[0:02] [music]
[0:06] Ladies and gentlemen, good evening and
[0:08] welcome to city hall for tonight's city
[0:10] council meeting and immediately
[0:12] thereafter the committee of the whole
[0:14] meeting. The council meeting is called
[0:16] to order and I kindly ask our city clerk
[0:18] to please take the roll call. Bing
[0:21] » Here.
[0:22] » Fernish
[0:22] » Here.
[0:23] » Kilber
[0:24] » Here.
[0:25] » Kasro
[0:26] » Here.
[0:26] » Malaki
[0:27] » Here.
[0:28] » Marks.
[0:29] » Mayor
[0:30] » Here.
[0:31] » Poundquist
[0:32] » Here.
[0:32] » Pashki
[0:33] » Here.
[0:34] » Ricky
[0:34] » Here.
[0:36] » We begin our council meetings with the
[0:37] pledge of allegiance. It's my pleasure
[0:38] to ask our distinguished colleague Alder
[0:41] person Furnish to please lead us in the
[0:43] pledge.
[0:47] I pledge algiance to the flag of the
[0:50] United States of America and to the
[0:53] republic for which it stands. One nation
[0:56] under God, indivisible, with liberty and
[0:59] justice for all.
[1:01] » Thank you, sir.
[1:05] Our
[1:10] first order of business, ladies and
[1:12] gentlemen, and an important one indeed,
[1:13] is to proclaim September as suicide
[1:16] prevention awareness month in the city
[1:19] of Geneva.
[1:21] » Pashki makes the motion, mayor makes the
[1:23] second. All in favor, please indicate by
[1:26] saying I.
[1:27] » I. Today of course is also 98 day or 988
[1:32] as all of you know an important service
[1:35] that this country provides nationally
[1:38] and I'm sure most of you have seen those
[1:40] posts. So for those of you who share
[1:43] that information I know it's appreciated
[1:45] and of course the organizations in our
[1:46] community who do stellar work on helping
[1:49] everybody every age regardless of
[1:52] condition regardless of station in life
[1:54] who are struggling sometimes with mental
[1:56] health. Uh, thank you for unanimously
[1:59] passing this proclamation. I'm also
[2:01] going to ask uh for indulgence on an
[2:03] audible. I'm going to invite a couple
[2:05] guys up here to talk now instead of
[2:06] having to sit through the entire
[2:08] meeting. Gentlemen, we're going to talk
[2:09] about the Fox River Cleanup Day. Come on
[2:11] up.
[2:15] » Good evening.
[2:16] » Good evening.
[2:16] » Hello.
[2:18] » Uh, we're here on behalf of the NRC. I'm
[2:20] Calvin Limrich. I don't know if you guys
[2:21] know my colleague here, Jay Wack.
[2:23] » Never seen the guy. [laughter]
[2:25] Uh on Saturday, September 19th at 9:00
[2:28] am, uh we've got two sites. I'll be down
[2:31] at uh Fabian Forest Preserve East. You
[2:33] may know it as like the windmill forest
[2:36] Preserve. Uh we'll be cleaning up trash.
[2:38] Jay's got the island park area just next
[2:40] to the water treatment plant. Uh so
[2:42] we'll be getting in the water at Fabian
[2:44] Forest Preserve, provided it's safe. uh
[2:46] trying to give it get as much garbage
[2:48] out of the Fox River as we can, making
[2:50] sure that our park stays clean, and that
[2:52] everybody downstream has a good time,
[2:54] doesn't have any garbage.
[2:55] » Absolutely.
[2:57] » Well, and what's nice about this day is
[2:58] it's part of a larger entire Fox River
[3:01] cleanup day that's organized by Friends
[3:03] of the Fox River.
[3:04] » So, we're one small piece of the of the
[3:07] cleanup.
[3:08] » Um but it's a monumental effort to do
[3:11] this and um we're really proud. This is
[3:14] our 15th or 16th year doing this.
[3:17] » Wow.
[3:18] » Yeah. I still remember the Geneva High
[3:20] School football team trying to carry out
[3:22] » A waterlogged tree
[3:25] from Highland Park. They were kneede in
[3:27] mud.
[3:28] » Yeah.
[3:28] » And but but they did it. Um it's a lot
[3:31] of It's one of our best events. There's
[3:33] a lot of people a lot of great
[3:34] excitement. Last year was actually it
[3:37] was interesting. People were
[3:39] disappointed because they only picked up
[3:40] a little bit of garbage.
[3:41] » But the imagery is awesome though.
[3:43] There's so many bags of garbage. And you
[3:45] know, Kelvin and I were talking earlier.
[3:46] We think you guys just stage that. You
[3:48] bring garbage in from elsewhere. You
[3:50] » Bring car parts.
[3:50] » It always looks kind of the same. Yeah.
[3:52] We always get at least one set of tires.
[3:54] » Oh my god.
[3:55] » Sometimes you'll get a picnic table.
[3:56] » Last time I think we got a dock. There
[3:58] was I think sometimes you get a doll.
[4:00] » Uh some unmentionables.
[4:02] » Yep.
[4:02] » Yes.
[4:03] » Thank [laughter] you for not mentioning
[4:04] that.
[4:05] » My pleasure.
[4:06] » Um but it it's a great event. So, we'd
[4:09] love to see anybody that wants to be
[4:11] part of it. Come join us. Bring your
[4:13] chest waiters, get in the water, um
[4:16] where you can.
[4:17] » Yeah.
[4:18] » But, uh we really appreciate it. We
[4:20] appreciate the sport, the proclamation.
[4:22] Um everything that we do for our for our
[4:25] environment.
[4:25] » Of course. Thank you. Floor's open.
[4:27] Anybody comments for these two gentlemen
[4:29] or [clears throat]
[4:30] » Older person Melick?
[4:32] » Yes. Uh all the plastic and tarps that
[4:34] are by the railroad bridge, leave those
[4:36] in place for now. So,
[4:37] » You got it. You know, [laughter] we need
[4:38] those for a little while.
[4:39] » You promise.
[4:42] » What are those for?
[4:46] » Oh, that Oh, I thought I thought, "Oh my
[4:48] god, what the heck's over [laughter]
[4:48] there?" So,
[4:49] » As long [snorts]
[4:51] as they promise to take it back out when
[4:54] they're done,
[4:55] » Right?
[4:56] » Yeah.
[4:57] » Anyone else?
[4:59] » Thank you both.
[5:00] » Absolutely.
[5:01] » Thank you.
[5:01] » Thank you. Our next item of business,
[5:05] 3B,
[5:07] is to hear from and benefit from some
[5:09] work being done by our friends at the
[5:12] Lakota Group,
[5:14] including but not limited to the city of
[5:15] Geneva's comprehensive plan existing
[5:19] conditions report.
[5:22] The floor is yours. Welcome.
[5:23] » Thank you.
[5:26] And I should add uh we are going to
[5:28] field questions following the
[5:30] presentation as opposed to during. So
[5:33] the floor is yours and when you wrap it
[5:35] up just give us the queue and I'm sure
[5:36] there'll be a couple
[5:38] » Dozen questions.
[5:40] » Absolutely. Thank you mayor and thank
[5:41] you city council members for having us
[5:43] tonight. My name is Hannah Bader and I
[5:45] am vice president with the Lakota group.
[5:47] Uh we are the urban planning firm who is
[5:49] leading the comprehensive plan update.
[5:52] Um I would be remiss to not recognize
[5:54] our other subs who are with us. We have
[5:56] SB Freriedman who is focused on the
[5:57] market assessment as well as V3 V3 who
[6:01] is focused on transportation and
[6:02] infrastructure. So it's important as a
[6:05] team that we come together and kind of
[6:06] think of it as one integral system.
[6:09] Um so just so you guys kind of know what
[6:11] we're going through today, I'm going to
[6:12] begin by setting the stage. So really
[6:14] talking about our process, um the
[6:17] engagement that's been done and really a
[6:18] reminder of just what a comprehensive
[6:20] plan is. Um and then we'll dive into the
[6:23] existing conditions overview. We're
[6:24] going to kind of keep this high level,
[6:25] but we'll go section by section from
[6:27] that report we that was shared. Um and
[6:30] just talk about some of the key findings
[6:31] that we had. Um and then as mayor
[6:34] mentioned, we will leave an open
[6:35] discussion at the end and then just
[6:36] quickly talk with you all about what our
[6:38] next steps are from here.
[6:41] So just a quick review of uh our project
[6:44] approach to this. Uh we have a
[6:45] threephrase phase process and right now
[6:47] we're kind of at the end of this first
[6:49] phase. engage and assess. Um, and this
[6:51] is really all about building a
[6:53] foundation of who Geneva is today. And
[6:54] this was done through a robust robust
[6:56] community engagement um, process, which
[6:59] we'll share a little bit about in a
[7:00] second. Um, and then really just our
[7:02] assessment of housing, economic
[7:04] development, transportation, land use.
[7:07] Um, so this really culminated in what
[7:09] you all have, the existing conditions
[7:11] report that tries to capture what those
[7:13] key challenges and opportunities are of
[7:14] Geneva today. Um, and from that
[7:17] assessment, we'll dive into phase two,
[7:18] which is envision. And this is really
[7:20] where we're going to start testing ideas
[7:22] and try to define a community vision for
[7:25] Geneva 240. So, we're looking out the
[7:27] next 15 years, 15, 20 years. Um, so this
[7:30] is where we'll come up with some
[7:31] solutions to some of the opportunities
[7:33] or challenges we identified. Um, and
[7:35] we'll bring those ideas, whether they're
[7:38] through policy objectives, land use
[7:40] strategy, or um, opportunity site
[7:43] graphics and visuals. um we'll bring
[7:45] that to the community um steering
[7:47] committee and leadership as well just to
[7:49] test and vet those ideas to ensure that
[7:51] we're coming up with a vision that is
[7:53] reflective of Geneva. And from there
[7:55] once we've kind of tested those we'll uh
[7:57] jump into phase three which is really
[7:59] the plan and implement. So this is where
[8:01] we build that FA framework around
[8:03] strategies for the future and we create
[8:05] a roadmap that you all can use an actual
[8:06] tool to um kind of bring the the city
[8:09] towards this overall vision that we come
[8:11] with come up with.
[8:14] Um, so before we dive into the existing
[8:16] conditions report, I just wanted to uh
[8:18] flash this for what a comprehensive plan
[8:20] is. As I mentioned, we're calling this
[8:23] Geneva 20 240. So we're looking out the
[8:25] next 10 to 20 years. Um, it's a
[8:27] strategic roadmap that's outlining a
[8:30] long-term vision for growth and
[8:31] development for the community. Um, we
[8:34] want this to inform city decisions on
[8:36] land use and zoning. So this is going to
[8:38] help be that guidance and that tool that
[8:40] you all use to um think through
[8:42] development decisions. Um this is really
[8:45] important. We want this to be a
[8:46] community vision. So we want to make
[8:48] sure that this is capturing public input
[8:50] and their values and goals. Um you know
[8:52] we want the public to recognize this is
[8:54] thinking long term. So we're thinking of
[8:56] not just today but the next generation.
[8:58] Um but it's important that we recognize
[9:00] what are our strengths today and what do
[9:02] we want to make sure is still here. um
[9:04] while also leaving room for it to be
[9:06] flexible and evolving for the future. Um
[9:09] and lastly, it's really we're creating
[9:11] policy and direction. We're not creating
[9:13] development plans. We're not creating
[9:15] something that's going to happen
[9:16] tomorrow, but it's really giving
[9:17] direction and guidance for that growth
[9:19] and development to be reflective of a
[9:20] larger vision.
[9:23] Um so, as I keep mentioning, community
[9:25] engagement is a super important part of
[9:27] this. We want it to be um a part of the
[9:30] entire process to kind of capture what's
[9:32] been done so far. We began this with um
[9:35] creating a a project website um where
[9:38] we've had over 700 uh individuals visit
[9:41] that website and this is really the hub
[9:42] of information for the process. This is
[9:44] where we'll put all project updates um
[9:47] and opportunities to get involved. We
[9:49] also hosted focus groups where we spoke
[9:51] with over 80 individuals from residents,
[9:54] business owners, um, neighboring
[9:56] communities, leadership, um, to help us
[9:58] to try to get more of a targeted
[10:00] understanding of what people see as
[10:02] those key opportunities and issues. Um,
[10:05] and from there, we had a community
[10:07] meeting. Um, this was a Geneva
[10:08] conversations event where we came
[10:10] together and sat around and spoke about
[10:13] six different topics with um, local
[10:15] residents. Um, and for those who weren't
[10:18] able to attend, we also created an
[10:19] online survey. So, that got about 400
[10:22] responses, which seems small for the
[10:24] size of Virginia's population, but I
[10:26] will say we work with a lot of
[10:27] communities in the region and
[10:28] nationally, and this is one of the
[10:30] higher response rates. We're very used
[10:32] to getting 60. If we can push it above
[10:34] 100, we're happy. So, um, it's great to
[10:36] see the level of online involvement
[10:38] here.
[10:40] And from those conversations, I won't go
[10:42] into all of these because we have a lot
[10:43] to cover today, but here were a couple
[10:45] of the key community themes that arose.
[10:47] Um, we heard a lot about housing and
[10:49] this desire to see more affordable and
[10:51] diverse options. Um, interest in
[10:54] preserving character while we're
[10:56] allowing for this growth, making sure
[10:58] that we're making that growth where we
[11:00] need more affordable housing and
[11:02] diversity of housing happen in the right
[11:04] places and locations. Um and a lot of
[11:07] conversations came back to safety and
[11:09] walkability as well as the downtown and
[11:11] Fox River Grove or Fox River.
[11:14] Um so stepping back from those
[11:16] conversations um you know this kind of
[11:18] led to some key planning considerations
[11:21] um about Geneva and just current
[11:24] conditions that kind of will inform some
[11:26] of the comprehensive plan. Um but this
[11:28] is really looking at I'll just read a
[11:30] couple of those is recognizing the aging
[11:32] population um and this need for
[11:35] affordable housing and diversity of
[11:37] housing options. That is certainly
[11:38] something that's going to inform and
[11:40] influence a lot of decisions
[11:42] um while also balancing growth and
[11:44] community character which is a hard
[11:46] thing for us to do and one of the
[11:47] challenges we're going to face as we
[11:49] craft this larger vision.
[11:52] A couple of other PR planning
[11:53] considerations I'll focus on are um how
[11:56] we can continue to preserve the historic
[11:59] preservation in the community um and
[12:02] preserve those independent businesses um
[12:04] while also recognizing that there are
[12:07] larger vis vision and changing retail
[12:09] and housing trends as well.
[12:13] Um so now we're going to dive into the
[12:15] actual report. We're going to go chapter
[12:16] by chapter and kind of highlight some of
[12:18] those key findings for you all. Um the
[12:21] first chapter that we looked at was
[12:22] really a community profile. So this was
[12:24] trying to capture some of those trends
[12:26] that are happening from population and
[12:28] employment and also recognize that we
[12:31] are more than just our boundaries, but
[12:33] we are in a regional context um and how
[12:35] that also influences some of our um
[12:38] influences our change over the next 10
[12:40] years. [snorts]
[12:41] Um, so this is really just capturing
[12:43] Genev Geneva's uh location within the
[12:45] region, recognizing that it's a part of
[12:47] the Fox River um valley and the Tri
[12:50] Cities um and how that also influences
[12:53] some some things. And I think from a a
[12:55] market assessment and demographic
[12:57] assessment, we also used these as
[13:00] different um comparable communities to
[13:02] just kind of um show a comparison of
[13:04] what is happening within these within
[13:06] Geneva.
[13:09] A couple things to note about the
[13:10] population. Um, some key important ones
[13:13] are Geneva is aging in place. Um, so the
[13:16] older adult population is increasing
[13:18] while children, younger adults, and
[13:20] midlife adults are declining. Um, and
[13:23] this is contributing to a rising median
[13:26] age, but is also going to be
[13:27] contributing to changing household
[13:29] needs. So recognizing that um you know
[13:32] what where the housing needs is going to
[13:34] be important as we move forward because
[13:36] that's going to be shifting as the
[13:37] demographics are shifting.
[13:40] Um another part of this piece and
[13:42] something that is con recognizable or
[13:44] another indicator that we are an aging
[13:46] in place is that households are getting
[13:48] smaller. Um this is likely to do to do
[13:51] with a smaller household size because we
[13:53] are aging as well. Um so just another
[13:55] factor to that is going to inform um
[13:58] housing needs.
[14:01] Another thing to note is that Geneva is
[14:03] affluent and highly educated educated um
[14:06] but it is less diverse than Kain County.
[14:08] Um so high and rising incomes will
[14:11] increase the purchasing power. Um but
[14:13] this is also likely placing pressures on
[14:16] housing affordability citywide. Um so
[14:19] just you know when we look at it
[14:20] compared to surrounding communities as
[14:23] well as the county it is um a higher
[14:25] income population.
