Committee of the Whole

SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES Wednesday, July 13, 2016 Present: Mayor Burns, Ald. Bruno, Burghart, Cummings, Kilburg, Maladra, Marks, Radecki, Seno, Simonian, Singer Also Attending: Admin. Stephanie Dawkins, Dir. Cathleen Tymoszenko 1. Call to Order Mayor Burns called the meeting to order at 7pm. On a motion by Ald. Marks, second by Ald. Bruno , Roberts Rules were suspended for the remainder of the meeting for the purpose of a free-flowing discussion on the items at hand. 2. Items of Business a. Discussion on Res. 2011-54 Regarding “Right of First Refusal” Between the City of Geneva and the Geneva Public Library. Burns provided background on the genesis of the 2011 resolution noting the possible move of the library to a new location in the City. Library director Christine Lazaris was present and provided additional information on their current plans and goals related to relocating the library space to Sixth Street, including the proposed referendum they plan to put on the April 2017 ballot. Additional discussion on the scope of City Hall space needs and how that would fit into a possible vacancy at the current library site was heard. Consensus was to continue to support the 2011 resolution as policy and revisit the topic after the library’s referendum question was determined in 2017. b. Discussion on One-Half Percent Sales Tax Referendum Discussion centered on the timing of the ballot question and related filing deadlines. Admin. Dawkins stated that for the question to be on the November 2016 ballot, a resolution would need to be filed no later than August 22, 2016. Dawkins also stated that regardless of whether the question is on the November 2016 or April 2017 ballot, the collection of said funds would not take place until July 1, 2017, noting that the genesis of discussing the rate increase was related to the FY2017 budget revenues. Dawkins provided some history on the 2007 referendum related to outreach/educating the community and the necessary time frame. Aldermen discussed the “Places for Eating” tax, SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES – JULY 13, 2016 1 which would not need to be passed by referendum, and its pros and cons. Ald. Maladra noted that the council could enact the “PFE” tax now and rescind it if the referendum passed. While some aldermen expressed concern on not having enough time to educate the public for the November ballot, the council directed staff to prepare the necessary resolution/paperwork to file with the State for the November ballot. Dawkins stated she would bring the item to them at the August 8th Committee of the Whole meeting. 3. New Business (none) 4. Adjourn On a motion by Ald. Simonian, second by Ald. Cummings, the meeting was adjourned at 8:38 pm. SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES – JULY 13, 2016 2