The Rock Island City Council met for Study Session at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 17, 2004 in the Personnel Conference Room 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, Jr., Dan Rockwell, Evelyn "Evie" R. White and Ann Keefe. Staff present included City Manager John C. Phillips, Community and Economic Development Department Director Greg Champagne, Public Works Department Director Bob Hawes, Planning Administrator Alan Carmen, Building Official Tom Ayers and Combination Housing Inspector Steve Moller.
City Manager John Phillips called attention to the Executive Session on Litigation scheduled to follow the CED presentation/discussion.
Community and Economic Development Department Greg Champagne reviewed the report on rental Property Licensing Program. He noted that a Rental Inspection Program was identified by the City Council as a high priority during their Goal Setting Session. He noted that staff would propose adoption of the International Property maintenance Code as the standard for regulating the condition of all property in the city including rental units. He noted that they might delete sections of the Code, such as the section on Weeds, since there is already an ordinance and process in place that seems to be working. He indicated that staff researched “blight” ordinances and determined that these typically refer to nuisance violations, adding that they were unable to discover any approach that differs significantly from practices or violations already in the city’s Municipal Code.
He noted that the inspection of rental property is a function of the Inspection Division of the Community and Economic Development Department. This is done primarily on a complaint basis. He stated that the Combination Housing Inspector responds to calls from tenants who are concerned about a condition in their dwelling unit. At the time of the inspection, only the tenant controlled space and common areas are inspected, and not all units in a building. He explained the process for addressing violations, adding that staff does work with the property owners and attempt to be flexible in allowing sufficient time for less serious violations to be corrected. He added that notices and orders can be appealed to the Housing Code Board of Appeals, but this does not happen often.
Alderman Bauersfeld asked about the elimination of the Housing Authority units, and Mr. Moller noted that they are required to have an annual inspection already. Alderman Bauersfeld also noted that the inspection of 20% of the units in a multi-unit complex is not acceptable. Alderman White noted that restaurants are licensed for health and safety, and since rental units are a business they should also be licensed for health and safety. Council discussed the frequency of inspecting, and also the probable improvements in appearance with the inspections. Mr. Ayers discussed the Davenport Licensing program, and Mayor Schwiebert asked him to find out what the fees are.
Mr. Champagne indicated that the cost of the program would be approximately $415,000, and they would need to hire additional staff. He added that they would not have room to house staff in City Hall, so the cost of additional space was included in the projected costs. Rental density was also discussed, with Alderman Keefe noting that it is difficult to know how many unrelated persons are living in a unit unless someone can get inside.
Alderman Bauersfeld stated that he is not opposed to the program, but would like to see more than 20% inspection in a building, a list of topics on the checklist, and the cost of the program for future years done in spreadsheet format. Alderman Conroy asked for more information on the fees, and also information about the block grant components – whether this program would impact with more or less services being provided. Mayor Schwiebert stated that he would like to revisit the Property Maintenance Code.
A motion made by Alderman Rockwell and seconded by Alderman Keefe to recess to Executive Session on a mater of Litigation CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Keefe. NAYS: None.
The meeting was recessed at 6:25 p.m.
Mayor Schwiebert reconvened the regular meeting at 6:35 p.m. A motion made by Alderman Bauersfeld and seconded by Alderman Keefe to adjourn the meeting CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Keefe. NAYS: None.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:36 p.m.
________________________________
Jeanne F. Paggen, City Clerk
The Rock Island City Council met for regular session at 6:45 p.m. on Monday, May 17, 2004 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, Jr., Dan Rockwell, Evelyn "Evie" R. White and Ann Keefe.
Mayor Schwiebert called the meeting to Order and led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. Alderman Brooks gave the Invocation. A motion made by Alderman Keefe and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to approve the Minutes of the meeting of May 10 and 12 as printed CARRIED on a Voice vote.
Agenda Item #6
PRESERVATION
SOCIETY/HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Diane Oestreich, Linda Anderson and Daryl Empen, assisted by Mayor Schwiebert, handed out the awards for Historic Preservation from the Preservation Society.
PROCLAMATIONS
Agenda Item #7
ROCK ISLAND
HISTORIC PRESERVATION WEEK
Mayor Schwiebert read a proclamation declaring the week of May 17 through 23 as Rock Island Historic Preservation Week and presented the framed document to Planning Administrator Alan Carmen.
Agenda Item #8
NATIONAL
PUBLIC WORKS WEEK
Mayor Schwiebert read a proclamation declaring the week of May 16 through 22 as National Public Works Week and presented the framed document to Public Works Director Bob Hawes.
