City Council

GENEVA CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 2, 2014 CALL TO ORDER The June 2, 2014 meeting of the Geneva City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall by Mayor Kevin Burns. Aldermen present: Chuck Brown, Mike Bruno, Don Cummings, Dean Kilburg, Craig Maladra, Richard Marks, Mary Seno, Tom Simonian, Ron Singer. Aldermen absent: Dorothy Flanagan. Also attending: City Atty. Charles Radovich, City Administrator Mary McKittrick, Asst. City Administrator/Dir. of Administrative Services Stephanie Dawkins. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PUBLIC HEARINGS, SPECIAL ITEMS AND PRESENTATIONS Present Geneva Chamber of Commerce Annual Tourism Report Chamber of Commerce President Jean Gaines and Communications Manager Laura Rush presented a visual look at the Chamber’s promotional efforts over the past year. Ms. Gaines said that this year the Chamber added a $57,307 tourism grant to the funds received from the hotel tax, extending the Chamber’s advertising budget. She addressed the Chamber’s advertising and promotional efforts, which included brochures, the new visitors center, awards, a new website, broadcast and print advertising. Additional details were provided in a handout given to the Council. Present City of Geneva FY2013-14 Annual Report Admin. McKittrick presented the FY2013-14 Annual Report, which provided information about how the City delivered services through prioritization of goals and objectives over the past fiscal year, along with significant events and accomplishments. Departments covered included the City Administrator’s Office, Administrative Services, Community Development, Economic Development, Fire, Police, and Public Works. Copies of the annual report were distributed to the Council. Admin. McKittrick also noted that copies will be available to the public at City Hall, and that the report is posted on the City’s website. OMNIBUS AGENDA All items listed on the Omnibus Agenda are considered to be routine by the Council and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion on these items unless a Council member or citizen so requests in which event the item will be removed from the Omnibus (Consent) Agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the Agenda. Moved by Ald. Bruno, seconded by Ald. Singer to approve the Omnibus Agenda as presented. Roll call: AYES: 9 (Ald. Brown, Bruno, Cummings, Kilburg, Maladra, Marks, Seno, Simonian, Singer) NAYS: 0 MOTION CARRIED APPROVE MINUTES OF THE LAST REGULAR MEETING HELD MAY 19, 2014 Moved by Ald. Bruno, seconded by Ald. Singer to approve motion as presented. Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED APPROVE REPORTS Moved by Ald. Bruno, seconded by Ald. Singer to approve motion as presented. Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED 1309 Geneva City Council Meeting June 2, 2014 COUNCIL COMMITTEES Committee of the Whole June 9, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. MUNICIPAL BILLS FOR PAYMENT The following bills were presented for payment: General Fund $131,214.34 Cultural Arts Fund 386.23 SPAC Fund 1,352.00 Beautification Fund 4,426.67 Tourism Fund 1,613.40 Tri‐Com Fund 79,439.17 Mental Health Fund 236.25 SSA #1 505.25 General Capital Projects 21,448.49 Infrastructure Capital Projects 41,325.84 Prairie Green 525.00 TIF #2 180.00 Electric 244,000.89 Water/Wastewater 771,221.61 Refuse 18,121.80 Commuter Parking 7,570.33 Group Dental 9,794.37 Workers Compensation 71,252.00 ____________ Total Funds $1,404,613.64 Moved by Ald. Brown, seconded by Ald. Bruno that the bills be approved and vouchers prepared. Roll call: AYES: 9 (Ald. Brown, Bruno, Cummings, Kilburg, Maladra, Marks, Seno, Simonian, Singer) NAYS: 0 MOTION CARRIED COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ITEMS OF BUSINESS Approve Geneva Chamber of Commerce Festival of the Vine Special Event Application - Sept. 5-7, 2014 Moved by Ald. Bruno, seconded by Ald. Singer to approve motion as presented. Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED Approve Shebix Inc. Fox Valley Marathon Special Event Application – September 21, 2014 Moved by Ald. Bruno, seconded by Ald. Singer to approve motion as presented. Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED Approve Resolution 2014-42 Requesting IDOT Street Closure of IL Route 31 and Route 38 for Fox Valley Marathon September 21, 2014 Moved by Ald. Bruno, seconded by Ald. Singer to approve motion as presented. Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED 1310 Geneva City Council Meeting June 2, 2014 Approve Ordinance 2014-14 Amending Exhibit II (Permitted Uses) of the Fabyan and Kirk Planned Unit Development to Include “Spa Services and Products” as a Use Permitted by Right – Salternative, Inc. Moved by Ald. Bruno, seconded by Ald. Singer to approve motion as presented. Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED Approve Resolution 2014-43 Authorizing Execution of FY2013-14 Budget Amendments as Presented Moved by Ald. Bruno, seconded by Ald. Singer to approve motion as presented. Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED Approve Ordinance 2014-15 Amending Title 9 (Municipal Utilities), Chap. 1 (General Provisions) Section 9-11 (Application for Service), Paragraph B (Service Deposits) of the Geneva City Code Moved by Ald. Bruno, seconded by Ald. Singer to approve motion as presented. Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED Approve Resolution 2014-44 Authorizing Bid Award and Contract to Hardin Paving in the Amount of $2,454,454.00 for FY2014 Street Improvement Program Moved by Ald. Bruno, seconded by Ald. Singer to approve motion as presented. Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED Approve Resolution 2014-45 Authorizing Execution of an Agreement with the Geneva Park District for the Transfer and License of Property from the City of Geneva to the Geneva Park District and Authorize Execution of Use Permit and License Agreement for RiverPark Property Moved by Ald. Bruno, seconded by Ald. Singer to approve motion as presented. Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED Approve Resolution 2014-46 Authorizing Dissolution of an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Geneva Park District for RiverPark Maintenance Moved by Ald. Bruno, seconded by Ald. Singer to approve motion as presented. Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED NEW BUSINESS Comments on Geneva’s Involvement with Prairie State Energy Campus Bill Scown, 860 N. Bennett St., who stated that he was a member of the Sierra Club, said that he has reviewed the City’s electric rate history data, which showed large rate increases over the past three years since the City began purchasing power from the Prairie State generating facility. He pointed out the yearly rate increases. He also called attention to a recent explosion at the facility, which he said would lead to further cost to the City. He suggested that the Prairie State developers did not fully disclose costs and risks when the City bought shares in Prairie State. He said an investigation was needed to determine if the City was intentionally deceived. He urged the City to join in State Rep. Tim Schmitz’s letter to the Illinois attorney general calling for an internal investigation into Prairie State, and for the Council and City to engage in open discussions about respective costs and liabilities to the rate payers, and what might be done to mitigate potential problems. Jean Pierce, 2333 Danbury Ct., also called for the City to join Rep. Schmitz in requesting an investigation into possible fraud in the sale of shares by Prairie State to the City. She 1311 Geneva City Council Meeting June 2, 2014 said that operation of the facility is harming the environment. She requested the City recognize that it was misled by Prairie State and take steps to determine if the deal could be considered fraudulent. Janet Dellaria, 202 N. Bennett St., said she attended a community meeting regarding the Prairie State facility sponsored by the Sierra Club, where she said she was told about the environmental problems of Prairie State. She said she was concerned about the environmental, cost and safety issues. She also encouraged the City to join in Rep. Schmitz’s request for an investigation. Tom Carter, 809 S. Batavia Ave., also called for backing of Rep. Schmitz’s request and for an investigation of the sale to the City of an interest in Prairie State. Andrea Alvarez, former Geneva resident and attorney with the Citizen Advocacy Center, Elmhurst, Ill., said that Prairie State makes no financial or operational reports available to rate payers and is being investigated by the SEC. She called for transparency, calling on the City to engage with the citizens about the Prairie State agreement, about the costs and about the contract. She also requested the City to join with Rep. Schmitz. Need for Public Comments Policy Abbey Moffitt, legal intern with the Citizen Advocacy Center, urged the Council to create and publish a public comments policy, informing citizens of their rights as they relate to public comments in meetings. She called for a specific agenda item for public comment, citing the Open Meetings Act and case precedent. Admin. McKittrick said that copies of the City’s public meeting guide, which addresses public comments under New Business, are available and that she would be glad to provide copies to those interested. Chamber of Commerce Presentation; Prairie State Colin Campbell, 18 S. Sixth St., complimented the Chamber of Commerce on its presentation earlier in the evening, saying that he has posted the video on his Facebook page and has received very positive comments. He also congratulated the City on the new pedestrian walkway next to the Geneva History Museum. On Prairie State, he said that if an investigation reveals misrepresentation on Prairie State’s part, it might allow all investor cities the opportunity to renegotiate or terminate their contracts with Prairie State. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, moved by Ald. Marks, seconded by Ald. Singer to adjourn the Geneva City Council meeting. Carried by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m. ________________________ Lynn P. Landberg, City Clerk 1312