Rock Island Today

City of Moline Committee of the Whole met August 1.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

Present: Mayor Stephanie Acri (Chair)

Alderman Quentin Rodriguez (Ward 1)

Alderman David Parker, Jr. (Ward 2)

Alderman Mike Wendt (Ward 3)

Alderman Richard “Dick” Potter (Ward 4)

Alderman Lori Turner (Ward 5)

Alderman Kevin Schoonmaker (Ward 6)

Alderman Mike Waldron (Ward 7)

Alderman Sonia Berg (Alderman At-Large)

Absent: None.

Staff: Doug Maxeiner, City Administrator

Maureen Riggs, City Attorney

Amy Saunders, Deputy City Clerk

Ray Forsythe, Planning & Development Director

Alison Fleming, Human Resources Manager

Lori Wilson, Parks Recreation Director

John Hitchcock, Interim Chief of Police

Jeff Snyder, Interim Fire Chief

Scott Hinton, City Engineer

Kathy Carr, Finance Director

Jeff Anderson, City Planner

J.D. Schulte, Public Works Director

Don Goff, Network/Database Administrator

Amy Keys, Deputy City Attorney

Dave Mallum, Fleet Manager

Shawn Christ, Land Development Manager

Jeffrey “Cole” Nicely-Green, Firefighter/Paramedic

Various Fire Department Staff

Others: Tim Preuss, Urban Deer Project Manager, Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Kevin Koellner, Developer

Greg Thompson, DIY Music Committee

Numerous Supporters of “The Island”

Gerold Shelton, The Dispatch

Mayor Acri called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Oath of Office:

Oath of office for permanent appointment as a Firefighter/Paramedic to Jeffrey “Cole” Nicely-Green effective August 1, 2017.

Presentation:

Urban Deer Populations. Tim Preuss, Urban Deer Project Manager for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), presented information to the Committee-of-the-Whole concerning urban deer populations. He shared tips for reducing damage to property and landscaping. Mr. Preuss also presented information regarding obtaining a Deer Population Control Permit through the IDNR and the advantages and disadvantages of this option. Secondly, he presented information concerning the option of archery hunting or sharp shooting and the advantages and disadvantages of these methods. Finally, Mr. Preuss addressed questions from the Committee-of-the-Whole.

Questions on the Agenda:

There were no questions.

Agenda Items:

1. A Resolution authorizing municipal and non-municipal comparables for the classification and compensation study being performed by GovHR USA, LLC (GovHR). Alison Fleming, Human Resources Manager, stated that GovHR will utilize municipal and non-municipal comparables to conduct a survey to assist in establishing pay rates for the City. Approval of the listed municipal and non-municipal comparables is requested to ensure the best possible selection of entities for the classification and compensation study. GovHR will also review sourced wage and job description survey data, to include data compiled by the Illinois Department of Employment Security, and will utilize applicable data in their analysis. A motion was made by Alderman Parker to approve. Seconded by Alderman Berg. Motion passed unanimously.

2. A Resolution authorizing the Interim Chief of Police to execute Indemnification Agreements for Southwestern Illinois College, Belleville, Illinois, indemnifying the college from any loss or liability that might occur as a result of Moline police officers attending the basic law enforcement academy session scheduled from August 22 through November 30, 2017. John Hitchcock, Interim Chief of Police, shared that the Police Department has five new hire police officers scheduled to attend the mandatory 560-hour basic law enforcement academy at Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, Illinois. The college requires execution of an indemnification agreement for each attending officer. This item also appeared on the City Council Agenda on August 1, 2017, under “Items Not on Consent.” A motion was made by Alderman Schoonmaker to approve. Seconded by Alderman Parker. Motion passed unanimously.

3. A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute two surrounding property owners consent forms granting the City’s consent for a Youth Club/Dance License to be issued for The Island, 1405 15th Street, Moline. Kathy Carr, Finance Director, indicated that Nathan Lane wishes to apply for a Youth Club/Dance License for a club to operate at 1405 15th Street, Moline. Pursuant to Section 18-1101 of the Moline Code of Ordinances, no youth club/dance license shall be issued unless consents from a majority of the surrounding property owners are obtained. The consents must: 1) represent at least a majority of the frontage within 300 feet in each direction of the location on both sides of the street on which it fronts; and 2) include the consents of all property owners that are within at least 40 feet and whose property is immediately adjacent to or abutting any side of the location. The total number of consents required is 16 and eight of the properties are within the 40 foot radius.

