Rock Island Today

City of Moline Committee of the Whole/Council met Oct. 26.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

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

Stephanie Murphy, City Clerk

Carol Barnes, Director of Finance

Lori Ulloa, Assistant Director of Finance

Courtney Nelson, Budget and Revenue Manager

David Dryer, Director of Engineering

Eric Griffith, Director of Parks & Recreation

Chris Mathias, Director of Community & Economic Development

Bryon Lear, Director of Library Services

Charly Brown, Interim Director of Utilities

Denver Schmitt, Director of Public Works

Leah Madsen, Director of Human Resources

Darren Gault, Chief of Police

Steve Regenwether, Fire Chief

David Rowatt, Information Technology Manager

OTHERS: Jacob Foote, Quad Cities Chamber

Mayor Rayapati called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. at the Moline Public Library, Silver/Bronze Rooms, 3210 41st Street, Moline, IL 61265.

Pledge of Allegiance

Invocation

There was no invocation.

Roll Call

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

Public Comment

Questions on the Agenda

None.

2024 Budget Work Session

8.1 Budget Review of 2025-2027 Operating Budgets (See Attachment No. 1)

Mayor Rayapati and Bob Vitas, City Administrator, offered opening remarks. Carol Barnes, Director of Finance recounted the information reported at the 10-22-2024 Council meeting. Barnes reported that the budget is balanced as presented. Barnes reviewed the items on Attachment No. 1. Barnes noted that on the average commercial property (Attachment No. 2, Page 34) the City of Moline has the lowest taxes between Moline, Rock Island, and East Moline.

Carol Barnes, Director of Finance, stated that the Moline Commission on Youth request for 2025 was $15,000 and administrative recommendation at the September 24, 2024 Council meeting was to bring that down to $10,000.

A motion was made by Alderperson Timion, seconded by Alderperson Finch, to approve creating a fiscal policy at the end of each fiscal year to put any remaining council contingency fund into the special CIP projects fund. Discussion held. Ayes: Alderperson Timion, Finch, Castro, Murphy. Nays: Macias, Razzaque, McNeil, Schmidt, Mayor Rayapati. Motion failed.

A motion was made by Alderperson Schmidt, seconded by Alderperson Razzaque, to approve increasing the Moline Commission on Youth funding from $10,000 to $15,000. Ayes: Alderperson Macias, Razzaque, Schmidt. Nays: Alderperson Timion, Finch, McNeil, Castro, Murphy. Motion failed.

A motion was made by Alderperson Schmidt, seconded by Alderperson Finch, to approve reducing the Moline Historic Preservation funding line item from their request of $35,000 to $3,000 to be used for informational historic plaques only. Discussion held.

An amended motion was made by Alderperson Timion, seconded by Alderperson Castro, to approve reducing the Historic Preservation line item to $0.00 for informational historic plaques only.

A motion was made by Alderperson Schmidt to call the question, seconded by Alderperson Macias. The motion as amended failed. Ayes: 2, Nays: 7.

The motion made by Alderperson Schmidt, seconded by Alderperson Finch, to approve reducing the Moline Historic Preservation funding line item from their request of $35,000 to $3,000 to be used for informational historic plaques only carried unanimously via voice vote and the question is laid on the table.

A motion was made by Alderperson Schmidt, seconded by Alderperson McNeil to approve the $8,000 fund request of River Action. Discussion held. Motion passed unanimously.

A motion was made by Alderperson Timion, seconded by Alderperson Finch, to keep the allocation for Bi State Regional Commission at $25,236. Motion passed unanimously.

A motion was made by Alderperson Schmidt, seconded by Alderperson Macias, to approve the Payments to Agencies as amended. Motion passed unanimously.

Carol Barnes, Director of Finance, reviewed the Cannabis Tax Fund (See Attachment 2, Page 229). Within the Cannabis Tax Fund is the allocation for the Level Up Program. The allocation is for $200,000. At the Council meeting on September 24, 2024 there was a discussion as to whether the extra money should go to help more people or of it should go to help the current people for a longer period. Council would like members of the Level Up Program to receive funds for a longer period than they do currently. Discussion was held that the term for members of the Level Up program should be a term of 18 months and an updated agreement should be created stating the terms.

