The City of Genoa has nearly 30 residents who serve on various boards and commissions, each with their own duties and goals from maintaining the City's tree canopy to hiring and firing Police Officers. Below is information about each of the boards and commissions.
All Board and Commission minutes can be found here.
The Comprehensive and Strategic Planning Committee shall be advisory to the City Council. The Comprehensive and Strategic Planning Committee shall work in cooperation with the City Council, Departments and community members to analyze the City’s Comprehensive and Strategic Plans, expand on the City’s Comprehensive and Strategic Plan Action Plans, and report quarterly to the City Council regarding progress towards achieving community goals.
Additionally, the Comprehensive and Strategic Planning Committee’s role is to provide recommendations to the City Council in regard to programs, policies, and budgetary items to aid in the achievement of Comprehensive and Strategic Plan goals outlined by the community.
Members of the Committe:
- Rick Hoffman
- Gordon Jones
- Ron Sheahan
- Jacob Waddle
- Russell Winter
The City of Genoa’s Economic Development Commission is an advisory committee of forward-thinking local leaders who provide leadership and strategic guidance to the City Council, Staff, and Businesses. Additional Economic Development information and the Committee's initiatives can be found here.
Mission
The Economic Development Commission’s mission is to promote and develop business and industry for the purposes of strengthening the local economy, providing jobs, and expanding the City’s tax base.
The Economic Development Commission of the City shall have the following duties
- Review applications for grants, loans, and other financial incentives or inducements related to economic development prospects, and recommendations with respect thereto, to the City Council.
- Initiate, direct and review, from time to time, studies of the economic development characteristics of the City.
- Provide strategic recommendations for the maintenance of the economic health of the existing community which includes attracting and retaining industrial, commercial, and residential development as well as other supporting services which will provide quality job opportunities and broaden the tax base and enhance the quality of life in the City of Genoa.
- Review, and analyze various statistics, trends, and reports to keep abreast on issues that may affect economic development policy in Genoa.
- Cooperate with local governments, economic development organizations including the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation, the Genoa Area Chamber of Commerce, educational institutions, convention and visitors bureaus, and other City organizations and commissions in their marketing and promotion efforts to attract new business to the Community.
- Work with community stakeholders to identify and attract key businesses and recommend infrastructure and policy improvements, such as incentive programs, to attract economic development.
- Provide assistance to City Staff as requested to meet project goals and deadlines, including assistance to the City Council in an advisory capacity in matters related to the City’s activities under the State of Illinois Business Development and Redevelopment District statute.
- Provide an annual update to the City Council on the activities of the Commission.
- Recommend goals and methods for enhancing the relationship between the City and its business community.
- Make recommendations to the City Council on how to improve the overall competitiveness of the community and how to create opportunities and developable sites for future economic development.
The Economic Development Commission meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 9:00 AM in the Council Chambers at 333 East First Street.
Mission
- Nick Bradac, Chair
- Matt Hoffman
- Josh Kubiak
- DeaLynn Stone
- Carolyn Tobinson
The Finance Advisory Committee shall be advisory to the City Council. As such, the Finance Advisory Committee’s role is to provide well reasoned, financially sound recommendations to the City Council. The Finance Advisory Committee shall work in cooperation with the City Council, Finance Director, and City Administrator to analyze the City’s financial policies, long-term financial stability, assist in prioritization of capital expenditures and public improvements, and discuss options for greater efficiencies and possible revenue and expenditure modifications.
The Finance Advisory Committee meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 8:00am in the Council Chambers at 333 East First Street.
Members:
- Ted Aretos
- Chuck Cravatta
- Melissa Davidson
The Liquor Commission meets on an as-needed basis. The Commission’s purpose is to make recommendations to the Mayor who serves as Liquor Commissioner as is required by State law. The Commission would hold hearings in the event of a violation of City liquor regulations by licensed liquor establishments and also regarding the issuance of liquor licenses.
