City of East Moline Committee of the Whole met Aug. 7.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
ROLL CALL
Mayor Freeman called the meeting to order and directed City Clerk Wanda Roberts-Bontz to call the roll. The following Alderpersons were present: Olivia Dorothy, Jeffrey Deppe, Nancy Mulcahey, Adam Guthrie, Rhea Oakes, Lynn Segura and Jose Rico. 7:00 p.m.
ADDITIONS/CORRECTIONS TO AGENDA
None.
STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT PLAN – GREATER DOWNTOWN STREETSCAPING (Tim Kammler, Director of Engineering)
Representatives from Crawford, Murphy & Tilly will be providing a project update and will introduce the project's draft Stakeholder Involvement Plan (SIP), which is attached for review.
This plan details the framework for both soliciting input and communicating information via focus groups, an advisory committee, and public input. A new website for the project is in the process of being created and will serve as an information hub for staff and citizens alike. The communication plan for the project will remain a "work in progress".
No formal action will be requested as part of this agenda item.
Alley Fields from Crawford, Murphy & Tilly provided a presentation on the Greater Downtown Streetscape Master Plan.
RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES & NEIGHBORHOODS GRANT (Tim Kammler, Director of Engineering)
A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) was issued by the USDOT for a grant program entitled "Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods". Staff believes there is merit in pursuing this funding for the purpose of planning, evaluation, and/or preliminary design of improvements to improve pedestrian connectivity across the railroad tracks parallel to 12th Avenue. This was identified as a need in the City’s Greater Downtown Master Plan. A pedestrian bridge was discussed as one possibility for improving direct pedestrian access to the Rust Belt and Bend districts; a railroad underpass at some location has also been discussed as idea with merit albeit needing more study. Having a formal planning study complete and in-hand will provide leverage to pursue funding opportunities from the Federal Rail Administration (FRA), Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) and safety improvement funds from the individual rail companies.
Staff have obtained a professional services proposal from Crawford, Murphy and Tilly to assist the city in developing an application; proposed services would include assisting the City with cost and budget development for proposed planning activities, grant writing, and packaging of final application for submittal.
FINANCIAL:
This is not a budgeted item.
Line Item# Various Title: Downtown TIF/Port of Call TIF Actual Cost: Not to exceed $15,000.00
Funding Sources: Downtown TIF 042-4000-24-651.0
Port of Call TIF 044-4000-24-651.0
Departments: Engineering
This is not a CIP.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve preparation and submittal of Reconnecting Communities & Neighborhoods grant application. Approve professional services proposal from CMT for grant writing assistance.
A motion was made by Alderperson Guthrie, seconded by Alderperson Mulcahey to concur with the recommendation as presented. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Segura, Rico, Deppe, Mulcahey, and Guthrie. Opposed: Dorothy and Oakes. Motion carried. 2- 5
PRESENTATION BY METROLINK ON EV PROJECT & GRANT AUTHORIZATION (Doug Maxeiner, City Administrator)
MetroLINK has proposed taking the lead in pursuing a grant or grants to build and manage an electric vehicle charging network in the Illinois Quad Cities including Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline. MetroLINK is asking that the attached Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is approved by each partnering agency.
The MOU is for a period of five years and provides a commitment from East Moline to allow MetroLINK to manage and operate the EV charging network on property owned by the City. The agreement also references the need to create policies and procedures, which will likely include enforcement ordinances, for the network. It is anticipated that future agreements will also be required which will build upon this initial MOU.
Lucie VanHecke, Project Manager from MetroLINK, and Doug House, Grant Consultant assisting MetroLINK, will be present to discuss the grant and the MOU.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the Memorandum of Understanding for an Electric Vehicle Charging Network.
A motion was made by Alderperson Guthrie, seconded by Alderperson Segura to concur with the recommendation as presented. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Segura, Rico, Dorothy, Deppe, Mulcahey, Guthrie and Oakes. Motion carried.
