The Rock Island City Council met in regular session at 6:45 p.m. on Monday, February 3, 2003, in the Council Chambers of Rock Island City Hall. Present were Mayor Pro-tem/Aldermen Terry M. A. Brooks I, presiding, and Aldermen David R. Conroy, John E. Bauersfeld, Vern L. Winter, Evelyn “Evie” R. White and Frank J. Forlini, Jr. Mayor Mark W. Schwiebert and Alderman Beth Y. Mahlo were absent.
INTRODUCTORY PROCEEDINGS
Mayor Pro-tem Brooks called the meeting to order and led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. Alderman Forlini gave the Invocation. A motion made by Alderman Forlini and seconded by Alderman Winter to approve the Minutes of the meeting of January 27, 2003, as printed CARRIED on a Voice vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Winter, White and Forlini. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #6
Mayor Pro-tem Brooks closed the regular meeting at 6:50 p.m. and opened a Public Hearing on a request from Elderly Living Development, Inc. for a Special Use Permit.
Chris Ales, Signature Development Company, spoke to Council about the project. He noted that they purchased the property about a year ago. Alderman Bauersfeld asked about the building time, and Mr. Ales responded that the plan is to obtain the funding by Spring, and have the building completed next Winter. He noted that he is the owner of Signature Development and the Signature Holding Company. He stated that they have already submitted the funding application. He noted that it is a competitive process, but he believes they have a competitive application.
Greg Champagne, Community and Economic Development Department Director, explained the tax rebate that was part of the original agreement, noting that there would be no change in the agreement. The tax rebate would be calculated as part of the increment under the agreement, and would be extended to approximately 2014.
Alderman Conroy asked if they received permits to build on the river, and Mr. Ales responded that they will be clearing that with the Corps of Engineers. He stated that they plan to complete the landscaping that the first owner planned but had not accomplished. He stated that they were fully occupied at the time of purchase, and some persons moved out when their lease expired due to promises made by the first owner. Mr. Ales stated that they are about 90% occupied at this time.
Mayor Pro-tem Brooks closed the Public Hearing and reconvened the regular meeting at 6:55 p.m. A motion made by Alderman Winter and seconded by Alderman Conroy to approve the Special Use Permit with the stipulations stated and refer to the City Attorney for an Ordinance CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Winter, White and Forlini. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #7
Mayor Pro-tem Brooks closed the regular meeting at 6:56 p.m. and opened a Public Hearing on a request from Tri-City Oil for a waiver of the signature requirement for a liquor license at 1501 7th Avenue.
Jangbir Thakur, 3929 Raleigh Avenue, spoke to Council about the request, stating that they went door to door to get the signatures. Alderman White stated that she had some concerns and called the owners, speaking to Mr. Thakur. She noted that he responded to her call quickly and stated that they will keep the people moving along and keep them from drinking on the property. She stated that they indicated that, if there is a problem, they would correct it. Mr. Thakur stated that they own four other properties in the Quad Cities and sell liquor at two of them.
Alderman Brooks expressed his concerns about selling liquor, stating that there are a number of liquor stores and bars in the area already. He noted that several of his constituents called and expressed concerns to him.
Sgt. Mike Sponsler, RIPD, stated that the background checks have been completed, and signatures have been obtained from all but one of the abutting property owners. He noted that Mr. Vanacker, who had not signed, finally called him late Friday, and did not indicate any concerns either way.
Alderman White stated that she also spoke to the owner of the AAA, who had talked to Mr. Thakur and the other owners. She indicated that he was comfortable with the way the store was going to be handled, and stated that he planned to talk to the owners personally if he had any problems or concerns. Sgt. Sponsler stated that Sheila and Mike Rind had signed the petition, and over the weekend, apparently had expressed concerns about loitering and trash at this location. He also read an e-mail received from Mr. Johnson stating his opposition to the waiver. Sgt. Sponsler noted that Mr. Johnson did not own property that abutted the location in question.
Reverend Donald W. Johnson, 1108 Fourth Avenue, stated that he lives five blocks from the establishment. He stated that the number of liquor establishments is excessive, and expressed concerns about broken bottles, litter, discarded cans, etc. as well as those people who will be hanging out at this location. He stated that he is not against the business, but is against the excess of selling liquor in this area.
