Rock Island Today

City of Rock Island City Council met Aug. 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:'

1. Call to Order

Mayor Thoms called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m. and welcomed everyone.

2. Roll Call

Mayor Thoms asked City Clerk Samantha Gange to call the roll.

Present: Alderpersons Randy Hurt, Jenni Swanson, Mark Poulos, Bill Healy and Mayor Mike Thoms. Absent: Alderpersons Moses Robinson, Kevin Maynard and Dylan Parker.

Staff: City Manager Todd Thompson, Attorney Leslie Day, City Clerk Samantha Gange, and other City Staff. 3. Pledge of Allegiance

Mayor Thoms led in the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.

4. Moment of Silence

Mayor Thoms requested a moment of silence. A moment of silence was observed.

5. Public Comment

Margie Tallman, resident of Rock Island, said in 2020 McClintock Trucking was hired by the City of Rock Island to do sewer repairs in her neighborhood. She indicated McClintock hit the main water line and caused her basement to flood and raw sewage seeped into her basement. She described her experience in detail and said she has had difficulty getting in touch with City staff to resolve the matter.

Amy Knuckey explained the damage to her mother’s property from the water and sewage in her basement and the stress it has caused. She said her mother was told several times that the damage would be covered. She asked for assistance and help with damage to her mother's house.

6. Minutes

a. Minutes from the July 22, 2024 City Council meeting.

Motion: Motion to approve the minutes as printed.

VV Voice vote is needed.

MOTION:

Alderperson Healy moved to approve the minutes as printed; Alderperson Poulos seconded.

VOTE:

Motion PASSED on a 4-0-3 voice vote. Aye: Hurt, Swanson, Poulos, Healy. Nay: None. Absent: Robinson, Maynard, Parker.

7. Closed Session Minutes

a. Minutes from the July 22, 2024 Closed Session.

Motion: Motion to approve the Closed Session minutes.

VV Voice vote is needed.

MOTION:

Alderperson Healy moved to approve the minutes of the Closed Session; Alderperson Poulos seconded.

VOTE:

Motion PASSED on a 4-0-3 voice vote. Aye: Hurt, Swanson, Poulos, Healy. Nay: None. Absent: Robinson, Maynard, Parker.

8. Awards and Honor Presentations, Officer Swearing in Ceremony, and Proclamations

a. Labor Day Parade Committee presentation of the parade logo winner.

K.J. Whitley and Bill Sowards of the Labor Day Parade Advisory Committee announced Rock Island High School senior Gage Carothers was the winner of the log contest. They presented Mr. Carothers with $100 stipend. Pictures were taken with Mayor Thoms.

b. Proclamation declaring August 6, 2024 National Night Out.

City Clerk Gange read the proclamation. Mayor Thoms read his declaration. Ashley Harris with the Community Caring Conference was present to accept the award. He thanked the City for their support and participation with the event.

9. Update Rock Island

Enjoy Free Music in the Park

Thursday Night Groove kicks off this week in Schwiebert Riverfront Park on Thursday, August 15 at 5 p.m. with live music as part of the Alternating Currents Arts Festival. The Rock Island Downtown Alliance presents Alternating Currents as a way to celebrate the growing arts and culture scene in the Quad Cities. Bicycle taxis known as pedicabs will be on site offering free rides to attendees between downtown businesses and participating venues. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to enjoy live music.

Also this weekend …

Don't miss the Soul of the City festival on August 16th and 17th at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center Park. The fun starts at 5 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. on Saturday. Both days will be filled with entertainment, food, community resources and much more. Soul of the City is a collaboration between the Martin Luther King Community Center, Polyrhythms Bill Bell Jazz & Heritage Festival, Rock Island Parks and Recreation, The West End Rib Fest, QC AIR and the Rock Island County NAACP. Admission is FREE and all are welcome.

Tell On Your Neighbor

Each year, residents of Rock Island are encouraged to "Tell On Your Neighbor" by nominating yards in their neighborhood they find to be the most beautiful or the most improved. Nominations can be made through August 20 and must include digital photos of the nominated yard. Photos and address of the nominated property should be sent to the Community Development Department by email to douglass.kathryn@rigov.org. All entries will be reviewed by the City of Rock Island’s Arts and Beautification Commission.

BBQ for Books!

Come get a taste of delicious BBQ while contributing to a good cause at Eudell’s Old Fashioned BBQ on Saturday, August 24 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Rock Island Library Watts-Midtown Branch. This annual fundraiser raises money for the Lorene Evans Watts Fund for Children’s Materials at the Rock Island Public Library.

