City of Rock Island City Council met May 8.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
1. Call to Order
This meeting will also be conducted by audio and video conference without the requirement of a physically present quorum of the Rock Island City Council due to the disaster declaration issued by Governor Pritzker. Because of this order related to COVID-19 health concerns affecting the State and the City, the Mayor has determined that an in-person meeting at City Hall with all participants may not be practical or prudent.
Alderpersons and Staff may not all be physically present at City Hall due to the disaster and physical attendance at City Hall may be limited. To participate remotely during the Public Comment or Public Hearing portion of the meeting, please join by phone at +1 414-909-5190 PIN: 752 907 377#
Mayor Thoms called the meeting to order at 6:47 p.m. and welcomed everyone.
2. Roll Call
Mayor Thoms asked City Clerk Samantha Gange to call the roll.
Present: Mayor Mike Thoms, Alderpersons Moses Robinson, Judith Gilbert, Jenni Swanson, Dylan Parker (virtual), Mark Poulos and Bill Healy. Absent: Randy Hurt.
Staff: City Manager Todd Thompson, City Attorney Dave Morrison, City Clerk Samantha Gange, and other City Staff.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Thoms led in the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Moment of Silence
Mayor Thoms requested a moment of silence. A moment of silence was observed.
5. Public Comment
Larry Hunter came to the podium to address Council, noting he is still working on trying to bring a NFL museum to Rock Island, and is currently in the process of starting the feasibility study. He said there are many entities interested in the Watchtower Plaza property. He said his group is planning to meet with all NFL owners and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, and he plans to secure the necessary donations to build the museum. He added there will be a movie made based on what his group is bringing to the City.
Michael Chaney addressed Council regarding the Black Hawk sign on behalf of the League of American Indians. He said he is a registered member of the Kickapoo-Potawatomi Nation and the Prairie Band Potawatomi Clan. He voiced support for restoration of the statue, and recognized there is opposition. He noted pow-wows that were held at Black Hawk State Park when he was younger, and opined that there was nothing degrading about the displays, and they were positive for the community. He said there is potential for the statue to be used in a positive way in the form of educating citizens on American Indian culture and as a revenue generator through tourism and attraction.
6. Minutes
a. Minutes from the April 24, 2023 Study Session and City Council Meeting.
Motion whether or not to approve the minutes as printed.
Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Gilbert moved to approve the minutes as printed; Alderperson Swanson seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 6-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Robinson, Gilbert, Parker, Swanson, Poulos, Healy. Nay: None. Absent: Hurt.
7. Awards and Honor Presentations, Officer Swearing in Ceremony, and Proclamations
a. Proclamation declaring May 21st through May 27th, 2023 as National Public Works Week.
City Clerk Gange read the proclamation. Mayor Thoms read his declaration.
Public Works Director Mike Bartels and Public Works Office Assistant Isabel Pena came to the front to accept the proclamation and pose for a picture. Mr. Bartels noted the 109 Public Works employees who do an outstanding job providing services to the City. He said the department is honored to receive the proclamation.
Mayor Thoms noted that the storm pickup is ongoing, and asked the public to bear with the department in the meantime. He said there is also flood cleanup taking place. Alderperson Gilbert said she had a tour that showed how City workers put up the flood wall and what goes into the levee system, and asked the public for patience.
b. Proclamation declaring May 2023 as Historic Preservation Month.
City Clerk Gange read the proclamation. Mayor Thoms read his declaration.
Linda Anderson, member of the Rock Island Preservation Commission, came to the front to accept the proclamation. Ms. Anderson thanked Council and the Community and Economic Development (CED) staff for supporting the Commission. She said having the commission allows the City to obtain annual certified local government grants. Currently the commission is working on nationally significant World War I neighborhoods in the City in order to have them added to the national register.
Mayor Thoms thanked Ms. Anderson and the Commission for their support.
8. Update Rock Island
Join the 3rd Annual Community Bike Ride for National Prevention Week
Help bring awareness to substance abuse and mental health this Thursday at 5:30 p.m. by participating in a community bike ride. The two-and-a-half mile route begins at Martin Luther King Park, 630 9th Street, and turns around at Frances Willard Elementary School. Bring your bike, helmet and water bottle.
The bike ride reinforces small actions we can take to lead healthy lifestyles. For more information, contact Adrianna Rubio at 309-732-2984.
