Rock Island City Council met February 12.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
1.Call to Order
Mayor Thoms called the meeting to order at 6:49 p.m.
2.Roll Call
Mayor Thoms asked the City Clerk to call the roll.
Present: Mayor Mike Thoms, Alderman Virgil J. Mayberry, Alderman James Spurgetis, Alderman Stephen L. Tollenaer, Alderman Dylan Parker, Alderman Joshua Schipp, and Alderman Ivory D. Clark
Absent: Alderman Dave Geenen
Staff: City Manager Randy Tweet, City Attorney Dave Morrison, City Clerk Judith Gilbert, and other City staff
3. Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Thoms led in the saying of the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Moment of Silence
Mayor Thoms asked for a moment of silence.
5. Minutes of the January 22, 2018 meeting.
Motion:
Alderman Parker moved to approve the Minutes as printed; Alderman Tollenaer seconded.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 6-0-1 voice vote. Aye: Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, and Clark. Nay: None. Absent: Geenen.
6. Minutes of the Executive Session of January 22, 2018.
Motion:
Alderman Schipp moved to approve the Executive Session minutes; Alderman Parker seconded.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 6-0-1 voice vote. Aye: Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, and Clark. Nay: None. Absent: Geenen.
7. Update Rock Island by Mayor Thoms
Citizen Participation Plan – The Rock Island’s Housing and Urban Development invites citizens to help determine community use of block grant dollars on Thursday, February 15, 2018 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Longfellow Elementary in Rock Island. Help contribute to the ideas on where this money is allocated. Longfellow School is located at 4198 7th Avenue. For more information, call (309) 732-2900.
Library branches closed – The City of Rock Island Libraries will be closed on Monday, February 19, 2018 for the day so that staff can attend training. Library book drops will be open. For more information please call (309) 732-7323.
Police Applicant Workshop – The City of Rock Island Police Department will have a Police Officer applicant informational workshop on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. The workshop will include an overview of the department as well as information related to the police applicant testing process. The Police Department is located at 1212 5th Avenue. If you have questions, please call (309) 732-2677.
8. Presentation of the 2017 Crime Statistics
Rock Island Police Chief Jeff VenHuizen presented an overview of the 2017 crime statistics. He said the State of Illinois Crime Reporting Program indexes eight crimes: murder/manslaughter, criminal sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. Statistics on these crimes are provided to the FBI by the state which are then published. Chief VenHuizen reviewed the statistics for those eight crimes comparing 2017 to 2016 numbers. The Chief stated Rock Island is down in six categories (murder/manslaughter, criminal sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, thefts, and arson) and up in only two: burglaries and motor vehicle thefts. These are both property crimes. Overall, for the eight categories of crime, the City is down 1%. Chief VenHuizen next reviewed the violent crime statistics which include murder/manslaughter, criminal sexual assault, and aggravated assault. Overall, violent crime is down 10% from 2016.
Chief VenHuizen presented graphed data from 2002 through 2017 on the total number of offenses in the eight categories of crime. He said he has data for the last 26 years. In 1994, crime was at its peak with 3,477 offenses. Since then, there has been a significant decrease in crime with only 1,194 offenses in 2017. The Chief also presented graphed data for total violent crime from 2002 through 2017. He stated the high was in 1995 with 524 offenses of violent crime down to 122 offenses of violent crimes in 2017.
Chief VenHuizen stated there were a series of factors that have contributed to the crime reduction. First, it was through the daily efforts of the hardworking employees of the Rock Island Police Department, often in dangerous and difficult circumstances. Second, it has been through the ongoing support of the Mayor, City Manager and Council and in providing the necessary resources and equipment for the Police Department to do their job. Third, it has been because
Police Department, often in dangerous and difficult circumstances. Second, it has been through the ongoing support of the Mayor, City Manager and Council and in providing the necessary resources and equipment for the Police Department to do their job. Third, it has been because of the relationships with the citizens of Rock Island. Chief VenHuizen said he has been chief for five years and he is proud that during that time violent crime has reached its lowest levels. The Chief said he enacted highly focused strategies targeting drug trafficking and violent offenders. He has re-organized the department to provide more resources to target those individuals. Chief VenHuizen discussed the DEA Task Force, the Tactical Operations Unit, and the federal indictments secured through the efforts of the Rock Island Police Department. The Chief stated getting indictments is a long-term investment. In 2017, they secured 49 indictments.
