Rock Island Today

City of Rock Island City Council met Jan. 13.

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 Moses Robinson, Randy Hurt, Randy Tweet, Jenni Swanson, Dylan Parker, Mark Poulos, Bill Healy and Mayor Mike Thoms.

Absent: None.

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

Kelly Kruse, a resident of Rock Island, addressed Council about the recent officer-involved police shooting and said changes are needed in the City.

James Blue discussed the recent officer-involved shooting and said the community and its representatives should think about how events like this impact the future.

Rock Island County NAACP President Bonnie Ballard read a statement from the organization expressing sincere condolences to the family of Jakarta Jackson. She said the organization is collaborating with law enforcement; when the investigations are complete and the reports and body cam footage are released, they will review and analyze the facts as they relate to the Ten Shared Principles and identify any principles that were not followed. She added that the NAACP will continue to work with law enforcement to create a safe environment for all citizens of Rock Island County.

Rachel Welker, resident of Rock Island, voiced concern with the recent officer-involved shooting. She asked the City to take the event seriously and find solutions.

Ken Jacoby, husband of the owner of Spellbound, expressed his dissatisfaction with the City's level of communication and assistance after bricks fell from 217 17th Street's façade and also during the Rebuild Downtown project.

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

a. Signing Ceremony for the Intergovernmental Service Agreement between the City of Rock Island and Rock Island Arsenal for fire extinguishers.

A signing ceremony for the fire extinguishers was held with officials from the Rock Island Arsenal. Mayor Thoms and Colonel Joe Parker said a few words. City Manager Todd Thompson signed the agreement. A photo was taken.

Clerk Gange read a proclamation declaring January 20, 2025 as MLK Jr. Day in the City of Rock Island. Mayor Thoms read his declaration. Martin Luther King Center Director Jerry Jones said a few words. A photo was taken.

7. Update Rock Island

MLK Memorial Service

The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center will host the 42nd Annual MLK Memorial Service and Awards next Monday, January 20th starting at 10:30 am. The public is welcome to join in person at 630 9th Street, Rock Island. The event will also be live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube.

This year's service is extra special, as it kicks off the MLK Center's 50th anniversary year. The featured speaker will be Minnijean Brown-Trickey, who was one of the Little Rock Nine – a group of students who integrated Little Rock High School in Arkansas in 1957. Also, the Westbrook Singers, a nationally-known Gospel group originally from East Moline, will reunite to perform during the event.

State of the City Address

The 2025 State of the City Address will be held Tuesday, January 28th at Bally’s Casino & Hotel. Doors open at 11:30 a.m., and the program begins at noon. This year’s theme is Reinvesting in Rock Island. The event is open and free to the public. Those who want to eat lunch are asked to register by going to the City’s website at rigov.org.

11th Street Reconstruction

Last week the City learned it received a federal RAISE grant in the amount of $22.7 million for the redesign and reconstruction of 11th Street between 31st Avenue and Blackhawk Road. The RAISE federal grant, which stands for Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity, came to us after many years, four grant submissions and with the collaboration of city staff and state and federal officials.

The project for this important two-mile stretch of 11th Street will:

• Redesign 11th Street from four lanes to three, with a bi-directional turn lane in the middle

• Provide ADA compliant sidewalks throughout the corridor

• Add pedestrian connections between 11th Street and 9th Street, which is home to schools, community facilities and residences

• And include green infrastructure and stormwater improvements to improve sustainability.

Congratulations to everyone who pulled together and worked hard to get this very important grant for the City!

8. Special Presentations

a. Presentation of the CY 2024 Third Quarter Financial Management Report.

This item followed item 9a.

Finance Director Jessica Sager provided an overview of the CY 2024 Third Quarter report. She went over the revenues and expenditures of the General Fund, Special Revenue Funds, Propriety/Enterprise Funds and other governmental funds. She provided an analysis of the state and local tax revenue and the City's investments. She explained that staff is still accruing back revenue and expenditures to 2024 and will likely continue the process through March. She mentioned that, although some state and local taxes came in lower than anticipated, expenditures were also lower than anticipated so staff still expect a surplus for 2024. She announced that the City received the GFOA Award for the 2023 financial statements.

9. Ordinances (First Readings)

a. Report from the Community Development Department regarding an Ordinance establishing a public hearing date on the proposed amendments to the existing Parkway/I-280 Casino Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Redevelopment Plan and Project Area. (First Reading)

Motion: Motion to consider the ordinance.

RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION: Alderperson Hurt moved to consider the ordinance; Alderperson Tweet seconded.

VOTE: Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Poulos, Healy, Robinson, Hurt, Tweet, Swanson and Parker. Nay: None. Absent: None.

b. Report from the Community Development Department regarding an Ordinance establishing a public hearing date for the establishment of the Parkway/I-280 Casino Business District. (First Reading)

Motion: Motion to consider the ordinance.

RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION: Alderperson Hurt moved to consider the ordinance; Alderperson Tweet seconded.

VOTE: Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Poulos, Healy, Robinson, Hurt, Tweet, Swanson, Parker. Nay: None. Absent: None.

c. Report from the Community Development Department regarding the sale of City-owned property at 1602 9th Street for $481 plus closing costs. (First Reading)

Motion: Motion to approve the sale; authorize the City Manager to execute the sales agreement, and consider, suspend the rules, and pass the ordinance.

RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION: Alderperson Robinson moved to approve the sale; authorize the City Manager to execute the sales agreement, and consider, suspend the rules, and pass the ordinance; Alderperson Swanson seconded.

VOTE: Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Poulos, Healy, Robinson, Hurt, Tweet, Swanson, Parker. Nay: None. Absent: None.

10. Passage of Ordinances and Resolutions

a. A Special Ordinance regarding a rezoning request from Amy McFall at 3720 8th Street. (Second Reading)

Motion: Motion to pass the ordinance.

RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION: Alderperson Hurt moved to pass the ordinance; Alderperson Tweet seconded.

VOTE: Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Poulos, Healy, Robinson, Hurt, Tweet, Swanson, Parker. Nay: None. Absent: None.

b. An amendment to the Resolution regarding the closure of the Master Sergeant Stanley Talbot Memorial Bridge and 15th Street (U.S. Highway 67) on Saturday, March 15, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for the St. Patrick's Day Parade, hosted by the St. Patrick Society.

Motion: Motion to approve the amendment and adopt the resolution.

RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION: Alderperson Robinson moved to approve the amendment and adopt the Resolution; Alderperson Healy seconded.

VOTE: Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Poulos, Healy, Robinson, Hurt, Tweet, Swanson, Parker. Nay: None. Absent: None.

c. Report from the City Clerk regarding a Resolution adopting the partial release of Closed Session minutes and the destruction of audio recordings from the same Closed Session minutes.

Motion: Motion to approve the partial release of Closed Session minutes as recommended and adopt the Resolution.

RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION: Alderperson Healy moved to approve the partial release of the Closed Session minutes as recommended and adopt the Resolution; Alderperson Poulos seconded.

VOTE: Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Poulos, Healy, Robinson, Hurt, Tweet, Swanson, Parker. Nay: None. Absent: None.

11. 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. Minutes from the December 16, 2024 Study Session and City Council meeting.

b. Minutes from the December 9 and December 16, 2024 Closed Session.

c. Claims for the week of November 22 through November 28, 2024, in the amount of $58,478.29; for the week of November 29 through December 5, 2024, in the amount of $2,780,292.82; for the week of December 6 through December 12, 2024, in the amount of $2,705.079.71, and payroll for the weeks of November 25 through December 8, 2024, in the amount of $1,835,955.81, and payroll for the weeks of December 9, 2024 through December 22, 2024 in the amount of $1,833,192.47.

d. International City/County Management Association (ICMA) claims for the weeks of November 30 through December 13, 2024, in the amount of $28,395.13.

e. ACH Report for the month of November 2024 in the amount of $8,939,989.26.

f. Purchase Card Claims for the period of October 29, 2024 through November 26, 2024 in the amount of $116,511.79.

g. Report from the Information Technology Department regarding payment in the amount of $67,500 for the annual contract renewal of Google Workspace System for the term December 27, 2024 through December 27, 2025.

h. Report from the Information Technology Department regarding payment in the amount of $11,826 for renewal of Nitro Professional from December 19, 2024 through December 19, 2025.

i. Report from the Information Technology Department regarding payment in the amount of $22,765 to ESRI Inc. for the annual contract renewal for GIS Mapping Software for the term January 15, 2025 through January 14, 2026.

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

RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION: Alderperson Parker moved to approve Consent Agenda items a through i; Alderperson Swanson seconded.

VOTE: Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Poulos, Healy, Robinson, Hurt, Tweet, Swanson, Parker. Nay: None. Absent: None.

12. Claims/Purchases

a. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $37,376 to Monroe Truck Equipment, Monroe, Wisconsin, to outfit one 2024 Ford F350 Super Duty Truck with a snow fighter package.

b. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $111,514.82 to Martin Equipment, Rock Island, IL, for the purchase of a 2025 John Deere Compact Tracked Loader and options.

Motion: Motion to allow claims a and b.

RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION: Alderperson Poulos moved to allow claims a and b; Alderperson Tweet seconded.

VOTE: Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Poulos, Healy, Robinson, Hurt, Tweet, Swanson, Parker. Nay: None. Absent: None.

13. Contracts/Agreements

a. Report from Administration regarding an agreement with Project Now for the temporary operation of a warming shelter.

