Rock Island Today

City of East Moline City Council met July 1.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

PLEDGE:

Mayor Reggie Freeman led the City Council and all those present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

ROLL CALL

Mayor Freeman called the meeting to order and directed the City Clerk Wanda Roberts-Bontz, to call the roll. The following Alderpersons were present: Olivia Dorothy, Jeffrey Deppe, Nancy Mulcahey, Adam Guthrie, Rhea Oakes, and Lynn Segura. Absent: Jose Rico.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Bill McGowan, 601 27th Street, East Moline – Mr. McGowan expressed his concern about not being able to get in touch with his Alderman Rico, express his concern about his neighbor not picking up dog feces.

Jose Rico arrived at 6:34 p.m.

PRESENTATIONS or PROCLAMATIONS

None

CONSENT AGENDA:

City Clerk Roberts-Bontz read the Consent Agenda that included the following:

a. Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes of June 17, 2024.

b. Approval of Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes of June 17, 2024.

c. Approval of Salaries as of June 21, 2024 in the amount of $513,461.99.

d. Approval of Overtime as of June 15, 2024 in the amount of $43,500.32.

e. Approval of Bills as of June 21, 2024 in the amount of $1,399,345.99.

A motion was made by Alderperson Mulcahey, seconded by Alderperson Oakes, to approve Amending Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes of June 17, 2024 to include, “Educate until December 2024 and bring back January 2025 for Recycling Bins Opt-in.” Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Segura, Rico, Dorothy, Deppe, Mulcahey, Guthrie and Oakes. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Alderperson Oakes, seconded by Alderperson Dorothy, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Segura, Rico, Dorothy, Deppe, Mulcahey, Guthrie and Oakes. Motion carried.

ATTORNEY ROGER L. STRANDLUND - PRESENTED THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

ORDINANCES – 1st Reading - None

ORDINANCES – 2nd Reading - None

RESOLUTIONS

24-48 Investment with Visit Quad Cities

Alderperson Mulcahey requested Visit Quad Cities come back before July 1, 2025 and provide an annual report that would focus only on East Moline.

A motion was made by Alderperson Mulcahey, seconded by Alderperson Segura, to approve Resolution 24-48 as presented. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Segura, Rico, Dorothy, Deppe, Mulcahey, Guthrie and Oakes. Motion carried.

24-49 Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Arc Flash Study

A motion was made by Alderperson Guthrie, seconded by Alderperson Mulcahey, to approve Resolution 24-49 as presented. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Segura, Rico, Dorothy, Deppe, Mulcahey, Guthrie and Oakes. Motion carried.

24-50 Discounts for On-Time and Online Tax Payments

A motion was made by Alderperson Dorothy, seconded by Alderperson Mulcahey, to approve Resolution 24-50 as presented. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Segura, Rico, Dorothy, Deppe, Mulcahey, Guthrie and Oakes. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Alderperson Mulcahey, seconded by Alderperson Dorothy, to approve Resolution 24-50, to bring back to the next Committee of the Whole Meeting an amendment to the City Code. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Segura, Rico, Dorothy, Deppe, Mulcahey, Guthrie and Oakes. Motion carried.

CITY STAFF COMMUNICATION:

Each City Staff member present was given the opportunity to inform the City Council and those in attendance of events in their departments:

Mark Rothert, City Administrator – Mr. Rothert is looking forward to his first, July 4, 2024 Celebration.

Alderperson Mulcahey asked Chief Ramsey about the Cannabis Festival and if there were any issues?

Chief Ramsey stated only minor issues which were addressed.

Tim Kammler, Engineering Director – Mr. Kammler informed the City Council that the Mississippi River is rising. The Core of Engineers expecting 14.4 ft at the LeClair Lock and Dam which is the one the City uses. If the river rises to 14.4 ft this will put it in the top 10 on record, expecting record on July 7, 2024. The City is prepared the best we can. Five of the top 10 floods in the past 20 years, the record in 1965 the flood was 17.75 ft.

Tim Wymes, Community Development Director – Mr. Wymes spoke about the vacant lots that the City owns and looking into selling them. Mr. Wymes wants to free up financing because the overtime is costly from mowing and picking up debris and trash removal. Mr. Wymes speaking with developers looking into relocation to the City of East Moline.

Brianna Huber, Water Filtration – Ms. Huber informed the City Council the following items:

1. Industrial Tower bottom is a different shade darker color blue because they ran out of paint and were unable to color match. When it is repainted in 10 – 15 years it will be painted the correct color.

2. Within the next month a 3rd flyer regarding the Service Line Inventory Survey will be sent out. This flyer will have English on one side and five other languages on the other side.

3. Illinois Department of Public Health laboratory certification will occur within the next 6 months.

4. Annual payment of $167,000.00 was for the water tower Asset Management Program.

James Graham, Maintenance Services – Mr. Graham stated that Maintenance Services staff have been busy, due to the flood.

Robert DeFrance, Chief EMFD – Chief DeFrance stated that on July 8, 2024 one of his fire fighters will be resigning because of health reasons. Promotion will occur on July 9, 2024 from Firefighter to Engineer at 1:30 p.m.

The July 4, 2024 Pancake Breakfast will be held at the American Legion the Fire Department will be serving from 6:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. proceeds going to Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

Chief DeFrance thanked Alderperson Dorothy for coming to the CPap test June 29, 2024.

Next Firefighter school will begin on September 7, 2024. Chief DeFrance will be requesting a new replacement Firefighter at the July 15, 2024 Meeting.

Alderperson Oakes requested assistance on July 3, 2024 to help park cars for the Fireworks at 6:00 p.m.

Mayor Freeman stated that the festivities start at 6:00 p.m. at the Kids Zone, with the Band starting at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Freeman stated that this will be a record-breaking July 3, 2024 because the Red, White and Boom is cancelled in Rock Island.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Alderperson Oakes, seconded by Alderperson Segura, to adjourn the City Council meeting. A voice vote was taken. Motion carried. 6:59 p.m.

https://www.eastmoline.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07012024-1030