Chief VenHuizen reviewed the strategies and goals for 2018. He will be bringing recommendations in April to Council regarding shots fired. They will need to look at new strategies for the Burglary Reduction Plan and for the Stolen Vehicle Reduction Plan. They had some success with the Lock It Up campaign, but motor vehicle thefts began to increase again. They are committed to Community Policing Initiatives and these initiatives will continue, but they are dependent on available manpower. The Rock Island Police Department is below its authorized level of manpower. This is due to the department being unable to get Academy space for new recruits. Rock Island has gotten some Academy slots for two Academy classes at the end of April/early May. Training at the Police Academy takes fourteen weeks followed by an additional sixteen weeks of field training.
9. Mayor Thoms will close the regular meeting and open a Public Hearing on a request from Thomas Fitzpatrick of Storage of America for a Special Use Permit to operate an interior only self storage facility at 2832 5th Street.
Mayor Thoms closed the regular meeting at 7:01 p.m. and opened a Public Hearing on a request from Thomas Fitzpatrick of Storage of America for a Special Use Permit to operate an interior only self storage facility at 2832 5th Street.
Mayor Thoms asked if there was anyone present who wished to speak in favor of the request. Charlie Armstrong said he was there tonight to represent the owners of the building at 2832 5th Street. Mr. Armstrong said there are currently two tenants in the building; however, the building is functionally obsolete. Storage of America wants to buy the building and occupy 81,000 square feet. Mr. Armstrong said the owners are in favor of the request for the special use permit and urged Council to grant the request.
Mayor Thoms asked again if there was anyone present who wished to speak in favor of the request. Thomas Fitzpatrick, representing Storage of America, said they will invest $1.8 million into the facility and rehab the building for a climate controlled storage facility.
Mayor Thoms asked a final time if there was anyone present who wished to speak in favor of the request. No one came forward.
Mayor Thoms asked if there was anyone present who wished to speak in opposition to the request. No one came forward.
Alderman Mayberry asked for the staff's opinion. Community and Economic Development Director Chandler Poole stated staff is recommending approval of the special use permit. He said the building has limited uses and the proposal is a good use of the building in an industrial area while also keeping the existing two tenants. The project is a good opportunity for the City. Alderman Parker asked if the applicant agrees to the terms stated in the report; Mr. Fitzpatrick replied yes.
Mayor Thoms closed the Public Hearing at 7:07 p.m., reconvened the regular meeting, and entertained a motion.
Motion:
Alderman Parker moved to approve the special use permit as recommended, subject to the stipulations as stated in the report, and refer to the City Attorney for an ordinance; Alderman Clark seconded.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 6-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, and Clark. Nay: None. Absent: Geenen.
Alderman Schipp thanked the applicant for choosing Rock Island.
10. A Resolution honoring the enduring sacrifice of Echol Cole and Robert Walker and a commitment to the recognition of the dignity of all work.
Alderman Parker said representatives from the NAACP and AFCSME were present for the resolution. Alderman Parker read the resolution.
Motion:
Alderman Parker moved to adopt the resolution; Alderman Mayberry seconded.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 6-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, and Clark. Nay: None. Absent: Geenen.
A moment of silence was observed.
11. Claims
a. Report from the Human Resources Department regarding payment in the amount of $13,573.20 to David Morrison of Rock Island, IL for legal services rendered for the month of January 2018.
b. Report from the Human Resources Department regarding payment in the amount of $50,500.00 to Broadspire of Atlanta, GA for Workers' Compensation claim.
c. Report from the Human Resources Department regarding payment in the amount of $15,104.40 to Broadspire of Atlanta, GA for Workers' Compensation claim.
d. Report from the Information Technology Department regarding payment in the amount of $44,201.78 to Harris Computer Systems of Chicago, IL for the Northstar utility billing software annual maintenance contract.
e. Report from the Information Technology Department regarding payment in the amount of $56,609.11 to Harris Computer Systems of Chicago, IL for the GEMS - FMS/HRMS financial and human resources software annual maintenance contract.
