Rock Island Today

City of East Moline City Council met August 20. 

Here is the minutes as provided by the council:

Pledge:

Mayor Freeman led the City Council and all those present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag,

Roll Call

Mayor Freeman called the meeting to order and directed City Clerk Arletta D. Holmes, to call the roll. The following Aldermen were present: Alissa Sallows, Gary Almblade, Ed DeJaynes, Gary Miller, and Maria Tapia. Absent: Nancy Mulcahey and Jose Rico.

Public Comment:

Mr. Zachary Sullivan – 2210 – 4th Street A, East Moline, Illinois – Mr. Sullivan addressed the City Council regarding the parking issue by Hillcrest school in front of his home. People have been blocking his driveway to the point where it has made him late for work many times. Mr. Sullivan is requesting assistance from the City by either putting No Parking Signs, Stricter enforcement of parking in Fire Zones, (Where curbs are painted yellow), or parking cones or just signs that state (Please Do Not Block Driveways), from his house to around the corner. Mr. Sullivan also suggested speaking with the school to possibility consider having an inlet drive for parents to drop off their kids. Hillcrest School is the only school in East Moline that does not have an inlet drive. Mr. Kammler asked what time of day is this occurring? Mr. Sullivan replied it is mainly during pickup and drop off times.

City Clerk’s Report

City Clerk Holmes reported to the City Council that the next City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 due to the Labor Day Holiday.

The Offices up for Re- Election in 2019 are: Wards 2, 4 and 6. There will be no Primary Election if there are less than 5 people running for the same office. There will only be the General Election and it will be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2019.

Additions/Corrections to Agenda:

City Clerk Holmes requested that Item A under the consent agenda be pulled and it will be brought back to City Council for approval on Tuesday, September 4, 2018.

Consent Agenda:

City Clerk Arletta Holmes read the Consent Agenda that included the following:

      a. Approval of the City Council Minutes of August 6, 2018. Pulled

      b. Approval of the Committee-of-the-Whole Minutes of August 6, 2018.

      c. Approval of Salaries for August 10, 2018 in the amount of $421,929.92.

      d. Approval of Bills in the amount of $676,221.69.

A motion was made by Alderman DeJaynes, seconded by Alderman Almblade, to approve the Consent Agenda minus item A (Approval of the City Minutes of August 6, 2018). Upon roll call the following voted in favor: DeJaynes, Miller, Tapia, Sallows and Almblade. Motion carried.

Report by Mayor

Mayor Freeman informed the City Council of Downtown Events that will be sponsored by Main Street Business Association. On Sunday August 19, Smooth Groove preformed at Runner’s Park, Mayor Freeman stated that the event was a great success and it was one of the largest crowds he has ever seen downtown.

CITY ATTORNEY GRAHAM LEE PRESENTED THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

ORDINANCE 18-06: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF EAST MOLINE, ROCK ISLAND COUNTY, ILLINOIS, TO SET A DATE FOR, AND TO APPROVE A PUBLIC NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING ON TAX INCREMENT FINANCE CITY OF EAST MOLINE EMG REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA REDEVELOPMENT PLAN AND PROJECT.

A motion was made by Alderman Sallows, seconded by Alderman Miller, to waive the reading of Ordinance 18-06. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: DeJaynes, Miller, Tapia, Sallows, and Almblade. Motion carried.

Discussion:

Alderman Almblade stated that he is bothered by the way things are going with these TIF’s. We write a development agreement, then they are not followed. East Moline fulfills its obligations and then the developer drags their feet. Now we come to the EMG TIF and we find out that the project is in high gear. East Moline does not have any money at stake it’s the developers.

Alderman Almblade said what concerns him is the same principals behind the EMG TIF, are behind the Bend Apartments and the Event Center. With East Moline approving the last 2 Million on the Bend, we have lost our ability to get the developer to get construction going on these projects. In the meantime, East Moline is spending $5,000 weekly on interest charges, we will not be able to cover the bond issue if things keep going the way they are. Based on all of this it is his hope by delaying this EMG TIF it will be an incentive for the developer to make good on their promises and move quicker on the Apartments and Event Center, so that the EMG TIF can proceed as planned. Alderman Almblade stated that he is done with promises. He wants to see construction going on.

A motion was made by Alderman Almblade, seconded by Alderman DeJaynes to table this item for 60 days.

Mayor Freeman stated that the EMG TIF was not the error of the developer but the error on the formal application that the County used. Mayor Freeman requested Tim Knanishu to address the Council regarding this issue.

Mr. Knanishu of EM Redeem said a 60-day delay would create a problem. The agreement would have to be rewritten because of the timing of the TIF acceptance by the City and submission to the County. Mr. Knanishu provided additional background information regarding the EMG TIF and answered questions.

Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Miller, Tapia and Sallows. Opposed: DeJaynes and Almblade. Motion failed 3 -2.

A motion was made by Alderman Sallows, seconded by Alderman Miller, to approve Ordinance 18-06. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: DeJaynes, Miller, Tapia and Sallows. Opposed: Almblade. Motion carried 4-1.

RESOLUTION 18-48: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST MOLINE, ILLINOIS, AUTHORIZING APPROVAL OF THE BID FROM HOWARD STEEL, LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $18,223.00 FOR NEW STAIRS AT THE WATER FILTRATION PLANT.