A motion was made by Alderperson Timion, seconded by Alderperson Finch, to approve Cannabis Tax Fund as presented. Motion passed unanimously.

Carol Barnes, Director of Finance, reviewed the fund uses for the National Opioid Settlement Fund (See Attachment No. 2, Pages 231-232). Barnes reported that funds must be spent on treatment and/or prevention. Discussion held to determine what the City of Moline can do to help those who need help at times of crisis. Barnes reported that the total through 2025 will be about $85,000. Darren Gault, Chief of Police and Steve Regenwether, Fire Chief, will work together to have options presented to the Council for how to spend the National Opioid Settlement Fund.

A motion was made by Alderperson Timion, seconded by Alderperson Castro, to approve National Opioid Settlement Fund as presented. Discussion held. Motion passed unanimously.

Carol Barnes, Director of Finance, reported on the Special Events Fund (See Attachment No. 2, Page 248 and Attachment No. 3, Page 8)

A motion was made by Alderperson Finch, seconded by Alderperson Schmidt, to approve Special Events Fund as presented. Discussion held. Motion passed unanimously.

Carol Barnes, Director of Finance, reviewed fund equity and transferring the Rental Housing Program in from the General Fund (See Attachment No. 2, Pages 278-280). The amount that will transfer in from the General Fund is $12,923.

A motion was made by Alderperson Finch, seconded by Alderperson Macias, to approve Rental Housing Fund as presented. Motion passed unanimously.

Council paused for a break at 9:33 a.m.

Council reconvened at 9:42 a.m.

Carol Barnes, Director of Finance, reported a brief review of the fund balance for the Land Bank and reviewed the transfers in from the General Fund and ARPA. (See Attachment No. 2, Pages 281-286). The final ARPA allocation for the Land Bank will be $42,364. For 2025 and going forward, Land Bank will be paid through the General Fund.

A motion was made by Alderperson Castro, seconded by Alderperson Finch, to approve the Land Bank Fund as presented. Motion passed unanimously.

Carol Barnes, Director of Finance, reviewed the transfers in from the General Fund and CIP for the Public Art Commission (See Attachment No. 2, Page 287). Council would like the Public Art Commission to come back to a meeting in November, 2024 for further discussion on projects for 2025.

A motion was made by Alderperson Schmidt, seconded by Alderperson Timion, to approve the Public Art Commission Fund as presented.

An amended motion was made by Alderperson Schmidt, seconded by Alderperson Timion, to approve the Public Art Commission Fund to be a $75,000 base allocation from the City with the Capital Improvement Projects funding in addition. Seconded by Timion. Discussion held. Motion passed unanimously.

The motion as amended carried by voice vote.

Carol Barnes, Director of Finance, presented a brief review of the ARPA allocation for 2025-2026 (See Attachment No. 2, Pages 12-14).

A motion was made by Alderperson Schmidt, seconded by Alderperson Finch to approve the 2025-2026 ARPA allocation as presented. Motion passed unanimously.

Carol Barnes, Director of Finance, reviewed funding sources and proposed expenditures for Special Capital Projects Fund & New Funding Sources.

A motion was made by Alderperson Finch, seconded by Alderperson Schmidt, to approve the 2025-2026 2025-2027 Special Capital Projects Fund as presented. Discussion held. Motion passed unanimously.

