City of Moline Committee of the Whole Met July 20.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
PRESENT: Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati (Chair)
Alderman Scott Williams (Ward 1)
Alderman Alvaro Macias (Ward 2)
Alderman Matt Timion (Ward 4)
Alderman Sam Moyer (Ward 5)
Alderman Pat O’Brien (Ward 6)
Alderman Mike Waldron (Ward 7)
Alderman James Patrick Schmidt (Alderman At-Large)
ABSENT: Alderman Mike Wendt (Ward 3)
STAFF: Bob Vitas, City Administrator
Janine Hollembaek Parr, City Clerk
Joe Kuhlenbeck, Interim Public Works Director
Leah Miller, Human Resources Director
David Rowatt, Information Technology Manager
Darren Gault, Chief of Police
Jeff Snyder, Fire Chief
Carol Barnes, Finance Director
K.J. Whitley, Community Development Program Manager
OTHERS: Margaret Kostopulos and David Silverman, Corporation Counsel
Alexandra Elias, Renew Moline
Josh Lapp, Designing Local
Jim Thompson, Illinois Domus, LLC
Anamaria Rocha, Mercado on Fifth
Barb Sandberg and Frank Ege, Moline Historic Preservation Commission
Dave Herrell, Visit Quad Cities
Brandon Nees, Spiegel Building Mural Artist
Mayor Rayapati called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.
Mayor’s Board Appointments
Appointment of Pam Nelson to the Keep Moline Beautiful Commission for a full 3-year term, expiring November 30, 2024
Appointment of Geoff Manis to the Keep Moline Beautiful Commission for a full 3-year term, expiring November 30, 2024
Reappointment of Kristen Bergren to the Keep Moline Beautiful Commission for a full 3-year term, expiring November 30, 2023
Presentation
Neighborhood Partnership Committee’s Neighbor of the Month Award. Mayor Rayapati and K.J. Whitley, Community Development Program Manager, presented the awards to:
⮚ Commercial, presented to Dean and Sarah Wright of Wright Cycles LLC, 2018 16th Street.
⮚ Residential, presented to Alberto Garcia, 112 16th Avenue.
Public Art & Placemaking Plan, Policy and NEA “Our Town” Grant. Alexandra Elias, Renew Moline, shared that an ordinance is being drafted that will give legal effect to the City’s Public Art and Placemaking Plan (“Plan”) and to the Plan’s provisions. The ordinance will, among other things, adopt the Plan, create a Public Art Commission, and establish requirements for City and private public art investments in Moline’s downtown area, as defined in the Plan. Policy direction from the Mayor and City Council is being sought, with recommendations throughout the presentation. Elias and Josh Lapp, Designing Local, provided a high-level overview of the Plan and presented policy issues (attached). There was discussion. Consensus of Council was approval of the Plan and policies as presented. Elias indicated that authority to apply for a National Endowment for the Arts “Our Town” grant is also sought. Alderman Moyer, seconded by Alderman Timion, moved to authorize Renew Moline to proceed with the application process. Motion passed unanimously. Elias introduced Spiegal Building mural artist Brandon Nees, who addressed the Council.
Questions on the Agenda
Agenda Items
1. A Special Ordinance authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute and attest to an Amendment to the Development and Economic Incentive Agreement between the City of Moline and Illinois Domus, LLC, for the development project and to execute any necessary agreements referenced therein, and authorizing all appropriate City officers and staff to do all things necessary to complete each of the City’s responsibilities pursuant to said Agreement. The City approved a Development Agreement on July 10, 2018, which set forth the general terms between the parties in furtherance of the Sixth Avenue Townhomes Project for the redevelopment of properties located at 1300 6th Avenue, 1308 6th Avenue, 1312 6th Avenue, 1318 6th Avenue and 1326 6th Avenue. The Developer asserts that unknown and unforeseen site conditions concerning subsurface soils and materials, sewer locations, and the scope of streetscape improvements and other public improvement costs were materially different from those conditions contemplated by Sections I and II of the Agreement, and therefore, the City should bear the cost of those changed conditions. After discussions, the Design Build Management Team (DBMT) and the Project Management Team (PMT) agreed to resolve all such claims for all material changes once and for all by amending Section I. D. to recognize additional Public Improvement Costs of $109,174, thereby revising the total of the Public Improvement Costs eligible for payment to $137,134, and thereby increasing the Maximum Amount of Property Tax Rebate/Reimbursement by $109,174. DBMT considered the proposed amendment on March 26, 2021, and PMT voted on April 13, 2021, to recommend that City Council approve the Proposed Second Amendment. A motion was made by Alderman Waldron to approve. Seconded by Alderman Schmidt. Developer Jim Thompson addressed the Council. Motion passed unanimously.
