City of Rock Island City Council met Feb. 9.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
1. Call to Order
Mayor Harris called the meeting to order at 5:45 p.m. and welcomed everyone.
2. Roll Call
Mayor Ashley Harris asked City Clerk Amanda Torres to call the roll.
Present: Alderpersons Glen Evans, Randy Hurt, Jenni Swanson, Dylan Parker, Mark Poulos, Bill Healy, and Mayor Ashley Harris.
Absent: None.
Staff: City Manager Todd Thompson, Attorney Leslie Day, City Clerk Amanda Torres, and other City Staff.
Clerk Torres informed the Council that Alderperson Linda Barnes requested to participate remotely under 5 ILCS 120/7.
MOTION:
Alderperson Poulos moved to allow Alderperson Barnes to participate in the meeting remotely; Alderperson Evans seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 6-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
Alderperson Barnes joined the meeting remotely at 5:50 p.m.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Harris led in the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Moment of Silence
Mayor Harris requested a moment of silence. A moment of silence was observed.
5. Vote to Approve Agenda
a. Motion: Motion whether or not to approve the agenda.
RC Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Parker moved to approve the agenda; Alderperson Poulos seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: None.
6. Awards and Honor Presentations, Officer Swearing in Ceremony, and Proclamations
a. Proclamation declaring February 2026 Black History Month in the City of Rock Island.
Mayor Harris read the proclamation and his declaration. Rock Island County NAACP President Bonnie Ballard was present to accept the proclamation. A photo was taken. Ms. Ballard said a few words.
7. Public Comment
Steve Scranton spoke about the Black History Month proclamation.
April Leinberger and Alex North spoke about the requested pedestrian crosswalk.
Stephanie Richards spoke about the homeless.
Shay Bean spoke about the Casino West site.
Amy Patton spoke about the social services ordinance.
8. Update Rock Island
Congratulations to our public works department on receiving Public Body of the Year Award and Project of the Year Award by the Indiana Illinois Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting. This award recognizes the City’s commitment to fair contracting and our leadership in ensuring that the public tax dollars support local workers and responsible contractors. The City was also recognized for the Sunset Marina project.
Battle of the Buckets
Have fun and raise money while competing in the ultimate shooting and free throw contest for all ages.
Meet at the Rock Island Fitness and Activity Center, the RIFAC, 4303 24th Street, on Saturday, March 7. Check in begins at 9:30 a.m. and the competition goes until 11:15 a.m.
All proceeds of this one-day fundraising event go to the Rock Island Foundation’s financial assistance program. Kids and adults, everyone competes on the same court. Show off your skills, have fun, and claim your crown.
Celebrate Mardi Gras in Style
You are invited to celebrate Mardi Gras at the Hallberg Carriage House this Friday, February 13, from 1:00p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Food will be served from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Enjoy gumbo, red beans and rice, sausage, po’boys, bread pudding, king cakes, and Mardi Gras mules from the Carriage House Bar. Adults are $10. Students and kids are free.
9. Passage of Ordinances
a. An ordinance banning parking in front of 1718 and 1720 23rd Avenue from 7 AM to 5 PM on trash collection day. (Second Reading)
Motion: Motion to pass the ordinance.
RC Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Barnes moved to pass the ordinance; Alderperson Evans seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: None.
b. An ordinance amending Chapter 6 Fire Prevention and Protection by creating a new Article V Lift Assist Services. (Second Reading)
Motion: Motion to pass the ordinance.
RC Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Poulos moved to pass the ordinance; Alderperson Healy seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: None.
c. An ordinance providing for a property purchase at 902 11th Street for $50,000 plus closing costs. (Second Reading)
Motion: Motion to pass the ordinance.
RC Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Evans moved to pass the ordinance; Alderperson Hurt seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: None.
10. Ordinances (First Readings)
a. Report from the Traffic Engineering Committee regarding a request from Amy Patton to install a pedestrian crosswalk on the 1900 block of 17th Street. (First Reading)
Motion: Motion to deny the request.
RC Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Hurt moved to deny the request; Alderperson Evans seconded.
DISCUSSION:
Alderperson Barnes suggested exploring a no-parking zone between 18th and 19th Streets to provide more visibility in the area. She also recommended reviving the bicycle task force due to the increase in electic bikes.
Public Works Director Mike Bartels explained that when they’re looking to improve a street in a reconstruction, other changes, such as bump-outs and speed humps, are considered and implemented at that time. He said they are currently looking into restriping the area. He didn’t recommend speed humps in that location due to the amount of traffic in the area and its frequent use by emergency vehicles. He also mentioned that radar signs only hinder some of the speeding.
