[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6083903,"mediaKeyId","2925693-4cb92e2c5b2aeeacbe1845d7a8051393","parentId",2925693,"title","Resident criticizes city oversight after developer cuts trees at Duke and Lee/Emma’s Landing site","audioSeconds",193,"startMs",968000,"endMs",1161000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2925693-4cb92e2c5b2aeeacbe1845d7a8051393&start=968&end=1161","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2925693-4cb92e2c5b2aeeacbe1845d7a8051393/thumbnail_968000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6083903/Geneva-City/Kane-County/Illinois/Resident-criticizes-city-oversight-after-developer-cuts-trees-at-Duke-and-LeeEmmas-Landing-site","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083903-aa3cfeaac837e9e7d341434ce3798f10/orig.mp4?Expires=1771212129&Signature=RwM5~5AGxvF2BuVaC4Rk42Z-ODdC9w7PHhly26tEvbxT62uhM7hNAa8baHzugTr4A5ZtiUXT1un18UbBcvckVgB~hjDq4ml3Tij2VmNtYv4wHnsQoKn81-GQ40qmLa8-drGNKhJo7YrObwS3utuP-8~tloTyrAx8bJAQUPm5ITdWWZKppcJOFXX8~QiiRuyeOziYyORo7DlufhXtbL3YJ9XT-SksfLf4css1LyWTH0TGayn3Ji~WZgjibSn0rnxvFYeXmleXD2InPya-f0ewWnRAwD7JPI6j39Hinhvr6CQ~pNwQ6k4dTkFo8Xk4P~vXFo0v0Qscoajz9d7v2WuhLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Geneva, IL","date","2025-04-09T16:28:15.177Z","article","A resident used the council’s public-comment period on April 7 to criticize city oversight and to link the criticism to an Arbor Day proclamation presented earlier in the meeting.

The commenter said they had received an email about the Duke and Lee property and criticism of Emma’s Landing management and asked if there was someone they could speak with about the property’s status. The resident then read the Arbor Day proclamation language (which names Kevin Burns, mayor of the city of Geneva, as the proclaimer) and said the proclamation’s call to protect trees stood in contrast to recent events at the Duke and Lee site.

The resident alleged that trees identified as “witness trees” had been removed from adjoining city land several years earlier and called that the result of “ineffectual oversight by the city.” The speaker said the developer cut trees down and then sought annexation, and said the developer’s marketing of the property on the city website showed it had little interest in “being a good neighbor.” The resident said they had asked only for “a conversation with MIF about the possibility of relocating one building to save trees” and criticized council members who, the speaker said, had “vilified” residents for raising such concerns.

The commenter also said they were told by “Karim Purag” that Mayor Kevin Burns had relayed developer concerns about rudeness in public communications and urged tone adjustments; the resident used that exchange to argue the city had not adequately pursued a collaborative approach to preserve trees. The resident concluded by saying that the Arbor Day proclamation “isn’t worth the paper that it’s written on” unless the city changes how it handles such matters.

Ending
The remarks were part of public comment; no formal response from council staff or the mayor is recorded in the meeting excerpt included here. City staff later made a phone number available for a separate resident (Chris Paikin) who asked earlier in public comment about the Duke and Lee property.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council & Committee of the Whole Meetings, April 7, 2025 - City of Geneva, IL.","oneSentenceSummary","During public comment, a resident said trees were removed at the Duke and Lee/Emma’s Landing site and criticized city oversight and communication with the developer MIF. The remarks were made in the context of an Arbor Day proclamation read earlier in the meeting.","taxTitle","Geneva City, Kane County, Illinois","taxId",56193,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6083908,"Council committee proposes SSA to fund electrical work for Geneva Crossing townhomes",296,1988000,2284000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2925693-4cb92e2c5b2aeeacbe1845d7a8051393&start=1988&end=2284","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2925693-4cb92e2c5b2aeeacbe1845d7a8051393/thumbnail_1988000.jpg","/articles/6083908/Geneva-City/Kane-County/Illinois/Council-committee-proposes-SSA-to-fund-electrical-work-for-Geneva-Crossing-townhomes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083908-7c0dfee4548da2d73f0b1067e5adce9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771212130&Signature=SDk4yP8kObXuPFf1e4uwxo2LVCO4xGRPoWNZoH9PnVFI6h8xvSv~vughGWBl-jTaDXYT8fnhgmwwW8I9s8bGFZwp2xrSP8-VZwhOCEnsjkFhG~hA3e5AJ8duJYt-NbWKIzBX5YyguXM5HC-Vq780HJ3bQOz0MK53ZQjKyMmqtIBmmyK~mEfC14EatEcmL1YA~aV1oQdMrwGGN0e9PBhi-4v5AI2Hm76PDHlu97EKZpAWjj2f-NymAdizoGwNkKwIq7toR4N25B9rTAuzYBHvBZaK8TveBThzNN-K2b-xepO4--~nZBonabuzD4He-ke3Sc5mQYdwoDEeV7iejR~fQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Geneva City Council’s committee of the whole considered a draft ordinance on April 7 to propose creation of Special Service Area No. 37 (Geneva Crossing) to finance electrical infrastructure needed for a 40‑unit townhome development along Stone Circle.

