The East Moline City Council met Nov. 21 to adopt ordinances.
Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the council
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST MOLINE, COUNTY OF ROCK ISLAND, STATE OF ILLINOIS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2016 6:30p.m.
PLEDGE Mayor Thodos led the City Council and all those present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
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: Gary Almblade, Nancy Mulcahey, Ed DeJaynes, Humberto Aguilar, Robert Cheffer, Gary Westbrook, and Mayor Thodos. Absent: Helen Heiland.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Adam Guthrie – 920 15th Avenue, East Moline, Illinois – Mr. Guthrie stated that he would like to speak about the Economic Development Position and having it be funded with the new upcoming budget, and he felt this was the perfect time to bring this up. Mr. Guthrie stated that he personally feels that the city needs this position funded, because we are losing businesses on two levels. We are not bringing new small businesses into the Downtown, Uptown, or anywhere, but we are losing businesses that are already here. For example the Sewing Room is moving to Davenport and that was an excellent business that we had in Downtown East Moline. Mr. Guthrie said about a year ago he spoke with Rick Harris, as he was looking to expand and wanted to stay in Illinois, because he wanted to work the Chicago Markets, but a year later he is opening up a new business a Tasting Room and it is over in Davenport, Iowa. These are the opportunities that we are missing out on and retaining as well. It is kind of a bleak picture, but at the same time we are only six (6) businesses away from having East Moline, have a totally different look. If we brought in an upscale Brewery Restaurant, Downtown Health Food Market, and Coffee House to go with the Authentic Stores and the Barber Shops, and Hair Salons and with the businesses we already have it would be a whole new look in the Downtown. Uptown on the Avenue of the Cities, we have good places like Fields of Pizza, Skate City, Leisure Time and if we added another or nicer Restaurant up there, places like the Burrell House or Doc’s Inn, where they have entertainment in a big parking lot, and if we had somebody to be able to work with these businesses and bring them in, then we could have a different look for East Moline. Mr. Guthrie thinks it has become stagnate, and we need like a Reggie Jackson, a “straw to stir the drink up”. He had talked with Alderman Westbrook about funding, because it was brought up at the last Council meeting. Since there will be an increase in property taxes and this would be a good time to fund an Economic Development Position. There was additional discussion, comments, and questions regarding various aspects of this topic.
CITY CLERK’S REPORT City Clerk Holmes reported that today, (November 21, 2016) begins the filing period of Petitions for the Primary Election that will be held on February 28, 2017. The office will be closed on Thursday, November 24th and Friday, November 25th due to the Thanksgiving, Holiday. The deadline for filing is Monday, November 28, 2016 at 5:00p.m.
The following Petitions have been filed as of today;
MAYOR: Gary Westbrook & Reggie Freeman 3rd Ward: Nancy Mulcahey & Belinda Rusch
7th Ward: Jose Roberto Rico
There will be a Lottery held Wednesday, December 7, 2016 for position placement on the ballot.
ADDITIONS/CORRECTIONS TO AGENDA None
CONSENT AGENDA
City Clerk Arletta D. Holmes read the Consent Agenda that included the following:
A. Approval of City Council Minutes of November 7, 2016. B. Approval of the Committee-of-the-Whole Minutes of November 7, 2016. (Removed from the Agenda) C. Approval of Salaries for November 18, 2016 in the amount of $421,981.00. D. Approval of Bills in the amount of 944,924.54.
A motion was made by Alderman DeJaynes, seconded by Alderman Westbrook, to approve the Consent Agenda minus Item B. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Almblade, Mulcahey, DeJaynes, Aguilar, Cheffer, and Westbrook. Motion carried.
REPORT BY MAYOR Mayor Thodos reminded everyone of the Lighted Christmas Parade that will be held Saturday, November 26, 2016. The Parade will begin in Downtown East Moline starting at 4:30p.m between -15th Avenue 7th to 10th Streets. The Trolley will be available for Council Members, and others that are interested in participating in the parade. There will be other activities going on in the Downtown.
Presentation (Quad Cities Chamber) Mayor Thodos introduced Mr. Greg Aguilar of the Quad Cities Chamber. Mr. Aguilar is the Director of Talent Attraction & Retention. Mr. Aguilar gave the City Council a brief history of the Quad Cities Chamber.
The Chamber works hard promoting business attraction and retention.
Business visits tells them that businesses need talent.
Young Professionals of the Quad Cities how they connects with 3,000 Young Professionals annually.
