Rock Island Today

City of Moline Committee of the Whole met Oct. 8.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

PRESENT: Mayor Stephanie Acri (Chair)

Alderman Scott Williams (Ward 1)

Alderman David Parker, Jr. (Ward 2)

Alderman Mike Wendt (Ward 3)

Alderman Richard “Dick” Potter (Ward 4)

Alderman Sam Moyer (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

Janine Hollembaek Parr, City Clerk

Alison Fleming, Human Resources Manager

Lori Wilson, Parks Recreation Director

Don Goff, Information Technology Manager

Bryon Lear, Library Director

Darren Gault, Chief of Police

Jeff Snyder, Fire Chief

Scott Hinton, City Engineer

Carol Barnes, Finance Director

Jeff Anderson, City Planner

Tony Loete, Utilities General Manager

Rodd Schick, Municipal Services General Manager

Dave Mallum, Fleet Manager

K.J. Whitley, Community Development Program Manager

Ryan Berger, Land Development Manager

Amy Saunders, Legal Specialist

OTHERS: Derke Price, Ancel Glink

Alexandra Elias, Renew Moline

Mark Peterson, GovHR

Greg Ryckaert and team, IMEG

Judy Clouw, Resident

Madelyn Putman, Aldi

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

Presentation

Presentation of October NPC Awards – Aldi (Commercial) and Judy Clouw (Residential) (K.J. Whitley, Community Development Program Manager)

Urban Land Institute (ULI) Funding Update. Alexandra Elias, Renew Moline President/CEO, shared that a grant submitted to the John Deere Foundation in early September has been approved in the amount of $40,000 for the ULI project. Elias stated that there is one more grant in the works, and is her hope that the City’s share of the project cost will be cut to $45,000. The project is expected to begin in early 2020. Elias thanked Mayor Acri for her leadership, and thanked the Mayor and Council for their support. Seven proposals were received today for the Public Art Master Plan.

FEMA Grant Application – 49th Street Pump Station Relocation. Scott Hinton, City Engineer, explained that staff is proceeding with the FEMA grant, due October 31, 2019, to fund relocation of this pump station, as part of the high speed rail project. IMEG was engaged to provide a plan for relocation, and Urban Hydro will be assisting with the grant application. IMEG representatives explained that with the FEMA grant on the horizon, they began looking at what needed to be down to get the pump station off of the right-of-way, identifying two drainage areas that could be separated. On the FEMA flood map, the study area was identified and the analysis and plan was explained. This work is not reimbursable.

Questions on the Agenda

There were no questions on the Agenda.

Agenda Items

1. A Resolution authorizing the purchase of twenty-one (21) 2020 Ford Police Interceptor Utility Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) from Sexton Ford for the amount of $848,883. Dave Mallum, Fleet Manager, explained that Fleet Services budgeted in 2019 to replace 21 Police Department vehicles that have reached the end of their reliable lives. Specifications were developed and a request for proposal was published for 21 Ford Interceptor Utility Hybrid vehicles. Sexton Ford submitted the lowest and most responsive and responsible proposal in the amount of $848,883 for the 21 vehicles. City staff is also requesting that the current equipment be disposed of by the Fleet Manager through the legal disposal process that is most advantageous to the City, whether sealed bid, auction, negotiation, or otherwise. A motion was made by Alderman Berg to approve. Seconded by Alderman Waldron. Staff will provide the cost of time and material required to ready the vehicles. The current vehicles are seven years old, with odometer readings between 230,000 and 500,000 miles. The new vehicles provide 65% less idle time, and should result in an extended life of at least one year. Motion passed unanimously.

2. A Resolution authorizing the purchase of a Vactor Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Jetter-Vacuum Combination unit from Coe Equipment Inc. for the amount of $400,897.38. Fleet Manager Dave Mallum indicated that the Water Pollution Control Division uses combination jetter-vacuum units for maintenance of the storm and sanitary sewer systems and as a hydro excavation tool to aid in utility work. One of the current units has been in service since 2009 and has exceeded its reliable, useful life. This unit has been scheduled for replacement in 2019. After examining historical experience and usage data for this application, it has been determined that a fully dedicated Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) power train can meet the torque and horsepower needs of this unit. CNG is an alternative fuel that provides efficient performance at a low cost and it burns cleaner than diesel fuel. The combination unit specified is available for procurement as part of a joint purchasing agreement through Sourcewell (formerly NJPA) active contract #122017-FSC. Staff recommends a joint purchase of one Vactor Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Combination Jetter-Vacuum unit from Coe Equipment Inc. for $400,897.38 after trade in allowance of $69,756.00. A motion was made by Alderman Waldron to approve. Seconded by Alderman Wendt. Funds are budgeted for this purchase. This vehicle will be used daily. Motion passed unanimously.