City Administrator Stephanie Dawkins reminded the committee that the council previously granted final plan and subdivision approval for Geneva Crossing and passed resolution 2024-106 accepting the applicant’s SSA application to finance approximately $700,000 in costs to provide and retrofit electrical infrastructure for the townhomes. Dawkins said the proposed SSA would apply only to the project owners and future owners of the townhomes. The draft ordinance sets the maximum tax levy, maximum interest rate, the term of the SSA and establishes a public hearing date of July 7, 2025, to satisfy statutory notice requirements.

Council members discussed whether this is the first SSA used for electrical extensions (typically SSAs have financed stormwater) and confirmed the SSA was requested by the developer, not the city. Director De Groot and staff explained that the developer intends to seek a bond for the SSA, though the issuance may be small and require alternative financing approaches.

Moved by Marks and seconded in committee, the draft ordinance proposing the SSA and setting the hearing date passed unanimously in committee.

Ending
If the council proceeds after the hearing, the SSA charges would appear on property tax bills for the properties within the SSA only; no assessment would be levied on other city taxpayers.","The committee proposed establishing Special Service Area (SSA) No. 37 to finance about $700,000 in electrical infrastructure work for the 40-unit Geneva Crossing townhome project; the ordinance sets a public hearing for July 7, 2025. The SSA would apply only to the project parcels and future owners.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6083913,"Council committee approves extending city water to 1923 Western Avenue without annexation",242,1717000,1959000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2925693-4cb92e2c5b2aeeacbe1845d7a8051393&start=1717&end=1959","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2925693-4cb92e2c5b2aeeacbe1845d7a8051393/thumbnail_1717000.jpg","/articles/6083913/Geneva-City/Kane-County/Illinois/Council-committee-approves-extending-city-water-to-1923-Western-Avenue-without-annexation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083913-584729e0104f11173c5cfcba3fac954b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771212130&Signature=OdpK3Q2Bp83FcM21Kl8NSyN0mrPslWsRhGEm7r2Px3ZHoW~96iFs9XBbhLRvzW6Q~57lCVzHUmSQqDe3gLMVLCpw98kEqf4rh4-yXOowu9nr~OvDO~Jt5m9RHEZN10NRzTZRmWDgjKohPVi98t49smHZfywjdYYSXHfrTc-qiZ1VGOqpyKU-L52I46nK5N4baIoocJ2DKtbJPt94itLaITbFYjOfOz6225PFksl88xYEZm79TfKeQc9tJpKhnXvSFPnXi4-9ANyz--2gwvZ4UNmbf2qOivkWo0mSmTERRbF1sxKubdaAs1ob05gPoU43dt4Q5G955GtpoDsDS0veqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Geneva City Council’s committee of the whole on April 7 approved a draft ordinance authorizing extension of municipal water service to the property at 1923 Western Avenue without annexation.

City Administrator Stephanie Dawkins told the committee that Josh and Mary Lather petitioned to connect to Geneva’s water service even though their property lies outside corporate limits. Dawkins cited the Illinois Municipal Code authority that allows a municipality’s corporate authorities to extend water service outside corporate limits by ordinance and said the proposed renewal would permit service without requiring annexation.

Committee members asked about sanitation and the practical consequences of annexation. Staff and Director De Groot said the city can provide potable water to the Western Avenue properties but currently cannot provide sanitary sewer service to those parcels; extending sanitary sewer would be a “sizable expense” and likely borne by property owners unless negotiated otherwise. Dawkins noted a 2015 policy had not required annexation for similar extensions but that the policy could be revisited.

The motion to approve the draft ordinance was moved by Mark and seconded by Paschke; the committee voted to pass the ordinance by unanimous voice vote. Dawkins noted that when the item goes to full city council, the mayor will have the opportunity to vote because the vote will be taken by the corporate authorities.

