The Rock Island City Council met Jan. 16 to review the winter activity program.
Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the council:
The Rock Island City Council includes the mayor and seven alderman, each from one of the city’s seven wards. Council meetings are held at 6:45 p.m. each Monday.
CITY OF ROCK ISLAND January 16, 2017 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Rock Island City Council met in regular session at 6:45 p.m. in Council Chambers of Rock Island City Hall. Present were Mayor Dennis E. Pauley presiding, and Aldermen P.J. Foley, Stephen L. Tollenaer, Kate Hotle, Joshua Schipp, Charles O. Austin III and Ivory D. Clark. Also present were Interim City Manager Randy Tweet and City Attorney Dave Morrison. Alderman Virgil J. Mayberry was absent.
Introductory Proceedings
Mayor Pauley called the meeting to order. He read a statement prepared by Alderman Mayberry; the contents of which follow:
“To Citizens of Rock Island, I, Virgil J. Mayberry, 2nd Ward Alderman, respectfully refused to meet tonight at our Council meeting, as it is a national holiday which we celebrated our 34th anniversary at the Martin Luther King Center today. We have MLK Park, MLK Parkway and the King Center. No other city has as much as Rock Island, but it is not a holiday for our city employees, me being one also. Our Public Works Department risk their lives for us. Our Park employees work when it is 100 degrees. All our employees deserve this day off with families. There is no school, no mail. I have directed our City Manager, Randy Tweet to look into changing this. We have a great city and we will make it greater. Justice is what Dr. King was about. Virgil J. Mayberry, 2nd Ward Alderman”
Mayor Pauley led in the Pledge of Allegiance. Alderman Schipp gave the Invocation.
Agenda Item #5 Minutes of the meeting of January 9, 2017.
It was moved by Alderman Foley and seconded by Alderman Hotle to approve the Minutes of the meeting of January 9, 2017 as printed. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote; those voting Aye being; Alderman Foley, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderman Hotle, Alderman Schipp, Alderman Austin and Alderman Clark; those voting No, none.
Agenda Item #6 Update Rock Island by Mayor Dennis E. Pauley.
Community Crime Prevention Partnership Meeting - The Rock Island Police Department will be holding another educational meeting on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. These meetings are intended to strengthen existing partnerships with the citizens of Rock Island so that we can continue to look at ways to prevent crime and improve our services. Attendees are encouraged to provide feedback on issues and concerns they may have and to offer input on policing strategies in Rock Island. It is our hope that the structure of these meetings will facilitate conversations between the citizens and the staff, and help us continue to improve upon the services we provide while also sharing important information that will be of benefit to everyone. For more information please call (309)732-2677.
Hot Rod and Custom Car Show - The QCCA Expo Center Rod and Custom Show takes place starting at QCCA Expo Center Friday, January 20, 2017 and continues through Sunday, January 22. Hours are Friday 1:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. General admission is $8.00. Children 6 and under are free. Friday is Military Day - Present your Military ID and receive free admission.
Winter/Spring Activity Guide - The new Winter/Spring activity guide from the Parks and Recreation Department is now out. Check out the many activities available including a Dad and Daughter Date Night, Murder Mystery Scavenger Hunt, bus trips (including the play, Hamilton, in Chicago) cooking classes, and many other events and activities. To see the complete listing of the many opportunities available go to www.rigov.org.
Building Success in Our Kids - The Rock Island Public Library will host a free public discussion on Building Success in Our Kids on Monday, January 23 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street. The free community forum is a follow up to a December visit to the Quad Cities by Professor Robert Putnam, author of Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis. Plan to attend and join the discussion, guided by Dan McNeil, on successful methods to bridge the opportunity gap for all kids in our community.
Agenda Item #7 Presentation of Awards by Fire Chief for Recognition of Community Service.
Fire Chief Jeff Yerkey read the following statement; the contents of which follow:
“On behalf of the Rock Island Fire Department, I would like to take this opportunity to formally recognize local responders who have made a difference in saving the lives of seven of our community members who suffered a cardiac arrest event in 2016. In early February of 2016, the Fire Department revised its procedures in treating patients suffering from cardiac arrest. In the year prior to making these changes, our responders were getting a pulse back on only 7% of our cardiac arrest patients with a 0% survival rate. Following these changes, however, data from the past year shows our responders are now getting a pulse back on 73% of our cardiac arrest patients with a survival rate of 23%. The national average for survival rates, it should be noted, is 6%. I am proud to say that seven of our patients are now living longer lives because of the commitment our local responders made in implementing these new procedures.
