Rock Island Today

Rock Island City Council met May 11.

Here is the minutes provided by the council

1. As part of his Executive Order in Response to Covid-19, #2020-07, section 6, Governor Pritzker announced in part that “During the duration of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation, the provisions of the Open Meetings Act, 5ILCS 120, requiring or relating to in-person attendance by members of a public body are suspended. Specifically, (1) the requirement in 5 ILCS 120/2.01 that ‘members of a public body must be physically present’ is suspended; and (2) the conditions in 5 ILCS 120/7 limiting when remote participation is permitted are suspended. Public bodies are encouraged to postpone consideration of public business where possible.”

2. Call to Order

Mayor Thoms called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m. and welcomed everyone.

3. Roll Call

Mayor Thoms asked the Deputy Clerk to call the roll. Present: Mayor Mike Thoms.

Alderman Randy Hurt, Alderman James Spurgetis, Alderwoman Jenni Swanson, Alderman Dylan Parker, Alderman Mark Poulos, and Alderman Dave Geenen were present via remote participation in accordance with Governor Pritzker's Executive Order.

Absent: Alderman Ivory Clark.

Staff: City Manager Randy Tweet, Deputy Clerk Josh Adams, and Information Technology Director Tim Bain.

4. Pledge of Allegiance

Mayor Thoms led in the saying of the Pledge of Allegiance.

5. Moment of Silence

Mayor Thoms asked for a moment of silence. A moment of silence was observed.

6. Public Comment

Mayor Thoms asked if any residents wished to speak via remote connection. One resident spoke on the Public Hearing, and Mayor Thoms asked her to postpone comments until that agenda item came up.

7. Minutes of the April 27, 2020 meeting. MOTION:

Alderman Hurt moved to approve the minutes as printed; Alderwoman Swanson seconded. 

VOTE:

Motion passed on a 6-0-1 voice vote. Aye: Hurt, Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: Clark.

8. Minutes of the Executive Session of April 13, 2020. MOTION:

Alderman Spurgetis moved to approve the minutes as printed; Alderman Hurt seconded. 

VOTE:

Motion passed on a 6-0-1 voice vote. Aye: Hurt, Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, and Geenen.

9. Update Rock Island by Mayor Thoms

Rock Island Golf Courses Open - Highland Springs and Saukie Golf Courses are open for the season. The golf courses will follow the restrictions provided by the State of Illinois including: only groups of two allowed, 15 minute tee time intervals, no carts except those with physical disabilities or limitations, no rental pull carts, prepaid tee time reservations, no practiced facilities including driving range and putting greens, and no congregating in or near the clubhouse.

Rock River Warning - Due to the continued high river level of the Rock River, the City of Rock Island is recommending boaters to avoid the Rock River West of Ben Williamson Park. The boat barrier buoys are currently not in place as a result of the high river level, thus making the Steel Dam hard to see. The high river level combined with strong current makes this area extremely dangerous. Avoid this area at all costs.

Mayor Thoms discussed a new platform the City will have in collaboration with other local municipalities that goes live May 12, 2020. He said it is called Live Story, and 118 City businesses received a link to the new site to make program availability easier for them to access through the City, County, State, and Federal Government primarily for relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said small businesses can create a profile, log in, and the software will find programs for which they may be able to apply. He said it will save businesses time from having to research the programs. He said it is called Rock Island Forward in conjunction with the cities of Moline, East Moline, and Silvis. He pointed residents to the DARI or the City's website for additional details. He said the site is not only for COVID-19 relief, but for all products and programs that the City, County, State, and Government offers. He said the site is an invitation- only, and to contact Economic Development Manager Tarah Sipes for more information. He thanked City staff and Stacey with DARI for their assistance.

10. Proclamation declaring the week of May 17th through May 23, 2020 as National Public Works Week in the City of Rock Island.

Deputy Clerk Josh Adams read the proclamation. Mayor Thoms read his declaration.

Alderman Hurt thanked the Public Works staff for their hard work. Mayor Thoms said the Public Works staff puts themselves out in the public every day in the past month, exposing themselves to potential hazards for the good of the City, and thanked them.

11. Mayor Thoms will close the regular meeting and open a Public Hearing regarding the Program Year 2020 Annual Action Plan and an amendment to the 2019 Annual Action Plan.

Mayor Thoms closed the regular meeting and opened the Public Hearing.

Resident Jen Woods, a case manager with World Relief Quad Cities, discussed the purpose of the organization, specifically that it is for all local immigrants. She discussed the types of services offered to these immigrants. She spoke of the various programs offered to the local clients, including assistance with any COVID-19 concerns. She thanked Council for their time.

City Attorney Dave Morrison stated that the public hearing was meant for the item on the agenda, and reminded everyone that wished to speak that it was meant to be for or against the plan.

Mayor Thoms asked if anyone was in favor of the matter. No resident joined the call.

