The 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, Daniel Rockwell, 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.  Alderman Conroy gave the Invocation. 

 

Agenda Item #5

Minutes of the Meeting of April 2, 2007. 

 

A motion was made by Alderwoman Murphy and seconded by Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo to approve the Minutes of the Meeting of April 2, 2007 as written. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote; those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #6

Presentation from the Rock Island County Board Task Force on Poverty.

 

Mr. Phil B. Banaszek Task Force Chairman and Mr. James E. Bohnsack County Board Chairman addressed the Council and explained what the Task Force entails. Mr. Banaszek stated that the issue of poverty in Rock Island is very unsettling. In 2006, the Heartland Alliance for Human Needs and Human Rights targeted Rock Island County and seven other counties on their poverty-warning list. Mr. Banaszek noted that after seeing the report, they decided to take action and form the Rock Island County Task Force on Poverty. Mr. Banaszek acknowledged that the Task Force is comprised of volunteers from the School Districts, Court Service, Workforce Development Board, Blackhawk College, University of Illinois Extension Office, the Health Department, Chamber of Commerce, some local elected officials, and United Way of the Quad Cities.

 

Mr. Banaszek indicated that the Heart Land Alliance determines a County’s poverty level by the high School graduation rate, the teen birth rate, the unemployment rate and the poverty rate. The most impoverished areas as Mr. Banaszek notes, are areas mostly located in the Cities older sections and the areas with high minority populations.

 

Mr. Bohnsack indicated that finding a path to a solution is varied. The key components are better education, employment, health, housing and nutrition.

 

Mr. Banaszek acknowledged that more help is needed than the volunteer Task Force can provide: The Task Force is looking at the possibility for a full time coordinator position to serve the whole community.

 

 Mr. Banaszek inquired to the Council for possible future support commitment to help bring all citizens out of the situational and generational poverty conditions that plague the community.  Mr. Banaszek also asked the Council if they have a representative that may be willing to join the Task Force. Alderman Brooks and Alderman Conroy stated that they would like to volunteer.

 

Mayor Schwiebert stated that the County and cities are somewhat dependent on the State Legislature to improve funding for education and capital projects, which will help cut local poverty.

 

Mr. Banaszek and Mr. Bohnsack stated that they are planning to give an update to Moline and East Moline leaders in the near future. And, the next Task Force meeting is scheduled for April 23, 2007.

 

Agenda Item #7

An Ordinance amending Article II of Chapter 14 of the Code of Ordinances regarding posted parking requirements in the City’s parks and playgrounds.

 

It was moved by Alderman Conroy, seconded by Alderman Austin to consider, suspend the rules and pass the ordinance amending Article II of Chapter 14 of the Code of Ordinances regarding posted parking requirements in the City’s parks and playgrounds.

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

 

Agenda Item #8

A Special Ordinance providing for the sale of property of part of lots four (4) and five (5) of Block 19 of the Chicago or Lower Addition.

 

Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo moved and Alderwoman Murphy seconded to consider, suspend the rules and pass the ordinance providing for the sale of property of part of lots four (4) and five (5) of Block 19 of the Chicago or Lower Addition. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #9

A Special Ordinance establishing Type B residential parking located on the east side of 39th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues.

 

It was moved by Alderman Austin, seconded by Alderwoman Murphy to consider, suspend the rules and pass the ordinance establishing Type B residential parking located on the east side of 39th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #10

CLAIMS

 

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

 

 

a.       Report from the Information Technology Services Department regarding payment in the amount of $157,000.00 to Hewlett-Packard Company for annual equipment replacement. (001)

 

b.      Report from the Information Technology Services Department regarding payment in the amount of $13,146.81 to Rock Island County Sheriff’s Office for the OSSI Records Management Software Annual Maintenance. (003)

 

c.       Report from the Personnel Department regarding payment in the amount of $7,936.20 to Konecky, Koenig, Kutsunis and Weng for legal services rendered for March 2007.

