City of Rock Island City Council met May 20.
Here is the agenda provided by the council:
1. Call to Order
City Clerk Judith Gilbert administered the Oath of Office to 6th Ward Alderman Mark Poulos. Mayor Thoms called the meeting to order at 6:47 p.m. and welcomed everyone.
2. Roll Call
Mayor Thoms asked the City Clerk to call the roll.
Present: Mayor Mike Thoms, Alderman James Spurgetis, Alderwoman Jenni Swanson, Alderman Dylan Parker, Alderman Mark Poulos, Alderman Dave Geenen, Alderman Ivory D. Clark, and Alderman Randy Hurt
Staff: City Manager Randy Tweet, City Attorney Hector Lareau, 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.
5. Minutes of the Executive Session of May 13, 2019. MOTION:
Alderman Spurgetis moved to approve the Executive Session minutes; Alderman Clark seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 voice vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, Clark and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
6. Update Rock Island by Mayor Thoms
Whitewater Junction Opening – Whitewater Junction Aquatic Center’s season opening is Saturday, May 25, 2019. Whitewater Junction is a zero-depth to 9 foot deep pool featuring slides and fun for the whole family. Grab your swim suit and head out Memorial Day weekend with your family and friends. Call (309) 732-SWIM for more information.
Holiday Observance Schedule – In observance of Memorial Day, City Hall will be closed Monday, May 27, 2019. The refuse, recycling and yard waste schedule will be one day late all week. The City of Rock Island wishes everyone a very happy and safe Memorial Day weekend!
Laura's Legacy-ALS Benefit Concert – Laura’s Legacy and the Parks and Recreation Department is returning for its 8th annual event to Schwiebert Riverfront Park in downtown Rock Island on June 8, 2019. Attendees of all ages can enjoy live music from Lissie and 2 other artists. Come out and support a great cause with food and family fun right on the Mississippi River. Gates open at 3:00 p.m. and tickets are $10.00 – cash only and free for children under the age of 12 with a paid adult. Food will be available for purchase and Bent River Brewing Company will be selling wine, beer and spirits. For more information please call (309) 732- 7275.
7. Presentation of the April 2019 Keep Rock Island Beautiful Award
Bill Sowards, a member of the Keep Rock Island Beautiful board, explained that Keep Rock Island Beautiful presents a monthly award in the summer months to those businesses who try to keep Rock Island looking good. He presented the April 2019 award to CVS Pharmacy.
8. Mayor Thoms will close the regular meeting and open a Public Hearing regarding the HUD CDBG Program Year 2018 Consolidated Annual Performance Report.
Mayor Thoms closed the regular meeting at 6:51 p.m. and opened a Public Hearing.
Community and Economic Development Director Chandler Poole stated every year there is a public hearing for how the City spent HUD CDBG money and what they did with the funds in the preceding year. He said Budget and Grants Manager Colleen Small-Vollman is the expert.
Mayor asked if there was anyone in the audience who wished to speak or ask questions. No one came forward.
Alderman Parker asked if this was the same report Council was briefed on in study session a few months ago. Mr. Poole wasn't sure.
Mayor Thoms closed the Public Hearing at 6:53 p.m., reconvened the regular meeting, and entertained a motion.
MOTION:
Alderman Parker moved to accept and approve the Program Year 2018 Consolidated Annual Performance Report as submitted; Alderman Spurgetis seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, Clark, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
9. Mayor Thoms will close the regular meeting and open a Public Hearing regarding the HUD CDBG 2019-2023 Consolidated and Annual Action Plans.
Mayor Thoms closed the regular meeting at 6:54 p.m. and opened a Public Hearing.
Ms. Small-Vollman said the City is embarking on another five-year plan. She explained the blanks in the plan are due to a glitch in HUD's software, but they will be completed. They are on a deadline with HUD. Ms. Small-Vollman explained the plan is for how the City is going to spend the HUD CDBG money for the next five years. She said they have broadened the scope of the plan, giving the City more flexibility in spending the money. They are enhancing services and providing additional monies for services. Previous plans were more narrow in scope.
Mayor Thoms asked if anyone had any comments or questions. No one came forward.
Alderman Parker thanked staff for all the hard work. He asked if part of the plan is based off of the Impediments Assessment Analysis. Ms. Small-Collman responded they work hand in hand. She said the Impediments Analysis should be used when deciding how to spend money, but it is a snapshot in time for how the City is dealing with housing and protected populations. She explained the analysis is a springboard to change or not change ordinances and zoning code. She said Alan Fries is reviewing the plan because of issues related to the zoning ordinance. This will be forwarded to the City's consultant who did the assessment. Ms. Small-Vollman said Mr. Fries thinks the consultant has not read the City's zoning ordinance correctly.