The City owns two surrounding properties: 1338 15th Street is identified on the attached map as a strip of land, and it is adjacent to and located within 40 feet of the location; 1423 15th Street is a parking lot located within 300 feet. This item also appeared on the City Council Agenda on August 1, 2017, under “Items Not on Consent.” A motion was made by Alderman Berg to approve. Seconded by Alderman Potter. Motion passed unanimously.

4. An Ordinance amending Chapter 22, “Offenses – Miscellaneous,” of the Moline Code of Ordinances, Section 22-4103, “Discharge Of Weapons,” to allow the hunting of deer by bow and arrow within City limits. Maureen Riggs, City Attorney, shared that some Moline residents have requested that the City consider allowing deer to be hunted within City limits. This amendment would permit a deer hunt to occur similar to the City of Rock Island’s hunting program, which allows bow and arrow hunting subject to certain restrictions. A motion was made by Alderman Turner to approve. Seconded by Alderman Schoonmaker. Interim Police Chief John Hitchcock volunteered to obtain the deer accident numbers from the last five years for Moline, as well as some numbers from other police agencies. Alderman Parker made a motion to table this item for one week in order to obtain the deer accident numbers. Seconded by Alderman Berg. Motion carried with Aldermen Turner and Schoonmaker voting nay. Network/Database Administrator Don Goff will check with GIS Administrator Todd Green concerning GIS mapping deer crashes in the City of Moline.

5. An Ordinance amending Chapter 24, “Personnel,” of the Moline Code of Ordinances, by repealing Section 24-2202, “Probationary Period,” in its entirety and enacting in lieu thereof one new Section 24-2202, “Probationary Period,” relating to the same subject matter; Section 24- 2203, “Residency,” by repealing subsections (b)(1) and (b)(3) in their entirety and enacting in lieu thereof new subsections (b)(1) and (b)(3) relating to the same subject matter; and Section 24-2300, “Dismissal,” by repealing subsection (a) in its entirety and enacting in lieu thereof one new subsection (a) relating to the same subject matter. Doug Maxeiner, City Administrator, indicated that in reviewing the current personnel code as to non-bargaining unit employees, it was noticed that the City’s current practices do not reflect the general employment status given to most non-bargaining unit public employees in other municipalities. This amendment would change the employment status of new non-bargaining unit employees to be at-will and thereby delete the reference probationary periods for those employees as unnecessary and would require the City Clerk to reside in the City. A motion was made by Alderman Wendt to approve. Seconded by Alderman Berg. Motion carried with Alderman Potter voting nay.

6. A Special Ordinance authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a Development and Economic Incentive Agreement between the City of Moline and GRD EM Industrial, LLC, for the development project, and to execute any necessary agreements referenced therein, and authorizing all appropriate City officers and staff to do all things necessary to complete each of the City’s responsibilities pursuant to said Agreement. Ray Forsythe, Planning & Development Director, explained that GRD EM Industrial, LLC (Developer) seeks to enter into a Development and Economic Incentive Agreement for the old Mills Chevrolet site located at 1610 39th Avenue. The Developer is intending to rehabilitate the existing building into five retail/commercial spaces that includes a long-term lease with the two existing Moline companies and develop two commercial buildings, one at the corner of John Deere Road and 16th Street and the second building on the east of the John Deere Road frontage that will include an environmental cleanup/No Further Remediation, as well as a new curb cut onto 16th Street. The City wishes to support the redevelopment by granting certain incentives. Mr. Forsythe provided two handouts concerning Moline sales tax related revenues and an estimated increment worksheet, which are attached hereto. A motion was made by Alderman Parker to approve. Seconded by Alderman Wendt. Motion passed unanimously.

7. Other – IDOT Passenger Rail Letter. Ray Forsythe, Planning & Development Director, presented some clarification concerning a letter that was received by Mayor Acri from the Illinois Passenger Rail Division of the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). Mr. Forsythe shared that IDOT is successfully dealing with Iowa Interstate Railroad at this time. IDOT is asking the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for an extension of the Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program. In addition, the environmental assessment is moving forward. In the State’s opinion, between now and 2019, they will continue to complete the design work, negotiate in good faith, and seek all appropriate approvals concerning the Illinois Passenger Rail Project. It is Mr. Forsythe’s opinion that this is a positive letter restating the commitment to passenger rail service.

Public Comment:

There was no public comment.

The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

http://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/4187