration fund for the Cemetery Division be moved from the Mutual Funds to either a Money Market or Certificate of Deposits.
ROLL CALL
Ayes 8 Simosky,Robinson,Garlick,Wachtel,Rothschild,Anderson,Johnson,Roodhouse
Nays 0
Absent 0
Motion Carried
Discussion on Ordinance O-16-197 An Ordinance Providing for the further Abatement of the Ad Valorem Taxes Levied to Pay the Principal of and Interest on Certain Outstanding General Obligation Refunding (Alternative Revenue Source) Bonds, Series 2014A, of the City of Geneseo, Illinois, and Concerned Related Matters.
The Tax Abatement Ordinance that was passed in December for the 2014A series was in error of $100 and had Ordinance numbers within the document in error. The corrected copy was emailed to Council members, $100 difference on the amount and ordinance ending in 16-182 changed to 16-192 and ordinance 17-192 changed to 17-197.
Motion by Roodhouse, second by Simosky to recommend to the City Council adoption of Ordinance O-17-197 An Ordinance Providing for the Further Abatement of the Ad Valorem Taxes Levied to Pay the Principal of and Interest on Certain Outstanding General Obligation Refunding (Alternative Revenue Source) Bonds, Series 2014A, of the City of Geneseo, Illinois, and Concerned Related Matters.
ROLL CALL
Ayes 8 Simosky,Robinson,Garlick,Wachtel,Rothschild,Anderson,Johnson,Roodhouse
Nays 0
Absent 0
Motion Carried
Discussion on Ordinance O-17-198 An Ordinance Amending Section 52.17 of the City Code of Ordinances Concerning Water and Electric Service –Water Meter Replacement.
The City of Geneseo started the meter change out to switch the City over to the electronic read meters in 2005, once completed the entire City would be on one billing/reading cycle. In order to complete the change over the City has to set up an appointment with property owners to install the new meter in homes. The process for setting up an appointment for installation will be City Staff will call to set up an appointment in the event they are unable to reach the property owner then a letter will be sent. Failure to allow replacement of the new meter is grounds to have your service disconnected. This reason for a disconnection is being added to the current ordinance. A target goal of completion is 2 years for the entire City to be on the new system
Motion by Robinson, second by Anderson to recommend to the City Council adoption of Ordinance O-17-198 An Ordinance Amending Section 52.17 of the City Code of Ordinances Concerning Water and Electric Service-Water Meter Replacement.
ROLL CALL
Ayes 8 Simosky,Garlick,Robinson,Wachtel,Rothschild,Anderson,Johnson,Roodhouse
Nays 0
Absent 0
Motion Carried
Payment of City and Utility Bills
Additional sheets were handed out.
Motion by Wachtel, second by Roodhouse to approve City and Utility bills as presented.
ROLL CALL
Ayes 8 Garlick,Robinson,Wachtel,Rothschild,Anderson,Johnson,Simosky,Roodhouse
Nays 0
Absent 0
Motion Carried
Public Comment
City Attorney Price reported that with additional research liquor package sales and on premise consumption can go to any time on any day of the week. It was discussed to set up a meeting with the Mayor/Liquor Commissioner, Liquor License holders and City Attorney Price on speaker phone to get some input from the license holders.
Motion by Robinson, second by Rothschild to adjourn the meeting at 7:10 pm.
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