In response to Alderman Parker's question about the goals and action items in the Impediments analysis, Ms. Small-Vollman responded that the Consolidated Plan is about funding; the Impediments Analysis is more about how the City structures ordinances. She said the two documents work side by side. Discussion continued about the two documents.
Alderman Parker asked if Council can get periodic updates from staff regarding the plans. Mr. Tweet said once the document has been presented to and approved by Council, quarterly updates can be provided. Alderman Parker said it would be a good work session for Council to go through the Impediments Analysis; Mr. Tweet said that can be done. Mayor Thoms said staff can present recommendations.
Mayor Thoms asked if anyone in the audience wished to speak. No one came forward.
Mayor Thoms closed the Public Hearing at 7:04 p.m. and reconvened the regular meeting.
10. Claims
a. Report from the Human Resources Department regarding payment in the amount of $4,280.66 to ServPro of Davenport, IA for a general liability claim.
b. Report from the Human Resources Department regarding payment in the amount of $13,964.00 to MidAmerica Basement Systems of Davenport, IA for a general liability claim.
MOTION:
Alderman Spurgetis moved to accept the reports and authorize payment as recommended for Claims items a and b; Alderman Geenen seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, Clark, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
c. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment #19 in the amount of $673,292.31 to Civil Constructors Inc. of East Moline, IL for the Water Filtration Facility Project for services provided from March 21, 2019 through April 25, 2019.
MOTION:
Alderman Clark moved to accept the report and authorize payment as recommended for Claims items c; Alderman Hurt 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: Spurgetis, Swanson, Poulos, Geenen, Clark, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
11. Claims for the week of May 10 through May 16 in the amount of $528,186.92.
MOTION:
Alderman Clark moved to allow the claims; Alderman Parker seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, Clark, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
12. ACH payments for the month of March 2019 in the amount of $1,709,028.26.
MOTION:
Alderman Spurgetis moved to approve the ACH payments; Alderman Clark seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, Clark, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
13. Purchase Card Claims for the period of February 27, 2019 through March 26, 2019 in the amount of $59,031.76.
MOTION:
Alderman Geenen moved to approve the purchase card claims; Alderwoman Swanson seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen,
Clark, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
14. Report from the Human Resources Department regarding the Self Insurance Program for 2019- 2020, recommending approval of the self insurance package recommended by Arthur J. Gallagher and recommending approval of payment to Arthur J. Gallagher in the amount of $409,154.00 for the insurance renewals.
MOTION:
Alderman Parker moved to approve the self insurance package and approve payment for the insurance renewals as recommended; Alderwoman Swanson seconded.
Alderman Spurgetis asked about the Marina Liability item and the "NA" for 2019-2020. Human Resources Director John Thorson said F3 has taken over the marina management and is responsible for that cost, for the liability portion.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, Clark, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
15. Report from the Public Works Department regarding the sole source purchase of replacement chains for the Wastewater Treatment Plant fine screens from Headworks International Inc. of Houston, TX in the amount of $82,562.77.
MOTION:
Alderman Clark moved to approve the purchase as recommended; Alderman Spurgetis seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, Clark, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
16. Report from the Public Works Department regarding bids for a traffic detection system, recommending the bid be awarded to Gridsmart Technologies of Knoxville, TN in the amount of $18,261.00 for the Gridsmart Traffic Control System.
MOTION:
Alderwoman Swanson moved to award the bid as recommended and authorize the purchase; Alderman Hurt seconded.
Alderman Spurgetis noted that 50% of the cost will be reimbursed to the City by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, Clark, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
17. Report from the Public Works Department regarding a Project Development Agreement with Johnson Controls Inc. of Arlington Heights, IL for the development of a performance contract for energy capital improvement projects.
MOTION:
Alderman Parker moved to enter into the project development agreement as recommended and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents; Alderman Poulos seconded.
Alderwoman Swanson asked about the dates of implementation since it has been postponed for a month. Mr. Tweet responded they are coming up with new dates and there is a clause in the agreement for a date change.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, Clark, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
18. Report from the Public Works Department regarding an Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Moline to provide refuse collection and disposal for the Rock Island Arsenal.
MOTION:
Alderman Parker moved to approve the intergovernmental agreement as recommended and authorize the Mayor to execute the contract; Alderman Hurt seconded.