[14:29] And then for employment tren trends um
[14:32] there are jobs that are increasing in
[14:33] Geneva but non-residents are still
[14:36] making up a majority of the city's
[14:38] workforce. Um about 86% of Geneva's
[14:42] residents are commuting outside of the
[14:44] city. Um I think something else we'll
[14:46] recognize and I think is pretty common
[14:48] nationwide is that um about
[14:52] the percentage of people who are working
[14:54] from home has doubled since 2019. So um
[14:57] you know this comes with its pros and
[14:59] cons. There's more daytime activity
[15:01] within the community, but it's also
[15:02] import impacting things like local
[15:04] transportation and kind of that increase
[15:07] in housing cost as well.
[15:10] Um so now we're going to dive into the
[15:13] market assessment. Um this really
[15:14] evaluated the conditions from a housing,
[15:17] commercial and industrial um market
[15:19] perspective so that we could better
[15:21] understand what some of those economic
[15:22] challenges will be moving forward.
[15:26] Um starting with housing um Geneva's
[15:29] housing stock as we've probably
[15:30] recognized is largely single family
[15:33] homes. Um mo most of these are owner
[15:35] occupied but there is some recent
[15:38] development that is happening that it is
[15:39] adding some housing variety. um this new
[15:42] construction remains sight limited and
[15:46] sight driven just because we are so
[15:48] landlocked in the community. We're going
[15:50] after um more of those places where it
[15:52] is amendable to see this housing
[15:55] diversity um and larger sites where it's
[15:57] more feasible within the market to have
[16:00] that happen. So, just to mark some of
[16:02] those recent projects on the right, you
[16:04] can see some of those ones that are
[16:05] happening right around downtown.
[16:08] Um, and we've kind of mentioned this a
[16:11] couple of times, but um, housing
[16:13] affordability remains a challenge within
[16:16] the community. It is increasing um, and
[16:18] it's significantly impacting renters as
[16:21] well as those middle inome households.
[16:24] Right now, Geneva has about 580
[16:26] affordable units within the community.
[16:28] So, that's about 7.3%.
[16:30] Um, and the state has a 10% requirement.
[16:33] So, we're still sitting below that
[16:35] threshold, but as we talked about with
[16:37] housing constraints and issues there, um
[16:39] it's going to be a challenge to achieve
[16:41] those just with land costs and limited
[16:44] space for us to actually develop and
[16:46] bring in those options.
[16:49] And then just to continue on that
[16:51] affordability, housing costs are rising
[16:52] across ownership and rental markets. So
[16:55] um this is not something that we're just
[16:57] experiencing um in Geneva, but it is um
[17:00] in the region also happening in the
[17:02] county, but it's happening at a higher
[17:04] rate than um the county in Geneva. So
[17:09] just kind of for us to consider as we
[17:11] move forward looking at housing, um
[17:13] we're going to have to consider how the
[17:15] household changes, household needs are
[17:17] changing because of demographic changes.
[17:20] um as well as how these housing costs
[17:22] impact um different needs. [snorts]
[17:26] So, switching gears and going towards
[17:28] retail, um Geneva's retail market is
[17:31] largely built out. Similarly to the
[17:33] housing, we are landlocked. There's
[17:35] limited space for it. Um and it'll
[17:37] likely any reinvestment in retail is
[17:39] going to come through reinvestment as re
[17:41] well as repositioning.
[17:44] The assessment for retail took a look at
[17:46] four different retail corridors. um two
[17:49] along Randall Road, the downtown and
[17:52] East State Street.
[17:54] So, zooming into Randall Road corridor,
[17:56] there are two areas where um regional
[18:00] retail is happening. Um the first to the
[18:02] north is Geneva Commons. Um and if you
[18:05] kind of take a look at the stats that
[18:06] are in pink, this is currently
[18:08] experiencing about 9% vacancy rate. Um
[18:11] and this is has one of the higher per
[18:13] square footage rental costs. So, it's
[18:15] about $34 per square feet. Um, and this
[18:18] is, you know, the concentration of more
[18:20] upscale national retailers in this area.
[18:23] And then the southern end of Randall
[18:25] Road, which is we're calling the South
[18:27] Randall corridor or subary, sorry,
[18:30] sorry. Um, this is you're seeing more
[18:32] larger footput in retail stores, grocery
[18:34] stores, those home improvement, and
[18:36] those national brand tenants. Um, this
[18:39] is about a 14% vacancy and a little
[18:43] lower of a cost per square footage. It's
[18:45] about $24 per square ft. [snorts]
[18:49] And then the downtown is another major
[18:51] economic and cultural destination for
[18:54] retail. Um they currently have a very
[18:57] strong retail occupancy at about 1%
[19:00] vacancy. Um about $22 per square feet in
[19:04] this location. Um, and a lot of this is
[19:07] due, as you guys know, to the activity
[19:09] that's happening downtown, the
[19:10] independent businesses, um, and the
[19:13] activity and community identity that
[19:15] comes with this place as well. So, I
[19:17] [snorts] think there is a lot of
[19:19] opportunity here, but also a lot already
[19:20] happening that we want to make sure as
[19:22] we're moving forward that we continue to
[19:24] do what's already done in this area. Um,
[19:26] and then the graphic in the lefthand
[19:28] corner, you'll just see this is showing
[19:30] the share of total total visits. So,
[19:32] it's pretty steady. there are a lot of
[19:34] people who are downtown, but you can
[19:35] definitely see that spike from Thursday
[19:37] to Saturday where that visitation
[19:39] increases.
[19:42] And the last sub area we'll focus in on
[19:44] is East State Street. Um this is right
[19:47] adjacent to downtown. The reason it's
[19:49] kind of a separate sub area is because
[19:51] the character of that retail is slightly
[19:53] different from the downtown. Um you'll
[19:56] notice that the retail uses are a little
[19:58] bit more spaced out and some of those
[20:00] uses are more autooriented.
[20:02] Um, so just the people who are looking
[20:04] for those spaces tend to be different
[20:06] from the tenants who are looking
[20:07] downtown. Um, and if you take a look at
[20:10] the vacancy rate, this is also pretty
[20:11] low. It's only about 4% or 3.7% vacancy.
[20:15] Um, and it's definitely a lower dollar
[20:17] per square footage, so about $19. So,
[20:20] it's certainly a more affordable option
[20:22] for um, new retail users.
[20:28] And then we just wanted to highlight
[20:29] here as well just how many new
[20:32] businesses have happened since TW um
[20:34] 2020 I think it is. Sorry my eyes can't
[20:36] see that far but um I think it's about
[20:38] 220 new uh new businesses since uh 2020.
[20:42] Um and then this is just showing that
[20:44] there is market interest in Geneva and
[20:46] that this will continue to go up. So,
[20:48] it's important that we capture this and
[20:50] ensure that as we're thinking about the
[20:52] next 10 to 15 years, we're recognizing,
[20:55] you know, what has been done well so far
[20:57] um and if there's other strategies that
[20:59] we can continue to keep up that
[21:01] attraction um and retention of our
[21:03] businesses.
[21:06] And then lastly for the market
[21:07] assessment, this is really that
[21:09] industrial piece. Um industrial
[21:11] development is a growing component of
[21:13] Geneva's economic base. Um this is
[21:16] certainly due to the its location near
[21:19] rail in the highway as well as its
[21:21] proximity to DuPage airport. Um right
[21:25] now there's approximately 5 million
[21:26] square foot of existing industrial space
[21:29] and there is 4 million in the pipeline.
[21:32] Um a lot of that new development that is
[21:34] happening and you'll kind of see on that
[21:36] map it shows where the location of this.
[21:37] So it's um southeast of the comm south
[21:41] eastern edge of the community. So, a lot
[21:44] of this is due in part to that southeast
[21:46] sub area plan which is positioning for a
[21:48] lot of that new um inventory of um
[21:52] industrial [clears throat] development
[21:53] that is happening. Um and this document
[21:55] here will certainly be a guide for us as
[21:57] we think about industrial and bringing
[21:59] forward some of those key
[22:00] recommendations and goals.
[22:04] Um so now switching gears a little bit,
[22:06] we're going to talk about community
[22:07] character and identity. So, this chapter
[22:09] really tried to focus in on those
[22:12] historic development patterns, the
[22:14] neighborhoods, um, open space, and kind
[22:17] of those regulations that were in put in
[22:18] place that shaped who Geneva is today.
[22:22] Um, so looking at land use here, um, I
[22:25] won't dive or nerd out too much about
[22:27] the details here, but I think some
[22:29] important things to note are just, you
[22:31] know, the number one use here is open
[22:33] space. We heard that a lot from the
[22:35] community is it's one of the strengths
[22:36] of Geneva. Um and a lot of that is in
[22:39] part to the preservation that has was
[22:41] done on the western edge past Peek Road.
[22:44] Um and then the second largest use in
[22:46] the community is single family detached
[22:48] homes. This is very in line with what we
[22:50] were seeing from um this percentage of
[22:53] housing types in the community being
[22:55] single family. Um and you can kind of
[22:57] tell where those are located just off of
[22:59] some of those main retail corridors.
[23:03] Um and then the other piece to note is
[23:06] uh the third largest is actually
[23:07] institutional uses. Um and a lot of this
[23:10] has to do with the city services um that
[23:12] are provided both by the city and our
[23:14] partners um as well as um Kain County
[23:17] being seated here as well.
[23:22] So just taking a quick look at the
[23:24] downtown here. Um there was a section
[23:26] within here that kind of gave a more
[23:28] localized zoomed in uh assessment of the
[23:30] downtown land uses. Um and I think you
[23:33] know the assessment here that we wanted
[23:34] to kind of portray in this was um one
[23:37] recognizing some of the historic assets
[23:39] that have kind of made it to be the
[23:41] downtown it currently is today. Um the
[23:44] other for this as well is recognizing
[23:46] how there are so many public
[23:48] institutions within the downtown. um and
[23:50] how that kind of created this anchor to
[23:52] begin with and the history of why um it
[23:54] is so strong. And then the other piece
[23:57] to recognize is the metra in the
[23:59] downtown as well. So that's very
[24:00] contributing to why this has become such
[24:02] a walkable environment. Um and I think
[24:05] it poses a great opportunity as we move
[24:07] forward to consider some of those um
[24:09] opportunity sites that might exist
[24:11] around the downtown and how they can
[24:12] continue to strengthen um the assets of
[24:15] the of the downtown.
[24:18] Um here we included a piece on the
[24:21] historic preservation as a part of this.
[24:22] This is really just recognizing um this
[24:25] those historical land landmarks that
[24:27] exist within the community as well as
[24:29] the historic district boundaries um and
[24:31] how that really informs the development
[24:34] patterns that are happening in those
[24:35] area and will also inform any future
[24:37] development and land use. So, just for
[24:40] us to consider as we move forward is how
[24:42] those impact the um development patterns
[24:45] um and also how we can use those as a
[24:48] economic development tool and um a way
[24:50] to continue to strengthen the downtown
[24:52] and surrounding neighborhoods.
[24:56] And then through our assessment, we also
[24:58] identified some opportunity sites. These
[25:00] were identified through our
[25:02] conversations with the community as well
[25:03] as um with city staff. these kind of
[25:06] rose to the top as locations that within
[25:09] the time frame of this plan have the
[25:10] potential to change um whether it's uses
[25:13] or just redevelopment of those
[25:15] particular sites. Um I won't go into too
[25:18] too much detail, but I'll kind of point
[25:19] out a couple of them. The first is State
[25:22] and Seventh Street um in the downtown
[25:24] area, the vacancy right off the rail
[25:26] railroad and the surrounding kind of
[25:28] commercial areas around there. Um those
[25:30] came up in a lot of our conversations
[25:32] with community members as an opportunity
[25:34] site. um they saw it as a place that
[25:36] could benefit from change um and also be
[25:39] an opportunity to bring different
[25:41] housing products to the downtown.
[25:44] Um a couple of the other ones, number
[25:47] five, old mill race in I know you guys
[25:49] know as well as we do this comes up in
[25:52] all conversations too just as um a
[25:54] potential to be a higher and better use.
[25:56] We've included some parcels around there
[25:58] as well because we want to look at the
[26:00] impact it could have on this gateway
[26:02] into the downtown and the potential of
[26:05] uh reimagining that site and some of the
[26:07] ones surrounding it as well, just the
[26:09] larger impact it can have. Um and then
[26:11] the other ones I'll mention are number
[26:13] four, Betavia Avenue to the south. This
[26:16] is an incur in current um industrial
[26:18] user and some open spaces. Um again
[26:22] another gateway into the community and
[26:24] how we can kind of reimagine this as a
[26:26] place where we can bring some additional
[26:28] um land to address other uh issues that
[26:32] are happening in the community whether
[26:34] that is a housing need or additional
[26:36] industrial uses.
[26:39] So jumping on to city assets um this
[26:42] really this chapter was really an
[26:43] inventory of what services we currently
[26:46] provide both from a city standpoint as
[26:47] well as our partners. Um, so this was
[26:50] looking at, you know, the park district,
[26:52] public library, the schools, um, fire
[26:55] department, Kain County, and recognizing
[26:56] those services that we provide. Um, it's
[26:59] important when we do our assessment that
[27:01] we recognize what exists, um, so that we
[27:04] make sure that we're maintaining and
[27:06] preserving those uh, services as we look
[27:08] to the future. Um, and also trying to
[27:10] identify gaps that might exist in those
[27:12] as well.
[27:14] Um, so this community facilities, I
[27:16] won't go into too much detail, but this
[27:17] is really outlining kind of where those
[27:19] services are in the community, where
[27:21] there might be gaps in those, um, and
[27:23] where there opportunities to bring new
[27:25] services.
[27:28] Parks and recreation, we heard a lot
[27:29] from the community about just how strong
[27:32] the open space is here. Um, so we wanted
[27:35] to take an opportunity to map out not
[27:37] just the park district properties but
[27:38] the non-p park district properties as
[27:40] well to have a strong inventory of what
[27:42] open space exists and who those
[27:44] providers are. Um this helps us to kind
[27:47] of identify where there might be gaps in
[27:49] walkable um access to some of those
[27:52] parks and open space and also as we kind
[27:54] of layer on which Peter will talk about
[27:57] that kind of mobility um component of
[27:59] this plan. It really helps us identify
[28:01] where there might be gaps in the future
[28:03] that we want to prioritize filling.
[28:07] And then we just also wanted to
[28:08] highlight the facilities master plan
[28:09] that has been done. um this will be a
[28:11] guiding tool for us to understand, you
[28:14] know, where we need to maintain and
[28:15] modernize our city facilities so that we
[28:17] can consider that as we're um kind of
[28:20] showing land use strategies and land use
[28:22] change that we're bringing forward these
[28:23] recommendations.
[28:26] So, I'm going to pause talking and I'm
[28:28] going to pass it on to Peter to talk a
[28:29] little bit about community systems.
[28:37] » Uh good evening. I'm Peter Rhinoffer
[28:40] with uh V3 Companies
[28:42] and um I'm excited to be here to talk
[28:45] about some infrastructure for Geneva. So
[28:48] um just want to spend a couple minutes
[28:50] uh you know highlighting what we learned
[28:51] from the existing transportation
[28:53] conditions analysis uh particularly how
[28:56] Geneva's roadway fun network functions
[28:59] today and how that relates to future
[29:00] planning. Uh the important thing is to
[29:03] understand about Geneva is that it's not
[29:05] just a simply a local roadway network
[29:07] within the city itself. Geneva functions
[29:10] within a large much larger Fox River
[29:12] Valley transportation system. We have we
[29:15] have regional traffic moving through the
[29:17] community, residents traveling outside
[29:20] of the community and businesses,
[29:22] schools, and downtown destinations
[29:24] generating local trips.
[29:26] At the same time, Geneva has some unique
[29:28] characteristics that influence
[29:29] transportation. I think we can all agree
[29:31] that the Fox River is a gem for uh for
[29:33] the city. However, it is also a
[29:36] transportation constraint.
[29:38] There are only two roadway bridges
[29:40] crossing the river within the city
[29:41] within the city. So, traffic naturally
[29:44] tends to concentrate at at those at
[29:45] those locations for for east west
[29:47] travel.
[29:49] Uh one of the overarching themes that
[29:51] we're seeing and what we heard about
[29:52] from from the public is that Geneva has
[29:54] a pretty diverse transportation system.
[29:56] It includes major regional roadways, a
[29:59] local street network, metro station,
[30:02] pace bus routes, sidewalks, bicycle
[30:05] facilities, and and various trails um
[30:08] through the city. So within the first uh
[30:10] within that context, the first thing
[30:12] that we looked at was how the roadway
[30:14] network is categorized.
