Rock Island Today

City of Moline Committee of the Whole/Council met April 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

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 Daniel McNeil (Ward 6)

Alderperson Anna Castro (Ward 7)

Alderperson James Patrick Schmidt (Alderperson At-Large)

ABSENT: None.

STAFF: Bob Vitas, City Administrator

Barry Dykhuizen, Assistant City Administrator

Stephanie Murphy, City Clerk

Lori Ulloa, Assistant Director of Finance

Tony Loete, Director of Utilities

Charly Brown, Environmental Compliance Manager

Levi Jackson, Water Distribution Manager

Denver Schmitt, Director of Public Works

Darren Gault, Chief of Police

Jason Smith, Police Lieutenant

David Rowatt, Information Technology Manager

Dawn Temple, Management Analyst and Grant Coordinator

OTHERS: Margaret Kostopulos, Corporation Counsel

Don Freeston, TERRA Engineering, Ltd.

George Ghareeb, TERRA Engineering, Ltd.

George Ryan, TERRA Engineering, Ltd.

Mayor Rayapati called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in Committee-of-the-Whole.

Council Call to Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Invocation

Alderperson Murphy gave an Invocation.

Roll Call

Roll call was taken with Mayor Rayapati, Alderpersons Murphy, Macias, Razzaque, Timion, Finch, McNeil, Castro, and Schmidt present. Absent: None.

Questions on the Agenda

None.

Public Comment

None.

Roundtable Discussion

Lead Service Line Replacement Plan. Tony Loete, Director of Utilities, presented a PowerPoint with where the City’s current status in regards to regulatory requirements. Charly Brown, Environmental Compliance Manager, and Levi Jackson, Water Distribution Manager, were also present. Additionally, Loete presented information on how the City would like to proceed with lead service line replacement. Staff sought direction on the ideas presented. Staff would also like to seek an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revolving loan fund for this project. There will be 16 years to complete all of the replacements. However, that term could be shortened depending on how aggressive Council would like to be. The lead service line replacement loans are funded for four years. The City would likely expect that to continue with loan money available after that four year period. The City could receive $3,000,000 worth of loan funding that would not need to be repaid if the City of Moline census tract scores well. One of the regulatory requirements is that the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) prohibits partial lead service line replacements. Both the private and public sides must coordinate the replacement and the replacement must take place within 30 days of one another. Discussion held.

Presentation on Solar Energy Project. Bob Vitas, City Administrator and Dawn Temple, Management Analyst and Grant Coordinator, presented a slideshow for adding solar panels to the Boeye Farm. Vitas shared that the City does not want to disturb the natural environment unless necessary. The land is relatively flat at the Boeye Farm. To complete the solar project, there must be access to the grid. Vitas continued the presentation noting the solar project will create jobs to build it, operate it, and manage it. It will also open other doors for economic development. Temple shared ways the City could use the land beneath the solar panels. Ideas include, but are not limited to, a pollinator habitat, lavender farming, and community supported agriculture.

Don Freeston, Director of Electrical Engineering at TERRA Engineering, Ltd., thanked Council for the opportunity to share information on adding solar panels in Moline. Freeston shared a slideshow nothing that should Council approve moving forward with the project, the project could begin as soon as May 2024. The solar farm project could be completed in 2025. Discussion held. Council has asked that the feasibility study be completed with just the City of Moline and partners could be added later, should they choose to do so.

Miscellaneous Business

Mayor Rayapati shared there was a wonderful groundbreaking for Parr Instrument Company on Friday, April 12, 2024. On April 17, 2024 from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Butterworth Education Center, there will be a Ward 1 meeting. Alderpersons who have not yet held a ward meeting have received a message from Mayor requesting that one be set up. Lastly, Mayor thanked staff for their attendance at the ward meetings.

Alderperson Murphy thanked staff in advance for attending her ward meeting on April 17, 2024.

Alderperson Razzaque expressed that the solar project is an inspiration for him and he sees the future of Moline as a place people will want to visit.

Public Comment

There was no additional public comment.

Adjournment of City Council

Upon motion of Alderperson Finch, seconded by Alderperson Murphy, the Council meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m.

The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is on April 23, 2024. View recorded meetings at http://www.moline.il.us/remotecouncil

http://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/9913