Geneva City Council moved several redevelopment and grant-related items forward Wednesday while beginning a deeper review of 2027 revenues, city fees, unsafe properties, and the future of public recreation.
The meeting included a presentation from the Geneva Parks Collective on a possible public pool at Clark Street Park, a revenue-focused budget discussion, and votes to set public hearings tied to Community Development Block Grant applications.
It also included the possible sale of three city-owned Maryland Street parcels, and the future repair or demolition of 555 South Exchange St.
Mayor Jim Cecere opened the meeting with updates on discussions with state and county officials, including talks with state Sen. Pam Helming and Ontario County leaders about a possible occupancy tax. Cecere said the city wants to make sure any countywide occupancy tax structure sends value back to Geneva, especially given the city’s role in tourism and the current difference between hotels that pay occupancy-related taxes and short-term rentals that do not.
Cecere also said he raised lakefront repair needs with Helming and county officials after recent storm and flood damage. The city has previously estimated the cost of those repairs in the $3 million to $5 million range, with limited outside funding currently available.
The mayor also addressed the city manager transition, saying the city will continue operating under a council-manager form of government. Cecere said the current vacancy gives council a chance to review the role, city operations, and staff alignment before launching the next full search for a permanent city manager.
Parks Collective pitches public pool for Clark Street Park
One of the longest presentations of the night came from the Geneva Parks Collective, which outlined a concept for adding a public pool to Clark Street Park in the East Lakeview neighborhood.
The group said it has been meeting since January 2025 and has focused on neighborhood parks that serve residents more directly than the city’s lakefront and tourism-facing spaces. Members said survey results and community outreach showed strong interest in a water feature or pool at Clark Street Park, an 8.4-acre city park in a residential neighborhood near Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church and Geneva’s courtyard apartments.
The group framed the proposal around Geneva’s long relationship with water, from Seneca Lake and past lakefront recreation to historic fountains, beaches, mineral water, and former pools. Members said the 2020 demolition of the former American Legion pool left the city without a public pool available to residents.
Two concepts were presented.
The first was a traditional chlorine pool design with a shallow swimming area, a six-lane lap pool, splash area, pool houses, restrooms, walkways, play structures, a fitness area, and preservation of the existing ball field.
The second was a natural pool concept using rocks and native plantings for filtration instead of chemicals. That proposal included zero-entry access, shaded pavilions designed to evoke sailboats on Seneca Lake, volleyball courts, bike pump tracks, public bathrooms, lockers, clover areas, and paths connecting the park to the surrounding neighborhood.
The group acknowledged that a pool would be expensive. Members said a traditional pool in a similar climate could cost about $1 million to build and roughly $125,000 a year to staff and maintain for an eight- to 10-week season. A natural pool could cost about twice as much to build but far less to maintain, with an estimated annual cost of about $20,000.
The group said grants, admissions, memberships, and partnerships with organizations such as the YMCA, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, and the Boys & Girls Club of Geneva could help support the project.
Cecere thanked the group and said the pool concept should be folded into future conversations about recreation, the city’s parks, and the recreation center.
2027 budget discussion turns to revenue, fees, and enforcement
Council also reviewed preliminary 2027 revenue projections as part of its budget process.
City Comptroller Adam Blowers said the city’s revenue picture has improved by about $400,000 from earlier projections and is now about 3% higher than it was several months ago. He said the current projection shows about a 2.9% increase from the 2026 budget to the 2027 projection, while still assuming no increase in the property tax levy.
Blowers said the city has received more information on state aid, fees, grants, and other revenue sources. However, he cautioned that some aid should be treated as one-time revenue rather than something the city can count on every year.
Sales tax was identified as one of the biggest potential revenue areas. Blowers said the city received about $5.3 million in sales tax revenue in 2025, budgeted $5.1 million for 2026, and is tracking better than last year’s total so far.
Assistant City Manager Taylor Youngs said staff is also reviewing the city’s fee schedule to determine the real cost of services. That could include permits, inspections, and higher penalties for repeat violations.
The discussion quickly turned to code enforcement, rental housing, abandoned properties, and whether Geneva is leaving money uncollected.
Councilor Gummoe pointed to a public comment about fines for abandoned construction sites and asked whether the city is using those tools now. Councilor Gillotte said he wants more information about code violations, especially on neglected rental properties, and said some absentee landlords are allowing properties to deteriorate while still collecting high rent.
Cecere said the Housing and Neighborhood Ad Hoc Committee is already reviewing a possible permit fee process for long-term rentals and changes to the city’s short-term rental process. He said that work could include bringing inspections back for one- and two-unit rental properties, not just larger multifamily buildings.
Councilor Kaim suggested the city look at bicycle registration fees already referenced in the charter, winter parking enforcement, and parking meters or permits downtown. Councilor Petropoulos raised the idea of annual downtown parking permits for residents.
The next major budget discussion is scheduled for July 21, when council is expected to review expenses, projected gaps, and department priorities.
