Rock Island Today

City of Moline Committee of the Whole & Council met April 15.

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) ~electronically

Alderperson James Patrick Schmidt (Alderperson At-Large)

ABSENT: None.

STAFF: Bob Vitas, City Administrator

Barry Dykhuizen, Assistant City Administrator

Stephanie Murphy, City Clerk

Chris Mathias, Director of Community & Economic Development

Jennifer Bizarri, Assistant Director of Community & Economic Development

Chris Parr, Economic Development Manager

Leah Madsen, Director of Human Resources

Darren Gault, Chief of Police

Eli Soliz, Police Lieutenant

Andrew Raya, Deputy Chief of Police

Steve Regenwether, Fire Chief

David Rowatt, Information Technology Manager

Ashley Allen Smith, Community Engagement Manager

OTHERS: Margaret Kostopulos, Corporation Counsel

Anthony Watt, Quad City Times

Dave Herrell, Visit Quad Cities

Alexandra Elias, Renew Moline

Kirk Marske, Renew Moline

Crystal Crayne, Renew Moline

Frances Williams, Mercado on Fifth

Andrea Carbine, New Venture Advisors

Missy Carter, Freight House Farmers Market

Ann Friederichs, WIU/Small Business Administration

Mayor Rayapati called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in Committee-of-the-Whole Conference Room.

Roll Call

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

Remote Electronic Attendance

Alderperson Timion, seconded by Alderperson Finch, made a motion to approve the remote electronic attendance of Alderperson Castro due to personal illness. Motion passed on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Murphy, Macias, Razzaque, Timion, Finch, McNeil, and Schmidt; nays: none.

Council Call to Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Invocation

There was no invocation.

Roundtable Discussion

8.1 New Venture Advisors Final Report. Alexandra Elias, Renew Moline, introduced the stakeholders involved in the potential public market project. Elias then shared findings from the market study completed by PGAV Planners in 2022. Andrea Carbine, New Venture Advisors, presented the feasibility study scope. The study engaged 16 vendors, with six providing direct feedback. Carbine explained that once the design and development were completed, the financials were discussed. The first priority for the financials was to build out the detailed cost. In the study, it states they did find and confirm the public market concept is a viable concept for the City of Moline. It was confirmed that it could fit quite comfortably using the Spiegel Building as a tone. The Riverfront Redevelopment Project adds the ability for this project to be successful. Benefits of the public market include job creation, small business development, and great food opportunities. The best fit is a public private partnership. The total build price is $21,000,000 to $25,000,000. Discussion held.

8.2 Drone as a First Responder Beyond Visual Line of Sight Vendor Quotes. Darren Gault, Chief of Police stated that drones have been around as a first responder since 2018. There are 10 key areas that the law in Illinois allows drones to be deployed. Lt. Eli Soliz, Drone Unit Commander, shared that the Moline Police Department is looking at rooftop deployment of the drones. Within the City of Moline, it takes police 90 seconds to three minutes to arrive on scene. Drones can deploy within 20 seconds. With the drones, valuable information could be provided to the officers before they arrive on scene. Lt. Soliz shared that there is a 5g network, and if it is down, it will switch to a mesh connection. Skydio drones have red and blue lights built in. The recommendation is to move forward with Skydio. The two-drone package is $350,000 for a five-year contract. In addition, about $10,000 per site is needed for electrical and internet to be run. Discussion held. Council is in consensus to bring this forward at the April 22, 2025 meeting.

Miscellaneous Business

Alderperson Murphy shared that she will have a First Ward meeting Thursday, April 17 at the Butterworth Education Center from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

Public Comment

There was no additional public comment.

Adjournment of City Council

Upon motion of Alderperson Schmidt, seconded by Alderperson Macias, the Council meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m.

http://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/10839