Rock Island Today

City of Colona City Council met March 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

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

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

ROLL CALL: Mayor Ropp, Attorney Wright, Alderman Stablein, Alderman Swemline (arrived at 6:25PM prior to any votes being taken), Alderman Lack, Alderman Jones, Alderman Waterman, Alderman Painter, and Alderman Shady-Dahl were present. Alderman Dooley was absent.

Also present were Chief Swemline, Treasurer Legare, and Public Works Director Erichsen.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: Fire Chief John Swan provided a presentation on Upcoming Rescue Tax on Ballot and urged City residents to vote yes on the same at the upcoming April 1, 2025 election.

MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Ropp provided a report on various pending items including the topics set forth below. Mayor read a letter from candidate for Second Ward Alderman Patrick Dugan advising he would no longer be seeking the position of Alderman due to health issues – he would like anyone who was planning to vote for him to give consideration to other candidates. Additionally, First Ward candidate Jason Henson would be withdrawing from consideration. Also, David Diaz would be withdrawing from consideration as a candidate for Third Ward Alderman. Their names would still show on the ballot but they are withdrawing.

Mayor read a letter from an anonymous City resident outlining concerns of the resident regarding the functioning of the city and its city government. Alderman Stablein questioned whether the letter was signed – Mayor Ropp responded it was not. Alderman Stablein inquired whether it was the Mayor’s intent to read every anonymous letter brought in by people moving forward – Mayor responded yes.

1. Temporary Cell Tower Erected, barricades in place, cables starting to be installed.

2. IDOT Open House March 18, 2025 at Colona Scott Family Park 1-6pm. Subject: RT 84 Project Road Reconstruction.

3. Mayor signed New Salt Purchase Contract through Joint Purchase Agreement.

4. Budgets – Upcoming Project Expenses: Mayor provided estimated costs associated with a variety of upcoming City projects including Capital Improvement Projects, bridge replacements, vehicle equipment replacement program, MFT Projects, New proposed City Hall and Police Department, upgrades to Parks and Facilities within the City, and others.

5. Money Conversation – Mayor discussed the issue of City funding sources and how that money is spent. Discussion was held by the Mayor and Alderman Stablein and Alderman Lack on the issue of rumors of a plan to hire a City Manager.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: Alderman Painter provided a summary of the meeting held by Public Safety Committee on 3/7/25.

CONSENT AGENDA:

1. Approve payment of bills/claims by vendor report for the period of February 25 – March 10, 2025.

2. Approve payroll for the period February 26 – March 10, 2025

3. Approve minutes from February 24, 2025 City Council Meeting

Motion made by Alderman Waterman to approve Consent Agenda Items 1 through 3. Seconded by Alderman Shady-Dahl. Discussion offered, hearing none: Roll Call: Alderman Stablein, Alderman Swemline, Alderman Lack, Alderman Jones, Alderman Waterman, Alderman Painter and Alderman Shady-Dahl voted aye. Alderman Dooley was absent. Motion to approve consent agenda items 1 through 3 passed with 7 ayes, 1 absent.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. Motion to remove from table: Approve Ordinance No. O-25-03 – An ordinance implementing a Municipal Grocery Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax for the City of Colona, IL (see 2-24-25 packet)..

Motion made by Alderman Stablein to take Old Business Item No. 1 from the Table. Seconded by Alderman Jones. Discussion offered, hearing none:

Roll Call: Alderman Stablein, Alderman Swemline, Alderman Lack, Alderman Jones, Alderman Waterman, Alderman Painter and Alderman Shady-Dahl voted aye. Alderman Dooley was absent. Motion to approve Old Business Item No. 1 (taking approval of ordinance from the table for action) passed with 7 ayes, 1 absent.

2. Approve Ordinance No. O-25-03 – An Ordinance Implementing a Municipal Grocery Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax for the City of Colona, IL (see 2-24-25 packet).

Motion to Approve Old Business Item No. 2 made by Alderman Jones. Seconded by Alderman Lack. Discussion offered, Council thanked Treasurer Legare for getting the follow-up information requested by Council so quickly:

Roll Call: Alderman Stablein, Alderman Swemline, Alderman Lack, Alderman Jones, Alderman Waterman, Alderman Painter and Alderman Shady-Dahl voted aye. Alderman Dooley was absent. Motion to approve Old Business No. 2 passed with 7 ayes, 1 absent.

3. Continue Discussion – Capital Improvement Program Water Towers. Find Funding Source and Allocate Funds for Old Tri-Pod Tower Roof Repair and Coating and other Misc. Repairs Temporary Verizon Cell Tower in place ready for cable transfer. Waiting for Council to act.