Alderman Parker asked if Council hadn't already approved this item. Interim Public Works Director Mike Bartels said Council approved going into an intergovernmental agreement with Moline; this is the approval of the actual agreement. Mr. Tweet said Public Works has been doing the refuse collection since April 1 and it has been going well.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, Clark, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
19. Report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding the CY 2019 One Year Funding Agreement between the City of Rock Island and the Community Caring Conference for services to be provided in an amount not to exceed $10,000.00.
MOTION:
Alderman Parker moved to approve the terms of the agreement as recommended and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement subject to any minor City Attorney modifications; Alderman Spurgetis seconded.
Alderman Parker asked for a description of who is doing what. Mr. Poole said CCC has been a good partner working with the different neighborhoods and their engagement strategies. He said this is the third year and it has been very successful. Alderman Parker asked if there had been a contract in the past; Mr. Poole replied yes. Alderman Parker asked if there were hard deliverables in the agreement. Mr. Poole responded there are no hard numbers. He added that the City asks for accounting information from CCC on how they are spending the money. Alderman Clark asked if CCC gave that last year. Mr. Poole said they did not have a full audit last year. Alderman Parker asked if the money was part of the CIP. He also asked for the audit from this year's budget process. Mayor Thoms asked if new Council members understood everything. Alderman Spurgetis called attention to Attachment 1 of the document which lists all of the services to be performed by CCC. Alderman Clark noted that Alderman Parker wanted more hard numbers or measurables versus a general "crime prevention." Alderman Parker said the City needs to move in that direction with all contracts.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, Clark, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
20. Report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding the sale of City- owned property at 1716 5th Street to Diann Johnson for $5.00 plus closing costs.
MOTION:
Alderman Clark moved to approve the purchase agreement as recommended; authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents; and consider, suspend the rules, and pass the ordinance; Alderman Spurgetis seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, Clark, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
21. Report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding the sale of City- owned property Parcel 103058 to Duane and Joy Hill for $858.00 plus closing costs.
MOTION:
Alderman Parker moved to approve the purchase agreement as recommended; authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents; and consider, suspend the rules, and pass the ordinance; Alderwoman Swanson seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, Clark, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
22. Report from the Finance Department regarding an adjustment to the CY 2019 Budget increasing the Downtown TIF Fund (201) expenditures by $100,000.00 in order to comply with the executed agreement with 2nd Avenue Investment Group Inc.
MOTION:
Alderman Parker moved to approve the budget adjustment as recommended; Alderman Clark seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, Clark, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
23. Report from the City Attorney regarding procedural rules for City Council meetings.
MOTION:
Alderwoman Swanson moved to adopt the procedural rules as recommended; Alderman Spurgetis seconded.
Discussion followed. Alderman Spurgetis asked about speakers having only one opportunity to speak and no opportunity for rebuttal. Mayor Thoms responded only if they are called upon by Council or himself (as Chair) and if they feel there is a need for that. He explained the concern is that it could go back and forth; there is a five minute time limit.
Alderman Spurgetis asked about the opportunity for questions from Council. Mayor Thoms responded typically not, it is a one-way feed; Council listens versus responding. Mayor Thoms also said it is dependent on the circumstances at that time. Alderman Spurgetis said he is concerned by being bound by rules that they may or may not want to follow. Alderman Spurgetis questioned the "rules" and the "general guidelines for speakers." He doesn't understand the difference between a rule and a guideline. Alderman Parker responded the rules govern the Public Comment portion of the meeting and the guidelines are for the speakers in drafting the material for what they want to say. Alderman Spurgetis said it should all be rules. Alderman Parker stated Council has the full authority to suspend any rules Council enacts; they are under no obligation to respond to any speaker unless they want to do so.
Alderwoman Swanson said she wants the timeline to be a rule; without stating they have five minutes, you would have no authority to cut them off. City Clerk Gilbert agreed with most of what Mayor Thoms said. She explained the rules are hard and fast; the guidelines are so that speakers know what is expected of them in making their presentation to Council. Alderman Clark asked about her hesitation with the five-minute rule. Ms. Gilbert explained that since Public Comment is being moved to the beginning of the meeting, if rebuttal and questions are allowed and going back and forth, it can go on for a long time as it often does now at the end of the meeting. She is concerned about being mindful of the time for conducting other
agenda business.
Alderwoman Swanson said her concern is for keeping it at five minutes within the 30 minute timeline, so people would not be bumped to the end of the meeting. City Clerk Gilbert stated there needs to be consistency with applying the rules to speakers. Mayor Thoms said speakers who are there to talk about agenda items would be given priority to speak first.
