Geneva City Council met Tuesday, Jan. 17.
Here are the minutes as provided by Geneva:
GENEVA CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 17, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
The January 17, 2017 meeting of the Geneva City Council was called to order at 7:04 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall by Mayor Kevin Burns. Aldermen present: Mike Bruno, Tara Burghart, Dean Kilburg, Craig Maladra, Richard Marks, Jim Radecki, Mary Seno, Tom Simonian, Ron Singer. Aldermen absent: Don Cummings. Also attending: City Atty. Charles Radovich, Community Development Director David DeGroot, Fire Chief Mike Antenore, Fire Marshall Dustin Schultze.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Heartland Elementary School Cub Scout Pack 237.
PUBLIC HEARINGS, SPECIAL ITEMS AND PRESENTATIONS
Introduce Fire Marshall Dustin Schultze
Mayor Burns engaged Fire Marshall Schultze in discourse, during which Fire Marshall Schultze talked of his experiences so far in his new position, his background with the City and his new responsibilities. He then took question from the Council and audience, including from the Cub Scouts in attendance.
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
None
OMNIBUS AGENDA
All items listed on the Omnibus Agenda are considered to be routine by the Council and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion on these items unless a Council member or citizen so requests in which event the item will be removed from the Omnibus (Consent) Agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the Agenda.
Ald. Marks requested that items 11a (Certificate of Completion – Sunset Prairie Pkwy.) and 11b (Certificate of Acceptance – Sunset Prairie Pkwy.) be removed for separate consideration. Moved by Ald. Marks, seconded by Ald. Seno to approve the Omnibus Agenda as amended. Roll call:
AYES: 9 (Ald. Bruno, Burghart, Kilburg, Maladra, Marks, Radecki, Seno,
Simonian, Singer)
NAYS: 0 MOTION CARRIED
APPROVE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING HELD DECEMBER 12, 2016 AND REGULAR MEETING HELD DECEMBER 19, 2016
Moved by Ald. Marks, seconded by Ald. Seno to approve motion as presented.
Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED
APPROVE REPORTS
Moved by Ald. Marks, seconded by Ald. Seno to approve motion as presented.
Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED
COUNCIL COMMITTEES
Committee of the Whole January 23, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.
OTHER ITEMS AND CORRESPONDENCE
None
MUNICIPAL BILLS FOR PAYMENT
The following bills were presented for payment:
Bills presented for payment from Jan. 3, 2017
General Fund $142,451.08
Cultural Arts Fund 30.92
SPAC Fund 159.60
Tourism Fund 736.94
Restricted Police Fines 230.00
Tri‐Com Fund 48,983.48
PEG 138.70
SSA #32 3,000.00
Debt Service Fund 335.00
Infrastructure Capital Projects 12,164.61
Electric 146,812.07
Water/Wastewater 373,169.82
Refuse 57,762.79
Commuter Parking 3,741.02
Group Dental 5,092.20
Utility Refunds 494.87
Total Funds $795,303.10
Bills presented for payment from Jan. 17, 2017
General Fund $147,269.55
Cultural Arts Fund 117.15
SPAC Fund 175.08
Restricted Police Fines 114.52
Tri‐Com Fund 7,060.04
SSA #1 13,477.99
SSA #4 5,040.00
SSA #11 1,794.00
General Capital Projects 3,830.00
Infrastructure Capital Projects 359,654.29
Capital Equipment 9,650.37
Electric 2,478,014.84
Water/Wastewater 178,361.14
Refuse 32.24
Cemetery 2,459.46
Commuter Parking 7,647.25
Group Dental 5,972.40
Workers Compensation 900.00
Utility Refunds 328.01
Total Funds $3,221,898.33
Moved by Ald. Bruno, seconded by Ald. Marks that the bills be approved and vouchers prepared. Roll call:
AYES: 9 (Ald. Bruno, Burghart, Kilburg, Maladra, Marks, Radecki, Seno,
Simonian, Singer)
NAYS: 0 MOTION CARRIED
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ITEMS OF BUSINESS
Approve Certificate of Completion for Sunset Prairie Parkway Improvements
Having requested the removal of this and the next item from the Omnibus Agenda, Ald. Marks recused himself from voting on either item. He then left the Council Chambers as required.
