City of Moline Committee of the Whole/City Council met April 25.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee and 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 Mike Waldron (Ward 7)
Alderperson James Patrick Schmidt (Alderperson At-Large)
ABSENT: Alderperson Pat O’Brien (Ward 6)
STAFF: Bob Vitas, City Administrator
Brandi Russell, Deputy City Clerk
Carol Barnes, Finance Director
David Dryer, Director of Engineering
Barry Dykhuizen, Assistant City Administrator
Darren Gault, Chief of Police
Eric Griffith, Parks Recreation Director
Bryon Lear, Library Director
Tony Loete, Director of Utilities
Leah Miller, Human Resources Director
Steve Regenwether, Fire Chief
David Rowatt, Information Technology Manager
Sean Foley, City Planner
Greg Pyles, WPC Treatments Operations Manager
WPC North Slope staff and family
OTHERS: Margaret Kostopulos, Corporation Counsel
Dan Bolin, Corporation Counsel ~electronically
Grace Kinnecutt, Dispatch/Argus
Alexandra Elias, Renew Moline
Cecelia Bailey, QC Open Network
Angela Winkel, Blackhawk Chapter, A.B.A.T.E of Illinois
Dan Mizner, Historic Preservation Commission
Anna Castro & Abdur Razzaque, Newly elected Alderpersons
Mayor Rayapati called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Approval of Remote Electronic Attendance
None.
Board Appointments
Mayor’s appointment of Katie Hylton to the Special Service Area 6 Board to fill the unexpired term of Chelsey Waterman, expiring September 30, 2023, in addition to a full 3-year term, to expire September 30, 2026.
Mayor’s reappointment of Wendi Harrell to the Police Pension Fund Board for a full 2-year term, to expire April 30, 2025.
Mayor’s reappointment of Bill Grimes to the Firefighters' Pension Fund Board for a full 2-year term, to expire April 30, 2025.
Mayor’s reappointment of Brian Vyncke to the Firefighters' Pension Fund Board for a full 2-year term, to expire April 30, 2025.
Mayor's reappointment of Jeff Dismer to the Historic Preservation Commission for a full 3-year term, to expire April 20, 2026.
Presentation
4.1 IAWPCO Award – “Best Operated Wastewater Treatment Works”.
Tony Loete, Director of Utilities introduced the award and explained the nomination by the Environmental Protection Agency. Greg Pyles, WPC Treatments Operations Manager, discussed the criteria of the award. Pyles commended the leadership team, past and present, and the wastewater treatment plant staff. He presented the plaque to Mayor Rayapati on behalf of the North Slope Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Proclamation
5.1 A Proclamation from A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois to declare the month of May 2023 as “Motorcycle Awareness Month”. Angela Winkel, Blackhawk Chapter of A.B.A.T.E of Illinois, accepted the proclamation.
5.2 A Proclamation from Quad Cities Open Network to declare the month of May 2023 as “Mental Health Awareness Month”. Cecelia Bailey, QC Open Network, accepted the proclamation.
Public Comment
None.
Questions on the Agenda
Item 15.1 was moved to the non-consent agenda upon request of Alderperson Schmidt. Schmidt will abstain from the vote due to a business conflict.
Item 17.1 was moved to the non-consent agenda upon request of Alderperson Wendt.
Informational
8.1 2022-2024 Action Plan Dashboard, FY23, Q1 Report
Bob Vitas, City Administrator, introduced the Action Plan Dashboard and credited City staff on pushing the strategic goals forward. Strategic plan discussions will begin with the new City Council in May. He thanked the outgoing City Council members for their work. Alderperson Wendt inquired about a licensing regime. Mr. Vitas reiterated that housing is a challenging and multi-faceted issue, and work on a comprehensive program will continue.
8.2 An Ordinance amending Chapter 8, “BUILDINGS AND OTHER CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING SERVICES,” of the Moline Code of Ordinances, ARTICLE II, “BUILDING AND RESIDENTIAL CODES,” DIVISION 1, “MOLINE BUILDING CODE,” Section 8-2101, “AMENDMENTS TO THE BUILDING CODE,” pertaining to the City’s adopted Building Code; and amending Chapter 25, “PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT,” of the Moline Code of Ordinances, ARTICLE IV, “HISTORIC PRESERVATION,” by enacting one new Section 25-4112, “DEMOLITION OF STRUCTURES FIFTY YEARS OLD OR OLDER,” to create procedural safeguards prior to the demolition of potentially historically significant buildings, and consecutively renumbering the remaining subsections of ARTICLE IV, “HISTORIC PRESERVATION,” as set forth herein.