3. A Resolution setting the dates for the 2019-2020 deer bow season for the City of Moline pursuant to the requirements of Section 7-1109A(f) of the Moline Code of Ordinances. Darren Gault, Police Chief, stated that Section 7-1109A of the Moline Code of Ordinances sets forth regulations for archery deer hunting within Moline’s corporate limits. Subsection (f) of Section 7-1109A provides that said hunting will only be allowed on those specific days designated as deer bow season by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (“IDNR”) and the City. The City wishes to set dates for its 2019-2020 deer bow season to coincide with the dates set by IDNR, specifically, October 1, 2019 through January 19, 2020. A motion was made by Alderman Schoonmaker to approve. Seconded by Alderman Wendt. Alderman Wendt, seconded by Alderman Schoonmaker, moved to approve and amend the ordinance to simply mirror the state’s dates on an annual basis. Alderman Berg suggested delaying the start of the season for the safety of residents. Chief Gault indicated that no deer have been harvested, and five sites and fifteen hunters approved to date. Alderman Berg moved to change the launch date to November 1 annually. Seconded by Alderman Parker. There was discussion. Motion failed with Alderman Berg voting aye. Alderman Berg moved to end hunts at 3:00 p.m. daily. The motion was not considered for lack of second. Motion to amend passed with Alderman Berg voting nay. The amended motion passed with Alderman Berg voting nay.

4. A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the City of Moline to allow the City to be eligible for supplemental payments for covered ambulance services pursuant to the terms of the Intergovernmental Agreement; and authorizing all appropriate City of Moline officers and staff to do all things necessary to complete each of the City’s responsibilities pursuant to the Intergovernmental Agreement. Jeff Snyder, Fire Chief, shared that the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) has submitted an application to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to change the methods and standards of payment to a “Participating Municipal Ambulance Provider” (Provider) for covered ambulance services as defined in the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA). The City of Moline’s Fire Department is a Provider. In anticipation of the application approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, HFS is requesting an agency cost report and an executed IGA from those Provider agencies wishing to participate in the program. The City received this information in late September, and submission of an initial cost report and an executed IGA was required by October 1, 2019, to be eligible for 2019 funding. The City therefore seeks to complete the initial cost report and execution of the IGA and submit them to HFS by its November 1, 2019 deadline to be eligible for 2020 funding. In sum, HFS is proposing a payment method that will allow a Provider to receive supplemental payments above the fee schedule rates currently received if the cost to provide the covered ambulance services exceeds the current fee schedule. If the new funding method is approved, each Provider will be eligible to receive the difference between the actual costs for transport and the fee schedule. A Ground Emergency Medical Transport (GEMT) Reimbursement program will be adopted, and HFS and the City would evenly split the enhanced reimbursement revenue. As part of the program, the Fire Department will be required to submit a new cost report annually as directed by HFS. To allow City staff time to complete submission of an initial cost report and an executed IGA to HFS by the above-referenced November 1, 2019 deadline. A motion was made by Alderman Wendt to approve. Seconded by Alderman Waldron. There was discussion. Although this is not a new program, it is new to the State of Illinois. There is anticipation of the program’s approval by the State, and staff wishes to be proactive. Motion passed unanimously.

5. An Ordinance amending Chapter 21, “NUISANCES IN GENERAL,” of the Moline Code of Ordinances, by enacting one new Article III, “REGISTRATION OF VACANT PROPERTIES AND PROPERTIES WITH DEFAULTED MORTGAGES.” Derke Price, Corporate Counsel, explained that the City wishes to expand upon its efforts to revitalize and stabilize its neighborhoods and has discussed adding a proactive process to address the deterioration, crime, and decline in value of Moline neighborhoods caused by vacant properties and properties with defaulted mortgages. By identifying these properties at an early stage, the City is in a better position to monitor and respond to any adverse consequences arising from the vacancy or economic circumstances leading to the foreclosure. The City has determined that owner-occupied structures are generally better maintained when compared to vacant structures, even with a diligent off-site property owner. Vacant structures or structures owned by individuals who are under economic stress and unable to meet their mortgage obligations are often not properly or diligently maintained; consequently, they contribute to blight and declining property values and have a negative impact on social perception of the areas where they are located. The City therefore intends to establish a property registry program for “registrable property,” as defined in the ordinance, as a mechanism to help protect Moline’s neighborhoods from becoming blighted through the lack of adequate maintenance of certain properties that are vacant, foreclosed and/or in default or defaulted, and to provide a mechanism to avert foreclosure actions through timely intervention, education, or counseling of property owners. This ordinance amendment will provide for the implementation of such a registry program and for the penalties and enforcement of its regulations. The program will include the following requirements, in part:

Real property not subject to mortgage in default:

 Any owner of vacant property located within the City shall register with the City within 10 days after the property becomes vacant or within 10 days after assuming ownership of the property, whichever is later.

