City of Moline Committee-of-the-Whole met July 21.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
PRESENT: Mayor Stephanie Acri (Chair)
Alderman Scott Williams (Ward 1) ~electronically
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 Kevin Schoonmaker (Ward 6) ~electronically
Alderman Mike Waldron (Ward 7)
Alderman Sonia Berg (Alderman At-Large) ~electronically
ABSENT: None.
STAFF: Marty Vanags, Interim City Administrator
Janine Hollembaek Parr, City Clerk
J.D. Schulte, Public Works Director ~electronically
Alison Fleming, Human Resources Manager ~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
Chris Mathias, Property Management Coordinator
Brian Johnson, Police Captain
Jeannie Hernandez, Probationary Police Officer
Connor Hoogerwerf, Probationary Police Officer
OTHERS: Derke Price, Ancel Glink
Susan Archer, Park Board
Eric VanSpeyBroeck, Moline Centre Main Street Commission
Police family members
Mayor Acri called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.
Remote Electronic Attendance
Alderman Moyer, seconded by Alderman Waldron, moved to approve the remote electronic attendance of Aldermen Williams, Parker, Wendt, Schoonmaker and Berg. Motion passed on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Aldermen Schoonmaker, Waldron, Berg, Williams, Parker, Wendt, Potter and Moyer; nays: none.
Oath of Office
Oath of office for probationary appointment as police officers to Jeannie M. Hernandez and Connor J. Hoogerwerf, effective March 2, 2020.
Mayor’s Board Appointments
Alderman Parker moved to approve Mayor’s appointment of Eric VanSpeyBroeck and Andrew Sivertsen to the Moline Centre Main Street Commission for full 3-year terms to expire June 30, 2023, and the appointment of Susan Archer to the Park Board to fill the unexpired term of Lauren Schrier, expiring May 31, 2024. Seconded by Alderman Moyer. Motion passed on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Aldermen Schoonmaker, Waldron, Berg, Williams, Parker, Wendt, Potter and Moyer; nays: none.
Questions on the Agenda
There were no questions on the agenda.
Agenda Items
1. A Resolution amending the City of Moline Community Development Block Grant Policies and Procedures Manual by adding “Appendix K COVID-19 Small Business Loan Program,” adding language to the CDBG Down Payment/Closing Cost Assistance Program and updating the Racial/Ethnicity categories on various program applications. K.J. Whitley, Community Development Program Manager, explained that through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) supplemental funding was made available to the City of Moline. The funding is intended for activities/projects to prevent, prepare for and respond to coronavirus. On April 29, 2020, the below amendments were provided to Citizens Advisory Council on Urban Policy (CACUP). The aforementioned amendment to the CDBG Policies and Procedures Manual provides guidance for the implementation of these new CDBG-CV programs. The COVID-19 Small Business Loan Program will provide financial assistance in the form of a five-year loan to pre-existing COVID-19 businesses until funds expire. Applications for the Small Business Loan Program will be reviewed by the City of Moline’s CDBG Small Business Loan Selection Committee. CDBG Down Payment/Closing Cost Assistance language is being updated to include a program requirement that an applicant engage a realtor or attorney for guidance through the home buying process. Lastly, racial/ethnicity categories will be added to program applications for optional reporting. A motion was made by Alderman Parker to approve. Seconded by Alderman Waldron. Alderman Berg recommended that attorneys engaged for guidance through the home buying process have real estate knowledge. Motion passed on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Aldermen Schoonmaker, Waldron, Berg, Williams, Parker, Wendt, Potter and Moyer; nays: none.
2. A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute and attest to an Agreement for Professional Services with Crawford, Murphy and Tilly Inc. for professional engineering services required to study bio-solids dewatering practices and equipment for the North Slope Waste Water Treatment Plant in an amount not to exceed $49,995. Tony Loete, Utilities General Manager, stated that at the March 24, 2020 Committee-of-the Whole meeting, the City Council agreed to table this matter for a period of three months, so that the City might gain a better understanding of the impact of the COVID-19 sheltering order and mandated business closings. The Water Pollution Control (WPC) Division’s long-term infrastructure funding plan includes rehabilitation/replacement of dewatering equipment at both treatment plants. The existing two Andritz belt filter presses at the North Slope Waste Water Treatment Plant are 25 years old and are in need of rehabilitation/replacement due to age-related wear on the equipment. Because of the unique character of the solids at the plant and the work flow presently practiced to manage dewatering and disposal, it is appropriate to consider alternatives to rehabilitation of the 25-year-old equipment. City staff received qualifications and proposals from five engineering firms with significant experience and expertise in conducting this type of analysis. Crawford, Murphy and Tilly Inc. was selected as the most qualified and equipped to complete this work. The result of this analysis will provide the WPC Division with recommendations to form decisions related to equipment and disposal as well as savings in the areas of energy and manpower. A motion was made by Alderman Waldron to approve. Seconded by Alderman Potter. At the time of the North Slope improvements in 2012, it was decided to delay this process. Alderman Parker suggested that in the future, it might be advantageous to do this at one time. The study will make recommendations for both South Slope and North Slope facilities. Motion passed on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Aldermen Schoonmaker, Waldron, Berg, Williams, Parker, Wendt, Potter and Moyer; nays: none.
