Rock Island Today

City of Moline Committee of the Whole & Council met May 20.

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

Carol Barnes, Director of Finance

David Dryer, Director of Engineering

Eric Griffith, Director of Parks & Recreation ~electronically

Chris Mathias, Director of Community & Economic Development ~electronically

Jennifer Bizarri, Assistant Director of Community & Economic Development

Christopher Parr, Economic Development Manager

Bryon Lear, Director of Library Services ~electronically

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

Ashley Allen Smith, Community Engagement Manager

OTHERS: Bill Atkins, City Attorney

Margaret Kostopulos, Corporation Counsel

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.

Public Comment

Austin McKimmey, Moline resident and member of the Quad Cities Bicycle Club, thanked the City for its support of Bike to Work Week and for bicycle paths throughout the City for residents and visitors.

Susan Thompson, Moline resident, lives off 17th Street in Moline. Thompson voiced her disapproval of the construction project for pavement remarking on 16th Street from Avenue of the Cities to 36th Avenue.

Zach Blair, President of Friends of Off-Road Cycling, shared some of the events that the Friends of Off Road Cycling hosts in Moline. Blair thanked the City of Moline for its 20-year partnership with Friends of Off-Road Cycling (FORC).

Oath of Office

Oath of Office for regular commissioned appointment as Firefighter/Paramedic to Hunter Rowray, effective April 18, 2025.

Board Appointments

Mayor’s reappointment of Paul “PJ” Foley to the Project Management Team for a 4-year term to expire May 31, 2029.

Mayor's reappointment of Wayne Smith to the Library Board for a 3-year term to expire May 31, 2028. Mayor's reappointment of Diane Sommers to the Library Board for a 3-year term to expire May 31, 2028. Mayor's reappointment of Gary Koeller to the Library Board for a 3-year term to expire May 31, 2028.

Proclamation

Dawn Temple and Mitchell Walker were present on behalf of the Clean River Advisory Council to receive a Proclamation to declare May 17, 2025, as National River Cleanup Day.

Questions on the Agenda

There were no questions on the agenda.

Agenda Items

9.1 An Ordinance amending Chapter 20, “MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC,” of the Moline Code of Ordinances, Appendix 10 thereof, “PARKING PROHIBITED AT ANY TIME,” by removing “Thirty-sixth Street, east side, from Avenue of the Cities north to 22nd Avenue,” and adding “Thirty-sixth Street, west side, beginning 150 feet north of Avenue of the Cities, continuing north to 19th Avenue.” Bob Vitas, City Administrator, reported that staff is recommending approval from the recommendation of the Traffic and Engineering Committee. A motion was made by Alderperson Finch to approve. Seconded by Alderperson Castro. Motion passed unanimously.

9.2 A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute and attest to a contract with Hoerr Construction, Inc., for Project #1448, 2025 Sewer Lining Program, for the amount of $530,108.30; and approving the expenditure of funds not to exceed the budgeted amount of $700,000 of WPC funds and $100,000 of Stormwater funds to complete the maximum number of lining locations feasible and said expenditures will be presented to Council as a change order for approval increasing the contract value. Bob Vitas, City Administrator, stated that staff is recommending approval for the amount as described. Vitas remarked that an IMPACT agreement is on file. Discussion held. A motion was made by Alderperson Finch to approve. Seconded by Alderperson Schmidt. Motion passed unanimously.

9.3 An Ordinance amending Chapter 3, “ADVERTISING AND SIGNS,” of the Moline Code of Ordinances, by enacting a new ARTICLE III, “BUSINESS-SPECIFIC SIGN REGULATIONS,” to create business-specific sign regulations and establish signage standards for head shops; and amending CHAPTER 22, “OFFENSES-MISCELLANEOUS,” of the Moline Code of Ordinances, Section 22-1105, “TOBACCO PRODUCTS, TOBACCO ACCESSORIES, SMOKING HERBS AND ALTERNATIVE NICOTINE PRODUCTS,” subsection (b)(1)(iii), to reference such regulations. Bill Atkins, City Attorney, reported that Alderpersons Timion and McNeil brought this item to his attention. Atkins reviewed the current sign ordinance and made proposed amendments from the Illinois Compiled Statutes. Atkins stated that what is before Council is a requirement that head shops not have any deceptive advertising. This means if they do not sell a specific item, they cannot advertise that they do. A motion was made by Alderperson Castro to approve. Seconded by Alderperson Finch. Alderperson Discussion held. The motion carried 6-2 via voice vote.

Informational

10.1 Environmental Resiliency Plan. Dawn Temple, Management Analyst & Grant Coordinator presented an update on the Environmental Resiliency Plan. From the nine proposals received, Blue Strike Environmental was chosen and will assist the City by assessing the City’s current environmental baseline, providing outreach, surveys and workshops, establishing guiding principles and a vision for sustainability, helping the City to develop actionable goals and strategies across priority areas, and providing metrics, benchmarks, and an implementation framework.

10.2 Preliminary General-Purpose Financial Statements for the Year Ended December 31, 2024. Carol Barnes, Director of Finance, reported that the audit for 2024 has been completed. Baker Tilly will be presenting the final report to Council on June 3, 2025. Barnes reported highlights of the audit. Barnes shared that there were no internal control findings. Auditors found that the preliminary financial statements were presented fairly and had no material misstatements. Barnes thanked all department heads, Council, and finance staff for adhering to purchasing policies and formal financial procedures. There were no compliance findings on the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). All of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding has been spent and is now in the queue with the State of Illinois to close out the project. Regarding the financials, overall the City is well positioned going into the 2026 budget. All of the major funds ended the year within the City’s fund balance policies. Barnes shared highlights from the Fund Balance/Cash Balance History, Major Funds worksheet (See Attachment No. 1).

