The Rock Island City Council met in regular session on Monday, March 21, 2005 at 6:45 p.m. in the City Council Chambers 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.
Mayor Schwiebert called the meeting to order and lead in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. Alderman White gave the Invocation. A motion made by Alderman Bauersfeld and seconded by Alderman Austin to approve the Minutes of the meeting of March 14 as printed CARRIED on a Voice vote.
Agenda Item #6
1800-1806 1ST
STREET/SPECIAL USE PERMIT
Mayor Schwiebert closed the regular meeting at 6:50 p.m. and opened a public hearing on a request from Sandra Siefker for a Special Use Permit to operate two mini-storage buildings at 1800/1806 1st Street.
Sandra Siefker, 8330 10th Street West, Rock Island, reviewed her plans for the two mini-storage buildings. She indicated that she wants to tear down the buildings and put up the two storage buildings that will look nicer than the current buildings. She stated that they plan to put up wrought iron fencing in the back for the outdoor storage. Council asked what they plan to store outside, and Ms. Siefker responded that they would put boats and other items that are too large for the inside storage areas. Mayor Schwiebert read the stipulations and Ms. Siefker agreed with them. Alan Carmen, Planning Administrator, stated that the fence along 18th Avenue would be six feet high, with some landscaping. The buildings will be 9 feet in height. Mayor Schwiebert suggested a mixture of evergreens and shrubs, and added that staff can work with them to create the green barrier. Following discussion, consensus was to remove stipulation #6 (A six foot tall wrought iron style fence be installed adjacent to 18th Avenue) and in stipulation #5, remove the word “bushes”, and add, “Evergreen trees and shrubs be planted…”
Alderman Conroy expressed concern about the storage of boats, stating that he sees places where boats are stored for years. Ms. Siefker responded that they plan to be particular and not let the storage get to that point.
Joyce Berry, 2027 First Street, asked if the houses and other buildings are going to be removed. She stated that there is already a bottleneck there. When told that the buildings will be removed, she stated that she does not have a problem with the Special Use Permit in that case.
Mayor Schwiebert closed the public hearing and reconvened the regular meeting at 7:05 p.m. A motion made by Alderman Conroy and seconded by Alderman Austin to approve the Special Use Permit subject to stipulations with changes noted, and refer to the City Attorney for an Ordinance CARRIED on a Voice vote.
Agenda Item #7
The
City Clerk read an Ordinance amending Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances,
adding a fee of $5.00 for copies of the Illinois Traffic Crash Report to the
charges under the Freedom of Information Act.
A motion made by Alderman Austin 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 #8a
The City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department recommending payment to Brandt Construction in the amount of $11,237.23 for an emergency water main repair at 17th Street South of Trinity Hospital.
Agenda Item #8b
BRANDT CONSTRUCTION/EMERGENCY
WATER MAIN REPAIR
The City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department recommending payment to Brandt Construction in the amount of $15,757.86 for an emergency water main repair at 17th Street and 24th Avenue.
Agenda Item #8c
The City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department recommending payment to C. H. Langman Son in the amount of $7,520.09 for an emergency sanitary sewer main repair at Blackhawk State Park lift station.
Agenda Item #8d
The City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department recommending payment to Missman, Stanley and Associates in the amount of $10,326.70 for the American Discovery Trail project for construction observation services.
Agenda Item #8e
The City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department recommending payment to Shive-Hattery in the amount of $1,844.36 for the Saukie Baseball Field Detention Pond Project.
Alderman White noted that there were two items regarding water main repair, and asked if it would pay for the city to have it’s own equipment to do this type of repair. Bob Hawes, Public Works Director, responded that there is $100, 000 in the budget for repairs, and a machine would cost over $250,000.
