The Rock Island City Council met for Study Session at
5:00 p.m. on Monday, January 12, 2004, in the Personnel Conference Room of Rock
Island City Hall. Present were Mayor
Mark W. Schwiebert, presiding, and Aldermen David R. Conroy, John E.
Bauersfeld, Jr., Evelyn "Evie" R. White and Ann L. Keefe. Aldermen Terry M. A. Brooks I, Daniel
Rockwell and Frank J. Forlini, Jr. were absent. Staff present included City Manager John C. Phillips, Personnel
Director/Assistant to the City Manager John Thorson, Public Works Director Bob
Hawes, Finance Director Bill Scott, Community and Economic Development
Department Director Greg Champagne, Planning Administrator Alan Carmen,
Municipal Services Superintendent George Seiz, Assistant to the Public Works
Director Tim Ridder, Chief of Police Terry Dove, Police Sgt. Mike Sponsler,
Special Projects Manager Sally Heffernan, and Information Technology Services
Director Claire Dubuisson. Also
present were Jennifer Fowler, Community Marketing Director, and Erica Smith,
Special Events Coordinator of The District.
Public
Works Director Bob Hawes discussed the information about the gates at the
entrance to The District Plaza Area. He
showed the Council the type of light that will be placed on the ends and also
shared a picture of the way the gates will look with the strip of lights across
the top of the arches of the gate.
City
Manager John C. Phillips noted that there would be an Executive Session on
Personnel and on Property Acquisition following the regular meeting. He noted that three of the Council Members
would be absent for the meeting, and the Hazardous Materials Permit Ordinance
was being removed from the agenda. He
also noted that Assistant City Attorney Ted Kutsunis had informed him that the
Abatement Resolutions could not be approved with one vote, but would need to be
voted on individually.
Mr.
Phillips stated that there was a modified Gaming Revenue report with the
changes noted in shaded areas. He
pointed out the Economic Development fund had an additional amount, and now has
$357,928; the Police Radio System Upgrade was put in over a two-year period,
modifying those numbers to $116,050 for FY-05 and $144,000 for FY-06, the
Police Department Copier has been removed, and the Police Department Antennae
has been included with Item #15 – Radio System Upgrade.
Council
discussed the Capital Improvement Plan and Gaming Revenue. Alderman Bauersfeld offered some information
about the Debt Service, noting the percentages for each of the categories. Alderman Keefe indicated that one of the
goals set by Council was “livable neighborhoods”, and expressed concern that
this goal did not get addressed in the CIP.
She expressed concern that the narrowing of 7th Avenue did
not get addressed, which would fit into the category of “livable
neighborhoods.” She suggested that the
City take the lead with the state to improve that corridor and further
suggested postponing the widening of 18th Avenue. Alderman Conroy stated that he would agree
on the 7th Avenue narrowing, and asked if a Resolution to the State
to do this would help. He stated that
the 18th Avenue improvement has not been determined yet – whether or
not it will be widened or resurfaced at that time. Mr. Hawes explained that there a possibility to get Federal Funds
to help pay for the 18th Avenue project, but only if it is in the
Capital Improvement Plan. He added
that, if 18th Avenue is not widened, there would be no Federal
funds.
Council
continued to discuss 7th Avenue, and Mr. Phillips noted that the
first step is the study that is being done with the City of Moline. Mr. Hawes
stated that, if 7th Avenue is done, the state will pay for the work
done to the driving lanes and the City pays for the work that is done to the
parking lanes. He added that the
combined study has to be done first.
Mayor Schwiebert suggested putting 7th Avenue in the CIP,
since the cost for 18th Avenue is not yet known. He further suggested taking $200,000 from
the 18th Avenue project and using that for the 7th Avenue
project in the CIP.
Alderman Keefe also noted
that there was nothing in the CIP or use of Gaming Revenue for the Trash
Collection, such as the purchase of leaf vacuums or containers that were discussed
at a previous meeting. Mr. Hawes noted
that, if these purchases were being made, they would be from Gaming
Revenue. Mr. Phillips stated that the
free bags are being in the budget for next year, noting that staff is aware
that this is not a dead issue, but right now there is no money for either the
vacuums or the containers.
Alderman
Bauersfeld asked when the discussion would be held regarding the contracts, and
Mr. Phillips responded that it is being scheduled for January 26 at the Study
Session. Council discussed other items
in the CIP, discussed the water rate increase.
Alderman Conroy stated that he would prefer to discuss the Gaming Policy
when more of the Council members are present, indicating that he is sure that
at least two of them have some ideas on it.
