Rock Island Today

City of Colona City Council met Oct. 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. CALL TO ORDER

a. Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:00pm.

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

3. ROLL CALL

a. Aldermen present: Stablein, Hillman, Lack, Swemline, Jones, Hergert, Waterman, and Strobbe.

b. Staff present: Mayor Johnson, Attorney Wright, Public Works Director Erichsen, Finance Director Jen Legare, and City Clerk Park.

4. PUBLIC COMMENTS

a. None

5. MAYOR’S REPORT

a. Discussed but not limited to: Correction on Safe Routes to School sidewalk location, Verizon additional equipment agreement, Council will be holding a public hearing in the near future for utility rate increases, MaGuire Iron contract update, meeting with LRS and Republic about refuse, meeting with Moline to discuss possible regionalization proposal, CSFP stairs update, recognition to Laura Lamantia, Chief Swemline, and Deputy Hull for their involvement in the Trudy Appleby case, 508 3rd Street demolition update, and the Cypress Drive parking issues.

6. CLERK’S REPORT

a. 2025 MCI Institute and Masters Academy - went extremely well, gave thanks for the opportunity

7. COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Economic Development - Alderman Lack gave a summary of their last meeting

b. Public Safety - Alderman Hergert gave a summary of their last meeting

c. Public Works - Alderman Waterman gave a summary of their last meeting

d. Finance/Admin - Alderman Stablein gave a summary of their last meeting

8. GOOD OF THE ORDER

a. Alderman Stablein shared that residents have complimented the town's fall decorations and gave a round of applause to the Beautification Team for their efforts!

b. Alderman Hillman thanked PWD Erichsen and his team for cleaning up the memorial garden, noting that it looks very nice!

c. Mayor Johnson gave a shoutout to The Best Upholstery for their 50+ years of service and noted their celebration event was a great success!

9. CONSENT AGENDA

a. Approve payment of bills/claims by vendor report for the period September 23 – October 13, 2025

b. Approve payroll for the period September 26 – October 11, 2025

c. Approve Treasurer’s Reports for September 2025

d. Approve 09.22.25 City Council Meeting Minutes

1. Alderman Lack made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda letters a-d. Alderman Stablein seconded the motion. Upon roll call; Ayes: Stablein, Hillman, Lack, Swemline, Jones, Hergert, Waterman, and Strobbe.

Motion passed with 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 abstain, and 0 absent.

10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

a. Discussion and possible action – Future steps regarding the sale of the city owned property located at 713 1st Street

1. Alderman Hillman made a motion for the City to consult a commercial realtor and get the property listed for sale on a commission basis. Alderman Stablein seconded the motion. Upon roll call; Ayes: Stablein, Hillman, Lack, Jones, Hergert, and Waterman. Abstention: Swemline and Strobbe,

Motion passed with 6 ayes, 0 nays, 2 abstain, and 0 absent.

2. Discussion: It was discussed if the city should wait for more favorable weather conditions to post the lot for sale. It was discussed if a certain building(s) around the property might be hindering the sale. It was discussed whether the city should consult professionally or not.

11. NEW BUSINESS

a. Approve electrical easement agreement with MidAmerican Energy Company and authorize the Mayor to execute the agreement

1. Alderman Waterman made a motion to approve. Alderman Hergert seconded the motion. Upon roll call; Ayes: Stablein, Hillman, Lack, Swemline, Jones, Hergert, Waterman, and Strobbe.

Motion passed with 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 abstain, and 0 absent.

b. Approve the fiscal year 2024-2025 Annual Financial Report as prepared by WIPFLI, LLC 1. Alderman Stablein made a motion to approve. Alderman Swemline seconded the motion. Upon roll call; Ayes: Stablein, Hillman, Lack, Swemline, Jones, Hergert, Waterman, and Strobbe.

Motion passed with 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 abstain, and 0 absent.

c. Approve the Mayoral appointment of Sgt. Clinton Powless as Acting Police Chief, effective October 21st, 2025, and authorize a (temporary) 10% hourly wage increase

1. Alderman Hillman made a motion to approve. Alderman Lack seconded the motion.

Upon roll call; Ayes: Stablein, Hillman, Lack, Swemline, Jones, Hergert, Waterman, and Strobbe.

Motion passed with 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 abstain, and 0 absent.

d. Approve Salting Contract with Colona School District #190 with a term of December 2025 through April 2026 and authorize the Mayor to execute the agreement 1. Alderman Waterman made a motion to approve. Alderman Swemline seconded the motion. Upon roll call; Ayes: Stablein, Hillman, Lack, Swemline, Jones, Hergert, Waterman, and Strobbe.

Motion passed with 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 abstain, and 0 absent.

Moving into closed session; Mayor Johnson read the closed session agenda items which include their qualifications.

● Alderman Stablein made a motion to move into closed session at 6:50pm. Alderman Swemline seconded the motion. Upon roll call; Ayes: Stablein, Hillman, Lack, Jones, Swemline, Hergert, Waterman, and Strobbe.

Motion passed with 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 abstain, and 0 absent.

12. CLOSED SESSION

a. Discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees under [5 ILCS 120/2(C)(1)].

b. Discuss collective bargaining matters or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees under [5 ILCS 120/2(C)(2)].

c. Discuss the setting of a price for the sale or lease of property owned by the City [5 ILCS 120/2(C)(6)].

Concluding closed session and moving back into regular session.

● Alderman Swemline made a motion to end closed session and move back into regular session at 8:29pm. Alderman Stablein seconded the motion. Upon roll call; Ayes: Stablein, Hillman, Lack, Jones, Swemline, Hergert, Waterman, and Strobbe. Motion passed with 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 abstain, and 0 absent.

13. ADJOURN

a. Alderman Swemline made a motion to adjourn at 8:30pm. Alderman Stablein seconded the motion. Upon roll call; Ayes: Stablein, Hillman, Lack, Swemline, Jones, Hergert, Waterman, and Strobbe.

Motion passed with 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 abstain, and 0 absent.

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