Rock Island Today

City of Moline Committee of the Whole met Jan. 29.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

PRESENT: Mayor Stephanie Acri (Chair)

Alderman Quentin Rodriguez (Ward 1)

Alderman David Parker, Jr. (Ward 2)

Alderman Mike Wendt (Ward 3)

Alderman Richard “Dick” Potter (Ward 4)

Alderman Lori Turner (Ward 5)

Alderman Kevin Schoonmaker (Ward 6)

Alderman Mike Waldron (Ward 7)

Alderman Sonia Berg (Alderman At-Large)

ABSENT: None.

STAFF: J.D. Schulte, Public Works Director and Interim City Administrator

Maureen Riggs, City Attorney

Janine Hollembaek Parr, City Clerk

Lori Wilson, Parks Recreation Director

Don Goff, Information Technology Manager

R.T. Finney, Interim Chief of Police

Scott Hinton, City Engineer

Jeff Anderson, City Planner

OTHERS: Sarah Hayden, The Dispatch

Mark Peterson, GovHR

George Ryan, Wood PLC

Alex Elias, Renew

Mayor Acri called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Questions on the Agenda

There were no questions.

2019 Special Goal Work Session (1 of 4)

I-74 Bridge realignment, footprint, timeline and navigation

Alex Elias, Renew Moline, presented a draft planning area map from the Lakota study, with primary and secondary areas defined. Elias indicated that the primary area is the focus of this evening’s discussion. Current planning activities and resources were identified:

1. Access to river – riverfront park design (grant funded), bike path alignment (grant funded)

2. Excess Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) property/priority development sites - ULI technical assistance program application (accepted 1/15/19)

3. Urban experience/gateways/linkages – Lakota work, public art master plan (grant funded) Scott Hinton, City Engineer, discussed bike path alignment, and federal grant limitations based on funding requirements. Hinton explained funding that had been applied for, and granted:

Hinton shared that the scope of the project has been impacted by IDOT work. For this reason, IDOT is apt to allow some latitude. Council also recommended having a prioritized wish list when meeting with IDOT. Funds may be freed up for other use, which is allowable as long as it is germane to the path, and within funding requirements. A project engineering timeline was presented, with areas for Council approval identified. Council suggested engaging a bicycle path consultant sooner than May 2019. Hinton explained that IDOT sees the timeline as optimistic; however, the City will push for those completion dates. Elias presented a project development timeline, explaining that there is a lot of work going on simultaneously. City Planner Jeff Anderson stated that in a few weeks, the Lakota plan will be complete and will offer a clearer understanding of next steps. The plan assists in meshing Renew and City Engineering timelines. Mayor Acri stressed the importance of getting in front of development opportunities and land acquisition. Elias stated that there is a lot that Renew and City Staff can do now to identify priority areas and general cost assessments for parks. Council requested staff direction for expanding the downtown streetscaping plan east of 19th Street. There was discussion of a park at the river, created by bridge deconstruction, as well as an overpass from around the end of 5th Avenue, crossing 4th Avenue and the railroad tracks, hugging the new bridge as close as possible, and landing just across from the off ramp of the new bridge on River Drive. This would maximize development in the relocation zone, by having the new bike path hug the new bridge. Elias indicated that the landing area that folks first see when they come into the City sends an important message. Council should be discussing what they want that to look like, and what that message should be. Council indicated clear, concise support that access to the riverfront, and a park that is both vertical and horizontal is a priority. George Ryan, Wood PLC, will share a simulation to provide the line of sight coming into town. Alderman Wendt made a motion that Council advocate in support of a community park with river access, at the location between Kone Court and the water plant. Seconded by Alderman Parker. Motion passed unanimously. The property is anticipated to become available for purchase in June 2022. Deputy City Attorney Amy Keys is working on extending the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), granting the City right of first refusal, beyond the January 31, 2021 expiration. Council requested a monthly update.

J.D. Schulte, Director of Public Works, shared that the construction schedule will close I-74 April – November 2019. Traffic counts show 78,000 vehicles traveling across the bridge each day. Preemptive modeling indicates potential traffic flow issues with back-ups to Avenue of the Cities, and beyond. The proposed solution is to shift westbound traffic over to eastbound lanes, with a barrier wall separating, beginning just south of Avenue of the Cities. Schulte shared confidence in the plan, stating that the impact should be similar to what was experienced by a closing in 2011, though for a shorter period this time. Public education and signal timing will help control traffic. Mayor Acri shared that the Rock Island Arsenal is very open to working with the City to ensure optimum traffic flow. This plan should support downtown business traffic and patronage. Revolving loan funding for downtown businesses affected by the construction was discussed.

Closure of Old River Drive for Lunda’s laydown yard, and boat access should not affect accessibility to those businesses. Marquis Harbor users may launch from the access point by Western Illinois University. There was discussion that soil being removed from Parrot Island by Lunda might be relocated to a useful area within the City. Lunda will reimburse lost park pavilion rental revenue. Additional compensation might be requested of Lunda for use of the area, and could be used for improvements. The benefit of allowing Lunda’s use of the land is expediency of bridge project completion, and is in the spirit of cooperation. Staff is working to adjust routes and timing of special events impacted by the closure.

Alderman Potter made a motion to direct staff to draft a special ordinance for closure of Old River Drive. Seconded by Alderman Schoonmaker. Motion passed unanimously. There was discussion that an agreement to close Old River Drive, and include requirements to ensure that the property is returned to its original condition would be beneficial.

Agenda Items

Other. Alderman Wendt made a motion to make the closing of Old River Drive and the extended use of the laydown area contingent on a formal agreement between the City and Lunda Construction. Seconded by Alderman Waldron. Motion passed unanimously.

Public Comment

There was no public comment.

The meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m.

http://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5361