Report: Geneva seen as a good place, but has room for improvement
A recent community survey confirms Geneva residents think the town is beautiful, the streets are well kept, the natural areas are a tremendous asset and the historic and quaint nature of its downtown area is attractive and valuable.
Participants in in-person meetings and telephone interviews with a consultant, hired to help update the city's strategic plan, agreed with them.
But they also expressed concerns about the city's lack of diversity, a perceived unwillingness by residents to change, and a lack of political will by elected officials to pursue goals outlined in the city's strategic plan.
The surveys, meetings and interviews were conducted last fall. Aldermen accepted the consultant's report Monday night, but did not discuss it. The Strategic Plan Advisory Committee will have a joint meeting with the council May 16 to discuss it.
The city will also have some public meetings about the report before then, according to SPAC chairman Elizabeth Clements.
The report can be viewed at geneva.il.us in the packet for the Feb. 26 committee of the whole meeting.
Geneva started using a strategic plan in 1997. It has been updated in 2007, 2014 and 2016. Administrators and the council use it to decide work and spending priorities.
The consulting firm met with residents; employees; and business, civic and religious leaders. It also conducted the online survey, met with the SPAC and led a workshop with aldermen.
Residents like Geneva, offer ideas for improvement
What did residents, employees and civic and business leaders have to say about Geneva when asked last fall by a consulting firm?
The city received overall positive feedback. In the survey of 473 people, 57 percent agreed or strongly agreed that the city spent tax dollars wisely. Sixty-two percent agreed or strongly agreed they have access to city officials when they have concerns.
Based on the forums and interviews, the report stated:
• "A lack of vision stemming particularly from city council, as well as mixed views on city government's communication and transparency arose in almost every engagement activity. Stakeholders feel strongly that political will should remain consistent with strategic goals and that there is a need for consensus among council and municipal staff. The overall view of the political environment within the city is not positive. Lack of vision and reactionary decisions are cited continuously as a concern."
• "Employees feel undervalued and consistently asked to do more with less. They take great pride in their work and look for city council in particular to better appreciate what employees do on a daily basis."
• "Stakeholders cite a strong desire to increase diversity and multicultural amenities in the city. Further noted was a cultural resistance to change, be it development-based or other."
• "Employees describe Geneva's political environment as 'gut wrenching' and 'toxic' and that this environment portrays them very negatively."
• "(High school) students noted Geneva is currently not a very diverse place to live and that this is a weakness. They feel the lack of diversity makes life complicated for certain community members, specifically because the community lacks businesses with products that cater to different cultures." Of the survey participants, 94 percent were white. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, Geneva is about 95 percent white.
• "Students brought to light that they feel the city does a good job catering to young people especially through park space, but in general, the city feels like it is built for young children and parents, and there could be more offerings for teens and young adults."
• "There is a perception that significant amounts of people in Geneva do not want to live around lower income individuals, which prevents affordable housing from being developed."
• "Participants suggested improving the business district east of the river should be a high priority."