City of Geneseo City Council met Sept. 14.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The Regular Council 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 Robert Wachtel, and Council Keith Kennett
COUNCIL ABSENT: Council Martin Rothschild and Council Paula Simosky
STAFF PRESENT:
Director of Finance Jamie Matthews, City Admin JoAnn Hollenkamp, HR/Deputy Clerk Brandon Maeglin, Attorney Derke Price, Chief of Police Casey Disterhoft, Attorney Margaret Kostopulos, Director of Public Works Chad VandeWoestyne, and Building Inspector Rick Mills
PUBLIC PRESENT:
1 INVOCATION
2 Pledge of Allegiance
3 Roll Call
Meeting start time 6:00pm
4 Chamber of Commerce Report
4.1. City Council Chamber Report - 9.14.21
5 City Engineering Report
Per Loren who is unable to attend the meeting:
Only update is we are doing final walk through on NE Drainage tomorrow morning.
6 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.
Pastor Palm expressed his concerns with tonight's agenda items concerning new sign and the expense that may be attached to these purchases.
Don and Vera Beck (read by Administrator Hollenkamp) encouraged the Council to think big when it comes to signage or a potential tourist attraction along the interstate, and to get citizen input on ideas.
7 Mayor's Comments
The Mayor acknowledged the work done by the Chamber and the City to make the TPA event a success this past weekend.
8 City Council Comments
Alderman Barnhart expressed his disappointed that we already have 2024 election signs popping up around town and wishes to remind the public that these signs cannot be placed on public property and can be no larger than 2'x3.'
9 City Administrator's Comments
None.
10 Finance Director Comments
10.1. Budget Book, Capital Asset Reports, and Treasurer's Report.
Brett Barnhart moved, seconded by Craig Arnold, Motion to approve the Budget Book, Capital Assets, and Treasurer's Report as submitted.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Brett Barnhart SECONDER: Craig Arnold AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Douglas Crow, Robert Wachtel, and Keith Kennett ABSENT: Martin Rothschild and Paula Simosky |
Items requested to be removed from consent agenda.
12 Consent Agenda
12.1. Approval of previous City Council Minutes
12.2. Approval of previous Committee of the Whole Minutes
12.3. Omnibus method
Brett Barnhart moved, seconded by Craig Arnold, Motion to approve using the omnibus method and to approve items 12.1 - 12.3
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Brett Barnhart SECONDER: Craig Arnold AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Douglas Crow, Robert Wachtel, and Keith Kennett ABSENT: Martin Rothschild and Paula Simosky |
13.1. Consideration of Ordinance O-21-10 Pertaining to alcohol and public offenses.
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Brett Barnhart, Motion to approve
ordinance O-21-10 amending our alcohol code and public offenses.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Brett Barnhart AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Douglas Crow, Robert Wachtel, and Keith Kennett ABSENT: Martin Rothschild and Paula Simosky |
• Signage - (3) existing signs will be stone columns with Hunter Green Sign with White Lettering; discuss Hwy Signs
• Streets/Sidewalks
• Uses for ARPA Funds
• Downtown Improvements
• Etc.
Much discussion took place concerning new City Signs. The Council came to a general consensus that Administrator Hollenkamp's priority regarding the topic is to check with IDOT on the process/ability to put a sign in the right of way in front of Casey's next to the interstate. Hollenkamp should also research the expenses and options for constructing a new welcome sign in this highway corridor area.
14 Payment of City and Utility Bills
14.1. Approval of City bills
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Douglas Crow, Motion to approve the City Bills as presented.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Douglas Crow AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Douglas Crow, Robert Wachtel, and Keith Kennett ABSENT: Martin Rothschild and Paula Simosky |
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.
Paul Cane expressed his appreciation to Attorney Price for his input into tonight's discussion and that he would like the City to explore expanding the list of items that citizens can bring to e-waste day.
Pastor Palm thanked the Council for the extensive discussion on City signs and the alcohol rules/regulations.
Alderman James stated that he would like to see a foot bridge crossing the canal at Lodge Park.
16 Adjournment
7:53pm
16.1. Move to close the meeting
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Brett Barnhart, Motion to Adjourn
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Brett Barnhart AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Douglas Crow, Robert Wachtel, and Keith Kennett ABSENT: Martin Rothschild and Paula Simosky |
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