City of Rock Island City Council met Jan. 26.
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 Interim City Clerk Amanda Torres to call the roll.
Present: Alderpersons Glen Evans, Randy Hurt, Linda Barnes, Jenni Swanson, Dylan Parker, Mark Poulos, Bill Healy, and Mayor Ashley Harris.
Absent: None.
Staff: City Manager Todd Thompson, Attorney Leslie Day, Interim City Clerk Amanda Torres, and other City Staff.
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 Swanson seconded. VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Barnes, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
6. Presentations
a. Presentation regarding the Intergovernmental Support Agreement with the Rock Island Arsenal.
Luke Vanlandegen, Municipal Services Superintendent, presented information regarding an Intergovernmental Support Agreement with the Rock Island Arsenal. He provided background on the Arsenal’s solicitation of municipal services, which initially included trash and recycling services in 2019. It later expanded to water treatment, distribution maintenance, electrical maintenance, and radio and fire extinguisher services.
In 2024, the City of Rock Island was approached about an expanded scope of work that included grounds maintenance, snow removal, and street maintenance. Preliminary proposals were submitted in early 2024. After evaluating cost-effectiveness, the Public Works Department issued requests for qualifications for grounds maintenance and snow removal services in January 2025. The plan was for subcontractors to handle parking lot snow removal and mowing, while City personnel would perform street plowing, tree maintenance, and street maintenance.
Subcontractors were evaluated, and Langman Construction was selected for snow removal services while Finer Finish Grounds Care was selected for mowing services. Final proposals were submitted to the Arsenal last fall. Public Works was notified that the proposal had been tentatively accepted, with approval already granted by the local garrison and the agreement advancing through the chain of command.
Mr. Vanlandegen outlined the contract details, noting it was a ten-year agreement. The contract is expected to inject approximately $3.5 to $4 million annually into the local economy. He also discussed the benefits of the agreement, including the acquisition of new equipment that would be available for use throughout the City year-round, additional staffing to support citywide projects, economies of scale related to employee benefits and liability costs, and a positive net margin for the City. He concluded that the agreement would benefit both the local community and the federal government by providing cost savings while maintaining a high level of service.
7. Appointment of the City Clerk and Swearing in Ceremony
a. Report from the Mayor’s Office regarding the appointment of Amanda Torres as City Clerk, beginning January 26, 2026.
Motion: Motion to approve the appointment as recommended.
RC Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Swanson moved to approve the appointment as recommended; Alderperson Healy seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Barnes, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
b. Oath of Office for Amanda Torres, City Clerk.
Mayor Harris administered the Oath of Office to Amanda Torres. A photo was taken.
8. Public Comment
Tim Pressly spoke about the Casino West project and his property.
Clay Cone spoke about providing porta potties in the downtown area.
Kai Swanson spoke about misinformation in the media.
9. Update Rock Island
State of the City Address
The annual State of the City Address will be held this Thursday, January 29, at Bally’s Casino & Hotel, 777 Bally Blvd. Join me, Mayor Harris, for my first address as I update the public on accomplishments and upcoming goals. This year’s theme is “Commitment to Community.” Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and the program starts at noon. To register, go to RockIslandStateoftheCity.eventbrite.com.
Sweetheart Shop Hop set for February 7 in Downtown Rock Island
The Rock Island Downtown Alliance is excited to present the Sweetheart Shop Hop on Saturday, February 7. The Valentine’s-themed event encourages the community to show up and have fun while they shop, dine, drink and socialize at their favorite participating businesses. Pick up a stamp card from one of the 15 participating businesses. Visit at least five locations by 3 p.m. Then head to the Rock Island Ale House to redeem your card for a complimentary beverage and be automatically entered to win exciting prizes!
Stay active this winter with Rock Island Parks and Recreation
Registration is NOW OPENM or Winter and Spring activities. The new Rock Island Parks and Recreation Activity Guide is packed with fun things to do this season, like the kids’ Sweetheart Dance, our new Spring Fling for active older adults, more than 20 land and water fitness classes, expanded youth sports, adaptive recreation, swim lessons and so much more! Go to www.rigov.org/activityguide to register for activities.
10. Ordinances (First Readings)
a. Report from the Traffic Engineering Committee regarding a request from the Municipal Services Division to ban parking in front of 1718 and 1720 23rd Avenue from 7 AM to 5 PM on trash collection day. (First Reading)
Motion: Motion to consider the ordinance.
RC Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Barnes moved to consider the ordinance; Alderperson Hurt seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Barnes, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt. Nay: None.
Absent: None.
b. Report from the Fire Department regarding an ordinance amending Chapter 6 Fire Protection and Protection by creating a new Article V Lift Assist Services. (First Reading)
Motion: Motion to consider the ordinance.
RC Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Hurt moved to consider the ordinance; Alderperson Poulos seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Barnes, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
c. Report from the Community Development Department regarding a property purchase at 902 11th Street for $50,000 plus closing costs. (First Reading)
Motion: Motion to approve the property purchase; authorize the City Manager to execute the agreements, subject to minor attorney modifications; and consider the ordinance.
RC Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Evans moved to approve the property purchase, authorize the City Manager to execute the agreements, subject to minor attorney modifications, and consider the ordinance; Alderperson Hurt seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Barnes, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt. 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 December 19 through December 25 in the amount of $62,209.17; claims for the week of January 2 through January 8 in the amount of $1,226,604.89; and payroll for the weeks of December 22, 2025 through January 4, 2026 in the amount of $1,877,346.55.
b. ACH Report for the month of December 2025 in the amount of $4,213,586.31
c. Minutes from the January 12, 2026 City Council Meeting.
