Rock Island City Council met March 12.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
1.Call to Order
Mayor Thoms called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Roll Call
Mayor Thoms asked the City Clerk to call the roll.
Present: Mayor Mike Thoms, Alderman James Spurgetis, Alderman Stephen L. Tollenaer, Alderman Dylan Parker, Alderman Dave Geenen, and Alderman Virgil J. Mayberry
Absent: Alderman Joshua Schipp and Alderman Ivory D. Clark
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 February 26, 2018 meeting.
Motion:
Alderman Spurgetis moved to approve the Minutes as printed; Alderman Tollenaer seconded.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 5-0-2 voice vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Geenen, and Mayberry. Nay: None. Absent: Schipp and Clark.
6. Minutes of the Executive Session of February 26, 2018.
Motion:
Alderman Parker moved to approve the Executive Session minutes; Alderman Mayberry seconded.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 5-0-2 voice vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Geenen, and Mayberry. Nay: None. Absent: Schipp and Clark.
7. Update Rock Island by Mayor Thoms
St. Patrick’s Day Parade - The 2018 St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. starting at 23rd Street and 4th Avenue in Rock Island. Parade floats, bands, vehicles, and walkers will head through downtown Rock Island, across Centennial Bridge and continue its course through Davenport. The Grand Parade is the only bi-state St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the U.S. Visit WWW.DOWNTOWNROCKISLAND.ORG for updates and more information.
Post Parade Parties – After the 2018 St. Patrick’s Day Parade has concluded, stay in Rock Island and enjoy the post parade festivities. Some of the various outdoor festivities include Steve’s Old Time Tap at 17th Street between 2nd & 3rd Avenues from 9:00 a.m. Daiquiri Factory will hold their annual Shamrock Shakedown on the downtown plaza from 9 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. (the 18th) and Kavanaugh’s Hilltop Tap, at 1228 30th Street from 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. Be safe and enjoy the festivities.
March 20, 2018 General Primary Election – The General Primary election will be Tuesday, March 20, 2018. On Election Day the polls are open from 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Voters who are not able to vote in person may qualify to vote absentee. For further information regarding absentee voting or any other aspects of the election process, contact the Voter Registration/Elections department of the County Clerk's Office at (309) 558-3571. Early voting will be conducted now until March 19, 2018. To find a listing of locations and times go to WWW.VOTERICOUNTY.ORG.
QCCA Expo Center Flower and Garden Show - The 2018 Flower & Garden Show is coming to the Quad City Expo Center March 23 through March 25, 2018. Hours are Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Great fun and value for the whole family. Adult tickets are $8.00, children 6-15 are $1.00 and children under 6 are free. Senior Day is Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for $6.00.
8. Presentation of the Financial Management Report for the Fourth Quarter 2017
Finance Director Stephanie Masson presented the Financial Management Report for the Fourth Quarter 2017. She explained that the numbers presented are preliminary and unaudited.
General Fund revenues were 90% of budget and expenditures were 99% of budget. TIF Funds expenditures were only 58% of budget due to the timing of agreements. Ms. Masson noted that Debt Service revenues and expenditures were 158% of budget because bonds were issued in 2017 and were also refunded.
Ms. Masson said that with regard to some of the Water and Waste Water proprietary funds, revenues and expenditures were below budget due to the timing of the IEPA loan funded projects. She noted that Pension Trust Funds (Police and Fire) returns were over 10%. She reminded Council they had approved multi-year changes to the actuarial assumptions last year. This will be updated in April to inform Council of the employer contribution for 2019.
Government-wide revenues were 92% of budget at $119 million and expenditures were 81% of budget at $116 million; available cash at the end of the year was $22.6 million.
Except for the Fire Department, all departments came in under budget for General Fund expenditures. Ms. Masson explained the Fire Department had a lot of injuries in 2017. She said the General Fund budget was higher in the third quarter so all departments were asked to reduce budgets to help fund the 2018 budget.
Ms. Masson said the state revised projections for Income Tax and assessed a 10% cut to municipalities; the city's reduction was $566,000. The state is considering continuing the 20% reduction representing $400,000 for 2018. The City was informed by the state the City did not have to pay back the overpayment of Replacement Tax, but the state will be reducing it by 23% in the future. Ms. Masson explained volatility will continue for the Replacement Tax.
Sales Tax and Local Option Sales Tax held their own in 2017 even though they did not meet budget. A taxpayer audit showed $82,000 had been overpaid to the City and there was the loss of Kmart. The state is now charging a 2% administrative fee for the Local Option Sales Tax. Ms. Masson reported the good news is that sales tax is trending upwards. The Municipal Utility Tax continues to decrease as does the Telecom Tax. Ms. Masson said the good news is that Food and Beverage Tax revenues were over budget and trending upwards. Ms. Masson reported that Gaming Tax revenues were over budget and starting to trend upwards.
For the Capital & Major Project Expenditure Status Report, Ms. Masson stated that 94% of the projects were completed ($39 million budgeted).
