The 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 A. Conroy, Dennis E. Pauley, Daniel Rockwell, Evelyn "Evie" R. White, Joy Murphy, and Charles O. Austin III.
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. Thurgood Malcolm Alexander Brooks I, the son of Alderman Brooks, gave the Invocation. A motion made by Alderman Pauley and seconded by Alderman Conroy to approve the Minutes of the meeting of January 9, 2006 as printed CARRIED on a Voice vote.
PRESENTATIONS
Agenda Item #6
ENVIRONMENTAL HERO AWARD
Public Works Director Bob Hawes and Marina Manager Melody Miller presented the 2005 Environmental Hero Award to Mayor Schwiebert. This award was given to the City of Rock Island for the City’s rain garden program. It was one of thirteen awarded by the State of Illinois, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn.
Agenda Item #7
2005 BEAUTIFICATION AND
HOLIDAY LIGHTS AWARDS
Beautification Commission Member Bob Towler and Mayor Schwiebert presented the 30th Annual Holiday Lighting Awards to Mike & Sara Thoms, Bryan Cook, and David & Diane Coon. They then presented the 2005 Commercial Beautification awards. The Rotary Trophy went to JTM Concepts, the Mayor’s Award went to Pat & Irene Dobbins, the Beautification Commission Award went to Automotive Paint & Equipment, and the City Council Award went to Ace Muffler. There were also sixteen honorable mention certificates awarded.
ORDINANCES
Agenda Item #8
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER
13 – REFUSE
The Acting City Clerk read an Ordinance amending Chapter 13 regarding refuse. Alderman White made an inquiry to a section of the amended ordinance regarding containers. Public Works Director Bob Hawes advised this applies to manual containers, which will still be used in special situations. Mr. Hawes advised that one refuse truck has been retained for use in special situations. Alderman Rockwell inquired as to when old garbage cans would be picked up, to which Mr. Hawes advised would be sometime near the end of February to mid-March.
After discussion, a motion made by Alderman Austin and seconded by Alderman Murphy to consider, suspend the rules and pass the Ordinance CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Alderman Brooks, Conroy, Pauley, Rockwell, White, Murphy, and Austin. NAYS: None.
RESOLUTIONS
Agenda Item #9
TAX ABATEMENT RESOLUTIONS
The Acting City Clerk read the following Tax Abatement Resolutions that could be adopted with one motion if Council wishes to do so. A motion made by Alderman Conroy and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to adopt the following Resolutions with one motion CARRIED on a Voice vote.
a. Resolution authorizing Tax Abatement in the amount of $309,010.00, such funds to be provided from Wastewater Revenues Rock Island Fitness & Activity Center Revenues, and General Funds, to pay principal and interest on General Obligation Bonds, Series 1999.
b. Resolution authorizing Tax Abatement in the amount of $796,713.75, such funds to be provided from Water Revenues, Sunset Marina Revenues, Special Assessment Revenues, and Park Funds to pay principal and interest on General Obligation Bonds, Series 2001.
c. Resolution authorizing Tax Abatement in the amount of $123,250.00, such funds to be provided from Tax Increment Financing, Gaming Revenues, Sewer Revenues, and Sunset Marina Revenues to pay principal and interest on General Obligation Bonds, Series 2002.
d. Resolution authorizing Tax Abatement in the amount of $277,677.50, such funds to be provided from Public Benefits, Wastewater and Sunset Marina funds to pay principal and interest on General Obligation Bonds, Series 2003.
e. Resolution authorizing Tax Abatement in the amount of $979,875.00, such funds to be provided from Public Benefit, Debt Service, Wastewater, and TIF funds to pay principal and interest on General Obligation Bonds, Series 2004.
f. Resolution authorizing Tax Abatement in the amount of $119,600.00, such funds to be provided from Public Benefit, Wastewater and Park funds to pay principal and interest on General Obligation Bonds, Series 2005.
Alderman Austin requested City Manager John Phillips give some background regarding these tax abatements. Mr. Phillips advised that these bonds are purchased for various uses within and improvements to the City. The principal and interest payments on these bonds could be property taxes to be levied, which is not the case with the City of Rock Island. Instead, the City uses revenues from various departments and general funds to make these payments, which in turn saves taxpayers and the City.
After discussion, a motion made by Alderman Conroy and seconded by Alderman Austin to adopt the Resolutions CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Alderman Brooks, Conroy, Pauley, Rockwell, White, Murphy, and Austin. NAYS: None.
CLAIMS
Agenda Item #10
The Acting City Clerk read a report from Public Works Department recommending payment to Kelly Construction in the amount of $77,752.50 for the 2005 Catch Basin Rebuild Program. A motion made by Alderman Pauley and seconded by Alderman Murphy to accept the following report and authorize payment as recommended CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Alderman Brooks, Conroy, Pauley, Rockwell, White, Murphy, and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #11
The Acting City Clerk read the claims for the week of January 6 through January 12 in the amount of $768,372.02. A motion made by Alderman Murphy seconded by Alderman Brooks to allow the claims CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Alderman Brooks, Conroy, Pauley, Rockwell, White, Murphy, and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #12
GOLF SOFTWARE SYSTEM/ACTIVE
NETWORK and
TOUCHSCREENS/CDW-G
The Acting City Clerk read a report from the Information Technology Services Department regarding purchase of Golf Software System from Active Network in the amount of $40,265.00 and Touchscreens from CDW-G in the amount of $4,443.06. A motion made by Alderman Rockwell and seconded by Alderman Murphy to approve purchases and authorize payment as recommended CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Alderman Brooks, Conroy, Pauley, Rockwell, White, Murphy, and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #13
ESRI GIS
SOFTWARE ANNUAL MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT/ESRI, INC.
