Rock Island City Council met in regular session at 6:45 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Rock Island City Hall. Present were Mayor Mark W. Schwiebert, presiding, and Aldermen Terry M.A. Brooks I, David Conroy, Dennis E. Pauley, Stephen L. Tollenaer, Margie Mejia-Caraballo and Joy Murphy. City Manager John Phillips was also present.  Alderman Charles O. Austin III was absent.

 

Introductory Proceedings

 

Mayor Schwiebert called the meeting to order and lead in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.  Alderman Pauley gave the Invocation. 

 

Agenda Item #5

Minutes of the Meeting of December 22, 2008. 

 

A motion was made by Alderwoman Murphy and seconded by Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo to approve the Minutes of the Meeting of December 22, 2008 as written. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote; those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo and Alderwoman Murphy; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #6

Proclamation declaring the month of January, 2009 as National Mentoring Month.

 

Mayor Schwiebert read the Proclamation declaring the month of January, 2009 as National Mentoring Month. Ms. Paula Lubbe and Little Sister Taryn stepped forward and received the Proclamation. Ms. Lubbe and Taryn had their pictures taken with the Mayor.

 

Ms. Lubbe then stepped forward and stated that the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley is a wonderful program. It was noted that Ms. Lubbe and Taryn have been matched up for approximately 1 ½ years. Ms. Lubbe offered that more Big Brothers are needed in this program. It was noted that being a Big Brother or Big Sister only takes 10 hours a month. Ms. Lubbe thanked the Mayor and Council for supporting the program.  

 

Agenda Item #7

Public Hearing on a request from Christine Thompson of Ganson’s Neighborhood Bakery and Café for an amendment to an existing Special Use Permit (for the bakery and café) to increase the number of employees from five to seven and to replace the existing 14 square foot lighted freestanding sign with a new 27 square foot lighted freestanding sign in the west front yard at 3055 38th Street.

 

Mayor Schwiebert closed the regular meeting at 6:50 p.m. and opened a Public Hearing on a request from Christine Thompson for an amendment to an existing Special Use Permit (for the bakery and café) to increase the number of employees from five to seven and to replace the existing 14 square foot lighted freestanding sign with a new 27 square foot lighted freestanding sign in the west front yard at 3055 38th Street.

Ms. Thompson was unable to attend the meeting due to an illness.  Mr. Robert Thompson and his daughter Kaitlin Thompson of 2819 47th Street Court stepped forward.

 

Mayor Schwiebert swore in Mr. Robert Thompson and Ms. Kaitlin Thompson.

 

Ms. Thompson explained that after they took a look at the schedule and the predicted demand, it was apparent that they needed to increase the number of employees from five (5) to seven (7). Ms. Thompson offered that she will be the Manager of the bakery and café; and at least two (2) employees would be needed in the kitchen; two (2) employees at the front of the restaurant; and at least one (1) employee for deliveries.

 

Mr. Thompson stated that the existing sign was for the gift shop.  Mr. Thompson offered that when the sign was approved, they didn’t realize that it would not be large enough to include Ganson’s Café and Bakery.

 

Mayor Schwiebert inquired if there was anyone who wished to speak in favor of the amendment to the existing Special Use Permit at 3055 38th Street. No one stepped forward.

 

Mayor Schwiebert inquired if there was anyone that wished to speak in opposition to the amendment to the existing Special Use Permit at 3055 38th Street.

 

Mr. Nick Jawoisz of 3049 38th Street stepped forward. Mayor Schwiebert swore in Mr. Jawoisz.

 

Mr. Jawoisz stated that his property adjoins the property of this new business. Mr. Jawoisz’s main concern was that the new 27 square foot sign would be too large and would block his line of vision when he pulls out of his driveway on to 38th Street. Mr. Jawoisz added that he would not be able to see the traffic coming from 31st Avenue on 38th Street heading south to north and also from Saukenuk Lane. Mr. Jawoisz stated that there is also the parking lot entrance to Saukie Golf Course.  Mr. Jawoisz added that his concern was the safety of leaving his driveway.

 

Mayor Schwiebert inquired to Mr. Jawoisz as to whether it would be helpful if the proposed new sign was moved a little closer to the building and if that would help to improve the line of vision. 

 

After some discussion, Mr. Jawoisz stated that it would help, but would possibly block other things out.

 

Alderman Pauley inquired if there was a possibility of moving the sign in two (2) directions; to the east and to the south.  In addition, Alderman Pauley stated that he was not opposed to the sign, but wanted the sign to be placed in a position as to resolve Mr. Jawoisz’s issue of sight blockage.

 

Mr. Thompson stated that he assumed the sign could be moved.

More discussion followed regarding the dimensions of the sign and the possibility of moving the sign.

 

Mayor Schwiebert then suggested approving the modifications in regards to the amount of employees, and approving the sign subject to staff working with Mr. and Mrs. Jawoisz and the Thompsons to come to a mutually satisfactory resolution.

 

      With no other persons present to speak in favor of, or in opposition to the amendment to the existing Special Use Permit at 3055 38th Street, Mayor Schwiebert closed the Public Hearing and reconvened the regular meeting at 7:05 p.m.