City Manager Thompson said they will continue to explore other options for that area.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: None.
b. Report from the Community Development Department regarding a City-initiated rezoning request from C-2 (nature conservation) district to I-1 (light industrial) district for various properties. (First Reading)
Motion: Motion to approve the request and consider the ordinance.
RC Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Hurt moved to postpone until the second meeting in March; Alderperson Evans seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: None.
11. Consent Agenda
All items under the Consent Agenda are considered to be routine in nature and will be enacted by a single motion and subsequent roll call vote. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless an Alderperson so requests, in which case, the item will be moved from the Consent Agenda and considered as the first item after approval of the Consent Agenda.
a. Claims for the week of January 9 through January 15 in the amount of $1,760,140.72; claims for the week of January 16 through January 22 in the amount of $488,609.25; claims for the week of January 23 through January 29 in the amount of $1,555,881.76; and payroll for the weeks of January 5, 2026, through January 18, 2026, in the amount of $1,871.620.33
b. Purchase Card Claims for the period of November 27, 2025 through December 26, 2025 in the amount of $87,727.35.
c. Report from the Police Department regarding the annual renewal of LeadsOnline, LLC’s LeadsOnline PowerPlus Investigation System software in the amount of $10,247.00.
d. Report from the Fire Department regarding the renewal of the annual software subscription with Lexipol in the amount of $12,929.15.
e. Minutes from the January 26, 2026 City Council meeting.
f. Minutes from the January 12, 2026 Closed Session.
Motion: Motion to approve Consent Agenda items a through f.
RC Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Healy moved to approve Consent Agenda items a through f; Alderperson Parker seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: None.
12. Claims/Purchases
a. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment to J.C. Dillon, Inc., Peoria, Illinois, for Water Service Repair Program and Sewer Lateral Repair Program repairs in the amount of $23,508.71.
b. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment to Langman Construction, Rock Island, Illinois, for an emergency water main repair at 2706 46th Avenue in the amount of $34,077.26.
c. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment to McClintock Trucking and Excavating, Silvis, Illinois, for the replacement of lead service lines at 2215 42nd Street in the amount of $27,463.50.
d. Report from the Public Works Department regarding a payment to Miller Trucking & Excavating, Silvis, Illinois, for an emergency sewer main repair at 1311 30th Street in the amount of $32,042.95.
Motion: Motion to allow claims a through d.
RC Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Healy moved to allow claims a through d; Alderperson Swanson seconded. Alderperson Parker recused himself from the vote due to the nature of his employment.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 6-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: None.
e. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment to Brandt Construction for an emergency storm sewer repair and retaining wall replacement at 1700 89th Avenue West in the amount of $58,309.80.
f. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment to Mid-American, Rock Island, Illinois, to relocate the primary electrical equipment at the 2932 24th Street water tower in the amount of $35,707.02.
g. Report from the Fire Department regarding a payment to United Diagnostic Services LLC for medical screening services in the amount of $13,650.00.
h. Report from the Fire Department regarding payment to Dinges Fire Company for firefighter protective clothing in the amount of $48,464.00.
i. Report from the Finance Department regarding a payment to Tyler Technologies of Plano, TX for the purchase of proximity readers and reader maintenance in the amount of $10,408.00 using ARPA funds (unrestricted).
Motion: Motion to allow claims e through i.
RC Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Healy moved to allow claims e through i; Alderperson Evans seconded.
MOTION:
Alderperson Parker moved to remove item f from claims e through i; Alderperson Poulos seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: None.
MOTION:
Alderperson Healy moved to allow claims e, g, h and i; Alderperson Evans seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: None.
MOTION:
Alderperson Parker moved to allow claim f; Alderperson Healy seconded.
DISCUSSION:
Mr. Bartels confirmed that the payment was for MidAmerican relocating their own equipment. He added that the work needed to be completed quickly as the water tower was shut down, and it was an emergency purchase.
City Manager Thompson said the responsible party for moving utilities is either outlined in the franchise agreement or a separate agreement for the facility. Staff will look into the language further.
Alderperson Parker expressed his concerns regarding MidAmerican requiring payment from constituents to move their own property.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 6-1-0 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt. Nay: Barnes. Absent: None.
j. Report from the Police Department regarding a purchase in the amount of $13,345.00 from Magnet Forensics for an investigative tool known as GrayKey.
Motion: Motion to approve the purchase.
RC Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Poulos moved to approve the purchase; Alderperson Healy seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: None.
13. Contracts/Agreements
a. Report from the Community Development Department regarding the 2026 Art Services Agreement with Quad City Arts.
Motion: Motion to approve the agreement and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement, subject to minor attorney modifications.
RC Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Poulos moved to approve the agreement, authorize the City Manager to execute the document, subject to minor attorney modifications; Alderperson Hurt seconded.
