City of Moline Committee of the Whole met April 13.
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 Kevin Schoonmaker (Ward 6) -electronically
Alderman Mike Waldron (Ward 7)
Alderman Sonia Berg (Alderman At-Large)
ABSENT: None.
STAFF: Marty Vanags, Interim City Administrator
Janine Hollembaek Parr, City Clerk
Joe Kuhlenbeck, Interim Public Works Director - electronically
Leah Miller, Interim Human Resources Manager
Eric Griffith, Parks Recreation Director - electronically
David Rowatt, Information Technology Manager
Bryon Lear, Library Director - electronically
Darren Gault, Chief of Police
Jeff Snyder, Fire Chief
Carol Barnes, Finance Director - electronically
Tony Loete, Director of Utilities
Rodd Schick, Municipal Services General Manager - electronically
OTHERS: Derke Price, Ancel Glink
Sharon Smith, Quad Cities Realtors - electronically
Mayor Acri called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.
Approval of Remote Electronic Attendance
Alderman Moyer, seconded by Alderman Waldron, moved to approve the remote electronic attendance of Aldermen Parker, Wendt and Schoonmaker. Motion passed on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Aldermen Parker, Wendt, Potter, Moyer, Schoonmaker, Waldron, Berg and Williams; nays: none.
Proclamation
A Proclamation from local REALTORS® to declare April, 2021, as “National Fair Housing Month.” Sharon Smith addressed the Council.
Questions on the Agenda
Item #1 on the COW Agenda was pulled by staff pending additional information.
Agenda Items
1. USPS Parking Lease Renewal. This item has been pulled by staff pending additional information.
2. 2022 CMS Bid for Road Salt. Rodd Schick, Municipal Services General Manager, explained that staff is seeking approval to submit a commitment for bidding road salt with the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) for 5,000 tons that would commit the City to purchase a minimum of 4,000 tons and the ability to purchase up to 6,000 tons for the 2021/2022 winter season. A motion was made by Alderman Schoonmaker to approve. Seconded by Alderman Wendt. There was discussion. Schick explained that the total storage capacity of the City’s two salt domes is 6,150 tons. Approximately 3,200 tons of salt remains. Additional salt will be purchased in 2022 as needed. Motion passed on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Aldermen Parker, Wendt, Potter, Moyer, Schoonmaker, Waldron, Berg and Williams; nays: none.
3. Brandt Construction Contract for 2021 Seal Coat Program. Joe Kuhlenbeck, Interim Director of Public Works, indicated that there have been some challenges with this program, specifically with road performance, and staff wishes to evaluate seal coat projects completed during the past 5 years, before moving forward with this project. Kuhlenbeck also noted the increased cost of this type of road repair over the past few years. Staff seeks Council’s approval to pause, conduct further analysis and return to Council with a recommendation. A motion was made by Alderman Potter to approve. Seconded by Alderman Williams. Motion passed on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Aldermen Parker, Wendt, Potter, Moyer, Schoonmaker, Waldron, Berg and Williams; nays: none.
4. Five Cities Construction Contract for 2021 Sidewalk Program. Joe Kuhlenbeck, Interim Director of Public Works, explained that the Sidewalk Program is an annual maintenance program which provides property owners the ability to have vertical misalignments in the sidewalk of 1” or more be replaced adjacent to their properties. The 2021 program budget is $280,000, and all funds will be expensed, including $50,000 in the Infrastructure Improvement Plan to bring sidewalks to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements; $100,000 for sidewalk infill - the City fills in missing links of sidewalk around town to tie in connectors for pedestrian traffic; and $130,000 for the Sidewalk Program 75/25. Bids were opened and publicly read on March 9, 2021, for Project #1352, 2021 Sidewalk Program, with Five Cities Construction submitting the lowest and most responsible and responsive bid. Staff requests approval of a contract with Five Cities Construction Company for Project #1352, 2021 Sidewalk Program, for the amount of $254,975. A motion was made by Alderman Moyer to approve. Seconded by Alderman Wendt. Discussion had. Alderman Moyer expressed appreciation that the 34th Street sidewalk, at 24th Avenue, is included. In regard to the 75/25 Sidewalk Program, Alderman Waldron questioned whether a systematic approach to identify and repair trippers would be beneficial. Kuhlenbeck explained that the City has a list of prioritized sidewalk repair projects; however, the cost to repair those is greater than the funds available. Kuhlenbeck explained the 75/25 program: if a property owner wishes to contribute 25% of the repair cost, their project is moved up and completed before others. Motion passed on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Aldermen Parker, Wendt, Potter, Moyer, Schoonmaker, Waldron, Berg and Williams; nays: none.
