Mayor Sean A. Johnson | City of Geneseo
Mayor Sean A. Johnson | City of Geneseo
City of Geneseo Committee of the Whole met Feb. 25.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
The Committee of the Whole of the City of Geneseo was called to order on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 6:00 PM, in the Council Chambers, with the following members present:
COUNCIL PRESENT: Council Bob James, Council Brett Barnhart, Council Craig Arnold, Mayor Sean Johnson, Council Martin Rothschild, Council Paula Simosky, Council Keith Kennett, and Alderman Kent Swanson
COUNCIL ABSENT: Alderman James Roodhouse
STAFF PRESENT: Director of Finance Jamie Matthews, City Administrator Brandon Maeglin, Attorney Derke Price, Director of IT Garrett Griswold, Chief of Police Casey Disterhoft, Director of Electrical Operations Eric Rowold, Deputy Chief of Police Kondon Karzin, Building Inspector Rick Mills, and City Clerk Paige Seibel
1 INVOCATION
PUBLIC PRESENT:
2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3 ROLL CALL
Meeting began at 6:00 pm
4 CITY ENGINEERING REPORT
City Engineer Rains gave the Engineering Report.
A Q&A took place.
4.1. FEBRUARY ENGINEERING REPORT
5 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.
None
6 MAYOR'S COMMENTS
None
7 CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
Alderman Swanson recognized Officer Berthoud for going above and beyond in assisting a community member, ensuring they received the help they needed and even giving them a ride to a facility for further support. He also expressed his pride in the Chief's outstanding leadership, which contributes to making Geneseo a great place.
8 CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS
- Cemetery Cleanup: 03/15 - 03/31
- Spring Curbside Cleanup: 05/05 - 05/08
City Administrator Maeglin informed everyone that any keepsake items not attached to headstones must be taken home to avoid being discarded during the cleanup. He mentioned that a reminder will be included with the utility bills.
9 ADMINISTRATION
9.1. R-25-03: NET METERING ANNUAL AVOIDED COST CREDIT - ELECTRIC
Director of Electrical Operations Rowold briefed the council on the new Net Metering Annual Avoided Cost Credit, noting it will decrease by $0.0379 compared to the 2024 rate.
A Q&A session followed.
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Brett Barnhart, Motion to recommend R-25- 03 to the City Council Meeting for approval and to place on the consent agenda.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Brett Barnhart AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Keith Kennett, and Kent Swanson, James Roodhouse ABSENT: |
No further discussion was had.
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Keith Kennett, Motion to recommend R-25-04 to the City Council Meeting for approval and to place on the consent agenda.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Keith Kennett AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Keith Kennett, and Kent Swanson ABSENT: James Roodhouse |
City Building Inspector Mills mentioned that there was a minor change from R-2 to R 3, allowing a duplex to be converted into a condo. He also noted that the color on the map on the website was incorrect for the appropriate zoning.
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Kent Swanson, Motion to recommend O-25- 04 to the City Council Meeting for approval and to place on the consent agenda.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Kent Swanson AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Keith Kennett, and Kent Swanson ABSENT: James Roodhouse |
City Administrator Maeglin opened the three sealed proposals for the Richmond Hill Park Stage, mentioning that City Staff will email the bids to council members and return at the next meeting with recommendations.
The three companies that submitted bids are:
∙ Construction Group – Geneseo, IL
∙ Greiner Buildings – Kewanee, IL
∙ Big Timers LLC – Port Byron, IL
9.5. NORTH WATER TOWER PROJECT: FINDING TO WORK WITH PUTNAM COUNTY PAINTING
City Administrator Maeglin discussed the process for stripping and repainting the new water towers.
A discussion followed.
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Martin Rothschild, Motion to direct City Staff to establish a contract with Putnam County Painting, with a finding that it is in the best interest of the City to work with Putnam County, bypassing the standard bid process, due to their proprietary process to accomplish the North Water Tower Tank Rehabilitation Project.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Martin Rothschild AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Keith Kennett, and Kent Swanson ABSENT: James Roodhouse |
This project will be a collaboration with Channel 50, which is part of the Geneseo School District. The city will cover the cost of the camera stand, while the School District will fund the rest of the project. The goal is to provide a live feed of downtown Geneseo, including the Mayor’s Christmas tree, for public viewing. Additionally, this will allow news stations to use the footage to highlight Geneseo’s downtown.
A discussion followed.
Bob James moved, seconded by Craig Arnold, Motion to direct staff to coordinate with the Geneseo School District on the proposed IGA, and to bring back a final IGA proposal to a future City Council Meeting for approval.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Bob James SECONDER: Craig Arnold AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Keith Kennett, and Kent Swanson ABSENT: James Roodhouse |
Chamber Director Sullivan updated the council on the Shelter 4 Richmond Hill project, highlighting the recognition of donors as part of the mural. David Smith will be painting the mural, which will be facing the Richmond Hill Theatre.
Brett Barnhart moved, seconded by Kent Swanson, Motion to recommend approval to the City Council Meeting, the execution of the contract between the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce and the City of Geneseo for the presented mural at Richmond Hill Park.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Brett Barnhart SECONDER: Kent Swanson AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Keith Kennett, and Kent Swanson ABSTAINED: Craig Arnold ABSENT: James Roodhouse |
10.1. PAYMENT OF THE BILLS.
A Q&A took place between Simosky and City Staff
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Paula Simosky, Motion to pay the bills as presented.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Paula Simosky AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Keith Kennett, and Kent Swanson ABSENT: James Roodhouse |
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.
None
12 MOVE INTO 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)(11) Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting.
12.1. MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION
Moved into executive session at 6:57 pm
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Kent Swanson, Motion to move into Executive Session per 5ILCS 120/2(c)(1) and 5ILCS 120/2(c)(11).
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Kent Swanson AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Keith Kennett, and Kent Swanson ABSENT: James Roodhouse |
Back to open session at 7:47 pm
13.1. ROLL CALL
14 ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm
14.1. MOVE TO CLOSE THE MEETING
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Kent Swanson, Motion to Adjourn
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Kent Swanson AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Keith Kennett, and Kent Swanson ABSENT: James Roodhouse |
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