Motion:
Alderman Spurgetis moved to accept the reports and authorize payments as recommended for Claims items a through e; Alderman Clark seconded.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 6-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, and Clark. Nay: None. Absent: Geenen.
f. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment #4 in the amount of $415,679.40 to Civil Constructors Inc. of East Moline, IL for the Water Filtration Facility Project for services provided from December 11, 2017 through January 22, 2018.
g. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $16,114.58 to Langman Construction Inc. of Rock Island, IL for an emergency water main repair at 38th Street and 7th Avenue.
h. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $10,950.53 to Langman Construction Inc. of Rock Island, IL for an emergency water main repair at 38th Street and 37th Avenue.
Motion:
Alderman Clark moved to accept the reports and authorize payments as recommended for Claims items f through g; Alderman Mayberry seconded.
Alderman Parker recused himself from the vote due to the nature of his employment.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 5-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Schipp, and Clark. Nay: None. Absent: Geenen.
12. Claims for the weeks of January 19 through January 25 in the amount of $2,628,819.85, January 26 through February 1 in the amount of $399,082.06, and February 2 through February 8 in the amount of $657,660.95; and payroll for the weeks of January 15 through January 28 in the amount of $1,471,988.29.
Motion:
Alderman Clark moved to allow the claims and payroll; Alderman Spurgetis seconded.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 6-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, and Clark. Nay: None. Absent: Geenen.
13. Report from the Public Works Department regarding the purchase of replacement chains for the Waste Water Treatment Plant fine screens from Headworks International Inc. of Houston, TX in the amount of $69,110.73.
Motion:
Alderman Tollenaer moved to approve the purchase as recommended; Alderman Parker seconded.
Alderman Parker asked if bids were solicited. Public Works Director Larry Cook said bids were not solicited because the chains are a proprietary design; this company is the only one that provides the chains. Alderman Spurgetis questioned if the chains must be replaced often since the current set lasted only four years. Mr. Cook explained that when the Wet Weather Treatment System went online, it removed 60 tons of gravel from the sanitary system in the beginning. That amount of material was beyond what anyone knew existed. He hopes for a longer life with this set of chains.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 6-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, and Clark. Nay: None. Absent: Geenen.
14. Report from the Police Department regarding the purchase of a replacement Livescan fingerprint scanner from Crossmatch Technologies of Palm Beach Gardens, FL in the amount of $11,291.82.
Motion:
Alderman Clark moved to approve the purchase as recommended; Alderman Mayberry seconded.
Alderman Spurgetis asked what happens to the old machines. Police Chief VenHuizen said the current machine being replaced is obsolete and basically junk; it cannot be recycled or turned in for credit. Alderman Parker asked if bids were solicited. Chief VenHuizen said no because they have two other matching scanners with the same software so they went with the same technology.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 6-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, and Clark. Nay: None. Absent: Geenen.
15. Report from the Public Works Department recommending approving the updated 18th Avenue Local Agency Agreement for Federal Participation and the Resolution for Improvement by the Municipality Under the Illinois Highway Code.
Motion:
Alderman Schipp moved to approve the agreement and the resolution as recommended and authorize the Mayor to execute the contract documents; Alderman Parker seconded.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 6-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, and Clark. Nay: None. Absent: Geenen.
16. Report from the Public Works Department regarding the 2018 Catch Basin and Manhole Program, recommending extension of the 2017 Catch Basin and Manhole Program maintenance contract with Langman Construction Inc. of Rock Island, IL in order to perform the required maintenance through 2018.
Motion:
Alderman Clark moved to approve the contract extension as recommended; Alderman Spurgetis seconded.