 $300 registration fee for each vacant property; the fee is semi-annual and nonrefundable.

 The fee will be used to offset costs of registration, registration enforcement, code enforcement and mitigation related to vacant properties, and for any related purposes as may be adopted pursuant to the ordinance.

 Upon sale or transfer of a property, the new owner is subject to all terms of registry regulations, including inspection, security and maintenance standards as long as the property is vacant.

Real property subject to mortgage in default or defaulted:

 Mortgagee of such property shall perform a property inspection, provided the mortgage authorizes such a right to inspect, a lawful court order permits such an inspection, or consent to such an inspection is given by a person of majority age with a legal right to occupy said property. The property shall be inspected every 30 days by mortgagee or mortgagee’s designee.

 Mortgagee shall register the property with the City registry within 10 days of the date mortgagee declares its mortgage to be in default or defaulted and indicate if the property is vacant, and if so, designate a property manager to inspect, maintain and secure the property.

 $300 registration fee for each property in default or defaulted; the fee is semi-annual and nonrefundable.

 The fee will be used to offset the costs of registration, registration enforcement, code enforcement and mitigation related to defaulted properties, post-closing counseling and foreclosure intervention, and for any related purposes as may be adopted pursuant to the ordinance.

 Upon sale or transfer, new mortgagee is subject to all terms of the registry’s regulations, including inspection, security and maintenance standards as long as the property remains defaulted.

In addition, a late fee shall be applied to any non-registered property or upon non-payment of the registration fee, and any property in violation may be deemed a public nuisance and is subject to the City’s actions to ensure compliance, which may include placement of a lien on the property. A motion was made by Alderman Wendt to approve. Seconded by Alderman Berg. Price explained that vacant means that the structure is wholly unoccupied for 30 days. Properties for sale are included. The purpose of the registry is to enable the City to stay on top of the issue. There was discussion. Mayor Acri suggested that the amendment may be too aggressive. Price suggested including that properties on the rental registry would be exempt from this registry, aligning the vacancy period with utility billing at 90 days, and build in an exception for residents that spend a portion of the year out of the area. Alderman Wendt noted that the longer a property is vacant, the greater the possibility of it becoming a nuisance, therefore a graduated fee scale should be implemented. Alderman Berg, seconded by Alderman Wendt, moved to table indefinitely. Motion passed unanimously.

6. A Resolution authorizing approval of a request for a street light at the intersection of 12th Street and 27th Avenue Court, Moline. Scott Hinton, City Engineer, indicated that City staff received a request to install a street light at the intersection of 12th Street and 27th Avenue Court, the entrance to Calloway Court, due to safety concerns after dark. Existing street lights are located approximately 160’ to the north and approximately 210’ to the south, however, they provide little illumination to the intersection due to mature trees on the street. The City’s Street Light Policy states that street lights shall be placed at intervals not less than 230’, so a new street light at this location would not be consistent with the Policy. The Policy also states, however, that “Generally, street lights shall be placed at each intersection.” Based on this language and given that the intersection is not adequately illuminated, staff recommends a light be installed. A motion was made by Alderman Parker to approve. Seconded by Alderman Williams. Alderman Parker stated that, over time, a tree had grown around the street light. Staff will work with MidAmerican Energy to see about relocating the pole. There would be no cost to relocate. Motion passed unanimously.

Informational

Springtime Free Yard Bag Collection. Rodd Schick, Municipal Services General Manager, stated that this report is provided at the request of Council. Alderman Potter moved to provide collection free of charge for the first two weeks. Seconded by Alderman Moyer. There was discussion. Schick will report the cost of leaf vacuuming. Motion failed on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Aldermen Williams, Parker, Moyer and Schoonmaker; nays: Aldermen Berg, Wendt, Potter, Waldron and Mayor Acri.

Right-of-Way Sign Code Regulations and Enforcement. Derke Price, Corporate Counsel, and Ryan Berger, Land Development Manager, provided the attached information. Price indicated that signs in the right-of-way are considered trash and a nuisance, and may be thrown away. Alderman Wendt suggested enforcement on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The City’s sign code doesn’t regulate mobile signage. Consensus of Council was to move forward, and staff will bring back a formal amendment.

Public Comment

There was no public comment.

The meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m.

https://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5870