Mayor Thoms asked if anyone listening was opposed to the matter.

Resident Dan McNeil of the Spring Forward Program discussed the purpose of the organization. He said this year the summer camp will not happen, and that it is important now more than ever to have programs like this so children of low-income homes will not be away from school for five months, which would put them at a disadvantage. He discussed the upcoming goals of the organization. He encouraged Council to consider allocating dollars from HUD funds to help the most vulnerable children. He thanked Council for their time and consideration. Mayor Thoms asked if Mr. McNeil was in favor of the plan. Mr. McNeil confirmed yes.

No one joined the call in opposition to the item.

Alderman Parker said even though the Council was approving the plan, it is more the anticipated dollar amount that will be spent, and asked if the dollar amount could still be changed. City Manager Randy Tweet confirmed that was correct, and also as needs develop. He said what Council was approving was the standard annual expenditures for programs, including the $250,000 COVID-19 relief package for small businesses, and $249,000 for non-profit organizations. He said approving this now would allow the City to start processing the grants for which the non-profits have applied. He said it was likely more would be needed to assist businesses, and that the City would be able to reallocate some of the funds provided it was an appropriate expenditure. Alderman Parker asked if the Annual Action Plan was all $1.6 million dollars for the CDBG. Mr. Tweet confirmed yes, and the amount of around $650,000 left over from previous years was also available.

Alderman Parker asked how Council would be revisiting the issue. He said no discussion had taken place as to how the money should be spent, and asked Mr. Tweet when the discussion would occur. Colleen Small-Vollman, Budget and Grants Manager for the City, reminded the Mayor that the Public Hearing needed to close before further discussion could take place.

Mayor Thoms closed the Public Hearing and reconvened the regular meeting for a motion. MOTION:

Alderwoman Swanson moved to accept and approve the Program Year 2020 Annual Action Plan as submitted and approve the amended 2019 Annual Action Plan and Citizen Participation Plan; Alderman Poulos seconded.

Mr. Tweet responded to Alderman Parker's earlier question, and said the issue described was meant to come to a study session to start the discussion. He said then the COVID-19 pandemic began, the City was awarded additional funding. He said the City tried to get the funds out for relief as soon as possible. He said he would be speaking with the Council on an individual basis, and will be up for discussion in June. Alderwoman Swanson said the $650,000 in funding was specifically meant to prepare, prevent, and respond to the COVID-19 spread, and thus needs to be earmarked for helping community businesses. She commended Community and Economic Development staff for their work, and suggested Council make sure the money goes where it is needed. Mr. Tweet said all allocated funds needed to be related to COVID-19 relief.

Mayor Thoms said he thinks the City needs to be quick to respond to issues as they arise, and

encouraged a balance of swift response and patience.

Budget and Grants Manager Colleen Small-Vollman said one of the rules of spending the money is that the City must reach out to stakeholders and the public to gather input on how the funds should be spent. She said a virtual stakeholder meeting took place on May 7 to discuss this issue, and twenty people provided feedback on what is needed in the community. She said this will happen as quickly as HUD allows it to happen. She reminded Council that a consolidated plan was approved last year, which drives expenditures for five years. She said she was available to provide guidance and clarification regarding the consolidated plan.

VOTE:

Motion passed on a 6-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Hurt, Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: Clark.

12. A Resolution calling on the Federal Government to include funding for state and local governments as part of their next COVID-19 relief bills.

MOTION:

Alderman Parker moved to adopt the resolution as recommended; Alderman Spurgetis seconded.

VOTE:

Motion passed on a 6-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Hurt, Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: Clark.

13. Claims

a. Report from the Human Resources Department regarding payment in the amount of $7,369.84 to Ms. Jodi Karwath for a general liability claim.

b. Report from the Human Resources Department regarding payment in the amount of $313,750.00 to USI of Moline, Illinois for the consolidated liability insurance program.

c. Report from the Human Resources Department regarding payment in the amount of $10,458.35 to David Morrison of Rock Island, IL for legal services rendered from March 30, 2020 through April 28, 2020.

d. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $71,716.82 to McClintock Trucking & Excavating Inc. of Silvis, IL for services provided at multiple City locations as part of the Sewer Lateral Repair Program, Project 2564.

e. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment #28 in the amount of $333,623.66 to Civil Constructors, Inc of East Moline, IL for the Water Filtration Facility, Project 2760.

f. Report from the Public Works Department regarding down payment in the amount of $18,125.00 to Environmental Dynamics International of Columbia, MO to cover materials for the next phase of the Wastewater Aeration Diffuser Replacement Project 2808.

MOTION:

Alderman Poulos moved to accept the reports and authorize payment as recommended for Claims a through f; Alderwoman Swanson seconded.

Alderman Parker said he needed to recuse himself from this vote due to the nature of his employment.

VOTE:

Motion passed on a 5-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Hurt, Spurgetis, Swanson, Poulos, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: Clark.

g. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $26,184.01 to Langman Construction Inc. of Rock Island, IL for an emergency water main repair on 7th Avenue and 35th Street.