10. Consent Agenda

All items under the Consent Agenda are considered to be routine in nature and will be enacted by a single motion and subsequent roll call vote. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless an Alderperson so requests, in which case, the item will be moved from the Consent Agenda and considered as the first item after approval of the Consent Agenda.

a. Claims for the week of June 21 through June 27, 2024, in the amount of $555,000.45; for the week of June 28 through July 4, 2024, in the amount of $89,823.45; and payroll for the weeks of July 8 through July 21, 2024, in the amount of $2,061,881.20.

b. International City/County Management Association (ICMA) claims for the weeks of June 15 through June 28, 2024, in the amount of $31,082.22.

c. ACH Payments for the month of June 2024, in the amount of $4,845,491.74.

d. Purchase Card claims for the period of May 28, 2024 through June 26, 2024 in the amount of $77,756.56.

e. Report from the Information Technology Department regarding payment in the amount of $11,939 to Tri-City Electric of Davenport, IA, for Shoretel/Mitel voice-over IP phone system annual maintenance.

f. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $30,402.91 to Xylem Dewatering Solutions, Inc. of Chicago, Illinois, for flood pump rental.

g. Report from the City Clerk's office regarding an application for the 40th annual Rock Island Labor Day Parade to be held on Monday, September 2, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

h. Report from the City Clerk's office regarding a request from St. George Greek Orthodox Church to use sound amplification on Friday, September 6, from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Saturday, September 7, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. for their annual Our Big Fat Greek Festival.

i. Report from the City Clerk's office regarding a request from Wake Brewing to use sound amplification on Saturday, September 7, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for live music.

j. Report from the City Clerk's office regarding a request from the Quad Cities Running Club to hold their annual TBK Quad Cities Marathon on Sunday, September 22, 2024, from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

k. Report from the City Clerk's office regarding a request from Rock Island High School to hold their annual Homecoming Parade on Friday, September 27, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Motion: Motion to approve Consent Agenda items a through k.

RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION:

Alderperson Healy moved to approve Consent Agenda items a through k; Alderperson Swanson seconded.

VOTE:

Motion PASSED on a 4-0-3 roll call vote. Aye: Hurt, Swanson, Poulos, Healy. Nay: None. Absent: Robinson, Maynard, Parker.

11. Resolutions

a. Report from the City Clerk's office regarding a Highway Resolution for the closure of the Master Sergeant Stanley Memorial Bridge and 15th Street (US Highway 67) and the closure of 1st Avenue (IL 92) on Sunday, September 22, from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for the TBK Quad Cities Marathon hosted by the Quad Cities Running Club.

Motion: Motion to adopt the resolution.

RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION:

Alderperson Poulos moved to adopt the resolution; Alderperson Swanson seconded.

VOTE:

Motion PASSED on a 4-0-3 roll call vote. Aye: Hurt, Swanson, Poulos, Healy. Nay: None. Absent: Robinson, Maynard, Parker.

b. Report from the City Clerk's office regarding a Highway Resolution for the closure of 5th Avenue (US Highway 67) on Saturday, September 28, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a rain day of Saturday, October 5, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for a City Open House.

Motion: Motion to adopt the resolution.

RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION:

Alderperson Hurt moved to adopt the resolution; Alderperson Healy seconded.

DISCUSSION:

It was noted that information about this event should be published soon.

VOTE:

Motion PASSED on a 4-0-3 roll call vote. Aye: Hurt, Swanson, Poulos, Healy. Nay: None. Absent: Robinson, Maynard, Parker.

12. Purchases

a. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $20,013.70 to Miller Trucking and Excavating of Silvis, Illinois, for an emergency water main repair at 2316 4th Avenue.

Motion: Motion to allow the claim.

RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION:

Alderperson Poulos moved to allow the claim; Alderperson Healy seconded.

VOTE:

Motion PASSED on a 4-0-3 roll call vote. Aye: Hurt, Swanson, Poulos, Healy. Nay: None. Absent: Robinson, Maynard, Parker.

13. Contracts / Agreements

a. Report from the Community Development Department regarding bids for the demolition of five (5) residential properties, recommending the contract be awarded to Valley Construction Company, IL for the amount of $163,800.

Motion: Motion to approve the bid from Valley Construction Company for the demolition of five residential properties using CDBG funds; and authorize the

City Manager to execute the documents.

RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION:

Alderperson Hurt moved to approve the bid from Valley Construction Company for the demolition of five residential properties using CDBG funds; and authorize the City Manager to execute the documents; Alderperson Swanson seconded.