[30:16] Um the roadway system has a hierarchy
[30:18] and different roads serve different
[30:20] purposes within the city. This map shows
[30:23] Geneva's functional classification
[30:25] system. Funal classification is
[30:28] essentially the hierarchy of the roadway
[30:30] network. It tells us what roads are
[30:32] primarily intended to do. Whether their
[30:34] primary purpose is moving traffic,
[30:36] collecting traffic from neighborhoods,
[30:38] or providing direct access to individual
[30:40] properties.
[30:42] At the top of the hierarchy are the
[30:43] principal arterials
[30:45] uh with within and within the city that
[30:48] includes State Street, Randall Road,
[30:50] Kirk Road, and a portion of Fabian
[30:52] Parkway.
[30:54] These roads are designed to carry higher
[30:56] traffic volumes and provide regional
[30:58] connections through the city. They are
[31:01] also the roads where we see the greatest
[31:02] interaction between local and regional
[31:04] traffic.
[31:05] The next level is a minor streets, minor
[31:07] arterial system which includes Illinois
[31:10] 25, Illinois 31 and a couple other
[31:13] roadways uh through town.
[31:15] Then we have the collector roads such as
[31:17] Briter Anderson Division and a number of
[31:20] others. Um, and these roads serve an
[31:23] important middle ground. They move
[31:26] traffic between between the local street
[31:28] network and the larger arterial system
[31:30] while still providing access to adjacent
[31:32] businesses um and and other uses.
[31:36] And finally, a majority of the streets
[31:37] within this within this city are the
[31:39] local streets and these part primary
[31:41] purpose for these is is providing access
[31:43] rather than moving through traffic.
[31:47] One of the things that you know that
[31:48] that that we're going to consider when
[31:49] we're when we take this to the next step
[31:51] with the comprehensive plan is that not
[31:53] every roadway should be expected to
[31:54] function the same way. A principal
[31:56] arterial should be evaluated differently
[31:58] than a neighborhood street. And as we
[32:01] get into the recommendations, we'll want
[32:02] to make sure that improvements are
[32:05] consistent with the intended function of
[32:07] each roadway.
[32:10] So the next thing that we looked at then
[32:12] was the traffic volumes along the city
[32:15] roadways.
[32:17] Tra this map um illustrates the the
[32:20] volumes which kind of hard to see up
[32:22] here with those tiny numbers but um
[32:26] the highest the the highest volume
[32:27] roadways within within the city are as
[32:30] everyone can probably guess is Randall
[32:31] Road, State Street, Fabian Parkway and
[32:35] Kirk Road. These roads generally carry
[32:38] over 25,000 vehicles per day and I think
[32:40] Randall is even over 30,000 vehicles per
[32:42] day um on a daily basis and these these
[32:46] corridors reflect you know their
[32:47] regional regional mobility function. Uh
[32:51] by comparison many of the collector
[32:52] roadways and within the city carry carry
[32:54] between five to about 15,000 probably
[32:57] closer to the 10,000 range. Um and then
[33:00] volumes drop substantially when we start
[33:02] looking at some of the some of the local
[33:03] roadways.
[33:05] So this what I find interesting is that
[33:08] the traffic volume map really functions
[33:11] or really reinforces the functional
[33:13] classification map that that that we
[33:14] just looked at. The roads that are are
[33:16] intended to move regional and citywide
[33:18] traffic are in fact carrying the highest
[33:20] volumes.
[33:22] The challenge is going to be that some
[33:23] of these high volume corridors also pass
[33:26] through or adjacent to areas where we
[33:29] want to encourage walking and bicycling
[33:32] uh promoting access to businesses,
[33:34] promoting act community activity. So
[33:37] that that's going to create an important
[33:38] balancing act as we move forward which
[33:40] is to maintain mobility while also
[33:43] improving the experience and safety of
[33:46] people walking and biking along along
[33:47] some of these roadways.
[33:52] The next thing we looked at is the road
[33:54] roadway jurisdiction. So basically who
[33:56] who owns the roadways. And this is
[33:58] another important piece of information
[33:59] from a planning perspective.
[34:02] As you can see, the city does not own or
[34:05] control many of the roadways that are
[34:06] the most important to the community's
[34:07] transportation system. IDOT is
[34:10] responsible for State Street, Illinois
[34:12] 25, and Illinois 31. The county is
[34:15] responsible for Fabian Parkway, Kirk,
[34:19] uh, Randall Road, and Peek Road and and
[34:21] a couple other roadways.
[34:23] Um, so what's really interesting is when
[34:25] you put this jurisdiction map next to
[34:27] the volume map and even the functional
[34:28] classification map, you kind of layer
[34:30] everything together is that many of
[34:31] Geneva's highest volume roadways are not
[34:33] actually even city roads. So when we
[34:36] talk about future improvements whether
[34:37] it's Randall Road, State Street, Kirk
[34:39] Road, um the city can't necessarily
[34:43] implement their own improvements by by
[34:45] themselves that
[34:48] they will have to um you know work with
[34:50] the ID dot and the county or whoever
[34:53] maintains those roads to develop a plan
[34:55] and and and work with them. So what's
[34:57] really important from that perspective
[34:59] is that who controls the roadway, who
[35:01] maintains it and funds the improvements
[35:03] and what the process is required to make
[35:05] those to make the changes that the city
[35:07] wants to see along these corridors.
[35:09] So for example, if Geneva want
[35:11] identifies improvements along State
[35:12] Street or Randall Road, you can't just
[35:14] go out there and make the improvements
[35:15] yourself. you have to it's going to
[35:18] require coordination, design, review,
[35:21] permitting, funding participation, and
[35:24] approval from from IDOT or the county.
[35:27] So as we as we kind of move forward from
[35:29] from from this perspective, the plan is
[35:32] um we'll identify not only what
[35:33] improvements Geneva would like to see,
[35:35] but also who needs to be at the table to
[35:36] make those improvements really happen.
[35:44] From a non-motorized perspective, um the
[35:48] city really is starting from a strong
[35:49] foundation. Uh there are there are many
[35:52] areas where
[35:54] there are sidewalks throughout most of
[35:56] the developed areas. Um there's an
[35:58] established trail system. There are
[35:59] bicycle facilities and obviously most
[36:01] importantly the the Fox River Trail that
[36:03] runs north south um through town.
[36:06] Uh but when we look when we look beyond
[36:08] those individual facilities, the bigger
[36:10] question becomes how well everything
[36:13] connects together.
[36:15] The existing conditions analysis ident
[36:16] has identified various gaps within the
[36:18] network.
[36:20] um that uh that that
[36:24] let me try that again.
[36:26] We've identified gaps in the network um
[36:30] to uh to connect both the bicycle and
[36:33] and and pedestrian networks to
[36:34] themselves and even to the trail itself.
[36:36] To me, one of the biggest one of the
[36:38] biggest gaps at the south side of the of
[36:39] the of the city connecting to the um the
[36:44] Fox River Trail. There really are there
[36:46] are very few connections to get
[36:48] community residents or businesses to to
[36:51] be able to access to access the trail.
[36:54] Um
[36:57] when we met with the public, you know,
[36:59] they they really re they really
[37:00] reinforce that same issue. So, um,
[37:02] people aren't necessar necessarily
[37:04] saying that Geneva doesn't have
[37:05] sidewalks or trails or have have a good
[37:07] network. They're saying that sometimes
[37:09] the connection between those facilities
[37:11] isn't very intuitive, comfortable, or
[37:13] even safe from their perspective. So, I
[37:16] think from a I think from an opportunity
[37:17] perspective, I think we're going to look
[37:19] beyond simply adding more individual
[37:20] bike facilities or more sidewalks or
[37:22] trails, but kind but but kind of look at
[37:24] how can we how can we create a creative
[37:26] network within the city.
[37:28] um the opportunity to really connect the
[37:30] pieces that already exist, the
[37:32] neighborhoods, the schools, the
[37:34] downtown, the neighborhoods of the metro
[37:36] station, um and the local facilities to
[37:38] the regional trail system.
[37:43] So, I think that's kind of what we were
[37:45] uh wanted to present from our existing
[37:46] munitions analysis. Um kind of want to
[37:49] leave to you guys and hear what you guys
[37:51] have to say.
[37:54] » Thank you both. Now time for questions
[37:56] and comments from the deis. Whoever is
[37:59] interested in perhaps exploring
[38:02] that opportunity. Just raise your hand
[38:03] and we'll recognize you.
[38:06] » Yeah. And we left this open for just
[38:08] letting us know anything if something
[38:10] surprised you, if you felt there was
[38:11] something missing in this assessment. Um
[38:13] and then mainly kind of as we look
[38:15] forward and start thinking about
[38:17] opportunities and things we want to
[38:18] address, um what do you feel is kind of
[38:20] the primary focus or things we should
[38:22] consider?
[38:26] I'll kick it off. Was there anything
[38:28] that you two found surprising
[38:32] by the 1100 some odd comments that you
[38:35] receive both in person and online?
[38:39] » Um I don't think anything was terribly
[38:42] surprising from what we heard. I think
[38:43] um you know staff and leadership when we
[38:46] kind of came into this process
[38:47] identified some things that they were we
[38:49] were likely to hear. So, um, and what is
[38:52] common in most communities is there's
[38:53] two sides of those two. So, I think a
[38:55] lot of conversations that we heard had,
[38:57] things that came top of mind, housing
[38:59] affordability, housing diversity, the
[39:02] downtown, um, mobility and safety, you
[39:05] know, there was always two perspectives
[39:07] to that. Um, and I think that's, you
[39:09] know, part of the challenge and part of
[39:10] our job is to kind of find that common
[39:12] denominator or the thing that we want to
[39:14] address most or what is the underlying
[39:16] vision that we're trying to achieve
[39:17] there. So, um I don't know if that
[39:19] directly answered your question, but I
[39:21] think it does. Thank you.
[39:22] » Yeah, I think a lot was in line.
[39:27] » Alder person Maliki.
[39:28] » Thank you, mayor. Um I just had a couple
[39:31] of handful of questions and I don't know
[39:32] if there are anything that will just
[39:34] come down the pipeline or things that
[39:36] might not be able to be answered, but um
[39:39] one of the things that sort of jumped
[39:40] out with to me was just the percentage
[39:42] of our workforce that are non-residents.
[39:45] um is a really high high percentage. Um
[39:49] is there a way to find out
[39:52] um how those people commute to town? Um
[39:55] you know like is there like a out of
[39:57] that percentage of people that come to
[39:58] work here in Geneva like half of them
[40:01] drive half take public transportation
[40:03] you know that's those numbers with
[40:06] developing like the comprehensive plan
[40:08] for you know
[40:09] » Yeah would be um would probably be
[40:10] pretty helpful to know that's something
[40:11] we can find out.
[40:12] » It definitely is. is I know that stat
[40:14] comes from the same site that we used to
[40:16] grab that one about the workforce. Um
[40:18] but I'm not sure if we included that in
[40:20] our assessment, but I I it's definitely
[40:22] something we should continue looking at.
[40:25] So yeah, we can take a look.
[40:27] » Um the the number of businesses that
[40:31] we've brought in since 2020. Um, do we
[40:33] know about how many of those percentage-
[40:37] wise are are still in business versus I
[40:40] assume that was just like any any
[40:42] business that started. So there might
[40:44] be, you know, someone in that figure
[40:45] that, you know, for some reason went out
[40:48] of business went out of business or
[40:49] » Yeah, I would have to reook at how we
[40:52] kind of captured that into the report to
[40:54] see how it was identified. Um, so I'll
[40:57] have to get back to you on that one as
[40:58] well.
[40:59] » Sure. Um
[41:02] uh and then I guess the last thing for
[41:04] now I mean just sort of a comment which
[41:07] is just I mean that's just like the
[41:09] challenge that every community's got to
[41:12] deal with was just like rising of house
[41:15] housing costs and the ultimate decrease
[41:17] of affordability. That's just
[41:19] » It's a national
[41:20] » That's the big you know
[41:23] » Billion dollar question that
[41:25] » That all government our communities are
[41:26] going to have to figure out. But I I
[41:28] mean I'd love to find out how we're
[41:31] gonna be able to rein that in because it
[41:33] just seems like that's just that
[41:34] exponential curve is just going to keep
[41:36] going up and up and housing costs are
[41:39] just going to get expensive and then the
[41:42] next person that can possibly afford to
[41:43] come in Geneva in another 15 years
[41:46] they're just going to be even more
[41:48] expensive and I don't I don't even with
[41:51] even with bringing in more density in
[41:53] into a community like Geneva I just
[41:55] that's just a extremely challenge ing
[41:58] thing to to crack.
[41:59] » Yeah, land costs are expensive. So is
[42:01] development costs. So that's kind of
[42:03] contributing to the problem. Um and
[42:05] you're exactly right. I think this is a
[42:06] nationwide problem and it's something
[42:08] that we're tackling with with each
[42:09] community. But um you know, there are
[42:12] case studies and there are communities
[42:13] around us who are providing some of that
[42:14] diversity and affordability. So I think
[42:16] it's looking to them and see if that
[42:18] seeing if that's something that we also
[42:19] want to include um and how it kind of
[42:22] molds to the Geneva that we see it to
[42:24] be.
[42:25] » Sure. So okay, that's it. Thank you.
[42:27] » Well, thank you,
[42:30] » Older person. Mayor, excuse me, older
[42:32] person mayor.
[42:33] » Um,
[42:35] so, uh, on the the roadways map, so I
[42:38] think for you, um, I know that we don't
[42:42] actually, you know, Geneva municipality
[42:46] doesn't go up to the edges of Kirk Road
[42:48] in all places or um,
[42:51] » Right,
[42:51] » Fabian. But um my one comment would be I
[42:54] think that it's really important for you
[42:56] to show Fabian more prominently because
[42:59] I think uh if we were to do a trucking
[43:04] uh count per
[43:08] per roadway, I think we'd find that that
[43:10] one is more predominantly trucking and
[43:13] so is Kirk. And I think that the
[43:17] residents here would be interested in
[43:18] that that um Kirk and Fabian
[43:23] less so Randall is mixed with uh semitr
[43:27] traffic and how many semi-truckss we get
[43:30] down 38 is
[43:32] » I think something that people want to
[43:34] see decrease over time as well. So, uh
[43:37] th those factors
[43:39] » 31 and 25 I I thought that it was good
[43:42] to see that they're not main uh thorough
[43:46] affairs
[43:47] » Because I think we'd like to see them
[43:49] decrease in in traffic over the years
[43:52] instead of becoming more traffic
[43:55] abundant.
[43:55] » Yeah, absolutely. Um,
[43:59] I think there's a lot more opportunity
[44:02] sites than what you guys identified, but
[44:04] um, it's also a sticky situation where
[44:07] some of those are owned. So, it's hard
[44:10] to call something an opportunity site
[44:12] with a functioning business, but there's
[44:14] there are although we're landlocked, I
[44:17] think there's a lot of uh de development
[44:19] possibilities in this town. Um,
[44:24] I think some of the unincorporated
[44:26] lots that aren't shown
[44:29] have a similar like there's opportunity
[44:32] there. Um, they're not incorporated yet,
[44:36] so it's not really part of your charge
[44:38] here, but it would be something for, you
[44:42] know, expansion.
[44:45] Those those sites are for sale, I think.
[44:48] So um the uh I think in general it's a
[44:53] great report and how did you get the
[44:56] current? So you have the 2020 to 2026.
[45:01] How did you get the measurements for for
[45:03] the current since we had a census in
[45:06] 2020?
[45:07] » Um are you speaking to like the retail
[45:09] component or
[45:10] » Yeah. All those aspects
[45:12] » That's came directly from the city. So a
[45:14] lot of that information where we were up
[45:16] till 2026 um is just based on business
[45:19] inventory that they have which is very
[45:22] well kept up to date. Um right so
[45:24] » Okay great.
[45:25] » All right that's all I have.
[45:26] » Thank you so much
[45:28] » Older person Bing and then older
[45:30] personquist.
[45:31] » Um thank you. Yes I felt like there was
[45:34] a lot uh that was really helpful in the
[45:36] report. I
[45:38] um Amy already got one of my questions.
[45:41] I was curious um whether all of the
[45:44] opportunity sites were
[45:48] or I guess I was I was curious about the
[45:50] designation of ownership of the
[45:51] opportunity sites because I know talking
[45:53] with community development in the past
[45:54] there are more sometimes smaller sites
[45:56] that they've identified in various parts
[45:58] of the city um for potential
[46:00] redevelopment or if they're vacant and
[46:02] again some of that's owned by private
[46:04] parties. Um, and then I guess my other
[46:08] question was, um,
[46:11] and again you this may come down the
[46:13] line, but in terms of looking at
[46:15] neighboring communities and what they're
[46:16] doing visav
[46:19] improving housing affordability, I was
[46:21] curious whether zoning changes to try to
[46:24] encourage transition from predominantly
[46:27] detached single family housing um, was
[46:32] something that the region was looking
[46:34] at. Um because again I think that uh
[46:39] that is such a huge usage in Geneva. Um
[46:42] and it's not like redevelopment costs
[46:44] are nothing. They're pretty extensive.