MOTION:

Alderman Geenen moved to accept the report and authorize payment as recommended for Claims item g; Alderman Poulos seconded.

Alderman Parker recused himself from this vote due to the nature of his employment. 

VOTE:

Motion passed on a 5-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Hurt, Spurgetis, Swanson, Poulos, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: Clark.

14. Claims for the week of April 17 through April 23, 2020 in the amount of $479,080.27, from April 24 through April 30, 2020 in the amount of $251,971.48; and payroll for the weeks of April 20, 2020 through May 3, 2020 in the amount of $1,483,042.31.

MOTION:

Alderman Hurt moved to allow the claims and payroll; Alderman Spurgetis seconded.

VOTE:

Motion passed on a 6-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Hurt, Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: Clark.

15. Report from the Public Works Department regarding the purchase of Two-Bolt, Wide-Range Couplings in the amount of $14,449.90 from Core & Main LP of Washington, IL.

MOTION:

Alderman Spurgetis moved to approve the purchase as recommended; Alderman Hurt seconded.

VOTE:

Motion passed on a 6-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Hurt, Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: Clark.

16. Report from the Public Works Department regarding the purchase of one complete raw water pump and motor including installation from Electric Pump of Des Moines, Iowa in the amount of $60,022.86.

MOTION:

Alderwoman Swanson moved to award the bid and authorize the purchase as recommended; Alderman Hurt seconded.

Alderman Parker asked if the Electric Pump of Rock Island offered the same pump. Public Works Director Mike Bartels said that locally, this pump was not offered.

VOTE:

Motion passed on a 6-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Hurt, Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: Clark.

17. Report from the Traffic Engineering Committee regarding a request to remove the handicapped parking space in front of 1916 9 1/2 Street by the neighbor of the residence.

MOTION:

Alderman Parker moved to approve the request as recommended; Alderman Poulos seconded.

VOTE:

Motion passed on a 6-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Hurt, Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: Clark.

18. Report from the City Manager regarding the appointments of Linda Mohr, Wayne Sharer, Rhonda Schumacher, and Josh Adams as FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) Officers for 2020 and Randall Tweet as the OMA (Open Meetings Act) Officer for 2020.

MOTION:

Alderman Poulos moved to approve the appointments as recommended; Alderwoman Swanson seconded.

Alderman Parker said in the past there had been difficulty in the chain of command regarding OMA issues due to the former City Clerk not having authority over certain staff members. He asked City Manager Randy Tweet what the plan was for OMA and if there will be better compliance. Mr. Tweet said yes, and the City was in better compliance with OMA than a year ago and it is getting better all the time. He said there is usually no serious issue, and if an issue arises it is more of a paperwork problem. He said it would be his responsibility going forward, and if an issue arises he would advise Staff. Alderman Parker said the previous OMA officer provided updates, and asked if Mr. Tweet would be doing the same. Mr. Tweet said if the Council desires that, he would provide it.

Alderman Parker asked if issues involving OMA compliance would be included in the annual City Manager review. Human Resources Director John Thorson said it could be included if Council would like that. Alderman Parker said at least he would like to see that if Mr. Tweet is to be responsible for OMA. Alderman Geenen concurred.

VOTE:

Motion passed on a 6-0-1 voice vote. Aye: Hurt, Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: Clark.

19. Report from the Mayor regarding the appointment of Linda Mohr as Interim City Clerk for a term to expire no later than April 30, 2021.

MOTION:

Alderman Geenen moved to approve the appointment as recommended; Alderman Poulos seconded.

Alderman Parker asked if Council could expect similar goals such as a monthly Operational Report, document management, and past Executive Session minutes, as the previous City Clerk performed. Mr. Tweet said that information could be included beginning with the May report in June. Alderman Parker said he understood, but wanted to know what the roles and expectations were going forward, as he thought good work was coming from the Clerk's office, and he hopes to keep it going with the change in staffing. Mayor Thoms said despite the interim situation, he does not foresee any holdup on duties.

VOTE:

Motion passed on a 6-0-1 voice vote. Aye: Hurt, Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: Clark.

20. Report from the Mayor regarding the reappointment of Jennifer Walker to the Illinois Quad City Civic Center Authority to a three-year term to expire May, 2023.

MOTION:

Alderman Hurt moved to approve the reappointment as recommended; Alderman Spurgetis seconded.

VOTE:

Motion passed on a 6-0-1 voice vote. Aye: Hurt, Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: Clark.

21. Other Business

Mayor Thoms asked if anyone wished to speak, and that he hopes everyone stays safe and healthy. He said he is looking forward to reopening soon, and that things do not take quite as long as the Governor's estimate.

22. Motion to Adjourn

Alderman Hurt moved to adjourn; Alderman Poulos seconded. The meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.

https://www.rigov.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05112020-563