The Rock Island City Council met in reconvened session at 5:00 p.m. for Study Session on Monday, February 28 in the Personnel Conference Room of 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 and Public Works Director Bob Hawes. Others present included Brandon Koltz and Willie Gonwa of Triad Engineering.
City Manager John C. Phillips reminded Council members of the Springfield trip planned for this week. He noted that Kevin Koski and Bill Nelson will be driving and others are invited to ride with them.
Brandon Koltz and Willy Gonwa of Triad Engineering presented a status report and update on the Long Term Control Plan. Mr. Koltz noted that the CSO (Combined Sewer Overflow) was a requirement by the EPA as part of the consent decree. He noted that numerous planning documents have already met deadlines and been submitted to the USEPA and have been approved. He stated that the facilities to be built and the schedule would be established in the Long Term Control Plan. All projects are to be complete and fully operable by September 2018.
Mr. Koltz discussed the location of the system facilities, which are at the Mill Street Treatment Plant, four Combined Sewer Overflows near the downtown to Sylvan Slough, one CSO to Blackhawk Creek near the Rock River, and the discharge from Saukie and Franciscan store treat basins. He reviewed the overview of the Planning, and noted that some of this has already been done. Future planning objectives include public involvement, including a public informational meeting to be held in the fall. He noted that meetings have been held with the Water Resources Advisory Committee, and the reports and presentations are available on Triad’s website which is linked through the City website. He noted that articles/communication through the print and electronic media in the latter half of the year will be beneficial.
Mr. Gonwa discussed the findings on the water quality at various locations, noting that the city has already corrected improper connections and repaired defects when they are located. He discussed findings on the rainfall characteristics and sewer flow, and pointed out the areas of the city where more rain is captured by modeled basins. He discussed the outfall locations and noted the task for each, identifying outfall 003, 004, 005 and 006 as those that need to be relocated or eliminated.
Mr. Koltz discussed potential control technologies, which must be examined per the Consent Decree. These techniques included taking no action, partial or full separation of a combined area as in the downtown area, removal of storm water sources at Saukie and Franciscan, removal of river infiltration, consolidation of outfalls and/or new interceptor sewers. Others included new relief sewers, storage or equalization basins, new high rate treatment and disinfection, and increased secondary treatment at the Waste Water Treatment Plant.
Mr. Koltz discussed treatment options and treatment issues. Council will be kept informed of any changes or updates. He noted that Council comment is invited, and other citizen comment will be solicited. He discussed the cost and schedule, noting that the implementation schedule will have associated costs and cash flow; the project should be constructed in a logical fashion so the full benefit of new facilities is realized, and the schedule will attempt to minimize large variations in annual costs. Financing mechanisms will have to be identified, and user costs and rate increases needed to support the program over time will be identified and discussed with the City Council, City Manager and other stakeholders.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Brooks to adjourn the meeting CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Austin. 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, February 28 in the Personnel Conference Room of 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.
INTRODUCTORY
PROCEEDINGS
Mayor Schwiebert called the meeting to order, lead in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and gave the Invocation. A motion made by Alderman Rockwell and seconded by Alderman White to approve the Minutes of the meeting of February 21 as printed CARRIED on a Voice vote.
ORDINANCE
Agenda Item #6
RIGHT OF WAY/15
AVENUE, EAST OF 44 STREET
The City Clerk read a Special Ordinance vacating 15th Avenue Right of Way East of 44th Street. A motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Bauersfeld to consider, suspend the rules and pass the Ordinance CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #7a
The City Clerk read a report from the Personnel Department recommending payment to Ancel, Glink, Diamond, Bush, Dicianni and Rolek in the amount of $8,897.74 for legal services for the month of January.
Agenda Item #7b
The City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department recommending payment to Great Western Supply Company in the amount of $7,976.28 and Amsan Vonachen Elton in the amount of $1,432.60 for janitorial supplies.
A motion made by Alderman Austin and seconded by Alderman Conroy to accept the reports and authorize payments as recommended CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #8
The City Clerk read the claims for the week of February 18 through 24 in the amount of $248,449.66. A motion made by Alderman Conroy and seconded by Alderman Bauersfeld to allow the claims CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #9
The City Clerk read a report from the Information Technology Services Department recommending purchase of the hardware and software required to implement Internet registration of Park and Recreation Activities, and authorization to proceed with the project as outlined. A motion made by Alderman Conroy and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to authorize purchase and payment of the hardware and software and to proceed with the project as recommended CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #10
The City Clerk read a memorandum from Mayor Schwiebert recommending the appointments of Alderman White and Police Chief Terry Dove to the Rock Island County Joint Animal Shelter Committee. Alderman White asked if she was allowed to vote on this since she was being named to the Committee. City Attorney Konecky responded that she can vote, since she will not be benefiting financially from this. A motion made by Alderman Rockwell and seconded by Alderman Conroy to approve the appointments CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item# 11
PLAZA EVENTS/APPLICATIONS
The City Clerk read a report from the City Clerk regarding the Plaza Events to be schedule for the coming season, and requests for a waiver of the event fees for the four Gallery Hops including Blue Christmas, and application fees and event fees for the Metro Arts Program sponsored by Quad City Arts.
Kyle Peters, owner of the Daiquiri Factory, spoke to Council regarding a late request for an event on May 14. He indicated that he had not completed the paperwork yet but had met with the sponsors, and the event would be a benefit for the Red Cross. His plans include a dodge ball tournament, and members of the team would be paying to participate – with that money going to the Red Cross in addition to other moneys collected for the concerts at night. He plans to have a band on the east stage on Friday night – following registration for the Dodge Ball. He wanted to have a band on Saturday as well, but that date has been booked by RIBCO for a concert.