[46:46] But um it's one way potentially um like
[46:49] I live in a neighborhood where there's a
[46:51] lot of multif family. Um but that's
[46:53] somewhat rare outside of a few pockets
[46:55] of the downtown. Um or else kind of
[46:57] larger scale residential things. So I um
[47:02] anyway I was curious whether that was
[47:04] something and again that maybe just be
[47:05] down the line.
[47:06] » Yeah, absolutely. I think first to both
[47:08] of your points for the opportunity sites
[47:10] um just so you guys kind of understand
[47:12] what we'll do moving forward, there will
[47:14] be a future land use strategy. So
[47:15] that'll look at the entire community and
[47:17] looking at what type of development or
[47:19] land uses we want to see in those areas.
[47:21] So I think for those sites that weren't
[47:23] identified in the opportunity sites,
[47:25] those are the ways we'll kind of address
[47:26] those. Um and again, this is just the
[47:29] beginning. So, I'm sure when we get into
[47:30] phase two, we're going to start
[47:31] identifying additional as well. Um, but
[47:34] for those opportunity sites, we'll kind
[47:35] of create development concepts or
[47:37] opportunities for those that illustrate,
[47:39] you know, what type of use, how does
[47:41] transportation play into this, where do
[47:43] people move and get around, what does
[47:44] the landscape look like, just to have
[47:46] some kind of guidance for you all for
[47:47] those sites. Um, and ideally those
[47:50] become a tool that you can use on other
[47:52] sites as well that have similar
[47:53] characteristics. So we'll kind of
[47:54] provide kind of a matrix or a way to
[47:57] weigh, you know, how you prioritize
[47:59] those sites, how you identify those
[48:01] sites. Um so hopefully even for those
[48:04] other sites that you've you've mentioned
[48:05] or that have come up in previous
[48:07] planning efforts, um they'll be
[48:09] addressed in either the future land use
[48:10] strategy or tangentially through those
[48:12] development opportunity sites. Um, and
[48:15] then for the zoning changes, I think
[48:16] that is a great point. And similarly,
[48:18] similarly to just affordable housing,
[48:20] um, and housing diversity, a part of
[48:23] this will be us like exploring other
[48:25] communities and what they're doing. Um,
[48:26] and bringing back some case studies to
[48:28] see, you know, is this something we'd
[48:30] want to try here? How would the
[48:31] community respond to this? How would
[48:33] leadership respond to this? So that we
[48:34] can kind of find those approaches that
[48:35] are going to be best for Geneva.
[48:37] » Got it. And I guess the last thing is
[48:39] just a comment. Um,
[48:42] I think it's fascinating that the public
[48:44] identifies Geneva as having diverse
[48:46] transportation systems. So, like
[48:48] technically that's true. And yet, I've
[48:50] lived here for uh 12 or 13 years. I've
[48:54] never taken a bus. Um, I've shared we've
[48:57] been a onecar household. I I I use the
[49:00] car. I bike. I walk. The bus is sadly
[49:04] like I've lived in other places and
[49:06] taken the bus frequently. Um, I do take
[49:08] the Metra. Um, but I I guess I'm not
[49:12] saying that we're going to be able to
[49:13] solve this, but I think that there are
[49:16] um I'm excited to see ways to connect
[49:19] things to make things more bikable, more
[49:21] walkable um because I think uh our our
[49:25] ability to impact public transportation
[49:27] is uh fairly limited,
[49:30] » Ever increasingly so um based on some
[49:32] changes from the state. So um so I think
[49:35] that's really positive. Um, and then I
[49:37] don't know. I guess it just it just made
[49:38] me chuckle because I'm glad that we have
[49:41] the public transportation we have. I
[49:43] wish we had so much more because I hate
[49:45] cars. I hate driving and I wish I didn't
[49:47] have to get in mine every so often. So
[49:49] anyway, but thank you. This was a really
[49:51] great report. I appreciate it. Thank
[49:53] you.
[49:54] » Alder personquist.
[49:56] » Yes. Uh, getting back to pleasant
[49:58] surprises. Um just calling attention to
[50:01] the low vacancy rates on East State and
[50:05] the downtown. Um
[50:08] that is a a pleasant surprise. A couple
[50:10] of high-profile
[50:12] vacancies tend to skew a lot of public
[50:15] perception. So to see that maybe
[50:17] perception is not reality is a is a good
[50:20] thing. Um not that we shouldn't strive
[50:22] for 100%.
[50:24] » Yes.
[50:24] » And there are opportunities still within
[50:26] a 100% or 90 to have
[50:29] greater development. But I just wanted
[50:32] to call attention to that aspect.
[50:34] » Yeah. And I think that's a great one,
[50:36] too. As you mentioned, we did hear that
[50:37] from the community is as something that
[50:39] stands out as vacancy there, but when
[50:41] you look at the reality of the
[50:43] situation, it is really high occupancy
[50:46] rates.
[50:49] » Alterpress Kilbert.
[50:51] » Right. I couple of questions. You had
[50:53] your six priorities at the beginning
[50:55] that you'd identified. Was there any
[50:57] significance to the way they were
[50:58] numbered?
[50:59] » No, Ju just the order of them. Yeah.
[51:01] » Okay. And the second uh question would
[51:04] be uh new residents in Geneva uh
[51:08] firsttime owners. Do we have any data on
[51:11] uh what the age of a firsttime uh home
[51:15] buyer in Geneva is? Or is there any way
[51:17] that that could be uh identified?
[51:21] I don't know that we included that in
[51:22] this assessment, but that certainly
[51:24] would be an interesting um that would
[51:27] certainly be an interesting fact to find
[51:29] for this especially just
[51:30] » I know that it's yeah
[51:32] » Continuing to trend older.
[51:34] » Alder person Kilberg, if I may uh share
[51:36] with you the information shared by the
[51:38] Realtors Association of the Fox Valley,
[51:40] new homeowners in Geneva on average are
[51:44] 42 years old.
[51:47] » So young. [laughter]
[51:49] » Well,
[51:52] So
[51:54] uh
[51:55] » There you go.
[51:56] » I think that's interesting and I think
[51:57] it identifies a need uh for the
[52:00] community. And then uh
[52:03] » Finally uh as it as you uh did your
[52:06] survey work and you interviewed with
[52:07] people uh what type of feedback did you
[52:11] receive from seniors that participated
[52:13] as it relates to housing particularly?
[52:16] » Um I can only speak an anecdotally. I'd
[52:19] have to look back closer at the survey,
[52:21] but I think we heard a lot of people who
[52:23] were wanting to downsize and couldn't
[52:25] really find that footprint in the
[52:26] community. Um, and this doesn't
[52:29] particularly pertain to their needs, but
[52:31] they also recognize wanting children to
[52:33] enter the community, whether that's for
[52:34] a housing option for them or just having
[52:36] that extended community nearby and they
[52:38] had a lot of um family members who were
[52:41] not able to afford living here. So, I
[52:43] think there's um you know, people who
[52:45] are whether it's unwilling to downsize
[52:47] because the cost is too high or there's
[52:49] just not the um type of housing they
[52:52] want in this community. We heard some of
[52:54] that.
[52:55] I think it'd be interesting to get uh
[52:58] some data as it relates to residents in
[53:01] Geneva, homes in Geneva that are
[53:03] occupied by a single individual that are
[53:06] of senior age
[53:08] » And uh to see really how large that
[53:10] inventory is and uh and uh you know as a
[53:15] as a as a community what might be what
[53:18] might we do to uh to accelerate uh or
[53:22] creating a more convenient opportunity
[53:24] for those people to relocate to
[53:26] something that makes more sense.
[53:28] » That's all I had. Thank you,
[53:30] » Alder Person Pesky.
[53:33] » Thank you. Um, thank you for this
[53:35] report. The information was all
[53:37] incredibly
[53:39] um, useful and not terribly surprising.
[53:42] Um
[53:43] » My only question after hearing everybody
[53:46] else's questions is um I know that the
[53:48] affordable housing plan is you know kind
[53:51] of wrapped in
[53:53] » Um I assume the sites that the city had
[53:57] previously identified will also be
[53:58] considered.
[54:00] » Okay.
[54:01] » Yeah, that's all.
[54:02] » Thank you.
[54:03] » Before I recognize alder person Bing for
[54:05] a second time, anyone who has not yet
[54:06] spoken the first time wishes to do so.
[54:09] Alder person Bing.
[54:11] » Thank you. Um, just to follow up on
[54:12] Alder person Kilberg's question, and
[54:14] there may be some variety here, but what
[54:16] sorts of housing were seniors looking
[54:18] for that they weren't able to find? I
[54:19] [clears throat] understand cost is
[54:20] another consideration, but
[54:23] » Um, is it single family detached that
[54:26] they're looking for, but smaller or just
[54:28] or like just any available units
[54:31] » That are smaller? Um I we didn't get
[54:34] into specifics of those with them, but I
[54:36] think you know there was a range of
[54:38] those as you're saying like smaller
[54:39] ranches and also like attached single
[54:42] family as well mainly within their price
[54:44] range because a lot of the product that
[54:46] is buil being built in that range is a
[54:47] little bit more high-end.
[54:49] » Right.
[54:49] » Mhm.
[54:50] » Okay. Thank you so much. Appreciate it.
[54:55] » Alder person Maliki for a second time
[54:57] unless anyone who has not yet spoken
[54:58] wishes to do so.
[55:01] All yours, sir. Thank you. Uh just
[55:03] following up with this the recent
[55:05] conversation too. It'd be interesting to
[55:06] know if that that group of people that
[55:09] are under 42
[55:11] » Uh that aren't, you know, buying their
[55:13] first home in Geneva if it's if that
[55:15] restriction solely is I'm sure it's
[55:17] primarily cost. But if it's solely cost
[55:20] or maybe there's some other factors that
[55:22] that they're considering, they know that
[55:26] you know that people under 42 are
[55:28] considering that we just may not be
[55:29] offering. you know, something that's
[55:31] just our community doesn't doesn't
[55:34] currently, you know, have that they're
[55:37] looking for. You know, whether it's some
[55:38] sort of like
[55:39] » Entertainment value or, you know,
[55:42] transportation, just something that's
[55:43] other than cost. It'd be interesting to
[55:45] know.
[55:45] » Yeah.
[55:46] » So,
[55:47] » Yeah, that was it. Thank you.
[55:48] » Thank you.
[55:50] » The floor is open
[55:52] to person mayor for a second time.
[55:54] » Oh, my mic's been on the whole time. Um,
[55:57] sorry. I can you go back a few slides to
[56:00] the opportunity sites because I remember
[56:01] there was one that said uh Betavia
[56:03] Avenue and I wanted to follow up and ask
[56:05] what that what that was.
[56:07] » It's the one down on 31
[56:10] » 31
[56:11] » Down here.
[56:12] » Oh, Campana
[56:13] » Campana.
[56:15] » So there's a
[56:16] » That's there's a use here
[56:19] » And here I believe
[56:21] » And then it's
[56:21] » It's the Duke and Lee site older person
[56:23] there. No,
[56:26] » That's that's first
[56:28] is here.
[56:30] » That's metro first and third. Okay.
[56:32] » Yeah. Go ahead.
[56:33] » So, this is the um the Mifflin site
[56:37] » And then to the south of that there's
[56:39] about 12 acres or so of a wooded area
[56:42] and then there's the um the office
[56:44] complex just north of Campana that has
[56:47] about 5 acres of open land in the back
[56:49] of that.
[56:51] Is it occupied?
[56:53] » Huh?
[56:56] » I was just curious. Is it occupied? I
[56:57] mean, it's it's not vacant. Sorry.
[57:00] » It's vacant land.
[57:01] » It's That's all vacant. There's not a
[57:03] » Behind the building is all vacant land.
[57:04] It abuts unincorporated Geneva.
[57:06] » Okay.
[57:07] » But it's vacant land.
[57:08] » Sorry for my being out of order.
[57:10] » No, no, that's right.
[57:11] » Uh, okay.
[57:12] » But
[57:13] » Yep. Exactly.
[57:14] » The industrial there is a current
[57:16] industrial user or former industrial
[57:17] user that's part of that site also.
[57:19] Current
[57:19] » Current current. Okay. Thank you.
[57:26] » Anyone else? [clears throat]
[57:28] Next fa next steps if you will. I know
[57:30] you already shared that in slide one but
[57:32] » Yeah absolutely. I'll just wrap up here.
[57:35] Um we'll be presenting these the same
[57:38] presentation to the planning and zoning
[57:39] commission on Thursday of this week.
[57:42] » Um and then we're planning to do a short
[57:44] video that kind of captures some of the
[57:46] key findings from the existing
[57:47] conditions report. um so that when we
[57:49] promote this to the public for those who
[57:50] don't want to read a 120 page document
[57:52] they might be able to capture some of
[57:54] those key findings um just to stay
[57:56] informed with the process and then we
[57:58] are jumping into phase two. So this is
[58:00] really where we'll start coming up with
[58:02] some of those policy objectives and
[58:04] different planning scenarios um to test
[58:06] some opportunities for some of the
[58:08] challenges and needs that have been
[58:10] identified and we'll do that future land
[58:11] use uh exploration as well as these
[58:14] opportunity site or sub area plans. Um
[58:16] once we have these ideas, we're going to
[58:18] bring them back to the community through
[58:19] a workshop and survey as well as to
[58:21] leadership and the steering committee to
[58:24] kind of just get their thoughts and
[58:25] weigh in and make sure we're headed in
[58:26] the right direction to capture this
[58:28] vision. So that's kind of where we're
[58:29] headed from here.
[58:32] » In terms of time, is that a three-month
[58:35] process, six month process?
[58:36] » So we've outlined from September to
[58:38] about January. That's just kind of being
[58:40] sensitive of holidays. I'm sure um we'll
[58:43] kind of try to wrap it up a little bit
[58:44] before then, but just making sure that
[58:46] we have plenty of opportunities for
[58:47] engagement.
[58:48] » Great. Thank you.
[58:49] » Awesome.
[58:51] » Anyone else before we allow our friends
[58:53] to return to their homes?
[58:58] » Thank you both very much.
[58:59] » Thank you so much for having us.
[59:00] » Thank you. [applause]
[59:11] Item four, ladies and gentlemen,
[59:13] amendments to the agenda. Are there any
[59:15] amendments this evening?
[59:17] Item five is the omnibus agenda. All
[59:20] items marked with an asterric on this
[59:21] agenda are considered to be routine by
[59:23] this council and all those items can be
[59:26] considered and voted upon with one
[59:28] motion.
[59:29] » Pashki makes that motion. Seconded by
[59:31] Palmquist.
[59:34] City clerk, please take the role.
[59:37] Pashki.
[59:37] » Hi
[59:38] » Reini.
[59:39] » Hi
[59:40] » Bing.
[59:40] » I
[59:42] » Hilbert.
[59:43] » Hi
[59:44] » Kaser.
[59:44] » Hi
[59:45] » Malaki.
[59:46] » I
[59:47] » Mayor
[59:47] » I
[59:48] » Palquest.
[59:48] » I nine votes in the affirmative. Zero
[59:51] votes in the negative. One council
[59:53] member absent. The omnibus agenda has
[59:55] been approved. We jump to item eight.
[59:56] Municipal bills for payment. We kindly
[59:58] ask our clerk to read the bills in their
[1:00:00] aggregate for our consideration and a
[1:00:02] motion. Municipal bills for payment
[1:00:05] total $4,698,23947.
[1:00:11] » Mayor, I move that we pay the bills as
[1:00:13] read, the individual items for which can
[1:00:15] be found in tonight's city council
[1:00:16] packet, which is available on the city's
[1:00:18] website.
[1:00:19] » Alder person Bar makes the motion to pay
[1:00:21] the bills as presented, which are
[1:00:22] available in each council member's
[1:00:23] packet and on the city's website.
[1:00:28] » Seconded by mayor,
[1:00:32] city clerk
[1:00:33] All yours.
[1:00:34] » Bowing.
[1:00:35] » Hi,
[1:00:35] » Kernish.
[1:00:36] » Hi,
[1:00:37] » Kilberg.
[1:00:38] » Hi,
[1:00:38] » Kasarog.
[1:00:39] » I
[1:00:40] » Maliki.
[1:00:41] » I
[1:00:42] » Mayor. I palquist.
[1:00:44] » I
[1:00:44] » Pashki.
[1:00:45] » I Ricky.
[1:00:46] » Hi.
