City of Geneseo Committee of the Whole met May 28.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
The City Council of the City of Geneseo met Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at the Council Chambers, 115 South Oakwood Avenue.
Mayor Kathy Carroll-Duda called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
Alderman Rothschild, Sean Johnson, Doug Crow, Brett Barnhart, Bob Wachtel, Bob James, Paula Simosky and Craig Arnold answered roll call. Others in attendance included Interim City Administrator Dawn Tubbs, City Attorney Derke Price, City Clerk Loree K Phlypo, Public Works Director Chad VanDeWoestyne, Electrical Operations Director Lewis Opsal, Inspector Rick Mills, Finance Director Jamie Matthews, IT Director Garrett Griswold, Chief Casey Disterhoft and Deputy Chief Gene Karzin.
A Quorum was present.
Recognition – Sergeant Ben Sleaford – Hero of Hope Award
Braveheart Children’s Advocacy Center presented Sergeant Ben Sleaford with the Hero of Hope Award on April 13, 2019 for his work with major cases that utilized the center. Sergeant Sleaford was joined by his parents and sister marking his receipt of this award. The City thanks Sergeant Sleaford for his past work on cases and with the center and his continued efforts.
Public Comment
None
Discussion on Bike Trail
The Grant award was for $116,000 with the City funding $29,000 in addition, the updated funds required for this project would be the original $29,000 plus $216,246.98, this is due to increased culvert size and additional depth and fill work required. George Bellovics from the IDNR was present at the meeting to explain the process and requirements and answer any questions that Elected Officials may have. He reported that discussion on this project started with Mayor LeSage back in 2000. IDNR has always required a 12-foot culvert. Discussion was held on shoring up the existing bridge being cheaper than creating a land crossing, Federal Trail Guidelines would have to be followed. For a Pre-Fab new bridge, the cost is around $1,450 a foot. The current bridge is in need of repair and if it isn’t repaired equestrian traffic would be moved to one road over for safety. This property is part of the National Historic registry of properties. By not accepting the grant funds for the project submitted the City would be barred for 2 years for applying for future grants from the IDNR. During this time the City could have further engineering performed to have better numbers and decide which route they want to take and reapply for the grant in 2 years.
Another option would be to invest in the bridge that is there and have the repairs done to bring it up to safety standards. George Bellovics opinion would be to have a land crossing, it is a win-win.
Motion by Johnson, second by Rothschild to recommend to City Council to return the grant funds to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and to place this on the Consent Agenda.
ROLL CALL
Ayes 8 Simosky, Johnson, Rothschild, Arnold, Crow, James, Wachtel, Barnhart
Nays 0
Absent 0
Motion Carried
Discussion on Grant Award of $37,000 for Round Four of the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Program for Illinois Housing Development Authority
The City received notice that it would be receiving a grant award in the amount of $37,000 from the Illinois Housing Development Authority for participation in Round 4 of the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Program. There were 5 targeted properties since the application 4 are in the process of being cleaned up. This grant doesn’t cover legal fees, liens, fines or citations. We don’t have anything to lose by accepting the funds and we may be able to find other properties to use the funding for. The acceptance documentation is due by this Friday so that it can be sent timely it can be recommended to Council for approval and then ratified at the next meeting.
Motion by Rothschild, second by James to recommend to City Council a Resolution accepting the Grant Award of $37,000 for Round Four of the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Program from the Illinois Housing Development Authority and to place this item on the Consent Agenda.
ROLL CALL
Ayes 8 Simosky, Johnson, Rothschild, Arnold, Crow, James, Wachtel, Barnhart
Nays 0
Absent 0
Motion Carried
Discussion of Augustana Projects for the Academic Year 2019-2020
Staff met with Mr. Reisner from Augustana and discussed a few possible projects. 1. Marketing & Interactive Training for Businesses, this is a continuation to one of the projects already started and would include further training on using Social Media.
2. Best Practices for Storm Water
3. Right of Way Tree Project, this is also a continuation to include best practices with regards to trees and determining the 10 best tree types for our area.
4. Video of the Day in the Life of a City Worker, this could include any department and would give the public an idea of what each department does and how they operate. This could also be used for tourism.
