PUBLIC HEARINGS, SPECIAL ITEMS AND PRESENTATIONS

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1 GENEVA CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 3, 2016 CALL TO ORDER The October 3, 2016 meeting of the Geneva City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall by Mayor Kevin Burns. Aldermen present: Mike Bruno, Tara Burghart, Don Cummings, Dean Kilburg, Craig Maladra, Richard Marks, Jim Radecki, Mary Seno, Tom Simonian, Ron Singer. Aldermen absent:. Also attending: Acting City Atty. Scott Fintzen, City Administrator Stephanie Dawkins, Community Development Director David DeGroot, Fire Chief Mike Antenore, Finance Manager Rita Kruse. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PUBLIC HEARINGS, SPECIAL ITEMS AND PRESENTATIONS Oath Ceremony for Police Officer Ryan Lane Officer Lane provided background on himself and spoke of his desire to be a police officer. He introduced his family members in attendance. The oath of office was administered by City Clerk Landberg. Proclaim October 24-28, 2016 as Red Ribbon Week Moved by Ald. Marks, seconded by Ald. Seno to proclaim Oct , 2016 as Red Ribbon Week. Carried unanimously by voice vote. GHS students and STAR Club members Mercer Rodriguez and Madison Hagen discussed the initiatives of the club in preventing teen drug abuse. Mayor Burns presented the students with a copy of the proclamation. He also recognized GHS faculty member and STAR Club sponsor Becky Furnish. Mill Race Cyclery Check Presentation for A Unique Cycle Bike Rack Bruce Heidlauf, owner of Mill Race Cyclery, presented a check to Mayor Burns for an artistic bike rack installed at the corner of Fourth and State Streets. The bike rack was dedicated earlier today. Approve Mayor s Appointment of Teri DeBates to the Zoning Board of Appeals Moved by Ald. Marks, seconded by Ald. Seno to approve the Mayor s appointment of Teri DeBates to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Carried unanimously by voice vote. Ms. Bates talked of her many years in Geneva and said she looked forward to the ZBA experience. Approve Mayor s Appointment of Brad Kosirog to the Plan Commission Moved by Ald. Marks, seconded by Ald. Kilburg to approve Mayor s appointment of Brad Kosirog to the Plan Commission. Carried unanimously by voice vote. MOTION CARRIED Mr. Kosirog expressed his appreciation for the appointment and said he looks forward to the challenges of the position. Finance Division Presentation on Fund Accounting Finance Mgr. Kruse spoke to the City s fund structure, revenue sources, and chart of accounts. She addressed the reasons for and components of municipal fund accounting, including fund assets, liabilities and fund equity. She then went over the various funds Geneva City Council Meeting October 3,

2 established by the City, how they are categorized and numerically designated. She then answered questions from the Council. AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA OMNIBUS AGENDA All items listed on the Omnibus Agenda are considered to be routine by the Council and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion on these items unless a Council member or citizen so requests in which event the item will be removed from the Omnibus (Consent) Agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the Agenda. Moved by Ald. Simonian, seconded by Ald. Bruno to approve the Omnibus Agenda as presented. Roll call: AYES: 10 NAYS: 0 (Ald. Bruno, Burghart, Cummings, Kilburg, Maladra, Marks, Radecki, Seno, Simonian, Singer) APPROVE MINUTES OF THE LAST REGULAR MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 19, 2016 APPROVE REPORTS COUNCIL COMMITTEES Committee of the Whole October 10, 2016 at 7 p.m. OTHER ITEMS AND CORRESPONDENCE MUNICIPAL BILLS FOR PAYMENT The following bills were presented for payment: General Fund $55, Cultural Arts Fund 8.00 SPAC Fund Tourism Fund Restricted Police Fines Tri Com Fund 34, Mental Health Fund SSA # SSA #11 6, General Capital Projects 4, Infrastructure Capital Projects 7, TIF #2 61, Electric 82, Water/Wastewater 284, Refuse 21, Commuter Parking 5, Group Dental 6, Utility Refunds Geneva City Council Meeting October 3,