3. An Ordinance amending Chapter 20, “MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC,” of the Moline Code of Ordinances, Appendix 6 thereof, “YIELD INTERSECTIONS,” by repealing Twenty-first Avenue’s preference over Fourteenth Street. Joe Kuhlenbeck, Building Official, indicated that the Traffic Engineering Committee received a request from Alderman Parker to review the current signage at the intersection of 14th Street and 21st Avenue. On July 7, 2020, the Committee made and approved a motion to replace the yield signs at 14th Street and 21st Avenue with stop signs. This amendment will remove the yield intersection designation from the Code. Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Waldron, moved to approve. J.D. Schulte, Public Works Director, explained that signage changes require Council consideration. Motion passed on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Aldermen Schoonmaker, Waldron, Berg, Williams, Parker, Wendt, Potter and Moyer; nays: none.
4. An Ordinance amending Chapter 20, “MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC,” of the Moline Code of Ordinances, Appendix 7 thereof, “ONE-WAY STREETS,” by including an alley east of Sixteenth Street, between Eighth Avenue and Ninth Avenue traveling northbound. Joe Kuhlenbeck, Building Official, shared that the City recently reconstructed the above-referenced alley. During construction and pursuant to discussions with residents in the area, City staff discovered that access to the alley and parking along 9th Avenue have been long-standing issues for the residents. Currently, parking is allowed along the south side of 9th Avenue (a westbound one-way), except for a 45-foot area signed as “no parking between signs.” This no parking area allows vehicles and garbage trucks heading westbound on 9th Avenue to make the right turn to head northbound onto the alley. However, due to parked cars, vehicles heading southbound in the alley struggle to make the right turn onto 9th Avenue. Given these issues, City staff presented a request at the Traffic Engineering Committee’s meeting of July 7, 2020, to make the alley a one-way alley headed north. Following review, the Committee made and approved a motion for that change. This ordinance amendment will add the alley designation to the Code of Ordinances. A motion was made by Alderman Waldron to approve. Seconded by Alderman Moyer. Motion passed on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Aldermen Schoonmaker, Waldron, Berg, Williams, Parker, Wendt, Potter and Moyer; nays: none.
5. An Ordinance authorizing the issuance of Taxable General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2020B, of the City of Moline, Illinois; and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute and attest to an agreement disclosure with Robert W. Baird & Co. for underwriting services related to the refinancing of the 2020B bonds. Carol Barnes, Finance Director, explained that due to favorable interest rates in the current market and upcoming call dates on the Series 2012F Taxable General Obligation Refunding Bonds, it has been determined to be in the best interest of the City of Moline to borrow funds to refund and redeem the City’s 2012F Bonds. The 2012F bonds were issued for Water/WPC/CIP improvements. The final term of the new refunding will remain the same at November 1, 2024. Due to the smaller size and shorter term of the issue, private placement with a banking institution is recommended. With a private placement, issuance costs are reduced, since no Official Statement or Credit Rating review is required. The Taxable General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2020B, are being issued pursuant to the home rule powers of the City, and the bond proceeds will be used to refund the outstanding portion of the City’s 2012F Bonds and to pay all costs of issuing the bonds. A copy of the Preliminary Term Sheet is attached, with an award date of August 4, 2020, and a projected delivery date of August 26, 2020. The attached illustrative savings assumes a true interest cost of 1.1201% and the savings are net of all issuance costs. The 2012F Bonds were originally issued for Water/WPC/CIP improvements, and the projected savings will be divided between those three funds and realized over 4 years:
| 61.281% | $91,649.41 | Water Fund |
| 11.142% | $16,663.53 | Storm Water Fund |
| 27.577% | $41,243.06 | CIP Fund |
| 100.00% | $149,556.00 | Total Projected Savings |
6. A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a Sub-Recipient Agreement with Moline- Coal Valley Community Unit School District 40 for Administration of the CARES Act Grant Program. Derke Price, Corporation Counsel, stated that at the May 19, 2020 Committee-of-the-Whole meeting, the City Council directed staff concerning the allocation of the $478,057 in CARES Act funds. The Council allocated $60,000 to assist up to 500 low and moderate income households, identified through the School District, that do not have the equipment necessary to access the internet and that require assistance to obtain it. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires that the City and the School District enter into a sub-recipient agreement to document their mutual responsibilities in the administration of the grant funds. The parties have negotiated the agreement presented, and the Board of Education approved the Agreement last month. Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Wendt, moved to approve. Motion passed on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Aldermen Schoonmaker, Waldron, Berg, Williams, Parker, Wendt, Potter and Moyer; nays: none.
