Mayor Sean A. Johnson | City of Geneseo
Mayor Sean A. Johnson | City of Geneseo
City of Geneseo Committee of the Whole met April 22.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
The Committee of the Whole of the City of Geneseo was called to order on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 6:00 PM, in the Council Chambers, with the following members present:
COUNCIL PRESENT: Council Brett Barnhart, Council Craig Arnold, Mayor Sean Johnson, Council Martin Rothschild, Council Paula Simosky, Council Keith Kennett, and Alderman Kent Swanson
COUNCIL ABSENT: Council Bob James and Alderman James Roodhouse
STAFF PRESENT: Director of Finance Jamie Matthews, City Administrator 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, Deputy Chief of Police Kondon Karzin, Building Inspector Rick Mills, and City Clerk Paige Seibel
PUBLIC PRESENT:
1 INVOCATION
Led by Craig Arnold
2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3 ROLL CALL
Meeting began at 6:00 pm
4 CITY ENGINEERING REPORT
City Engineer Raines gave updates to the City Engineering report. A Q&A followed between Alderman Arnold, Mayor Johnson and Raines.
4.1. APRIL ENGINEER'S 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
None
8 CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS
04/25: Arbor Day Tree Planting Celebration at City Park
04/26: Artwalk
05/01: Statements of Economic Interest for City Officials Due to County
05/01: Annual Water Conservation Program Begins: 4a-9a Daily Lawn Watering Hours
05/05 - 05/08: Spring Curbside Cleanup
Congratulations to Randy Russell - Retiring from the Street Dept. with 34 years of Service
A Q&A and conversation took place between council and City staff.
9 ADMINISTRATION
9.1. RENEWAL OF LEASE: CITY HALL NORTH PARKING LOT
City Administrator Maeglin explained that the agenda item pertains to the City Hall parking lot, which is situated on land leased from Com Ed. With the lease set to expire next year, Maeglin stated that, should the council approve this item, City Hall staff will send a notice expressing the City's intent to extend the lease for an additional 20-year term.
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Martin Rothschild, Motion to recommend approval of extending the current parking lot lease between the Commonwealth Edison Company and the City of Geneseo, for parcel 08-21-138-044, for an additional 20-year term, to the City Council Meeting and to place on the consent agenda.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Martin Rothschild AYES: Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Keith Kennett, and Kent Swanson ABSENT: Bob James and James Roodhouse |
Director of Finance Matthews clarified that this task was part of a cleanup effort mandated by the auditors. She explained that the transfers should have occurred a year ago but had been delayed. Matthews emphasized that the loan does not require repayment, describing the transfer as a procedural step intended to balance the account. The council and Matthews then engaged in a Q&A session to discuss the matter further.
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Keith Kennett, Motion to recommend approval of R-25-07 to the City Council Meeting and to place on the consent agenda.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Keith Kennett AYES: Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Keith Kennett, and Kent Swanson ABSENT: Bob James and James Roodhouse |
Director of Finance Matthews emphasized the necessity of the action, warning that failure to adopt the Resolution this year would result in it being noted in next year’s audit. A discussion with the council followed, during which Matthews addressed their questions.
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Brett Barnhart, Motion to recommend approval of the Fund Balance Policy to the City Council Meeting and to place on the consent agenda.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Brett Barnhart AYES: Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Keith Kennett, and Kent Swanson ABSENT: Bob James and James Roodhouse |
10.1. PAYMENT OF BILLS
No discussion was had on the subject.
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Kent Swanson, Motion to pay the bills as presented.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Kent Swanson AYES: Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Keith Kennett, and Kent Swanson ABSENT: Bob James and 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)(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 6:24 pm
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Kent Swanson, Motion to move into Executive Session per 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11).
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Kent Swanson AYES: Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Keith Kennett, and Kent Swanson ABSENT: Bob James and James Roodhouse |
Open Session at 6:40 pm
13.1. ROLL CALL
14 ACTIONS AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION
None
15 ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 6:41 pm
15.1. MOVE TO CLOSE THE MEETING
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Paula Simosky, Motion to Adjourn
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Paula Simosky AYES: Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Keith Kennett, and Kent Swanson ABSENT: Bob James and James Roodhouse |
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