 

d.      Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment #3 in the amount of $8,250.00 to Visu-Sewer Clean & Seal Inc. for 28th Street Court Trenchless Sanitary Sewer Repair. (091)

 

e.       Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $8,100.00 to Baecke Appraisers for Special Assessment Appraisals. (095)

 

Agenda Item #11

 

 
Claims for the week of March 30 through April 5 in the amount of  $ 311,109.89.

 

Alderman Pauley moved and Alderwoman Murphy 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 Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #12

Report from the Public Works Department regarding bids for the 2007 Brick Street Repair Program, recommending the bid be awarded to Walter D. Laud Inc. in the amount of $57,990.00.

 

It was moved by Alderman Pauley seconded by Alderwoman Murphy, to award the bid as recommended, and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote:  those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #13

Report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding the Corridor Study Grant Agreement.

 

Alderwoman Murphy moved and Alderman Rockwell seconded to authorize the City Manager to execute an intergovernmental agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation for funding through the Illinois Tomorrow Corridor Grant Program as recommended. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #14

Report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding the final plat for the Jaimez addition located at 1425/1427 and 1429/1431 7th Avenue.

 

Alderman Austin moved and Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo seconded to approve the final plat with the requested variances as recommended. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #15

Report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding a commitment in the amount of $5,495.00 for a Targeted Rehabilitation Loan at 1217 14th Street.

 

A motion was made by Alderman Austin, seconded by Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo to

commit $5,495.00 for a Targeted Rehabilitation Loan at 1217 14th Street as recommended. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote; those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #16

Report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding a commitment in the amount of $5,500.00 for a Roof Standard Payment Loan at 1511 9th Avenue.

 

It was moved by Alderwoman Murphy, seconded by Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo to commit $5,500.00 for a Roof Standard Payment Loan at 1511 9th Avenue as recommended. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote; those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #17

Report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding a request for a Riverfront Corridor Overlay District site plan review at 2940 Blackhawk Road.

 

A motion was made by Alderman Pauley, seconded by Alderman Rockwell to approve the site plan, subject to substitution of another landscape element for the proposed burning bushes as recommended. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote; those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #18

Report from the Traffic Engineering Committee regarding a request to install a handicapped parking space at 1523 25 Street.

 

A motion was made by Alderman Rockwell, seconded by Alderwoman Murphy to approve the request as recommended and refer to the City Attorney for an Ordinance.

 

 

 

 
   The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote; those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #19

Report form the Mayor regarding Appointments to the Building Code Board of Appeals, Library Board, Fire and Police Commissioners Board, and the Liquor Control Commission.

 

Alderman Conroy moved and Alderman Pauley seconded to approve the appointments as recommended

 

 

RC

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

 

Agenda Item #20

Items from the City Manager’s Memorandum Packet.

 

City Manager John Phillips did not have any items to discuss.

 

Mayor Schwiebert acknowledged Mr. Andrew Steen from Troup 258 who attended the Council meeting in connection with obtaining the Citizenship Community Merit Badge. Mayor Schwiebert thanked Mr. Steen for coming to the Council meeting.

 

Alderman Brooks stated that he had recently visited Travis Hearns, and remarked that Mr. Hearns is an inspiration and an amazing young man.

 

Mayor Schwiebert noted that the Habitat for Humanity Organization is still taking contributions for the house that they are going to build for Travis Hearns. Mayor Schwiebert stated that the house would be built in a twenty-four hour period noting that this is the first time this has been done in the Quad Cities.

 

Agenda Item #21

Other Business

 

None

 

Agenda Item #22

Executive Session on matters of Personnel

 

A motion was made by Alderman Conroy, seconded by Alderman Brooks at 7:12 p.m. to recess to Executive Session on matters of Personnel. The motion carried on a roll call vote. Those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none. 

 

Agenda Item #23

Recess

 

Mayor Schwiebert reconvened the regular meeting at 7:45 p.m. A motion was made by Alderman Conroy and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to recess to Monday, April 16th, 2007 at 5:00 pm.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

The meeting was recessed at 7:46 pm.

 

 

 

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                                                                               Aleisha L. Patchin, City Clerk