A special thanks to the department’s EMS Coordinator, Lt. Chris Rogers, in recognizing a need for improvement, and who worked in collaboration with our EMS Medical Director, Dr. Michael Barr, and our EMS System Coordinator, Adam Sowells, to implement best practices in cardiac arrest care.”
Chief Yerkey and Mayor Pauley recognized the following with awards:
From the Rock Island Fire Department: FF (firefighter) Aaron Darwin, FF Chad Jacobs, FF Cody Bower, FF Cody Edwards, FF David Wolf, FF Jason Livengood, Lt. Joseph Duran, FF Justin Welvaert, FF Kevin Chan, Lt. Kyle Sebben, FF Mark Moore, FF Max McDermott, FF Nicholas Border, FF Scott Ketner, FF Shawn Shipley, FF Thomas Drummond (currently on deployment in Iraq), FF Corbin Ayers, Lt. Jason Leemans and Lt. Nicholas Thompson; from the Moline Fire Department: FF Colin Suiter and FF Anthony Brown; from the Rock Island Arsenal
Fire Department: FF Robert Ohms and FF Tim Weller; and from Rock Island High School: Erin Dempsey and Ann Mangelsdorf.
After the awards presentation, pictures were taken of the award recipients. Mayor Pauley thanked all the members of the departments for the excellent job they do every day.
Agenda Item #8 Presentation of the 2016 Holiday Lighting Awards.
Mayor Pauley stepped forward and Beautification Commission member Bob Towler joined Mayor Pauley at the podium to present the 2016 Holiday Lighting Awards. Mayor Pauley stated that this is the 31st annual Holiday Lighting Awards. The Mayor added that the contest is intended to recognize Rock Island residents and businesses that create seasonal displays that are enjoyed by many throughout the holidays. Mayor Pauley stated that the Commission toured over 45 nominated displays on the evening of December 19th. Mayor Pauley said that winners were selected in both residential and commercial categories. Mayor Pauley commented that each display was truly outstanding and the Commission would like to thank everyone who participated in this year’s contest. A video presentation of the winning holiday displays accompanied the awards ceremony.
The third place residential winner was the Hansen family. The second place winner was Victor Boblett and the first place award winner was May Yazeji.
The third place commercial winner was Crawford Company. The second place winner was Caliber Home Loans and the first place award winner was Ms. Penny’s Day Care.
After the awards, pictures were taken of the winners.
Agenda Item #9 Presentation of the 2016 Commercial Beautification Awards.
Mayor Pauley stepped forward and Beautification Commission member Bob Towler joined Mayor Pauley at the podium to present the 2016 Commercial Beautification Awards. Mayor Pauley stated that this program was created to honor business owners for their efforts in improving the facades and landscaping of their properties. Mayor Pauley added that this year, the Commission will honor four businesses with a traveling plaque or trophy. The Mayor said there were eight nominees and the quality of each project made the process difficult for the Commission. Mayor Pauley stated that each of this year’s projects has helped to beautify the surrounding neighborhood of the businesses, and the City of Rock Island at large. Photos of the commercial beautification winners were shown during the awards presentation.
The Beautification Commission Award was presented to Rock Island Animal Hospital. The City Council Award was presented to Bridges Catering for the Stern Center. The Mayor’s Choice Award was won by Holiday Inn. The Rotary Trophy Award was presented to Wheelan-Pressley Knox Chapel, the overall winner.
After the awards, pictures were taken of the winners.
Agenda Item #10 Proclamation declaring January, 2017 as National Mentoring Month.
Mayor Pauley read the proclamation. Karen Dahlstrom, Big Sister and Gabby, Little Sister, of Big Brothers Big Sisters accepted the proclamation. Ms. Dahlstrom, who works at Augustana College, shares lunch twice a month and does other fun activities with Little Sister Gabby, a 6th grader at the Rock Island Academy. Ms. Dahlstrom said the conversations she and Gabby have and the bond they share is special to both of them. Ms. Dahlstrom encouraged others to get involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Agenda Item #11 CLAIMS
It was moved by Alderman Schipp and seconded by Alderman Austin to accept the following reports and authorize payments as recommended. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote; those voting Aye being; Alderman Foley, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderman Hotle, Alderman Schipp, Alderman Austin and Alderman Clark; those voting No, none.
a. Report from the Human Resources Department regarding payment in the amount of $819.98 to MidAmerican Energy for General Liability claim.
b. Report from the Information Technology Department regarding payment in the amount of $14,328.96 to DLT Solutions Inc. of Herndon, VA for the Autodesk annual subscription maintenance.
c. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment #4 and final in the amount of $78,081.23 to Tri-City Blacktop Inc. of Bettendorf, IA for the 38th Street and 18th Avenue resurfacing project for services provided from August 22, 2016 through January 6, 2017.