[1:00:48] » The bills have been approved for payment
[1:00:49] nine affirmative, zero negative, and one
[1:00:51] council member absent. We move on. All
[1:00:54] items on number nine have been approved
[1:00:55] on the consent agenda. We jump to item
[1:00:57] 10 A. Consider resolution 2026-99
[1:01:03] authorizing destination Geneva grant
[1:01:05] with Geneva Foundation for the arts for
[1:01:08] artists Sunday road rally 2026
[1:01:14] » Pashki with the motion Kasarog with the
[1:01:16] second
[1:01:18] miss boy
[1:01:20] » Thank you uh for the council's
[1:01:21] consideration this evening is a request
[1:01:24] from the Geneva Foundation for the arts
[1:01:26] for a destination Geneva grant in the
[1:01:28] amount of $2,500 for the Artist Sunday
[1:01:31] road rally on November 29th, 2026. The
[1:01:35] event will have locations throughout the
[1:01:37] downtown and will take place the Sunday
[1:01:39] following Thanksgiving, which is of
[1:01:41] course a very popular shopping weekend.
[1:01:44] Artist Sunday is a nationwide art
[1:01:46] shopping event designed to encourage
[1:01:47] shopping with local artists, makers, and
[1:01:50] creators during the holiday season. This
[1:01:52] is the second year for this event and
[1:01:54] the Geneva Foundation for the Arts did
[1:01:56] receive a grant last year in 2025 as
[1:01:59] well. And just uh for keeping count,
[1:02:02] this represents the 10th request for
[1:02:04] destination Geneva grant since the
[1:02:06] program was put into place. And then we
[1:02:08] have director Timosenko here if there
[1:02:10] are additional questions.
[1:02:12] » We have a motion by Pashki, a second by
[1:02:13] Kasarog. Are there any questions for
[1:02:16] director Timosenko?
[1:02:19] If not, the city clerk will take the
[1:02:21] role and I will vote on this one as
[1:02:22] well.
[1:02:23] » Hashki,
[1:02:25] » I reini.
[1:02:26] » Hi.
[1:02:27] » Bowing.
[1:02:28] » I
[1:02:29] » Fernish.
[1:02:30] » I
[1:02:30] » Kilberg.
[1:02:31] » I
[1:02:32] » Caserog.
[1:02:32] » I
[1:02:33] » Malakei.
[1:02:34] » I
[1:02:35] » Mayor.
[1:02:36] » I
[1:02:36] » Palquist.
[1:02:37] » I
[1:02:38] » Mayor Burns.
[1:02:38] » I. With 10 votes in the affirmative,
[1:02:41] zero votes in the negative, and one
[1:02:42] council member absent, resolution 2026-9
[1:02:46] has been approved. We jump to item 10B.
[1:02:48] Consider ordinance
[1:02:50] 2026-18
[1:02:52] establish establishing special service
[1:02:55] area number 35
[1:02:57] the myth Geneva Industrial Park City of
[1:03:00] Geneva Cane County, Illinois.
[1:03:03] » Second.
[1:03:04] » Palmquist with the motion. Bing, I
[1:03:06] believe, with the second.
[1:03:08] » Miss Boy,
[1:03:10] » Thank you. uh before the council this
[1:03:12] evening. This special service area under
[1:03:15] consideration um is has previously been
[1:03:18] outlined in both the annexation and
[1:03:20] redevelopment agreements and the city's
[1:03:22] storm water ordinance and SSA is
[1:03:24] required as a backup financing mechanism
[1:03:27] to cover the maintenance of storm water
[1:03:28] detention conservation easement and
[1:03:31] common areas as as associated with the
[1:03:34] development on the subject property. The
[1:03:36] public hearing was held on July 6 of
[1:03:38] this year and all other statutory
[1:03:41] obligations have been met and the
[1:03:42] director Timoshenko is here if there are
[1:03:45] questions.
[1:03:46] » Are there any questions from the deis?
[1:03:52] » City clerk please take the role.
[1:03:55] » Palmquist
[1:03:56] » I.
[1:03:56] » Pashki
[1:03:57] » I.
[1:03:58] » Reini
[1:03:58] » I
[1:03:59] » Bing
[1:04:00] » I
[1:04:01] » Fernish.
[1:04:01] » Hi.
[1:04:02] » Hilbert.
[1:04:03] » Hi
[1:04:03] » Kaser.
[1:04:04] » Hi
[1:04:05] » Maliki. I
[1:04:06] » Mayor
[1:04:07] » I.
[1:04:08] » Ordinance 2026-18 has been approved with
[1:04:10] nine affirmative votes, zero nay votes,
[1:04:12] and one council member absent. Item 10
[1:04:15] C. Consider ordinance 2026-9
[1:04:19] establishing special service area number
[1:04:21] 36
[1:04:26] for the Roosevelt here in the beautiful
[1:04:28] and bukallic city of Geneva, Illinois,
[1:04:30] equally beautiful King County. [snorts]
[1:04:33] Motion by Bing, seconded by Palmquist.
[1:04:36] Miss Boy,
[1:04:38] » Thank you. This SSA for the council's
[1:04:41] consideration was outlined in the TIFF 3
[1:04:44] redevelopment agreement for the
[1:04:46] Roosevelt mixeduse development. The
[1:04:48] agreement allows the city to establish a
[1:04:51] backup SSA to be used in the event the
[1:04:53] project does not generate sufficient
[1:04:56] incremental revenues to meet the funding
[1:04:58] obligation. The SSA, if approved, will
[1:05:01] remain dormant for 10 years and be
[1:05:02] available for future use as needed. The
[1:05:05] public hearing for this SSA was also
[1:05:08] held July 6th and all other statutory
[1:05:10] obligations have been met.
[1:05:13] » Are there any questions?
[1:05:16] If not, the honorable just
[1:05:19] » Just a couple
[1:05:19] » Older person Kilbert uh hypothetical
[1:05:22] what what might be some of the issues
[1:05:24] that would generate the requirement for
[1:05:26] an SSA 10 years from now versus 5 years
[1:05:30] from now?
[1:05:33] Are we talking about snow removal? Are
[1:05:35] we talk is there a detentionary involved
[1:05:38] with uh with this project? I don't
[1:05:41] believe so. No, this is a financial um
[1:05:45] SSA backup for the financial incentive,
[1:05:48] not for the physical grounds.
[1:05:51] » Okay.
[1:05:54] So,
[1:05:55] what would be an example of a financial
[1:05:59] uh
[1:06:00] » So as as part of the uh
[1:06:02] » Requirement for an SSA? it as part of
[1:06:04] the incentive agreement, the city agreed
[1:06:07] to a lump sum payment to the developer
[1:06:10] to cover some of the utility costs. It's
[1:06:13] the expectation that the project will
[1:06:16] generate the revenue,
[1:06:18] » Okay,
[1:06:18] » To be able to cover that, but should
[1:06:21] that not happen, uh you can look to the
[1:06:25] backup SSA to,
[1:06:27] » Okay,
[1:06:27] » Do that. And it's because um you just
[1:06:30] don't know how the assessor will
[1:06:34] uh estimate but it's just extra for the
[1:06:38] city to have protection should
[1:06:40] » So it's a recovery of utilities and
[1:06:42] other elements that uh cause the project
[1:06:46] to move forward and that this an
[1:06:48] opportunity then for the city to recoup
[1:06:50] and if the uh if the tiff doesn't
[1:06:54] generate enough revenue then they're on
[1:06:56] the hook and the SSA they would cover
[1:06:58] the differential.
[1:06:59] » Correct. And the owner um offered it to
[1:07:01] the city and we said okay
[1:07:04] » Put it in.
[1:07:05] » It was offered to the city and the city
[1:07:08] is taking the opportunity to do it.
[1:07:10] » Okay. You answer my question. Thank you.
[1:07:13] » Anyone else?
[1:07:16] » Not
[1:07:24] Bing.
[1:07:24] » I
[1:07:25] » Fernish. I
[1:07:27] » Kilbert.
[1:07:27] » Hi
[1:07:28] » Kasarak.
[1:07:29] » I
[1:07:29] » Malake.
[1:07:30] » I
[1:07:31] » Mayor.
[1:07:32] » I
[1:07:33] » Palquist.
[1:07:34] » I
[1:07:34] » Pashki.
[1:07:35] » I
[1:07:36] » Reiki.
[1:07:37] » I.
[1:07:38] » Nine votes in the a zero votes in the
[1:07:40] one council member absent. The ordinance
[1:07:42] has been approved.
[1:07:44] » Forgive me.
[1:07:45] » The ordinance has been approved with
[1:07:46] nine affirmative votes, zero nay votes,
[1:07:48] and one council member absent. Item 10D.
[1:07:51] Consider resolution 2026-100
[1:07:55] rejecting bids opened on August 10, 2026
[1:08:00] for wastewater plant grit
[1:08:03] classifier.
[1:08:06] » Motion by Malake, seconded by Bing, Miss
[1:08:09] Voit.
[1:08:11] » Thank you. The item before the council
[1:08:13] is a request to reject bids for the
[1:08:16] wastewater plant grit classifier
[1:08:18] replacement. bid submitts were received
[1:08:21] and both were opened on August 10th. One
[1:08:24] of the biders subsequently submitted
[1:08:26] questions regarding the bid documents
[1:08:29] and uh that question and the documents
[1:08:32] were sent to legal for further
[1:08:33] consideration. Uh after a review of the
[1:08:36] questions, legal council recommended
[1:08:38] that the city reject both submitts,
[1:08:40] clean up the bid, and rebid. So that is
[1:08:43] what this request is for. And we do have
[1:08:45] assistant public works director Nate
[1:08:47] Landers here if there are additional
[1:08:49] questions.
[1:08:51] » Are there any questions for
[1:08:54] Nate Grit Landers?
[1:08:59] » Isn't it's just a great name. It's like
[1:09:01] ladies and gentlemen grit classifier on
[1:09:03] the tackle. Yeah. It's like if not the
[1:09:06] clerk will take the role.
[1:09:08] » Maliki
[1:09:09] » I.
[1:09:11] » Mayor I. Ponquist
[1:09:13] » I. Pashki
[1:09:14] » I
[1:09:15] » Reini
[1:09:16] » I
[1:09:17] » Bowing
[1:09:18] » I
[1:09:19] » Fernish
[1:09:19] » I
[1:09:20] » Kilberg
[1:09:21] » I
[1:09:21] » Caserat
[1:09:22] » I resolution 2026-100 has been approved
[1:09:25] with nine affirmative votes zero nay
[1:09:27] votes and one council member absent item
[1:09:30] 10 E
[1:09:33] consider resolution 2026-101
[1:09:37] authorizing the execution of a
[1:09:40] memorandum of understanding with Kain
[1:09:42] County for the install ation of
[1:09:44] communications infrastructure within the
[1:09:46] city's Fox River sanitary sewer
[1:09:50] crossing.
[1:09:52] » Mayor makes the motion. Conserog with
[1:09:55] the second. The floor is for Miss Voit.
[1:09:58] » Thank you. Uh this item reflects a
[1:10:01] request from Kain County that one
[1:10:03] additional 4inch conduit be installed
[1:10:06] within the city's new river crossing to
[1:10:08] accommodate future county fiber optic
[1:10:10] and communications infrastructure.
[1:10:12] Installing the conduit as part of the
[1:10:14] city's river crossing project will
[1:10:16] create cost savings and future
[1:10:18] disruption due to any additional
[1:10:20] construction. The King County Board
[1:10:22] approved a resolution funding the
[1:10:24] additional conduit and coordination of
[1:10:26] the installation in July and assistant
[1:10:30] director of public works Nate Landers is
[1:10:32] here if there are additional questions.
[1:10:35] » Are there any questions for assistant
[1:10:37] public works director Landers? Alder
[1:10:39] person mayor
[1:10:43] So we have a conduit too, right?
[1:10:45] Correct.
[1:10:46] » So this is an additional conduit. They
[1:10:48] couldn't just use space in ours.
[1:10:51] » They wanted their own conduit. So yes,
[1:10:52] this is an additional conduit.
[1:10:54] » Okay.
[1:10:56] » Um how much did this conduit cost?
[1:10:58] » This conduit costs roughly about 43,000
[1:11:02] for them to install that and then an
[1:11:05] additional 5,000 for the hand holes on
[1:11:07] each side of the roof.
[1:11:10] All right, that's all I have. Thank you.
[1:11:12] » Okay,
[1:11:14] » We do have a call into grit classifier
[1:11:16] to make sure that this is
[1:11:20] » We should just give it a grit. Anyone
[1:11:22] else from Mr. Landers?
[1:11:25] » On resolution 2026-101,
[1:11:28] the clerk will take the role.
[1:11:30] » Mayor,
[1:11:32] » I appalus
[1:11:34] » I. Pashki.
[1:11:35] » Hi,
[1:11:36] » Rhiniki.
[1:11:36] » Hi,
[1:11:37] » Bowing.
[1:11:38] » Hi,
[1:11:38] » Fernish.
[1:11:39] » Hi,
[1:11:40] » Kilberg.
[1:11:40] » Hi,
[1:11:41] » Caser.
[1:11:42] » I
[1:11:42] » Maliki,
[1:11:43] » I
[1:11:44] » The resolution has been adopted with
[1:11:45] nine affirmative votes, zero nay votes,
[1:11:47] and one council member absent. Item 10F
[1:11:50] is consider resolution 2026-102
[1:11:53] authorizing the execution of a 10-foot
[1:11:57] fiber optic easement to Canain County
[1:12:00] for fiber optic installation serving
[1:12:02] Tricom dispatch.
[1:12:05] » Palmquist
[1:12:07] and I believe Pashki
[1:12:10] » With a second. Yep.
[1:12:12] Miss Boy,
[1:12:14] » Thank you. Uh, this item before the
[1:12:17] council is a request to grant King
[1:12:19] County a permanent non-exclusive
[1:12:22] underground fiber optic utility easement
[1:12:24] across a parcel so the county may
[1:12:26] install and maintain fiber optic conduit
[1:12:29] serving the Tricom central dispatch
[1:12:31] facility. The city will maintain the
[1:12:33] right to continue using the easement
[1:12:35] areas and also grant additional non-erin
[1:12:38] interfering easements. This request
[1:12:40] comes at no cost or administrative
[1:12:42] burden to the city and the assistant
[1:12:45] director is still here if there are
[1:12:47] questions.
[1:12:49] » Questions for Mr. Landers.
[1:12:53] » Seeing none, the clerk,
[1:12:56] sorry,
[1:12:56] » Older person. Mayor,
[1:12:57] » I I was just going to ask the lawyer
[1:12:59] actually. So, this is an easement that's
[1:13:02] coincidental with our easement for the
[1:13:04] crossing.
[1:13:05] » It's not a different easement, is it?
[1:13:07] They're gonna all be in the same trench,
[1:13:09] right?
[1:13:09] » It's all in the same area. Yes.
[1:13:11] » Okay. So, there's
[1:13:12] » Their easement that overlaps
[1:13:14] » For access.
[1:13:15] » Correct.
[1:13:16] » Okay. It's for access. Okay. All right.
[1:13:18] Thank you.
[1:13:21] » City clerk, please take the role on
[1:13:23] resolution 2026-102.
[1:13:26] » Pollquest.
[1:13:27] » I.
[1:13:28] » Pashki.
[1:13:29] » I.
[1:13:29] » Reini.
[1:13:30] » Hi.
[1:13:31] » Bing.
[1:13:32] » Hi.
[1:13:32] » Fernish.
[1:13:33] » Hi.
[1:13:34] » Pilberg.
[1:13:34] » Hi.
[1:13:35] » Kasog.
[1:13:36] » Hi. Malaki
[1:13:37] » I.
[1:13:37] » Mayor
[1:13:38] » I.
[1:13:38] » The resolution is passed with nine
[1:13:40] affirmative votes, zero nay votes, and
[1:13:42] one council member absent. Item 10G is
[1:13:45] consider resolution 2026-103
[1:13:48] authorizing the purchase of a wooden
[1:13:51] utility, excuse me, of wooden utility
[1:13:54] poles from power line in the amount of
[1:13:58] 50,449
[1:14:00] bucks and I believe that is 43 cents.
[1:14:04] » That's for one poll.
[1:14:05] » Second. Yes,
[1:14:07] » Kidding. Pashki made the motion and
[1:14:09] seconded by Bowing. Miss Vo, clarify
[1:14:11] that.
[1:14:12] » This is for more than one pole. Uh, but
[1:14:14] this request is to purchase wooden
[1:14:17] utility poles in order to replenish our
[1:14:20] electric division stock. The city did
[1:14:22] solicit bids. Uh, however, none were no
[1:14:25] one submitted for uh no one responded to
[1:14:27] the bid, excuse me. staff undertook an
[1:14:29] informal bid process and solicited
[1:14:32] numbers from three companies which were
[1:14:34] included in a memo that Superintendent
[1:14:36] Holton drafted that was in your packet.