Ending
Committee members suggested staff might survey affected residents about annexation interest in the future, but the current action before the committee was limited to whether to allow water service without annexation; no annexation was approved in this vote.","The committee authorized an ordinance to allow municipal water service to be extended to 1923 Western Avenue while leaving the property outside Geneva’s corporate limits; the committee noted the city cannot currently provide sanitary sewer service to that property and that sanitary extension costs would likely fall to property owners.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6083918,"City approves insurance renewal, service contracts and $1.57M in bills",2182,517000,2699000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2925693-4cb92e2c5b2aeeacbe1845d7a8051393&start=517&end=2699","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2925693-4cb92e2c5b2aeeacbe1845d7a8051393/thumbnail_517000.jpg","/articles/6083918/Geneva-City/Kane-County/Illinois/City-approves-insurance-renewal-service-contracts-and-157M-in-bills","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083918-7165238124c413da829bab4ea20e5769/orig.mp4?Expires=1771212130&Signature=AfO88UFn-gwygUxCUQG5y6yyvDeRK3rT9hDoAENho3IpwPNwYoF29I75JPlj5Dk0s~JJW~BAbD-li~~2SiVlN8UFYYJj6uX~MxF01XkZTFlL6S8eyEkhA-Vvs6Pq2c-n8LaJXk~Yku7u15qoyDepkiQBuM3CEageD05Qx22KRERvMMiDAohlaCsu1ev~dsOCvCsTphv02sxBky4fj11sHVs9VKqyMOZoEGoH7IWJs5GZbyqfMTPf4yLZHUcyAUaK6hk4Ze1PUM~-qSLL9wC9P-aDryZUVW~WwzeiEmO5mYLOWHrjFb5TAN1Ev51vIztAsb3HHguObfMg5qngan5JSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Geneva City Council’s committee of the whole on April 7 approved a package of routine items and service contracts, including the city’s commercial insurance renewal, municipal bills for payment and several maintenance and service agreements.

Committee members voted to approve municipal bills for payment of $1,571,486.86 after the city clerk read the aggregate total. The committee also approved a renewal of the city’s commercial insurance package, a one-year contract for biosolids disposal, two wetlands management agreements and the mosquito abatement program. Each committee motion passed by voice vote with unanimous support in the committee.

City Administrator Stephanie Dawkins told the committee the insurance renewal would maintain existing coverages and limits with minimal changes; the most notable change is an increase in the city’s property deductible from $5,000 to $10,000. The renewal represents an approximately 8% increase over the expiring policy, driven by higher fleet value, construction costs, drone usage and claims activity. Rich Dukluskow of Arthur Gallagher, the city’s broker, described the renewal as “a very standard straightforward renewal” and said the 7–9% increases seen elsewhere reflected inflation and exposure changes.

On procurement and operations, the committee accepted the low bid from Stewart Spreading Inc. for biosolids disposal at $30.72 per cubic yard for the period May 1, 2025, through April 30, 2026; staff recommended accepting only the single year of the bid given changing state and federal legislation affecting biosolids. Hampton, Lanzini & Renwick (HLR) was authorized to continue wetlands management services for the Eagle Brook and Brentwood Pond subdivisions (not to exceed $45,200) and for the water treatment plant wetlands (not to exceed $23,600). Clark Environmental was authorized to provide the city’s fiscal year 2026 mosquito abatement program (not to exceed $56,444).

Aldermen signaled support for continuing relationships with the incumbent contractors; staff said HLR has provided the wetlands work since maintenance responsibility moved to the city and that Clark Environmental has served the city for mosquito abatement since 2015.

All items on the omnibus agenda were approved by a single motion in the city council portion of the meeting; the committee later ratified individual contracts and the insurance renewal without recorded opposition.

Votes at a glance
- Omnibus agenda: approved by voice vote (committee reported 8 affirmative votes, 0 nays; 2 alderpersons absent).
- Municipal bills for payment: $1,571,486.86 — approved (8–0 in committee, 2 absent reported at council).
- Insurance renewal (commercial coverage package): $951,525 — approved (committee unanimous).
- Biosolids disposal contract (Stewart Spreading Inc.): $30.72 per cubic yard for FY26 — approved (committee unanimous).
- Wetlands management (Eagle Brook and Brentwood Pond) — professional services agreement with Hampton, Lanzini & Renwick, not to exceed $45,200 — approved (committee unanimous).
- Water treatment plant wetlands management — Hampton, Lanzini & Renwick, not to exceed $23,600 — approved (committee unanimous).
- Mosquito abatement (Clark Environmental) — not to exceed $56,444 — approved (committee unanimous).

The committee approved minutes from its March 17, 2025 meeting and set no further conditions on the listed contracts in the motions recorded on April 7.

Ending
All committee motions described above were passed in committee and will be forwarded or executed according to staff direction; staff identified points of contact for follow-up questions (Assistant City Administrator McCready, Director Babica, and water division staff for operational matters).","At its April 7 meeting, the Geneva City Council (committee of the whole) approved the annual commercial insurance renewal, municipal bills totaling $1,571,486.86 and several service contracts including biosolids disposal, wetlands management and mosquito abatement. All motions passed unanimously in committee.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident criticizes city oversight after developer cuts trees at Duke and Lee/Emma’s Landing site

Council committee proposes SSA to fund electrical work for Geneva Crossing townhomes

Council committee approves extending city water to 1923 Western Avenue without annexation

City approves insurance renewal, service contracts and $1.57M in bills