RIBCO owner Terry Tilka stated that he submitted his applications on time and he did not have every weekend, since some are being used for District events and the Summer Fest. He indicated that bands are booked early in the year for dates in May. Mr. Peters stated that his father has contacts through his business in Texas and he named three bands that he will be trying to get to come to the District for his event. He also stated that he wanted to use Lot F for the Dodge Ball tournament.
Mayor Schwiebert suggested that perhaps they put the band Saturday night on 18th Street on a portable stage area, indicating that this has been done in the past. Mr. Peters will submit his application to the City Clerk and will keep her informed of his progress for the event. Arrangements will be made to close off 18th Street as needed.
Following discussion, a motion made by Alderman Conroy and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to approve the events and approve the waiver of the fees as recommended CARRIED on a Voice vote.
Agenda Item #12
The City Clerk read a report from the City Clerk regarding an event scheduled by the Gamma Alpha Beta Fraternity of Augustana College to be held at the Hilltop Tavern on Saturday, March 19 from Noon to 5:00 p.m., with the stipulations of required fencing and wristbands as outlined. Tyler Goodbred, of Augustana College, spoke to Council regarding the plans for the event. He noted that the College has asked them to have one off-campus event per year, and most of the other fraternities and sororities use bars in other cities. He stated that they selected the Hilltop because students would not have to be driving, and he along with five other members of the Fraternity, will be acting as security to make sure those underage will not be drinking. He stated that he talked with Sgt. Sponsler as well as the City Clerk and the Kavanaugh’s.
Mayor Schwiebert clarified that they would be using wristbands for those 21 and over, and a mark with a pen will be made on the hands of those under 21. He added that two fences would be put up – one for the entrance to the event, and a second one inside that fence where the alcohol will be sold. He emphasized that no one under the age of 21 is allowed to be in the second fenced area at any time. There will also be two off-duty Rock Island Police Officers present for security also. Alderman White expressed her concern that this would be allowing underage drinking, adding that if the letter from the Augustana College Dean had not been included, she would have been voting against this event.
Following discussion, a motion made by Alderman Austin and seconded by Alderman Bauersfeld to approve the event with the stipulations stated CARRIED on a Voice vote.
Agenda Item #13
The City Clerk read a report from the City Clerk regarding an application for the annual Girl Scouts of the Mississippi Valley Race and a request to waive the cost of the Police for traffic control for the event, recommending approval of the event and denial of the waiver of the cost of the Police for traffic control for the event.
A motion was made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Brooks to approve the application and deny the request to waive the cost of the Police for traffic control for the event.
Alderman Bauersfeld stated that he would be voting against the motion, because this was a worthy organization and the event brought people to the downtown area. City Manager John Phillips pointed out the information contained with the report regarding the cost of the Police Officers used for traffic control and security for the various events. Council member discussed this, and following discussion, Alderman Brooks withdrew his second to the motion. Alderman Austin asked if Council was willing to waive these fees for all not-for-profits, and the response was that it would be done on a case-by-case basis. With no other second, the motion failed.
A motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Brooks to approve the application and approve the waiver of the fees for the Police for traffic control for the event CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Austin. NAYS: None.
MANAGEMENT REPORT
Bill Scott, Finance Director, reviewed the Management Report from January. He noted that there are not a lot of changes from the December report. He stated that he anticipates the Utility Tax to be closer to budget by the end of the fiscal year. He discussed the Health Fund, stating that last Friday, they met with the Health Committee and shared some financial information with them. He stated that this year they anticipate a loss of $250,000, noting that if the trend continues, this loss could increase to $470,000.00. He called attention to the funds that are showing losses in revenue – wastewater, bridge and the Marina.
Aldermen White and Bauersfeld volunteered to work on the Volunteer Dinner.
Mayor Schwiebert indicated that the City Council had a budget meeting last Saturday and will be meeting again this Saturday at 8:00 a.m. to discuss the remainder of the budget with each department.
Mayor Schwiebert also congratulated the Alleman High School Girls Basketball Team for winning the Class A High School State Championship. He also congratulated the Alleman Boys Wrestling Team for placing second in the State Championships at the same time Saturday evening. He noted that a sign will be requested for the Girls Basketball Team just as one was requested for the Alleman Boys Cross Country Team and presented last week at the City Council meeting.
Alderman Rockwell expressed appreciation to everyone who contributed to the Adopt A Unit project for Easter Care Packages for the National Guard 2-123 Artillery Unit that has been adopted by the City of Rock Island. He read the list of names of those who allowed containers to be placed in their businesses as well as those contributing to the project through providing the boxes and monetary donations in the containers as well as those who contributed larger amounts by check. He also thanked those who are paying for the postage to mail these packages.
Alderman White announced that there is going to be a Sixth Ward Meeting Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church. The event will begin with a Chili Supper (Free) followed by a program presented by City staff and officials who will be discussing new programs and items of interest to the residents. Former Alderperson Ann Keefe will be present so people can express their appreciation to her for the time she served as their representative on the City Council.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
A motion made by Alderman Austin and seconded by Alderman Conroy to recess to Executive Session on matters of Personnel CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Austin. NAYS: None.
The meeting was recessed at 7:30 p.m.
RECESS
Mayor Schwiebert reconvened the regular meeting at 8:30 p.m. A motion made by Alderman Rockwell and seconded by Alderman Brooks to recess to Saturday, March 5 at 8:00 a.m. for Budget Session CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Austin. NAYS: None.
The meeting was recessed at 8:32 p.m.
__________________________
Jeanne F. Paggen, City Clerk