Rock Island Today

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

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Committee-of-the-Whole Call to Order

PRESENT: Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati (Chair)

Alderperson Debbie Murphy (Ward 1)

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: Alderperson Alvaro Macias (Ward 2)

STAFF: Bob Vitas, City Administrator

Barry Dykhuizen, Assistant City Administrator

Bill Atkins, City Attorney

Stephanie Murphy, City Clerk

Carol Barnes, Director of Finance

Andrea Bradley, Accounting Manager

David Dryer, Director of Engineering

Laura Klauer, Assistant Director of Engineering

Eric Griffith, Director of Parks & Recreation

Denver Schmitt, Director of Public Works

Leah Madsen, Director of Human Resources

Laura Williamson, Director of Utilities

Charles Brown, Assistant Director of Utilities

Andrew Raya, Deputy Chief of Police

Steve Regenwether, Fire Chief

David Rowatt, Information Technology Manager

Ashley Allen Smith, Community Engagement Manager

OTHERS: Anthony Watts, Quad-City Times

Committee-of-the-Whole and Council Call to Order

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

Pledge of Allegiance

Invocation

There was no invocation.

Roll Call

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

Approval of Remote Electronic Attendance

Alderperson Finch, seconded by Alderperson Timion to approve the remote electronic attendance due to family emergency or other emergency of Alderperson Castro. Motion passed on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Alderpersons Murphy, Razzaque, Timion, Finch, McNeil, and Schmidt; nays: none.

Public Comment

There was no public comment.

Questions on the Agenda

There were no questions on the agenda.

Roundtable Discussion

2026-2028 Capital Improvement Plan Presentation. Bob Vitas, City Administrator, stated that City Council and staff meet in June/July annually to discuss the capital improvement plan ahead of the budget. Carol Barnes, Director of Finance, reviewed the overall snapshot of the projects as well as the financials. As shown on the bar chart, (See Attachment No. 1) the City has an aggressive budget. Barnes highlighted, by fund type, how each project will be funded. The funds, as presented, are fully able to be paid for the projects that Engineering is presenting for 2025-2028. Barnes reported that the operating budgets are still being reviewed. In reviewing the range of operating expenses and potential payroll increases, the City will be able to maintain the 2% for the fee increases. Surcharge fees were anticipated for the lead service lines. At this time, that surcharge fee will not need to be implemented until potentially 2029. Fees were increased to 9% in 2024-2025 (See Attachment No. 2, Page 4). Council advised that the City look at bringing down the loan in less time. In regards to the Stormwater fund, rates were increased in 2024 by 30%. They are now down to 2% and will be for the next three years.

David Dryer, Director of Engineering, reviewed the Engineering budget and capital projects for 2026 through 2028. Dryer shared the current average Pavement Condition Index (PCI) for Moline is 59, which is the high end of fair condition. In addition to reviewing the budget and capital projects, Dryer shared renderings of some projects, such as adding City of Moline to add to bridge aesthetics in Moline.

Charly Brown, Assistant Director of Utilities, presented the Utilities capital improvement plan. Brown reported that the City will receive its first payment from 3M of $3,000,000 stemming from the settlement related to the alleged contamination of public drinking water systems. Brown then explained how the City decides which water mains to replace. Water mains installed after World War II have a significantly lesser quality than those installed before World War II. In regards to the lead service line replacement, the slide shown on Page 65 is now out of date. There will be $5,000,000 in forgivable loans in 2025 and $5,000,000 in forgivable loans in 2026. Brown advised Council that the lead service line loans should be revisited in winter 2025. The City will conduct its due diligence to ensure that homeowners receive letters and are aware that the lead service lines in their area needs to be replaced.

Additionally, Brown reported that there is a large stormwater project happening in the Eastgate TIF area for drainage. Silt and sediment have been cleared out of pipes as well as some vegetation. The City hired IMEG to design a storm pump for that area with higher flood walls. The City also hired CMT to re-do the flood mapping in that area.

Carol Barnes, Director of Finance, proclaimed that no project will commence until it has been formally approved by Council. Barnes reported that Pages 74-78 lists every project. On the operating side if you look at cultural and recreation, the operating right now as presented averages about 2.5% to 2.8% per year and that has been achievable. The Parks and Recreation department has completed their master plan and their recommendation has been to increase total project costs. It is being recommended to use some funds from the Special CIP fund to backfill the gap. The blue section on Page 82 shows that gap being filled with additional transfers out of the CIP fund. Council members expressed opposition to the use of Special CIP funds for Parks projects.

Eric Griffith, Director of Parks and Recreation, shared the Parks and Recreation projects for 2026-2028 stating that this plan is based off of about $1,000,000 per year in capital projects. Griffith reported that this plan is reviewing what Parks already has and making updates, not taking on a lot of new projects. Griffith noted that the pickleball courts will be resurfaced every five to seven years. Also, the $75,000 from the new playground at McCandles Park has already been purchased. Therefore, the funds that were set aside for that will instead be used for grass and other maintenance. Griffith stated that everything in 2027 and 2028 can be shifted around. The key point to emphasize with the Master Plan is that the focus was on completing major projects. Now, the Parks and Recreation department is shifting attention to areas other than parks that have not been updated in over a decade. Bob Vitas, City Administrator, City Administrator, stated the big question is how do you want to fund it. We can increase it and fill the gap or we can push back. When you push back, you have to increase costs. The information for the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant was recently made available. They are looking for Parks to become more accessible. Griffith reported that through a feasibility study it was decided to purchase new shade structures, repave existing walkways, add a small playground area for 2-5-year old children, and repurpose a volleyball field that has not been used into a grass turf area for flag football and soccer. There was $60,000 left over from 2024 because the previous budget was under budget. The Parks and Recreation Department is requesting $600,000. Since we are a community that qualifies, we only have to match 10% rather than 50%. The grant portion is $600,000 and the City portion is $60,000 for a total of $660,000.

Carol Barnes, Director of Finance, reviewed the balances in the Special CIP projects fund. Barnes reviewed what administration is recommending for 2025-2034, which is incorporating Council and community survey priorities. (See Attachment No. 2, Page 91). There are five main categories listed on Page 92, which is the Special CIP fund 10-year plan. Barnes directed the Council’s attention to the note in red. At the time of the presentation, the BUILD grant had not yet been awarded. If the BUILD grant is not awarded to the City, alternative revenue sources will need to be explored. Or, the City will scale back projects to available cash reserves over the next 10 years. The next project, the City Hall Renovation, is a new project. Bob Vitas, City Administrator, shared that the age of the building is driving 55% of the project cost. Trivers, the architects who were hired for the City Hall Renovation, will attend a meeting in August to share the City Hall project with Council.

In closing, Carol Barnes, Director of Finance, reported that total revenues for 10-year period amount to $123.5 million, which includes grant funding and all revenue sources. Council will need to determine its priorities and how they align with the City’s strategic goals.

Miscellaneous Business

Alderperson Timion indicated he will be out of town next week.

Public Comment

There was no additional public comment.

https://legistarweb-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/attachment/pdf/3511749/2025-07-15_COW-Council_Minutes__draft_.pdf