Rock Island City Council met January 22.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
1.Call to Order
Mayor Thoms called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Mayor Thoms asked the City Clerk to call the roll.
Present: Mayor Mike Thoms, Alderman Ivory D. Clark, Alderman Virgil J. Mayberry, Alderman James Spurgetis, Alderman Stephen L. Tollenaer, Alderman Dylan Parker, Alderman Joshua Schipp, and Alderman Dave Geenen
Absent: None
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 8, 2018 meeting.
Motion:
Alderman Spurgetis moved to approve the Minutes as printed; Alderman Schipp seconded.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 voice vote. Aye: Clark, Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: None.
6. Update Rock Island by Mayor Thoms
Community Conversation – On Tuesday, January 23, 2018 the Downtown Rock Island Public Library wants to better understand your aspirations for your community and neighborhood, the concerns you have, and what you believe might make a difference in strengthening the community. We'll take what we learn and use it to help make our work in the community more effective. These small group "kitchen-table" type discussions are not about the library, but about you and the community. Conversation will start at 6:00 p.m. and go until 7:30 at the Main Library at 401 19th Street. For more information please call (309) 732-7303.
Builders & Remodelers Home Show – The Quad Cities Builders & Remodelers Association Annual Home Show is February 2, 3, & 4, & 2018 at the QCCA Expo Center. Friday hours are noon to 8:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $8.00 or pick up tickets at Hy-Vee and get $1.00 off each. Youth 16 years and under get in FREE. On Friday, Seniors 60+ get in for only $5.00. Visit WWW.QCBR.ORG for more information.
Dad and Daughter Date Night - Dads and daughters, get dressed up and come have a fun night out together. Dance to music from a live DJ, have photos taken in a photo booth, enjoy snacks and do a craft together. Join the fun on Saturday, February 10, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Rock Island Fitness and Activity Center, located at 4303 24th Street. Cost is $30.00 for dad/daughter pair and another $10.00 for additional daughter(s). For more information or to register please call (309) 732-7275.
7. Presentation of the 2017 Holiday Lighting Awards
Mayor Thoms stated that this is the 32nd annual Holiday Lighting Awards. The Mayor added that the contest is intended to recognize Rock Island residents and businesses that create seasonal displays that are enjoyed by many throughout the holidays. Mayor Thoms stated that the Commission toured over 21 nominated displays on the evening of December 11th. Mayor Thoms said that winners were selected in both residential and commercial categories. Mayor Thoms commented that each display was truly outstanding and the Commission would like to thank everyone who participated in this year’s contest. Mayor Thoms read the addresses that received honorable mentions and the winners of the awards. Beautification Commission member Bob Towler presented the 2017 Holiday Lighting Awards to the winners. A video presentation of the winning holiday displays accompanied the awards ceremony.
The third place residential winner was Mike and Sally Cobert. The second place winner was Durwin and Debra Elliott and the first place award winner was Thomas and Julie Engels.
The third place commercial winner was Cool Beanz Coffeehouse. The second place winner was Trinity Hospital and the first place award winner was the Quad City Botanical Center.
After the awards, pictures were taken of the winners with Mayor Thoms and Mr. Towler.
8. Presentation of the 2017 Commercial Beautification Awards
Mayor Thoms stated that this program was created to honor business owners for their efforts in improving the facades and landscaping of their properties. Mayor Thoms added that this year, the Commission will honor four businesses with a traveling plaque or trophy. The Mayor said there were 14 nominees and the quality of each project made the process difficult for the Commission. Mayor Thoms stated that each of this year’s projects has helped to beautify the surrounding neighborhood of the businesses, and the City of Rock Island at large. Mayor Thoms read the list of businesses who received honorable mentions and the award winners. Beautification Commission member Bob Towler presented the 2017 Commercial Beautification Awards to the winners. Photos of the commercial beautification winners were read the list of businesses who received honorable mentions and the award winners. Beautification Commission member Bob Towler presented the 2017 Commercial Beautification Awards to the winners. Photos of the commercial beautification winners were shown during the awards presentation.
The Beautification Commission Award was presented to The Loft Group. The City Council's Choice Award was presented to Athletico Physical Therapy. The Mayor’s Choice Award was won by St. James Lutheran Church. The Rotary Trophy Award was presented to Q. C. Coffee & Pancake House, the overall winner.
After the awards, pictures were taken of the winners with Mayor Thoms and Mr. Towler.
