City of Moline Committee of the Whole/Council met Aug. 8.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Committee-of-the-Whole Call to Order
PRESENT: Alderperson Debbie Murphy (Ward 1)
Alderperson Alvaro Macias (Ward 2)
Alderperson Abdur Razzaque (Ward 3)
Alderperson Matt Timion (Ward 4) ~Mayor pro tem
Alderperson Jessica Finch (Ward 5)
Alderperson Anna Castro (Ward 7)
Alderperson James Patrick Schmidt (Alderperson At-Large)
ABSENT: Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati (Chair)
Alderperson Pat O’Brien (Ward 6)
STAFF: Bob Vitas, City Administrator
Janine Hollembaek Parr, City Clerk/Utility Billing & Customer Service Manager
Carol Barnes, Director of Finance
David Dryer, Director of Engineering
Barry Dykhuizen, Assistant City Administrator
Darren Gault, Chief of Police
Eric Griffith, Parks Recreation Director
Chris Mathias, Director of Community and Economic Development
Jennifer Bizarri, Assistant Director of Community and Economic Development
Bryon Lear, Library Director
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
Drake Daley, Building Official
Ashley Allen, Community Development Coordinator
Keith Verbeke, Finance Manager
Jenna Robbins, Police Officer
Police personnel, family and friends
OTHERS: Margaret Kostopulos, Corporation Counsel
Nicolina Pappas, Nicolina’s Turtle Co.
Members of the Media
Gerold Shelton
Tim and Molly McGuire
Alexis Edmunds
Richard Patterson
Mayor pro tem Timion called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.
Oath of Office
Oath of office for regular commissioned appointment of Jenna Robbins to the rank of Police Officer, effective July 12, 2023.
Oath of Office for appointment of Chris Mathias to the position of Director of Community & Economic Development, effective August 7, 2023.
Board Appointments
Mayor's appointment of Chris Mathias to the Moline Centre Main Street Commission as the City Representative.
Proclamation
A Proclamation from Nicolina's Turtle Company to declare the launch of the "Skip the Plastic Campaign". Nicolina Pappas received the proclamation and addressed the Council.
Public Comment
The Clerk read the attached public comment from Mayor Rayapati explaining her absence at this evening’s meeting.
Gerold Shelton, Subway owner, expressed shock that the B.O.O.S.T. award was reduced from $50,000 to $35,000, indicating that he learned about the reduced award from the media rather than from City staff. The website stated that the award would be $50,000, not “up to $50,000”.
Tim McGuire, Wild Cherry Spoon Co, lauded the BOOST program but expressed disappointed in the process.
Alexis Edmunds, 16th Street business owner, applied to the B.O.O.S.T. program. Edmunds stated that she is disappointed in the application process, indicating that it was unfair.
Richard Patterson, owner of Patt’s Design on 16th Street, indicated that he moved his business to Moline because he was promised the full $50,000 B.O.O.S.T. award. He queried how the City could simply reduce that amount to $35,000 without explanation.
Molly McGuire, business owner, stated that she was told multiple times by City staff that she would receive the full $50,000 B.O.O.S.T. award. Ms. McGuire expressed frustration in the application process.
Questions on the Agenda
Item 15.5 was pulled to the Non-Consent agenda to allow for additional discussion.
Agenda Items
8.1 A Resolution approving the special event application for the QC Crimestoppers 5K event scheduled for Saturday, August 26, 2023, that is sponsored by Quad City Crimestoppers and closing certain streets more particularly described herein to vehicular traffic. A motion was made by Alderperson Schmidt to approve. Seconded by Alderperson Castro. Motion passed unanimously.
8.2 A Resolution approving the special event application for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s event scheduled for Saturday, October 7, 2023, that is sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association and closing certain streets more particularly described herein to vehicular traffic. A motion was made by Alderperson Finch to approve. Seconded by Alderperson Razzaque. Motion passed unanimously.
8.3 An Ordinance amending various sections of Chapter 4, “ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR,” of the Moline Code of Ordinances, to be more business friendly and to streamline the liquor licensing process. A motion was made by Alderperson Schmidt to approve. Seconded by Alderperson Finch. Discussion had. Alderperson Schmidt moved to amend to allow in-city caterers to apply for a Class E license. Seconded by Alderperson Castro. Motion passed unanimously. The amended motion passed unanimously.
Informational
9.1 August Status & Information Report. Bob Vitas, City Administrator, invited questions from Council. There was no discussion.
9.2 Rental Housing Program. Drake Daley, Building Official, provided a history of the City’s rental housing program, and recommended changes to effect substantial improvement. Proposed per-license fees, based on 100 percent participation, are anticipated to provide a revenue flow of $572,720 annually. The pay-as-you-go program is anticipated to be self-sustaining. Daley explained activities needed to create meaningful change within the rental housing program. There was discussion. Increased inspection staff is essential to program success. Daley explained the property rating system: A – inspection every 4 years; B – inspection every 2 years; properties with lower than a B rating will require annual inspection.
Adjournment of the Committee-of-the-Whole and Council Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation
None.
Roll Call
Roll call was taken with Alderpersons Murphy, Macias, Razzaque, Timion, Finch, Castro, and Schmidt present. Absent: Mayor Rayapati and Alderperson O’Brien
Consent Agenda
Approval of Minutes
Committee-of-the-Whole, Council and Executive Session minutes of July 25, 2023, and appointments made at Committee-of-the-Whole on August 8, 2023.
Resolutions
15.1 1150-2023 A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute and attest to a contract with Langman Construction, Inc., for Project #1370, 16th Street and Avenue of the Cities Intersection Reconfiguration, for the amount of $1,123,666.90.
