February 2024 City Manager Report

DEC Technical Assistance for Protecting Drinking Water Program: Through our sustainability work the City of Geneva was awarded free technical assistances to help protect public drinking water. We are excited to have this opportunity to work with local and regional NYSDOH officials on this program. The Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2) is a locally led, and state-supported program that empowers municipalities to take action to improve and protect their public water supplies and surrounding watershed environments. We are choosing to participate in the DWSP2 to promote public health and safety, enhance environmental protection and recreation opportunities and strengthen our regulatory agency partnerships and collaboration. 

Grants: In 2023, the City received just under $450,000 in grant funding for various programming. We are still waiting on grant decisions on applications which would total an additional $200,000 if awarded. The grants coordination team (a team of City staff that are exploring grant opportunities) met to review grants being written or explored in 2024. Currently we are looking at grants related to housing, tourism, tree management, child passenger safety, stormwater mitigation, additional water filtration programming, and much more.  

Reassessment Process: Our assessor is working on the reassessment process. We have created a reassessment page for information on this process on our City Assessor website. Additionally, our Assessor Tina Rados will be providing an overview of the process at the March council meeting. Revaluation notices will go out in April 2024.

PED RFP for Economic Development Coordination: A review team consisting of members of the IDA, BID, and LDC will be convened to review the applications and award funds for this project to review our various economic development strategy and move forward on a compilation of the various strategies.

City Tours for City Council: Thank you for all members of Council that were able to participate in the departmental tours. We will set up an additional set of tours in March for those that were unable to attend.

Council Retreat: The first phase of the City Council retreat will occur on February 29 at 5:15pm. There will be several retreat sessions.

Happy Black History Month! Every February, people in the United States celebrate the achievements and history of African Americans.

Today and every day, we celebrate African Americans and encourage all people to recognize and confront systemic racism in our neighborhoods and the wider community by standing in the gap at every opportunity, bridging barriers with fearlessness and determination to fight against racism and bigotry and improve representation of Black people, not only in the arts but all facets of our society.

February 1st – February 29th, 2024, Black History Month calls upon not only residents, neighbors, business owners within in Geneva but for the people all over to observe this month with appropriate programs, activities, and reflections and to continue our efforts to create a world that is more just, equitable and prosperous for all.