Ruth Johnson, 713 14 ˝ Street, stated that she lives three blocks away, and was not approached to sign a petition. She stated that she is against selling liquor at this location.
Mr. Thakur stated that they would call the authorities right away if someone drinks in the car as they are driving away. He stated that they will also make sure there is no loitering on the property, and they have upgraded cameras and bright lights. Alderman Winter clarified that they would be selling packaged liquor, and no open containers. Alderman White noted that Buck’s is a tavern and not a liquor store. She noted that she did not believe that a good business should suffer because of the problems caused by another business.
Mayor Pro-tem Brooks closed the Public Hearing and reconvened the regular meeting at 7:25 p.m. A motion made by Alderman Winter and seconded by Alderman Bauersfeld to waive the signature requirement and recommend approval of the liquor license to Mayor Schwiebert CARRIED on a Voice vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Winter, White and Forlini. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #7b
The City Clerk read a report from the City Clerk regarding the signature requirement of the City as property owner on the liquor license petition of Tri-City Oil Company. A motion made by Alderman Bauersfeld and seconded by Alderman Winter to authorize the City Manager to sign the petition on behalf of the City CARRIED on a Voice vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Winter, White and Forlini. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #8
The City Clerk read a Special Ordinance declaring the slurry truck currently being utilized as surplus equipment to be traded for purchase of replacement vehicle. A motion made by Alderman Forlini and seconded by Alderman Winter to consider, suspend the rules and pass the Ordinance CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Winter, White and Forlini. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #9a
The City Clerk read a report from the Personnel Department recommending payment to Pappas and Schnell in the amount of $14,062.30 for legal services during the months of November and December.
Agenda Item #9b
The City Clerk read a report from the Finance Department recommending payment to Auto Cad and Civil Series in the amount of $4,848.00 for the annual maintenance agreement.
Agenda Item #9c
The City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department recommending payment to Gardner, Carton and Douglas in the amount of $21,141.48 for legal services in connection with the Wastewater Treatment Plant Compliance Program.
Agenda Item #9d
The City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department recommending payment to AMEC Earth and Environmental in the amount of $22,963.93 for services relating to the Phase I Stormwater Utility job.
A motion made by Alderman Forlini and seconded by Alderman White to accept the reports and authorize payments as recommended CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Winter, White and Forlini. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #10
The City Clerk read the claims for the week of January 24 through 30 in the amount of $940,677.52. A motion made by Alderman Forlini and seconded by Alderman Winter to allow the claims CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Winter, White and Forlini. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #11
CUSTODIAL SERVICES
CONTRACT/BIDS
The City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department regarding the Custodial Services Contract, recommending that the Public Works Department be authorized to proceed with obtaining Custodial Contract bids for the 2003/2004 fiscal year. A motion made by Alderman Forlini and seconded by Alderman White to authorize staff to proceed with the Custodial Contract bids for the coming fiscal year as recommended CARRIED on a Voice vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, White and Forlini. NAYS: Alderman Winter.
Agenda Item #12
The City Clerk read a report from the Traffic Engineering Committee regarding a request from Greg Mosely of Harris Pizza to change the no parking zone on the east side of 39th Street north of 14th Avenue to a loading zone, and to extend the zone an additional twenty five feet north, recommending that the no parking zone remain, and a loading zone be established in the area twenty five feet north of the existing no parking zone. Greg Mosely clarified his request, stating that he wanted a no parking/loading zone from the corner to an additional twenty-five feet north of the existing no parking area. A motion made by Alderman Winter and seconded by Alderman Conroy to approve the request and refer to the City Attorney for an Ordinance was on the floor when this item was deferred January 27. Motion CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Winter, White and Forlini. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #13
The
City Clerk read a report from the Traffic Engineering Committee regarding a
request from Merle Jackson for a parking ban on the north side of 7th
Avenue between 38th and 39th Streets. Merle Jackson was present and explained the
reasons for his request. Following
discussion, a motion made by Alderman Bauersfeld and seconded by Alderman
Forlini to approve the request and refer to the City Attorney for an Ordinance
CARRIED on a Voice vote. AYES
Agenda Item #14
The City Clerk read a report from the Traffic Engineering Committee regarding a request from Dan Carmody for diagonal parking on Third Avenue between 19th and 20th Street, and 23rd Street between 4th and 5th Avenues, recommending denial of the request at this time. Jennifer Fowler, of the District, spoke on behalf of Dan Carmody who was unable to be present. She stated that the request was presented as the result of requests from businesses along that area. She suggested that staff contact Metro Link to see if they really need all the space for buses at that location, stating that some of the space could then be used for parking. A motion was made by Alderman Winter and seconded by Alderman White to deny the request as recommended. Following the discussion with Ms. Fowler, a motion made by Alderman Bauersfeld and seconded by Alderman Conroy to DEFER this for two weeks CARRIED on a Voice vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Winter, White and Forlini. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #15
The City Clerk read a report from the City Clerk regarding a request from the Rock Island County to close off Third Avenue between 15th and 16th Streets beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25 for the purpose of returning election ballots. A motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Winter to approve the request CARRIED on a Voice vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Winter, White and Forlini. NAYS: None.
