Rock Island Today

City of Moline City Council met March 2.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Council Call to Order

PRESENT: Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati (Chair)

Alderperson Scott Williams (Ward 1)

Alderperson Mike Wendt (Ward 3)

Alderperson Matt Timion (Ward 4)

Alderperson Sam Moyer (Ward 5)

Alderperson Pat O’Brien (Ward 6)

Alderperson Mike Waldron (Ward 7)

Alderperson James Patrick Schmidt (Alderperson At-Large)

ABSENT: Alderperson Alvaro Macias (Ward 2)

STAFF: Bob Vitas, City Administrator

Barry Dykhuizen, Assistant City Administrator

Jared Thomas, Network Administrator

OTHERS: David Silverman, Corporation Counsel ~electronically

Grace Kinnecutt, Dispatch/Argus

K.J. Loerop, Lakeshore Recycling Systems

Mayor Rayapati called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Pledge of Allegiance

Invocation

None.

Approval of Remote Electronic Attendance

None.

Roll Call

Roll call was taken with Mayor Rayapati, Alderpersons Williams, Wendt, Timion, Moyer, O’Brien, Waldron and Schmidt present. Absent: Alderperson Macias.

Public Comment

None.

Questions on the Agenda

None.

Non-Consent Agenda

Resolutions

1048-2023 A Resolution approving a Property Tax Guarantee by and between the City of Moline and Lakeshore Recycling Systems, LLC.

March 2, 2023

Approved. Bob Vitas, City Administrator, introduced the topic of a Property Tax Guarantee Agreement between the City of Moline and Lakeshore Recycling Systems, LLC (LRS). Alderperson Waldron, seconded by Alderperson Moyer, moved to approve Council Bill 1048-2023, approving a real estate tax of $350,000 in both blanks in #1 and #2, for a minimum of three years, and then deferring to the assessors after this point. Discussion had. Alderperson Wendt made a motion to add language to #1 after “whichever is greater” to add “for a period of no less than three years”. Motion died for lack of second. Alderperson Waldron made a motion to amend to remove three year proposed term. Seconded by Alderperson Moyer. Discussion had. David Silverman, Corporation Counsel, stated that the three-year issue was not dealt with, because as soon as Certificate of Occupancy is issued, LRS would be at 100 percent of their assessment at that point. Based on comparables that were found with minimum property taxes, the $350,000 amount would be paid until LRS gets another assessment, but in no event would they pay less than $350,000. As soon as LRS is up and running, there will be a full tax assessment. Bob Vitas pointed out that in #2, if the valuation should fall below the original construction values, then LRS wants the right to appeal to reduce it. Mr. Silverman said LRS has the right to appeal their assessment, but not the tax amount, for as long as they are operating the facility. Alderperson Waldron moved to withdraw the original motion and his subsequent motion and start from scratch. Seconded by Alderperson Schmidt. Motion to withdraw carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Williams, Wendt, Timion, Moyer, O’Brien, Waldron and Schmidt; nays: none. Alderperson Timion, seconded by Alderperson O’Brien, moved to approve Council Bill 1048-2023, with blanks in #1 and #2 of the Property Tax Guarantee Agreement being $350,000. Discussion had. Alderperson Moyer made a motion to amend to add language to #2 to include “LRS reserves the right to appeal any tax assessment and real estate tax bill, but in no event shall they pay less than $350,000 in annual real estate taxes on the property, unless the tax assessment is reduced based upon a reduction in the assessed value.” Seconded by Alderperson Waldron. Concerns were discussed regarding the proposed dollar amount and language. Motion fails on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Timion and Moyer; nays: Alderpersons Williams, Wendt, O’Brien, Waldron, and Schmidt. Alderperson Schmidt made a motion to amend #1 to add the language “for a period at least 3 years” after “whichever is greater”. Seconded by Alderperson Wendt. Motion passes on roll call with the following vote: Alderpersons Williams, Wendt, Timion, Moyer, O’Brien, Waldron, and Schmidt; nays: none. Alderperson Schmidt made a motion to amend the dollar amount in #2 with $300,000. Seconded by Alderperson Timion. Concerns were brought forth that this would reduce the money coming into the TIF. Motion passed on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Timion, Moyer, Waldron and Schmidt; nays: Alderpersons Williams, Wendt, and O’Brien. The motion to approve Council Bill 1048-2023 as amended carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Williams, Wendt, Timion, Moyer, O’Brien, Waldron and Schmidt; nays: none.

Miscellaneous Business

Mayor Rayapati shared information about a productive two-day visit of the Urban Land Institute with RENEW Moline.

Alderperson Wendt discussed concerns about political signage on right-of-ways in the lead up to elections.

Alderperson O’Brien asked about IL-92 TIF improvements and mentioned that he and other residents would like to see the McKinley school become a park.

Public Comment

None.

Adjournment of City Council

Upon motion of Alderperson Williams, seconded by Alderperson Moyer, the Council meeting adjourned at 6:34 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.

http://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/8819