Alderman Bauersfeld asked about the fund balance policy, and Mayor
Schwiebert noted that the 60-day fund balance has been cited as a positive for
the AA Bond Rating. Alderman White
noted that there are many areas of Rock Island that have old water lines. Staff was asked for a report on the need for
water line replacement, noting where they need to be replaced, and the amount
of water pressure that is there now.
Council
decided to continue this discussion on the Gaming Policy next week at Study
Session.
Jennifer Fowler, Community
Marketing Director, briefly explained the purpose of the recommendations. She indicated that she, City Clerk Jean
Paggen, Sgt. Mike Sponsler and others met with the local business owners and
vendors in November, and many good ideas and suggestions were received at this
meeting. She discussed some of the
proposed changes, and responded to questions from Council. Alderman Conroy noted the generator that is
being used by one of the vendors, stating that this did not look good and he
does not want to see a generator being used.
A member of the audience noted that the electrical supply in The
District probably could not support the uses at that time, and the generator
was being used to supplement the electrical supply.
Due
to time constraints, further discussion on this was postponed to next week’s
Study Session also.
ADJOURNMENT
A
motion made by Alderman Keefe and seconded by Alderman Bauersfeld to adjourn
the meeting CARRIED on a Roll Call vote.
AYES: Aldermen Conroy, Bauersfeld, White and Keefe. NAYS: None.
The
meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
__________________________________
Jeanne F. Paggen, City Clerk
The Rock Island City Council met in regular session at
6:45 p.m. on Monday, January 12, 2004 in the Council Chambers of Rock Island
City Hall. Present were Mayor Mark W.
Schwiebert, presiding, and Aldermen David R. Conroy, John E. Bauersfeld, Jr.,
Evelyn "Evie" R. White and Ann L. Keefe. Aldermen Terry M. A. Brooks I, Daniel Rockwell and Frank J.
Forlini, Jr. were absent.
Mayor Schwiebert called the meeting to Order, led in the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and gave the
Invocation. A motion made by Alderman
Keefe and seconded by Alderman White to
approve the Minutes of the meeting of January 5, 2004, as printed CARRIED on a
Voice vote.
Due to the absence of three Council members, Mayor
Schwiebert asked Assistant City Attorney Ted Kutsunis to review the regulations
for voting on the remainder of the items on the Agenda.
Agenda Item #6
2003 HOLIDAY LIGHTING
CONTEST/COMMERCIAL BEAUTIFICATION AWARDS
Beautification Commission Chairwoman Dianne Hebbeln and
Mayor Schwiebert handed out awards to the winners of the 2003 Holiday Lighting
Contest and the Commercial Beautification Awards.
2003 Holiday Lighting
Contest
Residential: Alberta Taylor, 4203 8th
Street, Jean Greenman, 4210 8th Street and Robert Shuda, 4028 9th
Street.
Commercial: 2906 38th Street
(rental property), 1325 30 Street – More Than Memories, and 1209 21st
Avenue – Friendship Manor.
Commercial Beautification
Awards
Improved Commercial
Properties:
KJWW Engineers, Rock Island Animal Clinic;
New Commercial Properties: Trinity College of Nursing
and Health Sciences, Robert Young Center.
Several others were given honorable mention.
ORDINANCES
Agenda Item #7
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS/PERMITS
This Ordinance was removed from the Agenda.
RESOLUTIONS
Agenda Item #8
TAX ABATEMENT RESOLUTIONS
Before voting on the Resolutions, Mayor Schwiebert asked
City Manager John C. Phillips to explain to the audience the reason for the Tax
Abatement Resolutions.
SERIES 1992
The City Clerk read a Resolution authorizing Tax Abatement
of principal and interest on General Obligation Bonds, Series 1992, in the
amount of $499,500 for 2003, $499,000 for 2004, $507,500 for 2005 and $514,500
for 2006. A motion made by Alderman
Bauersfeld and seconded by Alderman Conroy to adopt the Resolution CARRIED on a
Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Conroy,
Bauersfeld, White and Keefe. NAYS:
None.
SERIES 1998
The City Clerk read a Resolution authorizing Tax
Abatement in the amount of $1,272,362, such funds to be provided from Water
Revenues, Motor Vehicle Parking System Revenues, Centennial Bridge Toll
Revenues and General Funds, to pay principal and interest on General Obligation
Bonds, Series 1998. A motion
made by Alderman Keefe and seconded by Alderman White to adopt the Resolution
CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES:
Aldermen Conroy, Bauersfeld, White and Keefe.
NAYS: None.
SERIES 1999
The City Clerk read a
Resolution authorizing Tax Abatement in the amount of $628,908, such funds to
be provided from Wastewater Revenues, Rock Island Fitness and Activity Center
Revenues and General Funds, to pay principal and interest on General Obligation
Bonds, Series 1999. A motion made by
Alderman Conroy and seconded by Alderman Bauersfeld to adopt the Resolution
CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen
Conroy, Bauersfeld, White and Keefe.
