Rock Island City Council met Sept. 10.
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.
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 Dave Geenen, and Alderman Ivory D. Clark
Alderman Joshua Schipp arrived at 6:52 p.m.
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. A moment of silence was observed.
Mayor Thoms announced that Item #20 was being pulled from the agenda.
5. Minutes of the August 27, 2018 meeting.
MOTION:
Alderman Spurgetis moved to approve the minutes as printed; Alderman Clark seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 6-0-1 voice vote. Aye: Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Geenen, and Clark. Nay: None. Absent: Schipp
6. Update Rock Island by Mayor Thoms
Thursday Night Groove Concert Series -The "Thursday Night Groove" concert series continues at Schwiebert Riverfront Park on Thursday, September 13, 2018 with local band, Minus Six. Event is open from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Rock Island Happy Joe's will have pizza for sale and Bent River beer will be available for purchase. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. For more information please call (309) 732-7275.
Community Crime Prevention Partnership Meeting – Please join the City of Rock Island Police Department on Wednesday, September 19, 2018 for their monthly crime prevention meeting. This month’s topic will focus on field officer training programs. These educational meetings are intended to strengthen the partnerships with the citizens of Rock Island and the Police Department. Meeting is scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m. at the Community Room of the Police Department at 1212 5th Avenue in Rock Island.
31st Annual Family Fun Day - The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center will be hosting its 31st Annual Family Fun Day on Saturday, September 22, 2018. Family Fun Day is a community event celebrating all culture. This year’s event will feature a parade, food and merchant vendors, informational booths, a 3 on 3 basketball tournament, live entertainment and plenty of activities for youth and families. The Community Center is located at 630 9th Street, Rock Island For more information; please call (309) 732-2999.
Fall Community Garage Sale – Over 6,000 square feet of shopping for toys, trinkets, furniture, clothing, antiques and much more for this year’s Fall Community Garage Sale. Event will be held at Longview Park on September 29, 2018 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Vendor space is available by calling (309) 732-7275. Admission is free so come check it out!
7. Presentation of the August Keep Rock Island Beautiful Award
Bill Sowards from Keep Rock Island Beautiful presented the August Keep Rock Island Beautiful Award to Sarah Zepeda of QC Pancake House. Mr. Sowards commended QC Pancake House on their outstanding facility and their great food. A picture was taken with Mayor Thoms.
8. Presentation of the 2018 "Tell On Your Neighbor" Awards
Mayor Thoms said it was the 44th year of the "Tell on Your Neighbor" Awards by the Beautification Commission to recognize residents who make the extra effort to beautify their yards beyond the norm. The Beautification Commission believes these citizens should be recognized for their efforts which encourage others to keep well-groomed yards that are an asset to the city.
Mayor Thoms read the names of this year's winners while Bob Towler of the Beautification Commission handed out the award certificates. A slide show was shown during the presentation of the winner's yards. A group photo was taken after the awards presentation. Mayor Thoms said he appreciated the commitment of the Beautification Commission for taking the time to review the nominations.
The 2018 "Tell On Your Neighbor" Award winners are:
Samantha Seaman - 1002 21st Avenue
Mike and Kristi Hixson - 2204 30th Street
Deb Kuntzi and Paul Magnuson - 842 20th Street
Enio and Anny Blanco - 1312 12th Street
Lloyd and Terrie Davis Sr. - 1504 12th Street
Curtis Walker - 1018 15th Avenue
Ruby Rocha-Rylander - 3621 23rd Avenue
Margaret Lage - 4217 23rd Avenue
David Stimpson - 4506 27th Avenue
Suzie and Harlan King - 4610 30th Avenue
Ernie and Carol Beane - 3250 36 1/2 Avenue
Tom and Kim Adlfinger - 2917 21st Avenue
Brown Living Trust - 2700 21st Avenue
Paul and Roxanne Delcourt - 2 Chippiannock Trail
Alma Dawson - 1419 9th Street
Karen and John Cavins - 2951 25th Avenue
Deborah Riley - 801 42nd Avenue
Kathleen Clark - 4150 6th Street
Craig Brown and Chris Wakeland - 1722 24 1/2 Street
John Meade - 2008 32nd Street
Beth and Jeffrey VerBeke - 2021 31st Street
Lisa Perry - 2042 31st Street
Tony and Judy Rosa-Gastaldo - 2232 31st Street
9. Proclamation declaring September 2018 as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Mayor Thoms read the proclamation.
10. A Special Ordinance establishing a two-hour parking zone on the north side of 7th Avenue in front of the Laborers Local Union 309 property at 2835 7th Avenue.
MOTION:
Alderman Parker moved to consider, suspend the rules, and pass the ordinance; Alderman Mayberry seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, Geenen, and Clark. Nay: None. Absent: None.