10.3 Grant Updates. Darren Gault, Chief of Police, brought to the Council’s attention two grants that the Moline Police Department has been awarded. The first is the FY26 NIBIN Grant in the amount of $24,999 and the second is the IDOT Highway Safety Grant – Mini Grant Enforcement grant.

10.4 Pavement Remarking on 16th Street from Avenue of the Cities to 36th Avenue: Conversion from Four (4) lanes to Three (3) Lanes with a Two-Way Center Left Turn Lane. David Dryer, P.E., Director of Engineering, reported that this project was presented to Council in January 2025. This is consistent with the City’s multimodal plan. Dryer commented that Council had previously requested data on how the current road diets are functioning within the City. Per the Council’s request, it was determined that there was a reduction of 64% in rear-end crashes with the road diet. Council is in consensus to move forward with the project.

Adjournment of the Committee-of-the-Whole

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, McNeil, Castro, and Schmidt present. Absent: None.

Consent Agenda

Approval of Minutes and Appointments

Committee-of-the-Whole and Council meeting minutes of May 6, 2025, and appointments made at Committee-of-the-Whole on May 20, 2025.

Second Reading Ordinances

18.1 3022-2025 An Ordinance amending Chapter 5, “AMUSEMENTS,” of the Moline Code of Ordinances, Section 5-1101(c), by increasing the number of Video Gaming Terminal licensed establishments in the City, at the request of owner, Josiah Blanton, of Harold’s Chicken and Sports Bar LLC, d/b/a Harold’s Chicken and Sports Bar, 425 15th Street, Moline.

18.2 3023-2025 An Ordinance amending Chapter 24, “PERSONNEL,” of the Moline Code of Ordinances, Section 24-2203, “RESIDENCY,” by repealing Section 24 in its entirety and enacting in lieu thereof one new Section 24-2203 dealing with the same subject matter.

Resolutions

19.1 1083-2025 A Resolution declaring vehicles as shown on Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference as surplus property and authorizing the disposal of said vehicles by the Assistant Director of Public Works through the legal disposal process that is most advantageous to the City, whether sealed bid, auction, negotiation or otherwise.

19.2 1084-2025 A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute and attest to a School Police Liaison Officers Agreement between the City of Moline and the Board of Education of Moline – Coal Valley School District No. 40 setting forth the terms for assignment of four police liaison officers to Moline schools for the 2025-2026 school year.

Omnibus Vote

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

Non-Consent Agenda

Second Reading Ordinances

21.1 3024-2025 An Ordinance amending Chapter 22, “OFFENSES MISCELLANEOUS,” of the Moline Code of Ordinances, by increasing the number of Class A Principal Tobacco Dealer’s Licenses in the City at the request of Moline Smoke Time LLC, d/b/a Moline Smoke Time & Vapor Shop, due to a fire-related relocation. Mayor Rayapati requested that staff review the City of Moline’s sign ordinance and ensure that the business is in compliance. She noted that the lights in the window of the new location are very bright.

Adopted. Alderperson Finch, seconded by Alderperson Castro, moved to approve Council Bill 3024- 2025. Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Razzaque, Timion, Finch, McNeil, Castro, Schmidt, Murphy, and Macias; nays: none.

Miscellaneous Business

Mayor Rayapati thanked members of Council for filling in for her for at several events. Mayor reported that Visit Quad Cities has incredible events upcoming that will bring people and dollars into the Quad Cities.

Alderperson Murphy acknowledged she had the pleasure of attending the Moline Fire Department memorial on Saturday, May 17 at the Moline Firefighter Memorial Site. Murphy remarked that it was a beautiful ceremony.

Alderperson Macias stated he received an email from a resident regarding a downed wire. Macias commended Public Works staff for their quick response. Macias also thanked everyone for making the Municipal ID free and reminded everyone to set up an appointment to get an ID for themselves and their family members.

Alderperson Timion indicated he rode on the new path behind the water plant off of River Drive. Timion remarked it is an amazing addition to the infrastructure of the City, including the extra path that Metronet added. It connected to the 19th Street path. Timion thanked Ashley Allen Smith, Communications Manager, for all the work she did for Bike to Work Week breakfast. Last, Timion shared that he chaperoned his son’s fourth grade class to the water division for a field trip. The people who work for the City in the water division did a great job in educating the students.

Alderperson McNeil shared his commendations to Public Works and the work they do to maintain the bike trails throughout the City.

Alderperson Schmidt stated he had the opportunity to attend a joint declaration on the Rock Island Arsenal for Armed Forces Day. There was a proclamation for June 14 which is the 250th birthday of the United States Army.

Bob Vitas, City Administrator, reminded Council that they will receive a copy of both the national community survey as well as the national business survey results by June 6. City staff will meet with Polco to review the results and they will be forwarded to Council and Directors in preparation for the June 10 roundtable meeting.

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 Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance, or Dismissal of Specific Employees 5 ILCS 120/2(C)(1). Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Razzaque, Timion, Finch, McNeil, Castro, Schmidt, Murphy, and Macias; nays: none.

City Council convened in Executive Session at 7:37 p.m.

Council reconvened in open session at 8:23 p.m.

Adjournment of City Council

Upon motion of Alderperson Castro, seconded by Alderperson Finch, the Council meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m.

http://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/10964