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 Conroy, Dennis E. Pauley, Stephen L. Tollenaer, Margie Mejia-Caraballo, Joy Murphy and Charles O. Austin III. City Manager John Phillips was also present. 

 

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. Alderwoman Murphy gave the Invocation. 

 

Agenda Item #5

Minutes of the Special Meeting of February 28, 2009 and Minutes of the Meeting of March 2, 2009.

 

A motion was made by Alderman Austin and seconded by Alderwoman Murphy to approve the Minutes of the Special Meeting of February 28, 2009 and Minutes of the Meeting of March 2, 2009 as written. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote; those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #6

Update Rock Island By Mayor Schwiebert.

 

Mayor Schwiebert gave a brief follow-up regarding the second budget session that was held on Saturday, March 7, 2009.  The Mayor stated that Fire, Parks, Public Works, Personnel and several other departments’ budgets were reviewed.  Mayor Schwiebert offered that the Parks Department indicated that RIFAC will be undergoing an expansion in this coming year to meet the continuing needs of a growing population that makes use of the facility. The Mayor added that Whitewater Junction Aquatic Center is doing very well compared to the competition in the other sister cities and against other aquatic centers in this part of the country.

 

Mayor Schwiebert stated that the Public Works Department indicated that the Hydropower Plant that was purchased last year has been upgrading to accommodate 55% of the City’s departments needs. It was noted that there has been a few delays in regards to the Hydropower Plant getting online due to the high river waters.  Mayor Schwiebert pointed out that all of the environmental clearances have been received from the EPA and all agreements have been worked out as it relates to MidAmerican Energy. It was noted that the City is in the process of getting the two (2) remaining reconditioned turbines online. Mayor Schwiebert stated that this will make the City greener in the future; and it will generate significant savings after the cost of the acquisition and installation is paid off. It will also be added revenue that the City will realize from the sale of energy credits.  The Mayor noted that $1,000.000.00 will be transferred from Motor Fuel Tax for street Maintenance.

Mayor Schwiebert mentioned that information was received from the IEPA regarding the high quality of drinking water within the City.

 

Mayor Schwiebert stated that the City received word that Rock Island received an award for excellence in financial reporting.

 

The Mayor concluded Update Rock Island by reminding everyone that on Saturday, March 14, 2009, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held.  The parade will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the intersection of 23rd Street and 4th Avenue in Rock Island and will cross the Centennial Bridge and end in Davenport, Iowa. The Mayor noted that this is the only Bi-State Parade in the United States.

 

Agenda Item #7

 Proclamation declaring the month of March, 2009 as American Red Cross Month.

 

Mayor Schwiebert made reference to the Proclamation declaring the month of March, 2009 as American Red Cross Month.

 

Agenda Item #8

A Special Ordinance declaring the current City-owned 1994 Ford F350 service body vehicles as surplus and allowing for disposal.

 

It was moved by Alderman Conroy, seconded by Alderwoman Murphy to consider, suspend the rules and pass the Ordinance declaring the current City-owned 1994 Ford F350 service body vehicles as surplus and allowing for disposal.   The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #9

A Special Ordinance declaring the current City-owned 1985 GMC 7000 dump truck as surplus and allowing for disposal.

 

It was moved by Alderman Conroy, seconded by Alderwoman Murphy to consider, suspend the rules and pass the Ordinance declaring the current City-owned 1985 GMC 7000 dump truck as surplus and allowing for disposal.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #10

CLAIMS

 

It was moved by Alderman Pauley, seconded by Alderwoman Murphy, to accept the following reports and authorize payment as recommended.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy and  Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

a.       Report from the Personnel Department regarding payment in the amount of $2,737.82 to Maria Almanza for General Liability Claims.

 

b.      Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $20,672.20 to Pro-dive, Inc. for dive services for inspection of the repaired raw water intake line. (052)

 

c.       Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $6,094.45 to C.H. Langman Son, Inc. for an emergency water main repair at 3202 26th Avenue. (063)

 

d.      Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $3,433.91 to C.H. Langman Son, Inc. for an emergency water main repair at 2606 45th Street. (064)

 

e.       Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $4,385.55 to Brandt Construction Company for an emergency water main repair at 2101 22nd ˝ Avenue. (065)

 

f.       Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $10,614.50 to USALCO for the purchase of Liquid Aluminum Sulfate. (067)

 

g.      Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $41,915.65 to the Illinois Department of Transportation for 11th Avenue repaving of 36th to 38th Streets. (068)

 

Agenda Item #11

Claims for the week of February 27 through March 5 in the amount of $283,623.28

 

Alderman Conroy moved and Alderman Pauley seconded to allow the claims. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #12

Report from the Finance Department regarding an adjustment to the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget, recommending an adjustment to the Wastewater Fund in the amount of $4,250.00.