NAYS: None.
The City Clerk read a
Resolution authorizing Tax Abatement in the amount of $798,909, such funds to
provided from Water Revenues, Sunset Marina Revenues, Special Assessment
Revenues, and Park Funds, to pay principal and interest on General Obligation
Bonds, Series 2001. A motion made by Alderman Conroy and seconded by Alderman
White to adopt the Resolution CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Conroy, Bauersfeld, White and
Keefe. NAYS: None.
The
City Clerk read a Resolution authorizing Tax Abatement in the amount of
$240,221, such funds to be provided from Tax Increment Financing, Gaming
Revenues, Sewer Revenues, and Sunset Marina Revenues, to pay principal and
interest on all but the Library portion of the General Obligation Refunding
Bonds, Series 2002, and authorizing the Tax Levy sufficient to pay principal
and interest due on the Library portion of the issue in the amount of $177,717. A motion made by Alderman White and seconded
by Alderman Keefe to adopt the Resolution CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Conroy, Bauersfeld, White and
Keefe. NAYS: None.
The
City Clerk read a Resolution authorizing Tax Abatement in the amount of
$271,417, such funds to be provided from Public Benefits, Wastewater and Sunset
Marina funds, to pay principal and interest on General Obligation Bonds, Series
2003. A motion made by Alderman Keefe
and seconded by Alderman Conroy to adopt the Resolution CARRIED on a Roll Call
vote. AYES: Aldermen Conroy,
Bauersfeld, White and Keefe. NAYS:
None.
Agenda Item #9a
The City Clerk read a report
from the Public Works Department recommending payment to Langman Construction
in the amount of $28,019.58 for the Creek Repair at 46th Street and
39th Avenue.
Agenda Item #9b
The
City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department recommending payment
to the City of Moline in the amount of $3,332.00 for the rental of their
asphalt-injection machine.
Alderman
White, noting that one payment is for the City of Moline, asked if they were
paying us as well for the use of some of our equipment. Mr. Hawes responded that they are. Mayor Schwiebert asked Mr. Hawes to explain
how the asphalt injection machine works. Mr. Hawes responded that this was more
effective and more productive, as well as lasting longer than the regular
method. Following discussion, a motion
made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Bauersfeld to accept the
reports and authorize payments as recommended CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Conroy, Bauersfeld, White and
Keefe. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #10
The City Clerk read the
claims for the weeks of December 19, 2003 through January 8, 2004 in the amount
of $2,487,868.97. A motion made by
Alderman Keefe and seconded by Alderman White to allow the claims CARRIED on a
Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Conroy,
Bauersfeld, White and Keefe. NAYS:
None.
Agenda Item #11
The City Clerk read the
payroll for the weeks of December 22, 2003 through January 4, 2004 in the
amount of $917,083.87.
|
GENERAL FUND |
$638,465.81 |
|
TIF DISTRICT #1 DOWNTOWN |
575.29 |
|
TIF DISTRICT #2 SOUTH 11 STREET |
224.19 |
|
TIF DISTRICT #3 NORTH 11 STREET |
224.16 |
|
KING CENTER |
3,605.58 |
|
FEDERAL COPS GRANT |
4,220.64 |
|
COMMUNITY DEV. BLOCK GRANT |
23,472.85 |
|
LIBRARY |
39,744.17 |
|
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS |
1,469.42 |
|
WATER |
59,854.80 |
|
SEWER |
42,031.01 |
|
COMMUNITY/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
5,705.04 |
|
BRIDGE |
4.69 |
|
SUNSET MARINA |
8,492.81 |
|
PARK AND RECREATION |
54,637.32 |
|
EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE |
24,128.87 |
|
SELF INSURANCE |
1,423.00 |
|
EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE |
855.31 |
|
MLK ACTIVITY FUND |
4,481.00 |
|
DRUG PREVENTION |
3,467.91 |
|
TOTAL |
$917,083.87 |
A motion made by Alderman
Keefe and seconded by Alderman White to allow the payroll CARRIED on a Roll
Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Conroy,
Bauersfeld, White and Keefe. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #12
The
City Clerk read a report from the Community and Economic Development Department
regarding consideration of the final plat for the Highland Place Subdivision,
Planned Unit Development rezoning and site plan approval for the Villas at
Highland Place, and rezoning from R-1 to R-2 for Highland Place Subdivision at
9200 35th Street West, recommending approval of the final plat for
Highland Place Subdivision with variances and other stipulations stated,
approval of the Villas at Highland Place rezoning and site plan with
recommended variances and stipulations.
