Rock Island Today

City of East Moline City Council met Sept. 15.

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, Larry Jones, Adam Guthrie, Rhea Oakes, Lynn Segura, and Jose Rico. Absent: Jeffrey Deppe.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

PRESENTATIONS and/or PROCLAMATIONS

a. Mayor Freeman presented the following Proclamation, proclaiming September 15th through October 15th, 2025, as National Hispanic Heritage Month. Sebastian Mireles, Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GQCHCC) Program and Operations Manager and Louisa Ewert, Treasurer accepted the Proclamation.

Mr. Sebastain Mireles thanked the City of East Moline for recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month. Next month there are a couple of events going on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, Lopiez Pizza at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, September 25, 2025, the Fall Festival with Project Now from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., and on Friday, October 17, 2025, the Annual Gala at River City Casino. Mr. Mireles would like to invite everyone to the events coming up in September and October. Anyone can stop by the Chamber of Commerce to just say Hi!

b. Mayor Freeman presented the following Proclamation, proclaiming October 10, 2025, as World Mental Health Day. Mark Mathews, Executive Director - NAMI GMV and Stephanie Burrough, Robert Young Center Communications Specialist and Promotions Lead for Quad Cities Behavioral Health Coalition, accepted the Proclamation.

Ms. Stephanie Burrough thanked the city on behalf of NAMI and the Quad Cities’ Behavioral Health Coalition, shining a light on these causes for Mental Health. Our Coalitions work together with many organizations that support the members of the Quad Cities. When cities themselves participate by shining lights on these different topics, more people can know about resources that are available to them. Ms. Burrough asked if you would go to their Facebook page Quad Cities Behavioral Health Coalition. They post events that are going on about Mental Health available throughout the area, and hope you can attend one the upcoming suicide prevention events this month, and the upcoming walk on October 10, 2025, for NAMI at the Bend XPO beginning at 9:30 a.m.

c. Police Department Promotions

EMPD PROMOTIONS CEREMONY (Chief Ramsey)

East Moline Police Chaplain Kent Umbarger

Service Recognition

Around 2007, former East Moline Chief of Police Victor Moreno and at the time, Captain John Reynolds, now also a former Chief of Police for East Moline, had the idea to create a Police Chaplain Program for the East Moline Police Department. Through this process, Pastor Kent Umbarger from Saint John’s Lutheran Church in East Moline was approached and accepted the offer, and responsibility, to be the Chaplain for the East Moline Police Department. After attending training, among other on-boarding items, Chaplain Umbarger began his duties for the East Moline Police Department in 2008.

Chaplain Umbarger became a staple at the East Moline Police Department, visiting with Officers during shift briefings, doing countless ride-a-longs, attending community events, and even conducting training on what a Chaplain does for a police department and beyond. Chaplain Umbarger provided a listening ear and guidance for Officers regarding work matters, as well as personal matters. Chaplain Umbarger also interacted with the community during his ride-a-longs to provide support when needed and be a connecting bridge to the police department and community. One of Chaplain Umbarger’s most valuable assets, was providing crucial support for Officers and their families, as well as this department, after critical incidents. He was the calming voice to provide much-needed comfort during these stressful times. In addition to this, Chaplain Umbarger did not hesitate to provide room at his church for the department to use for training, police youth camps, and any other department needs.

Chaplain Umbarger recently retired from Saint John’s Lutheran Church after 30 years and with that retired from his duties as the Police Chaplain for the East Moline Police Department after 17 years. The East Moline Police Department and its members, both current and past, cannot thank Chaplain Umbarger enough for his selfless service as the Police Chaplain for the East Moline Police Department. He has left an impression upon many, and he will be greatly missed. Chaplain Umbarger, thank you for everything, and enjoy your retirement.

d. Chief Ramsey read the following Ceremonial Promotional Proclamation:

BE IT KNOWN,

The East Moline Police Department has reposed special trust and confidence in the Patriotism, Valor, Fidelity and Professional Excellence of:

RILEY REEVES

In view of these qualities, as well as their demonstrated leadership and tactical competence, and their dedicated service to the citizens of The City of East Moline, they are therefore promoted to the ranks of

SERGEANT

This given under my hand in The City of East Moline, County of Rock Island, State of Illinois, is effective on the 7th Day of September, Two – Thousand – Twenty – Five.

Jeffrey L. Ramsey, Chief of Police

CONSENT AGENDA:

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

a. Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes of September 2, 2025.

b. Approval of the Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes of September 2, 2025.

c. Approval of Salaries as of September 12, 2025, in the amount of $509,167.51.

d. Approval of Overtime as of September 12, 2025, in the amount of $11,035.48.

e. Approval of Bills as of September 12, 2025, in the amount of $653,169.98.

f. Treasurer’s Report for August 2025.

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

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

ORDINANCES – 2nd Reading

None

ORDINANCES – 1st Reading

None

RESOLUTIONS

25-66 2025 Sewer Lining Project

A motion was made by Alderperson Rico, seconded by Alderperson Segura, to approve Resolution 25-66. Upon the roll call, the following voted in favor: Segura, Rico, Dorothy, Jones, Guthrie, and Oakes. Motion carried.

25-67 Railroad License Agreement for Pedestrian Crossing at 7th Street

A motion was made by Alderperson Rico, seconded by Alderperson Guthrie, to approve Resolution 25-67. Upon the roll call, the following voted in favor: Segura, Rico, Dorothy, Jones, Guthrie, and Oakes. Motion carried.

25-68 Support for OSLAD Grant Application

Mayor Freeman requested that the City Council have your comments, concerns, and suggestions to Mr. Tim Kammler by Friday, September 19, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. so they will know what direction they will be going regarding the Grant Application.

A motion was made by Alderperson Oakes, seconded by Alderperson Rico, to approve Resolution 25-68. Upon the roll call, the following voted in favor: Segura, Rico, Dorothy, 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:

Mark Rothert, City Administrator – Mr. Rothert has been talking to Mr. Wymes about extending the applications for the Grant Program until October 31, 2025. Mr. Rothert will be at the IML Conference this week. He will still be available by phone or email. Mr. Rothert started working on the Budget, which he will be working on for the next three months.

Brianna Huber, Director of Water Filtration – Ms. Huber informed the City Council that the new Clearwell pipe is installed and operating. Ragan Mechanical and MCON are finishing up the concrete vault that surrounds part of the new pipe, where the valve going into the Clearwell and caustic feed are housed, and inserting a valve into the old Clearwell pipe to isolate it from the new pipe, while keeping it in place as a restricted backup.

Ragan Mechanical is also working with staff to install the mechanical parts we ordered several months ago for Basins 3 and 4.

Annual service line material notifications were mailed a few weeks ago. Residents may receive a letter stating their service line material is unknown, even if they have submitted pictures or their material per our survey request last year. This is because until we know the material both coming into the house and where the service line connects to the water main, we cannot say that the line does not contain lead.

Robert DeFrance, Fire Chief – Chief DeFrance informed the City Council that the promotional ceremony on September 17, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Morton Drive Fire Station. On Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. there will be Recruitment Open House.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Alderperson Oakes, seconded by Alderperson Segura, to adjourn the City Council meeting. A voice vote was taken. Motion carried. 7:27 p.m.

https://www.eastmoline.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10062025-1147