The East Moline Committee of the Whole met Sept. 19 to place nonpartisan election question on the April ballot.
Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the committee:
The East Moline Committee of the Whole meets immediately after the regular city council meetings on the first and third Monday of each month.
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND THE COMMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE OF THE CITY OF EAST MOLINE, ILLINOIS
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2016
ROLL CALL Mayor Thodos called the meeting to order and directed City Clerk Arletta D. Holmes to call the roll. The following Aldermen were present: Helen Heiland, Gary Almblade, Nancy Mulcahey, Ed DeJaynes, Humberto Aguilar, Robert Cheffer, Gary Westbrook, and Mayor John Thodos. 6:52p.m.
ADDITIONS/CORRECTIONS TO AGENDA None
SCHIFF HARDIN ENGAGEMENT LETTER (Ms. Petersen, Finance Director) In relation to the storm pumps and gatewell rehabilitation project, we are working with Triumph Community Bank to obtain financing. Triumph has asked that the City provide General Obligation Debt Certificated as collateral for financing. Paul Marengo with Schiff Hardin has agreed to act as bond counsel for the authorization, issuance and sale of the Debt Certificates. Mr. Marengo has asked that the City approve and sign an engagement letter for this issuance. The estimated fee for the debt certificate financing will be in the range from $9,000 to $12,000. The engagement letter is attached for your review.
FINANCIAL: This is not a budgeted item. Funding Sources: Drainage
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the engagement letter with Schiff Hardin for the debt certificate financing.
A lengthy discussion was held regarding various aspects of this issue, such as; the number of pumps that are involved, interest rates, what might the financial advantage be for the city proceeding with the engagement letter, after much discussion, comments and questions;
A motion was made by Alderman Mulcahey, seconded by Alderman DeJaynes, to concur with the recommendation to approve the engagement letter with Schiff Hardin for the debt certificate financing not to exceed $12,000. Instruct the City Attorney to prepare the appropriate document and forward to the City Council for consideration. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Mulcahey, DeJaynes, Aguilar, Cheffer, Westbrook, Heiland, and Almblade. Motion carried.
NONPARTISAN ELECTIONS (Mr. Girdler, City Administrator/ Mayor Thodos) In order to provide for more eligible candidates for municipal offices in the City of East Moline, it would be necessary to change our current partisan election format to nonpartisan. In order to do this, a question must be placed on the ballot for qualified voters to decide. The next possible date for this to be considered would be the April 2017 election.
Mayor Thodos stated he is bringing this issue forward for one reason, currently federal employees are not eligible to run for elective office in the City of East Moline, because we have partisan elections, because of the “Hatch Act of 1932” they are basically disqualified. The “Hatch Act” is a federal law that says anything having to do with party systems, federal employees are not able to engage in. Mayor Thodos said his purpose is to be more inclusive and not disenfranchise some people who live within our community, who would be more than qualified to serve there municipality, but are currently barred from doing so. Yes it is a federal regulation that bars them however, he believes we can make an adjustment to ensure that we have people who are qualified, and if that is the only thing barring them is the fact that we have partisan election there is magnesium to allow them to participate. Mayor Thodos is requesting that the City Council direct the City Attorney to create a resolution that puts this question on the ballot for the next General Election to be held April of 2017.
FINANCIAL: This is not a budgeted item. Departments: Administration
RECOMMENDATION: Approve a resolution to place the question on the ballot for April of 2017.
A motion was made by Alderman Cheffer, seconded by Alderman Almblade to concur with the recommendation to approve a resolution to place the question on the ballot for April of 2017. Instruct the City Attorney to prepare the appropriate document and forward to City Council for consideration. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Mulcahey, DeJaynes, Cheffer, and Almblade. Oppose: Heiland, Aguilar, and Westbrook. Motion carried 4-3
OFF – STREET PARKING (Mr. Girdler, City Administrator) Staff wishes to continue internal discussions on this matter. At this time, as a matter of enforcement, we believe we can handle most complaints. The planning Commission continues to work on new wording that is included below.
This is the language from the new zoning ordinance that the planning commission is working on: 5) Development Standards:
a) Off street accessory parking areas shall be of usable shape and shall be improved in accordance with requirement of the City Engineer with asphalt cement concrete, Portland cement concrete or alternate equivalent materials acceptable to the City Engineer, and so graded and drained as to dispose of all surface water accumulation within the area. Any lighting used to illuminate such parking shall be so arranged as to reflect the light away from adjoining premises in any R district and in accordance with illumination standards further described in this ordinance.
b) Parking lot layout shall be designed so the maneuvering requirements are accomplished without backing into adjacent public streets. Stack parking shall not be allowed to meet parking requirements for uses other than one and two family uses.
c) All motor vehicles and trailers in residential zoning districts must be parked on an improved surface in accordance with requirements of the City. Outside storage of inoperable or unlicensed vehicles and vehicle parts is prohibited in residential zoning districts.
FINANCIAL: This is not a budgeted item. Department: Administration
RECOMMENDATION: Allow staff to work within the current rules and set the new standards when the new zoning ordinance is approved later this year or early next year.
A lengthy discussion was held with regards to the Off- Street Parking, and various other aspects of this issue. No action was taken at this time.
ADJOURMENT A motion was made by Alderman Westbrook, seconded by Alderman DeJaynes, to adjourn the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Heiland, Almblade, Mulcahey, DeJaynes, Aguilar, Cheffer, and Westbrook. Motion carried 7:45p.m.
Minutes taken and submitted
_________________________ Arletta D. Holmes, City Clerk
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