A motion made by Alderman Rockwell 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 #9
The City Clerk read the claims for the week of March 11 through 17 in the amount of $488,966.73. A motion made by Alderman Austin and seconded by Alderman White to allow the claims CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #10
FEBRUARY 28 THROUGH MARCH 13
The City Clerk read the payroll for the weeks of February 28 through March 13 in the amount of $944,129.36.
|
GENERAL FUND |
621,736.17 |
|
TIF DISTRICT #1 DOWNTOWN |
483.94 |
|
TIF DISTRICT #2 SOUTH 11 STREET |
196.36 |
|
TIF DISTRICT #3 NORTH 11 STREET |
196.36 |
|
KING CENTER |
3,177.19 |
|
FEDERAL COPS GRANT |
1,325.87 |
|
COMM. DEV. BLOCK GRANT |
23,060.78 |
|
LIBRARY |
42,806.69 |
|
ELDERLY SERVICES CONTRIBUTIONS |
661.73 |
|
WATER |
59,914.11 |
|
SEWER |
34,143.66 |
|
COMMUNITY/ECONOMIC DEVELOP. |
15,705.11 |
|
SUNSET MARINA |
7,139.10 |
|
PARK AND RECREATION |
62,485.01 |
|
EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE |
22,010.93 |
|
ENGINEERING |
29,715.16 |
|
SELF INSURANCE |
1,374.58 |
|
EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE |
1,035.75 |
|
CAFETERIA PLAN |
7,753.59 |
|
MLK ACTIVITY FUND |
4,952.72 |
|
DRUG PREVENTION |
4,254.55 |
|
TOTAL |
$944,129.36 |
A motion made by Alderman Conroy and seconded by Alderman White to allow the payroll CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #11
SOFTWARE RENEWAL/ESRI ARC INFO,
ETC.
The City Clerk read a report from the Information Technical Services Department recommending renewal of the ESRI ArcInfo, ArcPad, and ArcView Software in the amount of $5,308.20. A motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Bauersfeld to approve the renewal and authorize payment as recommended CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #12
KUCERA INTERNATIONAL/AERIAL
PHOTOGRAPHY
The City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department regarding proposals for aerial photography, recommending the proposal from Kucera International in the amount of $69,007.60. Alderman Conroy asked what the city was getting for this. Mr. Hawes responded that the aerial photos taken five to eight years ago cost $3,500 per square mile and now the cost is $1,500 per square mile. He noted that the new photos would show the topography in more detail. Randy Tweet discussed the uses of these photos.
Alderman Bauersfeld asked why we are doing this again if it was done just five years ago. Mr. Hawes stated that the old photos are outdated, and this will include a larger area outside of the city limits, which can be used for future planning. Mr. Tweet noted that this would be in high-resolution details so they can pick out the manholes in the city as well as other things. Mayor Schwiebert stated that Bi-State was discussing this and possibly using sales of these aerial maps to generate some revenue for them. Mr. Hawes indicated that the city also sells these maps for revenue. Staff will prepare a report summarizing the revenue received for these aerial photos for the last five years.