9. Claims
a. Report from the Human Resources Department regarding payment in the amount of $12,595.04 to David Morrison of Rock Island, IL for legal services rendered for the period of November 16, 2017 through December 29, 2017.
b. Report from the Human Resources Department regarding payment in the amount of $21,278.76 to Blaze Restoration Inc. of Moline, IL for General Liability claim.
c. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment #2 in the amount of $48,279.00 to Langman Construction Inc. of Rock Island, IL for the 2017 Catch Basin and Manhole Program for services provided from September 21, 2017 through December 21, 2017.
d. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment #5 in the amount of $1,511,990.98 to General Constructors Inc. of Bettendorf, IA for the 007 Outfall Relocation Project for services provided from December 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017.
e. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment #1 and final in the amount of $314,816.21 to Langman Construction Inc. of Rock Island, IL for the Downtown Storm Water Repair, 17th Street, 4th to 5th Avenues and 4th Avenue, 18th to 19th Streets Project for services provided from November 2, 2017 through December 20, 2017.
Alderman Clark moved to accept the reports and authorize payments for Claims items a through e as recommended; Alderman Schipp seconded. Alderman Parker asked if the items could be split and voted on in two separate actions: a and b; and c through e. Aldermen Clark and Schipp withdrew their motion and second.
Motion:
Alderman Parker moved to accept the reports and authorize payments for Claims items a and b as recommended; Alderman Schipp seconded.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Clark, Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: None.
Motion:
Alderman Schipp moved to accept the reports and authorize payments for Claims items c through e; Alderman Spurgetis seconded.
Alderman Parker recused himself from the vote due to his employment.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 6-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Clark, Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Schipp, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: None.
10. Claims for the weeks of January 5 through January 11 in the amount of $2,148,830.61 and January 12 through January 18 in the amount of $623,164.80; and payroll for the weeks of January 1 through January 14 in the amount of $1,489,514.34.
Motion:
Alderman Spurgetis moved to allow the claims and payroll; Alderman Geenen seconded.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Clark, Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: None.
11. ACH Payments for the month of December 2017 in the amount of $6,407,785.44.
Motion:
Alderman Mayberry moved to approve the ACH payments; Alderman Parker seconded.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Clark, Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: None.
12. Purchase Card Claims for the period from November 27, 2017 through December 26, 2017 in the amount of $76,159.84.
Motion:
Alderman Parker moved to approve the purchase card claims; Alderman Mayberry seconded.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Clark, Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: None.
13. Report from the Public Works Department regarding bids for the purchase of four (4) 58,000 GVW Tandem Axle Cab and Chassis vehicles and outfitting them with dump bodies, front-end snow plows, mid-mount wing plows, and tailgate spreaders; recommending the bids be awarded to Truck Country Quad Cities of Davenport, IA in the amount of $394,678.00 for the vehicles and to Bonnell Industries Inc. of Dixon, IL in the amount of $286,296.00 for the outfitting.
Motion:
Alderman Schipp moved to award the bids as recommended and authorize the purchases; Alderman Spurgetis seconded.
Discussion followed. Alderman Parker questioned why the four bids for the vehicles were only from truck dealerships in Iowa. Public Works Director Larry Cook said no Illinois dealerships responded to the RFP. Alderman Spurgetis said these four new vehicles would be replacing four aging vehicles.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Clark, Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: None.
14. Report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding a Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute an amended Intergovernmental Agreement for the Establishment of a Joint Administrative Hearing Officer System supporting the addition of the Village of Carbon Cliff;
Motion:
Alderman Geenen moved to adopt the resolution and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the amended intergovernmental agreement and future amendments to the agreement as recommended; Alderman Clark seconded.
Discussion followed. Alderman Spurgetis asked what makes it a "best practice" as stated in the memo. City Attorney Dave Morrison said the recommendation came from his office. He is only recommending that in the future, any municipal additions or deletions do not have to come to Council for approval. Alderman Schipp asked that Council be given notification when any municipality additions or deletions are made. City Manager Randy Tweet said he would do that; it doesn't happen very often. Alderman Spurgetis voiced his concern about circumventing the elected officials when changes would be made to the intergovernmental agreement. Mr. Morrison said any substantive changes would be brought to Council for approval.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Clark, Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: None.
15. Report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding an Ordinance amending Chapter 2, Article VI, Division 6 of the Code of Ordinances relating to the Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals and Appeal Procedures and language in Division 6C.
Motion:
Alderman Parker moved to consider, suspend the rules, and pass the ordinance; Alderman Spurgetis seconded.
Discussion followed. Alderman Schipp asked where Rock Island stands in comparison to other local communities with the adoption of the building and fire codes. He explained his concern and objection to special interest groups and specifically, the Quad City Home Builders Association, for their attacks against the City for adopting the most recent codes. Alderman Tollenaer agreed with Alderman Schipp and said adopting the newer codes was the right thing to do. Alderman Parker asked for an explanation of the proposed ordinance. Community and Economic Development Director Chandler Poole said the Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals was removed when the building code was adopted; this ordinance puts it back into the code.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Clark, Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: None.
