City Council

MINUTES City of Geneva Council Meeting September 11, 2023 6:00 p.m. Mr. Butera opened the Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. Roll Call – Mario Butera, Philip Cordova, Robert Rosebrugh, Jeffrey Griffiths, James Baehr, William Baker, John Barbo Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was said and prayer was offered by Pastor Harry Pishcura, New Life Assembly of God. Mr. Barbo noted a correction to the August 14, 2023 Minutes; for the Downtown Brewery, the request for the food truck is three to four hours not one to two as stated in the minutes. Motion was made by Philip Cordova to approve the minutes of the August 14, 2023 council meeting with the correction, seconded by William Baker. Roll call, 7 yeas, (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Barbo, Baker). Motion duly passed. Presentation – None. Citizens: Greg Strnisa, Independent Hair Design 50 South Broadway, Geneva Mr. Strnisa stated termites were discovered and addressed when the new sidewalks were installed downtown. Termites have recently again been discovered and will need to be addressed. It may be necessary to drill into the sidewalk three inch holes every three feet. Mr. Strnisa will have Avalon Glavis notify the City if it is necessary to drill holes into the sidewalk. Mr. Strnisa noted that in 1999 when he bought the building it had termites which were addressed. Joseph Oboczky 289 Ansel Road, Geneva Mr. Oboczky stated that he and his neighbors continue to have water problems and inquired about the status of Mr. Varckette speaking with the Schools. Mr. Varckette indicated that when he last met with Mr. & Mrs. Oboczky it was his understanding that there was a contractor in place assisting them. Mr. Oboczky’s stated that his daughter works for a contractor. The daughter’s boss offered to loan them equipment; however, the Oboczky’s were unable to get a contractor willing to go back there. The Oboczky’s have been told that the school property is graded incorrectly and the retention basin is too small for the amount of property that is there. The water flows from the school. Aerial photo show how the property is graded towards the retention basin. Mr. Varckette noted that Mr. Pasky had said the creek is open at a certain point. It needs to be opened the rest of the way. 1 Mr. Oboczky stated that the water issues have gotten significantly worse over the summer. Discussion regarding the property behind theirs possibly being on the verge of being a wetland. Mr. & Mrs. Oboczky are 77 and 80 and are not able to sell their home nor can their neighbors. Mrs. Oboczky described conditions on and around her property and difficulty caused. Mr. & Mrs. Oboczky inquired whose responsibility the retention pond is. Contractors are working on the addition to the school. Mr. & Mrs. Oboczky and their neighbors are willing to sign a petition. The person who annexed the property into the City put her project on hold. The owner did not know the water was there. The water issues began when the school was built. It was worsened when the houses were the built. There are two retention ponds at the school. Is the path obstructed, it was commented that the first retention pond never has water in it. In front of the house the water gets deep and sits there. The new houses on Ansel have sewer drains in the yard. Mosquitos are a problem due to the standing water. Mr. Varckette will follow-up. Denzil Carpenter 223 Woodlawn, Geneva Mr. Carpenter stated that the American Legion had been cited for grass five to six times since the new six inch ordinance. Six inches is unreasonable. Volunteers are mowing. Council went over the new grass process which includes one letter for the first offence and automatic cutting by the City for additional offences. City Manager Report: West Main Street Infrastructure Project – This project has been in the planning stages for six to eight years. It is a major project which involves more than paving. The project replaces critical infrastructure under the road; sewer, water, storm. Mr. Varckette provided background on the project. The bid opening scheduled for last Thursday was postponed and the estimate increased from $7.4 million to $8.25 million. The bids are scheduled to be opened this Thursday at noon. The City anticipates having a recommendation to council at the next council meeting. An early spring construction will allow the City to reduce the construction time. The City has reviewed the updated proposal from Mannik & Smith. The proposal rose slightly from $642,360 to $644,000. The schedule was reduced to seventy-four weeks. The City recommends accepting the updated proposal. The status of the Request for Proposal for the Event Planner – The City is looking for the best fit for the candidate and the City. 2 RFQ/RFP Stormwater Master Plan – the City is reviewing the requirements for an RFQ process versus an RFP process. The intent of the plan is to provide directional blueprint to identify areas that are problems and determine solutions. The Fire Contract between the City and the Township is up at the end of the year. Mr. Pasqualone is reviewing the updated version. The SRO Agreement has been signed by both parties. It is a one year contract. The City appreciates the ongoing partnership with the Geneva School System. Mr. Varckette is meeting with Mr. Kelly tomorrow to go over preparations for the Grape Jamboree. The Chamber Dinner is Monday, September 18, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.; Best of the County Dinner is Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. Items for Consideration of Council: Ordinance No. 3337. An Ordinance to Amend the 2023 Budget through Appropriations and Fund Transfers, Attached Hereto and Marked Exhibit “A”, and declaring an emergency. Motion by John Barbo, seconded by Philip Cordova that the rule of law requiring certain ordinances be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Ordinance No. 3337 be placed on final roll for passage. Roll call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Rosebrugh, Barbo). Motion by Jeffrey Griffiths to declare and pass Ordinance No. 3337 as an emergency measure, seconded by James Baker. Roll call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Barbo). Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Barbo). Ordinance No. 3337 duly passed. Ordinance No. 3338. An Ordinance Determining to Proceed with Improving the Following Streets by Supplying Street Lighting, and to Levy Assessments for Such Lighting, and declaring an emergency. Motion by James Baehr, seconded by Philip Cordova that the rule of law requiring certain ordinances be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Ordinance No. 3338 be placed on final roll for passage. Roll call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Rosebrugh, Barbo). Motion by Philip Cordova to declare and pass Ordinance No. 3338 as an emergency measure, seconded by John Barbo. Roll call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Barbo). Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Barbo). Ordinance No. 3338 duly passed. Ordinance No. 3339 – First Reading. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 265, Parks & Recreation Commission, Section 265.06(b) of the Geneva Codified Ordinances. Resolution No. 3584A. A Resolution Accepting the Amounts and Rates as Determined by the Budget Commission and Authorizing the Necessary Tax Levies and Certifying them to the County. Motion by Philip Cordova, seconded by Jeffrey Griffiths that the rule of law requiring certain resolutions be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Resolution No. 3584A be placed on final roll for passage. Roll call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Barbo). Motion by John Barbo to declare and pass Resolution No. 3584A as an emergency measure, seconded by Jeffrey Griffiths. Roll call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Barbo). Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Barbo). Resolution No. 3584A duly passed. 3 Resolution No. 3585. A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of “Then and Now” Certificates by the Director of Finance for Purchases, and declaring an emergency. Motion by Robert Rosebrugh, seconded by John Barbo that the rule of law requiring certain resolutions be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Resolution No. 3585 be placed on final roll for passage. Roll call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Barbo). Motion by William Baker to declare and pass Resolution No. 3585 as an emergency measure, seconded by James Baehr. Roll call, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Barbo). Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Butera, Cordova, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Barbo). Resolution No. 3585 duly passed. Unfinished Business – None. New Business: Mr. Griffiths requested an updated budget per department. Ms. Welch will provide a month end report for council. Payment of Bills – None. Committee Reports – None. Citizen – None. Mr. Butera stated that effective September 12, 2023 Mr. Butera will resign as council member at large for the City of Geneva. Mr. Butera stated that there is a great atmosphere at the City of Geneva. James Baehr made a motion to adjourn John Barbo seconded. Council meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Recorded by: Phyllis Dunlap Clerk of Council _______________________________ President of Council __________________________________ Clerk of Council 4