Rock Island Today

City of Moline Committee of the Whole/Council met Jan. 21.

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

Barry Dykhuizen, Assistant City Administrator

Bill Atkins, City Attorney

Stephanie Murphy, City Clerk

Lori Ulloa, Assistant Director of Finance ~electronically

David Dryer, Director of Engineering ~electronically

Chris Mathias, Director of Community & Economic Development

Bryon Lear, Director of Library Services ~electronically

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

KJ Whitley, Community Development Manager

Chris Parr, Economic Development Manager

Dawn Temple, Management Analyst and Grant Coordinator

Andy Parer, Stormwater Utility Manager

Greg Pyles, WPC Treatment Operations Manager

OTHERS: Margaret Kostopulos, Corporation Counsel

Jesse Johnson, Points Consulting ~electronically

Mary Chappell, Land Bank Manager

Mayor Rayapati called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Roll Call

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

Oath of Office

Oath of Office for appointment of Bill Atkins to City Attorney.

Board Appointments

Mayor’s appointment of Ashley Gomez to the Citizens Advisory Council on Urban Policy (CACUP) Board for a 3-year term to expire July 31, 2027.

Mayor’s reappointment of Diokel Gning to the Human Rights Commission for a 2-year term to expire August 31, 2026.

Mayor’s reappointment of Betsy Zmuda-Swanson to the Human Rights Commission for a 2-year term to expire August 31, 2026.

Presentation

6.1 South Slope Improvement. Charles Brown, Interim Director of Utilities, introduced Troy Stinson with Strand Associates. Stinson reviewed the project goals of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Stinson showed a comparison of the planning study in 2021 and where it is today. Stinson stated that due to Build America, Buy America (BABA) the equipment costs have increased by 50%. Lori Ulloa, Assistant Finance Director, explained the WPC Fees Estimate (See Page 18 of Attachment No. 1). The City will pay off its existing IEPA loan in 2037 and there will be some extra funds available that can be used to pay on principal to save on interest costs. Stinson then shared the deductive bid alternatives which could be used to provide flexibility to reduce bid costs, if needed. Last, Stinson shared the project schedule, noting construction final completion is set for October, 2029. Discussion held. Bob Vitas, City Administrator, stated that while the number is big, it was explained clearly as to how the number got to where it is. When the project is approved by Council on February 4, 2025, staff will further discuss the plans. Once the bids come in, there will be an opportunity to analyze the numbers that were provided by Strand and look for ways to save money.

6.2 HUD Housing Reports Presentations. KJ Whitely, Community Development Manager, stated the City of Moline has partnered with the City of Davenport and the City of Rock Island. Whitley introduced Heather Johnson, Housing Programs Manager for the City of Davenport, who was present. Jesse Johnson, Points Consulting, joined remotely, and shared the housing needs assessment for the cities of Moline, Rock Island, and Davenport. As of October, 2024, there were 126 vacant properties in Moline. Johnson shared recommendations for community revitalization and affordable housing development, affordable housing and land development programs, fully utilizing property tax abatement, and encouraging more high-density, low maintenance units in urban cores. It is encouraged to focus on single-family condominiums because it is more attractable to developers. In addition, smaller units are easier to maintain and therefore repair costs go down which causes renter costs to go down. This could also provide revitalization for many commercial areas. Discussion held. Jeremy Gray, Mosaic Community Planning, presented an analysis of impediments to fair housing choice, which was also completed for Moline, Rock Island, and Davenport. Gray explained that analysis of impediments is an analysis of the local fair housing landscape. Gray shared the impediments and what Mosaic Community Planning suggests to correct the impediments. Whitley shared the next steps which include having the consultants finalize the reports, which should be completed in 30 days. The analysis of impediments will be made public for a 30-day comment period for all three cities. The housing needs assessment reports will be placed on each of the city’s websites. From there, each city will begin to develop their consolidated plan. The reports that have been prepared will be utilized, along with communications with neighborhoods and residents. This item will be brought back to Council for action in March, 2025.

Public Comment

There was no public comment.

Questions on the Agenda

Mayor Rayapati noted that Item 17.1 is listed under Consent Agenda – Resolutions but should appear on Non-Consent Agenda – Resolutions. It will be voted on in the proper section.

Agenda Items

9.1 A Resolution granting an Overhead Electric Easement to MidAmerican Energy Company (MEC) at Lot Numbers (8) and Fifteen (15) in Block Number One (1), all in that part of Moline Township known as and called C.G. Thulin’s Second Addition to East Moline, as said lots are known and designated upon the recorded plat of said Addition, situated in the City of Moline, County of Rock Island, in the State of Illinois, PIN: 0835140010 and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute and acknowledge said Easement. Bob Vitas, City Administrator, reported that this item is to establish an overhead easement which is located along 2nd Avenue. It is inside the TIF. The City did explore undergrounding as opposed to overhead. However, in this case it is more appropriate that it is overhead lines. Staff is recommending approval.

