Rock Island Today

City of Moline Committee of the Whole/Council met Feb. 4.

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 Anna Castro (Ward 7)

Alderperson James Patrick Schmidt (Alderperson At-Large)

ABSENT: Alderperson Daniel McNeil (Ward 6)

STAFF: Bob Vitas, City Administrator

Barry Dykhuizen, Assistant City Administrator

Bill Atkins, City Attorney

Stephanie Murphy, City Clerk

David Dryer, Director of Engineering ~electronically

Eric Griffith, Director of Parks & Recreation ~electronically

Jennifer Bizarri, Assistant Director of Community and Economic Development

Charly Brown, Interim Director of Utilities

Leah Madsen, Director of Human Resources

Darren Gault, Chief of Police

Steve Regenwether, Fire Chief

David Rowatt, Information Technology Manager

Ashley Allen Smith, Community Engagement Manager

OTHERS: Margaret Kostopulos, Corporation Counsel

David Silverman, Corporation Counsel

Jacob Foote, Quad Cities Chamber

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, Castro, and Schmidt present. Absent: Alderperson McNeil.

Questions on the Agenda

Mayor Rayapati informed Council they each received a printout of the information from the October, 2024 budget work session related to the grocery tax for Item #6.3, and Item #6.4 is being pulled for further discussion and will be brought back at a later date.

6.1 A Resolution approving the special event application for the TBK Quad Cities Marathon and road races scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 2025, and Sunday, September 28, 2025; closing certain streets more particularly described herein to vehicular traffic; and the use of public right of-way in conjunction with said event. Bob Vitas, City Administrator, stated that staff is recommending approval of the Resolution as presented. The City has a longstanding agreement with the Quad Cities Marathon. The agreement was signed in 2020 and is a 15-year agreement. A motion was made by Alderperson Finch to approve. Seconded by Alderperson Macias. Motion passed unanimously.

6.2 A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to apply for a State Highway Permit from the Illinois Department of Transportation and to execute the necessary forms for temporary closure of the ramp along I-74 eastbound to Third Avenue (River Drive) in conjunction with the Quad Cities Marathon & Road Race, scheduled for Sunday, September 28, 2025. Bob Vitas, City Administrator, stated staff is recommending approval. This item is in conjunction with Item #6.1. It will require approval from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). A motion was made by Alderperson Finch to approve. Seconded by Alderperson Castro. Motion passed unanimously.

6.3 An Ordinance implementing a Municipal Grocery Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax. Bob Vitas, City Administrator, announced that Council members received documentation from the October budget workshops where there were discussions on grocery tax as directed by State of Illinois. Vitas explained that the tax was built into 2025 as well as subsequent years.

On the modeling spreadsheet, it can be seen clearly where the fund balance was in 2024 and the negative impact of reducing the sales tax, estimated at $1,000,000. Staff is recommending approval of the Ordinance so the City can maintain a healthy fund balance. A motion was made by Alderperson Schmidt to approve. Seconded by Alderperson Timion. Discussion held. Motion passed unanimously.

6.4 A Resolution establishing a City of Moline policy entitled Fraternization Policy. Item #6.4 was pulled from the agenda.

6.5 A Resolution approving Change Order No. 1 and Final with Langman Construction, Inc., for Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Section No. 24-00000-00-GM, 2024 Asphalt Resurfacing Program, for the amount of $49,304.04. Bob Vitas, City Administrator, reported that staff is recommending approval of the Resolution as presented. A motion was made by Alderperson Finch to approve. Seconded by Alderperson Razzaque. Motion passed unanimously.

Informational

7.1 February 2025 Status & Information Report. Bob Vitas, City Administrator, reported that rental licensing program has issued 1,318 rental housing licenses as of the writing of this report. There are 39 that fall into the C category. The C category means there is substantial work that needs to be done to improve the property so that it provides quality of life for the person renting it. It is a great program that is paying for itself. Vitas also reported on the State of the City Address on Monday, February 3, 2025. It was well attended by the public. The Mayor did a stand-up job of conveying to the citizens here that it is not just about the work that is being done, but it is also about the citizens. Lastly, Vitas reported that the City is busy filling vacancies. There is now a fully staffed police department as well as a fully staffed fire department.

