Mayor Sean A. Johnson | City of Geneseo
Mayor Sean A. Johnson | City of Geneseo
City of Geneseo Committee of the Whole met Sept. 23.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
The Committee of the Whole of the City of Geneseo was called to order on Tuesday, September 23, 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: 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 Pastor Palm.
2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3 ROLL CALL
Meeting began at 6 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.
Pastor Palm expressed concerns regarding the BYOB Ordinance, specifically about the responsibility involved if an individual were to be overserved and then drive.
Mayor Johnson assured him that all questions and concerns would be addressed during the formal discussion of the item, with the hope that any uncertainties would be resolved.
5 MAYOR'S COMMENTS
None.
6 CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
None.
7 CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS
- Hydrant Flushing: 10/06 - 10/10
- Yard Waste Disposal Site: 1st of 6 Fall 2025 Open Saturdays Begins This Weekend: 09/27 8am - Noon
City Administrator Maeglin provided updates on hydrant flushing and the Yard Waste Disposal site. He noted that residents living within Geneseo city limits who are refuse customers may bring both bagged leaves (in kraft paper bags) and loose leaves, as well as trees and limbs under five feet in length.
8 ADMINISTRATION
8.1. UTILITY RATE STUDY & RATE PRESENTATION
City Administrator Maeglin spoke to council adding that the vote will be at the next council meeting on October 14th so that staff can proceed on to full budget presentation at the meeting on 10/28. Ary with Waterworth gave the presentation on the sewer rate study. See the agenda cover document for summary breakdown of presented rates.
A Q&A took place which led into a discussion between council and City staff.
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Paula Simosky, Motion to recommend approval of O-25-10 to the City Council Meeting and to place on the consent agenda.
| 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 |
The City is proposing a BYOB (Bring Your Own Beverage) license for Council
consideration. This license would be limited to service-based businesses and would require them to carry dram shop insurance, maintain general liability coverage, complete BASSET certification and training, and obtain both City and State licenses. Attorney Price clarified that there was an error in the presented draft ordinance - sub section "e" that would be corrected for the 10/14 meeting.
Following the proposal, a Q&A session and discussion took place.
James Roodhouse moved, seconded by Brett Barnhart, Motion to recommend approval of O-25-11 and R-25-13 to the City Council Meeting, to place on the consent agenda, amending sub-section "e" of the ordinance for final consideration.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: James Roodhouse SECONDER: Brett Barnhart AYES: Brett Barnhart, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Keith Kennett, Kent Swanson, and James Roodhouse NAYS: Bob James and Craig Arnold |
The purpose of this Amendment is to strengthen enforcement abilities and definitions of nuisance weeds for the Code Enforcement Division of the Police Department. According to Chief Disterhoft, if emergency responders are unable to access someone's property and access points due to excessive greenery overgrowth during a crisis, it could pose a serious issue.
A Q&A session was held to discuss these concerns.
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Kent Swanson, Motion to recommend approval of O-25-12 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 |
This resolution proposes amending the meeting schedule to avoid conflicts with federal holidays. As currently planned, a Council meeting would fall on Veterans Day, so the date will be amended to 11/12/25 to avoid the holiday.
Brett Barnhart moved, seconded by Craig Arnold, Motion to recommend approval of R-25-14 to the City Council Meeting and to place on the consent agenda.
| RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Brett Barnhart SECONDER: Craig Arnold 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 took place.
Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Paula Simosky, Motion to approve the bills as presented.
| 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 |
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.
Ann Hutchinson expressed her appreciation to the Council for engaging in a discussion on how customers would be notified about rate changes.
Pastor Palm also thanked the Council for the thorough conversation regarding the BYOB Ordinance. He noted that his questions were addressed and acknowledged the Council’s commitment to taking the matter seriously.
11 ADJOURNMENT
11.1. MOVE TO CLOSE THE MEETING
Meeting adjourned at 6:58 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, Paula Simosky, Keith Kennett, Kent Swanson, and James Roodhouse |
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