Alderman Parker recused himself from the vote due to the nature of his employment.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 5-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Schipp, and Clark. Nay: None. Absent: Geenen.
17. Report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding the review of a two-lot minor Final Plat of the Kymbyl Komplete Kare Addition located at 415/417 31st Avenue.
Motion:
Alderman Schipp moved to approve the final plat as recommended, subject to obtaining all required signatures on subdivision plat certificates and conforming to the requirements in the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances; Alderman Spurgetis seconded.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 6-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, and Clark. Nay: None. Absent: Geenen.
18. Report from the City Clerk regarding a request from Kavanaugh's Hilltop Tavern to hold an outdoor tented event with sound amplification on St. Patrick's Day weekend on Friday, March 16, 2018 from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and on Saturday, March 17, 2018 from noon until 11:30 p.m. at 1228 30th Street.
Motion:
Alderman Parker moved to approve the event as recommended, subject to complying with all liquor license regulations, contacting the Fire Department for fire and safety considerations, and subject to being closed down early if complaints are received; Alderman Clark seconded.
Alderman Parker said Tim Kavanaugh regrets he could not be present tonight. Alderman Parker said there have been comments regarding events at Kavanaugh's as well as downtown events and the noise levels. Alderman Parker wondered if that issue had been researched. City Manager Randy Tweet said volume wise the 80 decibel level mentioned by a complainant was incorrect. Music would have to be at 90 decibels for eight hours straight. Mr. Tweet also stated this event is held in a tent so the noise does not carry outside of the tent. He also said any event is subject to being closed down if complaints are received. Mr. Tweet said the City Attorney has more information regarding the noise issue.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 6-0-1 voice vote. Aye: Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, and Clark. Nay: None. Absent: Geenen.
19. Other Business
David Levin, President of the Quad City Area Realtor Association, spoke against the adopted City mandate for fire sprinklers in new residential home construction. He asked Council to exclude the mandate.
Mayor Thoms apologized for not including the realtor association in the conversation about the building codes.
Gary Hodge, a builder and Rock Island resident, spoke against the adopted City mandate for fire sprinklers in new residential home construction.
Jon Loquist, realtor and Rock Island resident, spoke against the adopted City mandate for fire sprinklers in new residential home construction.
Jim Kerr thanked Alderman Parker for his work on the resolution.
Alderman Spurgetis spoke about the fire sprinkler issue and thanked the builders and realtors for their input. He said he will work with them on this issue.
Alderman Parker said he is in favor of limiting Council's ability to fast track ordinances. He also stated that the local Quad Cities governments need to get serious about regionalism and have some mechanism for intergovernmental communication. Alderman Parker stated that while he is sympathetic to the realtors and home builders, he is frustrated that there has been no new home construction in Rock Island prior the fire sprinkler requirement. There needs to be an honest conversation between the City and the realtors and home builders about the entire situation.
Alderman Clark said the City needs to look forward and work with the realtors and home builders for Rock Island to grow.
Alderman Schipp defended the City's action regarding the fire sprinkler requirement. The City had been having the discussion about the new codes for two years. Perceptions about Rock Island need to be updated. There is land in southwest Rock Island for many new homes. There needs to be a total honest conversation.
Mayor Thoms agreed there needs to be a continuing conversation about building homes in Rock Island.
Sharon Carlson, CEO of the Quad City Area Realtor Association, said she would like to meet with the Mayor and she sees that there is more to talk about beyond housing.
Alderman Mayberry stated the City's growth will happen in southwest Rock Island which was annexed in the 1960s. He said there are 550 building sites in southwest Rock Island.
20. Executive Session:
Motion:
Alderman Spurgetis moved to go into Executive Session for the exceptions cited; Alderman Clark seconded.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 6-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, and Clark. Nay: None. Absent: Geenen.
Motion to Adjourn
21. Motion to Adjourn
Motion:
Alderman Parker moved to adjourn; Alderman Spurgetis seconded.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 6-0-1 voice vote. Aye: Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, and Clark. Nay: None. Absent: Geenen.
The meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m.
http://www.rigov.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02122018-105
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