Rock Island Today

City of Moline Joint Review Board met June 26.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Joint Review Board (JRB) Representatives Present:

Jim Grafton, Rock Island County

Derek Devers, Moline Township

Bonnie Johnson, Citizen Representative

Jennifer Hirsch, MetroLINK

Dave McDermott, Moline School District #40

Joint Review Board (JRB) Representatives Absent:

Ben Leischner, Metro Airport Authority

Gregorio Aguilar, South Moline Township

Rob Harrington, Coal Valley Supervisor

Steven Frommelt, Black Hawk College

Jennifer Barton, RI/Milan School District #41

Chuck Layer, Blackhawk Township

Mike Crotty, Citizen Representative

Interested Parties Registry Members Present:

None.

Additional Persons Present:

Alex Elias, Renew Moline

City of Moline Council Members Present:

Sangeetha Rayapati, Mayor

Matthew Timion, Alderman

Pat O’Brien, Alderman

City of Moline Staff Present:

Tara Osborne, Grant & Project Accountant

Jennifer Bizarri, Assistant Director of Community & Economic Development Carol Barnes, Finance Director

Bob Vitas, City Administrator

Tara Osborne convened the meeting at 10:07 am.

Tara Osborne conducted a roll call for representatives of each respective taxing district.

Selection of Public Member: Mayor Rayapati made a motion to appoint Bonnie Johnson as the Citizen Representative. Seconded by Derek Devers. Approved unanimously. Motion carried.

Selection of Chairperson: Dave McDermott made a motion to appoint Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati as Chairperson. Seconded by Jim Grafton. Approved unanimously. Motion carried.

Approval of Minutes: Mayor Rayapati asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the June 23, 2022 Joint Review Board Meeting. Motion made by Dave McDermott. Seconded by Jennifer Hirsch. Approved unanimously. Motion carried.

Overview of Status, Activities and Projects of each active TIF District: Tara Osborne reviewed the Annual TIF Reports filed with the Comptroller and summarized each TIF District by providing the name, expiration date, current EAV, prior year EAV increase/decrease, deposits, expenditures, and ending balance. Following Osborne’s presentation, Mayor Rayapati asked if there was any discussion on any of the TIF’s.

Dave McDermott asked about TIF 8, Southpark Mall. Does the City have any idea what the future holds? Bob Vitas stated the City has been in discussion with Macerich to redevelop that area. The EAV continues to drop. In Bob’s opinion the TIF is upside down and should close unless Macerich comes forward with a major development. Dave McDermott stated the EAV has been declining for 20 plus years. It is a large piece of property within the City. Bob stated the City hoped to see a mixed-use development on that site. The City is still trying to work with Macerich. Dave McDermott stated that from the school district standpoint, they would like to see redevelopment. Bob Vitas stated the ongoing concern is the declining EAV.

Bob Vitas brought up TIF 9, Routes 6 & 150. He is unsure as to why the TIF was created. Dave McDermott offered to provide some history regarding this TIF. He stated the City had an agreement with a 3rd party for the redevelopment of the property across from Horace-Mann School. The property ended up in legal proceedings and was never developed.

Bonnie Johnson asked what it means to close a TIF. Bob Vitas stated the increment generated from a closed TIF would go back on the tax roles.

Mayor Rayapati stated the City’s focus is on project based TIF’s instead of area wide.

Bob Vitas stated prior administration made promises to close out TIF’s early if appropriate. The City is actively reviewing all its TIF’s to see if that is possible.

Mayor Rayapati asked if there were any additional questions or comments regarding the TIF District summaries. There were none.

Mayor Rayapati asked if there was any public comment. Alex Elias from Renew Moline stated she wanted to say Thank You for the many years of TIF. She has learned quite a bit over the years. She stated she doesn’t know what the future looks like but is excited for the possibilities.

There being no further discussion, Derek Devers made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Dave McDermott. Approved unanimously. Motion carried. Mayor Rayapati adjourned the meeting at 10:27 am.

http://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/10168