City of Moline Committee of the Whole/Council met June 20.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Committee-of-the-Whole Call to Order
PRESENT: Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati (Chair)
Alderperson Debbie Murphy (Ward 1)
Alderperson Alvaro Macias (Ward 2)
Alderperson Abdur Razzaque (Ward 3)
Alderperson Matt Timion (Ward 4)
Alderperson Jessica Finch (Ward 5)
Alderperson Pat O’Brien (Ward 6)
Alderperson Anna Castro (Ward 7)
Alderperson James Patrick Schmidt (Alderperson At-Large)
ABSENT: None.
STAFF: Bob Vitas, City Administrator
Brandi Russell, Deputy City Clerk
Carol Barnes, Finance Director
David Dryer, Director of Engineering ~electronically
Barry Dykhuizen, Assistant City Administrator
Darren Gault, Chief of Police
Eric Griffith, Parks Recreation Director ~electronically
Jennifer Bizarri, Assistant Director of Community and Economic Development
Bryon Lear, Library Director ~electronically
Tony Loete, Director of Utilities
Leah Miller, Human Resources Director
Steve Regenwether, Fire Chief
David Rowatt, Information Technology Manager
K.J. Whitley, Community Development Manager ~electronically
Drake Daley, Building Official
Annette Roby, Risk Management Specialist
Todd Noe, Deputy Police Chief
Summer O’Leary, Police Business Analyst
Jeremy Weeks, Police Lieutenant
Fire and Police personnel, family, and friends
OTHERS: Margaret Kostopulos, Corporation Counsel
Mark Heinle, Corporation Counsel ~electronically
Grace Kinnecutt, Dispatch/Argus
Mayor Rayapati called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.
Oath of Office
Oath of Office for promotional appointment of Engineer Kory Heston to Lieutenant, effective June 18, 2023.
Proclamation
4.1 A Proclamation from the Keep Moline Beautiful Commission to declare the month of July 2023, as "Plastic Free July"
Presentation
5.1 Police Department Accreditation. Bob Vitas, City Administrator, shared that it is a privilege to recognize the Tier 1 accreditation of the Moline Police Department by the Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Council. Mayor Rayapati presented a plaque to the Moline Police Department. Darren Gault, Chief of Police, recognized his team for their extensive work on the accreditation process.
Public Comment
Dick Potter, Resident and Historic Preservation Commissioner, referenced the Informational item regarding the Historic Preservation Amendatory Ordinance from the Committee-of-the-Whole on April 25, 2023. HPC wants this tool in their tool box, and was informed that the item will return to City Council soon.
Porter McNeil’s comment was received by email and read aloud by the Deputy City Clerk. McNeil spoke in favor of the proposed Eastgate TIF, and believes it would spur improvements needed to energize the gateway to Moline. He urged City Council to green-light this item tonight.
Questions on the Agenda
None.
Agenda Items
8.1 An Ordinance amending Chapter 2, “Administration”, Article IV “BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS”, Division 2, “MOLINE COMMISSIONS ON YOUTH”, Section 2-4201 “EX OFFICIO MEMBERS”. A motion was made by Alderperson O’Brien to approve. Seconded by Alderperson Timion. Motion passed unanimously.
8.2 Chapter 2 “ADMINISTRATION” Amendments – Excessive Absenteeism. Margaret Kostopulos, Corporation Counsel, introduced revisions of the attendance policy for City boards and commissions. The proposed ordinance takes a proportional approach to absences, with the allowable number of absences being no more than one-third of the regularly scheduled meetings. Current ordinance language referring to bylaws was unclear and have been eliminated in these amendments. A motion was made by Alderperson Schmidt to approve. Seconded by Alderperson Timion. Motion passed unanimously.
Informational
9.1 Special Event Street Closures. Barry Dykhuizen, Assistant City Administrator, introduced challenges that staff have experienced in accommodating street closures for special events while still adhering to safety best practices. Darren Gault, Chief of Police, discussed the history and background of the Special Events Committee (see attached presentation). The goal is to balance fun with public safety. He outlined several concerns that are common with parades, including barricade placement, appropriate staffing, route selection, and event execution. Chief Gault also made several recommendations to improve special event success and safety. Several alderpersons shared issues from past events, and noted that event volunteers could use more training. Mayor Rayapati expressed appreciation for the safety options presented and spoke in favor of increased education and community training.
