Committee of the Whole

SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 21, 2015 PRESENT: Mayor Burns, Ald. Bruno, Burghart, Cummings (arrived at 7:25pm), Kilburg, Maladra, Marks, Radecki, Simonian, Seno, Singer STAFF & ATTORNEY: McKittrick, Dawkins, Tymoszenko, Babica, Radovich 1. Call to Order Mayor Burns called the meeting to order at 7pm noting all were present. 2. Special Items and Presentations a. Announce “Art on Fire” Award Winners and Recognize Participants Mayor Burns, along with Cultural Arts Commission member Kent Gallagher, presented the top 3 winning “Art on Fire” hydrant artists with awards for the summer contest. 3. Items of Business a. Consideration of Community Meeting Related to the Establishment of the Proposed Downtown Business District. Dir. Tymoszenko provided an overview of the previous discussions regarding a proposed district and additional meetings with business owners. She also reviewed the number of businesses that would be involved in the meetings – totaling roughly 400. Tymoszenko requested that the aldermen provide direction on approximately eight different items related to scheduling the proposed meeting. Discussion on areas that could be taxed including an additional district in the Randall Road corridor and the requirements to do so were heard. Ald. Maladra also noted that importance of finding funding mechanisms for the strategic planning goals that have been set. Ald. Singer preferred an increase in city sales tax, although McKittrick noted those revenues could only be used for infrastructure citywide. Geneva Chamber Board President Scott Lebin stated the only issue the business community was concerned about was the large ticket items that would be further taxed such as a jewelry store, banquet facility – the issue of competition within the city, not outside the city. Lebin mentioned that a citywide sales tax would be more beneficial and fair. SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES – SEPT. 21, 2015 1 Mayor Burns stated that he did not see enough support in the discussions and suggested that a vote be taken and move on. Moved by Ald. Singer, second by Ald. Bruno to hold informational meetings on the proposed district. V/V: Ayes: 2 (Burghart, Maladra) Nays: 8 Motion failed. 4. New Business None. 5. Adjournment On a motion by Ald. Simonian, second by Ald. Singer, the meeting was adjourned by unanimous voice vote at 8:16pm. -Submitted by Recording Secretary Fornari SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES – SEPT. 21, 2015 2