The Rock Island City Council met in reconvened session on Saturday, February 26 at 8:00 a.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of Rock Island City Hall. Present were Mayor Mark W. Schwiebert, presiding, and Aldermen Terry M. A. Brooks I, David A. Conroy, John E. Bauersfeld, Jr., Daniel Rockwell, Evelyn "Evie" R. White, and Charles "Chuck" Austin. Staff present included City Manager John C. Phillips, Finance Director Bill Scott, and Administrative Secretary to Finance Director Niki Fallon, Accountant Tim Banks, Information Technology Director Claire Dubuisson, and Personnel Director/Assistant to the City Manager John Thorson. Other staff entered the room at various times of the morning pertinent to their presentations.

BUDGET OVERVIEW

Finance Director Bill Scott discussed the budget document, pointing out various sections that were added this year. He indicated that March 7, an ordinance to adjust the Property Tax Ordinance, reducing the Property Tax Levy from the original increase proposed in December. A Public Hearing on the budget is scheduled for Monday, March 14, and the budget is to be adopted March 21. Council discussed the severance pay included in the budget, and asked about the effect for the coming years. It was noted that the current staff consists of several long-term employees who were not part of the changes made for severance, but in future years, the changes made will have an impact on lowering the overall severance packages. Alderman Conroy requested a list of department numbers by fund. Council looked at the graphs depicting the property tax rates and the sales tax, and Alderman Rockwell asked if the two taxes could be included on the same graph for comparison purposes.

Mr. Scott stated that the current tables on pages 13 and 14 indicate the Cash Flow and the Net Income from the revenue and expenditures as of December 31. He noted that there would be updated tables distributed next Saturday to reflect more accurate numbers. Council discussed the Gasoline Tax, and Mr. Scott noted that they have learned that not all the gasoline taxpayers have paid their fees. They are attempting to contact other gasoline taxpayers who owe money.

MARTIN LUTHER KING COMMUNITY CENTER

Jerry Jones, King Center Director, reviewed their budget and goals. He indicated that they have no changes planned in staffing and discussed the impact of a decrease in CDBG funds. He stated that, if CDBG funds are discontinued, it will have a huge impact on the King Center and would make it necessary to cut programs as well as staff. He also noted that the planned expansion would be impacted if the CDBG funds were to be cut. He discussed the HOPE VI grant, and noted that they planned to receive some funds from that grant. He stated that the portion they would receive would be used to assist people in their job searches and preparation.

POLICE DEPARTMENT

RIPD Chief Terry Dove, and Captain Scott Harris, Captain Don Reichert and Captain John Wright entered the meeting at this time to discuss their budget. Chief Dove noted that there are few significant changes in this budget. He discussed the elimination of the CAPE Program, and the program that has been initiated to replace that program.

He stated that Officer Buzz Robinson is working with the Community Enhancement Team, and these officers utilize the old substation at Century Woods so they are visible there as well as some “hot spots” around the city. He noted that Auxiliary Officers would also be working with Officer Buzz Robinson this summer through this program. Officers on bicycles will also be utilized when weather permits.

Chief Dove discussed the interoperability of the radio communication center, stating that Rock Island is the first agency to have this accessibility. He discussed the changes in the Supplies fund, and noted that the increase in the DUI fines can only be allocated to law enforcement uses. He stated that they plan to allocate these funds for the digital in-car cameras this year. Not all Police Vehicles will have these cameras.

Chief Dove referred to the changes in the budget, noting that the Animal Shelter is in the budget since the new County Shelter is not built at this time. Once it is built and running, he said the savings would be in supplies and maintenance of the shelter. He added that the Community Service Officers who now work some of their hours in the Animal Shelter will be able to be out on the streets more and assist with the Abandoned Vehicles process. He noted that they are evaluating Police Calls, and some of the calls that Officers respond to can be done at the desk if there is no imminent danger. Captain Harris noted that the Police Officers speak to community groups and at least one is generally present at neighborhood meetings. He stated that they are putting together a Tip Sheet that identifies things that residents need to do to keep their property safe from burglary, such as not leaving property unattended, have good locks and lighting systems. He indicated that the Police Officers are being more pro-active with the community.

Council discussed the towing situation on Second Avenue in the District. Council suggested looking at making it a one-way street so cars can still exit in one direction. Chief Dove stated that not closing the street would create safety issues, and a one-way street could also create problems for the drivers.

COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Community and Economic Development Department Director Greg Champagne, Planning Administrator Alan Carmen, Special Projects Manager Sally Heffernan, and Building Inspector Tom Ayers were present for this portion of the meeting. Mr. Champagne discussed their budget as the various aspects related to each of the Council Goals. He discussed some of the projects for the coming year, including the gateways to the City and the proposed improvements being made in each of these areas. He noted that Schreiber Anderson would be at the Study Session March 7. Council asked about the property tax on the downtown apartments. Staff noted that the property taxes have increased for some of them already. Mr. Champagne discussed the Façade Program, noting that there is a 25% rebate for non-retail businesses and 50% for retail businesses for eligible costs, with a $15,000 cap on each project.

Mr. Champagne discussed the Marketing Campaign, noting that it will begin in late March. He discussed the CDBG funding and the effects the elimination of this program will have on the Economic Development Department, noting that eighteen of their staff members are partially or totally funded by CDBG funds.

The discussion of the Rental Property Inspection was the next topic. Mr. Ayers noted that registrations have been received from 1,808 buildings that have a total of 4,072 rental units. He estimated that this is about 70% of the estimated rental units in the city. He noted that they have hired one clerical person and one additional building inspector for the program.

LIBRARY

Library Director Ava Ketter and Assistant Library Director Amy Penry were present for this portion of the meeting. Ms. Ketter introduced the members of her Board who were present – Russ Kennel, Ruth Brunson, Nancy Hass, Deanne Thoms and Eudell Watts, as well as Alderman White. Ms. Ketter noted that the Library circulation is increasing. She stated that the Board members are concerned about not having any contingency, so they budgeted $20,000 in contingency to reserve for cushion for any capital expense.

Alderman Brooks left the meeting at 11:30 a.m.

Alderman Bauersfeld asked how tax money can be used for the Library, and City Manager John Phillips responded that the Library has an increase of $100,000 increase int eh tas rate. He noted that Gaming money is used for the Library and not the property taxes. Alderman White explained the concern about the old boiler, stating that it needs to be replaced. She noted the concern was for the damage it would do to the books as well as to the interior of the building if it broke. Council discussed adding this to a bond issue. Mr. Phillips suggested using Gaming money for the first year and each year for the next three years. Council asked for information on the reserves in both Parks and Library.

FINANCE

Finance Director Bill Scott, along with staff members Cathy Wouters, Kim Reda, Niki Fallon and Tim Banks were present for this portion of the meeting. Mr. Scott noted that one of the goals of the department is to have the GFOA award for the budget and audit. He explained that each year they send in the documents, the GFOA responds with suggestions for improvements and they attempt to incorporate them in the following year. He noted that they have received these for a number of years, more than other cities in the area.

Mr. Scott discussed the banking services, one of which now allow customers to pay their water bill through automatic withdrawal from their bank account. He explained the costs associated with paying the water bills by credit card. He noted that about 48% of the employees also have their paychecks deposited automatically, while about 86% of the retirees have them deposited automatically.

Mr. Scott explained the changes being made in staffing, noting that the Budget Supervisor position has been eliminated and a Customer Service person is being hired. This creates a savings in personnel costs as well as giving better customer service at the window.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Information Technology Director Claire Dubuisson and Assistant Director Tim Bain discussed their budget. They noted that Phase II for the Council Chambers is scheduled for the coming year, which will involve a second screen across from the current one, and a podium designed to accommodate the laptops used for the projections. Mr. Bain discussed the fiber optic cable system that is being implemented. Council asked why they don’t use the Mediacom cables, and Mr. Bain responded that the cost to use Mediacom cables was very high. He noted that the cables are being placed from City Hall to Public Works, with branches to the Central Fire Station as well as to the King Center. There will also be fiber optic cable laid from City Hall to the Library. They are looking at identifying various hot spots for mobile data terminals that can be utilized by the Police Department as well as others. Mr. Bain also explained the use of fiber optics as opposed to satellite systems, and stated that they may be doing some work with the school system also.

RECESS

Following discussion, a motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Conroy to recess to Monday, February 28 at 5:00 p.m. CARRIED on a Voice vote.

The meeting was recessed at 12:50 p.m.

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Jeanne F. Paggen, City Clerk