[1:14:38] Um, and the request before you is to
[1:14:41] purchase from Powerline Supply who
[1:14:43] provided the lowest price and we do have
[1:14:46] the superintendent here if there are
[1:14:48] additional questions.
[1:14:50] » Questions for Superintendent Holton.
[1:14:52] Alder person Kilberg. I just uh
[1:14:56] had a uh curious question. Um
[1:15:01] I'm sure we have an inventory of all the
[1:15:03] polls in Geneva that are city's
[1:15:06] responsibility. Do we have a
[1:15:08] » Do we have a u a decade long plan or two
[1:15:12] decade long plan to replace poles uh or
[1:15:16] is it just replacements are when we feel
[1:15:18] as though pole has deteriorated to the
[1:15:21] point where it's putting our service at
[1:15:23] risk. Uh I know we purchasing 30 here.
[1:15:27] Is that sort of what we're doing on an
[1:15:29] annual basis? Uh
[1:15:31] » Uh we typically don't buy polls
[1:15:33] annually. Okay.
[1:15:34] » The last time we purchased polls, I
[1:15:36] believe, was 2021.
[1:15:37] » Oh, okay.
[1:15:38] » Um, as far as replacement schedule, uh,
[1:15:41] if you remember, uh, two or last year,
[1:15:44] actually,
[1:15:45] » I think I asked this question last year.
[1:15:47] » Trying to get my my fiscal year correct,
[1:15:48] but I believe it was last year, uh, we
[1:15:51] did do a systemwide poll inventory and
[1:15:54] testing. Um, that identifies polls.
[1:15:57] They're It says we're looking at the
[1:15:59] condition of the pole. Um the reason why
[1:16:01] our the reason why our uh inventory is
[1:16:05] getting low is because after that u pole
[1:16:09] assessment we had uh some that we that
[1:16:11] were needed to be replaced immediately.
[1:16:14] So we went ahead and and did that. So
[1:16:16] every couple years we undertake a pole
[1:16:17] assessment to keep keep track of how the
[1:16:20] poles are doing out there on the system.
[1:16:21] » I noticed there's some differentiation
[1:16:23] in price for the poles. Is it the
[1:16:26] diameter of the pole, the length of the
[1:16:28] pole, or what what causes a a pole to
[1:16:31] cost $1,500 versus one that costs
[1:16:34] $2,300?
[1:16:35] » Uh, it's uh both size and
[1:16:37] classification. So, you have the length
[1:16:38] of the pole, that would be the pole
[1:16:40] size, 35, 40, 45 ft, and then you have a
[1:16:43] classification, which is how much taper
[1:16:45] there is in the pole. So, uh the higher
[1:16:48] the the classification number, the more
[1:16:50] taper there is. It gets smaller at the
[1:16:52] top. and that uh we specify that
[1:16:55] classification based on what's going to
[1:16:57] go on that pole out in the field. So,
[1:16:59] » Okay. Thank you.
[1:17:01] Anyone else? Alder person conroy.
[1:17:05] » Are you going to bang each one with the
[1:17:06] hammer and make sure you hear the ring?
[1:17:08] » Yes.
[1:17:09] » Okay.
[1:17:09] » We want to make sure they ring.
[1:17:10] » We got to report back on that.
[1:17:13] » Well, some of them.
[1:17:14] » Yes.
[1:17:16] » We want them to ring.
[1:17:16] » If we want them to ring. Yep. Yep.
[1:17:18] » If
[1:17:20] Facebook live on that one.
[1:17:21] » That's right. We we'll see what we can
[1:17:23] do.
[1:17:23] » Anyone else?
[1:17:25] » Alder person Maliki.
[1:17:26] » Just really quick, do we please do we do
[1:17:28] the work in house or who's
[1:17:29] » Yes.
[1:17:29] » Yeah. We do it ourselves.
[1:17:31] » Thanks.
[1:17:31] » Yep.
[1:17:34] » If there's no other questions, the clerk
[1:17:36] will take the roll call on resolution
[1:17:38] 2026-103.
[1:17:41] » Pashki.
[1:17:42] » I. Reini.
[1:17:43] » I
[1:17:47] » Hilberg.
[1:17:48] » Hi.
[1:17:49] » Casarog.
[1:17:49] » Hi.
[1:17:50] » Maliki. I
[1:17:52] » Mayor I palquest
[1:17:54] » I the resolution has been approved by
[1:17:57] nine affirmative votes zero nay votes
[1:17:59] and one council member absent. Thank you
[1:18:01] sir. Our last item item 10H consider
[1:18:05] resolution 2026-104
[1:18:08] adopting updated city of Geneva
[1:18:11] personnel policy manual.
[1:18:13] » So second
[1:18:15] » Mayor with the motion Pashki with the
[1:18:17] second and the floor is Miss Voitz.
[1:18:20] Thank you. Um, as outlined, the item
[1:18:23] before the council is a request to adopt
[1:18:26] changes to the city's personnel policy
[1:18:28] manual. The proposed changes allow the
[1:18:30] manual to ensure the city remains
[1:18:32] compliant with employment law and best
[1:18:34] practices. Updates include a new section
[1:18:37] to comply with the Illinois Family
[1:18:39] Neonatal Intensive Care Leave Act, a
[1:18:42] proposal to add a parental care leave
[1:18:44] benefit policy, revision, excuse me,
[1:18:47] revisions to the existing educational
[1:18:49] assistance policy, a modification to
[1:18:52] sick time payout procedures for IMRF
[1:18:54] retirees, and then some general cleanup
[1:18:57] language. The redline document included
[1:19:00] was included in the packet, excuse me.
[1:19:02] We did receive some questions regarding
[1:19:03] this item which were posted to the
[1:19:05] website and we also um some grammatical
[1:19:10] uh errors were were sent in. We'll take
[1:19:14] note of those and those will be
[1:19:15] addressed in the final as well. And we
[1:19:17] have our HR manager Lauren Newton here
[1:19:20] if there are additional questions beyond
[1:19:22] the what was in the packet this
[1:19:24] afternoon.
[1:19:25] » Questions person
[1:19:28] bing floor is yours.
[1:19:30] » Thank you mayor. Um yes. So I um did
[1:19:33] have some more questions about the
[1:19:34] parental care leave. Um I'm delighted
[1:19:37] that the city is implementing this. Um I
[1:19:41] understand the concerns particularly
[1:19:43] because the city manages so many
[1:19:45] different types of operations about
[1:19:46] keeping the benefit um as a consecutive
[1:19:50] block. I was wondering if
[1:19:54] um is it just open up too many cans of
[1:19:56] worms to make that like a departmental
[1:20:00] decision or like allow for some
[1:20:02] flexibility because again I I know
[1:20:06] people have different needs sometimes uh
[1:20:09] you know the leave situation for the two
[1:20:12] parents may differ or there may be
[1:20:14] things that come up um but um
[1:20:19] anyway so I just I guess I'm curious
[1:20:20] ious whether that just feels
[1:20:24] like not a best practice to try to allow
[1:20:27] for some flexibility if it was okay with
[1:20:29] line management.
[1:20:30] » Yeah. Um so it's a great question. Um
[1:20:33] and uh it pertains to of course the twoe
[1:20:37] parental leave is being implemented as a
[1:20:39] consecutive leave. So once a new parent
[1:20:42] who's employed by the city um starts
[1:20:45] their FMLA for the birth or uh bonding
[1:20:47] of a child, they are entitled or would
[1:20:50] be entitled to two weeks of paid
[1:20:52] parental leave. Um, I think it's um
[1:20:56] challenging sometimes when crafting
[1:20:58] policies that um cover various
[1:21:01] departments, uh, because while somebody
[1:21:04] here at city hall could probably easily
[1:21:06] take an intermittent leave, um, a police
[1:21:10] officer taking an intermittent leave is
[1:21:11] a very different story because you start
[1:21:13] looking at how that impacts others and
[1:21:16] for operational planning and staffing.
[1:21:19] Um, so when we draft the policy and this
[1:21:21] is the initial policy, we try to make it
[1:21:24] as easy on operational continuity as
[1:21:28] possible and we think of those whatifs.
[1:21:30] Um, the same with fire, right? So
[1:21:33] they're on 24 48 off. Um, an
[1:21:36] intermittent leave to a firefighter,
[1:21:38] they could be out for quite a long time
[1:21:41] versus somebody here who's here at city
[1:21:43] hall who doesn't need to be uh called
[1:21:45] back for coverage or have anybody held
[1:21:48] over. Um so we did assess that. We did
[1:21:51] look at other policies too. Um we
[1:21:53] reached out to our uh neighboring
[1:21:54] communities that have uh similar
[1:21:57] policies and the consensus was that they
[1:21:59] do offer it consecutively. Um so that's
[1:22:01] where we decided to lead with
[1:22:03] implementing it. Um but I do recognize
[1:22:06] uh what you're mentioning too,
[1:22:08] especially when um there's multiple
[1:22:10] parents who are both working at play. um
[1:22:14] you know, starting the FMLA for the uh
[1:22:16] the parent who um you know has the
[1:22:19] child, the birthing parent, um their
[1:22:21] leave starts right away because they
[1:22:22] have the physical recovery part coupled
[1:22:25] with [snorts] the bonding. Um but for
[1:22:27] the other parent, they could take this
[1:22:29] leave at a later time. Absolutely. That
[1:22:32] would run concurrently with their FMLA,
[1:22:34] though. So that would then trigger the
[1:22:36] FMLA event. So, as long as they're not
[1:22:38] taking FMLA at the birth of the child,
[1:22:40] um you know, they they can take, you
[1:22:43] know, up to the amounted uh time off uh
[1:22:45] that they're allowed, which would be
[1:22:46] three shifts, but anything beyond that
[1:22:48] triggers uh FMLA. Um they could of
[1:22:52] course take the two weeks
[1:22:53] » Staggered
[1:22:54] » Later. Yes. So, that would be an option
[1:22:56] for them.
[1:22:57] » Okay. And then I guess so, as I was
[1:22:59] rereading this, uh I um just wanted to
[1:23:03] clarify. So there's a section if both
[1:23:04] parents are employed and for everyone
[1:23:06] else's reference in case people note
[1:23:08] this is on page 279 of the packet. It
[1:23:10] says if both parents are employed by the
[1:23:12] city I don't know how often this happens
[1:23:14] combined paid leave may not exceed two
[1:23:16] weeks. I don't understand what that
[1:23:18] means. So like that means that if both
[1:23:20] parents were employed by the city
[1:23:22] effectively they only get half of this
[1:23:23] benefit.
[1:23:24] » Uh no they they would get the two weeks
[1:23:27] combined. So each parent would not be
[1:23:29] eligible for their own two weeks for it.
[1:23:33] » Why?
[1:23:34] » Um
[1:23:36] again um operationally that's similar to
[1:23:40] FMLA for bonding as well.
[1:23:43] » Um
[1:23:45] it's really to make sure that the the
[1:23:48] benefit isn't exceeding what it's in
[1:23:50] intended to do. But if both parents were
[1:23:54] employed separately, there's no way to
[1:23:57] impose that kind of restriction. Like
[1:23:59] each of them would get whatever benefit
[1:24:01] the employer gave. And it just if they
[1:24:03] happen to both be employed by the city,
[1:24:05] then it seems like they're effectively
[1:24:07] being penalized. Like they're getting
[1:24:08] less benefit than two parents who had
[1:24:12] different employers.
[1:24:13] » Sure. I I certainly understand that.
[1:24:16] Yeah.
[1:24:16] » Okay.
[1:24:17] » Yeah. Um, and it we don't do we
[1:24:23] I don't want to step my toe into too
[1:24:25] much of the nitty-gritty, but I feel
[1:24:26] like our parental leave in this country
[1:24:28] is already so uh scanty.
[1:24:31] » Sure.
[1:24:31] » Um, and uh, having
[1:24:34] » Been a parent recently, a new parent
[1:24:36] recently, uh, twice. I, you know, every
[1:24:39] amount of flexibility that there was was
[1:24:42] really helpful. Um, and
[1:24:47] anyway, so I guess uh
[1:24:51] to me that seems unfair. I guess I'm
[1:24:54] curious
[1:24:55] like operationally we feel like it's
[1:24:57] just not tenable to take away that
[1:25:00] restriction.
[1:25:02] Um, again, I don't know how many
[1:25:05] times this even comes up. Um,
[1:25:11] and I I I'm trying to imagine kind of
[1:25:13] the most complicated case scenario. We
[1:25:15] had two um police officers or two
[1:25:20] firefighters uh who were both becoming
[1:25:23] new parents.
[1:25:24] » Um
[1:25:26] like I can't imagine that that could be
[1:25:28] disruptive. I also feel like
[1:25:32] I don't know I from from an equity
[1:25:34] standpoint um this is really bothering
[1:25:37] me. Um so I guess I'm curious to hear
[1:25:39] whether other folks on council would
[1:25:42] agree. Um
[1:25:45] anyway, yeah I guess I' I'd be I'd be
[1:25:49] interested to try to make that more
[1:25:50] flexible. Um, and then I guess just the
[1:25:53] way it's worded, I mean obviously it
[1:25:55] can't actually cut off FMLA and while
[1:25:58] under FMLA they can use their own
[1:26:01] vacation time or personal time that they
[1:26:04] may have accured in addition to this
[1:26:06] parental leave.
[1:26:07] » Yeah. If you're talking about the two
[1:26:09] parent employed situation, absolutely.
[1:26:11] So both have their rights under FMLA.
[1:26:13] This is just the paid benefit that the
[1:26:15] city's paying. Okay.
[1:26:17] » So the city is paying two weeks where
[1:26:19] somebody does not need to touch
[1:26:21] their benefit time. Yes. Uh for the
[1:26:24] birth um or adoption of a child. Um and
[1:26:27] in the event of uh two employees who are
[1:26:30] married, that does not extend that paid
[1:26:32] benefit. However, they can use their PTO
[1:26:35] however they'd like. Um and they do get
[1:26:37] the FMLA benefit.
[1:26:40] Yeah. I I guess yeah, I just
[1:26:45] my point of comparison from my own
[1:26:47] personal life is that when my first
[1:26:48] child was born, uh his employer gave no
[1:26:51] parental leave time. When our second
[1:26:54] child was born, he got two weeks. And it
[1:26:56] was great because it meant that he
[1:26:57] hadn't used up all of his vacation time
[1:27:00] right after the birth of our second
[1:27:02] child.
[1:27:03] » Uh and then that allowed for more
[1:27:05] flexibility for the myriad of things
[1:27:07] life brings up down the line. Um, and
[1:27:12] I guess uh,
[1:27:15] yeah, I
[1:27:18] I don't know. This feels like a very
[1:27:20] particular point to have an issue with,
[1:27:22] and I'm curious uh, to hear, I don't
[1:27:25] know, from city administrator of White
[1:27:27] or attorney kind of what uh, options
[1:27:30] might be for. I don't want to I don't
[1:27:32] want to halt all of our progress here.
[1:27:35] Um, but I I guess I'd like to open the
[1:27:38] opportunity if no one else on council
[1:27:40] feels like this is a a significant
[1:27:42] issue, then I can let it lie. Is it most
[1:27:44] appropriate for And again, I I don't
[1:27:47] want to discount the advice of our
[1:27:48] staff. Um, I don't know. So, I guess I'm
[1:27:52] I'm asking for some input, but maybe
[1:27:55] that's inappropriate.
[1:27:57] Well, in reviewing this policy,
[1:28:00] we're first of all, we're very excited
[1:28:01] to be including this benefit for our
[1:28:03] workforce, particularly as we are
[1:28:05] looking to attract and retain,
[1:28:08] » Right,
[1:28:09] » Younger employees. Yep.
[1:28:10] » Um, I will say in terms of consideration
[1:28:14] of this specific point, as you know,
[1:28:18] Lauren pointed out um the intention is
[1:28:23] to not exceed the twoe period. So the
[1:28:26] one week per parent with the FMLA
[1:28:29] um we felt comfortable moving forward
[1:28:31] with that because it is such a limited
[1:28:32] set of circumstances.
[1:28:34] I you know in terms of any conversation
[1:28:37] beyond that we we left it at that
[1:28:39] because we're focused on getting this
[1:28:42] new benefit included in the plan. Got
[1:28:44] it. Okay. Um well certainly I don't want
[1:28:48] to jeopardize a new beneficial benefit.
[1:28:51] Is it possible to come back and look at
[1:28:53] this as a point of potential expansion
[1:28:56] down the line? Rambi, that's out of
[1:28:58] order for this. Yeah, sorry. Go ahead.
[1:29:00] » Um, yes, I was going to say that would
[1:29:01] be a very, I think, positive way to look
[1:29:04] at it. This is a change. This will be
[1:29:06] the first time administering this. It'll
[1:29:08] be impacting um employees across the
[1:29:10] city, but we are a smaller organization.
