Mayor Sean A. Johnson | City of Geneseo
Mayor Sean A. Johnson | City of Geneseo
City of Geneseo Committee of the Whole met June 24.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
The Committee of the Whole of the City of Geneseo was called to order on Tuesday, June 24, 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, Alderman Kent Swanson, and Alderman James Roodhouse
COUNCIL ABSENT:
STAFF PRESENT: 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, Building Inspector Rick Mills, and City Clerk Paige Seibel
PUBLIC PRESENT:
1 INVOCATION
Led by Alderman Craig Arnold
2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3 ROLL CALL
Meeting began at 6:00
Roodhouse arrived at 6:20
4 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.
5 MAYOR'S COMMENTS
None
6 CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
None
7 CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS
- Thrill on the Hill: 07/03 (07/04 Rain Date)
- IML Conference - 09/18 - 09-20: Council Sign-Up through Maeglin by 07/08/2025
8 ADMINISTRATION
8.1. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 30: SOLID WASTE OF THE GENESEO CODE OF ORDINANCES
City Admin Maeglin followed up on the discussion from the previous meeting, stating that City Staff revisited the proposal and brought forward revised options, including reintroducing the possibility of access for outside entities to dump at the site with an annual subscription. Two options were presented, with the understanding that the first year would serve as a trial period to assess participation and associated costs, and that any operational changes would need to be evaluated after the first year of changes.
Based on conversations with other communities and vendors that could come on-site to pulverize and remove tree waste, staff estimate that the cost would range between $17,000 and $22,000. Maeglin pointed out that this is a broad estimate, and we will not know true costs until running such an operation.
∙ Option 1: Businesses would pay a $100 annual fee, plus $30 per dump.
∙ Option 2: A shared-cost model in which each business pays $3,000 for the first year of operation, with businesses covering 70% of the cost and the City
covering 30% of all costs during the subsequent years. This option could also include a 48-hour access pass for the cost of $400, for those not interested in participating in the annual access model.
City Staff recommended moving forward with Option A.
There was also considerable discussion around changes to residential access to the burn pile. Suggestions included extending the number of days the site is open to residents, though it was noted that additional open days could increase refuse customer costs. The City emphasized the goal of finding the most cost-effective solution for residents. Input was provided by all Council members.
Ultimately, a motion was made to proceed with Option A for private businesses, incorporating changes to increase residential brush drop-off days.
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Bob James, Motion to recommend to the City Council Meeting, approval of the recommended Option A as presented for outside entity annual access to the site, and establishing 3 days for brush-only drop-off for refuse customers in both the spring and fall, along with 3 leaf specific drop off days in November through early December.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Bob James AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Keith Kennett, Kent Swanson, and James Roodhouse |
ROWOLD, ELECTRIC DIRECTOR
Eric Rowold gave a detailed presentation covering the history of the Power Plant and the Utility Department. His presentation prompted questions and discussion around current energy trends, the Louisa Generation Station, the MISO market, capital improvement plans, and an outside analysis done of the plant in 1996. Rowold informed the Council that is currently getting pricing to have a new planning study done for the plant, and that this option will be reviewed during budget discussions this Fall.
8.3. PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE AT OAKWOOD LANDING
The City Administrator informed the Council that, as mentioned at the last meeting, the City did not receive the ITEP grant. However, $250,000 has already been
budgeted for the completion of the pedestrian bridge in anticipation of that funding. The Geneseo Foundation has confirmed it will still honor its $125,000 grant commitment toward the project if the Council elects to move forward with the project.
Tom Anderson, a former Veteran intern with the City who was involved in the project's early development and is passionate about seeing it completed, has expressed interest in volunteering as a citizen advocate to lead a fundraising effort to help offset costs.
City Engineer Rains is currently revisiting the project’s cost estimates and noted there may be some potential savings since the project will not be subject to state funding requirements associated with the ITEP grant. Maeglin noted that Rains will present the updated cost estimate at a future meeting and then call for a vote on the project's continuation.
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Keith Kennett, Motion to recommend to the City Council Meeting, approval of the budgeted Pedestrian Bridge Project at the Oakwood Landing, using local grant, donated, and City budgeted funds.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Keith Kennett AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Keith Kennett, Kent Swanson, and James Roodhouse |
With Council’s approval, the Police Department would like to declare several older PD bicycles as surplus property in order to sell them.
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Kent Swanson, Motion to recommend R-25- 08 to the City Council Meeting 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, Kent Swanson, and James Roodhouse |
9.1. PAYMENT OF THE BILLS
No discussion was had.
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by James Roodhouse, Motion to pay the bills as presented.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: James Roodhouse AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Keith Kennett, Kent Swanson, 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.
Resident Beverly Lamb requested that Council members please use their microphones, noting it is difficult to hear when they are not used.
11 ADJOURNMENT
11.1. MOVE TO CLOSE THE MEETING
Meeting was adjourned at 7:53 pm
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Paula Simosky, Motion to Adjourn
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Paula Simosky AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Keith Kennett, Kent Swanson, and James Roodhouse |
Alerts Sign-up