City of Moline Committee of the Whole/Council met May 9.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
Committee-of-the-Whole Call to Order
PRESENT: Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati (Chair)
Alderperson Debbie Murphy (Ward 1)
Alderperson Alvaro Macias (Ward 2)
Alderperson Abdur Razzaque (Ward 3)
Alderperson Matt Timion (Ward 4)~electronically
Alderperson Jessica Finch (Ward 5)
Alderperson Pat O’Brien (Ward 6)
Alderperson Anna Castro (Ward 7)
Alderperson James Patrick Schmidt (Alderperson At-Large)
ABSENT: None.
STAFF: Bob Vitas, City Administrator
Janine Hollembaek Parr, City Clerk
Carol Barnes, Finance Director
David Dryer, Director of Engineering
Barry Dykhuizen, Assistant City Administrator
Darren Gault, Chief of Police
Eric Griffith, Parks Recreation Director
Ryan Hvitløk, Director of Community and Economic Development
Bryon Lear, Library Director
Tony Loete, Director of Utilities
Leah Miller, Human Resources Director
Steve Regenwether, Fire Chief
David Rowatt, Information Technology Manager
Drake Daley, Building Official
Sean Foley, City Planner
Rodd Schick, Municipal Services General Manager
K.J. Whitley, Community Development Manager
OTHERS: Margaret Kostopulos, Corporation Counsel
Adam Stroud, PGAV Planners
Robbie McBeath, Illinois Broadband Lab
Marcy Mendenhall and Malia Owens, Skip-a-Long
Dawn Martin, Home Childcare Network
Grace Kinnecutt, Dispatch/Argus
Mayor Rayapati called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. in the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting room.
May 9, 2023
Approval of Remote Electronic Attendance
Alderperson O’Brien, seconded by Alderperson Schmidt, moved to approve the remote electronic attendance of Alderperson Timion for employment purposes. Motion passed on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Schmidt, Murphy, Macias, Razzaque, Timion, Finch, O’Brien and Castro; nays: none.
Proclamation
A Proclamation from the International Code Council to declare the month of May 2023, as "Building Safety Month." Drake Daley, Building Official, addressed the Council.
A Proclamation from Child Care Aware of America to declare May 12, 2023, as "Provider Appreciation Day." Marcy Mendenhall, Skip-a-Long, and Dawn Martin, Home Childcare Network, addressed the Council.
Presentation
4.1 Connect Illinois Broadband and Digital Equity Presentation. Robbie McBeath, Illinois Broadband Lab (IBL), explained that the IBL represents a collaborative effort between the Illinois Office of Broadband (IOB), the University of Illinois System, and other state partners, to advance shared interests in broadband data and research, explore various aspects of the digital divide and provide thoughtful analysis of the Connect Illinois capital investment and related programming. McBeath stated that the
Coronavirus Pandemic exposed the digital divide and the need for broadband internet services. Prior to the pandemic, the state of Illinois offered a matching grant program; however, funding greatly increased during the pandemic as the number of unserved or underserved families became apparent. McBeath indicated that this year is about gathering input; which is why listening sessions like this are being offered. There will be a public review process and money is anticipated to start flowing in 2025-2026, with a goal to see a great large-scale impact by 2028. Citizens can stay involved by signing up for the Illinois Broadband Connections newsletter (presentation attached).
4.2 TIF 101: TIF Districts and Economic Development Incentives. Adam Stroud, PGAV Planners, provided an overview of how and why economic development incentives are used (presentation attached). TIF districts are created to assist in the redevelopment of a particular area. A baseline for property taxes is developed. All taxing bodies still receive the same amount of property tax revenue as before the TIF district was designated. No additional taxes are placed on properties in the TIF district. As improvements are made to a property its value increases. The difference between the increased value and the baseline is the increment. The increment is used by the local government to make public improvements to the redevelopment area. Business Districts, like Moline’s special service areas, impose an additional sales tax to generate money. Moline is part of the Quad City Enterprise Zone, certified in 2019. Enterprise Zones provide exemption from sales tax on building materials for non-residential projects. These tools can be overlapped in use and amended after creation.
4.3 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Presentation. K.J. Whitley, Community Development Manager, explained how CDBG funds may be used. The Block Grant funds projects that impact low-to-moderate-income families and neighborhoods, and support the development of viable urban communities through decent housing and a suitable living environment. Moline has participated in the Block Grant program for 49 years. CDBG funds fueled the development of Bass Street Landing, Hawk Hollow, and streetscape improvements within the Floreciente neighborhood. Annual performance and evaluation reporting is mandatory and measures housing stability outcome.
