Rock Island Today

City of Moline Committee of the Whole met September 19.

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 Lori Turner (Ward 5)

Alderman Kevin Schoonmaker (Ward 6)

Alderman Mike Waldron (Ward 7)

Alderman Sonia Berg (Alderman At-Large)

Absent: Alderman Richard “Dick” Potter (Ward 4)

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

Don Goff, Network/Database Administrator

Bryon Lear, Library 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

Tony Loete, Utilities General Manager

Annaka Whiting, Housing Compliance Analyst

Andrea Peterson, Accounts Receivable Technician

Perla Reynolds, Accounts Receivable Technician

Lori Smith, Accounts Receivable Technician

Will Tolmie, Accounts Receivable Technician

Rodd Schick, Municipal Services General Manager

Randi Haley, Utility Billing & Customer Service Manager

Mark Orey, Sewer Maintenance Manager

Ryan Erichsen, Collection System Operator

Others: Andy Craven, Strand Associates Inc.

Joyce Erickson, Resident

Michael Jones, Resident

Bryan & Mikkie, Residents

Gerold Shelton, The Dispatch

Mayor Acri called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Presentation:

South Slope WWTP Collection System Study Update. Andy Craven, Strand Associates Inc., and Tony Loete, Utilities General Manager, gave a presentation concerning the findings of a study of the South Slope Waste Water Treatment Collection System. An analysis of the flow data shows clear evidence of inflow and infiltration (I/I) during wet weather. High wet weather flows and hydraulic constraints result in sewer surcharging and overflows. To eliminate system overflows, nine Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) are recommended. All nine CIP projects may not be needed if I/I can be addressed. This would require public and private participation. The first step would be to investigate both public and private sources of I/I and then make plans to implement a solution. Alderman Waldron recommended that staff gather more data and bring more specific recommendations back to the Committee at a later date for Committee approval. Alderman Rodriguez suggested a plan that would assist residents with the cost of any I/I testing and rehabilitation.

Questions on the Agenda:

Mayor Acri removed Item No. 4 from the Agenda.

Agenda Items:

1. A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute, on behalf of the City of Moline, a Subordination Agreement with Sachin S. Nunnewar for property located at 3421 77th Street Court, Moline. Annaka Whiting, Housing Compliance Analyst, stated that the City previously entered into a Mortgage with Sachin S. Nunnewar for property located at 3421 77th Street Court. Sachin S. Nunnewar is now refinancing his mortgage in order to purchase the adjacent vacant lot and is seeking a Subordination Agreement. A motion was made by Alderman Wendt to approve. Seconded by Alderman Schoonmaker. Motion passed unanimously.

2. A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into an agreement with Genesis Occupational Health for occupational health services for a three-year period commencing on October 1, 2017. Alison Fleming, Human Resources Manager, indicated that Genesis Occupational Health will provide occupational health services for a three-year period commencing on October 1, 2017. This contract would include medical director services for the City’s on-site nurse program, pre-employment and return-to- work physicals and functional screens, management of drug and alcohol testing program, as well as providing care and guidance for the treatment of work-related injuries. There will be no increases for the first year. Costs for some services will increase in year 2, which are the first increases since 2014. Costs will remain the same for year 3. A motion was made by Alderman Parker to approve. Seconded by Alderman Turner. Motion carried with Alderman Waldron abstaining. At Alderman Rodriguez’s direction, staff will negotiate and include a price in the contract for a Nurse Practitioner option should the City be interested in said option in the future.

3. A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a surrounding property owners consent form granting the City’s consent for a Class B Tavern liquor license to be issued for 525 14th Street, Moline. Maureen Riggs, City Attorney, explained that Teresa Dopler wishes to apply for a Class B Tavern liquor license for an establishment to be located at 525 14th Street, Moline. This location previously held a Class B Tavern liquor license in 2012 and is currently vacant. Per Section 4-3202(a) of the Moline Code of Ordinances, no liquor license of any class, except a special event license, shall be issued unless a majority of the surrounding property owners are obtained. This surrounding area includes property owners within a 150 foot radius from the center of the front of the premises, and, if the property abuts a residentially zoned parcel or parcels, the consent of the majority of the residential property owners within a 500 foot radius from the building for which the license is sought; the 500 foot radius does not apply to this location. The total number of affected surrounding properties is 11 and the number of consents required is six.