Tactics / Quad Citizens Mr. Aguilar gave a 20 minute Video Presentation, (Attached is a copy of the presentation). Mayor Thodos thanked Mr. Aguilar for information and presentation.
CITY ATTORNEY CLAYTON LEE PRESENTED THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS.
ORDINANCE 16-08: AN ORDINANCE TO THE CITY OF EAST MOLINE AFFIRMING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ENTERPRISE ZONE WITHIN THE COUNTY OF ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS
A motion was made by Alderman Westbrook, seconded by Alderman DeJaynes, to waive the reading of Ordinance 16-08. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Almblade, Mulcahey, DeJaynes, Aguilar, Cheffer, and Westbrook. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Alderman DeJaynes, seconded by Alderman Westbrook, to adopt Ordinance 16- 08. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Almblade, Mulcahey, DeJaynes, Aguilar, Cheffer, and Westbrook. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION 16-63: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF EAST MOLINE, ILLINOIS (1) ESTABLISHING THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES (A) APPROVING AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE TAX INCREMENT FINANCE CITY OF EAST MOLINE DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT PLAN AND PROJECT AREA, (B) DESIGNATING ADDITIONAL PROPERTY TO BE ADDED TO THE DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA, AND (C) ADOPTING TAX INCREMENT ALLOCATION FINANCING WITHIN THE EXPANDED DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA, ALL WITHIN THE CITY, AS MORE SPECIFICALLY SHOWN ON THE MAP OF THE PROPOSED EXPANDED DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA ATTACHED AS EXHIBIT C, (2) PROVIDING FOR THE GIVING OF PUBLIC NOTICE OF SUCH HEARING, (3) CONVENING AND PROVIDING FOR THE GIVING OF NOTICE OF A MEETING OF A JOINT REVIEW BOARD TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY CONCERNING SUCH PROPOSED PLAN, PROJECT AND PROJECT AREA; (4) RATIFYING AND CONFRIMING CERTAIN ACTIONS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH MATTERS, AND (5) CONCERNING RELATED MATTERS.
A motion was made by Alderman DeJaynes, seconded by Alderman Almblade, to approve Resolution 16-63. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Almblade, Mulcahey, DeJaynes, Aguilar, Cheffer, and Westbrook. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION 16-64: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST MOLINE, ILLINOIS, AUTHORIZING APPROVAL OF THE QUAD CITY ENTERPRISE ZONE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF EAST MOLINE, MOLINE, ROCK ISLAND, AND SILVIS, THE VILLAGE OF MILAN, AND ROCK ISLAND COUNTY
A Motion was made by Alderman Westbrook, seconded by Alderman DeJaynes, to approve Resolution 11-64. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Almblade, Mulcahey, DeJaynes, Aguilar, Cheffer, and Westbrook. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION 16-65: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST MOLINE, ILLINOIS AUTHORIZING APPROVAL OF THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT BETWEEN CITY OF EAST MOLINE AND SHIVE –HATTERY, INC. FOR THE 8TH STREET AND 9TH STREET IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT FOR THE CITY OF EAST MOLINE.
A motion was made by Alderman Cheffer, seconded by Alderman DeJaynes, to approve Resolution 16- 65. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Almblade, Mulcahey, DeJaynes, Aguilar, Cheffer, and Westbrook. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION 16-66: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST MOLINE, ILLINOIS, AUTHORIZING APPROVAL OF THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT BETWEEN CITY OF EAST MOLINE, AND SHIVE – HATTERY, INC. FOR THE 11TH STREET, 12TH STREET, 27TH AVENUE CT., CONSULTANT DESIGN PROJECT FOR THE CITY OF EAST MOLINE
A motion was made by Alderman Cheffer, seconded by Alderman DeJaynes, to approve Resolution 16- 66. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Almblade, Mulcahey, DeJaynes, Aguilar, Cheffer, and Westbrook. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION 16-67: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST MOLINE, ILLINOIS, AUTHORIZING APPROVAL OF A PRELIMINARY BUDGET MEETING FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017, AND SET THE DATE AND TIME FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON SAID PRELIMINARY BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF EAST MOLINE.