 

Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo moved and Alderman Conroy seconded to approve the budget adjustment as recommended. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #13

Report from the Finance Department regarding the reallocation of unused proceeds of Series, 2008B General Obligation Bonds.

 

It was moved by Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, seconded by Alderwoman Murphy to authorize staff to reallocate the balance of the 2008B Series General Obligation Bonds not needed for the 1St Avenue Sewer Project to the Armory Park Project as recommended.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #14

Report from the Public Works Department regarding a Resolution appropriating $1,000,000.00 of Motor Fuel Tax funds for street maintenance.

 

Alderman Conroy moved and Alderwoman Murphy seconded to adopt the Resolution as recommended.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #15

Items from the City Manager’s Memorandum Packet.

 

City Manager John Phillips made reference to information that was distributed to Council regarding the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF). City Manager Phillips indicated that last year was not a good year for investments for the pension funds. It was noted that the 2008 investment return data for the IMRF is a negative 24.8%. Mr. Phillips offered that this loss will result in some significant increases in future years.  Mr. Phillips indicated that the report shows how the board of the IMRF is planning to try to level some of these future increases. Mr. Phillips added that the City will have an option of accepting a 10% increase next year, which is the best case for the City’s retirement fund obligations in the IMRF.

 

Mr. Phillips stated that included in the memo packet is a report from staff regarding Earth Hour 2009. Mr. Phillips offered that staff is inquiring upon Council for feedback and direction on whether or not the City of Rock Island should participate in Earth Hour.  It was noted that Earth Hour is set for Saturday, March 28, 2009 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. It was also noted that at this time, homes and businesses will be asked to turn off their lights. This is in cooperation with the cities around the globe.

 

 

Mr. Phillips stated that included in the memo packet is an update regarding the Hydropower   Plant concerning the expansion and planning of the facility.

 

Alderman Pauley thanked the City’s department heads for providing detailed information on their department’s budgets during the past two (2) budget sessions. 

 

Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo reminded everyone of the upcoming candidate’s forum sponsored by the NAACP, which will be held on Wednesday, March 11, 2009 beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Center.

 

Mayor Schwiebert mentioned that the budget sessions are a good opportunity for Council to visit with each individual department head and review each department’s budget and to find out what each department is doing in terms of progress and initiatives.

 

Alderman Austin made reference to the City’s media correspondent, Brandy Donaldson regarding media coverage of the budget sessions.

 

Alderwoman Murphy stated that two (2) more candidate forums would be held prior to the April 7, 2009 election.

 

Alderman Pauley offered that one of the forums would be held on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at Noon at the Botanical Gardens through the Development Association of Rock Island and the other forum  will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. though the Community Caring Conference at the Rock Island Library.

 

Alderwoman Murphy reminded everyone of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade to be held on Saturday, March 14, 2009. Alderwoman Murphy also acknowledged several students from Blackhawk College that were in attendance to observe the Council Meeting for their state and local government class.

 

Agenda Item #16

Other Business

 

Timothy Dooling of 832 14 ˝ Street stepped forward and voiced concerns regarding civil matters and Police issues.

 

Alderman Brooks read a memo regarding changing Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard from honorary to permanent. Alderman Brooks stated that Dr. King was a part of an effective change in America and it is time for a change.

 

Mayor Schwiebert stated that when this issue was first addressed to change the Martin Luther King Boulevard to permanent status, there was a requirement with the postal service regarding the changes in addresses concerning businesses and residents. Mayor Schwiebert then inquired upon staff for a report on what the impact would be for the name change and indicated that this item could be brought back to Council for review and action in the form of a Resolution.

Agenda Item #17

Executive Session on Property Acquisition.

 

A motion was made by Alderman Brooks, seconded by Alderwoman Murphy at 7:11 p.m. to recess to Executive Session on matters of Property Acquisition. The motion carried on a roll call vote. Those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none. 

 

Agenda Item #18

Recess

 

Mayor Schwiebert reconvened the regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. A motion was made by Alderman Brooks and seconded by Alderman Austin to recess to Monday, March 16, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

The meeting was recessed at 7:31 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           

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                                                                                   Aleisha L. Patchin, City Clerk