[{"_1":2,"_97":-5,"_98":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,85],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6117236,"mediaKeyId","2730660-cac0a3b85016815bd96c844321f5abc0","parentId",2730660,"title","Council urges Aurora CVB briefing after members complain businesses aren’t onboarded","audioSeconds",2777,"startMs",179000,"endMs",2956000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730660-cac0a3b85016815bd96c844321f5abc0&start=179&end=2956","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730660-cac0a3b85016815bd96c844321f5abc0/thumbnail_179000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6117236/Geneva-City/Kane-County/Illinois/Council-urges-Aurora-CVB-briefing-after-members-complain-businesses-arent-onboarded","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117236-a35587574e6cd13a3c689963beaa7a4d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775584227&Signature=c6TNZE6~VWxMoNlvnvbKCnHruiIZoug9l-Jy7Z4-Gp96WmosWfRy1HVNRcrBjRAw~JZlm4a4tTYJ5aqLWP7foAYP1WxAoBkzHZqinEpjiJNEtUdoiB1xCRrFKs1PsZMcx8~A-Me92TChpR0uhPJnoG1NQl3uGFduArMAsHdhaEFPanTjkfOZd3xpF6jL0dSj7CpD1a2YscGSVE2~ij1tA0eQT1OYMHkkKQV8W4mlHJo8QD4aL9pCqroRnZ8WeCZLTAVip7j420Zf3Rnd4KFBJ170dbUyDPwqxRw-ambiaS0z77wev~3Vl9SXaOqDFH2rjxxS2uTax-9itMFMSnBnHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Geneva, IL","date","2025-03-19T14:12:31Z","article","During the municipal-bills discussion and later under new business, several council members and residents questioned the performance of the Aurora Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), which Geneva contracted to promote the city.

Alderman Bruno and others noted a payable to the Aurora CVB for $16,594 included in the bills run and questioned why Geneva businesses were not fully listed on the CVB website months after the agreement. “I just wanted to point out I’m disappointed in the onboarding of Geneva businesses on their website,” Alderman Bruno said, noting staff had attributed delays to a staffing shortage.

City Administrator Stephanie Dawkins told the council the CVB had experienced a staff death and was replacing personnel; she also said CVB staff had generated some bookings and marketing activity. Dawkins said the CVB has done outreach, is running a social media campaign and had recently participated in trade-show activity that included Geneva attractions.

Alderman Becky Ruby proposed requesting a three-month extension of the CVB contract at no charge to the city to compensate for the delay; staff and other aldermen cautioned that formal action could not be taken during that meeting’s public-comment sequence and that a presentation from the CVB and a status report from staff would be appropriate first steps. “I would like to propose that we request a 3 month extension from the CVB of their services,” Ruby said; the council later agreed to invite the CVB to provide a formal update.

Several aldermen, including Bruno, Swanson and Bowering, recommended against punitive measures without a fuller briefing. “I don't want to be punitive until I know more details,” Bruno said. Others emphasized that website listings are only one part of CVB services; Bowering noted the CVB’s role includes attracting overnight visitors and coordinating campaigns to bring people downtown.

City staff said the chamber and city maintain business listings and that not all Geneva businesses would appear on the CVB site (which highlights tourism attractions, hotels and event-related businesses). Staff promised to invite the CVB to an upcoming council meeting and to provide a fuller report to the council and finance staff on onboarding progress and deliverables.

Ending: The council did not take immediate contractual action but asked staff to arrange a formal CVB presentation and to report back with details on onboarding, deliverables and any possible remedies or extensions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council & Committee of the Whole Meetings, March 17, 2025 - City of Geneva, IL.","oneSentenceSummary","Councilors and residents raised concerns about the Aurora Area Convention & Visitors Bureau’s slow onboarding of Geneva businesses despite the city’s payments; aldermen requested a status update and an in-person presentation rather than immediate punitive action.","taxTitle","Geneva City, Kane County, Illinois","taxId",56193,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":44,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":50,"_51":81,"_53":82,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":83,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":84,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117241,"Votes at a glance: Geneva council approves omnibus agenda, pays $3.55 million in bills, OKs salt purchase authorization and awards street and study contracts",745,924000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730660-cac0a3b85016815bd96c844321f5abc0&start=179&end=924","/articles/6117241/Geneva-City/Kane-County/Illinois/Votes-at-a-glance-Geneva-council-approves-omnibus-agenda-pays-355-million-in-bills-OKs-salt-purchase-authorization-and-awards-street-and-study-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117241-b7b17bc6f9f8fe2528e035efb3fe64a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775584227&Signature=h~tGsPl8E670-LFs7ib2UuZkwNwG~Q-wkOvP3GFHbzBpvtz2O40fG8AS-HGOtwX-~S-tBKyuF4DyF7mhRSZ1tM9DazFzB6O~Ug8BdnlpRS8tCdP0-pCq40eUwHyEfTV-SciiqTz7I1qW1j1lI7e~sRGvj544uoBHeBbrzwvqcFF52AkKxhncrqstpdMrB4DKT6aSycSBZNC4jDfVN5DUneMoDvm-GI07Xv3iZIe9PZ61rScQqi1CFE7krF52JuGrHn71lDTaDpJNvC9AlBg4F1fH6KnQ-ZAFyqujwzmwG3lgCtZXcm8niPtIPxtiwfJ8nPiGhMvQDZpyt2fzGxiggQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Geneva City Council took several formal votes during its March 17 meeting. Key outcomes:

Municipal bills for payment — approved
The council approved municipal bills for payment totaling $3,551,579.02. Motion to approve the bills was made by Alderman Bruno and seconded by the mayor. The roll call vote was 10–0 in favor.

Resolution 2025-30: authorized purchasers for state salt contract — adopted
Resolution 2025-30 authorizes the city administrator, the director of public works, the assistant director of public works and the superintendent of streets and fleets to be listed as authorized purchasers under the State of Illinois joint purchasing contract for road salt. Motion by Alderman Paschke, seconded by Alderman Bowering. Vote: 10–0, approved.

Committee of the Whole: street improvements contract — authorized
The Committee of the Whole recommended a draft resolution authorizing the city administrator to execute a contract with Geneva Construction Company for the 2025 Street Improvements Program, including a 10% contingency not to exceed $2,649,186.54. The low bidder, Geneva Construction, was prequalified by IDOT; the COW vote to move the contract forward was unanimous.

Committee of the Whole: industrial-waste treatment study — authorized
The council approved a professional services agreement with CDM Smith to study industrial waste impacts at the wastewater treatment plant and to recommend operational changes and cost updates; the contract amount will not exceed $40,000. The COW vote to proceed was unanimous. Staff said the study will inform updated surcharge calculations tied to treatment costs.

Procedural vote: suspend rules for Route 38 discussion — approved
The council voted to suspend the rules to allow the City Administrator to respond to public comment regarding the Route 38 project; vote was 10–0. City Administrator Stephanie Dawkins explained the project is a multi-party effort with IDOT as the ultimate owner of the highway and said staff were still determining which costs are state versus city responsibilities.

How the council voted (selected roll-call tallies as read at the meeting):
- Omnibus agenda: 10 aye, 0 nay, 0 absent
- Municipal bills ($3,551,579.02): 10 aye, 0 nay, 0 absent
- Resolution 2025-30 (salt purchasers): 10 aye, 0 nay, 0 absent
- Street improvements contract (COW recommendation): unanimous approval in Committee of the Whole
- CDM Smith industrial-waste study (COW recommendation): unanimous approval in Committee of the Whole

Ending: Staff said the street work will concentrate primarily on the west side of the river this year, with a major portion of spending directed to Lewis Road. The wastewater study will quantify treatment costs that could inform future surcharge adjustments for high-strength industrial discharges.","At its March 17 meeting the Geneva City Council approved the omnibus agenda and municipal bills totaling $3,551,579.02, adopted Resolution 2025-30 authorizing city staff to order road salt under the state contract, and authorized two committee items: a street-improvements contract and a wastewater treatment study agreement.",{"_33":86,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":87,"_41":88,"_43":89,"_45":90,"_47":91,"_49":92,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117246,"Residents and some council members press Illinois housing authority and developer over Emma’s Landing tenant-selection changes",3655,1221000,4876000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730660-cac0a3b85016815bd96c844321f5abc0&start=1221&end=4876","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730660-cac0a3b85016815bd96c844321f5abc0/thumbnail_1221000.jpg","/articles/6117246/Geneva-City/Kane-County/Illinois/Residents-and-some-council-members-press-Illinois-housing-authority-and-developer-over-Emmas-Landing-tenant-selection-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117246-25f8ebba301da0c07059321e3e50280c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775584227&Signature=ENKTlY8HJRn-DI9ZgfKHrvY8rg1uWp-v6DZAzNL2ccGd~d2jfytZ7WolV6H2yaPyefr6HVMJdngvJgvTmKjzomihbIN4Ul-tyzKrGAZ9ZkkMHalBgSR68debCT9Y3OK8U3tNsbm0E0FMNxcu8hutE02fLY3yWBwTlIQejLXWwsCwXBhfFf-O7XKQKQdqiA-V4ZgT5ywHF0~DXqMnSmKwLp8KNXwJKIEd9d8gVv7JeSgiWBLcTNwmHZfSy3NN4MylPYxCKWwkz8ScNmHnngKjzUcMAzsH~EoyUNr16briNLV1rHkwS~hJQm0ppnSY60aJutgn13rZCfH8QXzEyIXE7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public comment at the March 17 City of Geneva council meeting focused on allegations that the tenant selection plan (TSP) for Emma’s Landing — an affordable housing development managed by Foresight Management and affiliated with the Burton Foundation — differs from a copy on file with the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA).