Discussion only held on this item. No action. Alderman Stablein brought up the issue of consequences/financial liability for ending contract early. Mayor responded it would be $450k for the one contract for the one tower. Alderman Lack stated the big thing council is waiting on is the new water rates. Alderman Stablein asked about a timeline for the water study – Public Works Director Erichsen indicated it is scheduled to take place March 18, 2025. PWD Erichsen hopes there will be more answers/information by the next meeting.

4. Motion to take from Table Centrex Energy Partners – Investment Grade Audit Proposal for Infrastructure and Investment improvements. Approve entering Contract Phase 1 of Audit, Costs $9,750 – References submitted to council as requested via email. Mayor in contact with Centrex, they reduced their price to $4,750.00 (see 2-24-25 packet).

Motion to take Old Business Item No. 3 from the Table made by Alderman Painter, Seconded by Alderman Shady-Dahl.

Discussion offered, hearing none: Roll Call: Alderman Stablein, Alderman Swemline, Alderman Lack, Alderman Jones, Alderman Waterman, Alderman Painter and Alderman Shady Dahl voted aye. Alderman Dooley was absent. Motion to take Old Business Item No. 4 from the table passed with 7 ayes, 1 absent. Next, Motion to REJECT/DECLINE moving forward with Phase 1 of contract proposal made by Alderman Waterman. Seconded by Alderman Lack. Discussion held regarding request for references – Alderman Lack indicated she had not received anything despite a request; Alderman Waterman stated he attempted to reach out to 3 of the references he attempted to contact but had not heard back from the references:

Roll Call: Alderman Stablein, Alderman Swemline, Alderman Lack, Alderman Jones, Alderman Waterman, Alderman Painter and Alderman Shady-Dahl voted aye. Alderman Dooley was absent.

Motion to REJECT moving forward with Phase 1 of contract with Centrex passed with 7 ayes, 1 absent.

5. Mayoral Appointment of City Collector Position – Withdrawn.

Discussion only on this item. No action. Alderman Stablein inquired as to a reason for the withdrawal. Mayor advised he had withdrawn his appointment for the City Collector Position which was previously tabled by Council. Mayor indicated due to the timing of the upcoming election it was best to wait on this issue. Alderman Waterman stated it was unfair to the candidate and unfair to the council – stated Mayor has every right to make an appointment but needs approval from Council; expressed that he wished Mayor would have worked with Council and gone through the process. Alderman Waterman stated he never had opportunity to review candidates’ information prior to interviews taking place.

6. Approve Non-Home Rule Local Sales Tax increase of .25% material and information provided last Council meeting. (See 2-24-25 packet)

No action taken on this item – an ordinance will be prepared for approval at next City Council Meeting.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Discuss and Approve the Renewal/Redemption of a 6 month CD, maturing on March 13, 2025, with an estimated value of $543,000. The CD is currently held at BankORION. Rates and terms will be provided at meeting: Approve Mayor Don Ropp and Alderman Larry Swemline as authorized signers.

Motion made by Alderman Lack to move forward with renewal of 9-month (same rate as 6-month) CD. Seconded by Alderman Stablein. Discussion offered, Treasurer Legare expressed she would favor staying with BankORION and any term; Alderman Lack indicated she would be comfortable with a 9-month CD at BankORION:

Roll Call: Alderman Stablein, Alderman Swemline, Alderman Lack, Alderman Jones, Alderman Waterman, Alderman Painter and Alderman Shady-Dahl voted aye. Alderman Dooley was absent. Motion to approve New Business Item No. 1 passed with 7 ayes, 1 absent.

2. Approve 12 month Rental Agreement of Café at Colona Scott Family Park for the monthly rental price of $400.00 per month. If approved, City Attorney to draft contract for council approval and authorize Mayor to execute document upon approval.

Motion made by Alderman Waterman to approve New Business Item No. 2. Seconded by Alderman Shady-Dahl. Discussion offered; Tom Jones brought up issue of Council previously raising rate from $400 to $800 – questioned why we were going back down to $400. Mayor stated that was the proposal made and no one else has sought to rent the space. Alderman Stablein inquired whether we have an actual or estimated revenue based on current rentals for the space (have we rented it? What are those stats for what we’ve rented out over last couple years). PWD Erichsen stated over last couple years maybe a few hundred dollars in rentals.

Roll Call: Alderman Stablein, Alderman Lack, Alderman Swemline, Alderman Waterman, Alderman Shady-Dahl voted yes. Alderman Jones voted nay. Alderman Painter Abstained. Alderman Dooley was absent.