DISCUSSION:

Community Development Director Miles Brainard explained that the Regional Land Bank would not take possession of these properties as there would not be a value as these properties are in need of demolition. Instead, they are trying to identify properties through code enforcement that might have a lien or foreclosure against them and take possession of an actual house that is salvageable and put it back to use in the community.

VOTE:

Motion PASSED on a 4-0-3 roll call vote. Aye: Hurt, Swanson, Poulos, Healy. Nay: None. Absent: Robinson, Maynard, Parker.

b. Report from the Community Development Department regarding approval of the 2024 Interdepartmental Memos of Understanding for CDBG funds.

Motion: Motion to approve the 2024 Interdepartmental Memos of Understanding. RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION:

Alderperson Swanson moved to approve the 2024 Interdepartmental Memos of Understanding; Alderperson Poulos seconded.

VOTE:

Motion passed on a 4-0-3 roll call vote. Aye: Hurt, Swanson, Poulos, Healy. Nay: None. Absent: Robinson, Maynard, Parker.

c. Report from the Community Development Department regarding approval of the 2024 CDBG Sub recipient agreements.

Motion: Motion to approve the 2024 CDBG Sub-recipient Agreements.

RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION:

Alderperson Swanson moved to approve the 2024 CDBG Sub-recipient Agreements; Alderperson Healy seconded.

VOTE:

Motion PASSED on a 4-0-3 roll call vote. Aye: Hurt, Swanson, Poulos, Healy. Nay: None. Absent: Robinson, Maynard, Parker.

d. Report from the Information Technology Department regarding a professional services agreement with Cloudpoint Geospatial of Roanoke, IL, for GIS upgrade in the amount of $18,500 and monthly management in the amount of $1,950 per month.

Motion: Motion to approve the agreement and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents.

RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION:

Alderperson Poulos moved to approve the agreement and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents; Alderperson Healy seconded.

VOTE:

Motion PASSED on a 4-0-3 roll call vote. Aye: Hurt, Swanson, Poulos, Healy. Nay: None. Absent: Robinson, Maynard, Parker.

e. Report from the Police Department regarding a one-year agreement and reciprocal reporting agreement with the Rock Island-Milan School District #41 to provide a Police Department School Resource Officer (SRO) at Rock Island High School.

Motion: Motion to approve the agreements, subject to minor attorney modifications, and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreements.

RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION:

Alderperson Poulos moved to approve the agreements, subject to attorney modifications, and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreements; Alderperson Hurt seconded.

VOTE:

Motion PASSED on a 4-0-3 roll call vote. Aye: Hurt, Swanson, Poulos, Healy. Nay: None. Absent: Robinson, Maynard, Parker.

14. Budget/Finance Items

a. Report from the Finance Department regarding a budget adjustment to the MLK Activity Fund (901) in the amount of $50,150.

b. Report from the Finance Department regarding a budget adjustment to the Department of Human Services Fund (906) in the amount of $12,500.

Motion: Motion to approve budget adjustments a and b.

RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION:

Alderperson Healy moved to approve budget adjustments a and b; Alderperson Poulos seconded.

VOTE:

Motion PASSED on a 4-0-3 roll call vote. Aye: Hurt, Swanson, Poulos, Healy. Nay: None. Absent: Robinson, Maynard, Parker.

15. Traffic Engineering Requests

a. Report from the Traffic Engineering Committee regarding the installation of a handicapped parking space in front of 1226 12th Street. (First Reading)

Motion: Motion to approve the request and consider the ordiance.

RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION:

Alderperson Healy moved to approve the request and consider the ordinance; Alderperson Poulos seconded.

VOTE:

Motion PASSED on a 4-0-3 roll call vote. Aye: Hurt, Swanson, Poulos, Healy. Nay: None. Absent: Robinson, Maynard, Parker.

b. Report from the Traffic Engineering Committee regarding the installation of a handicapped parking space in front of 901 14th Street. (First Reading)

Motion: Motion to approve the request and consider the ordinance.

RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION:

Alderperson Hurt moved to approve the request and consider the ordinance; Alderperson Healy seconded.

VOTE:

Motion PASSED on a 4-0-3 roll call vote. Aye: Hurt, Swanson, Poulos, Healy. Nay: None. Absent: Robinson, Maynard, Parker.

c. The Traffic Engineering Committee received a request to install two “10 Minute Parking for Food Pick Up Curbside Carry Out Only” spaces effective Monday through Sunday from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the west side of 19th Street in front of the QC Coffee & Pancake House, 1831 3rd Avenue. (First Reading)

Motion: Motion to approve the request and consider the ordinance.

RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION:

Alderperson Swanson moved to approve the request and consider the ordinance; Alderperson Healy seconded.

VOTE:

Motion PASSED on a 4-0-3 roll call vote. Aye: Hurt, Swanson, Poulos, Healy. Nay: None. Absent: Robinson, Maynard, Parker.

16. Events/Misc Requests

a. Report from the City Clerk's office regarding a request from Alderperson Randy Hurt to use sound amplification and to close 18th Street West between 85th and 86th Avenues on Saturday, August 17, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for a block party.

Motion: Motion to approve the requests as recommended.

RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION:

Alderperson Poulos moved to approve the requests as recommended; Alderperson Swanson seconded.

VOTE:

Motion PASSED on a 4-0-3 roll call vote. Aye: Hurt, Swanson, Poulos, Healy. Nay: None. Absent: Robinson, Maynard, Parker.

b. Report from the City Clerk's office regarding a request from Alderperson Moses Robinson and the Community Caring Conference to use sound amplification and to close 12th Avenue between 9th & 10th Streets on Saturday, August 31, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for a rib & music fest and a celebratory walk.

Motion: Motion to approve the requests as recommended.

RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION:

Alderperson Hurt moved to approve the requests as recommended; Alderperson Swanson seconded.

VOTE:

Motion PASSED on a 4-0-3 roll call vote. Aye: Hurt, Swanson, Poulos, Healy. Nay: None. Absent: Robinson, Maynard, Parker.

c. Report from the City Clerk's office regarding a request from Sue Swords to close the alley between 21st & 22nd Streets and 16th & 17th Avenues on Sunday, September 29, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for a block party.

Motion: Motion to approve the request as recommended.

RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION:

Alderperson Healy moved to approve the request as recommended; Alderperson Poulos seconded.

VOTE:

Motion PASSED on a 4-0-3 roll call vote. Aye: Hurt, Swanson, Poulos, Healy. Nay: None. Absent: Robinson, Maynard, Parker.

17. Rock Island Port Authority

a. Motion: Motion whether or not to close the regular City Council meeting and convene the Rock Island Regional Port District meeting.

VV Voice vote is needed.

MOTION:

Alderperson Healy moved to close the regular City Council meeting and convene the Rock Island Regional Port District meeting; Alderperson Poulos seconded.

VOTE:

Motion PASSED on a 4-0-3 voice vote. Aye: Hurt, Swanson, Poulos, Healy. Nay: None. Absent: Robinson, Maynard, Parker.

b. Other Business/New Business

There was no new business to discuss.

c. Motion: Motion to exit the Rock Island Regional Port Authority and reconvene the regular City Council meeting.

VV Voice Vote is needed.

MOTION:

Alderperson Healy moved to exit the Rock Island Regional Port Authority and reconvene the regular City Council meeting; Alderperson Poulos seconded.

VOTE:

Motion PASSED on a 4-0-3 voice vote. Aye: Hurt, Swanson, Poulos, Healy. Nay: None. Absent: Robinson, Maynard, Parker.

18. Other Business/New Business

Alderperson Poulos announced the Backwater Gamblers are hosting their Access to Waves adaptive water ski clinic this Saturday, August 17. He said individuals with various disabilities ski with Backwater Gambler skiers.

Alderperson Swanson commended the Parks and Recreation Department staff at Whitewater Junction for their hard work and effort and ability to keep patrons safe.

19. Closed Session

a. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding must be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting.

Motion: Motion to enter Closed Session for the exceptions cited.

RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION:

Alderperson Poulos moved to enter Closed Session for the exceptions cited; Alderperson Healy seconded.

VOTE:

Motion PASSED on a 4-0-3 voice vote. Aye: Hurt, Swanson, Poulos, Healy. Nay: None. Absent: Robinson, Maynard, Parker.

City Council entered the Closed Session at 7:22 p.m.

20. Adjourn

a. Motion to Adjourn to August 26, 2024.

Motion: Motion whether or not to adjourn.

VV Voice vote is needed.

Upon entering back into the regular City Council meeting, the City Clerk called the roll. Present were Alderpersons Hurt, Swanson, Poulos, Healy and Mayor Thoms. Absent were Alderpersons Robinson, Maynard and Parker.

MOTION:

Alderperson Swanson moved to adjourn; Alderperson Healy seconded.

VOTE:

Motion PASSED on a 4-0-3 voice vote. Aye: Hurt, Swanson, Poulos, Healy. Nay: None. Absent: Robinson, Maynard, Parker.

The meeting concluded at 7:37 p.m.

https://www.rigov.org/301/Agenda-Minutes