[1:29:13] there is limited applicability of um how
[1:29:16] often this happens, but I think
[1:29:18] revisiting it in the future um to see if
[1:29:21] this program is adequate to see if it
[1:29:23] needs to be adjusted. I think we could
[1:29:24] certainly commit to coming back um
[1:29:27] whether it's a year, whether it's 18
[1:29:28] months from now and just say this has
[1:29:29] been our experience with it um and see
[1:29:32] if there's need to make any adjustments
[1:29:34] or consider changing it.
[1:29:36] » Okay, I'd be very happy with that. Um,
[1:29:39] obviously if anyone else on council
[1:29:40] wants to weigh in, they can, but um,
[1:29:42] thank you. I really appreciate all of
[1:29:44] that additional conversation.
[1:29:46] » Certainly.
[1:29:47] » Anyone else? Alder person Maliki then
[1:29:50] older person Pesky.
[1:29:51] » Um, I mean, Alder person Bing does make
[1:29:54] a good point about this. Um my just
[1:29:56] quick question is could um in the rare
[1:29:59] occasion that this does happen where
[1:30:00] there's you know a couple that are both
[1:30:02] employed by the city uh and they don't
[1:30:04] get the same benefit that you know two
[1:30:08] other couples would if they're working
[1:30:09] for two different organizations
[1:30:12] would there poss could there be any sort
[1:30:13] of you know legal standing where they
[1:30:16] could come back you know and you know
[1:30:19] okay just I just asked him the question
[1:30:21] I don't know you know weird things
[1:30:23] happen
[1:30:23] » If you want
[1:30:26] unequivocally no.
[1:30:27] » Okay,
[1:30:27] » This is our benefit for our employees.
[1:30:31] What someone else gets with a different
[1:30:33] employer is not applicable. This is a
[1:30:35] employee benefit. This is a new benefit.
[1:30:38] Right. Right.
[1:30:38] » So, and as the director said, it has to
[1:30:42] be operational, meaning it needs to be
[1:30:44] employed and worked through in this
[1:30:47] organization's okay.
[1:30:48] » Best interests. And as Ben said, changes
[1:30:50] can be made going forward, but your
[1:30:52] scenario is not anything we have to
[1:30:55] worry about.
[1:30:55] » Okay. Thank you.
[1:30:58] » Alder person Pashky, then older person
[1:30:59] mayor.
[1:31:01] » Um, so I I understand
[1:31:04] uh the points being made here. I tend to
[1:31:08] agree with Alder person Bowering that it
[1:31:11] would be good to review this again in
[1:31:13] the future because I can see how through
[1:31:16] the employees, you know, lens, it feels
[1:31:19] like a real a big disadvantage for the
[1:31:22] couple if they're both employees. um
[1:31:25] versus their co-workers who if you know
[1:31:28] one birthing co-orker gets the two weeks
[1:31:30] paid and the other one has to choose to
[1:31:32] take only one week paid because their p
[1:31:34] spouse wants to take one week paid that
[1:31:36] that feels like a disadvantage. So I
[1:31:38] would like to review it in the future.
[1:31:40] Um but if I can ask a question about
[1:31:43] another section of this is that okay
[1:31:46] since I have the floor um the
[1:31:48] educational assistance
[1:31:51] » Is that budgeted by department? It is
[1:31:54] okay.
[1:31:54] » Yes, it's part of the budget process
[1:31:56] annually. So employees need to uh
[1:31:59] approach their department head to
[1:32:01] request it. Um and it goes through a
[1:32:03] formal approval process with with the
[1:32:05] budget.
[1:32:07] » So they have to actually request it
[1:32:09] before like during the budget process.
[1:32:12] Correct. Have to be planning ahead to
[1:32:13] ask for it.
[1:32:14] » Yes.
[1:32:14] » Okay.
[1:32:15] » Thank you.
[1:32:16] » Sure.
[1:32:17] » Alder person mayor. I just wanted
[1:32:20] clarification because I thought I
[1:32:21] understood what we were talking about
[1:32:23] with the married co-workers employed by
[1:32:26] Geneva. Um, is it that each one only
[1:32:29] gets one week then?
[1:32:32] » Okay. Yeah, that seems really hokey. So,
[1:32:34] maybe we should consider it in the
[1:32:36] future. I'll support it to pass and get
[1:32:39] this
[1:32:40] » Going, but I think it's weird. Like,
[1:32:43] » If you're both employed here, you should
[1:32:45] get the same two weeks that everybody
[1:32:47] else gets. I think if that's something
[1:32:49] the council wants us to continue to look
[1:32:51] at, we can certainly keep track and when
[1:32:53] future upd up updates come forward or in
[1:32:56] a year from now when we if we don't have
[1:32:58] any updates, we can commit to providing
[1:33:01] an update to the council. I don't think
[1:33:02] that's
[1:33:03] » I don't think it's going to happen in
[1:33:04] this next year. So, I think that's safe.
[1:33:07] » Never know,
[1:33:09] » But that's fine. We I I think it's safe
[1:33:11] to say that's a very reasonable request
[1:33:14] to
[1:33:15] » Thank you.
[1:33:16] » Sure. Alder person Pashki for a second
[1:33:19] time. Then
[1:33:21] » Then Dean
[1:33:23] » Dean, you have not yet spoken on this
[1:33:24] matter. Then older person Pashki.
[1:33:26] » Um this is a lot of housekeeping
[1:33:29] apparently where we're sort of
[1:33:30] tightening up some things that were sort
[1:33:32] of open-ended. Um
[1:33:35] » Um just for the public's benefit, a few
[1:33:38] of these things I think are important.
[1:33:40] um uh when someone leaves our employment
[1:33:44] uh they can only uh be reimbursed up to
[1:33:47] 60 days. That's sick sick days that
[1:33:50] they'd accumulated as well as vacation
[1:33:52] days, right?
[1:33:54] » Um which section are you referring to?
[1:33:56] » Well, the one that refers to it. I don't
[1:33:59] have it.
[1:34:00] » No, that's okay. Are you talking about
[1:34:03] » Pay?
[1:34:04] » The sick pay benefit on a retiree. Sure.
[1:34:06] Okay. Thank you for Thank you for
[1:34:08] clarify.
[1:34:10] I I apologize. Um,
[1:34:11] » And I would assume that in the past that
[1:34:13] was sort of open-ended and we have
[1:34:15] people that sometimes never want to take
[1:34:16] their vacation and then all of a sudden
[1:34:18] they retire and they got 150 days of
[1:34:21] vacation time they've accumulated.
[1:34:23] » Sure.
[1:34:23] » And u,
[1:34:24] » You know, I had a [clears throat] past
[1:34:26] experience where this was the case, but
[1:34:28] I think this is was it open-ended
[1:34:30] before?
[1:34:31] » It wasn't. No, the 480 hours uh has been
[1:34:34] a longstanding uh policy.
[1:34:36] » Okay. So then what's really changed here
[1:34:38] then? So what's changed is the time that
[1:34:40] they're paid out um
[1:34:42] » Onetime payment at severance or correct
[1:34:45] separation
[1:34:45] » Upon retirement and that really um has
[1:34:49] to do with IMRF retirees. So what can
[1:34:52] happen um and it's uh an unintended uh
[1:34:57] consequence of paying out um sick time
[1:35:00] like that. But what can happen is um if
[1:35:03] a retiree leaves and they have a very
[1:35:05] large balance as you referenced um we
[1:35:09] can get an unbudgeted accelerated
[1:35:11] payment from IMRF. Uh so it's also
[1:35:14] referred to as pension spiking because
[1:35:17] IMRF was not anticipating that kind of
[1:35:20] increase to the employee salary. So IMRF
[1:35:23] does allow employers to mitigate that.
[1:35:26] You just have to pay the sick time in
[1:35:28] the month following retirement. Okay.
[1:35:30] » Um, so that creates an exemption that
[1:35:32] saves the city money and then it doesn't
[1:35:35] allow for an unbudgeted um increase to
[1:35:39] that retirees pension. So it's
[1:35:40] safeguarding, if you will, um, without
[1:35:44] making this benefit something greater
[1:35:46] than it's intended to be. So it's uh,
[1:35:48] just operational. It has nothing to do
[1:35:50] with the amount of the benefit.
[1:35:52] » As it relates to vacation time, is there
[1:35:54] a cap on what an employee can
[1:35:56] accumulate?
[1:35:58] In other words, uh,
[1:36:01] » Per year.
[1:36:02] » Do we get to a point where an employee
[1:36:03] has to use vacation time? Because I
[1:36:05] think that's important that people take
[1:36:07] vacation.
[1:36:08] » It is very important. Yes. Employees are
[1:36:10] allowed to carry over um up to a week of
[1:36:12] vacation from year to year.
[1:36:14] » Carry over unused. Yes. And I I want to
[1:36:17] say the maximum is 25 days that somebody
[1:36:21] can acrue throughout the year.
[1:36:24] » And I'd say and that's that's been a
[1:36:26] recent change. Um the city um until very
[1:36:30] recently did not permit any carryover
[1:36:32] vacation time. We were a true use it or
[1:36:34] lose it type approach to paid leave. And
[1:36:36] then uh just about two years ago we made
[1:36:38] the switch to allow employees to carry
[1:36:40] over up to up to the five days.
[1:36:42] » No, there are some other things here I
[1:36:44] want to you know uh make note of. The
[1:36:47] fact that if you're going to donate
[1:36:48] blood, you can get time off to do that,
[1:36:51] » Which is great. And the other one uh
[1:36:53] when the city reimbures or provides for
[1:36:57] advanced education
[1:36:59] uh 0 to 180 days if they leave during
[1:37:03] that time frame they are uh entitled
[1:37:05] they're obligated to repay to the city
[1:37:08] for what uh what uh they were reimbursed
[1:37:10] in uh 180 days to 360 days 75%. So I
[1:37:15] think that's a good move. And the other
[1:37:17] one is is that uh notice in other words
[1:37:20] uh when we have department heads that
[1:37:22] leave they need to give 30 days notice
[1:37:24] other employees uh 10 10 days. So uh did
[1:37:28] we tighten that up or uh was that
[1:37:30] something that uh that uh did not really
[1:37:33] exist previously?
[1:37:34] » Um the standard notice period has
[1:37:36] existed. What we tightened up in here
[1:37:38] was clarifying that the last day of
[1:37:41] employment is the last day worked.
[1:37:43] » Okay. There have been times occasionally
[1:37:46] um where the question has come up and
[1:37:49] somebody wants to use uh paid time off
[1:37:51] that would not be getting paid out like
[1:37:53] personal time. Okay.
[1:37:54] » Um to extend their employment and um you
[1:37:59] know we we wanted to clarify you have to
[1:38:01] be here for your last day of work. It
[1:38:02] affects insurance. It affects um it
[1:38:05] affects what they're eligible for at
[1:38:07] payout time. So,
[1:38:09] » And as the other point is is that when
[1:38:11] we have people that retire u before they
[1:38:14] can collect social security or they
[1:38:16] they're on Medicare, the city will uh
[1:38:20] allow them to purchase the city's
[1:38:22] insurance package uh up to a certain
[1:38:25] point. Is that uh during the length of
[1:38:28] the contract or is it indefinite?
[1:38:31] » Yeah. No, they actually can stay on
[1:38:33] indefinitely. It's per Illinois
[1:38:35] legislation. So, if an individual leaves
[1:38:39] employment uh with a municipality and
[1:38:41] they are eligible for a pension, so
[1:38:43] they're eligible to retire under that
[1:38:44] pension, um it's the Illinois um public
[1:38:47] employee continuation act. We have to
[1:38:49] allow them to stay on their plan. Um but
[1:38:53] they pull they pay the full cost of the
[1:38:55] plan. So unlike COBRA, it's not capped
[1:38:58] at 18 months or 36 months if you become
[1:39:00] Medicare eligible. Most retirees do drop
[1:39:04] it upon Medicare because it's a
[1:39:06] tremendous cost reduction in going to
[1:39:08] Medicare, but where you see it taken the
[1:39:10] most is really our first responders
[1:39:12] since their retirement age is 50, right?
[1:39:15] So, they have a ways to go um in making
[1:39:18] it to the finish line for insurance. So,
[1:39:21] that is per uh legislation, state
[1:39:23] legislation. And we have we have a lot
[1:39:24] of employees that probably are retiring
[1:39:26] between 55 and 60 in certain departments
[1:39:29] and because they've accumulated enough
[1:39:31] time that they can retire if they want
[1:39:33] to. So how how is their
[1:39:36] » Uh insurance actually
[1:39:38] » Uh calculated? In other words, is that a
[1:39:42] percentage uh of uh our total insurance
[1:39:45] package then for an employee or I guess
[1:39:48] I I
[1:39:49] » I'm just curious as to uh obviously that
[1:39:52] might be pretty attractive to an
[1:39:54] employee versus going into the uh open
[1:39:56] market and trying to secure health
[1:39:58] insurance. Sure.
[1:39:58] » So we could be insuring someone for
[1:40:03] » 12 years.
[1:40:04] » Yes.
[1:40:04] » Is that possible?
[1:40:05] » Uh that's very it's very possible. So,
[1:40:07] um,
[1:40:08] » Well, they could not insuring, but they
[1:40:10] could be utilizing the city's insurance
[1:40:12] policy for 12 years.
[1:40:14] » Correct. So, the nice thing is that the
[1:40:16] city is fully insured, um, which is a a
[1:40:19] benefit in those situations. So, we're
[1:40:21] not uh self-insured like uh some other
[1:40:23] municipalities where we're um having
[1:40:26] those claims um come against us, if you
[1:40:29] will, uh when it comes to budgeting.
[1:40:31] But, uh yes, they can stay on it, but
[1:40:33] the city no longer contributes to their
[1:40:35] premiums. So the city does not pay
[1:40:38] anything for them to actually maintain
[1:40:40] the insurance. So if the plan is a
[1:40:42] single PO and it costs $980 a month
[1:40:46] full, that's [clears throat] what
[1:40:47] they're responsible for. Whereas an
[1:40:49] employee, they were paying, you know, 10
[1:40:51] and something. So they uh they take that
[1:40:54] burden on. Um a lot of them do if they
[1:40:57] find secondary employment that offers uh
[1:40:59] coverage, they'll transition at that
[1:41:01] time, too.
[1:41:05] I had one more. We assume we assume the
[1:41:08] liability though if that person is on
[1:41:10] our insurance and let's say they have a
[1:41:12] a serious illness.
[1:41:13] » Absolutely. Yes, it does hit our
[1:41:15] » We carry forward after they've left our
[1:41:17] employment with that responsibility as
[1:41:20] well.
[1:41:20] » It does hit our experience. Yep.
[1:41:22] » That's all I had. Thank you.
[1:41:23] » Sure.
[1:41:24] » Alder person pesky.
[1:41:27] I just wanted to bring us back to the
[1:41:28] parental care leave. U just to point out
[1:41:30] that that section appears to only apply
[1:41:34] to non-bargaining unit employees. And I
[1:41:36] know before there were examples being
[1:41:37] given of um police and fire and that
[1:41:41] this actually greatly reduces the
[1:41:44] population of employees that would be
[1:41:45] impacted by this but also doesn't have
[1:41:47] the same effects that were being
[1:41:48] discussed before.
[1:41:50] » Sure. So police do have a clause in
[1:41:52] their contract where they will get this
[1:41:54] benefit. Oh, they do.
[1:41:55] » So, they do and I'm sure that um other
[1:41:59] bargaining groups will ask for it
[1:42:01] » To follow, but police does have a me too
[1:42:04] clause, if you will, specifically to
[1:42:06] this. So, uh police and non-union
[1:42:08] certainly at this time.
[1:42:13] » Anyone [clears throat] else? Older
[1:42:14] person Reini.
[1:42:17] » Yeah, if I could, I wanted to pivot a
[1:42:18] bit and ask about the educational
[1:42:20] assistance benefit.
[1:42:22] » Um how long two questions. How long has
[1:42:24] that been in play and what's been your
[1:42:26] experience with it? How has it been
[1:42:27] used?
[1:42:28] » Sure. So, it it's been in existence for
[1:42:31] a long time. I can't tell you the exact
[1:42:34] um uh time that it became active in the
[1:42:38] personal policy manual. I could look
[1:42:39] back
[1:42:40] » And get you that answer though. But um I
[1:42:43] believe for a long time, and feel free
[1:42:45] to speak to it, Ben, it was not utilized
[1:42:48] uh by departments. Um but as of recent
[1:42:51] we have had two individuals at public
[1:42:53] works utilize this benefit both for
[1:42:56] higher ed. Um one individual
[1:42:59] transitioned out of a field operations
[1:43:02] role to a front office management
[1:43:05] position. So it's very beneficial for
[1:43:07] us. Um and the other uh is aspirational
[1:43:10] and um uh pursuing you know an MPA with
[1:43:14] it too.
[1:43:15] » A masters of public administration. Yes.
