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. Alderman Conroy gave the Invocation. A motion made by Alderman Austin and seconded by Alderman Murphy to approve the Minutes of the meeting of February 6, 2006 as printed CARRIED on a Voice vote.
PRESENTATIONS
Agenda Item #6
LAW ENFORCEMENT HERO AWARD
Chief John Wright spoke about the September 2005 devastation of Hurricane Katrina and how the Illinois Task Force’s Regional Response Team responded to that emergency. Chief Wright advised that Rock Island Police Officer Ben Smith, a task force member, went to Louisiana for 14 days to assist in the cleanup process. Members of the Community Caring Conference Committee presented Officer Smith with a Law Enforcement Hero Award.
Agenda Item #7
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD
Mayor Schwiebert and City Manager John Phillips presented Community and Economic Development/Planning & Redevelopment Department employee, Lisa Ahern, with the 2005 4th Quarter Employee Recognition Award. Mr. Phillips stated that Ms. Ahern is the City’s grant and website coordinator and has been employed with the City for the past three years. He advised that she is receiving this award for her incredible job of coordinating, revising and ultimately receiving approval of the City’s application to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for funding from the Lead-Based Paint Treatment Program. He advised that this program will not only help the City of Rock Island but involves the City’s partners which includes, GROWTH, Project NOW, City of Moline, and the Rock Island County Health Department.
Agenda Item #8
BUDGET/FINANCE DEPARTMENT
City Manager John Phillips presented the City’s Fiscal Year 2006-2007 Budget. Mr. Phillips stated that the budget goals are to provide a high level of quality services, maintain or strengthen the City’s financial condition, and achieve City Council’s targeted priorities. He gave an overview of all the City’s revenue and expense trends and advised of increasing expense concerns, which include employee wages, health insurance and pension costs. Mr. Phillips addressed property tax issues and recommendations, as well as the decline in monies from the Community Development Block Grant
program. He noted the City’s bond rating and stated that the City has gone from no rating in 1996 (due to economical difficulties) to an A-1 rating in 2004 and still holding in 2006. Mr. Phillips advised of the budget work sessions scheduled for Saturday February 25 and March 4 and thanked Finance Director Bill Scott and Assistant Niki Fallon for their hard work and efforts in preparing the budget and also a thank you to all the department managers and their staff for their hard work and timely input of budget items.
Mayor Schwiebert commented on the City’s continued fiscal responsibility and strong track record and how, even with the reduction in staff, the City has continued with its high standards of service.
PUBLIC HEARING
Agenda Item #9
AMENDMENT OF EXISTING
SPECIAL USE PERMIT/1902 17th STREET
Mayor Schwiebert closed the regular meeting at 7:13 p.m. and opened a Public Hearing on a request from Natalie Gendron (Gendron Advertising Inc.) and John Mass to amend an existing Special Use Permit for 1902 17th Street.
Ms. Gendron, 111 E. 3rd Street, Davenport, Iowa, reviewed her request for the Special Use Permit Amendment. She noted that the property will be used to operate her advertising business with an office on the first floor and that she and Mr. Mass will reside in the second floor residential space. She advised that the business would employ the one resident employee and one non-resident part-time employee with hours of operation to be 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Mayor Schwiebert read the stipulations for approval of this request, to which Ms. Gendron advised said stipulations were reasonable and acceptable. Alderman White inquired as to whether Ms. Gendron’s clients come to her office, to which Ms. Gendron advised that she generally goes to her client’s offices. Alderman White stated that this is a residential area and inquired as to a reasonable time the lighted sign would be extinguished in the evening. Ms. Gendron advised that the lighted sign’s main purpose is to identify her location and advertising, and advised that the lighting was already in existence on the property. Ms. Gendron requested 9:00 p.m. as a reasonable time for extinguishing the sign’s light.
With no other persons present to speak in favor of, or in opposition to, the Special Use Permit Amendment, Mayor Schwiebert closed the Public Hearing and reconvened the regular meeting at 7:18 p.m.
A motion made by Alderman Austin and seconded by Alderman Pauley, to approve the Special Use Permit Amendment with the conditions referred to in the memo, as well as the 9:00 p.m. stipulation of the sign’s light to be extinguished, and refer to the City Attorney for an Ordinance, CARRIED on a Voice vote.
ORDINANCES
Agenda Item #10
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER
3/EXTENDED HOURS FEE
The City Clerk read an Ordinance amending Chapter 3 of the Code of Ordinances. Alderman Austin inquired as to what exactly was done to this particular Ordinance. City Manager Phillips advised that this Ordinance was amended to clarify the interpretation of a section regarding “Extended Hours”.
After discussion, a motion made by Alderman White 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.
Agenda Item #11
HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACE/1210
17TH STREET
The City Clerk read an Ordinance establishing a handicapped parking space at 1210 17th Street. A motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Rockwell 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.