Sean Foley, City Planner, discussed the history of the ordinance revision process, which began in 2019. The ordinance went through a series of revisions and was tabled indefinitely at a City Council meeting on October 27, 2020. A second draft was reintroduced as an informational item on August 2, 2022. More revisions were made by Corporation Counsel. Mayor Rayapati inquired about internal guidelines followed by the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) and wants to see flexibility in the ordinance. Discussion had. A blanketed fifty-year policy was mentioned as a concern. Alderperson Williams suggested the HPC could go out and identify those historic buildings first. Alderperson Moyer felt this gives us an opportunity that doesn’t currently exist, so he will support it. Alderperson Timion is in full support and feels that it will filter out the properties that aren’t historically significant. Dan Mizner, Chair of the Historic Preservation Commission, said that the HPC hopes for time to document these structures before they are demolished. If something is deemed historically significant, it gives the HPC the opportunity to speak with the property owner about amending its purpose, rather than destroying it. Alderperson Wendt asked about declaring landmarks, and Foley discussed the process of designating landmarks via the HPC. Alderperson Macias suggested the HPC could work on conducting historic surveys, and Foley said that project has not been started yet. In 1988, Augustana College had provided a list of 488 structuresin Moline that could be deemed historically significant. Staff will use the input provided by City Council to make further revisions.
Adjournment of the Committee-of-the-Whole and Council Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation
None.
Roll Call
Roll call was taken with Mayor Rayapati, Alderpersons Williams, Macias, Wendt, Timion, Moyer, Waldron and Schmidt present. Absent: O’Brien.
Consent Agenda
Approval of Minutes
Committee-of-the-Whole and Council minutes of April 11, 2023, Committee-of-the-Whole and Council minutes of April 18, 2023, and appointments made during Committee-of-the-Whole on April 25, 2023.
Second Reading Ordinances
14.1 3015-2023 An Ordinance amending Chapter 20, “MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC,” of the Moline Code of Ordinances, Appendix 10 thereof, “PARKING PROHIBITED AT ANY TIME,” by amending the following locations: Extending Thirty-Sixth Avenue, north side, from Forty-First Street East from 40 feet to 80 feet.
Resolutions
15.2 1085-2023 A Resolution authorizing the Chief of Police, on behalf of the City of Moline, to terminate the existing contract with Axon Enterprise Inc. in order to accept and execute a new five year contract with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for in-car and body worn camera systems for the police department in the amount of $1,500,000.
15.3 1086-2023 A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute an agreement with Hutchison Engineering, Inc. for conceptual design and community outreach for the 7th Avenue Reconstruction project from 12th to 23rd Streets.
Omnibus Vote
Alderperson Timion, seconded by Alderperson Macias, moved to approve and adopt, by omnibus vote, these items. Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Waldron, Schmidt, Williams, Macias, Wendt, Timion and Moyer; nays: none.
Non-Consent Agenda
Second Reading Ordinances
17.1 3016-2023 An Ordinance amending Chapter 6, “RIGHTS-OF-WAY AND PUBLIC PROPERTY USES,” of the Moline Code of Ordinances, by repealing Chapter 6 in its entirety and enacting in lieu thereof one new Chapter 6 dealing with the same subject matter.