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

RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION: Alderperson Swanson moved to approve the agreement and authorize the City Manager to execute the document; Alderperson Poulos seconded.

DISCUSSION:

Project Now Executive Director Dwight Ford provided background information and plans for the shelter. He also explained Project Now's plans for the future. (Inaudible)

VOTE: Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Poulos, Healy, Robinson, Hurt, Tweet, Swanson, Parker. Nay: None. Absent: None.

b. Report from the Public Works Department regarding bids for the 2025 Water Service and Sewer Lateral Repair Programs, recommending the bid be awarded to J.C. Dillion, Inc., Davenport, Iowa in the amount of $746,639.70.

Motion: Motion to approve the bid as recommended and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents.

RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION: Alderperson Tweet moved to approve the bid as recommended and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents; Alderperson Poulos seconded.

Alderperson Parker recused himself due to the nature of his employment.

VOTE: Motion on a 6-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Poulos, Healy, Robinson, Hurt, Tweet, Swanson. Nay: None. Absent: None.

c. Report from the Public Works Department regarding AT&T's Third Amendment to the Site License Agreement for cellular equipment upgrades at the 1413 42nd Avenue water tower.

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

RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION: Alderperson Tweet moved to approve the agreement and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement; Alderperson Swanson seconded.

VOTE: Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Poulos, Healy, Robinson, Hurt, Tweet, Swanson, Parker. Nay: None. Absent: None.

d. Report from the Public Works Department regarding a proposal from IMEG, Rock Island, IL, in the amount of $178,000, for engineering services on the Bally West Development.

Motion: Motion to approve the proposal and authorize the City Manager to execute the document.

RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION: Alderperson Hurt moved to approve the proposal and authorize the City Manager to execute the document; Alderperson Healy seconded.

VOTE: Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Poulos, Healy, Robinson, Hurt, Tweet, Swanson, Parker. Nay: None. Absent: None.

14. Department Reports

a. Report from the Community Development Department regarding the Parkway/I-280 Casino TIF Feasibility Study.

Motion: Motion to approve the TIF feasibility study, and authorize staff to place the study on file for 10 days and distribute it to all affected taxing bodies.

RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION: Alderperson Hurt moved to approve the TIF feasibility study, and authorize staff to place the study on file for 10 days and distribute it to all affected taxing bodies; Alderperson Tweet seconded.

VOTE: Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Poulos, Healy, Robinson, Hurt, Tweet, Swanson, Parker. Nay: None. Absent: None.

b. Report from the Human Resources Department regarding a Retirement Healthcare Funding Plan for Fire Department employees.

Motion: Motion to approve a Healthcare Funding Plan administered by the National Public Pension Fund Association for Fire Department employees.

RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION: Alderperson Tweet moved to approve the Healthcare Funding Plan administered by the National Public Pension Fund Association for Fire Department employees; Alderperson Poulos seconded.

VOTE: Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Poulos, Healy, Robinson, Hurt, Tweet, Swanson, Parker. Nay: None. Absent: None.

15. Traffic Engineering Requests

a. Report from the Traffic Engineering Committee regarding a request from Sheila Solomon to remove the handicapped parking space at 1309 6th Avenue. (First Reading)

Motion: Motion to approve the request as recommended and consider the ordinance. RC Roll Call vote is needed.

MOTION: Alderperson Robinson moved to approve the request as recommended and consider, suspend the rules, and pass the ordinance; Alderperson Swanson seconded.

VOTE: Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Poulos, Healy, Robinson, Hurt, Tweet, Swanson, Parker. Nay: None. Absent: None.

16. Rock Island Port Authority

a. Motion: Motion to close the regular City Council meeting and convene the Rock Island Regional Port District meeting.

VV Voice vote is needed.

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

VOTE: Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 voice vote. Aye: Poulos, Healy, Robinson, Hurt, Tweet, Swanson, Parker. Nay: None. Absent: None.

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 District Authority and reconvene the regular City Council meeting; Alderperson Poulos seconded.

VOTE: Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 voice vote. Aye: Poulos, Healy, Robinson, Hurt, Tweet, Swanson, Parker. Nay: None. Absent: None.

17. Other Business/New Business

Alderperson Swanson thanked fellow Council members for showing compassion for the homeless in need of shelter from the cold weather.

18. Closed Session

a. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives.

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

VV Voice vote is needed.

Mayor Thoms announced that the item had been pulled from the agenda, and they would not be entering Closed Session.

19. Adjourn

a. Motion: Motion to Adjourn to January 27, 2025.

VV Voice vote is needed.

MOTION: Alderperson Healy moved to adjourn; Alderperson Poulos seconded.

VOTE: Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Poulos, Healy, Robinson, Hurt, Tweet, Swanson, Parker. Nay: None. Absent: None.

The meeting concluded at 7:44 p.m.

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