The Rock Island City Council met in regular session at 6:45 p.m. on Monday, March 17, 2003, in the Council Chambers of Rock Island City Hall. Present were Mayor Mark W. Schwiebert, presiding, and Aldermen Terry M. A. Brooks I, David R. Conroy, John E. Bauersfeld, Vern L. Winter, Evelyn “Evie” R. White and Frank J. Forlini, Jr. Alderman Beth Y. Mahlo was absent.
Mayor Schwiebert called the meeting to Order and led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. Glen Evans, Associate Minister at Greater Antioch Baptist Church, gave the Invocation. A motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Forlini to approve the Minutes of the meetings of March 8 and 10 CARRIED on a Voice vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Winter, White and Forlini. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #6
Mayor Schwiebert closed the regular meeting at 6:50 p.m. and opened a Public Hearing regarding the Budget for fiscal year 2003-2004.
Mayor Schwiebert noted that the past two Saturdays, the City Council has been reviewing the budget of each department. He then brought up Finance Director Bill Scott, who stated that the budget is started when the City Council meets for their Goal Setting sessions. He noted that the Council sets the goals, and these goals are then used in the preparation of the budgets. He stated that the budget is over seventy three million dollars, which is about a half million dollars less than last year. The decreases were in Capital projects, Supplies, Services and Programs, while the increases were in Personnel, which registered a 15% increase in Health Benefit costs as well as other increases in Pension Funds. Mr. Scott noted that the Municipal Services would be maintained at the high quality they have been in the past. He stated that the budget this year was a significant challenge, but the budget next year will be even more of a challenge with less to work with and fewer areas for decreases. He commended the Council and staff for the work that went into this budget to come up with a solid plan for 2004.
No one was present to speak for or against the budget.
Mayor Schwiebert closed the Public Hearing and reconvened the regular meeting at 7:05 p.m. He stated that the Budget Ordinance as well as the Tax Levy Ordinance would be on the Agenda for final approval at the Council Meeting on Monday, March 24.
Agenda Item #7
The City Clerk read an
Ordinance amending Article VII of Chapter 8 regarding the operation of bicycles
on the Great River Plaza.
A motion made by Alderman White 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 #8
CITY MANAGER/AGREEMENT
The City Clerk read a
Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with the City
Manager. A motion made by Alderman
Forlini and seconded by Alderman Winter to adopt the Resolution 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 Police Department recommending payment to Rock Island County
Metropolitan Mass Transit District in the amount of $13,623.00 for the cost of
providing buses for the 2002 ESO Christmas Lights Tour.
Agenda Item #9b
The City Clerk read a
report from the Public Works Department recommending payment to Valley
Construction in the amount of $93,359.99 for the 4th Avenue
Reconstruction Project.
Agenda Item #9c
The
City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department recommending payment
to SMO Sales and Service in the amount of $14,871.00 for the rebuild of the #6
sewage pump.
Referring
to Item #9a, Alderman Winter noted that it showed we have a good community when
the money for the ESO Christmas Light Tour is paid entirely from donations for
this event.
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
MARCH 7 THROUGH
13
The City Clerk read the claims for the week of March 7 through 13 in the amount of $725,094.33. A motion made by Alderman Forlini and seconded by Alderman White to allow the claims CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Winter, White and Forlini. NAYS: None.
BIDS/PURCHASE
Agenda Item #11
TELOG
INSTRUMENTS/HYDRANT PRESSURE
The City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department regarding quotations for the purchase of Telog hydrant pressure test equipment, recommending the purchase from Telog Instruments in the amount of $3,060.00. A motion made by Alderman Winter and seconded by Alderman Forlini to authorize purchase as recommended CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Winter, White and Forlini. NAYS: None.
