Rock Island Today

City of Moline Committee of the Whole/Council met June 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Special Meeting

Council Call to Order

Mayor Rayapati called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.

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)

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

Kimberly Banning, Unsworn City Clerk

Carol Barnes, Director of Finance

Mike Davis, System Administrator

OTHERS: Alexandra Elias, Renew Moline President and CEO

Kirk Marske, Moline Centre Main Street Manager

Pledge of Allegiance

Invocation

None.

Roll Call

Roll call was taken with Mayor Rayapati, Alderpersons Murphy, Macias, Razzaque, Timion, Finch, O’Brien, Castro and Schmidt present. Absent: None.

Questions on the Agenda

None.

Public Comment

None.

Roundtable Discussion

2024-2026 Strategic Plan and Preliminary Capital Improvement Discussion. Mayor Rayapati explained that re-visioning the strategic plan does not mean rewriting; rather, retooling of the plan as large projects continue to come before the Council. Continuous refinement of the plan results in the best product. Mayor asked the Council to keep feeding the vision as incremental steps are taken to reach a bigger picture. Infrastructure, housing, employment quality, economic mobility and environmental impacts must be included in the plan. Other initiatives may be included if financial resources are available. Mayor explained that, per the adopted PCI Index, a budget that falls below $5.86M (Moline is currently at $4.9M) will result in an overall PCI decrease over the course of 5 years. Building a comprehensive housing program is essential and will cost approximately $600,000. Mayor Rayapati referenced the Hartford, Connecticut rental licensing program which uses a phased-in approach. She indicated that as we strive for Employment Quality and Economic Mobility, wage compression and poor paying jobs must be addressed, with the help of the City’s Community and Economic Development department. Employment growth in 2022 was low, falling between .1 and 2.9. It is anticipated that we will not return to peak employment until 2030. We need to make Moline a business-friendly City where potential business owners and visitors want to be. The Mayor’s environmental working group continues to investigate ways the City might reduce its carbon footprint. Staff continues to collect data to build an equity plan to support policy decisions. Mayor Rayapati indicated that policy decision should be looked at through a “health lens,” for example placing a cap on the number of tobacco licenses issued. Mayor Rayapati would like to allocate $8M for capital improvement projects. There was discussion. Alderperson Schmidt stated that he would like to see the City strive for the $8M needed to gain advancement in street improvements, while acknowledging that the process is incremental. Alderperson O’Brien suggested allocating funds to acquire non-performing, blighted property. Alderperson Timion queried whether increasing density might spur job growth and development. How do we attract and build the workforce? Regarding funding the improvement of additional roads, Carol Barnes, Director of Finance, stated that for the first couple of years we will be paying for below-ground utilities as well as the additional roads. Vitas suggested looking at in-house resurfacing of residential roads. Staff will explore the total cost to the City for the completion of $5.7M in capital improvement projects (with utilities cost included.) Increasing design engineering should enable grant funding for shovel-ready projects. Discussion had. Vitas indicated that the City owns approximately 100 vacant lots, some of which are buildable. This is part of the land bank discussion.

Alexandra Elias, Renew Moline, stated that they are working with Moline Community Development Corporation (MCDC) to improve rental housing conditions in neighborhoods. They plan to craft ways to reach a vacant property owner and have a conversation.

Carol Barnes, Director of Finance, reviewed viable new revenue options to enhance the current Capital Improvement Plan. Barnes stated that the rate of road deterioration and inflation impact the amount needed. A blended combination might be considered. Ordinances were adopted in 2019 that allow the City to implement MidAmerican Energy gas and electric franchise fees. Referencing Section 7, “Consideration for Use of Public Right-of-Way,” Subsection (a) “Franchise Fee,” Barnes indicated that beginning ninety (90) days after notice from the City, MidAmerican Energy, Inc. would remit compensation to the City monthly for use of the public rights-of-way under the terms of the agreement. The City has the right to impose and adjust the franchise fee up to five percent, throughout the term of the agreement. Referencing page 4 of the attached hand-out, Barnes explained projected gross revenue, including average cost to the customer. This would be spread across all properties, including exempt properties. This potential fee would be on top of the utility fee increase. Barnes acknowledged that these are difficult policy decisions.

Bob Vitas, City Administrator, indicated that the classification and compensation plan will be coming to the Council for approval. There will be a budgetary impact to its implementation.

Miscellaneous Business

Alderperson Schmidt thanked outgoing City Clerk Janine Hollembaek Parr.

Public Comment

None.

Adjournment of City Council

Upon motion of Alderperson Schmidt, seconded by Alderperson Macias, the Council meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m.

http://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/9087