11. A Special Ordinance removing a handicapped parking space at 1005 17th Avenue.
MOTION:
Alderman Clark moved to consider, suspend the rules, and pass the ordinance; Alderman Schipp seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, Geenen, and Clark. Nay: None. Absent: None.
12. Claims
a. Report from the Human Resources Department regarding payment in the amount of $20,061.53 to David Morrison of Rock Island, IL for legal services rendered for the month of August 2018. MOTION:
Alderman Parker moved to accept the report and authorize payment as recommended; Alderman Schipp seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, Geenen, and Clark. Nay: None. Absent: None.
b. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment #11 in the amount of $583,966.80 to Civil Constructors Inc. of East Moline, IL for the Water Filtration Facility Project for services provided from July 21, 2018 through August 26, 2018.
c. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment #3 in the amount of $127,471.50 to Langman Construction Inc. of Rock Island, IL for the 2017/2018 Catch Basin and Manhole Program for services provided from June 25, 2018 through August 18, 2018.
MOTION:
Alderman Clark moved to accept the reports and authorize payment as recommended for Claims items b and c; Alderman Mayberry seconded.
Alderman Parker recused himself from the vote due to the nature of his employment.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 6-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Schipp, Geenen, and Clark. Nay: None. Absent: None.
13. Claims for the weeks of August 24 through August 30 in the amount of $501,994.18 and August 31 through September 6 in the amount of $234,798.07; and payroll for the weeks of August 13 through August 26 in the amount of $1,473,422.63.
MOTION:
Alderman Spurgetis moved to allow the claims and payroll; Alderman Clark seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, Geenen, and Clark. Nay: None. Absent: None.
14. Report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding the purchase of sixteen (16) Rock Island County tax auction properties as listed in the report in the amount of $14,442.00.
MOTION:
Alderman Parker moved to approve the purchase as recommended, authorize the City Manager to execute the purchase contracts, and refer to the City Attorney for an ordinance; Alderman Spurgetis seconded.
Alderman Parker asked Community and Economic Development Director Chandler Poole for a
brief synopsis of the agenda item. Mr. Poole said every year the County notifies the City of properties coming up for tax sales; he said the City gets first dibs on the properties. Mr. Poole's staff identified twenty-one properties which could be redeveloped; five properties were subsequently redeemed for taxes. Mr. Poole is asking Council to approve the purchase of the sixteen remaining properties. He said two properties have houses on them, but they are not allowed to inspect them before acquiring them. If the houses have any structural integrity, the department will have the houses rehabbed with CDBG funds. Otherwise, the houses will be demolished.
Alderman Mayberry asked if they were empty lots; Mr. Poole responded only two properties have houses on them and the rest are vacant lots.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, Geenen, and Clark. Nay: None. Absent: None.
15. Report from the Public Works Department regarding bids for the 2018 Pavement Marking Program, recommending the bid be awarded to Peterson Parking Lot Striping of Carbon Cliff, IL in the amount of $55,398.75.
MOTION:
Alderman Tollenaer moved to award the bid as recommended and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents; Alderman Clark seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, Geenen, and Clark. Nay: None. Absent: None.
16. Report from the Finance Department regarding a five-year contract extension through 2023 for Other Post Employment Benefits actuarial valuations with Menard Consulting Inc. of Addison, IL in the amount of $9,600.00.
MOTION:
Alderman Parker moved to approve the contract extension as recommended and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents; Alderman Spurgetis seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, Geenen, and Clark. Nay: None. Absent: None.
17. Report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding an Ordinance amending Chapter 11, Article V of the Code of Ordinances relating to the Preservation of Historically or Architecturally Significant Property.
MOTION:
Alderman Spurgetis moved to consider the ordinance; Alderman Parker seconded.
Alderman Spurgetis said there was a lot of information presented in the agenda item. He believes unless it is critical to pass the ordinance tonight, Council should wait. Planning and Redevelopment Administrator Ryan Berger said he didn't think it was critical; he also said the Preservation Commission held a public hearing. Mr. Berger was asked if the public was there; Mr. Berger was not sure. Alderman Spurgetis would like people who own historic homes to have an opportunity to ask questions or come to Council. Mr. Berger clarified that the items he discussed in study session will not have any changes.
Alderman Parker thanked the Preservation Commission and the City staff for their dedication to historic preservation. He said it will only continue to grow.
Alderman Mayberry asked for the motion to be explained. Alderman Spurgetis responded that Council is just considering the ordinance tonight and will vote in two weeks to pass the ordinance. Alderman Parker said it is not being fast tracked for voting.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp,
Geenen, and Clark. Nay: None. Absent: None.
18. Report from the Fire Department and Finance Department requesting an increase of Fire Department staffing by one (1) FTE and approval of adjustments to the CY 2018 Budget.
MOTION:
Alderman Spurgetis moved to approve the increase in Fire Department staffing by (1) FTE and approve the budget adjustments as recommended; Alderman Parker seconded.