Alderperson Swanson recused herself from the vote as she serves on the Quad City Arts’ Board of Directors. DISCUSSION:
Quad City Arts Director of Community Engagement Ben Gougeon discussed the various services included in the agreement, such as the Public Sculpture Program, Metro Arts Youth Program, and Chalk Art Fest.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 6-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: None.
b. Report from the Community Development Department regarding a single source procurement of a cultural liaison.
Motion: Motion to approve the single source procurement and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract, subject to minor attorney modifications.
RC Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Parker moved to approve the single source procurement and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract, subject to minor attorney modifications; Alderperson Poulos seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: None.
14. Department Reports
a. Report from the Community Development Department regarding properties on the northwest corner of Route 92 and Andulusia Road.
Motion: Motion to approve the letter of intent and authorize the City Manager to execute the document.
RC Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Hurt moved to approve the letter of intent and authorize the City Manager to execute the document; Alderperson Evans seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: None.
15. Appointments to Boards/Commissions/Committees
a. Report from the Mayor’s Office regarding reappointments to the Labor Day Parade Advisory Board. Motion: Motion to approve the reappointments as recommended.
RC Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Parker moved to approve the appointments as recommended; Alderperson Poulos seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: None.
16. Events/Misc Requests
a. Report from the City Clerk’s Office regarding a sound amplification request from Kavanaugh’s Hilltop Tavern for their 14th Annual Shamrockin’ Patty O’ Pardy event on Saturday, March 14, 2026 from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; and a request for the outdoor consumption of alcohol in the fenced in area of the adjacent parking lot.
Motion: Motion to approve the requests as recommended, subject to complying with all liquor license regulations and being closed down early if complaints are received.
RC Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Parker moved to approve the requests as recommended, subject to complying with all liquor license regulations and being closed down early if complaints are received; Alderperson Poulos seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: None.
17. Rock Island Port Authority
a. Motion: Motion to close the regular City Council meeting and convene the Rock Island Regional Port District meeting.
VV Voice vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Healy moved to close the regular City Council meeting and convene the Rock Island Regional Port District meeting; Alderperson Poulos seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 voice vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: None.
b. Other Business/New Business
Economic Development Director Tom Flaherty said Council can expect an update on the plan soon.
c. Motion: Motion to exit the Rock Island Regional Port Authority and reconvene the regular City Council meeting.
VV Voice vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Healy moved to exit the Rock Island Regional Port Authority and reconvene the regular City Council meeting; Alderperson Poulos seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 voice vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: None.
18. Other Business/New Business
Mr. Bartels informed Council that there was damage to one of the newly-installed porta potties in the Downtown.
Alderperson Hurt discussed misinformation regarding the social services ordinance and amendments that passed since its original passage.
Alderperson Parker invited everyone to join Ballet Quad Cities February 13 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at their Rock Island studio for a brown bag lunch, meet-and-greet, and enjoy a sneak peek rehearsal of their upcoming production of Romeo and Juliet.
Alderperson Evans invited Rock Island GOP Treasurer Marian Stallings to share information regarding an upcoming event. Ms. Stallings announced that the Rock Island County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Dinner will be held on February 22 at the Stern Center and all are invited to attend. The doors open at 3 p.m.
Alderperson Swanson shared that Alderperson Poulos and herself recently attended a round table topic on affordable housing. She announced that another round table topic would be held on February 23 at One Eighty to discuss homelessness.
Mayor Harris said he toured the new YWCA facility and was impressed with their amenities. He said he also toured the Downtown Library with Alderperson Evans and is looking forward to supporting the Library’s future plans. He also commended the Public Works Department for their hard work that contributed to the City receiving the Project of the Year award from the Indiana Illinois Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting.
Alderperson Evans positively remarked on Mayor Harris’s first State of the City. He also attended the Foundation for Fair Contracting and Legislative Breakfast.
Mayor Harris said the City will continue to look for solutions regarding the 1900 block of 17th Street.
19. Closed Session
a. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding must be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting.
5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired.
Motion: Motion to enter Closed Session for the exceptions cited.
VV Voice vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Poulos moved to enter into Closed Session for the exceptions cited; Alderperson Evans seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt, Barnes. Nay: None. Absent: None.
Council entered Closed Session at 6:59 p.m.
20. Adjourn
a. Motion to adjourn to February 23, 2026.
Motion: Motion to adjourn.
VV Voice vote is needed.
After reconvening the regular meeting, Clerk Torres called the roll. All Council members and Mayor Harris were present except Alderperson Barnes.
MOTION:
Alderperson Parker moved to adjourn; Alderperson Poulos seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 6-0-1 voice vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: Barnes.
The meeting concluded at 7:28 p.m.
https://www.rigov.org/301/Agenda-Minutes