The City and Augustana College are asking for input on improvements for Longview Park
Community members are invited to share their input on future plans and improvements for Longview Park. Meet this Thursday, May 11, at the Upper Pavilion, near 18th Avenue, from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 5 to 7 p.m.
Kick off your summer with music at Schwiebert Riverfront Park
QC Rock Academy will hold its summer kickoff concert on Saturday, May 20th from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Schwiebert Riverfront Park. The free event will feature QC Rock Academy's student bands. Food concessions and a beer garden will be provided by Bent River Brewery.
Plan your summer with Rock Island Parks and Recreation
The annual Parks and Recreation 2023 Summer Activity Guide is now available. The guide includes summer fun for all ages, such as sports and adventure camps, information on Whitewater Junction swimming pool, golfing, concerts and events. View the guide online at rigov.org.
9. Consent Agenda
All items under the Consent Agenda are considered to be routine in nature and will be enacted by a single motion and subsequent roll call vote. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless an Alderperson so requests, in which case, the item will be moved from the Consent Agenda and considered as the first item after approval of the Consent Agenda.
a. Claims for the week of April 14 through April 20, 2023 in the amount of $655,268.71; week of April 21 through 27, 2023 in the amount of $880,878.26; and payroll for the weeks of April 3 through April 16, 2023 in the amount of $1,661,793.46.
b. The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) claims for the week of April 14 through April 21, 2023 in the amount of $34,172.69.
c. Report from the Human Resources Department regarding payment in the amount of $10,007.37 to David G. Morrison, City Attorney, for services rendered during the month of April 2023.
d. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $25,075.44 to CDM Smith, Chicago, IL for services provided from March 12 through April 15, 2023 as part of the Mill Street Plant Anaerobic Digester Maintenance Project.
e. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment #11 in the amount of $360,289.00 to Johnson Controls Inc., Moline, IL for services provided from September 1 through December 31, 2022.
f. Report from the Public Works Department regarding final payment in the amount of $138,379.52 to the Illinois Department of Transportation for part of the construction costs for the 18th Avenue Resurfacing Project from 17th Street to 46th Street, Project 2705.
g. Report from the Public Works Department regarding final payment in the amount of $84,645.78 to the Illinois Department of Transportation for part of the construction costs for the 38th Street Resurfacing Project from 7th Avenue to 46th Avenue, Project 2706.
h. Report from the Public Works Department regarding final payment in the amount of $10,335.10 to the Illinois Department of Transportation for part of the costs related to construction of handicap ramps along US-67 (15th Street), Project 2411.
i. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment for two invoices totaling $1,189,389.54 to the Illinois Department of Transportation for costs related to construction of the intersection of 85th Avenue West and the Rock Island Parkway, Project 2834.
Motion whether or not to approve Consent Agenda items a through i.
Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Healy moved to approve consent agenda items a through i; Alderperson Swanson seconded.
DISCUSSION:
Alderperson Gilbert referenced Consent Agenda item e, or the Johnson Controls project, and asked if City facilities listed in the agreement could be ensured of operating as was expected, especially City Hall. Mr. Bartels said the department has continued to work with Johnson Controls on problem locations.
Alderperson Gilbert referenced Consent Agenda items f, g, h, and i, asking Mr. Bartels if he was able to determine the original source of the funds. Mr. Bartels said Finance Director Linda Barnes found that the funds were from Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) 2016A bonds.
Mr. Bartels added that measurement of the Johnson Controls project is done through the contract itself, which contains a large document explaining how the contract will pay for itself. He said the project was substantially complete in September 2022, and for three years it will be measured and verified. Johnson Controls will provide a detailed report of the project and the savings that are recognized. Alderperson Gilbert asked if Johnson Controls would be coming before Council for a report. Mr. Bartels said the report is provided as an executive summary for each of the first three years, but they would likely be amenable to coming before Council for a presentation.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 6-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Robinson, Gilbert, Parker, Swanson, Poulos, Healy. Nay: None. Absent: Hurt.
10. Claims
a. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $71,664.87 to McClintock Trucking & Excavating, Silvis, IL for services performed at multiple addresses as part of the Water Service and Sewer Lateral Repair Programs.
Motion whether or not to allow the claim.
Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Poulos moved to allow the claim item; Alderperson Swanson seconded.
Alderperson Parker recused himself from the vote due to the nature of his employment.
DISCUSSION:
Alderperson Swanson said many residents have received a notice in the mail from American Water stating they could apply for their sewer and lateral repair programs, noting this is only a marketing plan, as the City has not sold water assets.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 5-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Robinson, Gilbert, Swanson, Poulos, Healy. Nay: None. Absent: Hurt.
11. Other Business
No other business was discussed. Mayor Thoms noted that other business will be repeated near the end of the meeting, but this earlier section was necessary prior to adjourning the current Council and beginning again with the new Council after swearing in reelected members.
12. Motion to Adjourn Sine Die
a. Oath of Office - Alderperson Randy Hurt, Alderperson Jenni Swanson, Alderperson Mark Poulos, and Alderperson Bill Healy.
Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Poulos moved to adjourn sine die; Alderperson Healy seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 6-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Robinson, Gilbert, Parker, Swanson, Poulos, Healy. Nay: None. Absent: Hurt.
Clerk Gange administered the oath of office to Fourth Ward Alderwoman Jenni Swanson, Sixth Ward Alderperson Mark Poulos, and Seventh Ward Alderperson Bill Healy.
13. Call To Order
Mayor Thoms called the meeting to order following the administered oaths of office.
14. Roll Call
Mayor Thoms asked City Clerk Samantha Gange to call the roll.
Present: Mayor Mike Thoms, Alderpersons Moses Robinson, Judith Gilbert, Jenni Swanson, Dylan Parker (virtual), Mark Poulos, and Bill Healy.
Absent: Alderperson Randy Hurt.
Staff: City Manager Todd Thompson, City Attorney Dave Morrison, City Clerk Samantha Gange, and other City staff.
15. Public Comment
Mayor Thoms asked if anyone in the public wished to speak. No residents were signed up, and none volunteered to speak virtually.
16. Purchases
a. Report from the Public Works Department requesting approval to utilize American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in the amount of $46,232.53 for the purchase of an emergency valve replacement from Electric Pump of Des Moines, IA; and $111,579.16 for installation and three-month rental of temporary pumps for the Southwest Treatment Plant.
Motion whether or not to approve ARPA funding for the recommended purchase and rental.
Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Gilbert moved to approve the ARPA funding for the recommended purchase and rental; Alderperson Poulos seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 6-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Healy, Robinson, Gilbert, Parker, Swanson, and Poulos. Nay: None. Absent: Hurt.
17. Contracts / Agreements
a. Report from the Public Works Department regarding bids for the 2023 Seal Coat Program, recommending the bid be awarded to Valley Construction, Rock Island, IL in the amount of $108,157.00.
Motion whether or not to approve the bid and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents.
Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Healy moved to approve the bid and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents; Alderperson Swanson seconded.
Alderperson Parker recused himself from the vote due to the nature of his employment.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 5-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Healy, Robinson, Gilbert, Swanson, and Poulos. Nay: None. Absent: Hurt.
18. Ordinances with Reports from Departments
a. Report from the Community & Economic Development Department regarding amendments to the penalties for Nuisance Violations in Chapter 7, Section 234 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Rock Island and Weeds and Grass Violations in Chapter 13 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Rock Island. (First Reading)
Motion whether or not to consider the amendments to Chapters 7 and 13 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Rock Island.
Roll Call vote is needed.
Mayor Thoms announced this item was being removed from the agenda.
b. Report from the Community & Economic Development Department regarding the sale of City- owned property located at 1224 24th Avenue (PIN 1611107023) to Breshawn Hawthorne for $1,500.50 plus closing costs. (First Reading)
Motion whether or not to approve the sale as recommended; authorize the City Manager to execute the sales agreements, and consider the ordinance.
Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Gilbert moved to approve the sale as recommended; authorize the City Manager to execute the sales agreements; and suspend the rules, consider, and pass the ordinance; Alderperson Swanson seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 6-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Healy, Robinson, Gilbert, Parker, Swanson, and Poulos. Nay: None. Absent: Hurt.
19. Budget/Finance Items
a. Report from the Finance Department regarding a budget adjustment increasing the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fund (248) revenue and expense budget for CY 2023 by $100,000.00.
b. Report from the Finance Department regarding a budget adjustment increasing the Community & Economic Development Block Grant Fund (242) expenditure budget by $163,791.29.
