Rock Island County Public Works and Facilities Committee met Jan. 12.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. Call Meeting to Order:
Chairman Larry Burns called the Public Works and Facilities meeting to order at 8:30am
Members in Attendance: Larry Burns, Dave Adams, Rich Morthland, Bob Westpfahl, Tim Foster, Chuck Layer
Also Present: Richard “Quijas” Brunk, Matt Miller, Josh Boudi, Greg Thorpe, Jim Grafton, Jared VanTieghem, Jim Nelson, Liz Mast, Nick Camlin.
2. Public Comment– None
3. Approval of December 8th Public Works & Facilities Minutes:
Motion: Dave Adams Second: Richard Morthland
via voice vote
Motion carried
4. Reports to Committee:
• GIS Director Josh Boudi reported that his revenues for December were $26,915.00 and the GIS software has been installed at Highway. We are installing more space for all of the Data which has already been installed with a new server and we are having a problem with this server linking up with the County server.
Motion to approve: Dave Adams Second: Tim Foster
via voice vote
Motion carried
• Zoning & Building Director Greg Thorpe reported he had 4 Zoning cases and we are still working on the permit program. We have our stormwater conference on February 19th at Bally’s in Rock Island. We have the joint outreach program which we have with Moline, East Moline, Rock Island, Bettendorf, Davenport. Normally this time of year I am bringing you information to update our Community Rating System program but, with Federal Budget cuts no-one knows what is happening so basically, we get a free year and they can figure that out later. Part of the CRS program we have been working on a program for public information partnering with other communities. We will all have the same message. We will have a committee working together to get the information out. A couple of new legislative things that have happened they have updated a lot in wind and solar so, we will need to update our wind and solar ordinances. We will also have to update our fees, they severely limited what we can charge for building fees. There was new legislation that came in that requires Building inspectors to have to update their certifications to be able to do those inspections. There is a trailer bill that is actually going through and they are trying to go back and amend that, to clarify it says in each inspection, it says in each inspection you have to be certified in electrical and mechanical. The new energy code went into effect January 1st. They are complaining about how they have to build their buildings this one is going to make it way worse. I think we are pretty close to purchasing those properties for back taxes in the flood plain
Motion to approve: David Adams Second: Chuck Layer via voice vote
Motion carried
• County Engineer Matt Miller reported that the Highway Department has received its salt deliveries, received the two new trucks, have actively been doing tree clean-up throughout the County, have completed the repairs on the snowplow that was damaged in the December snow event. Mr. Miller also informed the Committee the installation of the flashing stop-signs at 94th Avenue and 256 North at Riverdale schools and he plans to install rumble strips during school spring break.
Motion: Dave Adams Second: Richard Morthland via voice vote
• County Administrator Jim Grafton reported continued work on the preventive maintenance agreement with Johnson Controls. Mr. Grafton explained his plans to bring a quote to this committee next month to update the sign at Animal Control.
Motion to approve: Dave Adams Second: Chuck Layer via voice vote
Motion carried
5. Consider three Zoning Board of Appeals Cases:
a. RZ-26-101 Jerry & Lisa Pratt R-1 to B-3 BP
b. RZ-26-102 Kristopher Homan AG-2 to SE-2 BO
c. SU-26-201 Joshua Smith Seasonal Recreation HA
Motion: Richard Morthland Second: David Adams via voice vote
Motion carried
6. Consider Award of Farm Lease
Motion: David Adams Second: Chuck Layer / Bob Westpfahl Discussion: County Administrator Jim Grafton explained that we received three formal bids and one informal, but the three farmers bidding for a five-year term. The farmer who is farming the ground now did not turn in a bid. We are currently getting $304,650.00 for the five-year term. The highest bid was from Mitchel Trouten a flat rate of $67,525.00 for a total of $337,625.00 for the five. Mr. Westpfahl stated he would like to see the County put that property up for appraisal to find out what an actual bid of what the property is worth. Just because farm ground is bringing $19,000 an acre that ground is not worth that and will not bring it. Mr. Brunk stated that he knew over the years it has been a steady flow of income when needed. Mr. Westpfahl said it is the only thing in the County that we get money off of that doesn’t cost us a dime. Mr. Morthland said we are in competition with the private sector, which we should never be
via voice vote
Motion carried
7. Consider Purchase of Behnke 16’ 20K Dump Trailer
Motion: Chuck Layer Second: Tim Foster
Discussion: County Engineer Miller noted in our ten-year plan for equipment purchases we have another mini-excavator that we want to purchase. We ended up trading off the guard rail mower (that was a nightmare), we were given so much for it that we ended up getting the mini excavator for free. So, this dump trailer is part of that. The dump trailer itself can haul the mini excavator, now we are down to one vehicle hauling the equipment to the site, the equipment can be loaded onto the dump trailer this way it will be a one-man operation. Mr. Layer asked if they can haul a skid-steer on that Dump trailer. Mr. Miller explained it can haul anything we have along with attachments.
via voice vote
Motion carried
8. Consider 2026 General Letting- Stone Bid Award
Motion: Chuck Layer Second: Bob Westpfahl
Discussion: Mr. Miller explained that this is just our annual bid for aggregate via voice vote
Motion carried
9. Closed Session: None
10. Consider action needed based on closed session: None
11. Committee member opportunity for brief comment: Mr. Morthland noted that he was grateful for the makeup of this committee. He noted that he and Mr. Westpfahl we know what we know and the rest of the members who know what they know and this is the best committee I have been a member of.
12. Motion to adjourn
Motion: Dave Adams Second: Tim Foster via voice vote
Motion carried
Meeting was adjourned at 8:55am
The Next Public Works meeting will be held on Monday February 9th 2026 Respectfully submitted by,
Jim Nelson Rock Island County Administration
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Public Works & Facilities Committee will be March 5, 2026
https://www.rockislandcountyil.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/2126?fileID=2145
