City of Geneseo Committee of the Whole met March 23

By Rock Island Today Reports

May 8, 2021

City of Geneseo Committee of the Whole met March 23.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

The Committee of the Whole of the City of Geneseo was called to order at 6:00 PM, in the Council Chambers, with the following members present:

COUNCIL PRESENT:

Council Bob James, Council Brett Barnhart, Council Craig Arnold, Council Douglas Crow, Mayor Sean Johnson, Council Martin Rothschild, Council Robert Wachtel, Council Paula Simosky, and Council Keith Kennett

COUNCIL ABSENT:

STAFF PRESENT:

Director of Finance Jamie Matthews, City Admin JoAnn Hollenkamp, HR/Deputy Clerk Brandon Maeglin, Attorney Derke Price, Director of IT Garrett Griswold, Director of Public Works Chad VandeWoestyne, Chief of Police Casey Disterhoft, Director of Electrical Operations Eric Rowold, and Deputy Chief of Police Kondon Karzin

PUBLIC PRESENT:

1 INVOCATION

2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

3 ROLL CALL

Meeting start - 6:00pm

4 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. You may email your comments to cadministrator@cityofgeneseo.com or text to 309-944-0915.

None.

5 MAYOR'S COMMENTS

5.1. DECLARING APRIL 1, 2021 AS JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT DAY

6 CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS

Alderman Rothschild stressed the importance of buying goods in town whenever possible to support local business and our tax base.

Alderman Wachtel commented on the importance of the JA Program within our schools as well as the vocational/trade classes being offered at the high school.

7 CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS

Executive Session Minutes will be sent out for your review prior to the April 13th meeting.

Thrill on the Hill will have fireworks only on Friday, July 2nd with a rain date of Saturday July 3rd.

8 ADMINISTRATION

8.1. DISCUSSION OF FACADE' IMPROVEMENT GRANT FOR 127 N. STATE STREET.

Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Bob James, Motion to recommend to City Council the $10,000 TIF grant for façade improvement to Scott McAvoy for 127 N. State Street and to put on the consent agenda.

RESULT: Carried

MOVER: Craig Arnold

SECONDER: Bob James

AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Douglas Crow, Martin Rothschild, Robert Wachtel, Paula Simosky, and Keith Kennett

8.2. DISCUSSION OF FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT GRANT FOR 207 N. STATE STREET.

Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Martin Rothschild, Motion to recommend to City Council the $10,000 TIF Façade Improvement grant for 207 N. State Street and to put on the consent agenda.

RESULT: Carried

MOVER: Craig Arnold

SECONDER: Martin Rothschild

AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Douglas Crow, Martin Rothschild, Robert Wachtel, Paula Simosky, and Keith Kennett

8.3. DISCUSSION OF ORDINANCE O-21-05 WHICH VACATES A PORTION OF SPRING STREET AT R/R CROSSING AND RESOLUTION R-21-04

AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF ICC AGREEMENT 2139 CLOSURE OF SPRING STREET R/R GRADE CROSSING. THIS WILL RESULT IN THE PERMANENT CLOSURE OF SPRING STREET AT THE RAILROAD CROSSING TO ACCOMMODATE A NEW TRAIN DEPOT AND PLATFORM WHICH WILL ALLOW FOR NORMAL GATE OPERATIONS.

Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Brett Barnhart, Motion to recommend to City Council Ordinance O-21-05 which vacates a portion of Spring Street and Resolution R-21-04 authorizing execution of ICC agreement 2139 closure of Spring Street R/R grade crossing and to put on the consent agenda.

RESULT: Carried

MOVER: Craig Arnold

SECONDER: Brett Barnhart

AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Douglas Crow, Martin Rothschild, Robert Wachtel, Paula Simosky, and Keith Kennett

8.4. DISCUSSION OF RESOLUTION R-21-05 DECLARING POLICE DEPARTMENT UNIT 19 VEHICLE AS SURPLUS PROPERTY.

Brett Barnhart moved, seconded by Craig Arnold, Motion to approve resolution R-21-05 and to put on the consent agenda.

RESULT: Carried

MOVER: Brett Barnhart

SECONDER: Craig Arnold

AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Douglas Crow, Martin Rothschild, Robert Wachtel, Paula Simosky, and Keith Kennett

8.5. DISCUSSION OF CELL TOWER LEASE BUYOUT no motion made.

9 PAYMENT OF CITY AND UTILITY BILLS

9.1. APPROVAL OF BILLS

Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Brett Barnhart, Motion to approve the payment of city and utility bills.

RESULT: Carried

MOVER: Craig Arnold

SECONDER: Brett Barnhart

AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Douglas Crow, Martin Rothschild, Robert Wachtel, Paula Simosky, and Keith Kennett

10 PUBLIC COMMENT - ALL OTHER ITEMS

Paul Cain commented regarding the Spring Street railroad crossing and suggested that monies collected from the closing could be used to improve other pedestrian railroad crossings within the city.

11 EXECUTIVE SESSION

5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal council 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.

5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired.

11.1. ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION

Robert Wachtel moved, seconded by Craig Arnold, Motion to move into Executive Session per 5ILCS120/2(c)(1) and 5ILCS120/2(c)(5)

RESULT: Carried

MOVER: Robert Wachtel

SECONDER: Craig Arnold

AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Douglas Crow, Martin Rothschild, Robert Wachtel, Paula Simosky, and Keith Kennett

11.2. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

7:42pm

Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Brett Barnhart, Motion to move into Open Session

RESULT: Carried

MOVER: Craig Arnold

SECONDER: Brett Barnhart