CLAIMS
Agenda Item #12
The City Clerk read a report from the Finance Department recommending payment to RSM McGladrey in the amount of $3,148.00 for professional services. A motion made by Alderman Rockwell and seconded by Alderman Pauley 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 #13
The City Clerk read the claims for the week of February 3 through February 9 in the amount of $393,466.95. A motion made by Alderman Conroy seconded by Alderman Pauley to allow the claims CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Alderman Brooks, Conroy, Pauley, Rockwell, White, Murphy, and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #14
BIDS FOR K-9
REPLACEMENT/VOHNE LICHE KENNELS
The City Clerk read a report from the Police Department regarding bids for K-9 replacement recommending that the bid be awarded to the low bidder, Vohne Liche Kennels, in the amount of $4,999.00. A motion made by Alderman Rockwell and seconded by Alderman White to award the bid as recommended and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents CARRIED on a
Roll Call vote. AYES: Alderman Brooks, Conroy, Pauley, Rockwell, White, Murphy, and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #15
BIDS FOR
RIVERVISION LOCK AND DAM 15 LIGHTING PROJECT/RDG
The City Clerk read a report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding bids for RiverVision Lock and Dam 15 Lighting Project recommending that the bid be awarded to RDG. A motion made by Alderman Rockwell and seconded by Alderman Conroy to award the bid as recommended and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Alderman Brooks, Conroy, Pauley, Rockwell, White, Murphy, and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #16
The City Clerk read a report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding a Development Agreement with Rock Island Industrial Partners supporting construction of a 45,000 square foot building for Norcross Safety Products, recommending that the City Manager be authorized to execute the development agreement. Mayor Schwiebert advised that a press conference was held last week regarding this project and how this new project will retain 40 jobs and create 6 new jobs with future growth possibilities. Alderman White commended Phil Scott of Rock Island Industrial Partners for his continued support in Rock Island growth.
After discussion, a motion made by Alderman Conroy and seconded by Alderman White to approve the development agreement and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Alderman Brooks, Conroy, Pauley, Rockwell, White, Murphy, and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #17
The City Clerk read a Report from General Administration regarding City’s Federal Agenda prepared by The Ferguson Group recommending that the agenda be approved and that staff be directed to work with the Congressional delegation and their staff to seek funding support for these important projects. Mayor Schwiebert gave an overview of this item indicating The Ferguson Group has been retained as the City’s Washington consultant and their efforts to request and attract Federal dollars for important City projects (a major one being the costly USEPA-mandated sewer project).
After discussion, a motion made by Alderman Pauley and seconded by Alderman Conroy to approve the agenda and directives as recommended CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Alderman Brooks, Conroy, Pauley, Rockwell, White, Murphy, and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #18
RENTAL PROPERTY
IMPROVEMENT LOAN/1421 SIXTH AVENUE
The City Clerk read a Report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding a request for a commitment from the City Council for a Rental Property Improvement Loan in the amount of $5,500.00 at 1421 Sixth Avenue. A motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Murphy to commit $5,500.00 for the Rental Property Improvement Loan as recommended CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Alderman Brooks, Conroy, Pauley, Rockwell, White, Murphy, and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #19
SOUND AMPLIFICATION
APPLICATION/3624 BLACKHAWK ROAD
The City Clerk read a report from the City Clerk regarding a Sound Amplification application for Friday, February 24 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 3624 Blackhawk Road. A motion made by Alderman Rockwell and seconded by Alderman Austin to approve the Sound Amplification CARRIED on a Voice vote.
City Manager Phillips gave an update on the findings of a request to the Public Works Department as to the condition of the sodding and manhole settlings along 17th Street from 25th to 31st Avenues. As of February 8, 2006 the sod was found to be in a healthy, dormant state and the manhole conditions are within normal, acceptable construction tolerances and do not need adjustment at this time. The contract documents for this project include a two-year maintenance bond and periodic monitoring will be performed.
Mr. Phillips also gave an update on the 85th Avenue West Reconstruction of Rock Island Parkway to Turkey Hollow Road. He advised that the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is evaluating the project’s design report and that IDOT’s approval must be received before the certification and purchase of any agreed upon right of way purchase. He informed that further updates would be forthcoming as the process continues.
OTHER BUSINESS
Alderman Conroy inquired as to how the first week of the new refuse program fared. Public Works Director Assistant Tim Ridder advised that the program is going better than expected. He informed that during the first week any placement errors were noted and tagged on the carts with trash being picked up; however, repeat offenses during the second week will be noted and tagged with no trash pick up. He also reminded that lids need to be completely shut, carts placed 1 foot from the alley or street with 3 feet on remaining sides to avoid any damage.
Alderman White added that it was quite impressive to see how this new truck/machine operates and she can understand how fewer injuries should occur with this new program and also that there is less debris left behind.
Alderman Austin presented a copy of the current River Reader showing an article that Rock Island’s Mayor Mark Schwiebert was voted best elected official.
RECESS
A motion made by Alderman Brooks and seconded by Alderman Murphy to recess to Monday, February 20 at 5:00 p.m. CARRIED on a Voice vote.
The meeting was recessed at 7:40 p.m.
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Cynthia A. Neiggemann, City Clerk