Rock Island Today

City of Rock Island City Council met Nov. 9.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

1. Call to Order

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

2. This meeting will be conducted by audio and video conference without a physically present quorum of the Rock Island City Council due to the disaster declaration issued by Governor Pritzker

3. Roll Call

Mayor Thoms asked Interim City Clerk Linda Mohr to call the roll. Present: Mayor Mike Thoms and Alderman Mark Poulos.

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

Alderman Randy Hurt was unable to join due to technical difficulties with the remote connection. Absent: Alderman Ivory D. Clark.

Staff: Interim City Clerk Linda Mohr, and other City staff.

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 anyone in the public wished to speak. No residents volunteered to speak.

7. Minutes from the October 19th, 2020 City Council Goal Setting Session and the October 26th, 2020 City Council meeting.

MOTION:

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

VOTE:

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

8. Update Rock Island by Mayor Thoms

Oh Freedom! Songs of the Civil Rights Movement - The Rock Island Public Library presents Macomb singer-songwriter Chris Vallillo in a special online concert. The concert will be live streamed via Facebook Live at noon on Tuesday, November 10, 2020. The award-winning folk singer will perform pivotal songs that inspired and sustained the landmark civil rights movement. Intermixed with the music, he will discuss the impact music had on this important social cause.

Holiday Garbage Collection - Garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection schedule will be on the normal schedule during the week of the Veteran's Day holiday. The Drop-Off Center located at Millennium Waste, 1360 Knoxville Road in Milan will be open on Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The City of Rock Island offices will be open.

The 'Winter Nights Winter Lights' Exhibit - The outdoor gardens at the Quad City Botanical Center will be in winter bloom with over 130,000 glowing lights. Showcasing their largest light display yet, new areas of the outdoor gardens will be lit, including the Children's Garden. Explore the lawns, pond, and pocket gardens of the outdoor light exhibit.

9. Mayor Thoms will close the regular meeting and open a Public Hearing regarding a request from the Jackson Group (Damarius and Chanda Washington) for an amendment to an approved Special Use Permit for four apartments at 3204 27th Avenue.

Mayor Thoms closed the regular meeting and opened the Public Hearing. Chanda Washington of the Jackson Group came up to speak. She said they were looking to purchase the property from the current owners and continue with the residential apartments as is while utilizing the downstairs area. Mayor Thoms asked if anyone in attendance or via remote was opposed to the project. Resident Robert Stieber joined the call and said he welcomed the Jackson Group to the neighborhood. He added that the agenda stated the Special Use Permit was for four apartments, but the notice given to him by the Economic Development Department stated the first floor would be used for private business space and storage. He asked if there was still to be an office and storage area, and if that should be part of the Special Use Permit. Planning and Redevelopment Administrator Miles Brainard came up to speak, and said it still includes the office space downstairs, and apologized for the typo. He said the ordinance proposed does include language with regards to the office space and storage, and added that it is in the former Aqualetic building. He described the building and for what purpose it will be used.

Mr. Stieber asked Ms. Washington if there would be much truck traffic with regards to the storage area. Ms. Washington replied there would not be much truck traffic, and wouldn't anticipate any unless it is for service. Mr. Stieber said most residents in the area need to back out of their driveways, but cars at her location can come out of the driveway head first, and noted that vehicles coming from the four local homes had the right of way in the street near the building. He thanked everyone. Mayor Thoms asked if anyone in attendance or via remote was in favor to the project, and no residents responded. Ms. Washington thanked Council for their time.

Mayor Thoms closed the Public Hearing and reopened the regular meeting to entertain a motion.

MOTION:

Alderwoman Swanson moved to approve the amendment to the approved Special Use Permit as recommended with the stipulations as stated; Alderman Spurgetis seconded.

VOTE:

Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: Clark and Hurt.

10. Presentation of the Financial Management Report for the Third Quarter 2020.

Accounting Supervisor Linda Barnes and Outgoing Finance Director Stephanie Masson presented the Third Quarter Financial Management Report for 2020. Ms. Barnes introduced the report as of September 20, 2020, and discussed the revenues, expenditures, and net position for the City. She said the majority of governmental funds are supported by tax revenue such as property, sales, income, and gaming taxes. She discussed additional revenues, and added that any deficiencies could certainly be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. She continued by showing the revenues, grants, and expenditures for the third quarter of 2020 and asked for questions. She discussed expenditures by department. The highest expenditures were in the Police, Fire, and Public Works Departments. Ms. Barnes next explained the State and Local Tax Revenue Analysis charts. She said as with revenues, the pandemic has affected the results. Lastly, Ms. Barnes discussed the Management Report including investment details and interest rates amongst different investment funds.

11. Presentation of the CY 2021 Budget.

Outgoing Finance Director Stephanie Masson presented an overview of the proposed 2021 City Budget. She introduced the topics of the Budget Presentation, including Goals, City-Wide Expenditures and Revenues, General Fund Expenditures and Revenues, Public Works and Enterprise Funds, Parks and Recreation Funds and the Library, and the Property Tax Levy.

