Rock Island Today

City of East Moline City Council met June 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

PLEDGE:

Mayor Reggie Freeman led the City Council and all those present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

ROLL CALL

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

PUBLIC COMMENT

Phil Day, 740 16th Avenue, East Moline – Mr. Day purchased the old East Moline Library in 2020. Mr. Day moved the model railroad club and an event hall into the old library. When Mr. Day visited the South Moline Assessor, Mr. Day’s taxes increased 110%. The South Moline Assessor said the property is worth $300,000.00. Mr. Day wanted to make sure that the City was informed how much his property taxes went up.

Ken & Tracy Thompson, 756 19th Street, East Moline – Mr. Thompson has lived in his house for the past 40 years. There is an issue between three properties. No one has been able to do anything about fifteen people hanging around a property that they do not live at, or live anywhere near, while smoking pot, and drinking all day long. After 40 years, her children and grandchildren are afraid to come to Grandparents’ house. Three addresses, which cause all the problems. There is no reason that they make the rest of the neighborhood suffer. There was a shooting three weeks ago. Three weeks before that there were shots fired only twenty feet from where the Grandkids used to jump on the trampoline. If we were home 30 minutes earlier, the kids would have been on that trampoline. It happened right behind our garage. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson would like to know what can be done.

PRESENTATIONS and/or PROCLAMATIONS

Mayor Freeman presented the following Proclamation, June 28, 2025, as “Community is Stronger Than Cancer Day.” No one was in attendance to receive the Proclamation.

CONSENT AGENDA:

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

a. Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes of June 02, 2025

b. Approval of the Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes of June 02, 2025

c. Approval of Salaries as of June 6, 2025, totaling $508,044.34.

d. Approval of Overtime as of June 6, 2025, totaling $17,626.65.

e. Approval of Bills as of June 16, 2025, totaling $458,404.28.

f. Treasurer’s Report for May 2025.

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

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

ORDINANCES – 2nd Reading

None

ORDINANCES – 1st Reading

25-09 Application to the IEPA SRF Program for Lead Service Line Replacement (Recommendation from COW includes a waiver of 2nd reading)

A motion was made by Alderperson Deppe, seconded by Alderperson Dorothy, to approve Ordinance 25-09. Upon the roll call, the following voted in favor: Dorothy, Deppe, Jones, Guthrie, and Oakes. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Alderperson Deppe, seconded by Alderperson Oakes, to approve waiving the 2nd reading of Ordinance 25-09. Upon the roll call, the following voted in favor: Dorothy, Deppe, Jones, Guthrie, and Oakes. Motion carried.

RESOLUTIONS

25-49 Amendment to Service Agreement with QC Towing

A motion was made by Alderperson Guthrie, seconded by Alderperson Oakes, to approve Resolution 25-49. Upon the roll call, the following voted in favor: Dorothy, Deppe, Jones, Guthrie, and Oakes. Motion carried.

25-50 IDOT Highway Maintenance Agreement

A motion was made by Alderperson Oakes, seconded by Alderperson Deppe, to approve Resolution 25-50. Upon the roll call, the following voted in favor: Dorothy, Deppe, Jones, Guthrie, and Oakes. Motion carried.

25-51 Dedication of Kinsley Court over to the City

A motion was made by Alderperson Oakes, seconded by Alderperson Guthrie, to approve Resolution 25-51. Upon the roll call, the following voted in favor: Dorothy, Deppe, Jones, Guthrie, and Oakes. Motion carried.

25-52 Short Term Line of Credit Financing for Water, Sewer, and Storm Water Utility Projects

A motion was made by Alderperson Dorothy, seconded by Alderperson Oakes, to approve Resolution 25-52. Upon the roll call, the following voted in favor: Dorothy, Deppe, Jones, Guthrie, and Oakes. Motion carried.

CITY STAFF COMMUNICATIONS:

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

Tim Kammler, Engineering Director – Mr. Kammler stated the pavement markings are in town, they are making good progress. The Greater Downtown Revitalization Project groundbreaking will be at Runner’s Park on June 17, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.

Brianna Huber, Water Filtration Director – Ms. Huber stated they are anticipating a hearing in early July for the EPA to get final approval, if they approved the City’s project. Then the City will submit the full application then when that application is approved then we can go out bids. There are no bills due currently.

Alderperson Oakes asked Chief Ramsey that for 4th of July are the fireworksstill going to be at the fairgrounds? Is there a map available for parking?

Chief Ramsey stated that the map is being made by Amy and Meranda.

Alderperson Oakes asked how much parking will be available?

Chief Ramsey stated that the John Deere Classic people will be using the same parking lot. Alderperson Dorothy asked what Lexipol become accredited for.

Chief Ramsey stated that Lexipol is a company that helps build your policies and procedures and maintain them, so they stay up with laws that change. Lexipol will help you to become accredited.

Chief DeFrance said they have Lexipol budgeted for this year. There is a price deduction if they have the Police Department and Fire Department.

Chief Ramsey said that Lexipol has ongoing training, so your staff stays up to date on it. If there was an update on policies and procedures sent out to everyone, they would have to digitally sign off on it.

Alderperson Jones stated that after the storm they received a lot of positive feedback from the Police, Fire, and Maintenance.

Alderperson Dorothy requested that the next Committee of the Whole Meeting include – as an Agenda item – the topic of communications protocol. Alderperson Dorothy directed an inquiry to City Attorney Strandlund for the purpose of identifying the legal authority supporting the Mayor’s desire to have the Mayor and City Administrator copied on communications between City Council members and City staff.

Mr. Strandlund cited the City Ordinance identifying the Mayor as the Chief Executive Officer.

Alderperson Dorothy’s request did not take the form of a motion and Mr. Strandlund offered a previously distributed explanation of the role of the City Attorney, all for future reference.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Alderperson Deppe, seconded by Alderperson Oakes, to adjourn the City Council meeting. A voice vote was taken. Motion carried. 7:08 p.m.

https://www.eastmoline.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07072025-1120