City of Moline Committee of the Whole met June 5.
Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:
Mayor Acri called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. in Council Chambers.
Proclamation:
A Proclamation from John Deere Foundation declaring June 17-23, 2018 as “Bonus Fund Giving Week” was postponed until the next meeting on June 12, 2018.
Questions on the Agenda:
Item #10, CB 1066-2018, has been pulled from the agenda at staff’s request.
Agenda Items:
1. A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to make application, to enter into an agreement, and to execute all necessary assurances and certifications to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for Community Development Block Grant entitlement funding under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, of certain projects and programs for fiscal year 2018; and approving projects & program recommendations of the Citizens Advisory Council on Urban Policy for the use of 2018 Community Development Block Grant funds and the 2018 Annual Action Plan, which contains said projects and programs; and authorizing the Mayor to implement those approved projects and programs upon the approval of the City of Moline 2018 Annual Action Plan by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and to exercise any and all powers required to obtain such funding and to implement those approved projects. K.J. Whitley, Community Development Program Manager, explained that the City of Moline is a Community Development Block Grant entitlement community with national objectives of the Community Development Programs. A proposed statement of community development objectives and projected use of funds has been advertised and are consistent with the national objectives of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. Citizens Advisory Council on Urban Policy also met on June 4, 2018, and recommends approval of the 2018 Annual Action Plan. A motion was made by Alderman Rodriguez to approve. Seconded by Alderman Berg. Whitley explained that the CDBG funding allocation has increased this year, and may be used for any infrastructure project within the low-moderate income census tract. Housing Program funds will not decrease as a result. Jeff Anderson, City Planner, explained that source data used is derived from an annual set of data from HUD, extracted from the U.S. Census. The low-moderate census tract has stayed the same for several years now, with data broken down into 2-4 block groups within each tract. Whitley shared that of the six projects presented for 2018 funding, five have been funded. Motion passed unanimously.
2. A General Ordinance amending Chapter 35 “Zoning And Land Development” of the Moline Code of Ordinances, Table 35-3408 “Principal Commercial Land Uses,” “Land Use Regulations.” Shawn Christ, Land Development Manager, stated that the Plan Commission reviewed a concept plan for a yoga studio at its May 9, 2018 meeting. The Plan Commission’s direction was a City initiated text amendment to allow indoor entertainment as a special use in the I-1 District, and staff concurs. A motion was made by Alderman Wendt to approve. Seconded by Alderman Turner. Christ explained that this would apply to other land uses within this category, however proposals will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Christ indicated that the Plan
Commission has been reviewing a number of ordinances and making recommendations for amendments incrementally, with national trends considered. Motion passed unanimously.
3. A General Ordinance amending Chapter 35 “Zoning And Land Development” of the Moline Code of Ordinances, Article IV, Division 2 “Infrastructure And Public Improvement Standards,” Section 35-4218, “Sidewalks.” Scott Hinton, City Engineer, shared that Council Bill 3014-2018 was presented at COW on March 22, 2018, and for First Reading on April 10, 2018. At that time, it was determined that the Plan Commission needed to review this matter first, as it is a change to the zoning ordinance. On May 23, 2018, the Plan Commission, as part of the City Council’s request, reviewed the Zoning and Land Development Code and recommended to revise the minimum width and placement standards for public sidewalks in new development and infill locations. Considerations are included for the Illinois Accessibility Code, public and private streets, right-of-way width, topography, and installation cost. A motion was made by Alderman Wendt to remove this item from the table. Seconded by Alderman Schoonmaker. Motion passed unanimously. A motion was made by Alderman Wendt to approve. Seconded by Alderman Schoonmaker. Motion passed unanimously.
4. A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a Revenue Reciprocal Agreement on Exchange of Information between the City of Moline and the Illinois Department of Revenue. Kathy Carr, Finance Director, explained that a recent City staff change necessitates amending the current Reciprocal Agreement on Exchange of Information to change the name of the House Grant Compliance Analyst. The Agreement must be approved to allow the City to continue receiving confidential sales tax information by its authorized personnel from the Illinois Department of Revenue. A motion was made by Alderman Parker to approve. Seconded by Alderman Berg. Motion passed unanimously.
