Rock Island Today

City of Geneseo City Council met Oct. 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Regular Council Meeting

The Regular Council of the City of Geneseo was called to order on Tuesday, October 14, 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, Alderman Kent Swanson, Council Keith Kennett, and Alderman James Roodhouse

COUNCIL ABSENT: Council Bob James

STAFF PRESENT: City Administrator Brandon Maeglin, Director of IT Garrett Griswold, Deputy Chief of Police Kondon Karzin, Chief of Police Casey Disterhoft, Attorney Margaret Kostopulos, Building Inspector Rick Mills, and Director of Electrical Operations Eric Rowold

PUBLIC PRESENT: 

1 INVOCATION 

Led by Pastor Palm

2 Pledge of Allegiance 

3 Roll Call 

Meeting began at 6:00 PM

4 Chamber of Commerce Report 

Chamber Director Sullivan presented the Chamber of Commerce report. He noted that Governor Pritzker has allocated a significant amount of funding to the railroad project and encouraged the community to support the initiative in hopes of bringing Amtrak service to Geneseo.

Upcoming Events: 

∙ October 17: Cruise the Canal Fall Foliage Tours

∙ October 25: Scarecrow Row featuring the HOWL-O-WEEN Doggie Costume Contest

∙ October 30 – November 1: Witches Night Out / Witches Weekend

∙ November 14: Christmas Open House

∙ November 14 – December 14: Shop Geneseo Promotion

∙ December 13: 2025 Geneseo Christmas Walk

4.1. City Council Chamber Report - 10.14.25 

5 City Engineering Report 

Tyler Sands of IMEG presented the Engineering Report on behalf of City Engineer Raines.

5.1. 2025_10_14_Geneseo-Engineers Monthly Report 

6 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

7 Mayor's Comments 

∙ Klavine Motor Company Appreciation

Mayor Johnson presented a special recognition to a local business celebrating 107 years, one of the longest family-owned businesses in the community. The certificate of appreciation highlights the business’s rich history, exceptional community service, and dedication to the community. Mayor Johnson presented the certificate to the Klavine family, thanking them for their service.

Council members also noted how unique and charming the business is, praising it as a neat shop to visit and commending its long-standing support in providing parts to local businesses.

8 City Council Comments 

Alderman Swanson addressed concerns regarding the recent water hydrant flushing, noting that it has caused discoloration in clothing. He suggested establishing a public schedule or timeframe so residents know when it’s best to avoid doing laundry. Mayor

Johnson responded that hydrant flushing can affect anyone, regardless of their proximity to the site. Maeglin advised that staff can look at publishing a more detailed route of the flushing, but also notated that flushing in one ward could affect another ward, due to the interconnection of the water system.

Additionally, Banhart raised concerns about a historic house slated for demolition, suggesting that the City should explore options to prevent more loss.

9 City Administrator's Comments 

∙ Petition filing for the March 2026 elections: 10/27/25 - 11/03/25

10 Finance Director Comments 

10.1. Treasurer's Report and Capital Asset Reports as Submitted. 

Treasurer Matthews was absent from the meeting, delaying the budget book until the 28th due to inaccuracies in report labeling caused by the vendor's reporting software. Maeglin reviewed the Treasurer’s Report and Capital Assets. Director of Electrical Operations Rowold presented the Electric Capital Projects report, Chief Disterhoft provided the Police Department Capital Projects report, and Maeglin reviewed the Public Works Capital Projects in the absence of the Director of Public Works, as well as the Administration Capital Projects report.

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: Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, Keith Kennett, and James Roodhouse ABSENT: Bob James

11 Consent Agenda 

City Administrator Maeglin read the consent agenda.

11.1. Approval of Previous Minutes 

Regular Council - 09 Sep 2025 - Minutes 

Committee of the Whole - 23 Sep 2025 - Minutes 

11.2. O-25-10: The Schedule of Water, Sewer, & Electric Rates 

11.3. O-25-12: Amendments to Chapter 24 Regarding Nuisance Weeds & Grass 11.4. R-25-14: Amending the Schedule of Meetings for Year 2025 

11.5. Omnibus method 

Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Keith Kennett, Motion to approve using the omnibus method and to approve items 11.1 - 11.5 

RESULT: Carried  MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Keith Kennett AYES: Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, Keith Kennett, and James Roodhouse ABSENT: Bob James

12 Unfinished Business 

Items that were requested to be removed from consent agenda.

No items were requested to be removed from consent agenda.

13 Administration 

13.1. Amendments to Chapter 10, Article 3, Alcoholic Beverage Sales: Adding a Service Business BYOB License 

City Administration reported that there were no public comments during the public Page 3 of 9hearing held prior to the Regular Council Meeting and noted a minor change to the verbiage.

No further discussion occurred.

Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Brett Barnhart, Motion to approve O-25-11 and R-25-13 

RESULT: Carried  MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Brett Barnhart AYES: Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, Keith Kennett, and James Roodhouse ABSENT: Bob James

13.2. O-25-13: Additional Amendment to Chapter 34: Municipal Grocery Retailers' Occupation Tax & Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax 

City Administrator Maeglin advised that the council had passed the ordinance in June; however, the Department of Revenue objected to the original wording, as indicated by the strike-through in the terminology. City Attorney Price made the necessary corrections and prepared the revised ordinance.

Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Kent Swanson, Motion to approve O-25-13 

RESULT: Carried  MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Kent Swanson AYES: Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, Keith Kennett, and James Roodhouse ABSENT: Bob James

13.3. Republic Services Contract: 2026 - 2030 

City Administrator Maeglin, Alderman Kennett, Public Works Director VanDeWoestyne, Director of Finance Matthews, and Alderman Roodhouse went through the RFP process, noting that at the previous meeting, the recommendation was made to continue with Republic. The current discussion is to approve the new contract, which incorporates all previously discussed changes and updates for council approval.

Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Keith Kennett, Motion to approve the 5- year agreement with Republic Services for years 2026-2030 and the associated fee schedule updates. 

RESULT: Carried  MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Keith Kennett AYES: Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, Keith Kennett, and James Roodhouse ABSENT: Bob James

14 Payment of City and Utility Bills 

14.1. Approval of City bills 

No further discussion was had.

Craig Arnold moved, seconded by James Roodhouse, Motion to approve the City Bills as presented. 

RESULT: Carried  MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: James Roodhouse ABSENT: Bob James

15 Public Comment - All Other 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.

There was a question about a bike rack to be infront of City Hall from the public.

16 move into Executive Session 

5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21) Discussion of minutes of meeting lawfully closed under this Act, whether for purposes of approval by the body of the minutes or semi-annual review of the minutes as mandated by Section 2.06.

16.1. Move into Executive Session 

Moved into Executive Session at 6:41 PM

James Roodhouse moved, seconded by Craig Arnold, Motion to move into executive session per 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21) 

RESULT: Carried  MOVER: James Roodhouse SECONDER: Craig Arnold AYES: Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, Keith Kennett, and James Roodhouse ABSENT: Bob James

17 Open Session 

Open session at: 6:48 PM

17.1. Roll Call 

18 Actions after executive session 

18.1. Approval of Executive Session Minutes 11-12-24, 02-25-25, and 04-22-25 

No further discussion took place.

Craig Arnold moved, seconded by James Roodhouse, Motion to approve executive session minutes 11-12-24, 02-25-25, and 04-22-25 

RESULT: Carried  MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: James Roodhouse AYES: Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, Keith Kennett, and James Roodhouse ABSENT: Bob James

18.2. R-25-15: Release of Specific Executive Session Minutes 

No further discussion was had.

Craig Arnold moved, seconded by Paula Simosky, Motion to approve R-25-15 

RESULT: Carried  MOVER: Craig Arnold SECONDER: Paula Simosky AYES: Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, Keith Kennett, and James Roodhouse ABSENT: Bob James

19 Adjournment 

19.1. Move to close the meeting 

Meeting adjourned at: 6:50 PM

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, Kent Swanson, Keith Kennett, and James Roodhouse ABSENT: Bob James

City Clerk

I.) Passenger Rail Update 

a. Recently, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker reaffirmed his commitment to the Chicago to Quad Cities Passenger Rail (with a stop in Geneseo) by continuing to include $388.8 million in the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Multi-Year Plan specifically for this effort.

b. Geneseo Chamber continues to oppose any route that skips over Geneseo, such as Galesburg, which has been mentioned as an alternative route.

i. He Galesburg route adds an extra hour to the commute. What Geneseo has to offer along the route is what makes the Geneseo route more desirable.

The route going through Geneseo is what makes the entire passenger rail project a gem.

c. Geneseo Chamber will continue to advocate to bring this rail project in to Geneseo, and suggests forming a local commission to lobby State Government and railroad stakeholders to being this major economic initiative to Geneseo.

II.) Mural #6 Update 

a. Is finished at at Richmond Hill Park, Chamber will host a reveal party for the new Mural tomorrow, Wednesday October 15 from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm. There will be live Music, Cookies and a ribbon cutting will take place.

b. Local touch – mural was painted by local muralist Lexie Clark, and Lettering done by David Smith.

c. Mural #6 honors donors of the Geneseo Mural Project, with plans to add future murals for the rest of the decade.

III.) Event Recaps 

a. City-Wide Fall Garage Sales – September 11-13

i. Popular, Chamber coordinates these in Geneseo because there is a want from residents for this service to be provided. 36 sign ups this Fall.

b. State Street Market – October 4

i. 8,000 people attended. It was a great day for Geneseo, with a brick and mortar located outside of Downtown reporting its best lunch hour ever!

All businesses in Geneseo, regardless of location or membership, benefit from Geneseo Chamber community events.

IV.) Upcoming Events 

a. Cruise the Canal Fall Foliage Tours – October 17

b. Scarecrow Row – October 25

i. Feat. HOWL-O-WEEN Doggie Costume Pageant

c. Witches Night Out/Witches Weekend – October 30-November 1

d. Christmas Open House – November 14

e. Shop Geneseo! Promotion – November 14 to December 14

f. 2025 Geneseo Christmas Walk – December 13

https://cityofgeneseo.civicweb.net/document/93892/