Mayor Sean A. Johnson | City of Geneseo
Mayor Sean A. Johnson | City of Geneseo
City of Geneseo City Council met May 13.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The Regular Council of the City of Geneseo was called to order on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 6:00 PM, in the Council Chambers, with the following members present:
COUNCIL PRESENT: Council Bob James, Council Craig Arnold, Mayor Sean Johnson, Council Paula Simosky, Alderman Kent Swanson, Council Keith Kennett, and Alderman James Roodhouse
COUNCIL ABSENT: Council Brett Barnhart and 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, Building Inspector Rick Mills, Director of Electrical Operations Eric Rowold, and City Clerk Paige Seibel
PUBLIC PRESENT:
1 INVOCATION
Led by Pastor Palm
2 Pledge of Allegiance
3 Roll Call
Meeting began at 6:00 p.m.
4 OATH OF OFFICE: COUNCIL MEMBERS
Simosky, James, Rothschild, Swanson
City Clerk Seibel administered the oath of office to Paula Simosky (1st Ward), James Roodhouse (2nd Ward), and Kent Swanson (4th Ward). Martin Rothschild, Alderman of the 3rd Ward, was absent.
5 Chamber of Commerce Report
Chamber Director Sullivan presented the Chamber report.
Upcoming Chamber Events:
∙ 2025 Geneseo Music Festival – Father’s Day Weekend, June 13–15
∙ 29th Annual Geneseo Chamber Golf Outing – June 27 at Country View Golf Course
6 City Engineering Report
City Engineer Rains delivered the engineering report.
6.1. May Engineer's Project Report
7 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
8 Mayor's Comments
None
9 City Council Comments
None
10 City Administrator's Comments
- Annual Water Conservation Program - Lawn Sprinkling/Irrigating - 05/01 - 09/30 Every Year
- 05/26 - Memorial Day Ceremony at City Park: Band starts at 9:30am, Program at 10:00am
- Prairie Park/City Operations Area Status
Maeglin reported that the solar project at Prairie Park has been officially put on hold for now. He emphasized that City staff is not going to bring back a proposal that is not financially viable in the long term for electric rate payers, and this project is not there currently.
Congratulations to Director of Finance Jamie Matthews on earning her Master’s degree in Finance.
11 Finance Director Comments
Director of Finance Jamie Matthews presented the Treasurer’s Report, Budget Book, and Capital Asset Report.
Director of Electrical Operations Rowold provided updates on ongoing electrical projects. Director of Public Works VanDeWoestyne shared progress reports on current Street, Water, and Wastewater projects.
Police Chief Disterhoft gave an update on current initiatives within the Police Department. City Administrator Maeglin reported on all ongoing administrative projects.
11.1. Treasurer's Report and Capital Asset Reports as Submitted.
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Kent Swanson, Motion to approve the Treasurer's Report and Capital Asset Reports as submitted.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Kent Swanson AYES: Bob James, Craig Arnold, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, Keith Kennett, and James Roodhouse ABSENT: Brett Barnhart and Martin Rothschild |
City Clerk Seibel read aloud the items included in the Consent Agenda.
12.1. Approval of Previous Minutes
12.2. Renewal of Lease: City Hall North Parking Lot
12.3. R-25-07: Forgiveness of Interfund Loans
12.4. Consideration of a Fund Balance Policy
12.5. Omnibus method
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Keith Kennett, Motion to approve using the omnibus method and to approve items 12.1 - 12.5
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Keith Kennett AYES: Bob James, Craig Arnold, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, Keith Kennett, and James Roodhouse ABSENT: Brett Barnhart and Martin Rothschild |
Items that were requested to be removed from consent agenda.
No items were requested to removed from consent agenda.
14 Administration
14.1. Bid Consideration for Approval: Chicago/Exchange Pedestrian Sidewalk Connections
City Administrator Maeglin and City Engineer Rains addressed the Council regarding the recommended route for the pedestrian sidewalk, proposing to begin with the Exchange Street connection in 2025. They noted that the lowest bid recommended by City staff is 31% below the original estimate provided by IMEG.
Rains also mentioned that Five Cities Construction, the recommended contractor, has previously completed work in both East Moline and Silvis with positive reviews.
A Q&A session followed between the Council and Engineer Rains.
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Keith Kennett, Motion to award the contract for the Exchange St. sidewalk connection to Five Cities Construction in the amount of $54,722.00.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Keith Kennett AYES: Bob James, Craig Arnold, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, Keith Kennett, and James Roodhouse ABSENT: Brett Barnhart and Martin Rothschild |
15.1. Approval of City bills
A Q&A took place between Simosky and City staff.
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Paula Simosky, Motion to approve the City Bills as presented.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Paula Simosky AYES: Bob James, Craig Arnold, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, Keith Kennett, and James Roodhouse ABSENT: Brett Barnhart and Martin Rothschild |
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
17 Adjournment
17.1. Move to close the meeting
Meeting adjourned at 6:44 p.m.
https://cityofgeneseo.civicweb.net/document/91874/
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