Craig Arnold - Alderman First Ward | City of Geneseo
Craig Arnold - Alderman First Ward | City of Geneseo
City of Geneseo Committee of the Whole met July 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, July 22, 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 Keith Kennett, and Alderman Kent Swanson
COUNCIL ABSENT: Council Paula Simosky 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, Deputy Chief of Police Kondon Karzin, Building Inspector Rick Mills, and City Clerk Paige Seibel
PUBLIC PRESENT:
1 INVOCATION
Led by Alderman Bob James
2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3 ROLL CALL
Meeting began at 6:00 pm
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.
None
5 MAYOR'S COMMENTS
None
6 CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
None
7 CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS
- City Council Chamber Dinner Sign-Up (08/07 Event)
8 KELLY SULLIVAN - SWEARING IN AS SERGEANT
Doug Emerick administered the oath to Kelly Sullivan, officially promoting him to Sergeant. Kelly was surrounded by his family, friends, and members of the Police Department during the ceremony, with pictures taken shortly afterward.
9 ADMINISTRATION
9.1. PRAIRIE PARK & CITY OPERATIONS
Maeglin addressed the Council to provide an update on the trail system, noting that the City is currently working to define the layout and use of the trails. He expressed appreciation for the volunteers who have helped clear the paths, which are used by both bikers and walkers. He also mentioned that the City has attempted to connect with representatives from FORC to collaborate on this effort, but so far has been unsuccessful in the offer for a for a sit-down discussion.
Deputy Chief Karzin then spoke about recent improvements at the firing range. He shared that the City is interested in partnering with the Fire Department to allow for training opportunities on the site. Both the Police and Fire Departments support this potential collaboration. As part of the proposal, the Fire Department would assist in renovating an existing building on the property (old civil defense structure) for indoor training purposes that could benefit both departments. The land would remain City owned. The Fire Board is expected to discuss this at their 08/11/25 meeting.
Following the presentations, Council and Aldermen participated in a Q&A session that led to a discussion on revisiting the rules governing trail use. City staff will review and return at the 08/26/25 meeting with a draft policy for formal consideration and inclusion on the agenda.
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Keith Kennett, Motion to direct staff to proceed as presented with Prairie Park Operations Work and to bring back appropriate resolutions for the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City and the Fire District, and the termination of the FORC agreement, to a Special City Council Meeting on 08/26/25.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Keith Kennett AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Keith Kennett, and Kent Swanson ABSENT: Paula Simosky and James Roodhouse |
Director of Finance Matthews went over the review of 2024 Audit/Funds tie out.
No discussion was had.
9.3. GENERATOR PURCHASE - WELL #33
City Administrator Maeglin and Public Works Director VanDeWoestyne informed Council that the EPA is requiring a backup generator for Well #33. Staff recommends purchasing a 50kW Cummins diesel generator from Rock River Electric for $43,470. This unbudgeted expense will be covered by the Water Department fund balance.
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Bob James, Motion to recommend to the Special City Council Meeting, approval of the generator purchase from Rock River Electric for the Well #33 project in the amount of $43,470.00, to be paid for from the Water Dept. fund balance.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Bob James AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Keith Kennett, and Kent Swanson ABSENT: Paula Simosky and James Roodhouse |
City Administrator Maeglin informed Council that the City’s contract with Republic Services ends in late 2025. City Administration, Public Works Director
VanDeWoestyne, and the Finance Director have prepared an RFP for a new five-year contract covering trash, recycling, and yard waste, which will be released Thursday pending Council approval at tonight’s Special Meeting. During the Q&A, there was discussion about potentially adding another leaf pickup date due to the high number of trees in Geneseo. Currently, Republic’s final leaf pickup is the last Monday in November.
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Brett Barnhart, Motion to recommend to the Special City Council Meeting, approval of the RFP document for residential refuse services.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Brett Barnhart AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Keith Kennett, and Kent Swanson ABSENT: Paula Simosky and James Roodhouse |
10.1. PAYMENT OF BILLS
No discussion was had.
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Kent Swanson, Motion to pay the bills as presented.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Kent Swanson AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Keith Kennett, and Kent Swanson ABSENT: Paula Simosky 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 ADJOURNMENT
12.1. MOVE TO CLOSE THE MEETING
Meeting adjourned at 6:27 pm
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Brett Barnhart, Motion to Adjourn
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Brett Barnhart AYES: Bob James, Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Keith Kennett, and Kent Swanson ABSENT: Paula Simosky and James Roodhouse |
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