5. Rescinding Resolution 1050-2020 – hiring moratorium. Derke Price, Corporation Counsel, indicated that Mayor Acri proposes to have the City Council consider rescission of Resolution 1051-2020, which modified the Personnel Code to limit hiring and promotions without Council consent. As the Council understands all too well, the COVID-19 pandemic negatively and dramatically harmed the global economy with immediate and long-term negative impacts upon the regional economy of the Quad Cities and, likewise, the anticipated revenues for the City of Moline. As part of its effort to steward its resources, the City of Moline adopted Resolution 1051-2020, temporarily modifying the personnel code of the City of Moline to impose a moratorium upon the hiring and promotions without the specific consent of Council. The City of Moline also received unanticipated assistance from the United States Congress under the CARES Act and has been promised additional assistance under the American Rescue Plan. One year later, the City of Moline, Rock Island County, and the region are all in Phase IV of Governor’s Restore Illinois Plan and anticipate moving to the “Bridge Phase” in the near future. Therefore, the City will need to be prepared to provide more services to the residents as social interactions expand, and this may require the hiring of additional personnel. Having prudently stewarded resources and having received the unanticipated federal assistance, the Mayor believes that the financial pressure that created the need for the moratorium has been sufficiently mitigated to the point that it is now in the best interests of the residents to rescind Resolution 1051-2020. A motion was made by Alderman Berg to approve. Seconded by Alderman Wendt. Motion passed on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Aldermen Parker, Wendt, Potter, Moyer, Schoonmaker, Waldron, Berg and Williams; nays: none.
6. Amending Chapter 21, “NUISANCES IN GENERAL,” Section 21-3101, “Definitions”, of the Moline Code of Ordinances. Derke Price, Corporation Counsel, explained that this Ordinance is intended to support implementation of the vacant properties registry, started a year ago. Staff recommends amending the Code to more closely define “vacant” and “registrable” properties, specifically to require proof of maintenance arrangements during an owner’s prolonged absence from the property, and to exempt property owners from registering a property that is not occupied; however, used from time to time and continually maintained. A motion was made by Alderman Berg to approve. Seconded by Alderman Moyer. Motion passed on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Aldermen Parker, Wendt, Potter, Moyer, Schoonmaker, Waldron, Berg and Williams; nays: none.
Public Comment
Amanda Spyropoulos, Ward 3 resident, requested that the City Council investigate solutions for responding to residents in mental health crisis. Spyropoulos explained the CAHOOTS community-based public safety program developed by the City of Eugene, Oregon and provided hand-outs for the Council. Mayor Acri thanked Ms. Spyropoulos for the information and asked Darren Gault, Chief of Police, to provide information on the Moline Police Department’s efforts to provide social services on-site. Chief Gault shared that nearly 900 referrals have been made to the on-site program since its inception in August, 2020.
An emailed public comment from Joel Ryser and citizens on 14th Street was read by the Clerk: We are disappointed with the road work on 14th street. Not only did the road fail, but we deal with an incredible amount of dust every day. I take great pride in my property and the dust is wrecking thousands of dollars in landscaping. Their attempts at fixing trouble spots are not working. The areas around the patches fail as a result. In conclusion, we and our neighbors feel the city should have installed a traditional curb and gutter cement road like the rest of the streets in Moline. We pay taxes like everyone else and deserve a paved road. Joel Ryser and citizens on 14th street Moline.
As a point of reference, Mayor Acri indicated that the issue that Mr. Ryser is referring to is the same road application that staff will be evaluating and bringing back to Council (item #3)
View recorded meetings at http://www.moline.il.us/CivicMedia?CID=9
The meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m.
http://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/7019
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