The City owns the surrounding property at 1401 6th Avenue. It is the City’s Parking Lot M. A motion was made by Alderman Parker to approve. Seconded by Alderman Wendt. Motion passed unanimously.

4. A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute two surrounding property owners consent forms granting the City’s consent for a Class B Tavern liquor license to be issued for 1526 River Drive, Moline. This item was removed from the Agenda by Mayor Acri.

Work Session:

Bi-Annual Fee Review – Part One

Kathy Carr, Finance Director, gave an overview prior to the fee review. She named the following reasons why businesses might be regulated:

1. To protect the public from health hazards;

2. To control the use of the City’s right-of-way;

3. To protect property against fire and other hazards;

4. To comply with statutory mandates to govern certain activities;

5. To maintain the aesthetic value of the community; and

6. To protect consumers from undue interference from sales persons.

She also reminded the Committee and staff of the following City policies as they relate to business licenses and user fees:

1. Fees will capture the cost of issuing and enforcing City licenses;

2. User fees should cover 100% of the cost to provide the service whenever economically feasible;

3. Fees will not solely serve as revenue producers;

4. Regulatory efforts will be coordinated with other governmental agencies to simplify regulations for City businesses;

5. An activity will not be regulated by the City when its objective is substantially met by another government agency; and

6. Licenses and fees will be reviewed bi-annually which could lead to changing or modifying regulations.

The following fees were reviewed:

First Responder Fee:

Jeff Snyder, Interim Fire Chief, recommended eliminating the first responder fee, located in Section 11-2116 of the Moline Code of Ordinances. Mayor Acri indicated that she would like to consider each fee individually. A motion was made by Alderman Waldron to approve. Seconded by Alderman Berg. Motion passed unanimously.

Change to Section 11-1101.1 Hazmat Categories:

Jeff Snyder, Interim Fire Chief, recommended some language changes in Section 11-1101.1 of the Moline Code of Ordinances. A motion was made by Alderman Parker to approve. Seconded by Alderman Wendt. Motion passed unanimously.

Pyrotechnic Inspection & Permit Fees:

Jeff Snyder, Interim Fire Chief, recommended increasing the $45/hour rate to $55/hour for on-site personnel costs, located in Section 11-1101 of the Moline Code of Ordinances, to ensure public safety at pyrotechnic events by regulating, inspecting, and enforcing ordinances. A motion was made by Alderman Parker to approve. Seconded by Alderman Berg. Motion passed unanimously.

Communications Site License Agreement Fees:

Maureen Riggs, City Attorney, recommended a new “Execution Payment for Communication Site License Agreement” fee in the amount of $1,500. She also recommended a new “Review of Agreement Amendment” fee in the amount of $500. Both fees would cover staff costs. A motion was made by Alderman Parker to approve. Seconded by Alderman Waldron. Motion passed unanimously.

Street Use Permit Fee – Dumpsters/Refuse Containers:

Scott Hinton, City Engineer, recommended eliminating this fee located in Section 28-2303 of the Moline Code of Ordinances. A motion was made by Alderman Parker to approve. Seconded by Alderman Waldron. Motion passed unanimously. The Committee gave staff general direction to come back to the Committee with recommendations for Code changes concerning this item.

Street Use Permit Fee – Newspaper Dispensing Devices:

Scott Hinton, City Engineer, recommended eliminating this fee, located in Section 28-2303 of the Moline Code of Ordinances. A motion was made by Alderman Waldron to approve. Seconded by Alderman Berg. Motion passed unanimously.

Garbage Disposal Fee for Additional Carts:

Rodd Schick, Municipal Services General Manager, recommended increasing the additional cart fee from $50 to $55. A motion was made by Alderman Parker to approve. Seconded by Alderman Waldron. Motion passed unanimously.