A motion was made by Alderman Westbrook, seconded by Alderman DeJaynes, to approve Resolution 16-67. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Almblade, Mulcahey, DeJaynes, Aguilar, Cheffer, and Westbrook. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION 16-68: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST MOLINE, ILLINOIS, SETTING THE DATE AND TIME FOR A PUBLIC HEARING TO APPROVE A PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX LEVY INCREASE FOR THE 2016 TAXES PAYABLE IN 2017, AND TO DIRECT THE EAST MOLINE CITY CLERK TO PUBLISH NOTICE OF SAID HEARING, IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE STATUTE.
A motion was made by Alderman Westbrook, seconded by Alderman DeJaynes, to approve Resolution 16-68. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Almblade, Mulcahey, DeJaynes, Aguilar, Cheffer, and Westbrook. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION 16-69: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST MOLINE, ILLINOIS, AUTHORIZING APPROVAL OF THE BID FROM MCADAM, INC., FOR THE DEMOLITION OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 182 17TH AVENUE FOR THE CITY OF EAST MOLINE
A motion was made by Alderman DeJaynes, seconded by Alderman Westbrook, to approve Resolution 16-69. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Almblade, Mulcahey, DeJaynes, Aguilar, Cheffer, and Westbrook. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION 16-70: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST MOLINE, ILLINOIS, AUTHORIZING APPROVAL OF THE BID FROM DONNA VAN, FOR THE PURCHASE OF SURPLUS REAL ESTATE, LOCATED AT 356 15TH AVENUE, EAST MOLINE, ILLINOIS
A motion was made by Alderman DeJaynes, seconded by Alderman Westbrook, to approve Resolution 16-70. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Almblade, Mulcahey, DeJaynes, Aguilar, Cheffer, and Westbrook. Motion carried.
COMMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE (Alderman DeJaynes) Alderman DeJaynes had no items for discussion. All other items have been covered under the Consent Agenda, Ordinances, and Resolutions.
CITY STAFF COMMUNICATION: Each City Staff member present was given the opportunity to inform the City Council and those present of events in their departments:
John Reynolds, Chief of Police – Chief Reynolds informed the City Council, that the Police Benevolent did deliver 35 Thanksgiving Baskets this morning. The K-9 is out on the street, working 3rd shift. The East Moline Benevolent Association also gave a donation to Mr. Thanksgiving for his Annual Thanksgiving Dinner. One of the spare vehicles that was passed down to the Liaison Officer, at Glenview School. On Thursday the vehicle did catch on fire, it was an older vehicle and had not been driven. The fire started underneath the dash and the hood, but we are unsure how the fire started.
Mr. Kammler, Director of Engineering - Mr. Kammler updated the City Council, on the 7th Street Retaining Wall Project. The work is scheduled to start on Monday, November 28th, weather permitting. Traffic controls will be set-up early that morning. Notifications will be sent to all 911 Emergency Services and the public. General Contractor Inc. will be doing the excavating and preparing the underground foundation, this work is estimated to take approximately 2 weeks, weather permitting.
Rob DeFrance, Fire Chief – Chief DeFrance wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Mr. Drake, WWW Facilities Director, Mr. Drake informed the City Council that Dean Piatt, who retired in 2012 from the WWP as a Chemist, passed away last week.
Mr. Banaszek, City Treasure – Mr. Banaszek stated that we certainly need more people like Adam Guthrie, to step forward and get into the nifty gritty of what is going on. They are making progress; it is not like we are going in the wrong direction. Mr. Banaszek noted the successes they have had with the various programs that the SSA have implemented, but feels more help is needed. They need an Economic Development person. Mr. Banaszek said he knows the money is not there, but we could get a part-time person to help us do some of these things.
Mayor Thodos - stated that the city has had major project here like MatCom, Fed Ex, Hope Creek, and a lot of others and it was not the result of an Economic Development person, it was a Chamber of Commerce person, himself, or former City Administrator Keehner. Mayor Thodos asked Mr. Banaszek, and Mr. Guthrie, what do they foresee this person doing? Mr. Banaszek replied that the last Economic Development person was Scott Feldt and he was the person that set up the SSA and all of the programs that they have today. We need someone that can help bring business in here.
Alderman Almblade – the Jewel area has been dead for so long, there are so many empty places, would and Economic Development person be able to turn that around? Mayor Thodos said no and explained the reasons why this was not possible.
ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Alderman Westbrook, seconded by Alderman DeJaynes, to adjourn the City Council meeting. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Almblade, Mulcahey, DeJaynes, Aguilar, Cheffer, and Westbrook. Motion carried. 7:22:p.m.
Minutes taken and submitted by,
Arletta D. Holmes, City Clerk
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