15.2 1151-2023 A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to accept two (2) Permanent Stormwater Utility Easements and one (1) Deed of Dedication related to Capital Improvement Project #1417, 45th Street Reconstruction, south of 26th Avenue.
15.3 1152-2023 A Resolution authorizing the Director of Engineering to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Shive-Hattery, Inc., for Midtowne Parking Garage Access Control and Expansion Joint Repair.
15.4 1153-2023 A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute and attest to Change
Order No. 2 with Leander Construction, Inc., for the North Slope Wastewater Plant Biosolids Screw Press Dewatering System project, for the amount of $39,400 and authorizing the Director of Utilities to execute any necessary documents related to this work.
Omnibus Vote
Alderperson Finch, seconded by Alderperson Castro, moved to approve and adopt, by omnibus vote, these items. Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Schmidt, Murphy, Macias, Razzaque, Timion, Finch, and Castro; nays: none.
Non-Consent Agenda
Second Reading Ordinances
17.1 A Zoning Text Amendment Ordinance amending Chapter 35, “ZONING AND LAND DEVELOPMENT,” of the Moline Code of Ordinances, regarding Minimum Off-Street Parking and Traffic Circulation Standards for In-Vehicle Sales and Service Uses.
Tabled. Discussion had. Alderperson Schmidt, seconded by Alderperson Finch, moved to table item 17.1 and refer back to the Plan Commission for further review, public hearing and recommendation. Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Schmidt, Murphy, Macias, Razzaque, Timion, Finch, and Castro; nays: none.
17.2 3032-2023 An Ordinance amending Chapter 4, “ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR,” of the Moline Code of Ordinances, increasing the number of Class C licenses in the City at the request of Nishan 1 Inc., d/b/a Nishan Food Mart.
Adopted. Alderperson Finch, seconded by Alderperson Macias, moved to approve Council Bill 3032- 2023. Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Schmidt, Murphy, Macias, Razzaque, Timion, Finch, and Castro; nays: none.
17.3 3033-2023 An Ordinance amending Chapter 30, “CABLE/VIDEO SERVICE PROVIDER FEE AND CUSTOMER PROTECTION,” of the Moline Code of Ordinances, by repealing Chapter 30 in its entirety and enacting in lieu thereof one new Chapter 30 dealing with the same subject matter.
Adopted. Alderperson Finch, seconded by Alderperson Razzaque, moved to approve Council Bill 3033- 2023. Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Schmidt, Murphy, Macias, Razzaque, Timion, Finch, and Castro; nays: none.
Resolutions
15.5 1154-2023 A Resolution approving the Business Owner Occupied Stabilization Transformation (B.O.O.S.T.) Program Loan Agreement and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute and attest to said agreement with the attached list of eligible Moline small businesses to utilize funds distributed through the Business Owner Occupied Stabilization Transformation (B.O.O.S.T.) program under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Discussion had. Alderperson Timion stated that in speaking with awardees, it is clear that there were communication issues and we can work on this internally to ensure that is doesn’t happen again. Timion apologized for any hurt feelings and miscommunications, expressing that the program is a success with more applicants than anticipated. Alderperson Schmidt explained that the sentiment of the panel was, “how can we help more?” There was no malintent. Alderperson Schmidt indicated that he would not wish to hold up the program. He was disappointed to learn of the communication missteps but is glad that we can move forward with the program.
Approved. Alderperson Razzaque, seconded by Alderperson Macias, moved to approve Council Bill 1154-2023. Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Schmidt, Murphy, Macias, Razzaque, Timion, Finch, and Castro; nays: none.
18.1 1155-2023 A Resolution accepting the “Employee Classification and Compensation Study” prepared for the City of Moline by Evergreen Solutions LLC, dated August 1, 2023, and directing the City Administrator and staff to prepare the necessary documents to implement the study’s findings and recommendations for employees not within any bargaining unit and to use said findings and recommendations as the basis for bargaining with the various exclusive bargaining agents for other city employees.
Approved. Alderperson Finch, seconded by Alderperson Murphy, moved to approve Council Bill 1155- 2023. Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Schmidt, Murphy, Macias, Razzaque, Timion, Finch, and Castro; nays: none.
18.2 1156-2023 A Resolution directing the City Administrator to modify the non-union employee group salary plan to incorporate the changes as set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto relating to the adoption and implementation of the Evergreen Solutions LLC Employee Classification and Compensation Plan.
Approved. Alderperson Finch, seconded by Alderperson Castro, moved to approve Council Bill 1156- 2023. Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Schmidt, Murphy, Macias, Razzaque, Timion, Finch, and Castro; nays: none.
18.3 1157-2023 A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute and attest to a contract with SJ Electro Systems, Inc., for cybersecurity and supervisory controls improvements at the drinking water treatment plant for the amount of $1,369,700 and authorizing the Director of Utilities to execute any necessary documents related to this work.
Approved. Alderperson Schmidt, seconded by Alderperson Finch, moved to approve Council Bill 1157- 2023. Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Schmidt, Murphy, Macias, Razzaque, Timion, Finch, and Castro; nays: none.
Miscellaneous Business
Darren Gault, Chief of Police, stated that on Saturday the Moline Department was awarded the Rock Island County NAACP law enforcement image award. Chief Gault expressed pride in achieving the 10 shared principals which are the criteria for selection.
Adjournment of City Council
Upon motion of Alderperson Macias, seconded by Alderperson Castro, the Council meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is on August 15, 2023. View recorded meetings at http://www.moline.il.us/CivicMedia?CID=9
https://molineil.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=molineil_fd90bd990e499ed31f1ee4cd84c3592e.pdf&view=1
Alerts Sign-up