Agenda Item #12 Claims for the week of January 6 through January 12 in the amount of $578,565.13.
It was moved by Alderman Clark and seconded by Alderman Schipp to allow the claims. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote; those voting Aye being; Alderman Foley, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderman Hotle, Alderman Schipp, Alderman Austin and Alderman Clark; those voting No, none.
Agenda Item #13 Report from the Parks and Recreation Department regarding a proposed amendment to Chapter 14, Article II, Section 14-17 of the Code of Ordinances as it relates to the number of Park Board members.
It was moved by Alderman Foley and seconded by Alderman Tollenaer to approve the proposed amendment as recommended and refer to the City Attorney for an ordinance. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote; those voting Aye being; Alderman Foley, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderman Schipp, Alderman Austin and Alderman Clark; those voting No, none; those abstaining, Alderman Hotle.
Agenda Item #14 Report from the Public Works Department regarding the revised Local Public Agency Agreement for Federal Participation for the 38th Street, 7th Avenue to Blackhawk Road resurfacing project.
It was moved by Alderman Schipp and seconded by Alderman Hotle to approve the revised Local Agency Agreement for Federal Participation as recommended and authorize the Mayor to execute the documents.
Discussion followed. Alderman Foley commented on two major street projects, 38th Street and 18th Avenue, which will be done this year. Mayor Pauley said the 18th Avenue project is one where all wards touch 18th Avenue. Alderman Schipp asked about the cost reduction and if the savings could be budgeted elsewhere. Interim City Manager Randy Tweet replied that half the cost of the project was budgeted this year and half budgeted for next year.
The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote; those voting Aye being; Alderman Foley, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderman Hotle, Alderman Schipp, Alderman Austin and Alderman Clark; those voting No, none.
Agenda Item #15 Report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding a request from Masco and Leticia Taliafero for a rezoning from an R-6 (multi-family residence) district to a B-3 (community business) district at 909 3rd Avenue.
It was moved by Alderman Clark and seconded by Alderman Austin to approve the rezoning as recommended and refer to the City Attorney for an ordinance. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote; those voting Aye being; Alderman Foley, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderman Hotle, Alderman Schipp, Alderman Austin and Alderman Clark; those voting No, none.
Agenda Item #16 Other Business
Alderman Hotle stated the Martin Luther King Center hosted an event today and she wanted to thank MLK Director Jerry Jones as it was one of the best events she has attended in the last few years. The speaker’s comments were excellent. The MLK Center went above and beyond in putting together the event.
Alderman Clark stated that it would be difficult to find another city like Rock Island that supports the MLK Center in the way that it does. He commented that there is no day off because city staff must negotiate through the unions; however, the City does care about Martin Luther King Day. Getting the holiday off does not start with the City Council. He further commented that we can disagree on some things, but we all respect the legacy of Martin Luther King.
Alderman Schipp echoed Alderman Clark’s comments. He said the City Council meeting could be re-scheduled to the fourth Monday in January. Alderman Schipp attended Augustana College’s MLK event. He said the Community Choir, directed by Marshall Glover, was extraordinary and Reverend Reginald Williams, Jr. delivered the sermon. Alderman Schipp further discussed the event.
No one signed up to address Council to speak on a topic.
Agenda Item #17 Executive Session on Personnel, Property Acquisition and Litigation.
An executive session was held prior to the meeting.
Agenda Item #18 Recess
A motion was made by Alderman Foley and seconded by Alderman Austin to recess to 5:30 p.m., Monday, January 23, 2017. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote; those voting Aye being; Alderman Foley, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderman Hotle, Alderman Schipp, Alderman Austin and Alderman Clark; those voting No, none. The meeting was recessed at 7:19 p.m.
Alerts Sign-up