[1:43:18] Yes. So, both at public works, um both
[1:43:22] in positions that are very challenging
[1:43:24] to hire for where we want to to retain,
[1:43:27] but that has all been um uh submitted
[1:43:30] and approved through the budget over
[1:43:32] multiple years.
[1:43:34] » Okay.
[1:43:35] » Thank you.
[1:43:35] » Sure.
[1:43:38] » Anyone else?
[1:43:41] » City clerk, are you prepared for the
[1:43:43] roll call on resolution 2026-104?
[1:43:47] » Mayor
[1:43:49] I
[1:43:49] » Conquest.
[1:43:50] » Hi,
[1:43:51] » Kashki.
[1:43:52] » I
[1:43:52] » Reini.
[1:43:53] » Hi,
[1:43:54] » Bing.
[1:43:55] » I Furnish.
[1:43:56] » I
[1:43:57] » Kilbert.
[1:43:57] » Hi,
[1:43:58] » Caser.
[1:43:59] » I
[1:43:59] » Maliki.
[1:44:00] » I.
[1:44:00] » The resolution has been adopted with
[1:44:02] nine affirmative votes, zero nay votes,
[1:44:04] and one council member absent. We're at
[1:44:06] public comment, folks. Anyone still
[1:44:08] hanging out with us here at the council
[1:44:10] chamber wish to share any thoughts?
[1:44:14] If not, we'll move to new business from
[1:44:15] the deis and then I'll
[1:44:18] » Recognize Ben older person Maliki.
[1:44:21] » Uh thank you, mayor. Um I wanted to ask
[1:44:24] uh city administrator Voit um just if uh
[1:44:27] how things are going. I know part of our
[1:44:30] um quarterly updates with uh action
[1:44:33] items and goals. Uh uh there's an item
[1:44:36] there that's been importantly uh so in
[1:44:40] my opinion in the news and that's the
[1:44:41] use of flat cameras. Uh I know there's a
[1:44:44] plan to probably uh hopefully present in
[1:44:46] front of council by the end of October.
[1:44:48] I think it's probably important for
[1:44:50] there's a lot of members of the
[1:44:51] community I think that are concerned and
[1:44:53] several of our neighboring communities
[1:44:55] I've seen in the news lately like Homer
[1:44:56] Glenn and uh have been uh you know
[1:45:02] cutting their ties and their contracts
[1:45:03] with Flock. So um I wanted to know just
[1:45:06] if the you know I'd like to see a
[1:45:08] presentation you know as planned coming
[1:45:10] up soon. So,
[1:45:11] » So I the exact language in the budget um
[1:45:16] you'll have to forgive me, but I believe
[1:45:17] it said some to the effect of explore
[1:45:21] the option of using flot cameras. So, it
[1:45:24] was not a commitment to request for a
[1:45:27] purchase, but really to look at the
[1:45:29] benefits of the this type of equipment
[1:45:32] in Geneva. in conversations with the the
[1:45:35] chief um and [clears throat] reviewing
[1:45:37] what is happening in neighboring
[1:45:39] communities and elsewhere. Uh we have
[1:45:43] opted to not move forward with any sort
[1:45:45] of review or conversation
[1:45:48] um in terms of implementing block
[1:45:50] cameras. So there we don't have anything
[1:45:54] to present uh because it's not something
[1:45:56] that the police department has spent a
[1:45:59] significant amount of time on.
[1:46:00] » Okay.
[1:46:01] » Yeah. We've agreed to just not move
[1:46:02] forward with that and that actually will
[1:46:04] be reflected in the next goal update.
[1:46:07] » Okay. All right. Thank you.
[1:46:08] » Yeah.
[1:46:11] » New [clears throat] business. Anyone
[1:46:12] else? Otherwise, I'll recognize the
[1:46:14] assistant city administrator, Mr.
[1:46:15] McCriedy. And then you have something as
[1:46:17] well. Sir,
[1:46:18] » I was just going to mention um all of
[1:46:21] you at your spots. There's some
[1:46:22] postcards there. As you know, strategic
[1:46:25] plan advisory committee has the upcoming
[1:46:27] uh community forum we're going to be
[1:46:28] hosting at Geneva Public Library this
[1:46:30] month. Uh, one of the things the
[1:46:32] committee strives for is to try and have
[1:46:34] at least two individuals from every
[1:46:36] ward. Um, so we are looking for friends,
[1:46:39] neighbors. Part of our goals is to make
[1:46:41] sure that individuals are familiar with
[1:46:43] the strategic plan. Um, we've got a lot
[1:46:46] of community stakeholders that know
[1:46:47] we've got a plan that are very active in
[1:46:49] it, but we're trying to make sure that
[1:46:50] we are getting out to our residents so
[1:46:52] they are familiar with not only the
[1:46:54] strategic plan, but with the goals of
[1:46:55] city council. And so this is a great way
[1:46:57] to come out and do a crash course. uh
[1:46:59] Spack will be there. Uh we'll have
[1:47:02] almost everyone there that evening. So,
[1:47:04] it's it's a great time to come in and
[1:47:06] just learn what the plan is, learn what
[1:47:08] we've done, learn where it's going. Um
[1:47:10] so, we'd really appreciate your
[1:47:11] assistance and helping get those
[1:47:12] postcards out. Uh you know, write a
[1:47:15] small write a short note on there, drop
[1:47:16] it off at a friend's door, but anything
[1:47:18] you can do uh to encourage residents to
[1:47:20] attend, we would appreciate it. So,
[1:47:23] thank you,
[1:47:24] » Miss White.
[1:47:26] » Thank you. I wanted to share with the
[1:47:28] council and community that this Friday
[1:47:30] is the 25th anniversary of uh 911 and
[1:47:34] the combined police and fire departments
[1:47:36] will be hosting a very brief remembrance
[1:47:39] service uh I'm sorry event at here at
[1:47:41] city hall will start at 9:15 sharp rain
[1:47:44] or shine very brief the plan is uh for
[1:47:48] it to run from 9:15 to 9:30 but just
[1:47:51] something to pause and reflect on this
[1:47:53] anniversary and that was shared on the
[1:47:55] city's social media media today as well.
[1:47:57] So that's it. Thank you.
[1:48:01] » If there's nothing else, I'll entertain
[1:48:03] a motion to adjourn the city council
[1:48:04] meeting.
[1:48:05] » Motion by Kasarog. All in favor of
[1:48:08] adjourning, please indicate by saying I.
[1:48:10] » We're adjourned.
[1:51:15] Good evening. Uh this is the committee
[1:51:17] of the whole meeting uh Tuesday,
[1:51:19] September 8th. My name is Dean Kilberg
[1:51:23] and uh I want to call uh the committee
[1:51:25] of the whole meeting to order. Uh, item
[1:51:28] two on the agenda this evening, approve
[1:51:30] committee of the whole minutes from
[1:51:31] August 17, 2026 and special committee of
[1:51:34] the whole minutes from August 21st,
[1:51:37] 2026. Is there a motion to approve?
[1:51:39] » So moved.
[1:51:39] » Second.
[1:51:40] » There's a motion to approve. And there's
[1:51:43] a second. Any discussion? If not, a
[1:51:46] voice vote. Those in favor signify by
[1:51:48] saying I.
[1:51:50] » Opposed? Carries.
[1:51:53] 90.
[1:51:54] Uh under items of business for this
[1:51:56] evening, item A, consider draft uh
[1:52:00] resolution authorizing the purchase of
[1:52:02] two Ford Maverick hybrid vehicles from
[1:52:05] Sourcewell
[1:52:07] Sutton Ford uh Matisen uh Illinois in
[1:52:12] the amount of $72,42.90.
[1:52:16] Is there a motion to approve?
[1:52:18] » Second. A motion by uh mayor, I believe,
[1:52:23] and seconded by
[1:52:25] » Pashki.
[1:52:25] » Oh, I'm sorry. Was it over here?
[1:52:27] » Martha, sorry. Uh Pashki and uh and uh
[1:52:32] Palmquist.
[1:52:34] Okay. Uh is there an overview on this?
[1:52:36] Uh
[1:52:37] » Yes,
[1:52:37] » Miss Voit.
[1:52:38] » Yes, thank you. Uh just briefly, this uh
[1:52:41] request before the council is something
[1:52:43] that was approved through the fiscal
[1:52:45] year 2027 budget. It's two replacement
[1:52:48] vehicles for our community development
[1:52:50] division. The requested vehicles are
[1:52:52] hybrid and include enhanced safety
[1:52:54] features that will assist staff during
[1:52:56] the winter months, uh, specifically the
[1:52:58] all-wheel drive, and they will be
[1:53:00] purchased through the source contract.
[1:53:01] And we do have Director Degrroot here if
[1:53:03] there are additional questions.
[1:53:07] » It appears we don't have any questions.
[1:53:09] I take it we're ready to vote. Those in
[1:53:11] favor, uh, let's have a roll call on
[1:53:14] that. Okay.
[1:53:17] Pashki.
[1:53:17] » Hi
[1:53:18] » Reini.
[1:53:19] » Hi
[1:53:20] » Bing.
[1:53:21] » I
[1:53:22] » Fernish.
[1:53:23] » I
[1:53:23] » Kilberg.
[1:53:24] » I
[1:53:25] » Pasarog.
[1:53:26] » I
[1:53:26] » Malake.
[1:53:27] » I
[1:53:28] » Mayor.
[1:53:28] » I
[1:53:29] » Palmquist.
[1:53:30] » I know.
[1:53:33] Item B, consider draft resolution
[1:53:35] authorizing the city administrator to
[1:53:37] execute a contract for 2026 Hamilton
[1:53:40] Street drainage improvements to Fox
[1:53:42] Excavating in the amount of $55,660
[1:53:46] with a 10% contingency for the total
[1:53:49] authorized project cost not to exceed
[1:53:51] $61,226.
[1:53:54] Is there moved by uh Malakei and
[1:53:58] seconded by mayor? Uh Miss Voit the
[1:54:02] overview.
[1:54:04] » Thank you. Uh this item seeks to address
[1:54:06] drainage and storm sewer matters along
[1:54:08] Hamilton Street between Richard Street
[1:54:10] and Anderson Boulevard. The scope of
[1:54:13] work is outlined in the executive
[1:54:14] summary. The city bid this project and
[1:54:17] did receive 10 bids. Uh, and the request
[1:54:19] before the council specifically is to
[1:54:21] approve the lowest bid from Fox
[1:54:24] Excavating and Assistant Director
[1:54:26] Landers is here if there are questions.
[1:54:29] » Okay. Do we have any questions for
[1:54:31] Nathan?
[1:54:33] » Yes, Bill.
[1:54:37] » Uh, just one one question. Is there a
[1:54:40] estimated date of
[1:54:42] start date and completion for this or
[1:54:45] » That's a great question. Uh we are
[1:54:47] trying to move as quickly as possible.
[1:54:48] Obviously we're running out of out of
[1:54:50] great days to to work on this. So as
[1:54:52] soon as it passes through the council
[1:54:55] process, we are planning on moving
[1:54:56] forward with it.
[1:54:57] » Okay. Yeah. All right. Thank Yeah. Thank
[1:54:59] you. I appreciate this uh coming forward
[1:55:01] to us. So
[1:55:01] » Sure.
[1:55:02] » Any other questions?
[1:55:05] If not, I take it we're ready to vote.
[1:55:07] Uh let's take a [laughter] roll call on
[1:55:09] that.
[1:55:11] » Malkey.
[1:55:12] » I.
[1:55:13] » Mayor.
[1:55:14] » I.
[1:55:14] » Palest. I
[1:55:16] » Pashki
[1:55:17] » I
[1:55:17] » Reiniki
[1:55:18] » Hi
[1:55:19] » Bing
[1:55:20] » I
[1:55:20] » Furnish
[1:55:21] » I
[1:55:22] » Kilberg
[1:55:22] » I
[1:55:23] » Kasro
[1:55:24] » I
[1:55:25] » It's 90 carries [snorts]
[1:55:28] item C uh consider draft resolution
[1:55:31] authorizing the city administrator to
[1:55:33] execute a change order and amending
[1:55:34] resolution number 2026-52
[1:55:37] in the amount of $40,666.75
[1:55:42] to Globe Construction Company for the
[1:55:44] total Toal cost of $295,666.75
[1:55:50] for 2026 pavement marking curb and
[1:55:54] sidewalk replacement program.
[1:55:57] Second
[1:55:57] » Moved and seconded. Bing and Pashki. Uh
[1:56:04] the overview on this please.
[1:56:06] » Thank you. Uh, this item is a request to
[1:56:09] amend a previously approved contract
[1:56:11] with Globe Construction that was
[1:56:13] approved by the city council in May of
[1:56:15] this year for the sidewalk replacement
[1:56:17] program. The reason for the amendment is
[1:56:19] the dollar amount that was in the
[1:56:21] executive summary and the dollar amount
[1:56:23] in the resolution did not match. So,
[1:56:26] this item is strictly to correct and
[1:56:28] ensure that the appropriate amount is
[1:56:30] approved by the city council. The total
[1:56:32] dollar amount difference is $40,666.75.
[1:56:37] So there is no budgetary impact. This is
[1:56:40] simply correcting an error and ensuring
[1:56:42] that the record is correct in terms of
[1:56:43] what the council approved and the
[1:56:45] assistant director stayed. If there are
[1:56:48] questions,
[1:56:50] » Apparently this was a clerical
[1:56:53] apparently this was a clerical error
[1:56:54] that we didn't catch when we approved it
[1:56:57] some time ago. And this is just
[1:56:59] rectifying what the actual bid, the
[1:57:01] awarded bid was.
[1:57:02] » That's correct.
[1:57:03] » Okay. Um, are there any other questions?
[1:57:08] If not, uh, would you please read the
[1:57:10] role?
[1:57:12] » Bing.
[1:57:13] » I,
[1:57:15] » Hi.
[1:57:16] » Pilberg,
[1:57:17] » I
[1:57:21] » Mayor.
[1:57:21] » I
[1:57:22] » Pquist.
[1:57:23] » Hi,
[1:57:24] » Pashki.
[1:57:24] » I Reini.
[1:57:26] » I carries. 90.
[1:57:29] Okay. Um, under public comment, anyone
[1:57:33] have anything they'd like to share?
[1:57:36] Uh, this was touched on briefly by, uh,
[1:57:39] Miss Voy, uh, uh, Friday marks the 25th
[1:57:43] anniversary of 911 and, uh, uh, almost
[1:57:49] three 3,000 Americans lost their life
[1:57:51] that day. I just thought it'd be
[1:57:53] appropriate tonight maybe just to take a
[1:57:55] moment and to share a thought. I think
[1:57:58] through our life uh sometimes there are
[1:58:01] events that are lodged in our memory
[1:58:04] that we remember very vividly and uh I'm
[1:58:07] just going to open it up to the council
[1:58:09] tonight and I'll I'll start to give you
[1:58:10] a moment to think about this but u where
[1:58:14] was I on 9101?
[1:58:16] Uh on the morning of 911, I was uh at
[1:58:20] Meyer purchasing a few items. I had a
[1:58:23] business trip to De Moine and uh already
[1:58:26] at Meyer uh midm morning uh word was
[1:58:29] beginning to spread that uh something
[1:58:32] was happening in New York that was
[1:58:33] eventful and uh I purchased what I
[1:58:37] needed. I went home and uh I was able to
[1:58:40] witness the uh the two uh World Trade
[1:58:44] Center towers uh crumble to the ground.
[1:58:48] Uh that afternoon I drove to De Moine
[1:58:50] for my meeting and uh one of the things
[1:58:52] that stays in my mind and when I hear
[1:58:55] 911 I I remember vividly was the fact
[1:58:58] that as I drove across northern Illinois
[1:59:01] and on Interstate 80 to De Moine in
[1:59:03] Iowa, the sky was a beautiful blue, but
[1:59:07] there was something that was void and
[1:59:09] that was any jet traffic or any streams
[1:59:12] that normally fill the sky on such a
[1:59:14] clear day. And uh as I think about 9/11,
[1:59:19] uh that's that's what I recall. And uh I
[1:59:24] uh I uh that will stay with those those
[1:59:28] events uh uh such as uh Kennedy
[1:59:32] assassination or the Oklahoma bombing.
[1:59:35] Those things that uh you just never
[1:59:37] forget. And it's at the moment it's
[1:59:40] almost as you're reliving it the next
[1:59:42] day that you can you can see it and you
[1:59:44] can feel it. But uh is there anyone else
[1:59:47] that would like to share a thought and
[1:59:49] memorializing those that lost their life
[1:59:51] that day?
[1:59:57] If not
[1:59:58] uh
[2:00:00] I guess we're prepared to adjurnn. Is
[2:00:02] there a motion to adjurnn?
[2:00:05] » Those in favor signify by saying I. I
[2:00:08] » Oppose.
[2:00:10] Have a good evening.