U.C.R. REPORT
City Manager John C. Phillips called attention to the December 2002 and Year-End U.C.R. Report from Police Chief Terry Dove. He also pointed out the copy of the letter from the Community Health Care, Inc. updating the progress made toward opening a new clinic in Rock Island.
He also called attention to a letter he distributed earlier from the Illinois Department of Transportation regarding the proposed Milan Beltway Extension.
This letter was in response to a letter of concern sent by the Mayor and Council earlier expressing their concerns about the traffic capacity. The letter also stated that they will forward a copy of the engineering to the City, along with a construction staging plan showing the anticipated traffic impacts while the work is being performed. He also indicated that they are investigating the program changes that will allow the expansion of Illinois Route 5 from 24th Street to 38th Street to be closely coordinated with the Beltway Extension work.
Alderman White read an e-mail message that was sent from Dan Smith, a visitor to Rock Island, commending the city for the friendly people and the cleanliness of the city.
Alderman Winter asked about a water bill that was paid at Hy-Vee on the due date, but the resident was charged late fees because the money did not reach City Hall until the next day. City Manager John Phillips noted that the customers have been credited on their next bill when that happened in the past. Alderman Winter stated that it occurred last Tuesday. Claire Dubuisson, IS Manager, stated that the credit would be applied the next day, and the resident would not be aware of this until he received his next bill. Mr. Phillips indicated that he would look into this further also.
Pam Spencer, 1826 29th Street, spoke to Council about the proposed anti-war resolution, suggesting that Council think about taking a leadership role against the war because of the economic ramifications. She spoke about the impact a war would have on the community, and read a list of some of the fifty-seven communities that have already adopted a similar resolution.
Daniel VanThournout, 1332 25th Avenue, Rock Island, shared his thoughts about nuclear policy. Chris Dunn, 1316 Second Avenue, spoke to Council about passing the Resolution. He asked if one Council member could place it on the Agenda, and Mr. Phillips explained that it would be up to the City Council members to make a motion to place it on the Agenda for action at a future meeting, but they would need to have a majority vote to do this.
Alderman Winter stated that he was not supportive of the Resolution because he did not know enough about national security and national defense. He talked about the anti-American attitude, which he said has been there a long time. He added that, unless more succinct information is presented, he cannot support the Resolution.
Alderman Brooks spoke about the constitutional right to voice opinions, and stated that the majority of the people who will go to war are those who don’t understand it in the first place. He indicated that he would not be comfortable putting it on the agenda at this time, and suggested that he would talk to Mayor Schwiebert about it when he returns.
A motion made by Alderman Conroy and seconded by Alderman White to recess to Executive Session on a matter of Property Acquisition CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Winter, White and Forlini. NAYS: None.
The meeting was recessed at 8:10 p.m.
Mayor Pro-tem Brooks reconvened the regular meeting at 8:30 p.m. A motion made by Alderman Winter and seconded by Alderman Bauersfeld to recess to Monday, February 10 at 5:00 p.m. CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Winter, White and Forlini. NAYS: None.
The meeting was recessed at 8:31 p.m.
___________________________
Jeanne F. Paggen, City Clerk