9.2 Chapter 8 “BUILDINGS AND OTHER CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING SERVICES” Amendments. Drake Daley, Building Official, walked City Council through a summary of the proposed amendments to Chapter 8 of the Moline Code of Ordinances. These amendments serve to bring the City’s Building Code up to the most recent code cycle and to update fees. Daley indicated that the City of Moline is the first in Quad Cities area to move forward with this code cycle adoption, and that this would allow the City to be eligible for additional grants from the State of Illinois. Mayor Rayapati asked for a list of how we compare to other cities regarding code cycle adoption. Alderperson Schmidt inquired about allowing for minor obstruction of a handrail, and how it applies to residential buildings, and Daley will follow-up regarding this. Daley invited inquiries and suggestions from Council members and is available by email.
9.3 Chapter 4 “ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR” Amendments – License Fees. Margaret Kostopulos, Corporation Counsel, shared that currently when liquor licensees move locations, they have to reapply for a license and pay fees again. The amendment proposed would waive the application and license fees for those businesses who are simply moving from one location to another in Moline. Kostopulos clarified that this would apply to all classes of liquor licenses.
9.4 Chapter 4 “ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR” Amendments – 3:00 AM Liquor Licenses. Margaret Kostopulos, Corporation Counsel, stated that Moline and surrounding communities are looking to curtail the unsafe activity occurring late in the evening and early in the morning. The City currently allows an additional option for liquor licensees to sell for extended hours until 3:00 a.m. A meeting was recently held with Mayor Rayapati and 3:00 a.m. licensees, and concern was expressed by licensees regarding substantial revenue loss if they had to close early. The City has reviewed other options in lieu of early closing. Additional requirements for proposed implementation include additional lighting, required security personnel, and surveillance cameras, with footage preserved and readily available for police review. The proposed measures are an effort to ask licensees to meet the City in the middle by investing in these additional safety measures. Alderperson Schmidt was generally supportive of these amendments, but was concerned about a phrase about surveillance in Section 4-3315(d)(4)(h)(iii) where it states “…shall be made available by the licensee for inspection by the police department, local liquor commissioner or other authorized government personnel”. Schmidt encouraged removal of the phrase “other authorized government personnel”.
9.5 Chapter 27 "PURCHASING" Amendments. Mark Heinle, Corporation Counsel, described current purchasing policies and procedures, which was introduced to streamline day-to-day decision-making for staff in addressing needs that arose. The goal is to balance some decentralization to increase efficiency while maintaining oversight control. A purchasing manual will be created after codification, so that City staff will be prepared for implementation. Amendments included updated definitions, changes in delegation of authority with updated purchasing authority and approval levels, and increased staff authority to approve change orders and contract extensions. Additional language will be inserted regarding the “Procedures for Purchases Over $25,000-$100,000”, to make it clear that as long as the City adheres to the appropriate procedures for the amount of the expenditure, then they cannot be punished for a lack of interest when less than five quotes are received. Carol Barnes, Finance Director, indicated that the proposed policy thresholds are comparable to other local communities. Alderperson Schmidt questioned in “Contract Extensions” where it states that “price increase for renewal term doesn’t exceed year over year inflation” and wants a cap in place, such as three percent, to prevent contractors from taking advantage of inflation.
9.6 Purchasing Card Policy. Mark Heinle, Corporation Counsel, shared that currently, staff have to make a check request or petty cash request for low dollar amount purchases. Department heads will determine who uses a Purchasing Card based upon need. Checks and balances will be built into the system, including merchant coding as an external check and balance. Carol Barnes, Finance Director, clarified that the City is improving a policy that has been in place since 2008. Balance limits on existing Purchasing Cards would remain the same, and pre-authorization limits would be over-budgeted so as not to be overly stringent.
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 Murphy, Macias, Razzaque, Timion, Finch, O’Brien, Castro and Schmidt present. Absent: None.
Consent Agenda
Approval of Minutes
Committee-of-the-Whole, Council and Executive Session minutes of June 6, 2023, Council special meeting minutes of June 12, 2023, and Council minutes of June 13, 2023 were approved.