Adopted. Alderperson Timion, seconded by Alderperson Macias, moved to adopt Council Bill 3016- 2023. Discussion had regarding double poles and definitions. Alderperson Wendt made a motion to amend Section 6-1101(30) to add the following definition: “a double pole is defined as any utility pole, which is attached or in close proximity to another utility pole, and located in the right-of-way, most commonly resulting when a new utility pole is installed next to an existing utility pole (and numbers would change thereafter). Seconded by Moyer. Alderperson Waldron suggested that Council should go with what staff has recommended, and that he would not support the amendment. David Dryer, Director of Engineering, said that MidAmerican is making progress on removing double poles, but that AT&T has been understaffed,so everything was pushed back. Alderperson Wendt felt there was no penalty provision. Alderperson Waldron made a motion to call the question on Alderperson Wendt’s amendment, but it was not seconded. Discussion had regarding the code and requirements to reduce and enforce double wood situations. Margaret Kostopulos, Corporation Counsel, pointed out to Council that Chapter 1 of the Moline Code of Ordinances has a clear section about sanctions for violation of the code, which is $750 for the 1st violation, and up to $750 per day for willful violations. The motion to amend section 6-1101(30) to add the definition of a double pole failed on roll call: ayes: Alderpersons Williams and Wendt; nays: Alderpersons Waldron, Schmidt, Macias, Timion, and Moyer. Alderperson Wendt then made a motion to amend by rejecting a proposed change to Chapter 6 in Section 6-1118, which would give utilities 20 days for clean-up and restoration, and instead keep it at 10 days. Seconded by Alderperson Williams. Alderperson Wendt believes it would not help our enforcement to give them 20 days. Discussion had regarding the change in number of days, which came from the utility working group. The motion to amend by rejecting the change in number of days in Section 6-1118 failed on roll call: ayes: Alderperson Wendt; nays: Alderperson Waldron, Schmidt, Williams, Macias, Timion, and Moyer. Alderperson Wendt inquired about the last line of text added in Section 6-1118, which reads, “...the Utility shall be responsible to inform the property owner the timeline for restoration”. Discussion had regarding the timing of when property owners are informed by the utility. Dryer clarified that this should occur at the onset of the project. Alderperson Wendt made a motion to amend Chapter 6 by adding language to section 6-1118 after “…the Utility shall be responsible to inform the property owner the timeline for restoration” to say “prior to the start of any project adjacent to such properties”. Seconded by Alderperson Timion. Motion to amend carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Waldron, Schmidt, Williams, Macias, Wendt, Timion, and Moyer; nays: none. Alderperson Wendt then made a motion to amend Section 6-1114(f)(3) by adding the following language: “No above-ground facilities shall be installed in front of or interfere with the traffic signal or camera; interfere shall defined as being located directly within the line of sight from any traffic lane and an existing traffic signal or camera, and in no event shall any above ground facilities touch or pass through any traffic signal or support at any intersection”. Seconded by Williams. Concerns were expressed that the proposed amendment is too vague. Dryer added that while these situations are not aesthetically pleasing, he does not feel they are a safety hazard. Orders to correct were issued and the appropriate process will be followed. Discussion had. Motion to amend failed on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderperson Wendt; nays: Alderpersons Waldron, Schmidt, Williams, Macias, Timion, and Moyer. Discussion had about Section 6-1114 and underground wires and whether the City bears all costs for relocation. Bob Vitas, City Administrator, said that often times, reconstruction project expenses are negotiated with utility companies. Margaret Kostopulos, Corporation Counsel, concurred with Vitas that when the City requires a relocation, then the City would bear the cost. Discussion was had on whether the City is legally required to pay for relocation underground and whether a code could be adopted that required utilities to pay. Barry Dykhuizen, Assistant City Administrator, said that the utility would essentially pass the cost on to the taxpayers either way via raising their rates. The motion to adopt Council Bill 3016-2023, as amended, carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Waldron, Schmidt, Williams, Macias, Timion and Moyer; nays: Alderperson Wendt.
Resolutions
15.1 1087-2023 A Resolution authorizing the Chief of Police to accept the Moline Fire and Police Recruitment Campaign strategic proposals from TAG in the amount of $89,900.
Approved. Alderperson Wendt, seconded by Alderperson Williams, moved to approve Council Bill 1087- 2023. Alderperson Macias inquired about the advertising time slots and why they were chosen. Chief Gault said the content being created extends beyond recruitment and is more of a holistic approach. It would include brand messaging that is pro-Moline, pro-police and pro-fire. Alderperson Timion thought this could be successful for not only the target audience, but for their parents as well. Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Waldron, Williams, Macias, Wendt, Timion and Moyer; nays: none; abstention: Alderperson Schmidt.
18.1 1088-2023 A Resolution authorizing the Director of Engineering to execute and attest to a Change Order with General Constructors, Inc., for the South Slope Wastewater Plant Excess Flow Clarifier Improvements Project, in the amount of $12,372.15.
Approved. Alderperson Waldron, seconded by Alderperson Schmidt, moved to approve Council Bill 1088-2023. Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Waldron, Schmidt, Williams, Macias, Wendt, Timion and Moyer; nays: none.
18.2 1089-2023 A Resolution approving and accepting proposed changes to prior contract language as agreed to by and between the negotiators for the City of Moline and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Local 581, relating to wages, hours of work and certain other conditions of employment, for the contract term January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2024.
Approved. Alderperson Timion, seconded by Alderperson Macias, moved to approve Council Bill 1089- 2023. Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Waldron, Schmidt, Williams, Macias, Wendt, Timion and Moyer; nays: none.
18.3 1090-2023 A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute and attest to a professional services agreement with Strand Associates, Inc. for design of improvements to the South Slope Wastewater Treatment Plant in the amount of $3,827,500, and authorizing the Director of Utilities to execute any necessary documents related to this work.