Motion to approve New Business Item No. 2 passed with 5 ayes, 1 nay, 1 abstention, and 1 absent.

3. Approve Business License for Paints Craft BBQ to operate at Café in Colona Scott Family Park. Owner: Chase Painter, see application and business summary in this packet.

Motion made by Alderman Waterman to approve New Business Item NO. 3. Seconded by Alderman Lack. Discussion offered; hearing none.

Roll Call: Alderman Stablein, Alderman Lack, Alderman Swemline, Alderman Waterman, Alderman Shady-Dahl voted yes. Alderman Jones voted nay. Alderman Painter Abstained. Alderman Dooley was absent.

Motion to approve New Business Item No. 3 passed with 5 ayes, 1 nay, 1 abstention, and 1 absent.

4. Advise Council that the Colona MHC, LLC and GSMN 2 LLC, formally known as Kershaw Trailer Park has been notified of several code violations on February 2, 2025 by the building and zoning officer of the City of Colona. NO response or action has been taken by the owners to correct the violations. This inaction places the Mobile Home Park in noncompliance with our city ordinances. Per our city code all current, renewed business or trailer coach park licenses will be denied/revoked and will not be reissued until they are back in compliance with Colona City Code. Requested Council Action: Approve and Support this action taken by the administration and staff to enforce compliance with city codes, and authorize city attorney to take any and all measures necessary to enforce the ordinances.

Motion made by Alderman Waterman to approve and support requested action as outlined in New Business Item No. 4. Seconded by Alderman Stablein. Discussion offered – brief discussion held in response to inquiry by Alderman Shady-Dahl as to who is responsible for certain items – PWD stated the City would not be shutting off utilities – but suggested fines to owners for city ordinance violations; Alderman Stablein commented in addition to PWD Erichsen having issues with this trailer park, the Police Department has also had issues;

Roll call: Alderman Stablein, Alderman Swemline, Alderman Lack, Alderman Jones, Alderman Waterman, Alderman Painter and Alderman Shady-Dahl voted aye. Alderman Dooley was absent.

Motion to approve and support action outlined in New Business Item No. 4 passed with 7 ayes, 1 absent.

5. Advise Council that Giant Laundromat upon inspection from Fire Marshall have been found in violation of multiple health and safety code violations. They have been notified about the violations and have not responded to remedy the situation. This inaction places Giant Laundromat in noncompliance with our city code. Per our code all current, renewed business licenses will be denied/revoked and will not be reissued until they are back in compliance with Colona City Code. Requested Council Action: Approve and Support this action taken by the administration and staff to enforce compliance with city codes, and authorize city attorney to take any and all measures necessary to enforce the ordinances.

Motion made by Alderman Lack to approve and support requested action as outlined in New Business Item No. 5. Seconded by Alderman Stablein. Discussion offered; information provided by Fire Department.

Roll call: Alderman Stablein, Alderman Swemline, Alderman Lack, Alderman Jones, Alderman Waterman, Alderman Painter and Alderman Shady-Dahl voted aye. Alderman Dooley was absent.

Motion to approve and support action outlined in New Business Item No. 5 passed with 7 ayes, 1 absent.

6. Discussion on old car wash property on RT 84, disposition, time frame and sales price. Mayor recommend putting property up for sale. City has approximately $150,000 invested in property out of TIF funds. Proceeds from Sale of Property must be returned to TIF #11.

Discussion only on this item. No action taken.

7. The Glazed Project is Dead and Developer is in breach of their agreement. Discussion only on this item. No action taken. Alderman Lack indicated she spoke with Glazed over the weekend and they are willing to reconsider over the next couple weeks but had some requested changes (they have a list). Mayor indicated he had not heard anything from them to that effect. Alderman Lack requested the City hold off on selling the property at this time. Mayor stated he had directed the TIF Attorney to send letter of default so they should receive that and have a timeframe to respond.

8. Questions and Discussion. Mayor/TIF Administrator to declare Default and Surplus the Ear-Mark Funds that are no longer dedicated to a project. Discussion only on this item. No action taken.

ADJOURN: Alderman Swemline moved to Adjourn the meeting at 7:30PM. Seconded by Alderman Painter. Discussion offered – hearing none; Roll Call: Alderman Stablein, Alderman Swemline, Alderman

Lack, Alderman Jones, and Alderman Waterman, Alderman Painter, and Alderman Shady-Dahl voted aye. Alderman Dooley was absent. Motion to adjourn passed with 7 ayes and 1 absent. Meeting adjourned at 7:11PM

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