Rock Island Today

City of Moline Committee of the Whole met October 17.

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)

Absent: Alderman Sonia Berg (Alderman At-Large)

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, Information Technology Manager

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

Keith Verbeke, Finance Manager

Tony Loete, Utilities General Manager

Rodd Schick, Municipal Services General Manager

Shawn Christ, Land Development Manager

Annaka Whiting, Housing Compliance Analyst

K. J. Whitley, Community Development Program Manager

Dave Mallum, Fleet Manager

Darrel Preston, Construction Manager

Jerry Spiegel, Fire Inspector

Brett Daniel, Fire Engineer

Brett Clark, Fire Lieutenant

Numerous Fire Personnel

Casey Lukowicz, Maintenance Specialist

Arnold McCollom, WPC Operations Technician

Others: Ron Miller, Resident

Former Mayor Don Welvaert, Resident

Friends and Family of Fire Personnel

Gerold Shelton, The Dispatch

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

A short video presentation was given by the Water Department. This video will be released on social media tomorrow.

Appointments & Oaths of Office:

Appointment and Oath of Office of Brandy Blackburn to City Clerk effective October 18, 2017. This item was removed from the Agenda, as Ms. Blackburn was unable to attend this evening due to illness.

Oath of Office for promotion of Engineer Brett Clark to Lieutenant effective October 1, 2017.

Appointment of Lieutenant Jerry Spiegel to Fire Inspector effective October 1, 2017.

Appointment of Firefighter Brett Daniel to Engineer effective October 1, 2017.

Questions on the Agenda:

There were no questions.

Agenda Items:

1. A Resolution directing the City Administrator to modify the non-union employee group benefit package to incorporate the changes as set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto relating to health benefits. Alison Fleming, Human Resources Manager, shared that the City currently provides one health insurance plan, the Choice Plus 80/60 plan, to eligible employees and retirees. City staff has met with the employee health committee and union leadership and discussed cost saving options. This agenda item would modify the Choice Plus 80/60 Plan, as well as implement a high deductible health plan for the 2018 Plan Year. Modifications to the Choice Plus 80/60 plan and the benefit structure of the high deductible health plan are outlined in Exhibit A. All four unions have agreed to these terms. These changes are expected to help control long-term healthcare costs and provide a cost savings to the City, the total amount of which is dependent upon enrollment in each plan. A motion was made by Alderman Turner to approve. Seconded by Alderman Potter. Motion passed unanimously.

2. A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute an Agreement between Bi-State Regional Commission and the Governments of East Moline, Milan, Moline, Rock Island, Silvis, and Rock Island County, Illinois, for contractual services related to the preparation and monitoring of a contract for Enterprise Zone application assistance and requiring each of the municipalities to pay a share of the cost for said Agreement. Ray Forsythe, Planning & Development Director, indicated that the Cities of East Moline, Moline, Rock Island and Silvis, the Village of Milan, and the County of Rock Island applied to designate an area as an Enterprise Zone for certification by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity; however, the application was not granted. The member communities of the Quad City Enterprise Zone now wish to retain a firm for contractual services related to the holding and administration of a contract for a new Enterprise Zone application assistance and technical support. The City’s share of the cost for said services is $25,749. Bi-State will be responsible for administering the contract. This item also appeared on the City Council Agenda on October 17, 2017, under “Items Not on Consent.”

For clarification, Mayor Acri shared that she is a member of the Renew Board, and she attended a meeting earlier this week and abstained from the vote concerning this matter. However, she requested that Renew help support the City’s investment. It is a little over $25,000 for the first phase, and then assuming the first phase is successful, the cost goes up $12,000. Renew has agreed to support the investment in the amount of $20,000, with the expectation that if the Enterprise Zone is successful, there will be fees charged to the applicants that will offset the consultant fee for all the communities. The total fee is $120,000, and it will be reimbursed over the life of the TIF. The City is expecting reimbursement, and Renew is expecting reimbursement, as well.

A motion was made by Alderman Wendt to approve. Seconded by Alderman Rodriguez. Motion passed unanimously.

2018 Budget Work Session #2-

Continued Discussion and Consideration of the Proposed 2018 Budget-

Doug Maxeiner, City Administrator, shared his expectations for this evening. He would like to continue to review the proposed 2018 expenditures, address items on the “Hit” & “Wish” List, and develop a strategy to balance the 2018 budget. He would like to bring the balanced budget back to the Committee on November 7, 2017. He has asked Finance Director Kathy Carr to prepare the property tax levy ordinance and move forward with it since there are time constraints.