CONTRACTS/AGREEMENTS
Agenda Item #12
McCLURE
ENGINEERING/ARMORY ROOF
The City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department regarding a contract with McClure Engineering in the amount of $5,500.00 for structural evaluation of the Armory Roof. Alderman White asked why this project was seeking a second evaluation. Public Works Director Bob Hawes responded that the structural engineer did an evaluation after the accident and indicated that the cost of the replacement of the roof deck would be about $300,000. He stated that, before that much money is spent, a second evaluation is needed. Alderman Winter noted that it wise to get a second evaluation. A motion made by Alderman Winter and seconded by Alderman Brooks to award the bid as recommended and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Winter, White and Forlini. NAYS: None.
COMMUNITY/ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
Agenda Item #13
GREEN’S DYNAMIC
GARDEN SECOND ADDITION/FINAL PLAT
The City Clerk read a report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding the final plat for Green’s Dynamic Garden Second Addition. A motion made by Alderman Bauersfeld and seconded by Alderman Conroy to approve the final plat subject to submittal of the required signed certificates CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Winter, White and Forlini. NAYS: None.
TRAFFIC
ENGINEERING
Agenda Item #14
THREE-HOUR
PARKING/14 AVENUE, 41 – 42 STREETS
The City Clerk read a report from the Traffic
Engineering Committee regarding a request from Alderman Forlini and Melody
Griffin for the elimination of the three-hour parking on the north side of 14th
Avenue between 41st and 42nd Street. Alderman Forlini
stated that he did not request this, but did call the Public Works Department
after Ms. Griffin had contacted him. He
agreed that the parking is tight in that area, and suggested to Ms. Griffin
that her tenant park on 41st Street. Alderman Winter recalled that this three hour parking was put in
place when a large group from that area came to the Council Meeting and
requested this parking limitation to assist them with some parking problems
they were having. Following discussion,
a motion made by Alderman Winter and seconded by Alderman Bauersfeld to deny
the request as recommended CARRIED on a Voice vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks,
Conroy, Bauersfeld, Winter, White and Forlini.
NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #15
MOTHER HUBBARD’S CUPBOARD/17 STREET, 18
AVENUE
The
City Clerk read a report from the Traffic Engineering Committee regarding a
request from Joe DePaepe to have the Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard parking lot at
17th Street and 18th Avenue under City Ordinance
control. A motion made by Alderman
Forlini and seconded by Alderman Winter to approve the request and refer to the
City Attorney for an Ordinance CARRIED on a Voice vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld,
Winter, White and Forlini. NAYS: None.
ITEMS FROM THE CITY MANAGER’S MEMORANDUM
City
Manager John Phillips announced that the search for a new Fire Chief has been
narrowed to two candidates – Jerry Shirk of Rock Island, and Kenneth E. Herout
of Lisle-Woodridge. He indicated that
they would both be interviewed later this month, and he plans to have the new
Chief on board by June 1.
OTHER BUSINESS
STORM WATER UTILITIES/NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATIONS
Ron
Stewart, 2516 36th Street, and pastor of Broadway Presbyterian
Church, spoke to Council on behalf of a group of persons from various faiths
and not-for profit religious organizations.
He requested that Council consider the Storm Water Utility fees as a tax
and not apply it to not-for-profit religious organizations and churches.
Pastor
Stewart discussed several reasons why the group felt that they should not have
to pay these fees, which he stated are taxes.
He pointed out that not-for-profit organizations and churches are exempt
from paying taxes in the state of Illinois.
He stated that the presentation to the Council has taken a while to put
together because when the issue was being discussed by the City Council, many
people were on vacation and not aware of this problem.
Pastor Stewart stated that they then decided
that they needed to gather information, which took some time, and they spent
time getting the worked out. He also stated
that several members of the group wanted to get to know their Council
representative better and get their perspective on the issue.
Pastor
Stewart then discussed “fairness”, stating that this is not a matter of
fairness, but rather the city should stay within the historic tradition of not
taxing churches and not-for-profit organizations. He presented a petition for exemption with 1,134 signatures, 460
of which are Rock Island homeowners.
The signatures were obtained at sixteen different religious
organizations or churches.
