Rock Island Today

City of Moline Centre Main Street Commission met Dec. 18.

Here is the minutes provided by the commission:

Commission Members Present

Matt Sivertsen, The Planning Center

Ajay Singh, Heart of America

Pete McDermott, McDermott Construction

Chelsey Hohensee, Metrolink

Dave Parker, City of Moline (2nd Ward Alderman)

Commission Members Absent

Lora Adams, Black Box Theater

Michelle Sparkman, Heart of America

Amanda Bautista, Café Fresh

Staff Present

Geoff Manis

Others Present

Brad Morrison

AGENDA ITEM #1 – CALL TO ORDER

The Moline Centre Main Street Commission meeting was called to order by Matt Sivertsen at 4:01 p.m.

AGENDA ITEM #2 – PUBLIC COMMENT

Brad Morrison explained he is a newer resident of Moline and gave an overview of his business, Riverbend Signworks.

AGENDA ITEM #3 – Approval of Minutes

Minutes from the November 20, 2019, meeting were reviewed. Alderman Parker brought up that Matt Sivertsen was not at the last meeting but was listed as making the motion for the trees at the John Deere Commons.

A motion to accept the minutes with the edit of Matt Siversten not making the motion for the trees at John Deere Commons was made by Pete McDermott. Lora Adams seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously.

AGENDA ITEM #4 – Lighting On The Commons Report

Manis presented the financials of Lighting on the Commons to the Commission. SSA #6 had budgeted $15,000 and with the $4,000 sponsorship, that gave $19,000 to put towards the event. The expense of the police officers on hand is still needed and that should wrap up the cost of the event. With that, it looks like the cost of Lighting on the Commons will go over budget about $400 - $500. The Commission discussed the success of the event and what they can do to make it better for next year. Manis reported he put a lot of effort into advertising and rebranding the event with a new logo with the budgeted money in the Advertising and Promotions account. The Commission commended Manis for his efforts as it did not go without notice. This year’s Lighting on the Commons may have been the most attended than it has ever been.

AGENDA ITEM #5 – Moline Centre & Parks Above Ground Planters Discussion

Manis presented a PowerPoint presentation on the flowers in downtown Moline. He did an inventory of flowers, checked planter condition and identified who was responsible for them between the Parks Department and Moline Centre. The Parks Department cares for 56 above ground planters with the majority in SSA #6. In uncovering the history of the flowers, Manis found it was the intent for the Moline Centre to assume the planters from the Parks Department when it was created but that did not occur. If the Moline Centre did assume the planters, they would then all look the same and have the same care but it would come with a cost. The Commission discussed ideas of how to assume the planters without having a large cost burden.

AGENDA ITEM #6 – Viking River Cruises Targeting/Strategy Brainstorming

Manis reported that Viking River Cruises is coming to the Quad Cities and they will be landing at River Heritage Park near Government Bridge on the Davenport side of the Mississippi River. The cruises bring in a younger demographic that includes families. The Commission started brainstorming on how Moline can attract cruise patrons to come to our Moline’s downtown.

AGENDA ITEM #7 – Director’s Report

Manis informed the Commission that the tree planting at John Deere Commons was to begin today but the contractor had an issue come up so they will start immediately after the first of the year.

AGENDA ITEM #8 – Other Business

None

AGENDA ITEM #9 – Adjournment

https://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6022