Carol Barnes, Director of Finance, reviewed Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) & Motor Fuel Tax (See Attachment No. 2, Pages 151-163 and Attachment No. 4, Page 9). Barnes reported that in addition to the home rule sales tax, there is interest income and special CIP funds. Right now there is $400,000 of additional money that could be used towards specific projects. In the CIP fund, $300,000 remains. Council could choose to increase Parks allocation by adding an additional $100,000 and increasing their budget to $400,000 which would come close to funding half of their annual ongoing projects. If Council chooses to increase the allocation for capital projects at $400,000 for Parks, it would free up some of their operating money. The additional $100,000 could be put towards the tree bank. Eric Griffith, Director of Parks and Recreation, shared information regarding the tree bank. Then, David Dryer, Director of Engineering, shared information regarding Capital Improvement Projects. Dryer reported that parking ramp improvements are dire. The total amount of work needing to be done to parking ramps is $4,000,000 to $5,000,000. If maintained, the life expectancy of a parking deck is 50 to 60 years. Barnes reported that the City currently brings in $160,000 to the general fund. An option would be to match $100,000 in CIP with existing parking leases.

A motion was made by Alderperson Schmidt, seconded by Alderperson Macias, to approve the Amended Capital Projects Fund and Motor Fuel Tax Fund as presented.

A motion was made by Alderperson Schmidt, seconded by Alderperson Macias, to amend the motion to allocate $300,000 for parking ramp improvements. Motion passed unanimously.

The motion as amended passed by voice vote.

Carol Barnes, Director of Finance, reviewed fund balance of the Parks Department through 2027 (See Attachment No. 2, Pages 165-167).

A motion was made by Alderperson Finch, seconded by Alderperson Macias, to approve the Parks & Catfish Charlie’s Funds as presented. Motion passed unanimously.

Carol Barnes, Director of Finance, reviewed the fund balance of the Library. Bryon Lear, Director of Library Services, reported that the mobile outreach vehicle would provide books and materials, register people for community identification cards, and many other things.

A motion was made by Alderperson Schmidt, seconded by Alderperson Finch, to approve the Library Fund as presented. Motion passed unanimously.

Carol Barnes, Director of Finance, reported that the City is currently at 417 full-time authorized positions (See Attachment 2, Pages 107-112). The 2025 budget does not recommend any new positions. However, there does continue to be ongoing staffing needs. The 2025 budget recommends backfilling those with overtime. Staff would like to accept Steve Regenwether, Fire Chief’s short-term recommendation to create an eight (8) hour power shift, operating from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. for 2025 total about $220,000 (See Attachment No. 3, Page 10).

It was recommended Chief Regenwether come back and make a presentation to Council prior to applying to the second round of the Staffing For Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant. During the presentation, Chief Regenwether will speak more on the long-term staffing solutions. For now, the overtime is funded for one eight (8) hour power shift.

In regards to Public Works, administration recommended funding overtime for a new custodial position in the former Bethany building. With departments being relocated, staff would like to value what the need is for custodial. In regards to the staffing for additional firefighters, Barnes shared an alternative use of funds. The $2,000,000 of the 2025 budgeted funds for the new fire station could be used to fund the salaries of the six (6) new firefighters. The goal is to fund what is needed without impacting the recommendation on the levy.

A motion was made by Alderperson Finch, seconded by Alderperson Macias, to approve Personnel as presented. Discussion held.

An amended motion was made by Alderperson Schmidt, seconded by Alderperson Finch, to hire six full time equivalents in fire department and for staff to provide a recommendation on how to best address that on paper. Motion passed unanimously.

The motion as amended carried by voice vote.

Carol Barnes, Director of Finance, reviewed the General Fund (See Attachment No 2, Page 114-121 and Attachment No. 3, Page 14). If $1,000,000 is taken out of the General Fund for 2026 and an additional $1,000,000 is taken out of the General Fund in 2027 for the grocery tax, the net impact will be in the 20% range by the end of 2027. Staff is recommending addressing the 1% Grocery Tax at a later date. If Council wants to maintain the 1% Grocery Tax, that must be submitted in writing to the State of Illinois by October 1, 2025. If Council does not want to maintain the 1% Grocery Tax, $1,000,000 will need to be cut from another fund(s). Barnes continued to review the General Fund.