16. Report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding a new maximum amount award of $7,500.00 for the Facade Improvement Program.
Motion:
Alderman Parker moved to approve the new maximum amount awarded to Facade applicants as recommended; Alderman Schipp seconded.
Discussion followed. Alderman Geenen asked for data on the program: the number of projects funded versus the number of applications, amount funded per project, and the total amount funded last year in 2017. Mr. Poole said he didn't have the data at hand to answer Alderman Geenen's questions, but he said the program ran out of money in 2017. The program has been offered for fifteen years to Rock Island businesses. Alderman Parker said he looked into the program shortly after he took office last year and the program was already out of money. Alderman Mayberry asked if you can apply two years in a row. Mr. Poole responded if you only have one tenant, you would have to wait three years before reapplying. If you have three tenants occupying space, you could reapply in the second year. Mr. Poole emphasized the business must have occupied space to apply for the funds.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Clark, Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: None.
17. Report from the Mayor regarding reappointments to the Labor Day Parade Advisory Board.
Motion:
Alderman Clark moved to approve the reappointments as recommended; Alderman Spurgetis seconded.
Mayor Thoms read the list of reappointments: Mary Chappell, Art Milton, Grace Shirk, and Kaye Whitley were all appointed to three-year terms expiring in January 2021. Mayor Thoms and several aldermen commended the volunteers on the board for their work on the parade.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 voice vote. Aye: Clark, Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: None.
18. Report from the Mayor regarding appointments to the reconvened Advanced Technology and Sustainability Task Force.
Motion:
Alderman Parker moved to approve the appointments as recommended; Alderman Tollenaer seconded.
Mayor Thoms said it is a resurrection of an old group. He read the list of appointments: Hanou Soumar with MidAmerican Energy; Shirley Johnson with the Corps of Engineers; Jeff Nelson with MetroLink; Matt Collier with IMEG; Chris Strunk with Augustana College; Olivia Dorothy with American Rivers; Larry Cook with the City of Rock Island Public Works Department; and Tom Ayers with the City of Rock Island Inspection Division. Mayor Thoms said the group can be expanded as needed. There are a couple of tasks already planned for the task force which will begin meeting February 1.
Discussion followed. Alderman Parker is very excited and thankful for the reinstatement of this task force. He asked for specifics about their initial tasks. Mr. Tweet said they would be looking at solar energy which was identified during the 2017 goal setting. Mr. Tweet also explained there is a sustainability consultant who will be evaluating energy efficiencies for the City (at no cost to the City) and recommending upgrades; this task force will review the work and recommendations of the consultant. This group will have the technical knowledge to evaluate the recommendations.
Mayor Thoms explained that after the tasks are completed, if there is no further need or tasks, the task force will not continue to meet. This is different than many boards and commissions which meet on a regular basis. This group is task oriented. Alderman Parker asked about their assigned meeting schedule. Mr. Tweet said it will be up to the group to come up with their schedule; then the City can publish the meeting schedule. Alderman Parker asked if it is required to follow the Open Meetings Act (OMA). Mr. Tweet replied no; it is a working group not covered by ordinance, and they will be advising staff so they don't fall under the rules of the Open Meetings Act. Mr. Morrison said he would send Council his memo regarding his opinion on the matter. Mayor Thoms said it is similar to the Streetscape committee.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 voice vote. Aye: Clark, Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: None.
19. Other Business
Alderman Spurgetis congratulated the organizers of the Martin Luther King memorial service that was held recently; he said it was very well done. He spoke about the Women's Rights rally held in Rock Island last Saturday.
Alderman Mayberry, representative on the Library Board, announced the Southwest branch of the library has started selling bags of books for $10 which includes a library bag. The sale continues until January 30.
Alderman Mayberry asked who is responsible for putting up the population signs in town; they have different numbers. Mr. Tweet said he will find out and let Alderman Mayberry know.
Alderman Clark announced that there will be a First Ward meeting on Wednesday, January 24 at the Martin Luther King Center at 6:00 p.m. He said the Mayor, City Manager, and City staff will be present to answer questions. All are welcome.
Alderman Mayberry asked when the next Streetscape meeting will be held. Mr. Tweet replied it has not been scheduled yet.
No one signed up to address Council to speak on a topic.
20. Executive Session:
5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(1) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body (or legal counsel for the public body)
5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(12) The establishment of reserves or settlement of claims as provided in the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act
Motion:
Alderman Schipp moved to go into Executive Session for the exceptions cited; Alderman Spurgetis seconded.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Clark, Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: None.
21. Motion to Adjourn
Motion:
Alderman Parker moved to adjourn; Alderman Geenen seconded.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 voice vote. Aye: Clark, Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: None.
The meeting adjourned at 8:53 p.m.
http://www.rigov.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01222018-101
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