Alderman Spurgetis asked what happens to the sign-up for comments or questions at the end of the meeting. Mayor Thoms and Ms. Gilbert said there will be now one sign-up sheet. Mr. Tweet said there will be no sign-up at the end; Public Comment is now at the beginning of the meeting. Alderman Parker hopes there will still be "Other Business" for Council at the end of the meeting. Alderman Spurgetis had concerns about not having a comment period at the end of the meeting for those who could not attend in the beginning of the meeting. Alderwoman Swanson said that would negate the purpose of having Public Comment at the beginning of the meeting. Alderman Spurgetis wants Public Comment at the beginning and at the end of the meeting. Alderman Clark said that would be too much; it should be either at the beginning or at the end. He said it should be done as proposed. Mayor Thoms reviewed what he understands the proposed rules to mean. He said it should be tried and then see if it needs to be adapted.
Alderman Clark asked for clarification on what they're are voting for; Alderman Parker reviewed the rules. City Clerk Gilbert said she and City Attorney Dave Morrison discussed the issue of when to have the Public Comment. She said when it has been at the end, speakers tend to repeat and repeat; she said they are trying to encourage speakers to be concise since Council wanted Public Comment at the beginning of the meeting.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 6-1-0 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, Clark, and Hurt. Nay: Spurgetis. Absent: None.
24. Report from the Information Technology Department regarding an amendment to the cellular phone stipend policy for mobile devices.
MOTION:
Alderwoman Swanson moved to adopt the stipend policy amendment as recommended and authorize the City Manager to establish a $20/month mobile device reimbursement stipend; Alderman Hurt seconded.
Alderman Spurgetis asked for clarification about cell phones designated for department usage; if Council members who were issued a City phone can keep that phone throughout their term. Mayor Thoms said that was correct.
Alderman Parker asked if it was for elected officials or for staff. Mr. Tweet responded it is optional for elected officials. He explained the amendment is for personal use of a tablet device; it's easier to have a stipend policy rather than have IT deal with issuing devices. Mr. Tweet said it's the same thing as for the cell phone policy.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, Clark, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
25. Report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding revisions to the Code of Ordinances: Chapter 4, Article 1 relating to building permit fees.
MOTION:
Alderman Parker moved to approve the proposed revisions to the building permit fees as recommended and refer to the City Attorney for an ordinance; Alderman Poulos seconded.
Alderman Parker asked if this was codifying what was discussed at a previous study session. Christopher Young, Chief Building Official, said that was correct.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, Clark, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
26. Report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding revisions to the Code of Ordinances: Chapter 7, Article III relating to food and beverage license fees.
MOTION:
Alderman Clark moved to approve the proposed license fee increases as recommended and refer to the City Attorney for an ordinance; Alderman Poulos seconded.
Alderman Parker asked if the changes were only increasing fees. Mr. Young replied yes, just for the fees and the fee structure. Alderman Parker asked if the changes were run by the private sector who apply for the permits and licenses. Mr. Young said the building permit fees were run through the Quad Cities remodeling association and they had no concerns. He explained it is more of a fee adjustment, not increases. Mr. Young said it was also vetted through the AGOG and there were no issues.
Alderman Geenen stated that at the opening of the pocket park across from Cool Beanz, a food truck owner mentioned to him that Rock Island had the lowest fees for food trucks which he appreciated. Mr. Young said the City's fees are third and in the middle with Moline still having the highest fees.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, Clark, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
27. Report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding terms of a Food and Beverage Tax rebate agreement with Jaswinder Singh for the development of a Save More grocery store at 625 26th Street in an amount not to exceed $50,000.00.
MOTION:
Alderman Parker moved to approve the terms as recommended; direct staff to work with legal counsel to draft a redevelopment agreement subject to minor modifications by the City Attorney; and authorize the City manager to execute the contract documents; Alderman Poulos seconded.
Alderman Parker asked if they were open. Mayor Thoms said they were opening this Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. and would like as many Council members there as possible. He will be there. Mayor Thoms said a ribbon cutting will be held later.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, Clark, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
28. Report from the Traffic Engineering Committee regarding a request from James Cox to remove the traffic signals at the intersection of 20th Street and 7th Avenue and replace them with 4-way stop signs.
MOTION:
Alderman Parker moved to approve the traffic signal removal and the installation of a 2-way stop control for north and southbound approaches on 20th Street at the 7th Avenue intersection as recommended and refer to the City Attorney for an ordinance; Alderman Spurgetis seconded.
Discussion followed. Alderman Parker asked Mr. Bartels to speak to the choice of the 2-way stop instead of the 4-way stop. Mr. Bartels responded the level of service is best for a 2-way stop based on the traffic counts. Alderman Parker has concerns about pedestrians and bikers being able to cross; could a pedestrian button light be added so they can cross. Mr. Bartels said if they want to do something different, action on the item should be postponed. Discussion continued on the options. Mr. Tweet said if they take down the light, they can't go back to the light. Police Chief VenHuizen stated that a non-functioning light requires vehicles to stop. Mr.
