Rock Island Today

City of Colona City Council met Jan. 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Ropp called the meeting to Order at 6:00PM

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Those in attendance stood for the pledge of allegiance.

ROLL CALL: Mayor Ropp, Attorney Wright, Alderman Stablein, Alderman Swemline, Alderman Lack, Alderman Jones, Alderman Painter, and Alderman Waterman were present. Alderman Dooley and Alderman Shady-Dahl were absent.

Also in attendance was Public Works Director Ryan Erichsen. Chief Swemline and Treasurer Legare were absent.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.

MAYOR'S REPORT: Mayor Ropp provided report of ongoing matters, including:

Rte. 84 project delayed.

Received communication from IDOT; setting public hearing for March 18, 2025 at 1pm at the Colona Scott Family Park clubhouse in regard to Rte. 84 reconstruction project. Little bit delayed, so IDOT will be giving an updated. Scheduled from 1pm-6pm. Mayor encouraged anyone interested to attend. Several IDOT representatives will be there.

Mayor meeting with Burrage and RMA to review roof claims and settlement on Monday 1/20/25 at CSFP at 1pm.

Mayor attended meeting with Bi-state and Henry County to review the proposed comprehensive economic development strategy (roundtable format with various city representatives from within the County) - very informative.

Received letter from Illinois EPA regarding notice of violations and proposed compliance commitment for Waste Water Treatment Plant violations - so it is good that they accepted and approved our plan to make the corrections needed (some already in process).

Received letter from Barb Link's office reminding of need of officers to complete statement of economic interest forms.

Consolidated Election ballot certification due January 23rd

Received 76 applications for Collector position and 66 applications for administrative clerk position so will be reviewing those. Alderman Stablein inquired whether the Mayor would be forming a committee for hiring. Mayor indicated he planned to initially sort through and eliminate some of them and then sit down with everyone and see what they think. Perhaps before next Finance/Admin committee meeting.

Update on Andrews litigation; worked through getting discovery responses provided; next Case Management Conference set for March 31st.

Received email notice of lawsuit on deck collapse from 2019 (13 plaintiffs involved). 158-page amended complaint.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Alderman Painter provided a summary of the Public Safety Committee meeting previously held. Alderman Painter asked that the proposed increase for the Police Department's part-time officer be put on agenda for next City Council meeting as well as hiring a full-time officer to replace the one that is believed to be leaving.

Alderman Swemline provided a summary of the Public Works Committee meeting previously held. Advised all lift stations now on the SCADA system. Still working on bathrooms at CSFP. Received quote to fix plumbing at CSFP pool.

CONSENT AGENDA:

1. Approve payment of bills/Claims by vendor report for the period of December 24, 2024 - January 13, 2025

2. Approve payroll for the period December 26, 2024 - January 10, 2025

3. Approve Treasurer's report for December 2024

4. Approve minutes from December 23, 2024 City Council Meeting

5. Approve posting Notice of Public Hearing, to be held at City Hall on January 27, 2025 at 5:30 p.m., on proposed approval of ordinances O-25-01 and O-25-02 for MidAmerican Energy twenty-five (25) year franchise agreements for electricity supply and natural gas supply.

Motion made by Alderman Painter to approve Consent Agenda Items 1 through 5 as read. Seconded by Alderman Swemline. Discussion offered, Alderman Stablein noted a correction to be made to the minutes (correcting reference to Finance/Admin should instead be "Economic Development"); Mayor also added that the Public Hearing 25-year agreement about the same as it was with a few minor changes - standard agreement in which City allowing them a right-of- way to put equipment; attorney Wright noted he would make the revision to minutes; Roll Call: Alderman Stablein, Alderman Swemline, Alderman Lack, Alderman Jones, Alderman Painter, and Alderman Waterman voted aye. Alderman Dooley was absent. Motion passed with 6 ayes and 2 absent.

OLD BUSINESS: None.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Approve IMEG Short Term Services Agreement for Colona 2025 engineering. Time and material estimate $4,900.00, per scope and terms stated.

Motion made by Alderman Stablein to approve New Business Item No. 1 as read. Seconded by Alderman Swemline. Discussion offered; Mayor indicated this was their standard yearly agreement, he did not include all of the changes in the printout but it was in the email to the Aldermen; Roll call: Alderman Stablein, Alderman Swemline, Alderman Lack, Alderman Jones, and Alderman Painter voted aye. Alderman Waterman voted nay. Alderman Dooley and Alderman Shady-Dahl were absent. Motion passed with 5 ayes, 1 nay, and 2 absent.

2. Approve Colona Pool Replumb Equipment quote per scope of project from Sentry Pool. Project cost total $6,759.66. Work must be done by IDPH approved contractor and in order to comply with IDPH regulations.

Motion made by Alderman Swemline to approve New Business Item No. 2 as read. Seconded by Alderman Jones. Discussion offered; Alderman Lack inquired whether this was coming out of the CSFP budget - Mayor responded it was not; would come out of Building Maintenance; Alderman Lack then asked if this would fix all of the issues with the pool or if it was fixing one of the many problems; PWD Erichsen indicated it would fix one of the many issues (plumbing inside chlorine room is what the bid is for because Dept. of Public Health came out and conducted inspection - stated we needed this fix and needed licensed contractor; using only licensed contractor for the work; quote is to fix everything coming out of ground, all through filtering system and pump; hasn't been done in very long time.. must be licensed pool specialist to do this work on a commercial pool), Roll Call: Alderman Stablein, Alderman Swemline, Alderman Lack, Alderman Jones, Alderman Painter, and Alderman Waterman voted aye. Alderman Dooley and Alderman Shady-Dahl were absent. Motion passed with 6 ayes and 2 absent.

CLOSED SESSION: None.

Mayor Ropp asked whether there was any other discussion or business to bring before the Council. Alderman Stablein indicated there is a student from the school that may wish to come present - he would like to start a fishing club at the school and may request to fish at the canal and CSFP. He previously presented to the school board. Alderman Waterman commented on the bridge at E. 450th Street; he has been talking to the engineer of Henry County - and he let Alderman Waterman know he thinks it would qualify for a new funding source from IDOT for off-system bridge (which is what our bridge is considered) - 100% federal funding with no local match; so it is something he is looking into.

ADJOURN: Motion to adjourn made by Alderman Swemline. Seconded by Alderman Lack. Discussion offered; hearing none; Roll Call: Alderman Stablein,

Alderman Swemline, Alderman Lack, Alderman Jones, Alderman Painter, and Alderman Waterman voted aye. Alderman Dooley and Alderman Shady-Dahl were absent.

Meeting adjourned at 6:26PM.

https://www.colonail.com/vertical/sites/%7BFC142F78-E9D2-49AE-8B50-7910B5B74E0C%7D/uploads/CC_Minutes_01-13-2025.pdf