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

Pledge of Allegiance

Invocation

There was no Invocation.

Roll Call

Roll call was taken with Mayor Rayapati, Alderpersons Murphy, Macias, Razzaque, Timion, Finch, Castro, and Schmidt present. Absent: Alderperson McNeil.

Consent Agenda

Approval of Minutes and Appointments

Committee-of-the-Whole, Council and Executive Session meeting minutes of January 21, 2025.

Second Reading Ordinances

13.1 3007-2025 An Ordinance amending Chapter 3, “SIGNS AND ADVERTISING,” of the Moline Code of Ordinances, regarding certain corrections and/or clarifications to the sign regulations, Chapter 35, “ZONING AND LAND DEVELOPMENT,” of the Moline Code of Ordinances, regarding certain corrections and/or clarifications to the zoning and land development regulations, including text amendments to ARTICLE I, “GENERAL PROVISIONS AND ADMINISTRATION”; ARTICLE II, “DEVELOPMENT REVIEW AND PROCEDURES”; ARTICLE III, “ZONING”; and ARTICLE V, “SITE IMPROVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.”

13.2 3008-2025 An Ordinance authorizing the City of Moline to borrow funds from the Water Pollution Control Loan Program to Finance Improvements to the South Slope Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Resolutions

14.1 1014-2025 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.

14.2 1015-2025 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 $15,638.70.

14.3 1016-2025 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.

14.4 1017-2025 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.

14.5 1018-2025 A Resolution approving the content of Executive Session minutes; authorizing the release and continued retention, respectively, of certain Executive Session minutes; and authorizing the destruction of certain verbatim recordings of Executive Sessions.

14.6 1019-2025 A Resolution approving the quotation with Game Time, c/o Cunningham Recreation, to purchase materials and the installation of poured in place safety surfacing and concrete curbs for the new playground at Browning Park utilizing OMNIA Contract #2017001134 for the amount of $169,757.00 and authorizing the Director of Parks and Recreation to execute any necessary documents and do all things necessary to implement said purchase and installation.

Omnibus Vote

Alderperson Finch, seconded by Alderperson Timion, moved to approve and adopt, by omnibus vote, these items. Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Macias, Razzaque, Timion, Finch, Castro, Schmidt, Murphy; nays: none.

Non-Consent Agenda

Resolutions

16.1 1020-2025 A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an Economic Development and Business Growth Partnership Agreement between Grow Quad Cities and the Quad Cities Region.

A motion was made by Alderperson Finch, seconded by Alderperson Schmidt, to remove this item from the table.

Alderperson Macias recused himself as he has a relationship with the Quad Cities Chamber.

Alderperson Schmidt commented that the Quad Cities Chamber has a business relationship with his place of employment but there is no conflict of interest.

Approved. Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Razzaque, Timion, Finch, Castro, Schmidt, Murphy; nays: none.

Non-Consent Agenda

First Reading Ordinances

17.1 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.

Alderperson Finch, seconded by Alderperson Castro, moved to advance Item #17.1 to second reading.

Margaret Kostopulos, Corporation Counsel, reported that since this item passed Committee-of-the-Whole last week, Council did pass the amendments to the tobacco ordinance creating three different classes of licenses. Kostopulos suggested Council make a motion to amend the motion to include that a Class B license be issued to each of these three applicants.

An amended motion was made by Alderperson Schmidt, seconded by Alderperson Finch, to amend Item #17.1 to include Class B tobacco license. Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Macias, Razzaque, Timion, Finch, Castro, Schmidt, Murphy; nays: none.

Advanced. The motion as amended carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Macias, Razzaque, Timion, Finch, Castro, Schmidt, Murphy; nays: none.

17.2 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, seconded by Alderperson Timion to advance Item #17.2 to second reading.

