City Council

GENEVA CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 18, 2014 CALL TO ORDER The August 18, 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 Pro Tem Dean Kilburg, Mayor Kevin Burns being absent. Aldermen present: Chuck Brown, Don Cummings, Dorothy Flanagan, Dean Kilburg, Craig Maladra, Richard Marks, Mary Seno, Tom Simonian, Ron Singer. Aldermen absent: Mike Bruno. Also attending: City Atty. Charles Radovich, City Administrator Mary McKittrick, Asst. City Administrator/Dir. of Administrative Services Stephanie Dawkins, Acting Public Works Director Brian Schiber, Economic Development Director Ellen Divita, Business Development Specialist Paul Evans. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Led by Army Veteran Josh Kerber. PUBLIC HEARINGS, SPECIAL ITEMS AND PRESENTATIONS Presentation by Geneva Firefighters Local 4287 to Illinois Army Veteran Joshua Michael Kerber Geneva Firefighter Ron Johnson, vice president of the local affiliate of the Affiliated Firefighters of Illinois (AFFI), explained that the AFFI Illinois Warrior Program presents cars to Illinois wounded military veterans through the sale of T-shirts. He called attention to the next presentation, which will take place at the Kane County Cougars game on Aug. 22. At that time, wounded Army veteran Joshua Kerber will receive a vehicle. Army Specialist Kerber then came forward to relate his experience in Afghanistan, where he suffered the loss of an arm and sustained other wounds. When finished, he received a standing ovation. Mayor Pro Tem Kilburg thanked him for his service. Strategic Plan Advisory Committee Annual Report Presentation SPAC Chair Mark Brault recognized FY2013-14 members and outlined the purpose of SPAC as well as a review of group’s programs and goals. He then addressed the efforts of each SPAC sub-committee, including the International Cultural Exchange Committee, Bicycle-Pedestrian Committee, Natural Resources Committee, and Student Government. Mr. Brault recognized outgoing SPAC members Geetha Lingham, Jeff Walsma and Anna Dispensa; and welcomed new members Dan Janis, Elizabeth Clements and Pranita Saraganbany. Speaking to the future, Mr. Brault said that the committee looks forward to a new year of promoting the City and its goals for the strategic plan, welcoming new ideas and keeping the citizens engaged in the community. He thanked Mayor Burns, the City Council and the City Staff for their support and encourage them to join SPAC and the various sub- committees during upcoming events. Lastly, he noted that SPAC meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. Additionally, he said SPAC will be hosting a town meeting on September 17, 2014. The sub-committees also meet on a regular basis with agendas posted on the City’s website. Economic Development Department Presentation Dir. Divita began by saying that what should be remembered from her presentation is that there is a very good trend in recruitment and business development and that the number of available spaces, other than office, are decreasing, creating a mismatch between opportunities and the spaces that are available. That, she said, will be the City’s challenge. She then defined the department’s mission and operation, and presented data that provided specifics on the Geneva’s recent and present economic outlook. 1334 Geneva City Council Meeting August 18, 2014 She then discussed business conditions by reviewing the city’s tax base and job creation, sales tax revenues and losses, and business distribution. Continuing, she provided information on the department’s recruiting programs and policies. She addressed what community elements provide first impressions when developers, retailers and investors view the community and what they are looking for. Dir. Divita backed all of her comments with specific examples and detailed visuals. She then took questions. Mayor Pro Tem Kilburg asked as to the impact of the past severe winter on downtown sales. Dir. Divita acknowledged the negative effect of the winter and the spring. Admin. McKittrick also noted that the 2013 holiday season sales were not up to expectations, adding that the situation is not bad but is being monitored. 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. Marks, seconded by Ald. Simonian to approve the Omnibus Agenda as presented. Roll call: AYES: 9 (Ald. Brown, Cummings, Flanagan, Kilburg, Maladra, Marks, Seno, Simonian, Singer) NAYS: 0 MOTION CARRIED APPROVE MINUTES OF THE LAST REGULAR MEETING HELD AUGUST 4, 2014 Moved by Ald. Marks, seconded by Ald. Simonian to approve motion as presented. Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED APPROVE REPORTS Moved by Ald. Marks, seconded by Ald. Simonian to approve motion as presented. Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED COUNCIL COMMITTEES Committee of the Whole August 25, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. OTHER ITEMS AND CORRESPONDENCE Accept First Quarter FY2014-2015 Goals Status Report as Presented Moved by Ald. Brown, seconded by Ald. Marks to accept the first quarter FY2014-2015 Goals Status Report as presented. Admin. McKittrick said that personnel challenges this spring have been difficult but that Staff has done a good job meeting those challenges. Mayor Pro Tem Kilburg encouraged the Council to closely review the report. Roll call: AYES: 9 (Ald. Brown, Cummings, Flanagan, Kilburg, Maladra, Marks, Seno, Simonian, Singer) NAYS: 0 MOTION CARRIED 1335 Geneva City Council Meeting August 18, 2014 MUNICIPAL BILLS FOR PAYMENT The following bills were presented for payment: General Fund $172,705.83 Cultural Arts Fund 191.00 Tourism Fund 207.95 Tri‐Com Fund 22,221.48 SSA #1 30,749.48 SSA #16 916.66 General Capital Projects 1,012.94 Infrastructure Capital Projects 22,317.72 Electric 3,017,116.86 Water/Wastewater 96,981.61 Refuse 11,163.71 Cemetery 2,400.00 Commuter Parking 1,182.23 Group Dental 11,422.20 Workers Compensation 900.00 Utility Refunds 2,042.64 Restricted Police Fines 3,074.89 ____________ Total Funds $3,396,607.20 Moved by Ald. Brown, seconded by Ald. Flanagan that the bills be approved and vouchers prepared. Roll call: AYES: 9 (Ald. Brown, Cummings, Flanagan, Kilburg, Maladra, Marks, Seno, Simonian, Singer) NAYS: 0 MOTION CARRIED COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ITEMS OF BUSINESS Approve Resolution 2014-62 Authorizing the Purchase of a Replacement Fire Engine in an Amount Not to Exceed $506,022.00 Moved by Ald. Marks, seconded by Ald. Simonian to approve motion as presented. Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED Approve Request for Use of City Parking Lot North of the Wastewater Treatment Facility and Provide Electric Service at Island Park for the 38th Annual Fox Valley Folk Festival August 31 and September 1, 2014 Moved by Ald. Marks, seconded by Ald. Simonian to approve motion as presented. Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED Approve Request for Use of Public Right-of-Way, Street Closure and Police Services on September 27, 2014 between 7 and 10am for Trick or Trot 10k/5k Race Moved by Ald. Marks, seconded by Ald. Simonian to approve motion as presented. Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED Approve Special Event Liquor Licenses for The Little Traveler, Fiora’s Chianti’s and Geneva Wine Cellars September 5-7, 2014 during Festival of the Vine Moved by Ald. Marks, seconded by Ald. Simonian to approve motion as presented. Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED 1336 Geneva City Council Meeting August 18, 2014 NEW BUSINESS Pre-Folk Festival Downtown Events Dir. Divita announced that prior to the upcoming Folk Festival, live music will be presented downtown on Friday and Saturday evenings of the Labor Day weekend at Dodson Place. She also noted other Saturday downtown activities at the court house and Literary Garden. Admin. McKittrick said that since the downtown activities started a few years ago, the event has grown and received positive feedback. Watching for Children as School Starts Mayor Pro Tem Kilburg reminded everyone that schools open next week and that drivers should be aware of crossing guards’ and children’s presence at street crossings. Thank You to Beautification Volunteers Ald. Flanagan thanked the volunteers who will be working on the corner gardens this coming weekend. She also invited volunteers to assist in the fall plantings on Aug. 30. Concours d’Elegance and Holistic Health Celebration Ald,. Simonian reminded everyone that the Concours d’Elegance classic auto show and the Holistic Health Celebration at Soup to Nuts are this coming weekend. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, moved by Ald. Simonian, seconded by Ald. Marks to adjourn the Geneva City Council meeting. Carried by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m. ________________________ Lynn P. Landberg, City Clerk 1337