Tuesday’s meetings will include a new grant application for the Oakwood pedestrian bridge, a first look at proposed rules for e-bikes and e-scooters, and planning for a major 2027 IDOT project along West Main Street.
Geneseo City Council members will have a full slate of infrastructure and planning issues before them Tuesday, Sept. 22, with discussions ranging from the city's long-term capital needs to new regulations for electric bicycles and scooters.
The Committee of the Whole meeting begins at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall. A Special City Council meeting is also scheduled Tuesday and includes action on the Oakwood Landing pedestrian bridge grant application and the sale of surplus Electric Department equipment.
Oakwood pedestrian bridge returns to council
The city is preparing to make another attempt at securing Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) funding for the proposed pedestrian bridge over Geneseo Creek near Oakwood Avenue.
The Historic Landing Area and Pedestrian Crossing Project was introduced in 2022. Geneseo previously applied for ITEP funding during the 2022 and 2024 application cycles but was not selected. The beautification and historical landing portion of the project was completed in March 2024 with local grant support, while the pedestrian bridge remained unfinished.
Since the previous applications, the city authorized preliminary engineering for the bridge. Plans have also undergone revisions requested by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, including raising the structure completely out of the floodway. According to the meeting materials, those modifications have been made and final IDNR approval is pending.
IMEG Engineering now estimates the project at $392,010. Plans call for a 90-foot-long, six-foot-wide pedestrian bridge over Geneseo Creek.
The city is working with Bi-State Regional Commission on another ITEP application, due in early October. According to city documents, an award could cover between 50% and 80% of eligible construction costs, with award announcements expected in April 2027. The Geneseo Foundation has also confirmed that its previously pledged $125,000 grant remains available for the project.
The Special City Council agenda calls for a vote on Resolution R-26-17 supporting the city's grant application. If the city does not receive ITEP funding, council members would be asked in 2027 to decide whether to proceed using local funding along with the Foundation contribution.
Council gets look at 2027 capital planning
Council members will also review the city's capital planning and Waterworth modeling for 2027.
The extensive capital improvement plan looks several years into the future and covers needs across city departments. The documents are planning materials rather than authorization Tuesday night for every individual project listed.
Among the items identified for 2027 are $200,000 for miscellaneous City Hall building repairs and $40,000 for other administration equipment and IT work.
The Parks Department plan includes $60,000 for City Park band shelter and bathroom improvements. Proposed work includes a new roof, LED lighting, bathroom renovations, interior painting, and an epoxy floor. The city notes that the bathrooms have not been operational for many years and indicates that grant funding would be pursued.
Street projects identified for 2027 include $150,000 for the annual street overlay program and $135,000 for concrete patching on Chicago Street between Main and Exchange streets. A $225,000 equipment replacement is also included.
The capital plan extends well beyond those examples and includes projects and equipment needs across city operations.
New rules proposed for e-bikes and e-scooters
One of Tuesday's discussions could eventually affect residents who use e-bikes, electric scooters, electric skateboards, and similar devices.
The city is considering changes to Chapter 36 of its municipal code in response to new Illinois regulations scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2027. No ordinance is scheduled for passage Tuesday. The draft is being presented for council review and discussion and is expected to be refined with the city attorney.
The proposal divides low-speed electric bicycles into three classes. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes would have maximum assisted speeds of 20 mph, while Class 3 bikes could provide pedal assistance up to 28 mph. Electric scooters, electric skateboards and electric unicycles are included under electric micromobility devices. Higher-powered devices exceeding 750 watts or 28 mph would be treated as motor-driven cycles and subject to licensing, registration, titling and insurance requirements.
The draft also includes age restrictions. Operators of Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes would need to be at least 15 to use them on public streets, paths or trails. Class 3 e-bike and electric micromobility device operators would need to be at least 16. Children's battery-powered electric toys would be exempt from those age provisions.
Another significant provision would prohibit Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes, electric scooters and other covered micromobility devices from being operated on public sidewalks within Geneseo.
Lower-speed devices could instead operate on public roads with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less, designated bicycle lanes and multi-use trails, subject to rules including yielding to pedestrians. Higher-powered motor-driven cycles would not be permitted on sidewalks, bike paths, multi-use trails or bike lanes.
The proposed ordinance also contains fines, potential police impoundment, and provisions addressing parental responsibility when minors violate the rules.
Major US 6 project planned for 2027
Council members will also review an agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation for a substantial improvement project along US 6/West Main Street.
The project would extend from approximately 0.1 mile west of Dilenbeck Drive east to South Oakwood Avenue and include pavement patching, milling and hot-mix asphalt resurfacing, ADA sidewalk improvements, traffic signal upgrades, parking improvements and utility adjustments.
IDOT would serve as the lead agency, handling surveying, necessary land acquisition, engineering design, bidding, and construction inspection.
The project is currently scheduled for the November letting, with construction expected to span the 2027 construction season. The documents list a Nov. 24, 2027 completion date, plus 10 days the following spring for remaining landscaping and punch-list work.
The estimated overall project cost is $8.05 million, including engineering. Federal funding is estimated at approximately $6.35 million, the state's share at approximately $1.56 million, and Geneseo's share at approximately $134,637.
The city's share includes costs associated with traffic signals, utility adjustments, and parking improvements. The project also includes resurfacing two parking lanes along the south side of West Main Street between Main and Center streets and resurfacing the parking lot at Geneseo City Park.
The Committee of the Whole agenda calls for moving the IDOT agreement and associated resolutions forward for final City Council review and approval.
Four transformers could be sold
The Special City Council will also consider declaring four Electric Department transformers surplus property.
According to the resolution, the transformers are no longer needed by Geneseo's electric utility following its voltage conversion project. The city proposes selling them to the City of Mascoutah for $20 per KVA.
Residents have two opportunities for public comment
Residents who want to address council members can do so during designated public-comment periods.
Near the beginning of the Committee of the Whole meeting, the council accepts comments specifically concerning items on the night's agenda. Each speaker may provide input for up to three minutes. City rules specify that the period is intended for council members to listen to public feedback and is not an interactive question-and-answer session.
A second public-comment period is scheduled near the end of the meeting for all other items, with the same three-minute limit.
The Committee of the Whole meeting begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, in Council Chambers at Geneseo City Hall. The meeting can also be watched through the City's YouTube livestream.