2. A Resolution declaring the City of Moline’s support for and endorsement of the Quad Cities Chamber application to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for the Community Navigator Pilot Program. The Quad Cities Chamber (Chamber) has spent the last two weeks exploring this $2.5M opportunity with potential partners and has agreed to submit a game-changing proposal for our region. This grant requires one organization to serve as the “Hub” and a minimum of six organizations to serve as the “Spokes”. Over 15 potential partners have been identified to be part of this grant to best serve the businesses throughout our eight-county region. The Quad Cities Chamber will serve as the “Hub” and many organizations will conduct outreach to a target audience and then follow up with connections to technical assistance resources like SBDC, SCORE, IMEC, CIRAS, Forward, etc. The Chamber is moving fast as the deadline for the federal grant application is July 23, 2021, with work beginning September 1, 2021. Applicants must submit one or more resolutions or letters that demonstrate that the application is supported by one or more States or political subdivisions of States (e.g., counties, municipalities) that encompass all or a substantial portion of the communities served by this project. The Chamber is asking each city to pass a resolution of support of this request. Staff seeks approval of a resolution of support for the Quad Cities Chamber Community Navigators Grant from City Council. A motion was made by Alderman Schmidt to approve. Seconded by Alderman Moyer. Motion passed with Alderman Macias abstaining as a member of the Quad Cities Chamber.
3. A Special Ordinance authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a Quit Claim Deed conveying six (6) parcels described in Exhibit A, attached hereto, to West Gateway Partners, LLC, (“West Gateway”) for the West Gateway and Mercado on Fifth development, generally located at or near the intersection of 4th Avenue and 12th Street, Moline, Illinois. As authorized by Special Ordinance No. 4051-2018, the City, West Gateway and Community Health Care, Inc. (“CHC”) entered into an Agreement to Terminate the Development Agreement in September 2018 that provided for the City to receive all of the funding it was entitled to under the Development Agreement, which have been received. In order to complete and conclude the City’s obligations under the Development Agreement, after receiving all payment, and to facilitate the completion of the Project, those certain public alleys and right-of-ways vacated by the City would be conveyed by the City to West Gateway. When this agreement was executed, the City should have conveyed the deeds to the right-of-way, which it failed to do. A motion was made by Alderman Waldron to approve. Seconded by Alderman Williams. Discussion had. Motion passed unanimously.
4. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 4, “ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR,” of the Moline Code of Ordinances. Margaret Kostopulos, Corporation Counsel, proposed that the Code be amended to provide an option for restaurant and tavern licensees (Class A, AA, and Class B) to sell and deliver to-go cocktails, mixed drinks, and single-servings of wine until 10 p.m., under the conditions provided in local ordinances and state law; and allow package retailers (Class C, Class CC, Class CCC) to make sales on Sundays, beginning at 6:00 a.m. A motion was made by Alderman Schmidt to approve. Seconded by Alderman Moyer. There was discussion. Motion passed unanimously.
5. An Ordinance amending Chapter 2, “ADMINISTRATION,” Article IV, Division 7, of the Moline Code of Code of Ordinances regarding the Human Rights Commission. Margaret Kostopulos, Corporation Counsel, stated that Moline’s Human Rights Commission has been inactive for several years. It remains an untapped resource to help fulfill the mission of the City to be welcoming and inclusive to all who enter the City’s borders and to take a stand against discrimination of any sort. Kostopulos proposed that the City establish a fixed number of seven Commission members with staggered 2-year terms. Kostopulos recommended a tiered reactivation approach, beginning with educating about individual rights and adding other functions. A motion was made by Alderman Schmidt to approve. Seconded by Alderman Moyer. There was discussion. The Commission would be engaged and its actions proactive. Mayor expressed support of the recommended approach. Motion passed unanimously.
6. A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Moline and County of Rock Island setting forth the terms for submitting a joint application for funding and submission of the subsequent grant application currently available through the U.S. Department of Justice 2021 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. The Moline Police Department has received the JAG grant for the past 10+ years. The City of Moline has been allocated $17,856 for fiscal year 2021 of which the County of Rock Island is entitled to 10% as a disparate jurisdiction. The funds for this grant must be utilized for criminal justice purposes. Moline will utilize its portion of $16,070.40 for its Less Lethal Weapon Deployment Project and reserve 3% ($482.11) for NIBRS compliance per the grant requirement. Serving as fiscal agent, upon receipt of grant funds, Moline will pay Rock Island the sum of $1,785.60 for their portion of which 3% ($53.58) will be reserved for NIBRS compliance. A motion was made by Alderman Waldron to approve. Seconded by Alderman Timion. Motion passed unanimously.
7. A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute and attest to a professional services agreement with Crawford, Murphy and Tilly, Inc., for design of North Slope Wastewater Treatment Plant biosolids dewatering and conveyance equipment installation, in the amount of $155,000. Recent comprehensive improvements at North Slope excluded dewatering equipment in an attempt to gain additional years of service from existing belt filter press equipment. This equipment is now at the end of its life, and a recent study has determined screw presses to be the most efficient and effective equipment available. A motion was made by Alderman O’Brien to approve. Seconded by Alderman Moyer. Discussion had. Motion passed unanimously.
