Rock Island Today

City of East Moline City Council met April 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

PLEDGE:

Mayor Pro Tem Lynn Segura led the City Council and all those present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

ROLL CALL

Mayor Pro Tem Lynn Segura called the meeting to order and directed the City Clerk Wanda Roberts-Bontz, to call the roll. The following Alderpersons were present: Jeffrey Deppe, Rhea Oakes, Lynn Segura, and Jose Rico. Absent: Olivia Dorothy, Nancy Mulcahey and Adam Guthrie.

Olivia Dorothy arrived at 6:33 p.m.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Greg Haas and business partner Adam Haas have a couple items on tonight’s Agenda. Rezoning of PMC from AG (Agricultural Preservation District) to I-2 (Industrial General District).

a. Ordinances 25-05 - Parcel 09-21-400-002

b. Ordinance 25-06 - Parcel 09-21-200-010

Mr. Haas was hoping to start a plant that would use recycled asphalt along with virgin rock to make new asphalt, which would not make much of a change to the geographical area. Mr. Haas was looking into putting a Solar Farm on the property and exploring the use of Methane gas if incentives still be available. The plant will also be certified by the Illinois EPA and the City of East Moline requiring annual permits for air testing, storm water run-off, site run-off, storm, and water retention pond. Area under the stockpiles will have berm to prevent any leaching off the asphalt pile. The benefits to the City of East Moline going from AG to I-2 will become a larger tax item. With the property located within the city will lead to much lower trucking costs. Currently the only other plants are the far west side of Rock Island and Milan. Lower prices for putting asphalt on city streets. Some of the areas around the property are Wetlands, which they have no intention of disturbing. Trying to work with the Township which owns 20th Avenue North they would help maintain the road to use to access Route 5, instead of through the neighborhood on 172nd Street North. Mr. Haas thanked the City Council for their consideration.

Hank Wells 1615 172nd Street North, East Moline. Mr. Wells stated that he lives on the road that the trucks will be driving down, he provided photos for the City Council to view. This plant is already an asphalt plant now. Just wanting to rezone for I-2 for their use. There are a lot of other places to build their plant by Fed Ex and off from Route 5. They would not have to come down our street which is residential. The road of 172nd Street North is not set up for that kind of traffic, the road is not wide enough for two big trucks. Midway Quarry they have a plant 10 minutes away. They lost their lease. River Stone does not want them there anymore. They want AG because it is the cheapest property to buy to build what they want to build. Mr. Wells strongly disagrees along with the other eleven neighbors that live on 172nd Street North to not allow the property to be changed from AG (Agricultural Preservation District) to I-2 (Industrial General District).

Heather Anderson 2121129th Avenue Court, Milan. Ms. Anderson is with the Organization Birth to Five Illinois and provided an explanation regarding Birth to Five Illinois on how to help people in Rock Island County. Ms. Anderson left business cards and flyers for the City Council Members.

Adam Haas Davenport IA. Mr. Haas added to the asphalt plant conversation, the plant only ran for 18 days last year, but that can vary but this is not 365-day operations.

Marshall Douglas 7117 36th Avenue Court, Moline. Mr. Douglas stated that Valley Construction has been a partner with Operating Engineers for almost 100 years. Valley Construction is a solid company and pays their employees by contract. They are building the Union Hall right now. Mr. Douglas asked the City Council to support the re-zoning of Parcel 09-21-400-002 and Parcel 09-21-200-010 from AG (Agricultural Preservation District) to I-2 (Industrial General District).

Doug House 1724 85th Avenue West, Rock Island. Mr. House has most recently served as the Deputy Secretary for the Governor of Illinois he just left two years ago. While serving for the Department of Transportation Mr. House had the opportunity to work with Valley Construction. There are very few people in this industry and the sighting of this specific asphalt manufacturing plant which will be beneficial to having competitive bidding and having competition in the region. There are a whole host of projects, including IL 92 through East Moline, which is primarily an asphalt project. There is the interchange out here at I-88 and I-74 Interstates, which is going to be reconstructed in the next couple of years, and the I-80 bridge. It will help the competitiveness of the bidding of those projects as well as create local jobs. Mr. House has never had a single issue in the three years that he worked for the Department of Transportation with Valley Construction. Mr. House would like the City Council to permit this project to move forward.

Paul Garcia regarding a complaint filed about evidence being sent to the State Attorney’s Office, which he was charged with a crime. Mr. Garcia passed out papers to the City Council.

PRESENTATIONS and/or PROCLAMATIONS

None

CONSENT AGENDA:

Wanda Roberts-Bontz, City Clerk read the Consent Agenda that included the following:

a. Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes of March 3, 2025.

b. Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes of March 17, 2025.

c. Approval of the Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes of March 17, 2025.

d. Approval of Salaries as of March 28, 2025, in the amount of $507,969.07.

e. Approval of Overtime as of March 28, 2025, in the amount of $11,237.34.

f. Approval of Bills as of March 28, 2025, in the amount of $595,233.27.

A motion was made by Alderperson Rico, seconded by Alderperson Dorothy, to approve the Consent Agenda. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Oakes, Segura, Rico, Dorothy, and Deppe. Motion carried.