Approved. Alderperson Schmidt, seconded by Alderperson Waldron, moved to approve Council Bill 1090-2023. Discussion had regarding the timing of the project design and whether the City has the ability to pare down the scope of the project. Loete shared that the facilities plan in March 2022 included a full size laboratory and scaled back facilities at South Slope. Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Waldron, Schmidt, Williams, Macias, Wendt, Timion and Moyer; nays: none.
18.4 1091-2023 A Resolution approving a special event application from The Project of the Quad Cities for “Pride Week at Bass Street” LGBTQ community events, specifically a parade on River Drive and a Pride Party at Bass Street Landing on Saturday, June 17, 2023, and a 5K Road Race Fundraiser on Sunday, June 25, 2023.
Approved. Alderperson Timion, seconded by Alderperson Macias, moved to approve Council Bill 1091- 2023. Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Waldron, Schmidt, Macias, Wendt, Timion and Moyer; nays: Alderperson Williams.
18.5 1092-2023 A Resolution authorizing the approval of a Resolution for Maintenance under the Illinois Highway Code for Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Section Number 23-00000-00-GM, 2023 Asphalt Project, for the amount of $354,798.80.
Approved. Alderperson Wendt, seconded by Alderperson Moyer, moved to approve Council Bill 1092- 2023. Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Waldron, Schmidt, Williams, Macias, Wendt, Timion and Moyer; nays: none.
18.6 1093-2023 A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute and attest to a contract with Centennial Contractors of the Quad Cities, Inc. for Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Section 23-00000-00-GM, 2023 Asphalt Project, for the amount of $354,798.80.
Approved. Alderperson Moyer, seconded by Alderperson Macias, moved to approve Council Bill 1093- 2023. Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Waldron, Schmidt, Williams, Macias, Wendt, Timion and Moyer; nays: none.
Non-Consent Agenda
First Reading Ordinances
19.1 An Ordinance amending Chapter 35, “ZONING AND LAND DEVELOPMENT,” of the Moline Code of Ordinances, by enacting an amendment to the Zoning Map, incorporated therein as Section 35-3103 (1522 and 1526 46th Avenue).
19.2 An Ordinance amending Chapter 35, “ZONING AND LAND DEVELOPMENT,” of the Moline Code of Ordinances, by enacting an amendment to the Zoning Map, incorporated therein as Section 35-3103 (161 5th Avenue).
Miscellaneous Business
Mayor Rayapati shared information about staff training and funding opportunities, specifically in tracking parks usage using data-driven technology. Mayor will inform the Public Art Committee about an asphalt art project grant.
Alderperson Wendt mentioned that he was glad the form-based code item had passed. Wendt shared that bed and breakfasts cannot get a Special Use Permit in an R2 district and hopes to see this change, as it would be good for older homes. He hopes to see a future ordinance to limit cannabis advertising. He asked staff to consider fixing potholes in advance of closing lanes where large patching projects are occurring. He encouraged the new City Council to deeply consider the South Slope project scope. Finally, as he cannot attend the May 2 farewell reception, he wanted to thank City staff and elected officials for their work in our community. He hopes to have an opportunity to be involved with the Project Management Team and the Plan Commission in the future.
Alderperson Moyer inquired about a celebration in May at Riverside Park for the Keep Moline Beautiful Commission volunteers. Staff will follow up with Rodd Schick, Municipal Services General Manager. Moyer also shared, on behalf of O’Brien, that there is an east-end cleanup Saturday, April 29 at 7:00 a.m., where crews will meet at Moline Public Works and follow trash crews around and clean up the City. Additionally, he shared about the Rock Island County Children’s Advocacy Center fundraiser held that morning, and asked future City Council to consider giving a yearly stipend to them.
Alderperson Waldron wanted to thank the City employees, and shared that the staff of every department was outstanding. He gave recognition to the many employees, mayors, city administrators, and managers he worked with over his years of service.
Tony Loete, Director of Utilities, reported that the water main project to extend water to Silvis has been selected for APWA Project of the Year Award. Administrator Bob Vitas had nominated the project for the award.
Chief Regenwether invited all to the IAFF 17th Annual Reverend Jack Hollenback Memorial Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, April 30, 2023 from 7:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at the Moline Viking Club.
Public Comment
Alex Elias, Renew Moline, thanked the outgoing alderpersons for their service to the city, for thinking big on projects, and for trusting Renew to manage the Moline Centre program.
Executive Session:
None.
Adjournment of City Council
Upon motion of Alderperson Wendt, seconded by Alderperson Williams, the Council meeting adjourned at 7:53p.m.
http://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/8944
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