Following discussion, a motion made by Alderman Austin and seconded by Alderman Conroy to award the contract and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #13
DIXON ENGINEERING/38 STREET
WATER TOWER PAINTING
The City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department regarding proposals for the 38th Street Water Tower Painting, recommending the contract be awarded to Dixon Engineering in the amount of $41,940.00. Alderman White asked how much it would cost to have the city logo painted on the water towers. Mr. Hawes stated that they could get an estimate when they do the bids. Alderman Bauersfeld asked why this was being done now since it was painted in 1992. Mr. Hawes stated that this one is beginning to rust in some places and needs to be redone, adding that it will not require near the amount of work that was done last time. He stated that the reason for the rust is unknown. He noted that the last time it was done, it was inspected in-house, but the job is being outsourced this time. He stated that it is expected to last fifteen to twenty years, and the last paint job of this water tower lasted beyond its warranty. Following discussion, a motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Conroy to award the contract as recommended and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #14
MISSMAN STANLEY AND
ASSOCIATES/14 ½ STREET RESURFACING
The City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department regarding proposals for construction engineers for engineering design and construction inspection services for the 14 ½ Street Resurfacing from 7th to 8-9th Avenues, recommending the contract be awarded to Missman, Stanley and Associates at a cost not to exceed a total estimated cost of $35,250.00. Alderman Austin noted that the next two items included replacement of sewers at the same time as the street construction, but this was not included with this one. Mr. Hawes responded that they always evaluate the sewer and water lines when they do street construction and do any replacement or repairs at the same time. Alderman Brooks indicated that he spoke to Mr. Hawes about the yard that floods in his Ward, and Mr. Hawes stated that this construction should improve that situation. Following discussion, a motion made by Alderman Rockwell and seconded by Alderman Brooks to award the contract as recommended and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #15
MISSMAN STANLEY AND
ASSOCIATES/15 STREET RESURFACING
The City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department regarding proposals for construction engineers for engineering design and construction inspection services for the 15th Street Resurfacing from 7th to 15th Avenue, recommending the contract be awarded to Missman, Stanley and Associates at a cost not to exceed a total estimated cost of $70,000.00. Alderman Bauersfeld asked what the surface of this street was now, and Mr. Hawes stated that it is asphalt, possibly over brick. A motion made by Alderman Austin and seconded by Alderman White to award the contract as recommended and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #16
The City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department regarding proposals for construction engineers for engineering design and construction inspection services for the 9th Avenue Resurfacing from 14th to 17th Street, recommending the contract be awarded to Missman, Stanley and Associates at a cost not to exceed a total estimated cost of $40,000.00. Alderman Bauersfeld discussed the brick streets, stating that there are only a few brick streets remaining, and he did not want to see them lost but preserved for historic purposes. Alderman Brooks commented that he drove on this street, and it does need to be fixed because it is bumpy. Mr. Hawes stated that it would be smooth when it is resurfaced, whether it is brick or not. He stated that the Preservation Commission will be discussing the brick streets on April 5, and their recommendation would come back to Council for final approval. He indicated that all the brick streets in the city have been ranked according to number, and they cannot fix all the brick streets. He stated that those numbered 3 and 4 are not worth waving, while those numbered 1, like those in Broadway and the top of the hill, can be saved. Others ranked with a 2, like this one, they will see if the money is there to maintain it as a brick street. Alderman White asked if the brick from other streets can be reused, and Mr. Hawes stated that it is a very labor-intensive and time-consuming job because each brick needs to be handled individually with the cement/asphalt scraped off and cleaned. He stated that they have some bricks that can be used, and can also put in artificial brick. Following further discussion, a motion made by Alderman Austin and seconded by Alderman Conroy to award the contract as recommended and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #17
The City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department regarding a supplemental agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation and the Illinois Department of Transportation for the Centennial Bridge Transfer, recommending approval of the agreement, authorization for the Mayor to sign the contract and authorization for Public Works to direct the contractor to proceed with the noted repairs. City Engineer Jim Johnson stated that this contains a “drop dead” date of July 1 for the transfer to take place. He noted that by then all the work should be completed. Following discussion, a motion made by Alderman Bauersfeld and seconded by Alderman Conroy to approve the agreement, authorize the Mayor to execute the contract documents and authorize staff to direct the contractor to proceed with the repairs as noted CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #18
2005 JUSTICE ASSISTANCE
GRANT/AGREEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING
The City Clerk read a report from the Police Department regarding a 2005 Justice Assistance Grant and an agreement of understanding with the City of Moline and the Rock Island County Sheriff’s Department designating which entity will act as the fiscal agent for the joint funds, the amount each jurisdiction will receive and the purpose for which the funds will be allocated. Mayor Schwiebert asked if there was a reason that Moline was responsible for the funds, while Rock Island was receiving a greater portion of the money. Captain John Wright responded that he was not aware of any reason for that. He responded to questions from Council regarding the continuation of the funding, and he indicated that they are allowed four years to spend the money, but will spend the money in the first year and then apply for another grant. Following discussion, a motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to approve the Memorandum of Understanding and authorize the Mayor, City Clerk and City Attorney to execute the documents CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #19
The City Clerk read a report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding an Air Curtain Burner, recommending that the use of this be allowed as part of the open burning ordinance, and that it be regulated by permits issued by the Fire Department. A motion made by Alderman Bauersfeld and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to approve the air curtain burner as recommended and refer to the City Attorney for an Ordinance CARRIED on a Voice vote.
