A proposed 26-acre sports complex near Interstate 80, the next step in the Ford Road sanitary sewer project, and the appointment of a new deputy police chief highlighted Tuesday night’s Geneseo City Council meetings.
Ernst Family Proposes 26-Acre Sports Complex
A long-discussed idea for expanded youth sports facilities in Geneseo took a significant step forward Tuesday when Dave and Betty Ernst presented plans for the proposed Seth Ernst Memorial Sports Complex.
The Ernst family is willing to donate approximately 26 acres for the project. The property is located on the south side of Geneseo near the city’s wind turbines and I-80.
The preliminary concept centers on soccer but would accommodate several sports. Plans discussed Tuesday include soccer fields, pickleball facilities, three-on-three basketball courts, and space that could be used for football practices and other field sports.
Ernst told the council the need for additional soccer facilities has been discussed for close to a decade. Richmond Hill currently provides soccer fields, but Ernst said parking and available space make it difficult to accommodate tournaments of the size organizers would like to bring to Geneseo.
The scale of the local soccer program was also highlighted during the presentation. Ernst said 439 children are playing soccer in Geneseo this fall.
Organizers believe a larger complex could allow Geneseo to host tournaments that bring visiting teams and families into the community, potentially generating additional business for restaurants, hotels, and other businesses. Its location near I-80 was repeatedly cited as an advantage.
Council members and city officials also discussed the potential for the complex to serve as an anchor for additional development along the interstate corridor. City officials said attracting development to that area has proven difficult despite conversations with developers over the years.
The proposal is still in its early stages.
An organizing committee has been formed, and Hutchison Engineering has worked with the group to develop a conceptual plan. The committee includes representatives connected with the Seth Ernst Memorial Soccer Slam and Geneseo Soccer Club, along with members of the Ernst family and city representatives.
Organizers said contributions for the complex would be funneled through the nonprofit associated with the Seth Ernst Memorial Soccer Slam and then used to pay for work on the project.
No construction plan or city funding commitment was approved Tuesday. City officials said one of the next steps will be investigating right-of-way and access near the city’s wind turbine property to determine whether the existing approach could be used to access the proposed complex. That information could come back before the council next month.
Ford Road Sewer Project Moves Forward
Following the Committee of the Whole meeting, the council convened a special meeting and approved the first phase of the Ford Road sanitary sewer project.
Central Excavating submitted the low bid of $924,598.10. City officials said the two other bids received were both above $1 million.
The council approved Resolution R-26-16, awarded the construction contract to Central Excavating, and approved an infrastructure and reimbursement agreement with Affinity Growth Community Developer LLC. The vote was unanimous.
The resolution also authorizes $22,000 for electrical materials and up to $54,000 for construction engineering and inspection services, if needed. The electrical work is necessary because the project design calls for city electrical service serving the lift station area to be relocated underground.
The project also intersects with another potential development along Ford Road.
Affinity Growth Community Developer LLC recently purchased property on the north side of Ford Road, including approximately 2.5 acres of vacant ground. City officials said the developer's future plans include seeking annexation into Geneseo and developing the property.
Because the sanitary sewer is already being installed, the city plans to install a manhole and stage a sewer connection that could eventually serve that property.
The reimbursement agreement protects the city if the anticipated development does not occur, allowing the city to recover the additional infrastructure cost under the terms of the agreement.
Weisser Confirmed as Deputy Police Chief
The council also moved into executive session during the special meeting before returning to open session to consider Police Chief Casey Disterhoft’s appointment of Jamison Weisser as deputy chief of police.
Council members unanimously confirmed the appointment.
Weisser will receive an annual salary of $109,000 and retain retirement health insurance benefits outlined in his position offer letter.
Weisser was sworn in following the vote.
The council’s Committee of the Whole agenda also noted that proposed ordinance changes involving electric bikes and scooters are scheduled for discussion Sept. 22.