Geneva City Council is set for back-to-back meetings Tuesday and Wednesday, with the first session carrying a wide-ranging agenda that includes new rules for e-bikes and other motorized devices, proposed changes to South Main Street, short-term rental taxes and the fate of a deteriorating South Exchange Street building.
Council’s regular operations meeting begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, following a 6 p.m. executive session on collective negotiations and the proposed sale of real property. Wednesday’s special meeting begins at 6 p.m. and is devoted entirely to reviewing the city’s strategic plan.
E-bike and alternative motorized vehicle rules
Among the most consequential items Tuesday is a second reading of a proposed ordinance regulating what the city calls “alternative motorized vehicles,” a category that would include ATVs, dirt bikes, minibikes, electric scooters, throttle-based e-bikes, electric skateboards, hoverboards, Segways and electric unicycles.
Police Chief Ronald Eveland said the city has seen increased use of those devices on streets, sidewalks and city property, along with more safety concerns, noise complaints and conflicts with pedestrians.
The proposal would prohibit anyone under 16 from operating battery-powered alternative motorized vehicles on public highways or city property. It would also ban their use on sidewalks and city parks and prohibit operation on roads with speed limits above 30 mph.
Gas-powered alternatives would generally be barred from public roads and public property unless properly equipped and licensed under state law.
Violations could carry fines of up to $500 for a first offense, $750 for a second and $1,000 for a third or subsequent offense, with possible jail time of up to 15 days. Police could also impound vehicles, with redemption fees ranging from $250 for a first battery-powered offense to $1,500 for a third or subsequent gas-powered offense, plus storage costs.
South Main Street changes
Council will also discuss two proposed changes to South Main Street.
One ordinance would lower the speed limit to 25 mph from the south curb line of Seneca Street to the south curb line of Houghton House Drive.
A separate ordinance would prohibit parking at all times on the east side of South Main Street from Seneca Street to Kings Lane.
City documents say the changes are intended to improve safety, traffic operations and sight distance for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.
Short-term rental tax strategy
Another major discussion will focus on short-term rental occupancy taxes.
A memorandum from Mayor Jim Cecere recommends that Geneva establish a formal position before Ontario County considers its own short-term rental tax structure in September.
The city’s proposed negotiating position would seek 50% of net county short-term rental occupancy-tax revenue generated by properties inside Geneva, after documented county administrative expenses.
The memo also recommends that the city attorney determine whether Geneva can use its existing state authority to extend its current occupancy tax to short-term rentals.
Separately, the city is considering whether to pursue state legislation that would raise Geneva’s maximum occupancy-tax rate from 3% to 5%. The memo makes clear that obtaining authority for a 5% rate would not require Council to immediately impose it.
The city is also looking at coordinating any future short-term rental tax structure with work already underway through the Ad Hoc Housing Committee on rental permitting and registration.
Unsafe building on South Exchange Street
Council is also expected to consider the next step for 555 South Exchange St., which city officials have described as structurally unsound and unsafe.
A proposed resolution would formally designate the building as unsafe and order the owner to repair or demolish it by Sept. 30.
If that deadline is missed, the acting city manager would be authorized to arrange for the work, with the city’s costs assessed against the property.
City records say the building’s street-facing brick façade has deteriorated and become detached from the frame, creating a risk that bricks or other material could fall into the street or sidewalk.
The documents also describe sagging floors, ceilings and walls, along with windows that are no longer securely attached.
Other business Tuesday
Tuesday’s agenda also includes public hearings on the alternative motorized vehicle ordinance, state grant funding under the 2026 federal Community Development Block Grant Imminent Threat Program and enforcement action involving 555 South Exchange St.
Council will also receive a budget structure update and consider a resolution designating Acting City Manager Taylor Youngs as Geneva’s representative to the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortium board, with Human Resources Director Jennifer Slywka serving as alternate.
Strategic plan review Wednesday
Wednesday’s special meeting is much narrower.
Council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. in the second-floor conference room at City Hall for a discussion and review of Geneva’s strategic plan.
No other business is listed on the agenda.
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