Changes to Chapter 34 & Water/Sewer Deposits-Refundable:

Changes to Chapter 34

Randi Haley, Utility Billing & Customer Service Manager, recommended a decrease in the new service and termination notice fees, located in Section 34-2121 of the Moline Code of Ordinances, due to a decrease in personnel and vehicle expenses. The new service fee would decrease from $110 per meter to $90 per meter. The termination notice fee would decrease from $35 to $25. Secondly, Ms. Haley recommended a change to the existing reinstatement fee in Chapter 34 of the Moline Code of Ordinances, which involves a $45 charge for turning water service off and a $35 charge for turning water service back on. Thirdly, Ms. Haley recommended a one-time route set up fee of $450 for meters which are not used for City billing (sub-meters). Lastly, Ms. Haley recommended a quarterly fee for on-cycle and off-cycle meter readings. The fee for on- cycle meter readings equal to or less than 10 meters would be $10, and the fee for on-cycle meter readings greater than 10 meters would be $20. The fee for off-cycle meter readings less than or equal to 10 meters would be $20, and the fee for off-cycle meter readings greater than 10 meters would be $30.

Water/Sewer Deposits-Refundable:

Randi Haley, Utility Billing & Customer Service Manager, recommended an increase in the water/sewer refundable deposits, located in Section 34-2119(b) of the Moline Code of Ordinances, as follows:

5/8” meter - $150 (currently $100)

3⁄4” meter - $200 (currently $150)

1” meter - $250 (currently $200)

1 1⁄2” meter - $550 (currently $500)

2” meter - $1,050 (currently $1,000)

3” meter - $2,050 (currently $2,000)

4” to 10” meter - $5,050 (currently $5,000)

These deposits are refunded once the applicant has demonstrated a history of prompt and timely payments for two consecutive years.

A motion was made by Alderman Waldron to approve the recommended Chapter 34 changes, as well as the Water/Sewer Deposits changes. Seconded by Alderman Turner. Alderman Berg made a motion to amend to remove the Water/Sewer Deposits portion of the proposal to make it a separate voting item. Seconded by Alderman Wendt. Motion carried with Aldermen Turner and Waldron voting nay. Upon a vote, the “Changes to Chapter 34” except for the Water/Sewer Deposits portion referenced above passed unanimously.

A motion was made by Alderman Berg to approve the “Water/Sewer Deposits-Refundable” changes referenced above. Seconded by Alderman Turner. Alderman Schoonmaker made a motion to table the “Water/Sewer Deposits-Refundable” item until next week’s fee review, so that staff may provide information concerning the number of times the City has claimed the refundable deposits. Seconded by Alderman Wendt. The motion to table passed unanimously. Alderman Berg directed staff to verify the fees.

Tony Loete, Utilities General Manager, mentioned that when a meter freezes or is damaged, the City charges the customer for the actual meter. The City does not recoup the staff costs. Mr. Loete inquired as to whether the Committee would be interested in a new fee to recoup staff costs. The Committee expressed interest in said fee.

In-House Lab Testing Fees:

Tony Loete, Utilities General Manager, recommended increasing certain in-house lab testing fees, located in Section 34-3414(b) of the Moline Code of Ordinances, to allow the City to cover the costs associated with certain in-house lab testing fees, as follows:

BOD5 – Increase fee to $20 from $18

Fecal Coliform – Increase fee to $30 from $25

A motion was made by Alderman Waldron to approve. Seconded by Alderman Berg. Motion passed unanimously.

Public Comment:

Joyce Erickson, resident at 2706 9th Avenue, expressed her interested in a deer hunt to eliminate the large population of deer. She offered her property for the deer hunt.

Michael Jones, resident, expressed his opposition to the deer hunts. He shared his questions, concerns and suggestions. Mayor Acri addressed the questions and concerns.

Bryan and Mikkie, residents, expressed their concerns as to people running a stop sign at 32nd Avenue and 9th Street near Hamilton School during student drop off and pick up times. They asked for the Committee’s help to keep neighbors and families safe in that area.

The meeting adjourned at 6:59 p.m.

http://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/4285