A motion was made by Alderperson Finch to approve. Seconded by Alderperson Castro. Motion passed unanimously.

9.2 A Resolution approving Change Order No. 1 and Final with General Constructors, Inc., for Project No. 1465, Midtowne Parking Ramp Expansion Joint Repairs, for the amount of $15,638.79. Bob Vitas, City Administrator, reported that this is for repairs that were finalized on Midtowne Parking Ramp in 2024. Staff is recommending approval.

A motion was made by Alderperson Finch to approve. Seconded by Alderperson Macias. Motion passed unanimously.

9.3 A Resolution approving Change Order No. 1 and Final with General Constructors, Inc., for Project No. 1467, Midtowne Parking Ramp Access Controls, for the amount of $23,719.57. Bob Vitas, City Administrator, stated Staff is recommending approval.

A motion was made by Alderperson Finch to approve. Seconded by Alderperson Macias. Motion passed unanimously.

9.4 An Ordinance amending Chapter 22, “OFFENSES MISCELLANEOUS,” of the Moline Code of Ordinances, by increasing the number of Tobacco licenses in the City at the request of Hass Smoke Shop Inc., d/b/a Moline Liquor Tobacco & Vape. Margaret Kostopulos, Corporation Counsel, shared that agenda items 9.4, 9.5, and 9.6 are applications for new tobacco licenses in existing businesses. The new buyers seek to continue to sell tobacco. It is believed that all three tobacco licenses will be Class B. These applications came in prior to the proposed ordinance amendment which creates three tobacco classifications. Therefore, each applicant under item 9.4, 9.5 and 9.6 should be analyzed and considered under the current ordinance which does not yet, but may after tonight, include the separation into three license classes.

A motion was made by Alderperson Schmidt to approve. Seconded by Alderperson Castro. Alderperson Schmidt stated that it is the intent to allow businesses to continue operate when they are selling. It just gets a little more complicated with the ordinance being updated at this time. Kostopulos replied stated that should Council approve Council agenda items 9.4, 9.5, and 9.6, and the Chapter 22 tobacco ordinance amendments, when the agenda items go back to Council at the next meeting on February 4, 2025, it may be appropriate to amend by motion, these ordinances to include that they would receive a Class B license.

Motion passed unanimously.

9.5 An Ordinance amending Chapter 22, “OFFENSES MISCELLANEOUS,” of the Moline Code of Ordinances, by increasing the number of Tobacco licenses in the City at the request of Grace Store LLC, d/b/a Vantage Pointe. A motion was made by Alderperson Schmidt to approve. Seconded by Alderperson Timion. Motion passed unanimously.

9.6 An Ordinance amending Chapter 22, “OFFENSES MISCELLANEOUS,” of the Moline Code of Ordinances, by increasing the number of Tobacco licenses in the City at the request of JS Liquor & Food Inc., d/b/a Five Star Liquor & Food. A motion was made by Alderperson Schmidt to approve. Seconded by Alderperson Castro. Motion passed unanimously.

9.7 A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute the loan application forms and supporting documents to borrow funds from the Water Pollution Control Loan Program to finance improvements to the South Slope Wastewater Treatment Plant and authorizing the Director of Utilities and Director of Finance for the sole purpose of authorizing or executing any documents associated with payment requests or reimbursements from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in connection with this loan. Charly Brown, Interim Director of Utilities, stated that this is a standard agreement which must be completed for staff to stay on track and potentially take out a loan in the future. This Resolution states that the Mayor will be signing the paperwork for the loan application.

A motion was made by Alderperson Finch to approve. Seconded by Alderperson Razzaque. Motion passed unanimously.

9.8 A Resolution authorizing the Mayor, City Clerk, and City staff to apply to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) for the FY2025 Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Discretionary Grant application for the I-74 Riverfront Reimagined Project and authorizing the Mayor, City Clerk, and staff to do all things necessary to prepare and submit said grant application. Dawn Temple, Management Analyst and Grant Coordinator, reported that she is seeking Council’s approval for submitting the RAISE grant. A 10% match of around $650,000, which is budgeted funding in the Capital Improvement budget, has been included in this grant application.

A motion was made by Alderperson Schmidt to approve. Seconded by Alderperson Finch. Motion passed unanimously.

Informational

2024-2026 Strategic Plan Dashboard FY24, Q4 Report. Bob Vitas, City Administrator, reported that the City ended fiscal 2024 on a great note. Vitas discussed progress and completion on current projects.

Adjournment of the Committee-of-the-Whole and Council Call to Order

http://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/10634