REVISED GREATER METRO AREA HOUSING AUTHORITY (GMAHA) AGREEMENT (Jeff Ramsey, Police Chief)
In July of 2022, the East Moline Police Department's agreement with Greater Metro Area Housing Authority (GMAHA) for the provision of Community Oriented Policing (COP) services, was revised (previous revision was in 2008). The 2022 revision states that GMAHA agrees to reimburse the city for these services, which are for approximately E50% of the cost for the officer including benefits.
Recently, GMAHA CEO, Amy Clark has reached out seeking an amendment to the current agreement to request a higher dedication of time and services from our COP officer. The new proposal states that GMAHA will reimburse the city for the total cost of the COP officer, including benefits. This would be with the understanding that the officer would be dedicated to them in patrolling and assisting with issues on their properties in the area. This would not cause any issues with the police department operations, as this position is a specialty position and does not affect manpower. The position will still have allowance for some additional duties, outside of the GMAHA, but would be expected to primarily assist them.
FINANCIAL:
This is not a budgeted item.
Amount Budgeted: $0
Actual Cost: $0
Funding Sources: Revenue Source
Departments: EMPD
This is not a CIP.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the amended 5-year agreement with GMAHA and give authority for the Chief of Police to execute the agreement.
A motion was made by Alderperson Guthrie, seconded by Alderperson Segura to concur with the recommendations. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Segura, Rico, Dorothy, Deppe, Mulcahey, Guthrie and Oakes. Motion carried.
REVISED EAST MOLINE SCHOOL DISTRICT 37 (EMSD37) SRO AGREEMENT (Jeff Ramsey, Police Chief)
The East Moline Police Department has provided a School Resource Officer (SRO) to the East Moline School District 37 (EMSD37) for many years.
EMPD Chief, Jeff Ramsey and EMSD37 Superintendent, Dr. Kristin Humphries met to revise and update the current SRO agreement (dated 2007). Most of the changes were updated legal language. The SRO position is still reimbursed by the school district for wages and benefits for days worked at the school.
Attached is a redline version showing changes by the school district in red and some changes made by our city attorney in blue/purple. Also attached is a clean version with the changes. FINANCIAL:
This is not a budgeted item.
Amount Budgeted: $0
Actual Cost: $0
Funding Sources: Revenue Source
Departments: EMPD
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the revised SRO agreement with EMSD37 and give authority for the Mayor to execute the agreement.
A motion was made by Alderperson Deppe, seconded by Alderperson Guthrie to concur with the recommendations. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Segura, Rico, Dorothy, Deppe, Mulcahey, Guthrie and Oakes. Motion carried.
CITY TOWING SERVICES – AWARD OF CONTRACT (Jeff Ramsey, Police Chief) The city’s towing contract with Quad Cities Towing Inc. is set to expire on August 31, 2023. On June 26th, 2023 the city began soliciting bids to provide towing services for the City of East Moline. Bidding closed on July 24th, 2023 with two companies submitting bids - Quad Cities Towing Inc. and AT Repair, Inc. DBA Cantrell's Body Shop and Garage (AKA Cantrell's Towing).
Administrative Sergeant Chad Brodersen was assigned to review each bid, speak with the bidders, and evaluate their facilities. Sergeant Brodersen completed a detailed report on each company and bid that is attached along with the bids. After a thorough review the recommendation is to award the contract to Quad Cities Towing Inc. for city towing services.
See attachments for more details.
FINANCIAL:
This is not a budgeted item.
Amount Budgeted: $0
Actual Cost: $0
Under/(Over): $0
Departments: All City Departments
This is not a CIP.
RECOMMENDATION:
To approve and award a contract of towing services for the city to Quad Cities Towing Inc., to be executed by the Chief of Police and Mayor.
A motion was made by Alderperson Segura, seconded by Alderperson Oakes to concur with the recommendation as presented. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Segura, Rico, Dorothy, Deppe, Mulcahey, Guthrie and Oakes. Motion carried.
ADJOURMENT:
A motion was made by Alderperson Oakes, seconded by Alderperson Guthrie to adjourn the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Segura, Rico, Dorothy, Deppe, Mulcahey, Guthrie and Oakes. Motion carried. 8:09 p.m.
https://www.eastmoline.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08072023-941
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