Lindsey McCall, a long-time Geneva resident who has raised concerns about the development previously, told the council she obtained a TSP copy via an IHDA FOIA response and later received a different copy on-site from the property manager. “I reviewed what was sent by IHDA, and what was given to me from Foresight Management. And to my shock, many changes were made,” McCall said.

Scott (last name not specified), another resident who spoke during public comment, said he reviewed documents and called IHDA, which told him the TSP is a contract between the property manager and IHDA and “could not be changed without their permission or an asset manager’s approval on-site,” which he said had not occurred. He urged the council to take residents’ concerns seriously.

Resident Porter (first name not specified) presented specific differences he said he found between the IHDA document and the version handed to him by Foresight Management. Porter said the on-site copy removed a provision that had reserved seven units for special-needs tenants, added “30 units at the median income” that did not appear in the IHDA file, unchecked veteran and disability preference boxes, removed pre-application cards, shortened prior-housing verification from two years to zero, and deleted an income-eligibility addendum that defined the applicable Chicago-area median income. “They got rid of the 7 units. So it’s just the state referral network,” Porter said.

Multiple council members said the allegations warrant follow-up with the state agency. Alderman Dean Kilberg moved the council toward fact-finding and asked the city attorney and staff to pursue inquiries; aldermen including Becky Ruby, Alderman Bowering and Alderman Marks said they supported asking IHDA whether an investigation exists and whether the TSP was altered without authorization. City Attorney (name not given) advised that the council may direct staff to seek information and that the council could consider a letter later if fact-finding supports it.

City Administrator Stephanie Dawkins told the council the city has no ongoing administrative oversight role of IHDA-managed contracts and that zoning and municipal code enforcement remain the city’s principal responsibilities. “There is a process with the state and how that’s monitored is a fair question,” Dawkins said. Alderman Bruno and others urged staff to ask IHDA whether the agency is investigating and to request updates that could be shared with the council.

Several residents described safety concerns. Lindsey McCall and others said police reports show a rise in incidents after initial months that were “pretty good,” and Alderman Gilbert said he had requested police-visit records showing more concerning activity in the most recent six months. The council discussed sharing resident-collected documentation with the city attorney to inform next steps.

Council members clarified limits on municipal authority. The city attorney said Geneva, as a non–home-rule municipality, cannot impose ongoing monitoring or new requirements beyond what municipal code already allows; however, staff can request information from IHDA and, if warranted, the council can compose a letter expressing city concerns. Several aldermen said the city should request that IHDA share investigative findings and confirm whether the TSP on file is the controlling document.

No formal enforcement action or sanctions against the developer were taken at the meeting. Council members agreed as a body to pursue fact-finding through staff and legal counsel and to ask IHDA about the TSP discrepancies and the status of any IHDA review or investigation. The council also discussed the possibility of later collective action depending on what state-level fact-finding shows.

Ending: The council moved on after public comment with a direction for staff and legal counsel to request information and report back; members said they would consider further steps if state responses or additional documentation substantiated the allegations.","Public commenters and several aldermen raised FOIA-backed claims that the tenant selection plan for Emma’s Landing was altered after an IHDA record, prompting the city council to request fact-finding and to ask staff and legal counsel to contact IHDA for clarification.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council urges Aurora CVB briefing after members complain businesses aren’t onboarded

Votes at a glance: Geneva council approves omnibus agenda, pays $3.55 million in bills, OKs salt purchase authorization and awards street and study contracts

Residents and some council members press Illinois housing authority and developer over Emma’s Landing tenant-selection changes