The Acting City Clerk read a report from the Information Technology Services Department regarding payment to ESRI, Inc. in the amount of $8,704.38 for the ESRI GIS Software Annual Maintenance Agreement. A motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Murphy to approve the maintenance agreement and authorize payment as recommended CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Alderman Brooks, Conroy, Pauley, Rockwell, White, Murphy, and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #14
The Acting City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department regarding the Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan recommending that Council approve the Plan, authorize staff to proceed with the FY2007 projects and begin engineering for the FY2008 projects.
Mayor Schwiebert spoke about some of the upcoming projects reflected in the CIP. He advised there is much needed attention to old and new parts of the City; however, the City takes a prudent and conservative approach to the plan and that the primary source for street improvements will be gaming revenue.
Mayor Schwiebert spoke of the Federally mandated $66 million project of the combined sewer/overflow remediation plan and that the City has hired a consulting group to seek federal money to assist with this project. He stated that the Midwest has the most infrastructure maintenance difficulties due to our freeze and thaw cycles each season, which is a large factor for street repairs and water main breaks. Mayor Schwiebert also commended the Public Works and Community and Economic Development Departments for their outstanding work performed in preparing this plan.
After discussion, a motion made by Alderman Austin and seconded by Alderman Conroy to approve the Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan and direct staff to begin implementation and engineering as recommended CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Alderman Brooks, Conroy, Pauley, Rockwell, White, Murphy, and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #15
The Acting City Clerk read a report from Community and Economic Development Department recommending that Council authorize a commitment of $135,000 to support Renaissance Rock Island. A motion made by Alderman Pauley and seconded by Alderman Austin to commit $135,000 to support Renaissance Rock Island as recommended CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Alderman Brooks, Conroy, Pauley, Rockwell, White, Murphy, and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #16
ALLEY VACATION/BETWEEN 8TH
and 9TH STREETS AND 9TH and 11TH AVENUES
The Acting City Clerk read a report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding a request from Habitat of Humanity Quad Cities to vacate a segment of an east/west alley between 8th and 9th Streets and 9th and 11th Avenues. A motion made by Alderman Murphy and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to approve the request as recommended and refer to the City Attorney for an Ordinance CARRIED on a Voice vote.
Agenda Item #17
SPECIAL USE PERMIT/1612 31ST
STREET
The Acting City Clerk read a report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding a request from Larry Pierce to apply for a Special Use Permit for operation of a small engine repair business at 1612 31st Street. A motion made by Alderman Murphy and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to allow Mr. Pierce to apply for a Special Use Permit as recommended CARRIED on a Voice vote.
Agenda Item #18
The Acting City Clerk read a report from the Police Department regarding a change to the CORA Ordinance Bonding Procedure. A motion made by Alderman Austin and seconded by Alderman Murphy to approve the changes and refer to the City Attorney for an Ordinance as recommended CARRIED on a Voice vote.
Agenda Item #19
STOP SIGN INSTALLATION/27TH
STREET and 20TH AVENUE
The Acting City Clerk read a report from the Traffic Engineering Department regarding installation of stop signs at 27th Street and 20th Avenue. A motion was made by Alderman Rockwell and seconded by Alderman Brooks to approve the request and refer to the City Attorney for an Ordinance. Alderman Rockwell advised his reasons for this request informing that south of 18th Avenue, within a few blocks on 27th Street, three out of four intersections have traffic control devices. The request is to change the direction of the signs from 27th Street to 20th Avenue.
Alderman White stated that there were no formal requests or signature from neighbors. Alderman Conroy urged citizens to come and voice their opinion on this request. Alderman Rockwell advised that he had talked with numerous area residents regarding this and is what led to this request. Alderman Brooks stated that during his tenure as Alderman he has requested numerous stop signs be installed at various locations, enhancing safety. After discussion, the motion as stated CARRIED on a Voice vote.
Agenda Item #20
The Acting City Clerk read a memorandum from Mayor Schwiebert recommending one new appointment to the Liquor Commission and five reappointments to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center Board and four reappointments to the Health Board Code of Appeals. A motion made by Alderman Conroy and seconded by Alderman White to approve the appointments and reappointments as recommended CARRIED on a Voice vote.
City Manager John Phillips stated that he had nothing to report this date.
OTHER BUSINESS
Alderman Brooks commented on several crimes that have happened recently in Rock Island and urged citizens to work together within their community and with the police department to help stamp out violence.
Alderman Austin commended the program held this morning at the Martin Luther King Center in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
A motion made by Alderman Austin and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to recess to Executive Session on a matter of Property Acquisition CARRIED on a Voice vote.
The meeting was recessed at 7:25
p.m.
RECESS
Mayor Schwiebert reconvened the regular meeting at 7:50 p.m. A motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Murphy to recess to Monday, January 23 at 5:00 p.m. CARRIED on a Voice vote.
The meeting was recessed at 7:52 p.m.
____________________________________
Cynthia A. Neiggemann, Acting City Clerk