5. Developing a Economic Development Resource Packet for residents, the public and businesses.
6. Study of Alternative Routes to include walking, biking, and to include the Safe Routes to School program.
Mr. Reisner has to confirm with other instructors about the courses that would work with these possible projects and return to discuss with the staff what will work and what won’t.
No Action Taken
Discussion on sidewalk easement agreements between Richard Kintigh and the City of Geneseo and Chris Gillet and the City of Geneseo.
The sidewalk’s in front of these two properties are on Utility Easements. This agreement would take the liability off of the resident and place it on the City and also the City would be responsible for any maintenance required.
Motion by Wachtel, second by Arnold to recommend to City Council entering into the Sidewalk Easement Agreements between Kintigh and Gillet once the proper legal descriptions have been determined and Ordinance as revised.
ROLL CALL
Ayes 8 Simosky, Johnson, Rothschild, Arnold, Crow, James, Wachtel, Barnhart
Nays 0
Absent 0
Motion Carried
Discussion on Ordinance O-19-06 An Ordinance Adopting Prevailing Wage Rates to be Paid to Laborers, Mechanics and other Workers Performing Construction of Public Works in the City of Geneseo, Henry County, Illinois.
City Attorney Derke Price stated that this ordinance no longer needed to be passed per the new Prevailing Wage Law passed eliminating the need for Municipalities to pass and file the Ordinance with the State.
No Action Taken
Discussion of Ordinance O-19-07 An Ordinance Amending the Utility Service Billing Policy.
An updated Ordinance was handed out. This item is being moved to the June Committee of the Whole for further discussion on the section covering “Reconnection after Hours”.
No action taken
Discussion of Ordinance O-19-08 An Ordinance Amending Electric Permit Fees
Staff has asked that Solar be included in the permit fee schedule. This will include adding the word “Gross” to Project amounts and to add the words “Solar Alternative and Renewable” to the Ordinance title. The larger the project the more time it requires to inspect and therefore more expensive by adding the word “Gross” it will eliminate the ability of incentives and rebates to be applied to costs for figuring permit fees.
Motion by Simosky, second by Rothschild to recommend to City Council the Ordinance with revisions.
ROLL CALL
Ayes 7 James, Crow, Simosky, Rothschild, Robinson, Wachtel, Barnhart
Nays 1 Arnold
Absent 0
Motion Carried
Discussion of Tobacco 21 Program
The Staff would like the City laws pertaining to Tobacco to match up with the State laws. Mayor Carroll-Duda would like a more defined schedule of penalties. This item to be moved to the June Committee of the Whole meeting.
No Action Taken
Discussion of Richmond Hill Park Project
The Ad-hoc Committee met and made some decisions on the playground and shelter that will be a part of the new park design.
They decided to scale back the shelter size to 1500 square feet to cut costs with a low pitch beam Gothic Style shelter with the option of either a shingle or metal roof. They reviewed 3 manufacturers of playground equipment and decided on Playworld Equipment with a budget of $70,000. The Pickleball courts were discussed and it was questioned as to whether or not the fencing in between the courts is cost effective. Hitchcock will bring back the costs. Dr. Brumbaugh from the School District has offered to send out the Facebook post with the details of the park project and how to donate to a database of 1,000 Alumni. Abilities Plus and Kiwanis have donations of $2,500 for Playground equipment. Also, a letter to the business community and a press release will be going out.
No Action Taken
Discussion on 2019-2020 Budget.
Finance Director Matthews presented several scenarios with the capital projects list that the City is committed to and reviewed budget numbers. The Public Hearing for the Tentative Budget will be held June 11 right before the City Council meeting.
No Action Taken
Payment of City and Utility Bills
Additional Bills handed out.
Motion by Arnold, second by Johnson to approve City and Utility bills as presented.
ROLL CALL
Ayes 8 Simosky, Johnson, Rothschild, Arnold, Crow, James, Wachtel, Barnhart
Nays 0
Absent 0
Motion Carried
Public Comment
Alderman Barnhart asked to have the Siren Policy looked at, he felt like they went off in excess when there wasn’t any weather close by. Chief Disterhoft reported that it can be looked at and a radius can be made to follow when the siren should be set off.
Adjournment
Motion by Rothschild second by Arnold to adjourn at 9:15 PM.
Voice Vote. All Ayes.
Motion Carried.
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