Public Comment
None.
Questions on the Agenda
None.
Agenda Items
6.1 A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to make application, to enter into an agreement, and to execute all necessary assurances and certifications to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for CDBG entitlement funding under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, of certain projects and programs for fiscal year 2023; and approving projects and program recommendations of the Citizens Advisory Council on Urban Policy (CACUP) for the use of 2023 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and the 2023 Annual Action Plan, which contains said projects and programs; and authorizing the Mayor to implement those approved projects and programs upon the approval of the City of Moline 2023 Annual Action Plan by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and to exercise any and all powers required to obtain such funding and to implement those approved projects. A motion was made by Alderperson O’Brien to approve. Seconded by Alderperson Schmidt. Motion passed on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Schmidt, Murphy, Macias, Razzaque, Timion, Finch, O’Brien and Castro; nays: none.
Adjournment of the Committee-of-the-Whole and Council Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation
There was no Invocation.
Roll Call
Roll call was taken with Mayor Rayapati, Alderpersons Murphy, Macias, Razzaque, Timion, Finch, O’Brien, Castro and Schmidt present. Absent: None.
Non-Consent Agenda
Second Reading Ordinances
Resolutions
12.1 1094-2023 A Resolution approving the proposed amendment (Substantial Amendment 5) to the City of Moline’s 2019 Annual Action Plan, Substantial Amendment 4, approved by Council Bill/Resolution No. 1069-2021, for the purpose of program fund reallocation; and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute and attest to the program activity set forth in the City of Moline’s 2019 Annual Action Plan, Substantial Amendment 5, upon the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s) approval of said Amendment 5.
Approved. Alderperson O’Brien, seconded by Alderperson Macias, moved to approve Council Bill 1094- 2023. Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Schmidt, Murphy, Macias, Razzaque, Timion, Finch, O’Brien and Castro; nays: none.
Roundtable Discussion
13.1 Strategic Planning. Bob Vitas, City Administrator, explained the strategic planning process, requesting input from Council on the current plan. The three pillars of the strategic plan were reviewed. A significant number of goals are complete, and a majority of the remaining goals are on track and funded. Goals that are behind schedule are primarily complex projects and programs, and funding is an issue with most. Goals on hold: 1) Explore Natural Prairie Plants Opportunities; 2) Develop a Landlord Certification Program; 3) Explore Establishment of a One Stop Shop. New goals (strategies), within the areas of environmental, housing and infrastructure, were presented. Staff was asked to break out the road index maps and make them accessible to the public. Staff will develop a Park Matrix with age appropriateness. There was discussion of the following areas of focus:
Infrastructure: One Stop Shop Software; Broadband vs LTE Public Safety and Traffic; CIP Discretionary Funds emergency repairs; scheduling vs. funding); Split Quiet Zone and Passenger Rail; Combine Multi-Modal and Bike Plans; Explore Partnership with State, County and Park Board for Potential Prairie Parks;
Quality of Place: Rewrite Zoning Code; Repackage All Housing-Related/Comprehensive Housing Programs; Expand Library Multicultural Program; Reinvigorate Public Art; Explore Alternatives for the One Stop Shop; Central Farmers Market vs Food Policy; Replace Mobile Crisis Response System with Supporting and Improving Mental Health Services; Merge Goals 2.1 with 2.6; Replace Fire Station.
The Economy: Develop an Economic Policy; Consolidate CED Programs (B.O.O.S.T) Goal 3.2; Ongoing TIF Development Opportunities; Align Rebranding with Riverfront Redevelopment; Develop an Overarching Environmental Strategy (solar, electric vehicle charging stations, plastic ban, etc.); Reclassify 3.4.
Carol Barnes stated that the City has ended the year in the black with $1.7 million available for allocation to one-time projects, e.g. fire station, futsal courts at Riverside, riverfront development.
Miscellaneous Business
Mayor Rayapati shared that The Channel Cat is advertising its summer schedule.
Alderperson Razzaque requested resources for elderly residents wishing to be more socially engaged. Mayor Rayapati will share some recommendations from the surgeon general.
Alderperson Schmidt indicated that a survey is available to provide input on the new skate park plan.
Public Comment
There was no additional public comment.
Adjournment of City Council
Upon motion of Alderperson Macias, seconded by Alderperson O’Brien, the City Council meeting adjourned at 9:16 p.m.
http://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/8970
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