Motion: Motion to approve Consent Agenda items a through c.
RC Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Healy moved to approve Consent Agenda items a through c; Alderperson Evans seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Barnes, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
12. Claims/Purchases
a. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment to Langman Construction, Rock Island, Illinois, for the Sanitary Main Replacement Project between 42nd and 43rd Street and south of 29th Avenue in the amount of $133,749.04.
b. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment to J.C. Dillon, Peoria, Illinois, for Lead Water Service Line Replacements in the amount of $89,462.21.
c. Report from the Public Works Department regarding a payment to JC Dillon, Peoria, Illinois, for Water Service and Sewer Lateral Program Repairs in the amount of $83,921.09.
Motion: Motion to allow claims a through c.
RC Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Healy moved to allow claims a through c; 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: Barnes, Swanson, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
d. Report from the Finance Department regarding claims for the week of December 26 through December 31 in the amount of $765,920.17.
Motion: Motion to allow the claims.
RC Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Swanson moved to allow the claims; Alderperson Parker seconded.
Alderperson Healy recused himself from the vote as the check register included a check issued to his family’s business.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 4-2-0 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Hurt. Nay: Barnes, Evans. Absent: None.
e. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payments 5, 6, and 7 to Crawford Company, Rock Island, Illinois, for the Sunset Marina Electrical Upgrades Project in the amount of $87,018.53.
Motion: Motion to allow the claim.
RC Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Hurt moved to allow the claim; Alderperson Swanson seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Barnes, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
f. Report from the Finance Department regarding payment in the amount of $15,759 for the renewal of the ClearGov software subscription from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026.
Motion: Motion to allow the claim.
RC Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Evans moved to allow the claim; Alderperson Swanson seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Barnes, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
g. Report from the Police Department regarding a request to purchase Panasonic Toughbooks through CDS Office Technologies in the amount of $92,275.
Motion: Motion to approve the purchase.
RC Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Poulos moved to approve the purchase; Alderperson Evans seconded.
DISCUSSION:
Regarding sustainable funding for IT asset needs, City Manager Todd Thompson said staff is in the process of creating a replacement fund for building and IT assets by modeling it after the vehicle replacement fund. Currently, there isn’t a fund nor funding dedicated to IT asset replacement.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Barnes, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
13. Contracts/Agreements
a. Report from the Public Works Department requesting authorization to extend the 2025 Pavement Marking Program with Ostrom Painting and Sandblasting, Rock Island, Illinois, through 2026.
Motion: Motion to approve the contract extension and authorize the City Manager to execute the document, subject to minor attorney modifications.
RC Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Swanson moved to approve the contract extension and authorize the City Manager to execute the document, subject to minor attorney modifications; Alderperson Poulos seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Barnes, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt. Nay: None.
Absent: None.
b. Report from the Public Works Department requesting approval for an Intergovernmental Support Agreement with the Rock Island Arsenal for snow removal (parking lots and sidewalks), grounds maintenance, and road improvements.
Motion: Motion to approve the agreement; authorize the City Manager to execute the document, subject to minor attorney modifications; and authorize the subcontracting agreements as recommended.
RC Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Hurt moved to approve the agreement, authorize the City Manager to execute the document, subject to minor attorney modifications, and authorize the subcontracting agreements as recommended; Alderperson Poulos 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: Barnes, Swanson, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
c. Report from the IT Department regarding a contract with Factor Technology Solutions for network administration and monitoring services.
Motion: Motion to approve the contract and authorize the City Manager to execute the document, subject to minor attorney modifications.
RC Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Healy moved to approve the contract and authorize the City Manager to execute the document, subject to minor attorney modifications; Alderperson Poulos seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Barnes, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
14. Budget/Finance Items
a. Report from the Finance Department regarding a budget adjustment to the TIF 5 Columbia Park Fund (403) in the amount of $325,393.
Motion: Motion to approve the budget adjustment.
RC Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Poulos moved to approve the budget adjustment; Alderperson Parker seconded.
DISCUSSION:
Alderperson Barnes thanked staff for putting details behind the budget adjustment. VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Barnes, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
15. Appointments to Boards/Commissions/Committees
a. Report from the Mayor’s Office regarding appointments to the Police Community Relations Commission and a reappointment to the Rock Island County Metropolitan Mass Transit District Board of Trustees.
Motion: Motion to approve the appointments and reappointment as recommended. RC Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Parker moved to approve the appointments and reappointments as recommended; Alderperson Poulos seconded.
DISCUSSION:
Alderperson Evans asked for a way to provide more information on how to apply to the City’s boards and commissions. Mayor Harris suggested having information available at the MLK Center and libraries as well as posting information on Facebook. Alderperson Swanson commented that it is difficult to find the boards and commissions member application on the City’s website and also suggested creating a physical form for those who are unable to fill out the online form.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Barnes, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
16. Other Business/New Business
Mayor Harris talked about collaborating with the City of Moline to provide hotel rooms for the homeless. He commended Community Development Manager Nichole Mata for her hard work getting individuals out of the cold and working outside normal hours.
Public Works Director Mike Bartels said porta potties could be installed in the downtown area over the week.
17. Adjourn
a. Motion: Motion to adjourn to February 9, 2026.
VV Voice vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Swanson moved to adjourn; Alderperson Poulos seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 voice vote. Aye: Barnes, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, Evans, Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
The meeting concluded at 6:48 p.m.
https://www.rigov.org/301/Agenda-Minutes
