Rock Island Today

City of Geneseo City Council met March 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Regular Council of the City of Geneseo was called to order on Tuesday, March 11, 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 Paula Simosky, Alderman Kent Swanson, Council Keith Kennett, and Alderman James Roodhouse

COUNCIL ABSENT: Council Martin Rothschild

STAFF PRESENT: Director of Finance Jamie Matthews, City Administrator Brandon Maeglin, Director of IT Garrett Griswold, Attorney Derke Price, Deputy Chief of Police Kondon Karzin, Chief of Police Casey Disterhoft, Director of Public Works Chad VandeWoestyne, and Building Inspector Rick Mills  

PUBLIC PRESENT: 

1 INVOCATION 

2 Pledge of Allegiance 

3 Roll Call 

Meeting began at 6:01 pm.

4 Chamber of Commerce Report 

Report given by Chamber Executive Director Zack Sullivan.

4.1. City Council Chamber Report - 3.11.25 

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. - No Public Comments at this time.

6 Mayor's Comments 

None at this time.

7 City Council Comments 

None at this time.

8 City Administrator's Comments 

- N. State Street Project resumes on 03/17/25

- Introduction of our new State Senator, Li Arellano, Jr.

9 Finance Director Comments 

9.1. Treasurer's Report and Capital Asset Reports as Submitted. 

Craig Arnold moved, seconded by James Roodhouse, Motion to approve the Treasurer's Report and Capital Asset Reports as submitted. 

RESULT: Carried  MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: James Roodhouse AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, Keith Kennett, and James Roodhouse ABSENT: Martin Rothschild

10 Consent Agenda 

10.1. Approval of previous minutes. 

Regular Council - 11 Feb 2025 - Minutes 

Committee of the Whole - 25 Feb 2025 - Minutes 

10.2. R-25-03: Net Metering Annual Avoided Cost Credit - Electric 

10.3. R-25-04: Re-Appointment of Eric Henderson to the Police Pension Board 10.4. O-25-04: Adoption of 2025 Zoning Map 

10.5. Omnibus method 

James Roodhouse moved, seconded by Craig Arnold, Motion to approve using the omnibus method and to approve items 10.1 - 10.5 

RESULT: Carried  MOVER: James Roodhouse SECONDER: Craig Arnold AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, Keith Kennett, and James Roodhouse ABSENT: Martin Rothschild

11 Unfinished Business 

Items that were requested to be removed from consent agenda.

12 Administration 

12.1. Contract for a Mural at Richmond Hill Park 

Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Brett Barnhart, Motion to approve the Artistic Mural Contract between the City and the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce. 

RESULT: Carried  MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Brett Barnhart AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, Keith Kennett, and James Roodhouse NAYS: Craig Arnold ABSENT: Martin Rothschild

12.2. Proposal Selection for the Richmond Hill Park Stage Design & Construction Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Keith Kennett, Motion to accept the proposal from Signature Big Timbers authorizing staff to enter into a contract for Design/Build Services with the specified contractor. 

RESULT: Carried  MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Keith Kennett AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, Keith Kennett, and James Roodhouse ABSENT: Martin Rothschild

12.3. North Water Tower Project: Putnam County Painting 

James Roodhouse moved, seconded by Craig Arnold, Motion to table the item. 

RESULT: Carried  MOVER: James Roodhouse SECONDER: Craig Arnold AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, and James Roodhouse ABSTAINED: Keith Kennett ABSENT: Martin Rothschild

13 Payment of City and Utility Bills 

13.1. Approval of City bills 

Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Kent Swanson, Motion to approve the City Bills as presented. 

RESULT: Carried  MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Kent Swanson AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, Keith Kennett, and James Roodhouse ABSENT: Martin Rothschild

14 Public Comment - All Other 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. - No Public Spoke at this time.

15 Adjournment 

15.1. Move to close the meeting 

Craig Arnold moved, seconded by James Roodhouse, Motion to Adjourn - Meeting ended at 6:37 pm. 

RESULT: Carried  MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: James Roodhouse ABSENT: Martin Rothschild

I.) Chamber Update 

a. 2025 Membership Drive is Underway

b. New members

i. Thai Town Café

ii. Candle Witch Company

iii. Republic Services

II.) Past Event Recaps 

a. Cupid’s Cashback promotion – February 13-15

III.) Upcoming Events 

a. 2025 Geneseo Artwalk – Saturday April 26 in Downtown Geneseo from 10a-2p

b. Spring City-Wide Garage Sales – May 1-3

c. 2025 Geneseo Music Festival – Father’s Day Weekend – June 13-15

IV.) Upcoming Promotional Efforts 

a. WQAD – running a new digital advertising campaign which will feature new commercials running April 1-May 31

b. KWQC – Hello Geneseo! Campaign, highlighting Geneseo all week long – May 5-9

c. Quad City Times/Lee Enterprises – 2025 Geneseo Tourism Magazine is being put together, should be ready for State-wide distribution in May.

d. Updating billboard off of I-80, just outside of Geneseo

V.) High Speed Passenger Rail in Geneseo Update 

a. It was recently announced that State of Illinois and Quad Cities officials are considering alternative routes to complete the project, removing Geneseo as a stop along the route. The Geneseo Chamber opposes any alternative routes, as Geneseo has been in the mix as a stop along the proposed route for over 15 years. We support the original proposed route via the Iowa-Interstate Railroad, running through Wyanet, Annawan, Geneseo, and Moline. An alternative route would not only upend years of strategic planning in Geneseo, but would also deny Geneseo of a fantastic economic opportunity and increased tourism potential in hosting a train stop along the route.

VI.) Upcoming Advocacy Trips 

a. March 19 – Illinois Chamber & IACCE Chamber Day at the Capitol – Springfield, IL

b. April 8-11 – Quad Cities Chamber Advocacy Trip – Washington DC

VII.) Mural #6 

a. Geneseo Chamber will be commissioning a donor recognition mural for the Geneseo Mural Project at Richmond Hill Park at Shelter #4 this summer, pending City Council approval. Mural will be installed by Labor Day.

https://cityofgeneseo.civicweb.net/document/91277/Regular%20Council%20-%2011%20Mar%202025%20-%20Minutes%20-%20Pdf.pdf?handle=1E1103F3B569491F9BF13EFA02EFA4FD