Darren Gault, Chief of Police, discussed the Police request of $203,000 from the Capital Equipment and other City-wide improvements (See Attachment No. 2, Page 159). Chief Gault reported there is a need for additional cameras and additional fiber. That project is $150,000 request. The second request is for $25,000 for a Live Scan machine. The Live Scan machine is an electronic device that captures fingerprints and demographic data. The last item being requested is license plate readers. In the current Axon contract, the police have license plate readers in the 32 squad cars. However, these license plate readers are not attached to the Illinois State Police cameras. Chief Gault shared that with this budgetary request, Police are looking to install eight (8) license plate readers. Currently, the company being considered is Flock Safety and the minimum you can install is eight (8).

Denver Schmidt, Director of Public Works, reported on the brine machine and the asphalt paver. The brine machine was used during the winter of 2023 and the asphalt paver has been used on the Kiwanis Trail for training during the spring of 2024. That program ended recently so staff could focus on the leaf vacuum program.

A motion was made by Alderperson Castro, seconded by Alderperson Finch, to approve General Fund as presented.

An amended motion was made by Alderperson Schmidt, seconded by Alderperson Timion, to amend the General Fund to incorporate the elimination of the 1% Grocery Tax in 2026 and 2027. Motion passed unanimously.

The motion as amended carried by voice vote.

Council paused for a break at 11:55 a.m.

Council reconvened at 12:15 p.m.

Carol Barnes, Director of Finance, reviewed the TIF Funds (See Attachment No. 2, Page 209-223). Barnes noted that other than TIF7 and TIF11, all TIFs are on track.

A motion was made by Alderperson Schmidt, seconded by Alderperson Castro, to approve TIF Fund as presented. Motion passed unanimously.

Carol Barnes, Director of Finance, reviewed Internal Service Funds and five year cash flow projections (See Attachment No. 2, Page 291-421).

A motion was made by Alderperson Schmidt, seconded by Alderperson Finch, to approve Internal Service Funds as presented. Motion passed unanimously.

Carol Barnes, Director of Finance, reviewed the Enterprise Funds. Barnes reminded Council that staff reviewed all Enterprise Fund Budgets for 2024-2027 with Council at the September 24, 2024 Council meeting. At the October 22, 2024 Council meeting, Council adopted fee increases for water pollution control, stormwater, sanitation, and water.

Carol Barnes, Director of Finance, reviewed the Debt Service. Barnes reported that the biggest decrease is between 2029 and 2030 (See Attachment 2, Page 128). The Pension Obligation bonds are funded 100% through the property tax levy. (See Attachment 2, Page 129).

A motion was made by Alderperson Castro, seconded by Alderperson Timion, to approve Debt Service DRAFT

Funds as presented. Motion passed unanimously.

Mayor Rayapati brought forward the recent $450,000 request from ARC of the Quad Cities. Council is in consensus that there are no funds available to fund the request.

A motion was made by Alderperson Schmidt, seconded by Alderperson Finch, to establish estimated Property Tax Levy for 2025. Motion passed unanimously.

A motion was made by Alderperson Schmidt, seconded by Alderperson Finch, to establish SSA #5 Estimated Property Tax Levy for 2025. Motion passed unanimously.

A motion was made by Alderperson Schmidt, seconded by Alderperson Castro, to establish SSA #6 Estimated Property Tax Levy for 2025. Motion passed unanimously.

Miscellaneous Business

Alderperson Macias shared that November 1, 2024 is the first day of the official launch of the Moline Compass ID program. The cost is $25 for a family. The cards will have discounts from local businesses. At this time, three businesses are lined up for discounts.

Bob Vitas, City Administrator, reported he will be out of town beginning Monday, October 28 and will return on Thursday, November 7.

Public Comment

There was no additional public comment.

Adjournment of City Council

Upon motion of Alderperson Castro, seconded by Alderperson Schmidt, the Council meeting adjourned at 12:58 p.m.

https://legistarweb-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/attachment/attachment/2971344/2024-10-26_COW-Council_Minutes__draft_.pdf