Mayor Acri had a question about the administration of the grants on page 132 of the proposed 2018 budget. She inquired as to why the grant administration fee doubled in 2017 to $127,130 and then holds steady for 2018. Annaka Whiting, Housing Compliance Analyst, said that she would research this line item and provide Mayor Acri with the requested information.

Mayor Acri inquired as to why several of the CDBG line items, on page 136 of the budget, indicate that no new funds will be received in 2018. Annaka Whiting, Housing Compliance Analyst, responded that staff does not yet know the amount of the 2018 CDBG allocation. Mayor Acri directed Ms. Whiting to provide the best estimate of what staff expects to receive in each category for 2018.

Mayor Acri directed Annaka Whiting, Housing Compliance Analyst, to look into the Other Contractual Service line item on page 156 of the proposed 2018 budget for clarification.

~At Mayor Acri’s direction, the Committee took a short recess at 6:41 p.m.~

~The Committee-of-the-Whole meeting resumed at 6:47 p.m.~

Doug Maxeiner, City Administrator, addressed the EAV issue. The Committee is concerned that staff does not have the final EAV numbers in time to make sure the City’s property tax rate stays the same. In the past, the City has not had an option to adjust this item at the last minute when the assessment numbers are released. City staff has made a request to Rock Island County to be able to do this. Non-home rule communities that are subject to tax capping are allowed to do it. As such, Mr. Maxeiner is unsure as to why the City could not be allowed to adjust our final property tax levy after the final assessments are released, which is typically in March. The City is projecting an increase of 2.48% based on the EAV provided by the County. Please see the “Reduce Levy” line item below on the “Hit” and “Wish” list for further information concerning this matter.

“Hit” and “Wish” List; Impact:

Hotel Tax Exemption ($90,000) – Alderman Wendt made a motion to remove the 30-day exemption from the Moline Code of Ordinances. Seconded by Alderman Parker. Motion passed unanimously.; reserves

Restructure Airport Bond – Kathy Carr, Finance Director, indicated that the interest cost to restructure the bond is $738,000. The bond issuance cost is $50,000. Alderman Wendt made a motion to approve this item. Seconded by Alderman Parker. Upon discussion, Alderman Schoonmaker made a motion to table this item. Seconded by Alderman Wendt. Motion to table passed unanimously.; reserves

CIF Bond or Bank Loan – Alderman Rodriguez made a motion to strike this item from the list, to strike the one mile of extra infrastructure, and to begin this increase in infrastructure next year when sales taxes are projected to increase. Seconded by Alderman Schoonmaker. Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Aldermen Rodriguez, Potter, Turner, Schoonmaker and Waldron; nays: Aldermen Parker and Wendt. During roll call, Alderman Schoonmaker voted “nay,” but immediately thereafter, realized that he meant to vote “aye.” The roll call vote was changed accordingly, which did not alter the outcome of the initial vote.; ($279,523)

Contract Out Garage Maintenance – Alderman Waldron made a motion to continue the privatization of this service. Seconded by Alderman Wendt. Motion passed unanimously.; ($50,000)

Add Police Operations Seasonal – Alderman Potter made a motion to leave the budget as is instead of making this modification. Seconded by Alderman Wendt. Motion passed unanimously.; ($25,000)

Police Fire Chief Seasonal – Alderman Parker made a motion to approve this item. Seconded by Alderman Waldron. Motion passed unanimously.; ($23,610)

Add Special Event Tourism Fund – Alderman Wendt made a motion to approve. Seconded by Alderman Parker. Motion passed unanimously.; ($50,000)

Add QComm911 – Alderman Wendt made a motion to add this item to the budget. Seconded by Alderman Waldron. Motion passed unanimously.; ($65,000)

No Solid Waste Fee Increase - Alderman Wendt would like to strike the fees for leaf collection from the budget. Seconded by Alderman Waldron. Motion passed unanimously. Alderman Wendt directed staff to come back to the Committee with a reevaluation of the leaf vacuuming program versus how the City of Rock Island does it with the bag system and how that might be organized both immediately as well as when the City uses the trucks or equipment to their useful end and switching at that time with some savings for not having to buy new equipment.; ($363,845)

