City of Moline Committee of the Whole met March 14.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Committee-of-the- Whole Call to Order
PRESENT: Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati (Chair)
Alderperson Scott Williams (Ward 1)
Alderperson Alvaro Macias (Ward 2)
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: None.
STAFF: Bob Vitas, City Administrator
Janine Hollembaek Parr, City Clerk
Carol Barnes, Finance Director
Drake Daley, Building Official
David Dryer, Director of Engineering
Barry Dykhuizen, Assistant City Administrator
Darren Gault, Chief of Police
Ryan Hvitløk, Director of Community and Economic Development ~electronically
Leah Miller, Human Resources Director
Steve Regenwether, Fire Chief
Mitch Cunningham, Fire Marshall ~electronically
David Rowatt, Information Technology Manager
K.J. Whitley, Community Development Program Manager
Keith Verbeke, Finance Manager
Holly Jackson, Rental Housing Coordinator
Brad Hauman, Neighborhood Improvement Officer
OTHERS: Margaret Kostopulos, Corporation Counsel
Dan Bolin, Corporation Counsel ~electronically
John Afoun, Moline Housing Authority
Alexandra Elias, Renew Moline
Victoria Graves, Plan Commission
Janel Choiniere, Moline Community Development Corporation
Mary Chappell, Regional Land Bank Authority
Tom Keith, Resident
Mayor Rayapati called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.
Council Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation
None.
Roll Call
Roll call was taken with Mayor Rayapati, Alderpersons Williams, Macias, Wendt, Timion, Moyer, O’Brien, Waldron and Schmidt present. Absent: none.
Public Comment
Tom Keith, resident, expressed concern that a police video detection system may be a Trojan horse to compromise the constitutional rights of citizens. He provided information for the Council’s review.
Questions on the Agenda
None.
Roundtable Discussion
Chapter 6, "RIGHTS OF WAY AND PUBLIC PROPERTY USES." David Dryer, Director of Engineering, reviewed the proposed ordinance amendments, which resulted from staff’s discussions with the City’s utility partners. Discussion had. Alderperson Wendt asked if risers would be included, as this would assist in identifying the utility company working in the right-of-way. Dryer indicated that risers would be included, though the utility company would still be required to alert City staff that work is being done in the right-of-way. In Section 6-103(d), et al, language will be changed to specify natural gas vs. petroleum. Margaret Kostopulos, Corporation Counsel, will review: 1) SEC. 6-1108, “INDEMNIFICATION” to determine if language should be removed to provide greater protection to the City; 2) SEC. 6-1109, “SECURITY” and SEC. 6-1114 (e) (2), “LOCATION OF FACILITIES,” for potential amendment. Dryer will amend 6-1114 (f) (1) “LOCATION OF FACILITIES,” to read that if facilities exist underground, then the utility company may work underground. The proposed amendment to SEC. 6-1118 “CLEAN UP AND RESTORATION,” to define time for restoration of the right-of-way was discussed. It was suggested that the utility company provide a “restored-by” door hanger or flag. Staff will request this of the utility partners. Regarding time for restoration, it was suggested that a distance be applied to a project (e.g. two blocks). Assessing fines when restoration is not done in a timely manner was discussed. If caught working without a permit, double or triple the permit fee would be assessed. Kostopulos stated that SEC 1-1107 of the Code does provide a general penalty that would apply. Staff will make revisions based on this discussion and bring the ordinance back for Council’s consideration.
Rental Housing Program. Referencing the attached presentation, Bob Vitas, City Administrator, provided a background of Moline’s housing, explaining that the City’s ordinance is good, but resources to enforce the ordinance are lacking. The City must identify how the availability of affordable housing might be accelerated. A plan to inspect all rental units in the City would include a phased approach. Vitas explained that additional staff, as well as vehicles and equipment, would be needed in order to enforce the current, multi-family rental-housing program. Fees to support or help support the program must be identified. Comparative data of neighboring rental housing inspection programs was reviewed. Vitas stated that a single-family rental-housing program does not exist because there is no ordinance, and it will only exist with the addition of resources to support it. A solution to the housing issue involves partners, public and private funding, and program areas. Mayor Rayapati suggested that managing the housing of individuals displaced into the City should be included. Vitas stated that this is just the beginning of work to be done on this issue, and staff’s continued efforts will be reported in the monthly Status & Information report. Discussion had. The hire of an additional Neighborhood Improvement Officer was initially planned; however, the addition of rental housing inspectors will assist with Code enforcement. John Afoun, Moline Housing Authority, suggested that inspections should be proactive; a pre-inspection would be required before licensing, as well as post-inspections to maintain the license. Violations would be identified and 30 days given to correct. Landlords that are part of the Section 8 program could show proof of inspection within the past two years by the Moline Housing Authority; however, Drake Daley, Building Official, stated that the City’s requirements are a bit more stringent and should be followed. It was suggested that when a license is revoked, it should be for two years, a second revocation would be for 5 years and a third would result in the permanent revocation of not only that property’s license but of all property’s owned by said landlord within the City. Concern was expressed that the proposed program would require property repair and therefore may cause rent to increase. It was also stated that the price of rent is relative to similar property in the market. Increased housing supply will drive rent prices down. Afoun stated that because the City is landlocked, housing cannot be developed out so would have to be developed up. Mayor Rayapati asked Vitas to include in the Status & Information report a breakdown of the three parts to the housing solution: partners, public and private funding, and program areas. It was stressed that teeth in the licensing program will make it economically untenable for a landlord that does not comply. Licensing fees should balance support of the inspection program and support of affordable housing. Staff will provide a timeline for program implementation as well as an amended ordinance to support the program. The Airbnb ordinance will be expedited. Council was asked to provide feedback to Vitas.
Miscellaneous Business
Mayor Rayapati, echoed by members of Council, congratulated the Moline High School boys’ basketball team on its state win.
Alderpersons Moyer and O’Brien expressed appreciation for staff’s work on the ordinance and program presented this evening.
Bob Vitas, City Administrator, thanked the Council for supporting staff’s work.
Public Comment
There was no additional public comment.
Adjournment of City Council
Upon motion of Alderperson Moyer, seconded by Alderperson Wendt, the Council meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is on March 21, 2023. View recorded meetings at http://www.moline.il.us/CivicMedia?CID=9
http://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/8826
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