3 Total Funds $568, Moved by Ald. Bruno, seconded by Ald. Seno that the bills be approved and vouchers prepared. Roll call: AYES: 10 NAYS: 0 (Ald. Bruno, Burghart, Cummings, Kilburg, Maladra, Marks, Radecki, Seno, Simonian, Singer) COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ITEMS OF BUSINESS Approve Ordinance Amending Title 1 (Administrative), Chapter 9 (Municipal Taxes) of the Geneva City Code Pertaining to the Imposition of a Places for Eating Tax in the City of Geneva, Illinois Moved by Ald. Singer, seconded by Ald. Marks to approve Ord amending Title 1 (Administrative), Chapter 9 (Municipal Taxes) of the Geneva City Code pertaining to the imposition of a places for eating tax in the City of Geneva, Ill. Patrick Neary, owner of Wildwood Restaurant, said he was unaware of the places for eating tax proposal until now. He called for a deferment of this ordinance in order to provide more information to the restaurateurs of Geneva. He questioned how a twopercent places for eating tax is preferable to a one-half-percent general sales tax increase. He also called for a referendum and restrictions on how the tax monies would be used. Mayor Burns provided background on discussions relative to possible revenue sources dating back to February 2016 where, he said, the Council discussed in open session revenue enhancement opportunities. He recounted that the Council considered the downtown business district sales tax, the citywide sales tax, and the places for eating tax, eventually opting for the places for eating tax. Mr. Neary further argued against the places for eating tax, citing the potential negative impact on customer traffic, adding that a two percent tax equates to a 26.7 percent overall tax increase. Ald. Maladra, who supports the tax, pointed out that a two percent increase means two dollars on a $100 restaurant bill. Mr. Neary then discussed, with Ald. Maladra responding, the affect the tax might have on business and the tip a diner might leave. Ald. Maladra also articulated other reasons he supports the tax. Mike Oleson, owner of Stockholm s, said he has been following the progress of the places for eating tax and has reviewed the ordinance. He called for clarification as to what constitutes places for eating. He also suggested the City seek the assistance of local restaurant owners in improving the ordinance. Citing the burden of additional tax preparation, Mr. Oleson said the City s proposal to reimburse the restaurant owners with one percent of the amount of the tax for expenses is insufficient. He agreed with Mr. Neary that restaurants are facing a decrease in dining traffic along with increased expenses. Pietro Verone, owner of Villa Verone, said he learned of this ordinance only today. He said that his Hamilton St. business is underserved as to city services, yet he is not ignored when it comes to taxes. He said he hopes something could be done about the tax if customers complain. Questions and comments were now taken from Council members. Ald. Simonian reiterated his support for the citywide sales tax, calling for a referendum at some point, possibly approving the places for eating tax as a temporary tax until the citywide sales tax can be instituted. He also felt that interested parties should come together to discuss the places for eating tax before approval. Geneva City Council Meeting October 3,

4 Ald. Maladra said the taxing alternatives have been discussed for a year, with the Council backing off each time it gets close to approving one. Ald. Simonian said he still has concerns with the places for eating tax, including into which fund the revenues will be placed and determining the definition of places to eat. Ald. Maladra said that tax revenues collected and dispersed could be directed by the Council and tracked fairly easily. Ald. Kilburg supported communicating with the businesses impacted by the places for eating tax. He also called for an examination of SSA #1 costs incurred by downtown businesses, Third St. businesses in particular, saying until these issues are addressed he could not support the places for eating tax. Ald. Seno agreed. Ald. Cummings also called for deferring action on the tax until feedback is received from the restaurant owners. Ald. Singer offered the possibility of setting a date certain as to when the places for eating tax would expire. Saying that there will always be criticism that not enough information is provided nor will there ever be full support on an issue such as this, Ald. Radecki doubted that any additional input at this point will change Council members minds. He called for a vote this evening on the places for eating tax as presented. Mayor Burns reminded the Council that the ordinance could be amended at any time based on additional information. After further comments from Council members on whether or not a vote should be taken or deferred, roll call: AYES: 7 NAYS: 3 (Ald. Bruno, Burghart, Cummings, Maladra, Marks, Radecki, Singer) (Ald. Kilburg, Seno, Simonian) Approve Ordinance Amending Title 11 (Zoning), Section (Detached Accessory Structures) Related to the Regulation of Temporary Ice Rinks Moved by Ald. Cummings, seconded by Ald. Seno to approve Ord as presented. Carried unanimously by voice vote. Accept FY2016 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Approve Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Water Treatment Facility Cartridge Filters in the Budgeted Amount ($6.75 per unit) Not to Exceed $75,000 in FY from American Melt Blown & Filtration PRESENTATION OF ORDINANCES, PETITIONS, RESOLUTIONS, AND BID AWARDS NEW BUSINESS Recognize Food Bank Volunteers Ald. Singer thanked 15 Geneva residents who volunteered at the Northern Illinois Food Bank last Saturday. He pointed out that they packaged 940 backpacks, representing 7,900 meals. Walk to School Day Ald. Burghart noted that Wednesday, Oct. 5, is Walk to School Day. She cautioned drivers to be especially aware of children walking to school that morning. Geneva City Council Meeting October 3,

5 Request for Proclamation Encouraging Financial Institution Integrity Ken Loebel, Kenston Ct., called on the Council to issue a proclamation stating that any financial institution conducting business in Geneva display financial integrity and not violate the trust of the community. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, moved by Ald. Simonian, seconded by Ald. Marks to adjourn the Geneva City Council meeting. Carried unanimously by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 9:26 p.m. Lynn P. Landberg, City Clerk Geneva City Council Meeting October 3,