January 12th, 2024

News and Notes from City Hall...

January 2024 City Manager Report

Ward 6 Resolution:

On January 2, 2024 the Governor issued a proclamation to hold a special election for Ward 6, in the City of Geneva. The special election will be held March 12, 2024.We will communicate more information about this process in the coming days.  

Staffing:

Police: The department held multiple interviews for Police Officers last week as well as for a Sergeant. We currently have two sergeant vacancies as well as two officer vacancies. The Lts and Chief are working closely with HR and Ontario County to fill our vacancies and get new officers to a February Academy. We may have the ability to bring 4 new officers on board within the next month (should they pass all required testing). 

Fire: We are anticipating a retirement at the Fire Department in early 2024 and have canvassed the list for a new hire. The Fire Department will be meeting with applicants in early January.

DPW: The Department of Public Works will have four vacancies in 2024. These include two new positions created in the 2024 budget, an additional Motor Equipment Operator and Labor Supervisor for Buildings and Grounds. The Labor Supervisor posting is currently internally posted and due back by December 22, 2023. The DPW Supervisors met this week to discuss the MEO positions and the need for CDL licenses which may be proving a challenge. This staff has developed potential solutions for this challenge which includes the City providing time and potential funding for new recruits to train for their CDL while serving the City. 

City Manager: We will begin recruiting our three-year position for Safety Coordinator in January 2024. The position is currently awaiting approval by Ontario County prior to being available for posting. The shared position of Community Engagement Coordinator is in the development process with the City and County and will be posted in February/March for a mid-year hire date.

Solar Eclipse: 

We are just over 3 months out for the Solar Eclipse. City representatives are continuing to participate at the Geneva and Ontario County task forces for the solar eclipse event. Staff have procured toilets which will be placed in City parks and parking lots for leading up to the eclipse. We are also working on creating additional signage and emergency routing should the event have a large turnout. 

Hazard Mitigation: 

The draft hazard mitigation plan has been completed by Ontario County and will be available for public review at the end of the month. 

From the Desk of our Department of Public Works Director

“Public works services are essential and fundamental to all aspects of life in our community. Every day, we rely on our skilled workers to protect public health, the environment and operate with fiscal responsibility . I would like to recognize the city public works crew for a fantastic job in maintaining our infrastructure 24/7/365. I applaud the city employees outstanding efforts for committing to working after hours and supporting one another. Together you collaborate to maintain facilities, minimize disruption and safely restore services to our residents and businesses. Keep up the nice work."

                                                  - Joe Venuti, DPW Director

Please remind all property owners of City Code 306-7 Cleaning, Maintaining and Repairing Sidewalks.  Removal of snow and ice is the duty of property owner and occupants. Please remove snow and ice within 24 hours after the end of snowfall to avoid removal and associated fees by the city. 

Resource Recovery Park

New hours until further notice !

Wednesday 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM 

Saturday 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM 

DPW Christmas Tree cleanup is ending January 19.   Residents are encouraged to drop off remaining trees to the Doran Ave Resource Recovery Facility. (see new hours)  DPW reminds residents that NO PLASTIC is ALLOWED at the facility.     Please remove tree bags when leaving tree at curb line or dropping off. 

Forecasted Wind Storm Events

To assist our City of Geneva residents as we all clean up and recover from the recent and forecasted wind storms, there may be significant quantities of tree debris and brush to dispose of.  As needed and weather dependent the DPW will be collecting brush and tree limbs January 16-19.  Please be patient and we try to get to all locations in a timely manner.  Please adhere to the following rules:

•    Please get all debris to the curb line but not in the street.

•    Please have all material to the curb, we do not enter private property

•    Please do not block the sidewalks with the material.

•    Please stack as neatly as possible with branches parallel with the road.

•    Please do not have individual pieces longer than 4’ in length.

•    Please do not stack debris near fire hydrants.

•    Please do not park in front of debris piles as this prevents us from accessing the material.

City council has authorized the creation of a 12-person task force charged with working throughout 2024 to compile a set of protocols and policies that will protect our city.

Task Force Members will be recruited and interviewed by City Staff and confirmed by members of Council in February 2024 and will include representatives from throughout the community with a vested interest in preventing impacts of storms on the City, as well as professional staff from the City, higher education partners, emergency response organizations, and others.

If you have vested interest in joining our Storm Task Force, please apply at  https://cityofgenevany.com/.../Apply-for-a-Board-or.... 

Deadline to apply is Tuesday, January 19th. For more information on applying or the Storm task force please reach out to the city manager's office at 315-789-6104.

Task Force Webpage

Please post & share with staff, friends and co-workers!  I have attached the current position ad your convenience:

• WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR/WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR TRAINEE
• WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR/WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR TRAINEE

Application Deadline: February 16^th 2024

Exam Date: March 16^th 2024

Click link below to apply:

https://ontario-portal.mycivilservice.com/jobopps

“Inclusion is our mission-Celebrate Differences!”  Join the City of Geneva team and celebrate the differences in our workplace and the rich diversity in the community.