5. A Resolution accepting the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report prepared by Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP for the Fiscal Year January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017 for all municipal funds. Kathy Carr, Finance Director, shared that the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the City of Moline for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, is submitted for City Council acceptance. The primary objectives of a financial audit are: (1) to express an opinion on the fairness of the financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles; and (2) to determine whether the City has complied with applicable legal requirements in obtaining and expending public funds. The audit for Fiscal Year 2017 was performed in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards by the accounting firm of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP. These standards are required to obtain reasonable assurances that the general purpose financial statements are free from material misstatements. The opinion given in the Report on the Independent Auditors states that the general purpose financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial portion of the City of Moline at December 31, 2017, and the results of the City’s operations are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The City of Moline has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers’ Association for 24 consecutive years and will be submitting the 2017 report for award consideration. Copies of the CAFR will be made available to the public for reference at the Moline Library, Moline Finance Department, and via the City’s website. Mike Malatt, of Lauterbach and Amen, presented the comprehensive year-end report, and commended the work of the City’s Finance team. Alderman Wendt asked if there were any recommendations for improvement. Malatt stated that there was nothing significant this year in terms of changes and processes, best practices have been honed over years of working together. A motion was made by Alderman Potter to approve. Seconded by Alderman Turner. Motion passed unanimously.
Informational:
A Floreciente Neighborhood Infrastructure and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Update was presented by K.J. Whitley, Community Development Program Manager, and Jeff Anderson, City Planner. Whitley explained that there is an ongoing need for sidewalks in the community, but use of CDBG funds is limited to infrastructure in the low-moderate census tract. A number of sidewalks were applied for and are currently being worked on, with another 20-40 locations on a waiting list. Anderson shared that over the years, Council has asked staff to be a little more expeditious in the use of these funds that pass Congress, filter through HUD, and reach the City’s budget. With that in mind, getting that infrastructure program into the 2018 Action Plan will allow the City to fund a project such as sidewalks needed for children routed up the hill to Lincoln Irving School because of the Erickson School closure in the Floreciente neighborhood. At Council direction, Bi-State performed a Safe Routes to School Study for the City, identifying a preferred route. With funds available for implementation, staff has mapped pedestrian routes on 6th, 7th, 8th , and 10th Streets, with particular attention to 7th Street, and noted sidewalks needed along those routes. Alderman Berg moved to direct City engineering staff to work with Global Communities on Floreciente streetscaping plans. Seconded by Wendt. Alderman Turner expressed concern that CDBG approved infrastructure projects in the Floreciente neighborhood should be funded before considering other plans. Alderman Potter indicated that other areas in the low-moderate census tract in need of improvement might be considered for CDBG funding as well. Alderman Wendt moved to amend the motion to include all streetscaping projects and plans within the low-moderate census tract. Seconded by Alderman Parker. Motion to amend carried with Alderman Turner voting nay. Alderman Rodriguez stated that CDBG funds should be used first for projects without additional funding sources, with priority to improving dangerous intersections. Planning and Development Director Ray Forsythe added that the challenge is in proving that 51% of residents benefiting from a CDBG funded project fall into the low-moderate census tract, adding that the City leverages CDBG funds, and others, where best utilized. The amended motion carried with Turner voting nay.
Ray Forsythe, Planning and Development Director, provided a Community Development Corporation follow up presentation, with information about the Planning & Development Department, Community Development Corporation (CDC), Renew Moline, Moline Centre Main Street, Plan Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Quad City Chamber, Quad City First, Hispanic Chamber, Global Communities and others who provide benefit to the Economic and Community Development in Moline. Forsythe shared that the mission of the Moline Community Development Corporation is to foster improvement in Moline’s low-moderate income neighborhoods, and to conduct neighborhood revitalization programs and projects. The Moline CDC achieves this mission by rehabilitating abandoned properties, improving neighborhoods with better alley lighting, and renovating or constructing neighborhood playgrounds. Moline’s CDC, created in 2008, is a non-profit operating as a separate entity, but in conjunction with the City, with the intent of providing charitable services. A goal of the CDC is to collaborate with other entities within the community. Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) play a critical role in building community wealth, utilizing New Market Tax Credits. Forsythe recommended that the City partner with an existing financial institution to achieve CDFI objectives, building a classic broad-based umbrella community organization, with members including local agencies, organizations, and institutions. He stated that the goal is to get a CDFI to partner on a project that is significant enough in size to build CDC capacity. Forsythe suggests holding an annual summit of all member organizations. The summit platform should consist of goals for education, employment, housing, safety, health care, transportation, youth activities and retail revitalization. To accomplish this, Forsythe recommended expanding CDC membership with City Council assistance.
Public Comment:
Resident Terri Dobman requested that Council reconsider her request for a variance to allow a bee apiary on her property. Dobman indicated that bees provide numerous benefits to the community, and are in major population decline. She would like to see the City’s bee ban lifted. Mayor Acri invited Dobman to provide Council with examples of communities that embrace beekeeping.
http://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/4846
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