 

Alderwoman Murphy moved and Alderman Tollenaer seconded to approve the request as recommended, subject to staff working with Mr. and Mrs. Jawoisz and the Thompsons to position the sign so that it will not create added traffic impairment, and refer to the City Attorney for an Ordinance. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo and Alderwoman Murphy; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #8

CLAIMS

 

It was moved by Alderman Pauley, seconded by Alderwoman Murphy, to accept the following reports and authorize payment as recommended. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo and Alderwoman Murphy; those voting No, none.

 

a.       Report from the Personnel Department regarding payment in the amount of $7,526.16 to Konecky, Koenig, Kutsunis and Weng for legal services rendered for December 2008.

 

b.      Report from the Information Technology Services Department regarding payment #1 in the amount of $4,890.00 to the City of Davenport for the intergovernmental agreement for implementation of the Department of Justice, office of Community Oriented Policing Services Interoperable Communications Technology Program Grant. (029)

 

c.       Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $3,450.33 to Electric Pump for the rebuilding of one (1) Flygt pump for the Mill Street Wastewater Plant. (403)

 

d.      Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment #3 in the amount of $8,555.47 to Kone Inc. for City Hall elevator replacement services. (405)

 

e.       Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment #2 in the amount of $71,718.75 to E & H Restoration for the Hydro Electric Power Plant renovation and expansion project. (406)

 

f.       Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $10,912.50 to AMEC for the Sand Creek Watershed Study. (408)

 

g.      Report from the Personnel Department regarding payment in the amount of $1,000.00 to Tasha Murphy for General Liability Claims.

 

Agenda Item #9

 Claims for the weeks of December 19, 2008 through January 1, 2009 in the amount of $2,100,083.96.

 

Alderman Conroy moved and Alderwoman Murphy seconded to allow the claims.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo  and Alderwoman Murphy; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #10

Payroll for the weeks of December 15 through December 28 in the amount of $1,192,946.20.

 

It was moved by Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, seconded by Alderman Tollenaer to allow the payroll as recommended. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo and Alderwoman Murphy; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #11

Report from the Public Works Department regarding bids for the temporary flood protection barrier for Armory Park, recommending the bid be awarded to Centennial Contractors of the Quad Cities in the amount of $52,000.00.

 

It was moved by Alderman Conroy, seconded by Alderwoman Murphy to award the bid as recommended, and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo and Alderwoman Murphy; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #12

Report from the Public Works Department regarding bids for the Police Station Annex roof replacement, recommending the bid be awarded to Sterling Commercial Roofing in the amount of $109,800.00.

 

Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo moved and Alderwoman Murphy seconded to award the bid as recommended, and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo and Alderwoman Murphy; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #13

Report from the Information Technology Services Department regarding a one (1) year renewal agreement with AT&T Centrex for the telecommunications system.

 

It was moved by Alderman Conroy, seconded by Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo to approve the renewal agreement as recommended, and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo and Alderwoman Murphy; those voting No, none. Alderman Pauley abstained due to this item involving his place of employment.

 

Agenda Item #14

Report from the Personnel Department regarding a contract for the Employee Assistance Program, recommending a three (3) year EAP contract extension with Precedence, EAP in the amount of $7,800.00 annually. 

 

Alderwoman Murphy moved and Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo seconded to approve the three (3) year contract extension as recommended, and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo and Alderwoman Murphy; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #15

Report from the Finance Department regarding adjustments to the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget.

 

It was moved by Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, seconded by Alderman Conroy to approve the adjustments as recommended. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo and Alderwoman Murphy; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #16

Report from the Public Works Department regarding a Resolution appropriating $81,000.00 of Motor Fuel Tax Funds for maintenance on the Mill Street project.

 

Alderwoman Murphy moved and Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo seconded to adopt the Resolution as recommended, authorize the City Clerk to provide signed and sealed copies of the Resolution to the City Engineer and authorize the City Engineer to file the Resolutions with the Illinois Department of Transportation. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman

Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo and Alderwoman Murphy; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #17

Report from the Traffic Engineering Committee regarding a request for the installation of a handicapped parking space at 509 18th Avenue.

 

It was moved by Alderman Tollenaer, seconded by Alderman Conroy to approve the request as recommended and refer to the City Attorney for an Ordinance. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo and Alderwoman Murphy; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #18

Report from the Traffic Engineering Committee regarding a request for the installation of a handicapped parking space at 1524 33rd Street.

 

Alderman Tollenaer moved and Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo seconded to approve the request as recommended and refer to the City Attorney for an Ordinance. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo and Alderwoman Murphy; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #19

Items from the City Manager’s Memorandum Packet.

 

City Manager John Phillips made reference to the Project Status Report included in the memo packet concerning the Capital Improvement Program.

 

Agenda Item #20

Other Business

 

 Timothy Dooling of 832 14 ½ Street voiced concerns regarding Police issues.

 

Agenda Item #21

No Executive Session.

 

An Executive Session was not held.

 

Agenda Item #22

Recess

 

A motion was made by Alderman Conroy and seconded by Alderman Brooks to recess to Monday, January 12, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo and Alderwoman Murphy; those voting No, none.

 

 The meeting was recessed at 7: 14 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           

___________________________________

                                                                     Aleisha L. Patchin, City Clerk