Rock Island City Council Study Sessions met March 12.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
1. Financially Sound City Providing High Quality Service And Infrastructure
2. Expanding Local Economy
3. Revitalization Of Strategic Locations
4. Increase Population Through Livable Neighborhood
Library Department:
Library Department Director Angela Campbell reported the library's archived documents digitization project has been completed. Alderman Geenen asked what kind of documents were digitized. Ms. Campbell replied they were mostly ones the state requires them to keep including agendas and minutes as well documents the library wanted to keep.
The Library Foundation has halted their philanthropic campaign for 12 - 18 months. They are still accepting donations.
The library is working on their strategic planning process. On April 11, the Library board will hold a work session.
The library is working with Spring Forward and the Martin Luther King Jr. Center on a new initiative "Rock Town Reads" to encourage families to read with their children.
Ms. Campbell said National Library Week is April 11 - 15; events will be going on during that week.
The "Food for Thought" fundraiser for the library will be on April 19 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Tri-City Jewish Center.
City Manager:
City Manager Randy Tweet updated Council on the City Brand and Marketing goal. He and the Mayor have discussed branding the water towers. He explained there is no one to coordinate the marketing effort or message especially with the recent budget cuts. There is no focused strategy. They will probably put out an RFP for part-time services from an individual or company to do the work. The budget will be around $30,000 per year and the person/company will report directly to the Mayor and City Manager. Alderman Geenen asked that there be consistency with the look. Mr. Tweet said they have to figure out the logistics and coordination with departments. Mr. Tweet said the marketing would involve social media, publicity for positive stories, and issues that would cause press. Alderman Parker stated it would be beneficial to do a marketing strategy with a clear message for how to sell the City. Alderman Geenen said with the I-74 bridge construction, more traffic will be coming through the city. Mr. Tweet said there have been ideas proposed for targeting that additional traffic. Alderman Geenen said there are lots of companies out there who can do the marketing. Mr. Tweet said there is a move towards electronic media. He stated the matter will come to Council for approval.
Mr. Tweet reported on the goal of Regional Collaboration. There was a study done several years ago. Mr. Tweet stated Rock Island and Moline have a good relationship and often share Public Works equipment. Rock Island has tagged on to Moline's bids for concrete in the past and probably will do it again this year. When the Moline Fire Chief position opened, they discussed with Moline combining the two Fire Chief positions. A regional fire service area rather than individual city fire departments has been discussed over the years. At the fire that happened this morning, the Arsenal Fire Department showed up. When Moline's mayor was in an accident, it was the Rock Island Fire Department that responded. Mr. Tweet said they are always looking for opportunities to partner. It must be done piece by piece. Any larger changes will have to driven by the politicians. In response to a question from Alderman Spurgetis about relationship building, Mr. Tweet said Rock Island has begun having regular meetings with Milan. Both cities are hooked up to Rock Island's water in case there is a need. Mr. Tweet said the Public Works Department has excellent relationships with all of the Quad Cities municipalities on the Illinois side.
Alderman Spurgetis continued the discussion about relationship building among the politicians. Alderman Geenen said someone needs to be the collaborator or convener. Mayor Thoms said they have shared building inspectors with Moline and Milan. Mr. Tweet said those cities have also provided inspectors for Rock Island when needed. Mayor Thoms discussed maintaining collaboration through Bi-State and with the Arsenal. Mr. Tweet stated that all the Quad Cities mayors are aligned for the first time. Alderman Parker asked if he should start emailing Council members in other cities. Discussion continued on the topic. Mr. Tweet said he will get an email list. He will also bring it up at the next Bi-State meeting. Mayor Thoms reported the Quad Cities Chamber has a new CEO.
Mr. Tweet reported on Goal 4 - Solar Power. The Mayor has reestablished the Advanced Technology and Sustainability Task Force. The City is participating in the ESG study and the report is due at the end of the month. In April, IT will make a presentation in study session regarding expanding city-owned broadband to the community. The task force will also be looking at solar power. The next meeting of the task force will be in mid-April.
Additional Q & A For Goal Setting Updates:
There were no further questions.
City Manager: Boards And Commissions:
Mr. Tweet said there were some boards and commissions left out of the information he sent to Council: the Ethics Commission and the Fire and Police Pension Boards. He explained how applications to serve on boards and commissions go to the Mayor. In the past, it has always been the Mayor's discretion to appoint with consent by Council. Mr. Tweet would like to know if aldermen want more input on appointments. Mr. Tweet asked for Council's input on residents being able to serve on more than one board or commission. Mr. Tweet distributed a sheet listing the boards and commissions and relevant ordinance, regular meeting schedule, member qualifications, and active or inactive status. He explained that some boards rarely meet such as different building boards of appeals.
