Rock Island Today

City of East Moline City Council met Oct. 21.

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.

6:31 p.m. Jose Rico arrived.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

PRESENTATIONS and/or PROCLAMATIONS

Mayor Freeman presented David Emerick, Rotary International – Rotary Club of East Moline, with the Proclamation, declaring October 24, 2024 as “World Polio Day”.

David Emerick – Rotary Club of East Moline this means a lot to Rotarians. There are 1.4 million members around the world in 100 clubs. Together collectively fighting very hard to eradicate Polio from the world. Some of us can remember, you might have relatives that dealt with this crippling deadly disease 99.9% of the world is Polio free. Rotary had a part of that. Mr. Emerick is very proud to be a Rotarian, my home club is the East Moline/Silvis Rotary Club. Mayor Freeman, Chief Ramsey, and Chief DeFrance are a part of East Moline/Silvis Rotary Club. They are proud of the work that the Rotary Club does. This is a great recognition, this will proudly be displayed tomorrow night at our World Polo Event, and proudly displayed at the Rotary Club. Thanked Mayor Freeman and East Moline City Council for this Proclamation for World Polio Day.

CONSENT AGENDA:

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

a. Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes of October 7, 2024.

b. Approval of Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes of October 7, 2024.

c. Approval of Salaries as of October 11, 2024 in the amount of $467,835.87.

d. Approval of Overtime as of October 11, 2024 in the amount of $14,578.04.

e. Approval of Bills as of October 11, 2024 in the amount of $469,100.42.

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

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

ORDINANCES – 1st Reading

24-09 Amendment to the City Code regarding implementation of the Grocery Tax.

Alderperson Dorothy stated that she will be voting against this because this tax disproportionally hurts people of low-income and she feels they should wait and see the results of the Home Rule Referendum.

Mayor Freeman stated this is not a new tax it is only the way it will be processed.

ORDINANCES – 2nd Reading

None

RESOLUTIONS

24-78 Providing for the submission to referendum of the question of whether the city should become a home rule unit

Alderperson Dorothy would like to see a limited percent increase on property taxes to what we have now.

Mayor Freeman stated that his understanding of this cannot put particulars on this Resolution. After the Home Rule passes you can turn around and establish anything you want. As long as it is within the guidelines of Home Rule.

Mark Rothert, City Administrator stated that this would get the question onto the ballot. Then the Council can follow up with a policy recommendation that if it so chooses a property tax guideline should be put in place.

A motion was made by Alderperson Guthrie, seconded by Alderperson Rico, to approve Resolution 24-78 as presented. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Oakes, Segura, Rico, Dorothy, Deppe, Mulcahey, and Guthrie. Motion carried.

24-79 2024 Support for Rock Island Arsenal Defense Alliance

A motion was made by Alderperson Segura, seconded by Alderperson Deppe, to approve Resolution 24-79 as presented. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Oakes, Segura, Rico, Dorothy, Deppe, Mulcahey, and Guthrie. Motion carried.

24-80 2024 Support for Grow Quad Cities (formerly QC Chamber economic development efforts)

A motion was made by Alderperson Segura, seconded by Alderperson Rico, to approve Resolution 24-80 as presented. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Oakes, Segura, Rico, Dorothy, Deppe, Mulcahey, and Guthrie. Motion carried.

24-81 Request for RFP – RAISE Grant Construction Engineering

A motion was made by Alderperson Guthrie, seconded by Alderperson Oakes, to approve Resolution 24-81 as presented. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Oakes, Segura, Rico, Dorothy, Deppe, Mulcahey, and Guthrie. Motion carried.

24-82 Approval of 2024 Sewer Lining Program

A motion was made by Alderperson Rico, seconded by Alderperson Deppe, to approve Resolution 24-82 as presented. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Oakes, Segura, Rico, Dorothy, Deppe, Mulcahey, and Guthrie. Motion carried.

24-83 Adoption of Lead Service Line Replacement Plan

A motion was made by Alderperson Rico, seconded by Alderperson Mulcahey, to approve Resolution 24-83 as presented. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Oakes, Segura, Rico, Dorothy, Deppe, Mulcahey, and Guthrie. Motion carried.

24-84 Adoption of Plan to Build New Clearwell for Water Treatment Plant Operations

A motion was made by Alderperson Rico, seconded by Alderperson Segura, to approve Resolution 24-84 as presented. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Oakes, Segura, Rico, Dorothy, Deppe, Mulcahey, and Guthrie. Motion carried.

24-85 Purchase of UV lights for the Wastewater Treatment Plant

A motion was made by Alderperson Segura, seconded by Alderperson Dorothy, to approve Resolution 24-85 as presented. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Oakes, Segura, Rico, Dorothy, Deppe, Mulcahey, and Guthrie. 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 stated the 2025 preliminary budget has been laid on display. Available for the next 30 days for Public Inspection at City Hall at the utility building counter. Public Hearing on November 18, 2024 regarding the Budget.

Tim Kammler, Director of Engineering – Mr. Kammler stated that Heer Construction will be in town cleaning sanitary sewers. Mr. Kammler received an email last week from Illinois DNR awarding the City $200,000.00 toward the Raise project.

Wanda Roberts-Bontz, City Clerk – Ms. Roberts-Bontz informed the City Council that today, October 21, 2024 is the first day to turn in your packets for the upcoming election on February 25, 2025. Received packets Alderperson 1st Ward Olivia Dorothy, 3rd Ward Larry Jones and Mereleena Olvera, 5th Ward Rhea Oakes, and 6th Ward Lynn Segura. Turn in packets between October 22 – 25, 2024 between 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and October 28, 2024 between 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. to Amy in the Mayor’s Office.

Mayor Freeman stated that the Truck or Treating on Main Street went exceptionally well. This was the most people we have ever had. No parade this year. Truck or Treating from 6th Street down to 10th Street.

Mayor Freeman stated that American Legion, Sunday, October 20, 2024 had over 300 kids come through for Truck or Treating. Thanked the Police and Fire Departments for having the displays out front during the Truck or Treating.

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. 7:05 p.m.

https://www.eastmoline.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10212024-1052