A 15-month history of investment totals was included in the Financial Report. Ms. Masson pointed out that bond sales were finalized in November 2016 and September 2017. Principal payments were made in December 2017; that month has the lowest cash reserves.
9. Proclamation declaring March 12, 2018 as Chrislyn Carr Day.
Alderman Virgil Mayberry read the proclamation. Chrislyn Carr accepted the proclamation presented by Mayor Thoms and Alderman Mayberry. She said she was grateful for the opportunity and to the City. She thanked everyone for their support on her journey. Pictures were taken with Mayor Thoms and Alderman Mayberry and also with her family.
10. Mayor Thoms will close the regular meeting and open a Public Hearing for comments on the City of Rock Island's Citizen Participation Plan.
Mayor Thoms closed the regular meeting at 7:09 p.m. and opened a Public Hearing on the City of Rock Island's Citizen Participation Plan. Mayor Thoms asked if there was anyone present who wished to comment.
Community and Economic Development Director Chandler Poole explained the purpose of the Public Hearing. He said two public meetings have already been held for public input on the Citizen Participation Plan. The plan is updated as part of the CDBG annual Action Plan and the Five Year Plan. Both meetings were well attended with good conversation on how to get the word out about the programs and about how the money is spent.
Mayor Thoms asked again if there was anyone present who wished to comment. Rock Island resident Vincent Thomas stepped forward to the podium. He read a statement regarding issues he would like Council to address regarding the CDBG proposal.
Mayor Thoms asked again if there was anyone present who wished to comment. No one stepped forward.
Mayor Thoms closed the Public Hearing at 7:22 p.m. and reconvened the regular meeting.
11. A Special Ordinance authorizing the acquisition of thirty (30) permanent and temporary right-of- way parcels for the 38th Street Resurfacing Project in the amount of $16,896.00.
Motion:
Alderman Spurgetis moved to consider, suspend the rules, and pass the ordinance; Alderman Geenen seconded.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Geenen, and Mayberry. Nay: None. Absent: Schipp and Clark.
12. Claims
a.Report from the Human Resources Department regarding payment in the amount of $16,651.37 to David Morrison of Rock Island, IL for legal services rendered from November 17, 2017 through February 28, 2018.
Motion:
Alderman Mayberry moved to accept the report and authorize payment as recommended; Alderman Tollenaer seconded.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Geenen, and Mayberry. Nay: None. Absent: Schipp and Clark.
b. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $12,552.74 to Miller Trucking & Excavating of Silvis, IL for an emergency water main repair at 4000 4th Street.
c. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $15,483.62 to Miller Trucking & Excavating of Silvis, IL for an emergency water main repair at 1313 43rd Street.
d. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment #5 in the amount of $404,429.40 to Civil Constructors Inc. of East Moline, IL for the Water Filtration Facility Project for services provided from January 22, 2018 through February 26, 2018.
Motion:
Alderman Spurgetis moved to accept the reports and authorize payments as recommended for Claims items b through d; Alderman Geenen seconded.
Alderman Parker recused himself from the vote due to the nature of his employment.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 4-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Geenen, and Mayberry. Nay: None. Absent: Schipp and Clark.
13. Claims for the weeks of February 23 through March 1 in the amount of $1,084,580.17 and March 2 through March 8 in the amount of $706,765.64; and payroll for the weeks of February 12 through February 25 in the amount of $1,487,724.10.
Motion:
Alderman Tollenaer moved to allow the claims and payroll; Alderman Parker seconded.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Geenen, and Mayberry. Nay: None. Absent: Schipp and Clark.
14. Report from the Public Works Department regarding the Coast Guard Auxiliary lease renewal agreement at Sunset Marina for the term beginning April 1, 2018 through March 31, 2019.
Motion:
Alderman Parker moved to approve the lease renewal as recommended and authorize the City Manager to execute the lease agreement; Alderman Tollenaer seconded.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Geenen, and Mayberry. Nay: None. Absent: Schipp and Clark.
15. Report from the Public Works Department regarding an amended Resolution appropriating $821,133.50 of Motor Fuel Tax funds for street maintenance in 2016.
Motion:
Alderman Tollenaer moved to adopt the amended resolution as recommended; Alderman Spurgetis seconded.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Geenen, and Mayberry. Nay: None. Absent: Schipp and Clark.
16. Report from the Public Works Department regarding an amended Resolution appropriating $584,503.84 of Motor Fuel Tax funds for street maintenance in 2017.
Motion:
Alderman Tollenaer moved to adopt the amended resolution as recommended; Alderman Mayberry seconded.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Geenen, and Mayberry. Nay: None. Absent: Schipp and Clark.
17. Report from the Parks and Recreation Department regarding a Highway Resolution for the closure of 1st Avenue between 17th Street and 20th Street on Tuesday, July 3, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., along with a rain date of Wednesday, July 4, 2018, and a flood date in September if needed for a Fireworks Display and Concert at Schwiebert Riverfront Park.