General Fund Use of Reserves – Alderman Wendt made a motion to remove this transfer from the budget. Seconded by Alderman Waldron. Motion passed unanimously.; ($400,000)

Cap QCCVB at $250,000 – Alderman Parker made a motion to approve this item. Seconded by Alderman Waldron. Motion failed on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Aldermen Rodriguez, Parker and Waldron; nays: Aldermen Wendt, Potter, Turner and Schoonmaker.; $0

Reduce Finance Prof Dev – Alderman Waldron made a motion to approve this item. Seconded by Alderman Rodriguez. Motion failed with Aldermen Rodriguez, Parker, Wendt, Potter, Turner and Schoonmaker voting nay.; $6,300

Delay Fire Dept Restructure – Motion to approve delay by Alderman Wendt. Seconded by Alderman Waldron. Motion failed on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Aldermen Wendt and Waldron; nays: Aldermen Rodriguez, Parker, Potter, Turner and Schoonmaker.; cost neutral

Lobbying Reduce by 1 Attendee – Consideration failed for lack of motion.; $1,500

Remove Mayor appreciation dinner – Consideration failed for lack of motion.; $4,000

Remove Mayor Rotary – Alderman Parker made a motion to approve this item. Seconded by Alderman Wendt. Motion passed unanimously.; $740

Remove City Admin Marketing – Consideration failed for lack of motion.; $1,100

Reduce City Admin Prof Dev – Consideration failed for lack of motion.; $2,000

No New Administrative Assistant – Alderman Parker made a motion to approve this item. Seconded by Alderman Wendt. Motion carried with Alderman Rodriguez and Alderman Turner voting nay.; $65,970

Reduce City Admin Public Relations – Consideration failed for lack of motion.; $860

Reduce Legal Prof Dev – Consideration failed for lack of motion.; $3,500

Reduce Planning Prof Dev – Consideration failed for lack of motion.; $10,800

Reduce Fire Overtime – Alderman Schoonmaker made a motion to help reduce both Police and Fire Department overtime and that the temporary overstrengths in these departments be overseen by City Administrator Doug Maxeiner and left to his discretion. Seconded by Alderman Wendt. Motion passed unanimously. City Administrator Maxeiner will have a new number by November 7, 2017.; $100,000

Washington Square 1⁄2 Year – Alderman Schoonmaker mentioned that there will be a presentation next week concerning this item. It will list the pros and cons of selling this property. This property is on the City’s RFP list. Alderman Wendt made a motion to have the budget reflect only a half-year of revenue for this property. Seconded by Alderman Schoonmaker. Motion passed unanimously.; $39,000

Park Warming Hut – Former Mayor and Park Board Member, Don Welvaert, was present to answer questions about the warming hut. The Park Board suggested replacing the warming hut with a fishing pier. Consideration failed for lack of motion.; $40,000

Arsenal Advocacy – Consideration failed for lack of motion.; $18,000

General Fund /TIFs record rec/payable – Alderman Wendt made a motion to approve this item. Seconded by Alderman Rodriguez. Motion passed unanimously.; cost neutral

Revisit Chamber service allocation – Mayor Acri directed staff to look into the reallocation of monies to SSA #6 versus SSA #5.; cost neutral

Revisit Utility Contracts (Gas & Electric) - Rodd Schick, Municipal Services General Manager, confirmed that the electricity rate has increased. Ray Forsythe, Planning & Development Director, shared that the Legislature passed a huge overhaul to the electric policy in Illinois, which gave the electricity providers the ability to raise the rates to modernize the grid system. Alderman Wendt asked staff to verify this legislation for the Committee. Mayor Acri directed staff to follow up concerning how the City purchases its gas and electric utilities and to bring said information back to the Committee.

Reduce Levy - Alderman Wendt made a motion to set the property tax levy at $15,619,900; however, if additional information comes in between now and the time the budget is finalized, then consider changing the levy amount at such time. Seconded by Alderman Parker. Motion carried with Alderman Waldron voting nay.; ($54,000)

RIC Animal Control - Alderman Parker made a motion to add this item to the budget. Seconded by Alderman Wendt. Motion failed with Aldermen Rodriguez, Wendt, Turner, Schoonmaker and Waldron voting nay.; ($15,250)

Public Comment:

There was no public comment.

The meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m.

http://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/4345