8. A Resolution authorizing approval of Change Order No. 1 with Centennial Contractors of the Quad Cities, Inc., for Project #1353, 2021 Patching Program for the amount of $451,853.41. Staff had directed the patching program contractor to facilitate additional work in Molette and to work with Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS) to complete the 34th Street railroad pavement patching. Change Order No. 1 reflects the following additional work: Pavement Removal, Aggregate, and Fabric in Molette, $104,155.49; Asphalt overlay in Molette, $84,697.92; Railroad pavement patching, $43,000.00; and funding for additional patching requests $220,000.00. Change Order No. 1 is necessary in order to pay the contractor and reflects the difference between the estimated bid quantities and includes the additional work in Molette, railroad pavement patching, and additional patching. A motion was made by Alderman Waldron to approve. Seconded by Alderman Moyer. Motion passed unanimously.
9. A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute three surrounding property owners consent forms granting the City’s consent for a Class A liquor license to be issued for 1209 4th Avenue, Suite 2, Moline, Illinois. Sweet Arnie’s Barbecue Restaurant, wishes to apply for a Class A liquor license for a restaurant to be located at 2900 River Drive, Suite A, Moline. Pursuant to Section 4-3202(a) of the Moline Code of Ordinances, no liquor license of any class, except a special event license, shall be issued unless consents from a majority of the surrounding property owners are obtained. This surrounding area includes property owners within a 150-foot radius from the center of the front of the premises, and, if the property abuts a residentially zoned parcel or parcels, the consent of the majority of the residential property owners within a 500-foot radius from the building for which the license is sought. The applicant will be leasing the property owned by Vast Properties, LLC. Of the two surrounding properties identified, Vast Properties, LLC owns one (parcel 089473), and the City owns the other (parcel 083807-4). Because consent of a majority of surrounding property owners is required for licensing, the applicant will need consent of the City for the license to issue. A motion was made by Alderman Timion to approve. Seconded by Alderman Moyer. There was discussion. Motion passed unanimously.
Informational
Bond Refinance. Carol Barnes, Finance Director, recommended an opportunity to refinance two of the City’s existing bond issues in TIF #2 and TIF #6, for a combined total projected savings to the City of $374,733.56. Barnes projects a $258,627.53 savings for TIF #2; and a $116,106.03 savings for TIF #6. Due to favorable interest rates in the current market and upcoming call dates on the Series 2012A and 2012B Taxable General Obligation Refunding Bonds, the City has the opportunity to borrow funds to refund and redeem the City’s existing Bonds. The final term of both refundings will remain the same at November 1, 2031. 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. Both of the Taxable General Obligation Refunding bonds, Series 2021A and 2021B, will be 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 existing Bonds and to pay all costs of issuing the bonds. Should Council decide to move forward with the refundings, staff will prepare a Preliminary Term Sheet and the 1st reading of an Ordinance authorizing the issuance of Taxable General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2021A and 2021B, for the July 27th Meeting. A bid opening on the bonds will be scheduled for the morning of August 10, with Council’s approval of the second reading of the Ordinance that night (complete with final numbers and a purchaser, assuming the bids are satisfactory). The delivery and closing date will be targeted for September 2, 2021. The attached illustrative savings assumes a true interest cost of approximately 1.89% for both issues. The total projected savings of $374,733.56 is net of all issuance costs. Barnes noted that Stephens Park lies within both TIFs. Alderman Waldron, seconded by Alderman Williams, moved to approve Barnes’ recommendation as presented. Motion passed unanimously.
Workforce Infrastructure Enhancements. Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati proposed that the City of Moline develop a loan or grant program to distribute, at minimum, a total of $200,000 of American Rescue Plan dollars to: 1) encourage new childcare and early education center development, as well as early education workforce development to increase available vacancies; and 2) enhance existing centers and FCCs, so they can provide more child care vacancies or change their hours to increase options for second shift, third shift and weekend coverage. Should Council include such a program in its ARPA disbursement priorities, staff does have the capacity to guide the application process, distribute the dollars to worthy applicants and track expenditures per ARPA guidelines. Mayor stated that she is not requesting action this evening; however, she does ask that it be considered along with other projects and initiatives received for ARPA funding (presentation attached). There was discussion. Mayor Rayapati will investigate both a potential City and regional program.
Public Comment
Barbara Sandberg, 534 26th Avenue, stated that much has been invested in the downtown and much has been accomplished. She applauded the façade committee and stated that she hopes to see appropriate art in the downtown. She asked that someone with an historic background be placed on the Public Art Commission.
View recorded meetings at http://www.moline.il.us/CivicMedia?CID=9
The meeting adjourned at 8:01 p.m.
https://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/7259
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