Alderman Spurgetis said he was not sure of voting for an unfunded amount of $175,000 in the
budget, but he talked with the City Manager, the Fire Department, and the Finance Director who convinced him it is better to increase the budget than to continue to spend so much money on overtime due to being short staffed.
Alderman Parker thanked the Chief and City Manager Randy Tweet for listening and increasing the staff by one (1) FTE. Alderman Parker said the amount of overtime due to being short-staffed is too much. He noted the original recommendation for three (3) additional FTEs will save the most in overtime.
Chief Jeff Yerkey said he will see how much the one (1) additional FTE helps with the overtime
costs. Alderman Parker said they just need to look at the facts and the bottom line. Chief Yerkey thanked him for the support.
Alderman Mayberry asked if there was a list of qualified people; Chief Yerkey responded yes,
there is a candidate's list and it is good through next October.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, Geenen, and Clark. Nay: None. Absent: None.
19. Report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding review of a two- lot minor subdivision plat of RIIP 1st Addition located at 220 5th Avenue.
MOTION:
Alderman Clark moved to approve the final plat as recommended, subject to obtaining all required signatures on subdivision plat certificates and subject to conforming to all requirements in the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances; Alderman Mayberry seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, Geenen, and Clark. Nay: None. Absent: None.
20. Report from the City Clerk regarding requests from the Rock Island Boat Club for outdoor entertainment with sound amplification, the outdoor sale of alcohol, and the outdoor consumption of alcohol in the fenced-in area on September 15, 2018 from noon until 11:00 p.m. at 1706 Mill Street.
This item was pulled from the agenda earlier in the meeting.
Alderman Mayberry had asked earlier in the meeting why the agenda item was pulled; Mayor Thoms responded that the requestor canceled the event.
21. Street Closing and Sound Amplification Requests:
a. Report from the City Clerk regarding requests from Maria Escobar for a street closing of the alley behind her residence at 510 45th Street on Saturday, September 15, 2018 from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and sound amplification for a birthday party.
b. Report from the City Clerk regarding a request from Rock Island High School Student Council for sound amplification for their homecoming dance on Saturday, September 15, 2018 from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at 1400 25th Avenue in the courtyard.
MOTION:
Alderman Spurgetis moved to approve the requests for a street closing and sound amplification as recommended for items a and b; Alderman Schipp seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 voice vote. Aye: Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, Geenen, and Clark. Nay: None. Absent: None.
22. Other Business / Public Comment
Alderman Schipp spoke about an email from 2016 that he sent to former top staff positions. With
the ongoing violence in the Quad Cities, Alderman Schipp feels that as policymakers, Council
has an obligation to build out safe neighborhoods. He shared a study from the Dr. Kate Painter, University of Cambridge, on the "Crime Reducing Effect of Improved Street Lighting." Alderman Schipp read some comments regarding the study. The benefits of street lighting on crime have been underestimated. Alderman Schipp stated the bulk of street lights around Lincoln Park where there was a recent shooting are owned by MidAmerican Energy. He said there are so many streets that are dark or have the old orange lights. He wants the City to work with MidAmerican Energy and private partners to get the new LED lights in as fast as possible.
Mr. Tweet said the process is already underway. Public Works Director Larry Cook provided an
update; the agreement was signed over one year ago with MidAmerican Energy to change all of their streetlights to LED. Mr. Cook said the LED manufacturers are behind although MidAmerican Energy completed other local communities already even though Rock Island was the first to sign the agreement. Mr. Cook informed Council that an RFP will be released tomorrow for converting the City-owned street lights.
Alderman Clark asked if the areas with no street lights were included in the RFP. Mr. Cook said
the RFP is only for replacing existing fixtures and said the savings should be used to put in new lights where there are none. Mr. Cook said in those cases, they like to get the neighbors' input and to be sure they want the lights. Alderman Geenen asked for a timeline with MidAmerican Energy. Mr. Cook said MidAmerican Energy told him the project will be completed by the end of 2018.
Alderman Mayberry thanked Alderman Schipp for the information. Alderman Clark thanked Alderman Schipp for bringing up the issue two years ago and keeping it in the forefront; Alderman Clark also thanked Mr. Tweet.
No one signed up to address Council to speak on a topic.
23. 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)(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 Schipp moved to go into Executive Session for the exceptions cited; Alderman Parker seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Mayberry, Spurgetis, Tollenaer, Parker, Schipp, Geenen, and Clark. Nay: None. Absent: None.
24. Motion to Adjourn
MOTION:
Alderman Geenen moved to adjourn; Alderman Clark seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 6-0-1 voice vote. Aye: Mayberry, Spurgetis, Parker, Schipp, Geenen, and Clark. Nay: None. Absent: Tollenaer.
The meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m.
https://rigov.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09102018-236