Geneva City Council

Regular meeting minutes of the Geneva City Council on May 14, 2024.

 

The City of Geneva met in a regular session on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Steve Bailey at 6:30 p.m. at the Geneva Community Center. Present were Council members Phillips, Wayne, Bartsch and Worrell. Clerk Tufte, Treasurer Mattson, Fire Chief Boswell and Maintenance Jim Beenken were also in attendance. There were five guests.   

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

Phillips/Worrell moved to approve the Minutes and Agenda from previous meeting held April 9, 2024. Motion carried.

 

Beenken reported that he located a water leak in a building behind Geneva Lumber that needs to be capped. He will work with the owner of the building to get this resolved. He also requested that we once again bring David Lassahn on as staff for mowing. Motion by Wayne/Phillips to approve Lassahn as helping again this summer with mowing and wage increase to $18 per hour. Motion carried.   

 

Fire Chief Boswell mentioned that the siren had not been working for a short time, but is back in working order.       

 

After holding interviews for the Animal Control Officer position, it was recommended by the committee to hire Joe Reese. Motion by Phillips/Bartsch. Motion carried.

 

Motion by Phillips/Worrell to charge a $50.00 disconnection fee and a $50.00 re-connection fee if utility services are disconnected for unpaid bills. Motion carried. Tufte will send announcement with the Newsletter coming up.

 

With some suggestions of updating our ordinances to better fit the needs in Geneva, a committee will be formed with Phillips/Worrell/Bailey reviewing our ordinance book and making recommendations to the Council next month. We will then forward to Attorney Leach for her review and to make revisions.

 

Council reviewed a letter written by a resident pertaining to keeping chickens on their property.   It was decided by the Council that we need to follow the ordinance for all residents and anybody with chickens or farm animals are asked to re-home.

 

Additional bids were presented to the Council for the request to have a pickleball court in Geneva. Council had additional questions that needed to be answered, so Tufte would reach out to those putting together plans for the court to attend the next meeting.

 

A request from NRHEG Community Ed was received to help with equipment for Summer T-ball, and Coach Pitch for children ages 4-2nd grade. Motion by Phillips/Wayne to donate $500 to the program out of our Maple Island Gambling fund that is established for youth projects. Motion carried.

 

A notice has been received and posted from the Freeborn County Assessor’s Office stating they will be in the Geneva area reassessing properties.

 

Jacquie Mauseth came to present a plan to put up a small fence on the north side of her property. The plan was reviewed by Council and noted that she meets the ordinance guidelines to install her fence. She then requested that the City look at a tree in the alley near her home as it was concerning to them if it were to blow over. Jim will get some bids for removing it.

 

A request was made to have a letter sent to a property owner who has started to collect a lot of items in the yard and to keep their pets on their property. Tufte will issue a letter to the resident.

 

Motion by Worrell/Wayne to accept a Contract with Visu-Sewer for ladder and materials to repair the West lift station. Motion carried.

 

Tufte and Mattson recently met with the new owners of Americana Insurance to review our policies on Property/Casualty along with Workman’s Comp. Updates are being made to parts of the coverage, and premiums will be sent out this month.   

 

There was a report of a dog attacking other dogs in the neighborhood. The homeowner wanted Council to know of the situation as it has been reported to law enforcement.  

 

It was requested that Council get in contact with Mark Monson to find out the status of the house that burned a few years ago. It is a concerning property for neighbors. Mayor Bailey agreed to reach out to him and update the Council.

 

There is also concern with the property on North Central that was previously the site for the elevator. The grass is overgrown and there are bulk tanks that sit very close to the road. Tufte indicated that two letters/notices have gone out to the owner but no response. Council would reach out to them. If no response, we will move towards clean up and bill the owner for costs.

 

Bartsch requested that we have similar doors installed in the back of the community center where people unload for events. The estimated cost was $500, but he would look into it more.

 

Motion by Worrell/Phillips to allow the summer activities uptown starting with the Geneva Cancer Run on June 8th, followed by mud bogs, softball games, street dance and other activities July 19-20th and again mud bogs on August 10th. Motion carried. 

 

Motion by Phillips/Wayne to approve the Financial Report as presented by Mattson. Motion carried.

 

Motion by Worrell/Wayne to approve the Bills Payable. Motion carried.

 

Motion by Phillips/Wayne to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.