Motion:
Alderman Tollenaer moved to approve the street closing as recommended and adopt the resolution; Alderman Spurgetis seconded.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Geenen, and Mayberry. Nay: None. Absent: Schipp and Clark.
18. Report from the Finance Department regarding an adjustment to the CY 2018 Budget recommending increasing the General Fund (101) by $267,834.00, the Community Economic Development Fund (207) by $506,857.05, the MLK Community Center Operations Fund (211) by $20,000.00, and the Park and Recreation Fund (555) by $30,934.63 through a transfer from the Gaming Fund (223).
Motion:
Alderman Spurgetis moved to approve the budget adjustment as recommended; Alderman Tollenaer seconded.
Alderman Spurgetis asked Finance Director Stephanie Masson to explain the agenda item. Ms. Masson stated that Gaming Funds are spent only by approval of Council. She explained that funds that are not spent during the year are transferred back into the Gaming Fund. Departments must then request the funds if they are still needed. If projects come in under budget, the extra amount stays in the Gaming Fund for the next year's budget. She said the funds being transferred are a similar total amount.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Geenen, and Mayberry. Nay: None. Absent: Schipp and Clark.
19. Report from the Finance Department regarding an adjustment to the CY 2018 Budget increasing the Martin Luther King Jr. Activity Fund (901) by $69,372.38 through the carry-over of unused grant funds from CY 2017 to CY 2018.
Motion:
Alderman Mayberry moved to approve the budget adjustment as recommended; Alderman Tollenaer seconded.
Alderman Geenen abstained from the vote due to the nature of his employment.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, and Mayberry. Nay: None. Absent: Schipp and Clark.
Abstain: Geenen (Abstentions go with the majority vote.)
20. Report from the Public Works Department regarding a request from QC Coffee and Pancake House to install a vinyl fabric and aluminum framed vestibule within the 3rd Avenue and 19th Street right-of-ways at 1831 3rd Avenue.
Motion:
Alderman Parker moved to approve the installation request as recommended with installation after the City completes the necessary pedestrian access work, and subject to submission of proof of insurance and a recordable agreement as stated in the report; Alderman Spurgetis seconded.
Alderman Parker thanked all City staff for working with the business owners to arrive at a creative solution and solve the problem.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Geenen, and Mayberry. Nay: None. Absent: Schipp and Clark.
21. Other Business
Alderman Parker said it was his understanding that the Citizen Participation Plan is a way for the City to communicate with residents and not an allocation of funds or programs, just communication. Mr. Poole said yes, the Citizen Participation Plan is a plan for how to get the word out; the focus is communicating with the public; not allocation of funds or programs. Alderman Parker asked what came out of the two public meetings. Mr. Poole replied they are translating their information brochures into the appropriate languages. He said they will also be working with the Community Caring Conference to have targeted meetings about programs. Social media and how to use it were also discussed. Mr. Poole said he was very happy with the conversations and the ideas that came out of the meetings. Alderman Parker said that there are all sorts of entities that serve the targeted population; the City must build partnerships with these organizations.
Mr. Poole introduced Mark Sikes, new Economic Development Program Manager, who served as an intern in the department before being hired. Mr. Sikes is also a Navy veteran. Mr. Sikes said it was an honor to be there and to be a member of the team where he interned. He is looking forward to working with everyone. He welcomed hearing from aldermen or their constituents if they need his assistance.
Alderman Mayberry said he belongs to the Active Club and the Citizen Participation Plan was brought up. Alderman Mayberry said Jerry Jones and the Martin Luther King Center staff are getting the word out.
Mayor Thoms discussed the Rock Island Housing Authority's project that Vincent Thomas spoke about. There will be 46 units which is an increase from what they have today, but it is the number of units it had originally. The quality of life will be improved for residents. Alderman Mayberry said all the new homes will have sprinklers. Alderman Parker said Mr. Thomas' comment that 20% of Rock Island residents are living at the poverty line with a three year wait to get into an home is not acceptable. Alderman Parker would assist and support solutions for affordable housing in Rock Island. Mayor Thoms stated there are other cities that need to step up to the plate regarding the issue. Alderman Geenen said all cities have waiting lists and that it needs to be a community-wide effort to address poverty.
Alderman Mayberry brought up the Argus article that discussed McLaughlin Company leaving East Moline; they will be coming to Rock Island and bringing the rest of their workforce.
No one signed up to address Council to speak on a topic.
22. Executive Session:
5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(11) Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting.
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)(21) Discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under this Act, whether for purposes of approval by the body of the minutes or semi-annual review of the minutes as mandated by Section 2.06.
Motion:
Alderman Spurgetis moved to go into Executive Session for the exceptions cited; Alderman Parker seconded.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Geenen, and Mayberry. Nay: None. Absent: Schipp and Clark.
23. Motion to Adjourn
Motion:
Alderman Parker moved to adjourn; Alderman Geenen seconded.
Vote:
Motion passed on a 5-0-2 voice vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Geenen, and Mayberry. Nay: None. Absent: Schipp and Clark.
The meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
http://www.rigov.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03122018-119
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