City Council

MINUTES City of Geneva Council Meeting April 14, 2025 6:00 p.m. President John Barbo opened the Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. Roll Call: John Barbo, Robert Rosebrugh, Jeffrey Griffiths, James Baehr, William Baker, John Travis, Dana Schenk Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was said and prayer was offered by Pastor Harry Pishcura, New Life Assembly of God. Motion was made by Jeffrey Griffiths to approve the minutes of the March 24, 2025, regular council meeting, seconded by Dana Schenk. Roll call, 6 yeas, (Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Schenk, Travis), 1 abstention (Barbo). Motion duly passed. Motion was made by William Baker to approve the minutes of the March 31, 2025, special council Meeting, seconded by John Travis. Roll call, 7 yeas, (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Schenk, Travis). Motion duly passed. Presentations – Police Department, Chief John Camper Presenting Chief Camper announced and congratulated: Officer of the Year – Officer Michael Smith Dispatcher of the Year – Brittany Brantley Part-time Dispatcher of the Year – Lynn Gersper Chief Camper gave a summary of police activities in 2024. The activity for 2024 was skewed in some areas attributable to a number of factors including a software update in May resulting in a few reportable items being misreported, user error, and items being categorized differently. The Police Department responded to 8,530 calls for service, conducted 1,194 traffic stops, issued 200 plus citations, and arrested 185 persons. The Police Department anticipates two retirements this year. The Department hired two officers this year, one straight out of the academy and one lateral transfer. The biggest challenge is getting new candidates interested in joining the police force. Five people registered for the last civil service test, 3 passed, 1 failed to pass and 1 took another position. Equipment needs include replacing tasers, body cameras. Other goals include community engagement. 1 Chief Camper hopes to establish the canine unit before the end of summer this year. Discussion was had regarding cost. Donations are in place; the Department still needs to pay for the dog and the training. Councilman Griffiths requested that once all of the information is compiled and costs are identified that council be informed. Citizens – None. City Manager Report: Appalachian Community Grant The streetscape portion of the grant program is moving forward. The plan has been broken down into two phases. The Depot lot work will be phase two, bid out in early spring 2026 to allow improvements to the storm sewers underneath. The plan was submitted to the Planning Commission. The City’s arborist will also be consulted with regard to the selection of the trees. The Façade program is also moving forward. An Application / Agreement draft has been forwarded to Eastgate for review. The city should be able to begin forward this document to participating building owners soon. ODOT Annual Road Salt Bid Participation The annual road salt bid participation resolution is on the agenda. The city is looking to set the commitment at 1,000 tons. Acquisition of a Combination Sewer Jet/Vac Truck The current sewer jet is thirty-eight years old. It does not have the capability to vac. The city has an opportunity to acquire a 2025 fully warranted sewer jet/vac demo unit. The unit has many features and is below the amount budgeted in the 2025 budget for the purchase. The truck is scheduled to do a couple more demonstrations before it will become available. The purchase price of $600,000 will be split between the Water and Wastewater Departments. This truck will be shared between the water, wastewater and street department and enable the city to service and maintain the storm lines as well. Details and uses of the truck were discussed. It was noted that the storm water system has not been cleaned in eighteen years. This truck will give the city the ability to do so. Purchasing the demo will save the city $75,000. The city will compile the financing information. Parks Mast Plan Update A kick-off meeting was recently held with Benke Landscape Architecture to go over scope, strategy and schedule. The plan will include primarily four parks; Memorial Field, Rotary Pavilion, Kiwanis Park and Little People’s Park. This project schedule spans eight months and includes: Analysis of existing conditions, completion of workshop #1, concept plan, workshop #2, preparation o final Master Plan. The first on-site visit with the planners will be in early May. The cost of the plan is $33,000; $15,000 covered by ARPA and $1,000 from Kiwanis). 2 DORA The DORA signs are up around the central business district. There are six participating businesses. Participating customers must stay within the boundaries. The first order of cups will be delivered to the GBA along with the decals next week. Purple represents DORA drinks sold here. Green represents that the business honors DORA cups. Red represents don’t come in with a DORA cup. Information will be put on the City’s website along with a QR code for the map and information. Urban Forestry Grant The city has been given the go ahead to continue with the grant. The city is requesting a one-year extension as a result of the pause. Spring Clean-up Spring clean-up is scheduled for May 3rd for active customers. Mattresses and cloth furniture must be wrapped in plastic. Items for Consideration of Council Resolution No. 3624. A Resolution Authorizing Participation in the ODOT Road Salt Contracts Awarded in 2025, and declaring an emergency. Motion by Dana Schenk, seconded by John Travis that the rule of law requiring certain resolutions be read at three separate meetings be waived and suspended and Resolution No. 3624 be placed on final roll for passage. Roll call, 7 yeas, (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Motion by William Baker to declare and pass Resolution No. 3624 as an emergency measure, seconded by John Travis. Roll call, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Travis, Schenk). Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baehr, Baker, Travis, Schenk). Resolution No. 3624 duly passed Unfinished Business: The line that has been hanging on E. Tibbitts has been marked but it has not been addressed. The city has left message’s requesting a status New Business: President John Barbo read a Proclamation for Arbor Day, April 25, 2025. Councilman Baker inquired about the cost to the city for the recent protests. The city has had two peaceful protests. Whatever the event, the city will have a plan to ensure the public safety; plan for the worst, hope for the best. Both protests were peaceful. The cost to the city for both events was $1,000. President Barbo noted that this Thursday there is a Harlem Wizards basketball game, a fundraiser. 3 Payment of Bills – None. Committee Reports: Councilman Baker reported on the Streets Committee Meeting. Mr. Dalia, the owner of Luigi’s Pizza requested three spaces in front of his building be 15-minute parking Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. After discussion, two spaces will be designated 15-minute parking during that time frame. Additionally, there will be one 30-minute parking space by the Recreation Center from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Councilman Griffiths reported on the Planning Committee Meeting. The Planning Committee reviewed a proposed ordinance with regard to regulating outdoor furnaces. The Committee voted to take the ordinance with a few modifications to council. Citizen: Janet Grumba, 230 Buckingham, Normandy Village, Geneva Ms. Grumba stated that it was difficult to hear council members. The microphones were not working. Ms. Grumba stated that there many rumors and misinformation around the construction on Route 20. Information on Facebook is not reliable. Ms. Grumba stated that residents affected by the construction should be able to get real news on what is happening. Ms. Grumba provided examples of misinformation being posted. Ms. Grumba also noted that there are no flaggers, there does not appear to be any work being done. Normandy Village in the middle of the construction zone. Pat Warner, 156 Cromwell, Normandy Village, Geneva The side roads are in horrible shape due to the construction. There is no way for residents to get to and from without using the side roads. Mr. Varckette provided an update on the construction. The project continues to be on schedule to be completed in September or early October. It is an 18-month project. The work was always scheduled to be paused during the winter with start-up April 28th. The contract has continued to do what they can during the winter months. The sanitary is sixteen feet deep, the water table is six feet deep. The dewatering system can not be turned on until the temperature is consistently above forty degrees. Voids under the road have been a continual problem. The decision to shut down the road was made as there is no ground under some portions of the road. The city was losing time in trying to fill the voids. The city is trying to stay on top of the side roads. The city is working on having current information on the project on the city’s website. Lisa Summers, 3622 N. Myers, Geneva Ms. Summers suggested having detour signage through the side roads to get people to the businesses in the construction zone. Superintendent Kovacic stated that the project is on a state route, the State sets the detour. 4 Penny Bower-Schebal, 923 W. Main Street, Geneva Penny Bower-Schebal introduced herself, she has a successful business in the city and donates as well. Her business is located one hundred feet from the hospital but you cannot get there from her business. An employee twisted her ankle and had to go to Madison to be seen. Ms. Bower-Schebal stated if there were a more serious medical issue, there should be some type of work around. President Barbo thanked the residents that attended council to voice their concerns. Executive Session: Councilman Baehr made a motion to adjourn to executive session to discuss preparation for, conduct of or review of collective bargaining agreement at 7:17 p.m. Councilman Griffiths seconded the motion. Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Schenk, Travis). Motion duly passed. William Baker made a motion to reconvene at 8:06 p.m. Dana Schenk seconded the motion. Roll call on passage, 7 yeas (Barbo, Rosebrugh, Griffiths, Baker, Baehr, Schenk, Travis). Motion duly passed. William Baker made a motion to adjourn. Dana Schenk seconded the motion. Council meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m. Recorded by: Phyllis Dunlap Clerk of Council _______________________________ President of Council __________________________________ Clerk of Council 5