A motion made by Alderman Conroy and seconded by Alderman Bauersfeld to
approve the final plats and rezoning with the variances and stipulation in
staff report, and refer to the City Attorney for an Ordinance CARRIED on a Roll
Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Conroy, Bauersfeld, White and Keefe. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #13
1320 7 AVENUE/PROJECT FACELIFT PROGRAM
The
City Clerk read a report from the Community and Economic Development Department
regarding a request from Eva and Gomer Royal for a commitment from City Council
for the Project Facelift Program at 1320 7th Avenue in the amount of
$7,925.00. A motion made by Alderman
White and seconded by Alderman Keefe to
commit $7,925.00 for Project Facelift Program as recommended CARRIED on a Roll
Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Conroy,
Bauersfeld, White and Keefe. NAYS:
None.
Agenda Item #14
The
City Clerk read a report from the Finance Department regarding an annual food
and beverage tax of one percent, to become effective April 1, 2004. A motion made by Alderman Keefe and seconded
by Alderman Bauersfeld to approve the food and beverage tax as recommended, and
refer to the City Attorney for an Ordinance CARRIED on a Voice vote. Alderman Conroy asked to defer this item
because of the absences of three Council members. Mayor Schwiebert noted that they were simply referring it for an
Ordinance that would be on the Agenda for next week, and then discussion could
occur before a vote is taken.
Agenda Item #15
The
City Clerk read a memorandum from Mayor Schwiebert recommending one reappointment
of Kevin Koski and the new appointments of Gena McCullough, Christine
Coin-Smith and Wendy Kelly to the Neighborhood Partners. A motion made by Alderman Conroy and
seconded by Alderman Bauersfeld to approve the appointments as recommended CARRIED
on a Voice vote.
City Manager John Phillips
asked staff to review three items – the CDBG Revised Allocation, the Andalusia
Road Corridor Study Meeting Notice and the Extension of Enterprise Zone. Planning Administrator Alan Carmen reviewed
the CDBG Revised Allocation, and explained that the adjustments are necessary
to the Council approved allocations. He
noted that the reductions were made in Economic Development Activities, Neighborhood
Activities and Social Services, while the Planning and Administrative
Activities remained the same. He
indicated that no further Council action would be needed.
Mr.
Carmen then reviewed the Andalusia Road Corridor Study, stating that they held
their first meeting January 8, and more meetings are scheduled.
Community
and Economic Development Department Director Greg Champagne reviewed the
Enterprise Zone Extension, noting that this currently extended to December 31,
2004, and legislation has now been approved allowing an additional 10-year
extension. He explained the importance
of this extension to some of the projects, such as the Highland Place
Subdivision and the Casino Rock Island relocation. He noted that there will be ordinances to be approved to complete
this process, as well as a public hearing and letters of support form the Rock
Island community.
Mr.
Phillips called attention to the dates for the trips to Washington, D.C. April
21 and 22, and to Springfield March 10, 11 and 12, to meet with the legislators
for the area. He asked Council to let
him or Carol know whether or not they plan to participate in either of these.
Mayor
Schwiebert noted the letter in the packet from the Illinois Department of
Transportation regarding an additional westbound lane from 24th Street
to 30th Street on Blackhawk Road that will be included in the plans
for the improvement of Blackhawk Road.
OTHER BUSINESS
Alderman Bauersfeld reminded
Council members of the Northwest Municipal League meeting that is being held in
Hampton January 21. He encouraged
Council and Mayor Schwiebert to attend these meetings that are held every
month, noting that they are not only informative but a good way to meet other
elected officials from the area.
Alderman
White asked what could be done about stray cats. She noted that she has been receiving a number of calls from
residents who are being disturbed by cats that do not belong to them or their
neighbors. Chief Terry Dove suggested that she tell the residents to call the
Animal Shelter and they can set a trap for the cat if they have an address or
approximate location. He noted that
they have eight traps and there are only two Animal Control Officers. Alderman White asked if residents can trap a
cat and bring it to the Shelter, and Chief Dove responded that they could do
that.
No members of the audience
signed up to speak at this time.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
A
motion made by Alderman Bauersfeld and seconded by Alderman Keefe to recess to
Executive Session on matters of Personnel and Property Acquisition CARRIED on a
Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Conroy,
Bauersfeld, White and Keefe. NAYS:
None.
The
meeting was recessed at 7:30 p.m.
Mayor
Schwiebert reconvened the regular meeting at 8:43 p.m. A motion made by Alderman Bauersfeld and seconded
by Alderman Keefe to recess to Monday, January 19 at 5:00 p.m. CARRIED on a
Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Conroy, Bauersfeld, White and Keefe. NAYS: None.
The
meeting was recessed at 8:45 p.m.
__________________________________ Jeanne F. Paggen, City
Clerk