An amended motion was made by Alderperson Finch, seconded by Alderperson Schmidt, to amend Item #17.2 to include Class B tobacco license. Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Macias, Razzaque, Timion, Finch, Castro, Schmidt, Murphy; nays: none.

Advanced. The motion as amended carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Macias, Razzaque, Timion, Finch, Castro, Schmidt, Murphy; nays: none.

17.3 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, seconded by Alderperson Finch to advance Item #17.3 to second reading.

An amended motion was made by Alderperson Timion, seconded by Alderperson Castro, to amend Item #17.3 to include Class B tobacco license. Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Macias, Razzaque, Timion, Finch, Castro, Schmidt, Murphy; nays: none.

Advanced. The motion as amended carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Macias, Razzaque, Timion, Finch, Castro, Schmidt, Murphy; nays: none.

Miscellaneous Business

Mayor Rayapati proclaimed Happy Black History Month. Mayor reported that last week she spoke on a panel at the Illinois Farm Bureau’s Everything Local Conference in Springfield, Illinois. She is interested in adding to the diversity of the industry around the City of Moline. She is hopeful the City can steadily work on the urban farming, noting that it will add jobs and diversity to the economy. While in Springfield, Mayor also worked with State lobbyists to set up conversations regarding the train as well as for other issues regarding the strategic plan. In other news, after the first stop work order came out related to services for refugees, Mayor reports that she was approached by Jen Osing, the Executive Director of World Relief, to discuss what the stop work order would mean for the Moline community and surrounding communities. There are 209 people who have been resettled in the Quad Cities since October, 2024 and that would qualify as being under the 90 day resettlement program. Federally funded government assistance serving refugees ceased Friday, Jan. 25, after U.S. refugee resettlement nonprofits, including World Relief Quad Cities, received an order from President Donald Trump's administration suspending their federal aid. Mayor Rayapati reported that World Relief report that 64 refugees who recently arrived to the Quad-Cities will not have assistance for rent, utilities and food. Richard Brunk, Rock Island County Board Chair, has been very responsive because he has connections with employment through different programs that report to the Rock Island County Board Chair.

Alderperson Razzaque thanked Mayor Rayapati for the speech at State of the City on Monday, February 3, 2025.

Alderperson Schmidt stated he had the opportunity to attend the Frost and Fire Festival with his family over the weekend. Schmidt believes the event was well thought out and well planned. Schmidt shared that he had the advantage to attend some soccer matches in the new City Service Center through the Moline Parks and Recreation Department.

Bob Vitas, City Administrator, reminded Council the first Roundtable of 2025 will be on February 11, 2025. The big highlight will be launching into the strategic planning process for May and June of 2025. Vitas reported there was a flow chart created in 2021 which laid out a series of events that must take place. It is now time for the community survey as well as the business survey. It serves as a report card as to how others perceive the City of Moline is doing as opposed to how the City reports and perceives it is doing.

Polco, the company retained to administer the surveys, is a national company who represents over 600 communities around the country. Vitas congratulated Ashley Allen Smith, Community Engagement Manager, for an outstanding job at her first big event at State of the City, noting that her historical account of the building and who we are as a City led the groundwork for the Mayor’s speech.

Public Comment

There was no additional public comment.

Executive Session:

Alderperson Murphy, seconded by Alderperson Timion, moved for Executive Session, for the purpose of discussion of Property Acquisition-5 ILCS 120/2(C)(5), and Pending, Probable or Imminent Litigation - 5 ILCS 120/2(C)(11). Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Timion, Finch, Castro, Schmidt, Murphy, Macias and Razzaque; nays: none.

City Council convened in Executive Session at 6:34 p.m.

Council reconvened in open session at 7:35 p.m.

Adjournment of City Council

Upon motion of Alderperson Castro, seconded by Alderperson Schmidt, the Council meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m.

The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is on February 11, 2025. View recorded meetings at http://www.moline.il.us/remotecouncil

http://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/10663