A motion was made by Alderman Almblade, seconded by Alderman Miller, to approve Resolution 18-48. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: DeJaynes, Miller, Tapia, Sallows, and Almblade. Motion carries.

RESOLUTION 18-49: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST MOLINE, ILLINOIS, AUTHORIZING (EASTMOLINE’S PARTICIPATION) IN THE IL 92 CORRIDOR STUDY.

A motion was made by Alderman Sallows, seconded by Alderman Almblade to approve Resolution 18-49. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: DeJaynes, Miller, Tapia, Sallows, and Almblade. Motion carries.

RESOLUTION 18-50: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST MOLINE, ILLINOIS, APPROVING PETERSON PARKING LOT STRIPING FOR THE 2018 PAVEMENT MARKING PROGRAM FOR THE CITY OF EAST MOLINE, ILLINOIS.

A motion was made by Alderman DeJaynes, seconded by Alderman Almblade, to approve Resolution 18-50. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: DeJaynes, Miller, Tapia, Sallows, and Almblade. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION 18-51: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST MOLINE, ILLINOIS, AUTHORIZING APPROVAL OF A REPLACEMENT FIREFIGHTER FOR THE CITY OF EAST MOLINE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

A motion was made by Alderman Sallows, seconded by Alderman Miller, to approve Resolution 18-51. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: DeJaynes, Miller, Tapia and Sallows. Opposed: Almblade. Motion carries 4 – 1.

RESOLUTION 18-52: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST MOLINE, ILLINOIS, ACCEPTING THE COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT PREPARED BY CARPENTIER, MITCHELL, GODDARD & COMPANY, LLC.

Mr. Jim Taylor of Carpentier, Mitchell & Goddard was on hand to make a brief presentation and answer questions. Mr. Taylor cited the city’s pension liability as being its major challenge, as it is for all governmental bodies. Mr. Taylor presented the Performeter, A Financial Statement Analysis of the City of East Moline, Illinois as of and for the year ending December 31, 2017. The City received an overall rating of 5.2 on a scale of 10.

Discussion:

Alderman Gary Miller expressed concern over being asked to approve a report that Council members have not had the opportunity to review. Mayor Freeman explained the document is essentially an audit and that review by the Council would not alter it. The City has already been granted an extension for filing due to Megan Petersen’s resignation as finance director earlier this year, which delayed assembling the report.

A motion was made by Alderman Almblade, seconded by Alderman Sallows, to approve Resolution 18- 52. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: DeJaynes, Miller, Tapia, Sallows and Almblade. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION 18-53: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST MOLINE, ILLINOIS, AUTHORIZING APPROVAL OF THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF EAST MOLINE AND THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS FROM JANUARY 1, 2018 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2020.

A motion was made by Alderman Sallows, seconded by Alderman Miller, to approve Resolution 18-53. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: DeJaynes, Miller, Tapia, and Sallows. OPPOSED: Almblade. Motion carries 4-1.

Committee-Of-The-Whole (Alderman Sallows)

Alderman Sallows had no items for discussion. All items have been covered under the Consent Agenda, Resolution, or Ordinance.

City Staff Communication:

Each City Staff member present was given the opportunity to inform the City Council and those present of events in their departments:

Mr. Darin Girdler, City Administrator – Mr. Girdler informed City Council of his meeting with Library on Wednesday, August 22. They are continuing coordination with the TDK bank regarding with transfers of land and other items that need to take place within the TIF Agreement. Received an email regarding leaf burning. This was brought up in the Citizens Advisor Committee and never came to Council. Mayor Freeman made additional comments regarding this issue. Mayor Freeman suggested that this item be brought back to the next Committee of the Whole Meeting for Discussion.

Mr. Kammler, Director of Engineering – Mr. Kammler informed the City Council that they continue working on Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Projects.

       7th Street Project finished with one project to get ready to start another portion of the project with Brandt Construction. Suggested taking an alternate route until the construction is finished.

Mr. Lambrecht, Director of Maintenance Services – Commended Chief Reynolds on the outstanding job he did handling the United Township High School (UTHS) situation.

Mayor Freeman announced that there will be a closed session to discuss: Personnel Matters.

Recess Session:

A motion was made Alderman Sallows, seconded by Alderman Almblade, to recess the City Council meeting and go into Closed Session. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: DeJaynes, Miller, Tapia, Sallows, and Almblade. Motion carried. 7:50p.m.

Closed Session:

A motion was made by Alderman Sallows, seconded by Alderman Almblade, to go into Closed Session to discuss the following items; Personnel Matters. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: DeJaynes, Miller, Tapia, Sallows, and Almblade. Motion carried. 7:50p.m.

Reconvene Session:

A motion was made by Alderman Sallows, seconded by Alderman Miller, to go back in to the City Council meeting. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: DeJaynes, Miller, Tapia, Sallows, and Almblade. Motion carried. 8:55p.m.

Reopen Session:

A motion was made by Alderman Sallows, seconded by Alderman Miller, to go back into Open Session. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: DeJaynes, Miller, Tapia, Sallows, and Almblade. Motion carried. 8:56p.m.

                                          “No Action was taken in Closed Session

Adjournment:

A motion was made by Alderman DeJaynes, seconded by Alderman Almblade, to adjourn the City Council meeting. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Almblade, Mulcahey, DeJaynes, Miller, Tapia, Rico, and Sallows. Motion carried. 9:00p.m.

https://www.eastmoline.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08202018-493