Public
Works Director Bob Hawes explained the Storm Water Utility, and discussed its
purpose. He noted that before this, the
storm water cost was based on sewer use, but the committee recommended that
storm water usage be based on impervious areas of a property, which would be a
more direct measurement of cost. He
stated that, like water and sewer, this utility is based on consumption. He noted that the QCIC, which is all
impervious area, would be paying $35,000 annually. He stated that the first bills will be mailed out in April, and
the Credit Manual will be available then also.
If someone objects to the cost being assessed them, they have a right to
appeal this. There is an appeal process
in place for these persons. They can
also call Public Works if they have questions.
Mr.
Hawes also responded to questions from Council. He explained that the Federal Government has required an increase
in methods to handle storm water, without providing a revenue stream to support
this cost. He stated that the Credit
Manual would result in some reductions or credits being applied for steps that
are taken to reduce the storm water runoff from the property. He also referred to a new product for
parking lots that provides an absorbent surface, and they plan to do the Sunset
Marina parking lot with this material that will absorb storm water.
Alderman
Winter stated that the largest commercial bill would be for the QCIC at
$35,000, and the residential bills will be about $52.00 per year. He asked about Moline. Mr. Hawes stated that they passed their
ordinance about a year ago, and they have exemptions on streets and railroads
only.
Keith
Smith, 8900 20th Street West, stated that there are no storm drains
in his neighborhood, and he put in some himself because of the water running
into his property from other properties.
He noted that there are a lot of properties in that area without storm
drains and the downstream properties have suffered. Alderman Bauersfeld stated that they are trying to work with
everyone in the City to minimize pollutants. He stated that the cities have to
control this because if it is not controlled, the city will have to pay to
clean the water. He noted that people
are not being punished, but this is the first step in the process and it needs
to be done with everyone doing their part now.
Mr.
Hawes stated that the law was passed in the 1970’s, but EPA is only now coming
up with the regulations for it.
Greg
Vogele, Chippiannock Cemetery, stated that he is not disputing the storm water
run off, but questioned the fact that only eight hundred cities in the country
are doing something. He asked why this
needed to be done now if other cities were not implementing anything. Alderman Winter clarified that this is not
just a burden on cemeteries and churches.
Mr. Phillips added that this was recently imposed, and other cities are
also looking at addressing it but have not implemented their projects yet.
Mayor Schwiebert stated that we are trying to
be a bit ahead of the curve, and everybody will have to respond to the
regulations. Alderman Brooks stated
that this is not a new utility, and that the Committee as well as the Council
discussed it and debated about it, trying to be fair to everyone.
Alderman Conroy stated that the water rate
increase of 25% was one option, and the warehouses that put most of the water
into the system will now be paying their fair share. He stated that this has never been a property tax.
Reverend
Diane Jordan, of the Solid Rock Spiritual Church, spoke against the requirement
for the churches to pay these fees. She
noted that businesses can increase their prices, but churches do not have that
option. She also stated that people in
the churches will be paying more than once – by paying this fee for their
property as well as increasing the money they give the church so the church can
pay their fee. She stated that funding for programs is backed by grants, but
the church utilities are paid through the parishioners’ pockets. She added that most churches are lucky to
meet their every day expenses now.
Al Beck, Pastor of St. James Lutheran Church,
commended the Council for being proactive.
He stated that Bettendorf was honest and called it a tax, stating that
this is a tax and Rock Island should not be calling it a utility. He spoke about the reasons the churches
should not have to pay these fees. He
stated that the homeowners pay the fees on their homes, then at church and then
to United Way and other organizations for their fees. He stated that this issue has cemented people in the religious
communities, and he is not sure if that is a good thing to do.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
A
motion made by Alderman Winter and seconded by Alderman Bauersfeld 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 8:00 p.m.
RECESS
Mayor
Schwiebert reconvened the regular meeting at 8:40 p.m. A motion made by Alderman White and
seconded by Alderman Conroy to recess to Monday, March 24 at 6:45 p.m. CARRIED
on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen
Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Winter, White and Forlini. NAYS: None.
The
meeting was recessed at 8:41 p.m.
____________________________
Jeanne
F. Paggen, City Clerk