Ms. Masson first discussed the budgeted goals, of which the first directive is to create a balanced budget. She said a balanced budget does not always mean that revenues exceed expenditures, but rather that it keeps financial impacts to the citizens and businesses of the City to a minimum while continuing to provide quality services and being fiscally responsible. She added the City has weathered fiscal challenges, but it is important to maintain the current position and at minimum maintain that financial position and improve it in the future.

Ms. Masson discussed the Budget Overview beginning with proposed City-wide expenditures and revenues by fund. She said the total proposed budget has four million dollars less in expenditures than the prior year's budget. She discussed the types of expenditures involved in each department of the City, as well as the dollars amounts for each versus the prior budget year. She sad the total budgeted revenue City-wide for all funds is $109,596,355.

Ms. Masson discussed the details of the State and Local Taxes for calendar year 2021. She said the state and local taxes made up $21.8 million of the total revenue, which is down from last year and include Gaming, Sales and Use, Income, Utilities, Motor Fuel, Food and Beverage, and Gas taxes.

Ms. Masson discussed the General Fund budget for 2021 and the upcoming challenges imposed by the State. She said over 70 percent of the General Fund costs go to personnel, which is expected based on the services the City provides. She added that the majority of City employees are subject to collective bargaining contracts which do have negotiated pay increases included, and the IMRF contributions by the City have gone up. She said Police and Fire Pensions are State-mandated and the City does not control terms or payouts.

Ms. Masson discussed proposed budget solutions for 2021, beginning with expenditure reductions. Those reductions include efforts to hold expenses even, delaying the filling of vacant positions, or eliminating others, delaying vehicle purchases and contracted street projects, and reducing materials, supplies, and professional development. She added that revenue increases or finding new revenues, or reviewing the opportunity for the use of reserves would also be possible. Ms. Masson continued to discuss reductions in staff. She said the 2021 budget currently shows a small reduction in overall staffing. She said total budgeted revenues for 2021 are $36.1 million, a 1.9 million reduction from last year's adopted budget. She said current budgeted expenditures total $39.7 million, a three percent increase, mostly within personnel. She discussed the chart of General Fund Expenses by department for 2021, including a detail of personnel costs by category. She presented charts showing categorical expenditures per department.

Ms. Masson discussed Property Tax Allocations for 2021, and said they are an important revenue source for the City. She compared the proposed levy for 2021 against that from the previous year, and the potential allocations of the proposal. She provided a history of the property tax rates from 2003 to the present, and discussed the six portions of the property tax levy proposal and overlapping tax districts. She discussed the detail of the tax rate based on an assessed home value of $100,000.

Ms. Masson concluded by saying that the budget is an ongoing project, and the possible use of reserves may be required. She thanked the departments for their hard work in trying to get the budget completed. She asked Council for questions. Alderman Poulos thanked Ms. Masson and the department heads for their work on the budget. Alderman Parker echoed Alderman Poulos' sentiments and asked about potential compensation from the Federal government for lost revenue. Ms. Masson said that would be very helpful, especially as a City with a casino.

Mayor Thoms thanked Ms. Masson and City Staff for their work to help balance the budget and

make the City better, smarter, and more efficient.

12. Special Ordinance removing the handicapped parking space in front of 2960 12th Street - Second Reading.

MOTION:

Alderman Spurgetis moved to approve the Ordinance; Alderman Parker seconded.

VOTE:

Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: Clark and Hurt.

13. Special Ordinance banning parking in the 26th Avenue Court cul-de-sac - Second Reading. 

MOTION:

Alderman Parker moved to approve the Ordinance; Alderwoman Swanson seconded.

VOTE:

Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, and Geenen.

Nay: None. Absent: Clark and Hurt.

14. Special Ordinance rezoning the two adjacent properties at 319 11th Street and 1109 4th Avenue from R-6 (multi-family residence) to B-3 (community business) - Second Reading.

MOTION:

Alderman Poulos moved to approve the Ordinance; Alderwoman Spurgetis seconded.

VOTE:

Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: Clark and Hurt.

15. Special Ordinance authorizing the sale of the City owned property at 1013 8th Avenue, Parcel 092271-A, Parcel 0734441011 to LaShanta Williams for $10.00 plus closing costs - Second Reading.

MOTION:

Alderman Poulos moved to approve the Ordinance; Alderman Spurgetis seconded.

VOTE:

Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: Clark and Hurt.

16. Special Ordinance authorizing the sale of the City owned property at 614 12th Street, Parcel 097647, Pin 0734452001 to Masco and Leticia Taliafero for $898.50 plus closing costs - Second Reading.

MOTION:

Alderman Poulos moved to approve the Ordinance; Alderwoman Swanson seconded.

VOTE:

Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: Clark and Hurt.

17. Special Ordinance amending Chapter 15 by adding Article XII, Self Storage Facility Accommodations Tax, to the Rock Island Code of Ordinances - Second Reading.

MOTION:

Alderman Spurgetis moved to table until December 14th in order to receive more input from two large self-storage entities that emailed the City Council members after 4:00 p.m. that afternoon; no second was given, and the motion failed.