Moved by Ald. Bruno, seconded by Ald. Seno to approve the Certificate of Completion for Sunset Prairie Parkway improvements. Roll call:
AYES: 8 (Ald. Bruno, Burghart, Kilburg, Maladra, Radecki, Seno, Simonian,
Singer)
NAYS: 0
RECUSE: 1 (Ald. Marks) MOTION CARRIED
Approve Certificate of Acceptance for Sunset Prairie Parkway Improvements ]Moved by Ald. Radecki, seconded by Ald. Bruno to approve the Certificate of
Acceptance for Sunset Prairie Parkway improvements. Roll call:
AYES: 8 (Ald. Bruno, Burghart, Kilburg, Maladra, Radecki, Seno, Simonian, Singer)
NAYS: 0
RECUSE: 1 (Ald. Marks) MOTION CARRIED
Ald. Marks now returned to his seat on the Council.
Approve Resolution 2017-01 Authorizing Declaration of Surplus Vehicles and Miscellaneous Equipment
Moved by Ald. Marks, seconded by Ald. Seno to approve motion as presented.
Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED
Approve Resolution 2017-02 Authorizing Execution of 4th Amendment to Agreement for the Sale and Purchase of Electric Capacity and Energy with WM Illinois Renewable Energy, LLC for Calendar Years 2017 and 2018
Moved by Ald. Marks, seconded by Ald. Seno to approve motion as presented.
Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED
Approve Resolution 2017-03 Amending the City’s Personnel Policy Manual to Comply with the Local Government Travel Expense Control Act
Moved by Ald. Marks, seconded by Ald. Seno to approve motion as presented.
Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED
PRESENTATION OF ORDINANCES, PETITIONS, RESOLUTIONS, AND BID
AWARDS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Kudos to 20-0 GHS Boys Basketball Team
Ald. Kilburg congratulated the Geneva High School boys basketball team for its 20-0 start this year. He noted that it was the best start in GHS history.
CLOSED SESSION ON PURCHASE. SALE OR LEASE OF PROPERTY
Moved by Ald. Simonian, seconded by Ald. Marks that the Council adjourn to Closed
Session. Roll call:
AYES: 9 (Ald. Bruno, Burghart, Kilburg, Maladra, Marks, Radecki, Seno,
Simonian, Singer)
NAYS: 0 MOTION CARRIED
The Council adjourned to Closed Session at 7:18 p.m.
Moved by Ald. Marks, seconded by Ald. Bruno that the Council return to Open Session.
Roll call:
AYES: 9 (Ald. Bruno, Burghart, Kilburg, Maladra, Marks, Radecki, Seno, Simonian, Singer)
NAYS: 0 MOTION CARRIED
The Council returned to Open Session at 7:59 p.m.
POLICY DISCUSSION ON TEMPORARY STRUCTURES IN THE STREET YARD AND PUBLIC NOTICE OF DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
Dir. DeGroot sought direction on possibly amending the existing ordinance to allow temporary structures to be in place for more than the current 30 days and if they should be allowed in the street yard, or if they should be allowed through a variance via the ZBA. He provided the background, including a recent complaint, leading to this request.
He then took questions and comments, assisted by Fire Marshall Schultze.
The discussion included the distinction between a permanent and temporary structure, enforcement consistency, latitude and fairness, public safety issues, and aesthetics.
From the audience, Anais Bowring, 312 N. Fifth St., drew a distinction between an eyesore and a safety hazard, saying that safety issues need immediate attention. Steve Bryan, 899 Simon Ct., agreed that enforcement should be complaint-driven, but obvious violations should not be ignored. He said that eyesores denigrate the neighborhood and can affect property values.
After further discussion, consensus was to enforce the code already in place.
Moving on to the second topic, Dir. DeGroot explained that this discussion is a continuation of the one held at the Nov. 4, 2016 strategic plan workshop regarding possible changes to the public notice requirements pertaining to development project
He reviewed the current notification requirements for proposed developments coming before the Plan Commission. He asked the Council to consider the number of times notifications should be sent to nearby residents, the timing of those notices, the size of notification signs placed on the subject property, timing of sign placement, and the size of the surrounding notification area.
Discussion on those topics ensued. Comments included the affect the residential density surrounding the subject property has on the notification distance from that property, encouraging the applicant to meet with the surrounding residents, a larger on-site notification sign containing specific information, and an efficient and effective means of notifying a larger population.
Several Council members expressed concern that residents consistently report that they do not received notifications or receive them too late to properly respond.
Dir. DeGroot said that the discussion has provided him with direction.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, moved by Ald. Simonian, seconded by Ald. Marks to adjourn the Geneva City Council meeting. Carried unanimously by voice vote.
The meeting adjourned at 9:07 p.m.
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