Council approves grant application support for 1 Railroad Place
Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the city to submit a New York Main Street grant application for 1 Railroad Place.
Youngs said the application was previously submitted but not funded. The property owners are applying again with feedback from the state.
The project would support renovation of the mixed-use building, including a second-floor professional office, one new apartment, and facade improvements. City officials said the building owners would cover all project costs beyond any grant funding, with no city match required.
Cecere said the property is located near the route toward Waterloo and described the project as a chance to improve and activate a visible building.
Public hearing set for CDBG applications
Council also voted to set a July 21 public hearing for possible 2026 Community Development Block Grant applications.
Youngs said the city has not finalized full applications yet, but the hearing must be scheduled because of a July 31 deadline. She said the city is focusing on grants tied to projects that are already underway or expected to happen, given staff capacity during the city manager transition.
Possible applications could include funding to reduce the loan portion of Geneva’s lead service line replacement project, help cover costs connected to demolition of Building C at the Geneva Enterprise Development Center, and address other public facilities needs.
The city recently received $12 million in state and federal funding for water infrastructure, including $8 million in grants and $3 million in low-interest loans for lead and copper service line replacement work.
Maryland Street property sale gets hearing date
Council set an Aug. 5 public hearing on the proposed sale of three city-owned vacant parcels on Maryland Street.
The city received a $4,000 offer from Flint Hall for parcels 90.84-1-3, 90.84-1-4, and 90.84-1-5. The proposal calls for a small hobby farm with a commercial greenhouse, garden space, native plantings, accessory structures, site cleanup, fencing, a driveway, and a future one-bedroom caretaker residence.
Youngs said the vote only sets the hearing and does not commit the city to selling the property. Councilors said they want public input and more information before making a final decision.
If approved later, the sale would generate $4,000, return the parcels to the tax rolls, and remove maintenance responsibility from the city.
Unsafe South Exchange building moves toward August hearing
Council also voted to set an Aug. 5 public hearing on whether to require repair or demolition of 555 South Exchange St., a long-troubled building that city officials described as unsafe.
Cecere recused himself from the discussion. City Attorney David Hou said the property has a “deadbeat owner” and needs major structural repair, remediation, or demolition. He said the hearing is the first step in the city gaining more control over the site under Chapter 111 of city code.
Hou said the vote does not commit council to demolition or any specific action. It only starts the process for council to review the building’s condition and determine what must be done to eliminate any danger to the public.
Any city costs, including legal fees, securing the building, repair, or demolition, would be assessed against the property and added to the tax roll. However, Councilor Brennan questioned whether the city would realistically recover that money, given the property owner’s history.
Brennan said the building appears to be in very poor condition and warned that the likely outcome could be city ownership, city-funded demolition, and an empty lot. He also noted that the building is connected to the neighboring former Boland Music building, which could complicate demolition.
Petropoulos said he had been inside the building while working on the 2020 census and said he nearly fell through a staircase. Officials said the property has been vacated and no tenants remain inside.
Public comments raise concerns about accountability and redevelopment
During public comment, resident Charles King used the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States to urge city officials to focus on accountability, ethics, and broader public service. He criticized what he called a dysfunctional local government and said council should pay more attention to what happens outside council chambers.
Former Councilor Jackie Augustine raised concerns about the 555 South Exchange St. process, especially because the property sits within the city’s Traditional Urban Design District. She said council should understand the district’s demolition standards before making decisions and said she would prefer to see the building rehabilitated if possible.
Augustine also suggested the city look at fines for abandoned construction projects, specifically citing the former American Legion property.
Jeff Heller-Geiger spoke in support of Parks and Recreation Month and promoted upcoming Geneva Parks Collective “Meet Your Parks” events at Clark Street and Richard Street parks. He also gave an update on trail work at Loomis Woods, where residents have started laying out trails and spreading wood chips.
Business openings, events, and community updates
Councilors also shared updates on downtown businesses, summer events, and community issues.
Petropoulos and Gillotte welcomed several new downtown businesses, including Naughty on the Weekend Bakery, Chowarma, and Cake. Petropoulos said Porchfest was successful and highlighted upcoming arts and music events, including First Friday, Art Walk, Seneca Sounds events at the Cracker Factory, and a planned Finger Lakes Film Festival in February.
Gillotte said Ironman weekend will bring athletes to Geneva beginning next week, with related events planned July 11 and the race scheduled for July 12.
Kaim said the Recreation Advisory Board discussed budgeting, partnerships, and a recreation survey expected to roll out in July. He also noted that the lakefront pavilion replacing the gazebo will not be ready by July 4 because of structural issues, though events will still take place nearby under a tent.
Gummoe said Casella has been picking up trash before the city’s 7 a.m. ordinance allows in some areas and asked residents to send video if they see early pickups. He said the issue has drawn complaints, particularly on the west side of Ward 2.
Council also approved meeting minutes from May 27, June 3, June 16, and June 17 before adjourning.
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