Committee of the Whole

SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES July 18, 2016 Present: Mayor Burns, Ald. Bruno, Burghart, Kilburg, Maladra, Marks, Seno, Simonian, Singer Absent: Ald. Cummings, Radecki Also present: Dawkins, Tymoszenko 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Burns called the meeting to order at 7:52 p.m. 2. ITEMS OF BUSINESS a. Consider approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement By and Between the City of Geneva and the Geneva Community Unit School District No. 304 Regarding the Geneva Fox River Redevelopment Project Area as presented by the Geneva Community Unit School District 304 Moved by Ald. Bruno, seconded by Ald. Marks. Ald. Kilburg felt that it might have been preferable to have developed this IGA through City- School District discussions. School Dist. Atty. Rick Petesch pointed out that the EVA of six of the nine properties added to the school district’s proposed IGA decreased from 2014 to 2015. Dir. Tymoszenko noted the long-term nature of the TIF, over which EVAs were likely to increase. Ald. Simonian read a position statement, in which he concluded that TIF #1 was successful, that TIF #2 is a potential success, and that TIF #3 is needed. He recommended that the City return to consideration of the original TIF #3 plan without deviations and re-evaluate the TIF from time to time. Citing TIF positives, Ald. Maladra supported TIF #3 and felt that past meetings with School officials were beneficial. He encouraged consideration of the IGA version that removes two properties from the TIF. Ald. Kilburg took exception to some of the comments made by Ald. Simonian, those being that the School Dist. did not support past TIFs, and that it was uncooperative regarding land/cash considerations. Ald. Simonian wished to clarify his comments. Atty. Petesch said the School Board was always willing to discuss land/cash and abatements as incentives within the TIF District. Roll call: ayes: 0 nays: 8 Motion fails. SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES – JULY 18, 2016 1 b. Recommend resolution authorizing approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement By and Between the City of Geneva and the Geneva Community Unit School District No. 304 Regarding the Geneva Fox River Redevelopment Project Area as presented by the City of Geneva contingent upon School District’s approval no later than July 25, 2016 Moved by Ald. Maladra, seconded by Ald. Singer. Roll call: ayes: 6 nays: 2 (Marks, Simonian) Motion carried. c. Recommend Draft Ordinance Approving a Tax Increment Redevelopment Plan and Redevelopment Project for the Geneva Fox River Redevelopment Project Area Moved by Ald. Singer, seconded by Ald. Marks. Ald. Bruno went over the arguments that have been made for and against TIF #3, interjecting his own thoughts. Ald. Burghart stated her opposition to the TIF District, saying that she feels that it is not in the best interest of Geneva taxpayers. In a written statement, she cited recent budget discussions centering on the need to reduce expenses and increase revenues, saying that the City should not now be considering earmarking public funds to subsidize development of what she referred to as prime real estate. She felt that the property should be left to private development. Moved by Ald. Kilburg, seconded by Ald. Burghart to amend the ordinance to dedicate 75 percent of the proceeds from the TIF to infrastructure. He felt this amendment would help put taxpayers’ minds at ease. Discussion on the amendment followed. Roll call on the amendment: ayes: 2 (Burghart, Kilburg) nays: 6 Motion fails. Moved by Ald. Singer, seconded by Ald. Seno to call the question. Ald. Kilburg attempted to table consideration, citing the absence of two aldermen. After consideration, the chair ruled in favor of calling the question. Roll call on the original motion: ayes: 6 nays: 2 (Burghart, Kilburg) Motion carried. d. Recommend Draft Ordinance Designating the Geneva Fox River Redevelopment Project Area of Said City a Redevelopment Project Area Pursuant to the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act Moved by Ald. Singer. Seconded by Ald. Marks. Roll call: ayes: 6 nays: 2 (Burghart, Kilburg) Motion carried. SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES – JULY 18, 2016 2 e. Recommend Draft Ordinance Adopting Tax Increment Allocation Financing for the Geneva Fox River Redevelopment Project Area Moved by Ald. Singer, seconded by Ald. Bruno. Roll call: ayes: 6 nays: 2 (Burghart, Kilburg) Motion carried. 3. NEW BUSINESS Ald. Maladra called attention to a handout he distributed to the Council earlier. He pointed out that it consisted of two newspaper articles regarding places to eat taxes instituted by two other communities. 4. CLOSED SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING THE PURCHASE, SALE OR LEASE OF REAL PROPERTY FOR THE USE OF THE PUBLIC BODY Moved by Ald. Simonian, seconded by Ald. Marks that the Council adjourn to Closed Session. Roll call: ayes: 8 nays: 0 Motion carried. The Council adjourned to Closed Session at 9:10 p.m. Moved by Ald. Marks, seconded by Ald. Seno that the Council return to Open Session. Roll Call: ayes: 8 nays: 0 Motion carried. The Council returned to Open Session at 9:22 p.m. 5. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Ald. Simonian, seconded by Ald. Seno V/V: 8-0 Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:23 p.m. Submitted by Lynn P. Landberg, City Clerk SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES – JULY 18, 2016 3