Second Reading Ordinances
15.1 3019-2023 An Ordinance amending Chapter 22, “OFFENSES - MISCELLANEOUS,” of the Moline Code of Ordinances, by repealing Chapter 22 in its entirety and enacting in lieu thereof one new Chapter 22 dealing with the same subject matter.
15.2 3020-2023 An Ordinance amending Chapter 26, “POLICE,” of the Moline Code of Ordinances, by repealing Chapter 26 in its entirety and enacting in lieu thereof one new Chapter 26 dealing with the same subject matter.
15.3 3021-2023 An Ordinance Approving the Tax Increment Redevelopment Plan and Project for the Eastgate TIF Redevelopment Project Area.
15.4 3022-2023 An Ordinance designating the Eastgate TIF Redevelopment Project Area.
15.5 3023-2023 An Ordinance adopting Tax Increment Financing for the Eastgate TIF Redevelopment Project TIF Area.
Resolutions
16.1 1117-2023 A Resolution approving a final payment #6 and change order #1 final payment with Miller Trucking & Excavating, for Project #1407, Transmission Water Main from Moline to Silvis, in the amount of $87,256.23. With the change order, project still came in under budget at $1,646,089.23.
16.2 1118-2023 A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute and attest to a contract with Central Excavating, Inc. for Project #1421, 1000 Block of 43rd Avenue Water Main Extension, in the amount of $104,450.00.
16.3 1119-2023 A Resolution authorizing the Director of Engineering to execute an agreement with IMEG Corporation to complete Engineering Services for a new retaining wall at 70th Street and John Deere Parkway in accordance with the detailed scope of work included.
Omnibus Vote
Alderperson O’Brien, seconded by Alderperson Timion, moved to approve and adopt, by omnibus vote, these items. Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Timion, Finch, O’Brien, Castro, Schmidt, Murphy, Macias and Razzaque; nays: none.
Non-Consent Agenda
Resolutions
18.1 1120-2023 A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute and attest to a contract with Five Cities Construction Company for Project #1416, 2023 Alley Reconstructions, for an amount of $314,347.40.
Approved. Alderperson Macias, seconded by Alderperson Timion, moved to approve Council Bill 1120- 2023. Carol Barnes, Finance Director, shared that the City had updated the reserve balances, and there was ample funding to support new projects. Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Timion, Finch, O’Brien, Castro, Schmidt, Murphy, Macias and Razzaque; nays: none.
Non-Consent Agenda
First Reading Ordinances
19.1 3024-2023 An Ordinance amending Chapter 4, “ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR,” of the Moline Code of Ordinances increasing the number of Class B licenses in the City at the request of Alexis Nelson, potential purchaser of the former Casey’s Tavern, 1512 15th Street, Moline.
Advanced. Alderperson Timion, seconded by Alderperson Macias, moved to advance Council Bill 3024- 2023 to second reading. Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Timion, Finch, Castro, Schmidt, Murphy, Macias and Razzaque; nays: O’Brien.
Miscellaneous Business
Mayor Rayapati shared a flyer for the Good Gatherings event, which promotes social connectedness in the community, and invited all to attend on Sunday, June 25th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Millennium Park. She recently attended the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and joined the inaugural Asian-American Mayors’ Alliance. Mayor accepted an invitation to be part of a welcoming ceremony at the White House for Prime Minister Modi of India.
Alderperson Timion extended appreciation to the City for hosting the Pride events, and mentioned that it was well-attended.
Public Comment
There was no additional public comment.
Executive Session:
Alderperson Murphy, seconded by Alderperson Timion, moved for Executive Session, for the purpose of discussion of Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance, or Dismissal of Specific Employees-5 ILCS 120/2(C)(1). Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Timion, Finch, O’Brien, Castro, Schmidt, Murphy, Macias and Razzaque; nays: none.
An additional citation was noted for Executive Session.
Alderperson Murphy, seconded by Alderperson Timion, moved for Executive Session, for the purpose of discussion of Property Acquisition-5 ILCS 120/2(C)(5). Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Timion, Finch, O’Brien, Castro, Schmidt, Murphy, Macias and Razzaque; nays: none.
City Council recessed at 8:12pm.
City Council convened in Executive Session at 8:16 p.m.
Council reconvened in open session at 8:35 p.m.
Adjournment of City Council
Upon motion of Alderperson Murphy, seconded by Alderperson Timion, the Council meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
http://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/9115
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