7. A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a Sub-Recipient Agreement with Project NOW for Administration of the CARES Act Grant Program. Derke Price, Corporation Counsel, indicated that at the May 19, 2020 Committee-of-the-Whole meeting, the City Council directed staff concerning the allocation of the $478,057 in CARES Act funds. The Council allocated $39,000 to assist low and moderate income households, identified through the Project NOW’s Head Start and Senior Citizen programs, that do not have the equipment necessary to access the internet and that require assistance to obtain it. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires that the City and Project NOW enter into a sub-recipient agreement to document their mutual responsibilities in the administration of the grant funds. The parties have negotiated the agreement presented. A motion was made by Alderman Waldron to approve. Seconded by Alderman Moyer. Motion passed on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Aldermen Schoonmaker, Waldron, Berg, Williams, Parker, Wendt, Potter and Moyer; nays: none.
8. A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute an Agreement with Mediacom for Equipment in furtherance of the Digital Equity component of the CARES Act Grant Program. Derke Price, Corporation Counsel, shared that at the May 19, 2020 Committee-of-the-Whole meeting, the City Council directed staff concerning the allocation of the $478,057 in CARES Act funds. Price corrected/clarified that the Council allocated $76,440 to assist low and moderate income households, identified through the Moline-Coal Valley Community Unit School District and through Project NOW’s Head Start and Senior Citizen programs, with leasing the modem equipment from Mediacom necessary for them to access the internet. This agreement leases the modems necessary for access to the internet for the anticipated number of low and moderate income householdsidentifiedbyboththeSchoolDistrictandProjectNowtobeservedforaperiodof1year. Theparties have negotiated the agreement presented. A motion was made by Alderman Wendt to approve. Seconded by Alderman Waldron. There was discussion. Price explained that the project administrators are responsible for tracking equipment. The School District has been successful in tracking and monitoring technology equipment to date. There is some cushion in the COVID-19 funds to absorb the impact of equipment loss or breakage. The entire proposal is to use funds available as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. After the one-year term, it is hoped that residents will not be as dependent on the program, i.e. a vaccine or treatment will allow residents to obtain services without reliance on technology, or if the need still exists, additional funding will be available. Decisions will be made based on the facts as they exist a year from now. Motion passed on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Aldermen Schoonmaker, Waldron, Berg, Williams, Parker, Wendt, Potter and Moyer; nays: none.
Informational
Sole Source Purchase Authorization for Modification of the Body Worn Camera Axon Enterprise Inc., Service Agreement. Darren Gault, Chief of Police, introduced Police Captain Brian Johnson. Chief Gault explained that Axon Enterprise Inc. (“Axon”) currently provides cameras for police and squad cars. The equipment and software work together, thus a sole source authorization is recommended. Currently, the Moline Police Department has 81 body-worn cameras and cameras for 30 fleet vehicles. The vehicles have front and back seat video on a cloud-based system with unlimited storage. The City entered into a contract with Axon in 2018. Chief Gault explained the cost benefit of extending the contract at this time. There was discussion. The risk management benefit of the cameras was noted. Chief Gault does not recommend postponing the purchase, explaining that additional features are being added, and it is likely that the price will go up. Gault explained that Axon has proven to be the market leader, and lower priced options offer significantly reduced technology. Captain Johnson explained that Axon supports integration with Rock Island County, which is one of the reasons Axon was chosen for the initial investment. Alderman Waldron thanked staff for identifying creative solutions and expressed support for Option 3 as presented. Mayor Acri concurred. Chief Gault indicated that a State grant has been received for the equipment, and ongoing use fees have been budgeted. There was no objection from Council.
Social Worker Services Collaboration Project with the Police Department. Darren Gault, Chief of Police, indicated that the Police-Social Worker Project is designed to bridge the gap between police and social services, explaining the extent of social services work that the Police currently do. The project has a 3-pronged approach that includes 24/7 response, diversion and intervention. Collaboration will take place in two phases: enhanced service to target populations of youth; and expanded service to youth, adults and families in a more comprehensive model. Community partners have been engaged to provide project design expertise. The Center for Youth and Family Services employees would work with the Police Department. Social workers will not be employed by the City. Phase 1 would begin in mid-August and include response, consultation and follow-up. This approach provides a more long-term benefit to the community. Gault explained that the plan includes social workers on site because a virtual platform has proven ineffective. Derke Price, Corporation Counsel, shared that there is risk in any partnership. Clear lines have been drawn between the services being offered (police vs. social services). There was support of the project.