Members:
- Mayor Jonathon Brust
- Alderman Pam Wesner
- Alderman Courtney Winter
Meetings
The Plan Commission shall meet not less than once monthly and may provide for regular or special meetings, as it shall deem required.
Powers and Duties
The Plan Commission shall have the following powers:
- Prepare and recommend to the City Council a Comprehensive Plan for the present and future development or redevelopment of the City.
- Recommend changes, from time to time, in the Official Comprehensive Plan.
- Schedule and hold public hearings in regard to ordinances or resolutions to adopt a Comprehensive Plan or amendment thereto.
- Give aid to officials of the City, including the Planning Department charged with the inspection of improvements embraced within the Official Comprehensive Plan.
- Exercise authority in the conduct of matters of planning as may be referred to the Plan Commission, from time to time, by the Planning Department or the corporate authorities.
- Exercise such other powers as may be provided by ordinance. (Ord. 857, 5-10-94)
Members:
- Ron Sheahan, Chair
- Jennifer Barton
- Michael Cirone
- Dan Dold
- John Patela
- Chris Riggs
- Brian Wallace
The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners shall consist of three (3) members whose terms of office shall be three (3) years.
Powers and Duties
The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners shall appoint all officers and members of the Police Department, except the Chief of Police. The Board shall also perform all the provisions of the Commission State Statute, including disciplinary actions.
Members:
- Frank Trost, Chairman
- Greg Edwards
- Eliot Morris
As the City’s population has previously exceeded 5,000 people, state law requires the establishment of a local Police Pension Fund for full-time, sworn in Police Officers. City officers pension responsibilities are then transferred from a statewide program mandated for various local government personnel into a local fund that is overseen by the City’s Police Pension Board.
Two members total are elected from active Police Officers, one of which is elected by retirees/beneficiaries (if any) and then both of the members are approved by the Mayor. They are then subject to confirmation by the City Council. The duties of the Police Pension Board include reviewing investment policy and considering matters under their jurisdiction as established by state law.
Members:
- Lori Heiser
- Josh Kubiak
- Robert Smith
- James Stevenson
- Vacant
Meetings
Meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of April/May/August/October at 7:00pm in the City Hall Council Chambers.
Creation and Establishment
The City Tree Board shall consist of five (5) members, chosen from citizens who are residents of the City or who have demonstrated interest in the City. Members shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the City Council. (Ord. 868, 7-12-94)
Powers and Duties
The Tree Board shall develop, and each subsequent year, update the Urban Forestry Plan. The plan shall outline urban forestry program activities for a minimum of the next five (5) years. This plan shall:
- Describe the urban forestry activities to be undertaken by the City,
- The reasons for those activities,
- The possible funding sources,
- The means of accomplishing the activities,
- The alternatives available to the City to fund or accomplish the activity,
- The projected date of completion and
- The consequences if the activity is not completed.
Activities may include but are not limited to: street tree inventory, planting, tree removal, beautification projects, and educational projects. Such plan will be presented annually to the City Planning Department and City Council and upon their acceptance and approval shall constitute the Official Urban Forestry Plan of the City of Genoa.
Members:
- Katie Lang, facilitator
- Dina Fowler
- Brent Holcomb
- Steve Francissen
- Brett Wilhelmi
- Joe Flury
Documents:
Purpose
The purpose of the Wastewater Treatment Committee is to evaluate the solutions to increasing the City of Genoa’s Wastewater capacity, including expanding its own Wastewater Treatment Plant or connecting to the Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District.
The duties of the Committee are as follows
- Provide updates to the City Council regarding meetings and information on increasing the City’s wastewater treatment capacity.
- Act as a liaison between the residents of Genoa and the City Council regarding the wastewater treatment project and provide information to either as it is received.
- Request, receive, and utilize staff assistance to enable the Committee to critically analyze future wastewater treatment options.
The Wastewater Treatment Committee meets as needed in the Council Chambers at 333 East First Street.
Members:
- Nick Bradac
- Walter Stage
- Pam Wesner