Rock Island Today

City of Moline Project Management Team met Aug. 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the team:

In Person and Virtual Meeting

Members Present: Steve Nelson, WIU, Chairman

Mike Wendt, Alderman

Sangeetha Rayapati, Mayor

Matt Timion, Alderman

Sam Moyer, Alderman

P.J. Foley, private (Virtual)

Andrew Greenlee, Deere & Co. (Virtual, departed 2:04 pm)

Staff/Attendees: Bob Vitas, City of Moline

Sean Foley, City of Moline

Alexandra Elias, Renew Moline

Ryan Hvitlok, City of Moline

David Silverman, Ancel Glink (legal counsel to City) (Virtual)

Eric Griffith, City of Moline

Joe Kuhlenbeck, City of Moline

Bill Abel, Moline Community Development Corporation

Dean Wright, Wright Cycles

Sarah Wright, Wright Cycles

Jonathan Marler, Keep Pushing Skate Shop (Virtual)

Dave Stow, Consultant- Action Sports

⮚ Call to Order – The meeting was called to order by Chairman Nelson at 1:31 p.m.

⮚ Approval of the June 14, 2022 minutes. Motion was made by Mayor Rayapati, seconded by Alderman Wendt. Motion carried.

Skatepark and Pump Track RFQ

Alex Elias introduced supporters of the Skatepark and Pump Track as Dean and Sarah Wright from Wright Cycles, Jonathan Marler from Keep Pushing Skate Shop and Dave Stow, an independent consultant specializing in action-sports planning. Alex stated that Eric Griffith, the Director of Parks & Recreation was in attendance and that Renew has been working closely with him to date. She provided an update to the PMT about the ongoing conversations with IDOT and the permitting process. Renew Moline worked in partnership with Eric Griffith to complete the first draft of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) because IDOT will need to evaluate the proposed use, the City will need to provide an idea of the design to IDOT prior to approval. Alex reviewed that it is a two-phase design process that will address basic features of the park, utility locations/supply, and the requirements of IDOT to access the bridge for maintenance, repair and emergencies. Phase I would lead to a schematic design and cost for the Council to evaluate. If the cost and design were approved by Council and IDOT, the project would proceed to final design and biddable construction documents. Eric Griffith added that the RFQ is currently being reviewed by legal counsel and will go to the Park Board for endorsement at the end of August. If approved, then the RFQ would be moved onto Council for approval. Eric shared that the RFQ was based on the RFQ created for the Riverside Pool project. Alex added that the RFQ was circulated to Dean Wright, Jonathan Marler and Dave Stow for input.

Alderman Timion asked whether there were specific firms that designed pump tracks and skateparks together, and Dean Wright stated that there are several companies that design both pump tracks and skateparks. Chairman Nelson asked what the timeline would be for bid and construction. Alex responded that construction would not likely take place until spring of 2023. Dean Wright also added that the newest pump track in Silvis went from concept to construction and was completed in one month. He added that many parks can be built quickly. He suggested that the City connect with the group that built the Silvis pump track. Mayor added that activities surrounding the project area are important. In absence of a master plan, she asked if CED could be looking at the entire area around the proposed skatepark and pump track location for other projects that will activate the area. Mayor also included that she would like to have more community input about what features the community would like to see in that area. Alderman Wendt asked if there has already been communication with Deere to address their needs. Alex answered that communication has taken place. Alderman Wendt asked if the City was prepared to incorporate all safety protocols from Deere if need be. He said that he would want to take their concerns into account so that roadblocks are not formed in the future for the project.

Mayor recommended the RFQ be taken to the Park Board for endorsement, Chairman Nelson made a motion, Alderman Timion seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

1701 5th Avenue

Alex Elias reminded the PMT that in a previous meeting, staff had reviewed the findings of an April residential feasibility study by DiSalvo Development Advisors. Now that the building has been donated to Renew, she was working with the Renew Board toward a disposition strategy and to move the property into redevelopment. She stated that right now Renew is looking into local developers for the project. Alex noted that the project may include residential and that there was some consideration in combining the property with city-owned property, but that because of the size of the site, no additional property is needed. Alex stated that more details will be available after working further with the Renew Board to define specific parameters of the project. Administrator Vitas added that the City has been working with Renew for 6 months and there are identified needs for residential in downtown. He added that these projects are attractive to developers. Alex added that the parking lot on the north side of the property will be included in the development offering. She noted that the residential feasibility study found potential for 70 units on the property. She said that the project will need TIF assistance as well as other assistance to become a reality. She said the project will go to the Renew Executive

Committee for further discussion and the formation of a solicitation strategy for developers. Alderman Wendt commented that Renew is not equipped to manage a property, but the Land Bank may be off the ground and is designed for this type of property should Renew be unable to develop it. Alex replied that the Land Bank would be Plan “B” as this would not be the wishes of the RiverStone Group and their intentions when they donated the property to Renew. Ryan Hvitlok commented that the ultimate desire was market-rate but could have options for affordable housing or a combination of market-rate/affordable units. Alderman Wendt commented that downtown Rock Island is almost all low-moderate, but it does not attract others with disposable income. He shared that there is a market for market-rate housing. Ryan said that any income restrictions would be a small portion. Alex said that Renew will structure the solicitation to developers to encourage a catalytic project with goals and aspirations for a project with identified needs. Chairman Nelson asked if action was required by PMT and Alex indicated that none was needed at this time. She said she would return with updates and that the project would come through the PMT process.

⮚ Community Reports 

Moline Community Development Corporation- Bill Abel

Bill Abel updated that his Board has been going through the strategic planning process with Linda Wastyn of Wastyn and Associates. He said that the Moline CDC has been without an Executive Director since Jayne O’Brien’s retirement, and they are in the process of figuring out how to move the organization forward. He said that the Moline CDC has been in communication with Renew to identify a partnership that would allow the Moline CDC to remain a separate nonprofit but have a physical location with support and oversight, while also hiring a new Executive Director. He said that Renew has been providing administrative support through a service agreement. He said he was grateful to the City for providing ARPA funding of $100,000 to allow the organization to hire a new Executive Director. He said that the Moline CDC has officially approved the adoption of the Moline CDC by Renew to help manage. He said that the challenge will be finding funding for the organization moving forward as their main source of funding has come from foreclosures from the City.

Alderman Moyer asked if there was an update on Sohrbeck Lofts. Alex shared she had been in contact with the owner and that the owner identified there were issues with electrical which require an upgrade and that MidAmerican was fixing the issue. She encouraged staff to review the current development agreement to verify terms and timelines.

The meeting adjourned at 2:24 p.m.

http://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/8316