Quad Cities First and Quad Cities Chamber Merger. Marty Vanags, Interim City Administrator, stated that Quad Cities First has been dissolved, and the regional service agreement will be transferred to the Quad Cities Chamber. Under the new structure, funds will be used for economic development activities. Vanags recommends participating for one year (a $60,000 commitment) while closely monitoring Chamber activities. Vanags suggested that a new model be developed in the event that the City chooses to stop working with the Chamber. Staff will provide updates to the Council while exploring new opportunities with Illinois neighboring municipalities. There was discussion. Alderman Parker noted the Chamber’s lack of support of the Illinois communities. Vanags explained that the risk is that the Chamber does not carry out what they say they are going to do. Vanags stated that site location consultation is a benefit offered by the Chamber, and it is not feasible to do this in-house with current staffing limitations. Until an alternate plan is developed, Vanags recommends working with and closely monitoring the Chamber. Vanags noted that tracking metrics, the number and effectiveness of calls, the number of leads obtained and staff’s responsiveness to those are all critical. There was support of this plan. Vanags explained that a regional approach to development is needed. Mayor Acri asked that a “Quad Cities Chamber Update” informational item be added to future agendas. This should include activity and possibly results.
1625 9th Avenue “Rainbow House” - Review of Chapter 35 of the Moline Code of Ordinances. Derke Price, Corporation Counsel, shared that upon investigation, First Amendment overtones are present in this situation. Moline’s power is limited in this area. Price explained that there were trash ordinance violations at the property on three occasions recently. The homeowner did not rectify the situation, and the City was forced to order clean-up. After the third complaint, the homeowner began painting the house. The zoning code was initially cited; however, it was discovered that it only applies to new developments. Price explained that mural law is evolving within zoning law. The government’s right does not supersede the property owner’s right of artistic expression. When it comes to First Amendment, the City must have superior reasons to take action. Staff will review the code and balance complaints. The threatened fine was determined to be an infringement on the property owner’s first amendment rights. Property maintenance issues will continue to be addressed by the neighborhood improvement officer on a case-by-case basis.
Administrator’s Update. Marty Vanags, Interim City Administrator, invited Council to join staff for Food-Truck Friday.
COVID-19 Budget Update. Carol Barnes, Finance Director, reviewed the top and most vulnerable revenue sources, noting that columns have been added for year-to-date and variance from the COVID-19 adjusted budget. Staff continues working to bridge a $10 million revenue gap between the adopted and COVID-19 amended budgets.
Recap of Revenues & Expenditures across all funds – through June 30, 2020:
Alderman Wendt asked Barnes to show the same information for the last three years. There was discussion. Mayor Acri asked that staff provide an explanation when a transfer of funds is made. Staff will bring a final COVID-19 amended budget for Council’s approval on August 15, 2020. Alderman Potter noted that revenues continue to come in higher than anticipated, with sales and use tax revenues being very healthy. Potter indicated that he was taken aback when he learned that four departments would be studied for potential privatization or reorganization and was particularly disturbed by how that message was delivered to staff. He stated that these are public matters and the public deserves to know what the Council intends to do. He shared concern for the possibility of privatization of the Human Resources and Information Technology (IT) Departments. According to a recent report, cyber security and data reporting are very important and noted the IT Department’s work with first responders. Potter stated that Moline has the best Capital Improvement Plan in the area due to its excellent engineering staff and shared that a different approach to inspections was previously tried and failed. The public was particularly impacted by delayed plan review. He expressed significant reservations about all four department reviews. Mayor Acri explained that the reason those departments are being looked at in a careful, thoughtful manner is because a proposal submitted by staff outlining potential cuts lacked substance and raised concern from the Council. City administration has taken a step back and considered a more thoughtful way of looking at staffing changes that may be less impactful to residents. She praised staff’s careful, professional and collaborative approach, stating that the departments are heavily involved in that discussion. Alderman Wendt shared that this has been addressed in a very public manner and indicated that the move to privatized legal counsel resulted in excellent service. The City Council has a responsibility to its taxpayers to make sure the best approach is employed. Wendt stated that the Council is doing its due diligence in a thoughtful manner with an independent third party firm that knows what it is doing. Investigations will take place immediately, and resulting recommendations may support current structure, restructure, collaboration or privatization.
Public Comment
Mayor Acri read a Public Comment received from resident Kirk Witherspoon. View recorded meetings at
http://www.moline.il.us/CivicMedia?CID=9
The meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.
https://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6461
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