Alderman Poulos moved to approve the Ordinance; Alderwoman Swanson seconded.

VOTE:

Motion passed on a 4-1-2 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, and Geenen. Nay: Spurgetis. Absent: Clark and Hurt.

18. Claims

a. Report from the Human Resources Department regarding payment to David G. Morrison, Rock Island, IL, in the amount of $14,218.45 for legal services rendered between October 1st and October 31st, 2020.

MOTION:

Alderwoman Swanson moved to allow the claims; Alderman Poulos seconded.

VOTE:

Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: Clark and Hurt.

19. Claims for the week of October 23rd through October 29th, 2020 in the amount of $549,836.80; for the weeks of October 30th through November 5th, 2020 in the amount of $465,321.45 and payroll for the weeks of October 19th through November 1st, 2020 in the amount of $1,488,230.25.

MOTION:

Alderwoman Swanson moved to allow the claims and payroll; Alderman Parker seconded.

VOTE:

Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: Clark and Hurt.

20. Report from the Police Department regarding the bids for their 2021 dry cleaning contract, recommending the bid be awarded to Burke Cleaners, Rock Island, IL for $11,452.50 with an option for two one-year extensions.

MOTION:

Alderman Poulos moved to accept the bid as recommended and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents; Alderman Parker seconded.

Alderman Poulos said he has looked at the contracts, but upon closer inspection it is inexpensive per officer as part of a negotiated contract.

VOTE:

Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: Clark and Hurt.

21. Report from the Police Department regarding a Resolution and an updated Multijurisdictional Law Enforcement Agreement for mutual aid.

MOTION:

Alderwoman Swanson moved to approve the resolution as recommended and authorize the Police Chief to execute the agreement between the City of Rock Island and member agencies listed; Alderman Poulos seconded.

VOTE:

Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: Clark and Hurt.

22. Report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding a new Resolution updating the grant number information as required by HUD to allow the City to accept the grant transfer.

MOTION:

Alderman Poulos moved to adopt the Resolution as recommended and authorize the Mayor to sign the necessary paperwork; Alderman Geenen seconded.

VOTE:

Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: Clark and Hurt.

23. Report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding the proposed HUD CDBG-CV funding allocations.

MOTION:

Alderman Spurgetis moved to approve the allocations as recommended and authorize the City Manager to execute the sub-recipient agreements; Alderwoman Swanson seconded.

VOTE:

Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: Clark and Hurt.

24. Report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding a request from Kerry Panozzo to divide his property at 4141 45th Avenue, zoned R-1 (one family residence) in order to create an undeveloped lot that will be available for sale.

MOTION:

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

VOTE:

Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: Clark and Hurt.

25. Report from the Public Works Department regarding a 10 year Intergovernmental Support Agreement with the Rock Island Arsenal to provide them additional electrical maintenance, sanitary sewage lift station operation and water treatment and distribution operation services.

MOTION:

Alderman Parker moved to accept the IGSA agreement with the Rock Island Arsenal as recommended and authorize the Mayor to execute the contract documents; Alderman Poulos seconded.

Alderman Geenen said this was great news. Colonel Allison with the Rock Island Arsenal said he appreciated Council discussing and considering the measure.

VOTE:

Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: Clark and Hurt.

26. Report from the Public Works Department regarding the Wastewater Treatment Plant Capacity, Management, Operations and Maintenance (CMOM) program, recommending the contract be awarded to CDM Smith, Chicago, IL in the amount of $49,500.00.

MOTION:

Alderman Poulos moved to approve the selection as recommended and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents; Alderman Parker seconded.

Alderman Poulos said this measure is federally mandated for the Water Treatment Plant. 

VOTE:

Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: Clark and Hurt.

27. Report from the City Clerk's office regarding a request from the St. Patrick Society Quad Cities USA to hold their annual parade on Saturday, March 13th, 2021.

MOTION:

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

Alderman Geenen asked if this was conditional dependent upon COVID-19 restrictions by then. Ms. Mohr confirmed yes. Alderman Poulos asked if they were ready to cancel the event if need be with regard to the restrictions. Ms. Mohr said they would cancel it or postpone to a later date in the spring.

VOTE:

Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: Clark and Hurt.

28. Other Business

Alderman Poulos gave birthday wishes to the Marine Corps, and thanked veterans in the City in advance of Veterans Day.

Mayor Thoms gave condolences to City Manager Randy Tweet and his family for the loss of his father in the past week. He reminded the public to wear masks, wash hands, and to listen to the mandates to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alderwoman Swanson thanked City businesses for adhering to mitigation restrictions during the pandemic. She asked those that are not adhering to them to reconsider for the betterment of the community. Mayor Thoms encouraged residents to support the local businesses, whether it be for outdoor dining or the purchase of gift certificates or carryout orders.

29. Motion to Adjourn 

MOTION:

Alderman Poulos moved to adjourn to Monday, November 23, 2020; Alderwoman Swanson seconded.

VOTE: 

Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Spurgetis, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, and Geenen. Nay: None. Absent: Clark and Hurt.

The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

https://www.rigov.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11092020-657