Bartels said the existing signals already have the pedestrian button now.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 6-1-0 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, Clark, and Hurt. Nay: Swanson. Absent: None.
29. Report from the City Clerk regarding 2019 event requests from Jason Parris of Wake Brewing for outdoor entertainment with sound amplification and the outdoor sale and consumption of alcohol in the fenced-in area at 2529 5th Avenue.
MOTION:
Alderman Parker moved to approve the requests as recommended subject to complying with all liquor license regulations and subject to being shut down early if complaints are received; Alderman Hurt seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, Clark, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
30. Report from the City Clerk regarding a Plaza Activity / Event application from Randy Flowers of the Rock Island County NAACP for a Juneteenth CommUNITY Celebration on Wednesday, June 19, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
MOTION:
Alderman Clark moved to approve the Plaza event as recommended; Alderman Spurgetis seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, Clark, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
31. Report from the City Clerk regarding requests from Pastor Lynda Sargent of Heart of Hope Ministries for a street closing of 19th Street between 8th Avenue and 9th Avenue along with sound amplification for a block party to be held on Saturday, June 22, 2019 from noon to 2:00 p.m.
MOTION:
Alderman Clark moved to approve the requests as recommended; Alderman Spurgetis seconded.
Alderman Parker asked why these types of motions are reserved for the end of Council meetings. City Clerk Gilbert responded that there is a certain order for conducting business. Alderman Parker asked if the order can be changed; he would like these items at the beginning of the meeting. Mayor Thoms said most of the people with these requests usually don't attend. Alderman Spurgetis asked for Alderman Parker's reasoning for his request. Alderman Parker replied there is rarely discussion; the votes are more of a formality and they are usually approved. He doesn't know why Council has to approve them; the authority should be delegated to the City Clerk. Mr. Tweet said he likes Council approving these types of items because if someone complains, Council has approved the requests, especially for street closings and sound amplification requests.
City Clerk Gilbert said there is a certain order and structure to agenda items. Alderman Spurgetis said he understands that Alderman Parker wants these items after Public Comment and then take up the other City business. Alderman Clark said he understood what Alderman Parker wants. Alderman Poulos said it does give neighbors an opportunity to object. Ms. Gilbert explained that for street closing and sound amplification requests, applicants are required to take the petition around to neighbors and get their approval. Mr. Tweet said more than the immediate neighbors can be affected by a street closing or sound amplification. Alderman Parker said he doesn't need to make the decisions for these requests. He asked City Clerk Gilbert if they can change the agenda. Ms. Gilbert responded she prefers they don't, but it is up to Council. Mayor Thoms said it is not on the agenda, so no vote can be taken on changing the agenda order.
Alderman Spurgetis asked if there is a requirement or guideline for a certain number of signatures on the street for these petitions. He questions the signatures on the petitions for this agenda item. City Clerk Gilbert said there is only a general guideline of 75% of the signatures. If they come in for an application, she tries to create a map and show them what signatures they will need to get. This petition was brought in by Ametra from CCC.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, Clark, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
32. Other Business / Public Comment
OTHER BUSINESS
Alderman Spurgetis said he has had complaints regarding bike lanes and traffic. He would like the issue looked at in two locations on 17th Street and 31st Avenue and also on 7th Avenue and 15th Street. Perhaps it could be discussed at goal setting or a future Council meeting. Alderman Parker said he's gotten similar complaints for those areas. He would like a comprehensive bike lane plan done.
Alderman Clark welcomed the new Aldermen and Alderwoman aboard and wished them well; he looks forward to working with them.
Mayor Thoms said the library is launching their summer reading program and encouraged Council members to take the yard signs to help promote it.
PUBLIC COMMENT
No one signed up to address Council to speak on a topic.
33. Executive Session:
5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(2) Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives.
5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(12) The establishment of reserves or settlement of claims as provided in the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act, if otherwise the disposition of a claim or potential claim might be prejudiced, or the review or discussion of claims, loss or risk management information, records, data, advice or communications from or with respect to any insurer of the public body or any intergovernmental risk management association or self insurance pool of which the public body is a member.
MOTION:
Alderman Poulos moved to go into Executive Session for the exceptions cited; Alderwoman Swanson seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, Clark, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
34. Motion to Adjourn
MOTION:
Alderman Parker moved to adjourn; Alderman Clark seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 7-0-0 voice vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, Clark, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: None.
The meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m.
https://www.rigov.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05202019-371
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