Motion whether or not to approve budget adjustment items a and b.
Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Gilbert moved to approve budget adjustment items a and b; Alderperson Healy seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 6-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Robinson, Gilbert, Parker, Swanson, Poulos, Healy. Nay: None. Absent: Hurt.
20. Appointments to Boards/Commissions/Committees
a. Report from the Mayor's Office regarding reappointments to the Fire Pension Board and Preservation Commission and appointments to the Labor Day Parade Advisory Board and Preservation Commission.
Motion whether or not to approve the appointments and reappointments as recommended.
Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Healy moved to approve the appointments and reappointments as recommended; Alderperson Swanson seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 6-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Robinson, Gilbert, Parker, Swanson, Poulos, Healy. Nay: None. Absent: Hurt.
b. Report from the Mayor's Office regarding the designation of a Mayor Pro Tem.
Motion to nominate a Council member as Mayor Pro Tem through May, 2024.
Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Swanson moved to nominate Bill Healy as Mayor Pro Tem; Alderperson Poulos seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 6-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Healy, Robinson, Gilbert, Parker, Swanson, Poulos. Nay: None. Absent: Hurt.
21. Events/Misc Requests
a. Report from the City Clerk's office regarding a request from Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse, 1828 3rd Avenue, for sound amplification and to close off half of the block between 18th and 19th Streets at 3rd Avenue on Thursday, June 15, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for a Music On The Marquee outdoor show.
Motion whether or not to approve the street closing and sound amplification requests as recommended.
Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Swanson moved to approve the street closing and sound amplification requests as recommended; Alderperson Poulos seconded.
Mayor Thoms noted that this has been a success in previous years. Alderperson Healy asked if there was a rain date. Mayor Thoms replied he was not sure, but there had been in previous years.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 6-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Healy, Robinson, Gilbert, Swanson, Parker, Poulos. Nay: None. Absent: Hurt.
b. Report from the City Clerk's office regarding an Activity / Event application for the Rock Island
Grand Prix to be held on Saturday, September 2, 2023 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m for setup, and on Sunday, September 3, 2023 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; a request to close 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Avenues between 17th and 20th Streets, close 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th Streets north of 5th Avenue and south of 1st Avenue; and close 4th Avenue at 24th Street from Friday, September 2 at 5:00 p.m. to Monday, September 5, 2023 at 6:00 a.m.; a request to use a portion of Parking Lot C from Wednesday, August 30 through Monday, September 6, 2023 for the storage of equipment; and a request for a waiver of the permit fee.
Motion whether or not to approve the event and requests as recommended including street closings; and the waiver of the permit fee.
Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Gilbert moved to approve the event and requests as recommended including street closings; and the waiver of the permit fee; Alderperson Poulos seconded.
DISCUSSION:
Mayor Thoms said this international event brings many people to the City, and is a qualifying event for other races.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 6-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Robinson, Gilbert, Parker, Swanson, Poulos, Healy. Nay: None. Absent: Hurt.
22. Other Business/New Business
Alderperson Poulos referenced the Visit Quad Cities presentation and discussion and said the Backwater Gamblers Water Ski team is working to bring the national championship to Rock Island. He said if they get chosen to host the national championship, it would take approximately three years. Mayor Thoms suggested that Visit Quad Cities could potentially assist with bringing this tournament to Rock Island and suggested Aldperson Poulos set up a meeting with City Manager Thompson.
23. Closed Session
a. 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(1) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body (or legal counsel for the public body).
Motion whether or not to go into Closed Session for the exception cited.
Roll Call vote is needed.
MOTION:
Alderperson Healy moved to go into Closed Session for the exception cited; Alderperson Poulos seconded.
VOTE:
Motion PASSED on a 6-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Robinson, Gilbert, Parker, Swanson, Poulos, Healy. Nay: None. Absent: Hurt.
24. Adjourn
a. Motion to Adjourn.
MOTION:
Alderperson Swanson moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:43 p.m.; Alderperson Poulos seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 6-0-1 roll call vote. Aye: Robinson, Gilbert, Parker, Swanson, Poulos, Healy. Nay: None. Absent: Hurt.
https://www.rigov.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05082023-1160
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