Agenda Item #20
The City Clerk read a memorandum from Mayor Schwiebert recommending eighteen persons for the New Old Chicago Neighborhood Steering Committee. A motion made by Alderman Brooks and seconded by Alderman White to approve the appointments CARRIED on a Voice vote.
Agenda Item #21
The City Clerk read a memorandum from Mayor Schwiebert recommending the reappointment of Christine Coin-Smith, Kai Swanson and Margaret Tweet and the new appointments of Jane Schneider, Chris Mandle and Ann Keefe to the Neighborhood Partners, and the new appointment of Bob Towler to the Beautification Commission. A motion made by Alderman Austin and seconded by Alderman Conroy to approve the appointments as recommended CARRIED on a Voice vote.
There were no items from the City Manager’s Memorandum
Packet to be discussed at this time.
OTHER BUSINESS
WASHINGTON D.C.
Alderman Conroy discussed the trip to Washington D. C. that he participated in, along with Aldermen White and Rockwell, Mayor Schwiebert and other elected officials and business persons from the Quad City Area He stated that they met with senators and representatives from both Illinois and Iowa to show their concern about the future of the Rock Island Arsenal and the CDBG funding. He stated that the combined effort showed that the communities act together and not alone. He expressed appreciation to the persons who were responsible for putting this together. He commended Alderman White for her presentation on the CDBG funding.
Alderman Bauersfeld commented on the letter Council and staff received from a young lady in Milan regarding a potentially dangerous dog attack. He stated that he was concerned when the young girl was killed in January outside of Erie. He referred to the letter received by Council members and shared with staff members from a young lady regarding a recent incident on 18th Avenue involving a pit bull. He noted that she had included a copy of the Muscatine Ordinance, which identifies specific breeds of dogs that are limited within the city limits. He asked that staff look into this and see if there is more that can be done than what is already being done, suggesting that this be done before spring and summer when people are out walking more. Alderman Brooks stated that the city has a leash law and requires collars. Alderman Rockwell suggested that we get information from a clinical source regarding the attacks. The City Attorney will come back with a proposed ordinance in three to four weeks after researching this.
Council noted that people who are walking the vicious dogs couldn’t properly control them. Alderman White stated that kids are still walking dogs without a leash. Alderman Austin stated that he spoke with Mr. Elliott, the gentleman who was with his small dog when it was attacked by the pit bull. Alderman Rockwell again suggested getting expert opinions on this matter.
Alderman Austin called attention to the Candidates Forum for Mayor and Aldermen Candidates to be held Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. at the Rock Island Public Library. He noted that there would also be one at the Quad City Botanical Center on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m., which will also include School Board members.
Alderman Rockwell noted that the trip to Washington was his first opportunity to see the effective demonstration of Rock Island and the Quad City area voices being heard by the legislators. He stated that he appreciated being a part of this, and stated that the block grant discussions were encouraging, but they received no assurances regarding the Rock Island Arsenal. He stated that with the people from the Quad City Region, including Henry, Mercer and Rock Island Counties in Illinois and some people from Iowa counties, provided contacts with more congressmen and more resources for the information. Alderman White stated that she learned more about the Arsenal than she already knew, and commended Mayor Schwiebert for his presentation and his knowledge about the Arsenal. Alderman Conroy commented that it is not as easy to get around Washington, and suggested that if residents plan a trip that they contact their congressman ahead of time. He indicated that people have to send in their social security number for a background check prior to being allowed in the White House.
RECESS
A motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to recess to Monday, March 28 CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Austin. NAYS: None.
The meeting was recessed at 8:05 p.m.
______________________________
Jeanne F. Paggen, City Clerk