ATTORNEY ROGER L. STRANDLUND - PRESENTED THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

ORDINANCES – 2nd Reading

None

ORDINANCES – 1st Reading

a. 25-05 Rezoning of Parcel 09-21-400-002 from AG (Agricultural Preservation District) to I-2 (Industrial General District)

A motion was made by Alderperson Deppe, seconded by Alderperson Oakes, to waive the reading of Ordinance 25-05. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Oakes, Segura, Rico, and Deppe. Opposed: Dorothy. Motion carried. 4 - 1

After much discussion regarding moving the properties from an AG (Agricultural Preservation District) to I-2 (Industrial General District).

Mr. Tim Wymes stated they recommend moving both properties to I-2 (Industrial General District) so there would not be any spot zoning.

Alderperson Dorothy stated that Wetlands cannot be developed and that 99% of the property is Wetlands enlisted by The US Fish and Wildlife. If the property gets rezoned as I-2 and the Wetlands loses Federal protection, then the property can become developed without any action from the City Council. Alderperson Dorothy is concerned that they are trying to eliminate protection on wetlands ecosystems.

Mr. Wymes stated that the business would have to go through approvals. The city’s sole purpose is to keep the process moving and to eliminate spot zoning. Mr. Wymes stated that the business was only going to purchase the larger portion.

Alderperson Dorothy informed the Council that the Federal Regulations that oversee uses of this type of land could be stripped. If the City zones the property as Industrial, then the Council may lose the ability to limit development there. Wetlands are currently managed at the Federal level.

Mark Rothert, City Administrator, stated at that point, the city would revert this back to Agricultural. The city would control what goes there.

Alderperson Dorothy informed the City Council that if the city would like to invest in these wetlands and protect them. Programs and funding to do that requires land to be in Agricultural zoned.

A motion was made by Alderperson Deppe, seconded by Alderperson Oakes, to approve Ordinance 25-05. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Oakes, Segura, Rico, and Deppe. Opposed: Dorothy. Motion carried. 4 - 1

b. 25-06 Rezoning of Parcel 09-21-200-010 from AG (Agricultural Preservation District) to I-2 (Industrial General District)

A motion was made by Alderperson Deppe, seconded by Alderperson Rico, to waive the reading of Ordinance 25-06. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Oakes, Segura, Rico, and Deppe. Opposed: Dorothy. Motion carried. 4 – 1

A motion was made by Alderperson Deppe, seconded by Alderperson Rico, to approve Ordinance 25-06. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Oakes, Segura, Rico, Dorothy, and Deppe. Motion carried.

RESOLUTIONS

a. Res 25-17 Bid award for purchase of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

A motion was made by Alderperson Deppe, seconded by Alderperson Oakes, to approve the Resolution 25-17. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Oakes, Segura, Rico, Dorothy, and Deppe. Motion carried.

b. Res 25-18 Contract amendment with CMT for soils investigation and environmental analysis

A motion was made by Alderperson Oakes, seconded by Alderperson Deppe, to approve the Resolution 25-18. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Oakes, Segura, Rico, Dorothy, and Deppe. Motion carried.

c. Res 25-19 Traffic control and camera equipment at Archer Drive and Avenue of the Cities

A motion was made by Alderperson Deppe, seconded by Alderperson Rico, to approve the Resolution 25-19. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Oakes, Segura, Rico, Dorothy, and Deppe. Motion carried.

d. Res 25-20 Bearing replacement at Water Filtration Plant

A motion was made by Alderperson Rico, seconded by Alderperson Oakes, to approve the Resolution 25-20. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Oakes, Segura, Rico, Dorothy, and Deppe. Motion carried.

e. Res 25-21 Accept property from REDEEM in The Quarter development area.

A motion was made by Alderperson Rico, seconded by Alderperson Oakes, to approve the Resolution 25-21. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Oakes, Segura, Rico, Dorothy, and Deppe. Motion carried.

CITY STAFF COMMUNICATION:

Each City Staff member present was given the opportunity to inform the City Council and those in attendance of events in their departments:

Mark Rothert, City Administrator – Mr. Rothert informed the City Council that letters went out to all businesses along 15th Avenue, regarding the Business Improvement Grant Program. Streamline Architect was hired to do 3D modeling of each building.

Tim Kammler, Director of Engineering – Mr. Kammler stated weather permitting they will start construction on The Bend Streetscaping Project, April 14, 2025. An Assistant Director of Engineering Brian Vorva was hired with over 20 years of experience in Civil and Municipal Engineering, most recently from Klinger & Associates.

Brianna Huber, Director of Water Filtration – Ms. Huber informed the City Council that approximately 1 month ago she received approval for Lead Service Line replacement. Ms. Huber just submitted Phase 1 & 2 hoping to hear back by July 2025 if the City will be approved for State Revolving Funds. Ms. Huber recognized her team for completing safety training.

Alderperson Oakes asked Mr. Jim Graham about the road salt that was not used this year, will the city store it? Does the City have to purchase more salt because of being under contract?

Mr. Jim Graham, Director of Maintenance Services – Mr. Graham stated what they ordered last year will be the same to be able to receive bid pricing. The city will be ordering the same amount because you do not know what next winter will bring. Yes, the city will store the salt until next year.

Wanda Roberts-Bontz, City Clerk – Ms. Roberts-Bontz made the City Council aware that the Official Election results will not be available until April 17 or 18, 2025. Statement of Economic Interest (SEI) yellow papers have been mailed out and if you have questions contact Sharon in the County Clerk’s Office.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Alderperson Oakes, seconded by Alderperson Deppe, to adjourn the City Council meeting. A voice vote was taken. Motion carried. 7:24 p.m.

https://www.eastmoline.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_04072025-1082