Committee of the Whole

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES AUGUST 24, 2015 PRESENT: Mayor Burns, Ald. Bruno, Burghart, Cummings, Kilburg, Maladra, Marks, Radecki, Simonian, Seno, Singer STAFF PRESENT: McKittrick, Dawkins, DeGroot, Lambert, Wright, Babica, Tymoszenko 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Burns called the meeting to order at 7:00pm noting all were present. 2. SPECIAL ITEMS a. Proclaim September 2015 as “Hunger Action Month” in the City of Geneva, IL – Presented to Northern Illinois Food Bank. Moved by Ald. Marks, second by Ald. Seno Burns presented the proclamation to NIFB rep Brendan Pettigrew. Pettigrew provided an overview of the food bank’s mission and work, and thanked the City for the proclamation. 3. CLOSED SESSION ON THE PURCHASE AND ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY FOR THE USE OF THE PUBLIC BODY Moved by Ald. Marks, second by Ald. Singer Roll Call: Aye: 10 Nays: 0 Motion carried. On a motion by Ald. Marks, second by Ald. Seno, the meeting was brought back to open session at 8:04pm. Roll Call: Ayes: 10 Nays: 0 Motion carried. 4. APPROVE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES FROM AUGUST 10, 2015 Moved by Ald. Kilburg, second by Ald. Bruno V/V: 10-0 Motion carried. 5. ITEMS OF BUSINESS a. Recommend Approval of Special Event Application for Fox Valley Folk Festival September 6-7, 2015. Moved by Ald. Maladra, second by Ald. Bruno Mr. Juel Ulven, organizer of the festival was on hand to provide information on this year’s event and encouraged all to attend. V/V: 10-0 Motion carried. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES – AUGUST 24, 2015 1 b. Recommend Draft Resolution Authorizing Execution of a Labor Contract with Utility Dynamics for UG Electric Cable Replacement on Executive Place and Within the PET Subdivision in the Amount of $654,430.70. Moved by Ald. Marks, second by Ald. Cummings Discussion on this project that was rebid was heard, with Electric Supt. Wright stating he was confident of the bidder’s work quality and price. V/V: 10-0 c. Recommend Draft Resolution Declaring 1995 Traffic Arrow Board as Surplus Property. Moved by Ald. Cummings, second by Ald. Marks V/V: 10-0 Motion carried. d. Recommend Approval of Festival of the Vine Special Event Liquor Licenses for Fiora’s Restaurant, Chianti’s Restaurant, The Little Traveler, and Geneva Wine Cellars - September 11-13, 2015 as Presented. Moved by Ald. Seno, second by Ald. Marks V/V: 10-0 Motion carried. e. Recommend Draft Ordinance Amending Title 11 (Zoning), Section 11-2-2 (Definitions) and Section 11-3-8 (Temporary Uses and Events), All Related to Garage Sales in Residential Zoning Districts. Moved by Ald. Singer, second by Ald. Radecki V/V: 10-0 Motion carried. f. Consideration of Future Efforts Regarding Downtown Business District. Director Tymoszenko provide background on all previous discussions and actions taken regarding the potential business district. Admin. McKittrick clarified staff’s recommendation stating that if there was not a tax incorporated into this proposed district, it was not recommended to continue further study as the tax would be a funding mechanism similar to a TIF. McKittrick reminded the committee that other sources of revenue needed to be found as property taxes and LGDF funds are restricted by the State. There was discussion on the past meetings and interactions of the business community. Some aldermen expressed caution about taxing the downtown businesses. Ald. Simonian moved to have staff study additional presentation materials for the council to review and present to the business community before a decision to move forward is made. AYES: 9 NAYS: 1 Motion carried. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES – AUGUST 24, 2015 2 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Continue July 13, 2015 Discussion Considering Draft Ordinance Related to City-Initiated Text Amendments to the Geneva Historic Preservation Ordinance Regarding Formatting, Procedural, and Regulatory Changes to Title 3, Chapter 3 and Title 10, Chapter 6 of the Geneva City Code. Mayor Burns began the discussion reminding all of the progress and discussions to date. Preservation Planner Lambert presented a brief overview of the items yet to be discussed including demolition of designated properties/review standards, as well as economic hardship/review standards. Lambert provided scenarios/steps for a demo of a designated property at the request of Ald. Simonian. Aldermen discussed the roles of the Preservation Commission and the council as it related to the demolition of designated properties and economic hardship issues. Dir. DeGroot asked the committee to provide feedback on any other items within the proposed ordinance amendment that had not yet been discussed. Marty Smircich, 909 S. Batavia Avenue, expressed his frustration that the discussion comes very late on an agenda and that not enough time is made available. Smircich asked for a special meeting with only the ordinance item included for upcoming discussions. On a motion by Ald. Bruno, second by Ald. Kilburg, the item would be continued to the next regular Committee of the Whole meeting on September 14, 2015. V/V: 9-1 (Simonian) Motion carried. 7. NEW BUSINESS Ald. Radecki congratulated Mayor Burns on the birth of his first granddaughter. Admin. McKittrick also wished Mayor Burns a happy birthday on August 26. 8. ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Ald. Marks, second by Ald. Simonian, the meeting was adjourned by unanimous voice vote at 9:59pm. -Submitted by Recording Secretary Fornari COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES – AUGUST 24, 2015 3