City of Geneseo City Council met February 27.
Here is the minutes as provided by the council:
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call
The City Council of the City of Geneseo met in a City Council meeting on Tuesday February 27, 2018 at the Council Chambers, 115 South Oakwood Avenue. Mayor Kathy Carroll-Duda called the meeting to order at 6:05pm. Aldermen Kent Anderson, Bob Wachtel, Paula Simosky, James Roodhouse, Jason Robinson, Brenda Johnson and Martin Rothschild were present. Aldermen Sue Garlick was absent. Others in attendance included, City Clerk Loree K Phlypo, HR Brandon Maeglin, City Attorney Margaret Kostopulos, Director of Electrical Operations Lewis Opsal and Doug & Shelly Emerick. There was a quorum.
Public Comment
Public present sited concerns over process being applied equally to all employees with regards to investigations. Concerns were voiced over Alderman Garlick being asked not to be at either meeting and the lack of representation for the 1st ward since there were other items on the agenda to vote on other then the department investigation.
Officer Schmitt reported to all at the meeting that all Sergeant’s and Sworn Officers are in support of the department investigation. Consideration to approve Ordinance O-18-02 An Ordinance Amending the Zoning from R-1 to R-2 and amending the Official Zoning map for property described as, N PT LOT 10 W OF RD, EX W 16.5 & EX 4.50A, SE NE SEC 16 T17N R3E LAND INCORP City of Geneseo.
Joe Schwenker and Adam Templer representing Bear Development Company presented a project to include a 40-unit senior housing project. This will be located off of Olivia Drive on property currently owned by John Loucks. The complex will be called “Geneseo Senior Commons” and it will be a 3-story building with 16 1 bedroom units and 24 2-bedroom units for ages 55 and older that enjoy independent living, with a community room, management office, fitness room and elevators. There will be 4 units dedicated to Veterans and 61 parking spaces. There will be a central laundry facility or an option that tenants can rent a washer and dryer to put in their unit. Tenants will be responsible for their gas and electric while the landlord will provide water, sewer and garbage. There will be an onsite Manager and Maintenance person. Market studies performed in this area indicate that 1300 households would qualify to rent a unit in this complex. Bear Development is applying to the IDA Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program. This will allow the units to be rented at affordable rents for low to moderate income households and they must remain affordable for 30 years. This development would involve 2 acres of the property consisting of 14.88 acres total. Administrator Kotter reported that this zoning classification change went to the Plan Commission and was discussed at a public hearing and understand that if the project is approved through the IDA program and moves forward Bear Development will be back to request a Conditional Use permit from the plan commission as well as a variance for the building height this summer.
Motion by Johnson, second by Rothschild to adopt Ordinance O-18-02 An Ordinance Amending the Zoning from R-1 to R-2 and Amending the Official Zoning Map for property described as N PT LOT 10 W OF RD, EX W 16.5 & EX 4.50A, SE NE SEC 16 T17N R3E LAND INCORP City of Geneseo.
ROLL CALL
AYES: 7 Robinson,Simosky,Johnson,Roodhouse,Rothschild,Wachtel,Anderson
NAYS: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
ABSENT: 1 Garlick
Motion Carried
Motion by Robinson, second by Johnson to submit a letter of support for the Bear Development Senior Housing Project to include a financial commitment of $115,000 that will come from fees paid to the City in the form of Building Inspection Fees, Sales Tax and a Conditional Use Permit.
ROLL CALL
AYES: 7 Robinson,Simosky,Johnson,Roodhouse,Rothschild,Wachtel,Anderson
NAYS: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
ABSENT: 1 Garlick
Motion Carried
Executive Session –
Pursuant to personnel matter pursuant to: 5ILCS 120/2(c)(1) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity.
RE: Employee Performance
Motion by Wachtel, second by Rothschild to enter into executive session, Pursuant to personnel matter pursuant to: 5ILCS 120/2(c)(1) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity at 7:20 pm.
ROLL CALL
AYES: 7 Robinson,Simosky,Johnson,Roodhouse,Rothschild,Wachtel,Anderson
NAYS: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
ABSENT: 1 Garlick
Motion Carried
Motion by Wachtel, second by Johnson to return to open meeting at 7:53 PM.
ROLL CALL
AYES: 7 Robinson,Simosky,Johnson,Roodhouse,Rothschild,Wachtel,Anderson
NAYS: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
ABSENT: 1 Garlick
Motion Carried
Actions after Executive Session –
RE: Possible action concerning specific personnel
Mayor Carroll-Duda read the letter received from Chief Piotrowski advising the City of his intent to retire. Mayor CarrollDuda applauded all who are in support of Chief Piotrowski, she then read her own statement on the process of the last 4 weeks.
Motion by Wachtel, Second by Rothschild to accept the retirement of Police Chief Tom Piotrowski effective March 1, 2018 and to approve a retirement package to include a payment for all unused, accrued benefit time pursuant to City policy, which is equal to $28,693.32, a retirement incentive equal to his salary until he is pension eligible on September 24, 2018 in the amount of $24,124.32, a letter of good standing for Chief Piotrowski from the City and to direct the City’s Labor Attorney to prepare a written agreement for the parties to sign with these terms. Police Chief Piotrowski’s annual salary as of February 28, 2018 is $95,036.86. The City Council thanks Chief Piotrowski for his more than 26 years of service to the City of Geneseo
ROLL CALL
AYES: 7 Robinson,Simosky,Johnson,Roodhouse,Rothschild,Wachtel,Anderson
NAYS: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
ABSENT: 1 Garlick
Motion Carried
Public Comment
Public Comments included that Chief Piotrowski brought integrity and that he was the best thing to ever happen to the City of Geneseo. He had an impeccable work history and it is a sad day for the City. It was asked if the report will be released and if employees will be able to discuss the details of the investigation without retaliation. City Attorney Kostopulos reported that it is up to each employee whether or not they want to talk about it. It is asked that respect is shown for Chief Piotrowski and employment privacy.
Adjournment
Motion by Rothschild, second by Wachtel to adjourn the meeting at 8:03pm.
Voice Vote. 7 Ayes. 1 Absent.
Motion Carried.
http://www.cityofgeneseo.com/uploads/council_agenda/1521469453_SpecialCCMin20180227.doc.pdf
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