Rock Island Today

City of Moline Park & Recreation Board met Sept. 25.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Park and Recreation Board Call to Order

PRESENT: Bill Abel (President)

Roger Clawson

Betsy Greenlee (Secretary)

John Knaack

Rico Navarro (Vice-President)

Thomas Schwarz

Reese Tuinstra

ABSENT:

STAFF: Carol Barnes, Director of Finance

Terry Bates, Forestry Manager

Nathan Berthoud, Special Events & Sponsorship Specialist

Bill Deadmond, Parks Operations Manager

Eric Griffith, Director of Parks and Recreation

Stacy Winter, Customer Service & Marketing Coordinator

OTHERS:

Call to Order

Park Board President, Bill Abel, called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. in the Public Works conference room.

Roll Call

Roll call was taken with Board Members Abel, Clawson, Greenlee, Knaack, Navarro, Schwarz, and Tuinstra present.

Absent: None

Public Comment

Scott Raes, Chairman of Belgian Fest Committee and a Moline resident, wanted to thank the Park Board, Parks Operations Manager, Bill Deadmond, and parks maintenance for their support and help to make the 12th annual Belgian Fest at Stephens Park a success.

Diann Moore, a City of Moline resident and President of the Moline Preservation Society came to Park Board to share an idea of putting up signage with historical facts at Prospect Park along with the possibility of a trolley-type of toy/playground equipment and/or a trolley cut out photo-op up near the playground for children to enjoy, that ties into the historical aspect of the Park.

Consent Agenda

Approval of Minutes

Park Board meeting minutes of August 25, 2025.

4.2 Approval and acceptance of departmental August/September bill payment and departmental August/September revenue, expenditures, capital projects, park reserve and cemetery reports.

Omnibus Vote

John Knaack, seconded by Rico Navarro, moved to approve, by omnibus vote, these items. Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Abel, Clawson, Greenlee, Knaack, Navarro, Schwarz, Tuinstra; nays: none.

Non-Consent Agenda

6.1 2026-2028 Budget Approval

Carol Barnes, Director of Finance attended to discuss and explain the proposed three-year budget, which that has been reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Department, the Finance Department and the City Administrator’s Office. If approved, it will be part of the budget discussion with City Council. Staff recommended approval.

Approved. John Knaack, seconded by Reese Tuinstra, moved to approve the proposed three-year budget. Motion carried on roll call with the following vote: ayes: Abel, Clawson, Greenlee, Knaack, Navarro, Schwarz, Tuinstra; nays: none.

6.2 Musco Mini-Pitch Project

The installation and addition of a Musco Mini-Pitch court at Riverside Park would complete the Riverside Legacy Project that begin in 2021. The fiscal impact of this project would be a total of $150,884.00, $100,000.00 from the 2024 capital improvement budget for soccer and $50,884.00 from remaining 2024 operating budget. Staff recommended approval to City Council.

Approved. Tom Schwarz, seconded by John Knaack, moved to approve the Musco Mini-Pitch Project. Motion carried on a roll call with the following vote: ayes: Abel, Greenlee, Knaack, Navarro, Schwarz, Tuinstra; nays: Clawson.

6.3 The Soccer Fund: Grant for Musco Mini-Pitch

Musco Sports Lighting and the U.S. Soccer Foundation view soccer as a powerful vehicle for social change. By supporting the development of the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Safe Places to Play program, we share a goal to ensure that children in underserved communities have easy and affordable access to quality soccer programs that support their physical and personal development. The Soccer Fund was established to offer financial support for sports lighting projects on a rolling basis. Projects can include the Mini-Pitch System or soccer lighting projects of all sizes. Staff is seeking approval to submit a grant application to The Soccer Fund for $10,000.00 to go towards the mini-pitch at Riverside Park with no match required. Staff recommended approval.

Approved. John Knaack, seconded by Rico Navarro, moved to approve The Soccer Fund: Grant for Musco Mini-Pitch. Motion carried on a voice vote with the following vote: ayes: Abel, Clawson, Greenlee, Knaack, Navarro, Schwarz, Tuinstra; nays: none.

6.4 The T-Mobile Hometown Grant

The T-Mobile Hometown Grants program funds projects to build, rebuild, or refresh community spaces that help foster local connections in y our town. Projects should be shovel-ready, physical builds or improvements that can be completed within 12 months of receiving Hometown Grants funding. Staff is seeking approval to submit a grant application for the T-Mobile Hometown Grant for $50,000.00 to go toward the mini-pitch at Riverside Park with no match required. Staff recommended approval.

Approved. John Knaack, seconded by Rico Navarro, moved to approve the T-Mobile Hometown Grant. Motion carried on a voice vote with the following vote: ayes: Abel, Clawson, Greenlee, Knaack, Navarro, Schwarz, Tuinstra; nays: none.

Informational

7.1 Riverside Riverslide Update

Parks and Recreation Director, Eric Griffith, updated the Park Board on Riverside Riverslide’s 2025 season, including statistics on the amount of closures and attendance numbers. A final report including expenditures, revenue, etc. will be given at the October Park Board meeting.

7.2 Parks and Recreation Update

Parks and Recreation Director, Eric Griffith, informed the Park Board on numerous Departmental projects and updates. Work on the parking lot east of Riverside Riverslide will be starting soon, the City Services Center is getting closer to being done with a move-in date still TBD, City Council approved to submit the application for the OSLAD Grant for Greenvalley Softball Complex and amending Chapter 23 to allow not-for-profits to serve, sell or be in possession of alcohol in parks will go to City Council for its second reading in October.

Other Park Business

Adjournment of the Park and Recreation Board

Upon motion of John Knaack, seconded by Roger Clawson, the Park and Recreation Board meeting adjourned at 4:16 p.m.

http://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/11324