Rock Island Today

City of Moline Committee-of-the-Whole met July 14.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

PRESENT: Mayor Stephanie Acri (Chair)

Alderman Scott Williams (Ward 1)

Alderman David Parker, Jr. (Ward 2) ~electronically

Alderman Mike Wendt (Ward 3) ~electronically

Alderman Richard “Dick” Potter (Ward 4)

Alderman Sam Moyer (Ward 5)

Alderman Mike Waldron (Ward 7)

ABSENT: Alderman Kevin Schoonmaker (Ward 6)

Alderman Sonia Berg (Alderman At-Large)

STAFF:     Marty Vanags, Interim City Administrator

Janine Hollembaek Parr, City Clerk

J.D. Schulte, Public Works Director ~electronically

Eric Griffith, Parks Recreation Director ~electronically

Don Goff, Information Technology Manager

Bryon Lear, Library Director ~electronically

Darren Gault, Chief of Police

Jeff Snyder, Fire Chief

Carol Barnes, Finance Director ~electronically

Jeff Anderson, City Planner ~electronically

Joe Kuhlenbeck, Building Official

OTHERS: Derke Price, Ancel Glink

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

Remote Electronic Attendance

A motion was made by Alderman Moyer, seconded by Alderman Williams, to approve the remote electronic attendance of Aldermen Parker and Wendt. Motion passed on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Aldermen Moyer, Waldron, Williams, Parker, Wendt and Potter; nays: none.

Mayor’s Board Appointments

Mayor’s appointment of Chris Mathias to serve on the Moline Centre Main Street Commission as staff representative. On July 7, 2020, this was erroneously presented to Council as an appointment to the Moline Community Development Corporation. Alderman Potter moved to approve the appointment as corrected. Seconded by Alderman Moyer. Motion passed on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Aldermen Moyer, Waldron, Williams, Parker, Wendt and Potter; nays: none.

Questions on the Agenda

There were no questions on the agenda.

Informational

REBUILD ILLINOIS Funds-Priority Construction Projects. Joe Kuhlenbeck, Building Official, provided an overview of projects identified and eligible for REBUILD Illinois grant funding, requesting Council direction. The City is expected to receive $2,865,700.80, with $477,616.80 disbursed every 6 months for the next 3 years. To qualify, a project must be a bondable capital improvement. In general, transportation improvement projects with an average useful life of greater than 13 years will be considered. Maintenance projects are not eligible. All REBUILD ILLINOIS grants must be associated with an identified project(s) within one year of receipt. Funds may accumulate, if necessary, during the program period, but all grant funds must be expended by July 1, 2025. Identified projects include: street reconstruction (7); structural asphalt overlay (5); design engineering and study (4) and additional projects (5). There was discussion. Kuhlenbeck stated that these are the projects that staff would like to accomplish over the next 5-10 years; however, it will not be possible to complete all of them. It was suggested that the REBUILD Illinois grant funds be used for engineering and to shovel-ready larger, costly projects (i.e. a path through Morgan Park for use by children traveling to and from school), thus creating leverage for other grant funding. There was discussion that completion of the 34th Avenue Corridor (to the train tracks) is a priority. It was noted that previous City Engineer Scott Hinton had indicated that a portion would, to some extent, be paid by the train upgrade. Staff indicated that waiting for the train project may not be advantageous. Staff will investigate the eligibility of 19th Avenue, west of 16th Street, for asphalt overlay. Kuhlenbeck stated that there are several other locations that need some long-term planning; these may be added to the list and prioritized. Staff will link the list to the website’s engineering page. A special Capital Improvement Planning session may be beneficial in preparation of 2021 budget planning. Staff will look at what was projected for the next five years and various funding sources that might be tapped.

Residents’ Request for the Removal of Stop Signs on 25th Avenue at 14th Street. Marty Vanags, Interim City Administrator, provided a history of signage changes at the intersection of 25th Avenue and 14th Street from a 2-way yield to a 2-way stop in 2017, then to a 4-way stop in 2018. Vanags shared correspondence from residents, some requesting removal of the stop signs and others requesting that the signs remain. Mayor Acri asked if liability is attached to taking down a stop sign once it has been put up. Derke Price, Corporation Counsel, explained that immunity exists if the manual for traffic and uniform control devices (“manual”) is followed; however, deviating from it may make the City liable for a road design that is unsafe. Removing stop signs to comply with the manual retains the immunity that following the manual provides. It was noted that a traffic study was not done. Price stated that staff doesn’t have a recommendation in this case because there are no traffic counts. There was discussion. Alderman Parker shared that many people traveling through Morgan Park, and unfamiliar with the neighborhood, drive too fast. The stop signs remain a necessary safety measure. Residents Vanessa Peterson, Shannon Domsky and Kirk Marske addressed the Council to advocate for keeping the 4-way stop, explaining that it has improved the safety of the neighborhood. The direction of Council is to take no action at this time. Vanags will respond to residents’ requests.

Administrator’s Update. Marty Vanags, Interim City Administrator, indicated that he has been working with staff to improve both internal and external communication. Continuity in strategic social media messaging is a priority. Vanags requested feedback on the bi-weekly Council report. An alternate bi-weekly report distributed to staff, 8@8, is emailed at 8:00 a.m. and includes eight things you need to know. Another internal report, the Project Action/Review Report, is prepared by staff and generates action by either the City Administrator or the City Council. It will be the basis for the Council Action Report.

Vanags explained that Quad Cities First will be dissolved and a merger with the Quad Cities Chamber will move forward. His was the sole dissenting vote. Quad Cities Chamber President Paul Rumler has assured that a new organization will be formed with funds segregated and used for advocacy. Vanags will be discussing next steps with Council members.

Vanags shared that staff is working on four new economic development projects, with separate investors. The projects are of very high quality and represent new investment. A long-time Moline manufacturer is looking to expand, and this project is promising as well.

Mayor Acri thanked Vanags for making social media a priority, noting that the Police Department has a wonderful Facebook page. The City has had three ribbon cuttings this week: C&J; Catalina Rose; and a property wall, near La Primavera, was donated for a mural by Quad City Arts.

Staff is working on storm cleanup and will provide picked up criteria and instructions.

Derke Price, Corporation Counsel, will send a letter to the president of the South Moline Township Fire District, regarding contracted service provided by the City. A new agreement was negotiated in 2007; in 2011, it was discovered that the agreement was never signed by the District. Attempts to contact the District were ignored. Moline has continued to provide services, and the District has given the City some portion of its levy ($30,000- $50,000 annually). There is a sense that revenue received is not sufficient to cover costs, and data must be reviewed to determine this. The statute allows the City to discontinue service and recover costs (not capped). The agreement requires notice by August to discontinue service by the following June. Staff will prepare a proposal.

COVID-19 Update. Carol Barnes, Finance Director, reviewed major revenue data, noting that sales tax and home rule tax are down 19.55% and 26% respectively. Together, these revenues are down about $340,000 from the original budget. Although revenue is down significantly for this month, as compared to this time last year, the City had some very good months early in 2020. It is anticipated that revenues over the next few months will remain down. All City departments are reviewing the COVID-19 adjusted budget. Mayor Acri requested that data be color-coded to show revenues and expenditures that are under and over budget, and that a year-to- date summary column be added for each.

Public Comment

View recorded meetings at http://www.moline.il.us/CivicMedia?CID=9 The meeting adjourned at 7:04 p.m.

https://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6432