Alderman Spurgetis said it would give more people opportunities to serve. There are some people who serve on two or three boards and commissions. Alderman Spurgetis would like the Mayor's opinion on the process, applications, and filling open positions. Mayor Thoms stated some boards and commission are easier to fill than others; for example, Sunset Marina Boaters Advisory Committee has several openings and the Mayor can't get anyone to fill them. However, the Library and MLK boards have people waiting to fill spots as they open up. Applications can be completed online or they can come into the Mayor's office. Mayor Thoms said duplications with appointments occur because the person has requested to serve on more than one board or commission. Some boards and commissions require or need specific expertise. Alderman Spurgetis said he wouldn't want the City to get stuck if they couldn't find someone new to fill a vacancy with a change in the rule; currently there is no limit to how many boards and commissions one can serve on as a member. Discussion continued.
Alderman Geenen asked what is the strategy; does the City want people engaged, board membership to reflect diversity, or something for residents to do. Alderman Geenen said people can be utilized without actual appointments to boards and commissions. Alderman Parker suggested creating a talent survey for volunteerism with the City. Mayor Thoms said he talks to all applicants before making appointments. Alderman Geenen said there are untapped talents. Discussion continued about specific boards and commissions and Council members serving on boards and commissions. City Attorney Dave Morrison said his office has prepared their legal opinion on the matter and they have met with State's Attorney John McGehee to discuss the issue. Mr. Morrison explained "incompatibility of offices" and the common law analysis and statutory regulations. Mr. Morrison said their opinion is that elected officials can serve on boards and commissions; it is required for some boards.
Discussion continued. Alderman Parker wanted persons to serve on only one City board or commission and no elected officials on boards and commissions. Current appointments would be grandfathered in until their appointment expires. Mayor Thoms suggested if someone was serving on more than one board or commission to ask them on which they would prefer to keep serving. Alderman Geenen said he wants more engagement from citizens and he concurs with Alderman Parker's position. Alderman Spurgetis said if no one can be found for a board or commission, the Mayor should appoint who is available. Mayor Thoms said there will be more appointments opening up soon.
Mr. Tweet told Council the Board of Zoning Appeals and Planning Commission will be bringing a recommendation to Council regarding a change in the Zoning ordinance. Several of those members' terms will be up soon. Alderman Geenen emphasized engaging people without having them serve on boards and commissions. Mayor Thoms brought up the different boards of appeals that rarely meet and keeping those members engaged with little activity for the boards. Discussion continued about engagement of board members; the Mayor's role in the process; serving on only one board or commission or regularly meeting boards; consolidation of building boards of appeals; only Rock Island residents serving on boards and commissions; boards and commissions making regular reports to Council; improving the minutes of boards and commissions; term limits, stipends and educational opportunities for board members; boards and commissions making regular reports to Council; improving the minutes of boards and commissions; term limits, stipends and educational opportunities for board members; and elected officials serving on boards and commissions.
Alderman Mayberry asked for the Election Board to be added to the list. Both Alderman Parker and Alderman Geenen suggested a working subcommittee to work out all of the details. Alderman Parker, Mayor Thoms and Mr. Tweet will sit on the subcommittee. City Clerk Judith Gilbert volunteered to sit on the subcommittee. The subcommittee will review ordinance changes for the boards and commissions. The consensus among Council was each person can only serve on one board or commission that has a regular meeting schedule. Mr. Tweet said Council should wait for State's Attorney McGehee's opinion on elected officials serving on City boards and commissions.
Alderman Parker later asked about quotas for representatives on boards and commissions.
City Manager: New Home Buyer Incentives
Mr. Tweet presented a handout of current incentives for single-family brand new residential construction or condominium. Growth Live-Work incentives and requirements were also presented. Mayor Thoms asked if the schools are involved in the city-wide non-TIF incentives for new construction; no, they are not. Alderman Mayberry asked if the TIF goes to the King Center neighborhood; Mr. Poole said yes. Alderman Parker asked how the public is informed about these incentives; Mr. Tweet will check on that. A marketing person could assist with promoting the incentives. Alderman Parker asked what are neighboring cities doing with regard to incentives for new home construction. Mr. Tweet said Sharon Carlson from the Quad Cities Realtor Association will be meeting with the Mayor and himself and setting up the task force. Mr. Tweet said they have several builders and realtors signed on for a task force for this issue. Mr. Tweet said the City cannot offer incentives to the home builder, only the buyer.
Alderman Spurgetis asked about new construction on any undeveloped lot anywhere in the city, even if it requires demolishing a building on it. Mr. Poole stated as long as the construction of a new single family home is not a rehab or renovation, the project would qualify for incentives. Alderman Spurgetis said the sprinkler issue is missing. Mr. Tweet asked Council if they wanted to add anything to the incentives. Alderman Parker said sprinklers are tax deductible on the federal tax return. Mr. Poole said they met with Growth about their incentives and all their new single family homes are sprinklered. Alderman Parker said these incentives need to be marketed. This would be something for the marketing person/company to promote. Alderman Spurgetis would like to know more about this task force.
The study session concluded at 6:22 p.m.
http://www.rigov.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03122018-120
Alerts Sign-up