ORDINANCES
Agenda Item #9
REZONING/HY-VEE
The City Clerk read a Special Ordinance amending a zoning district, changing from R-2 B-1, and B-3 to Planned Unit Development district for the new Hy-Vee food store, a convenience store/gas pumping area and a total of 358-space parking lot at 2930 18th Avenue. A motion made by Alderman Bauersfeld and seconded by Alderman Conroy to consider, suspend the rules and pass the Ordinance CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Keefe. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #10
TRUCK TRAFFIC
PROHIBITED/20th AVENUE, 29th STREET
The City Clerk read a Special Ordinance prohibiting truck traffic on 20th Avenue from 28th to 30th Streets, and on 29th Street from 18th to 20th Avenue. A motion made by Alderman Rockwell and seconded by Alderman White to consider, suspend the rules and pass the Ordinance CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Keefe. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #11
29th
STREET, 29 ½ STREET/VACATIONS
The City Clerk read a Special Ordinance vacating a portion of 29th Street and 29 ½ Street and a portion of the east/west alley west of 29th Street. A motion made by Alderman Conroy and seconded by Alderman Brooks to consider, suspend the rules and pass the Ordinance CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Keefe. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #12
BASE
WAGE/CITY CLERK
The City Clerk read an Ordinance amending Section 2-121, Article IV, regarding an increase in the base wage for the City Clerk. A motion made by Alderman Rockwell and seconded by Alderman White to consider, suspend the rules and pass the Ordinance CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Keefe. NAYS: None.
RESOLUTIONS
Agenda Item #13
24
STREET/MOTOR FUEL TAX FUNDS
The City Clerk read a Resolution appropriating the use of $800,000 of Motor Fuel Tax Funds for the 24th Street Resurfacing Project. A motion made by Alderman Conroy and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to adopt the Resolution CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Keefe. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #14
17
STREET/MOTOR FUEL TAX FUNDS
The City Clerk read a Resolution appropriating the use of $1,700,000 of Motor Fuel Tax Funds for the 17th Street Resurfacing Project. A motion made by Alderman Keefe and seconded by Alderman Conroy to adopt the Resolution CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Keefe. NAYS: None.
Alderman White asked if this was just resurfacing, and Mr. Hawes responded that it would be primarily resurfacing, with some other work being done as well. He noted that this project is supposed to be done by November.
CLAIMS
Agenda Item #15
MAY 7 THROUGH
13
The City Clerk read the claims for the week of May 7 through May 13 in the amount of $1,104,977.36. A motion made by Alderman Conroy and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to allow the claims CARRIED on a Roll call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Keefe. NAYS: None.
PAYROLL
Agenda Item #16
APRIL 26
THROUGH MAY 9
The City Clerk read the payroll for the weeks of April 26 through May 9 in the amount of $949,141.01.
|
GENERAL FUND |
$628,736.01 |
|
TIF DISTRICT #1 DOWNTOWN |
559.80 |
|
TIF DISTRICT #2 SOUTH 11 STREET |
192.57 |
|
TIF DISTRICT #3 NORTH 11 STREET |
192.56 |
|
MARTIN LUTHER KING CENTER |
3,276.13 |
|
FEDERAL COPS GRANT |
2,419.58 |
|
COMM. DEV. BLOCK GRANT |
22,768.75 |
|
LIBRARY |
43,194.21 |
|
ELDERLY SERVICES
CONTRIBUTIONS |
1,260.78 |
|
WATER |
58,836.40 |
|
SEWER |
33,704.81 |
|
COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEV. |
11,165.87 |
|
SUNSET MARINA |
8,626.92 |
|
PARK AND RECREATION |
73,969.97 |
|
EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE |
24,004.68 |
|
ENGINEERING |
24,742.00 |
|
SELF INSURANCE |
1,741.42 |
|
EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE |
944.82 |
|
MLK ACTIVITY FUND |
4,792.36 |
|
DRUG PREVENTION |
4,011.37 |
|
TOTAL |
$949,141.01 |
A motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Keefe to allow the payroll CARRIED on a Roll call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Keefe. NAYS: None.
BIDS/PURCHASES
Agenda Item #17
DOTY AND SONS
CONCRETE PRODUCTS/PLANTERS ON PLAZA
The City Clerk read a report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding the replacement of downtown planters, recommending that the planters be purchased from Doty and Sons Concrete Products of Sycamore, Illinois at a total cost of $14,906.60, with the funding coming from the Downtown TIF District.
Alderman Bauersfeld expressed concern about using TIF money for this and Alderman Conroy stated that TIF money was just spent on the Plaza. Greg Champagne, Community and Economic Development Department Director, stated that these planters have been in place since about 1970 when the Plaza was first built and were not part of the Plaza renovation project. He added that many of them are deteriorating. He added that they are portable, but are not easily moved once they are filled. He stated that the Park Department takes care of filling them. Alderman White commented that she liked to see the picture attached to the report.
Following discussion, a motion made by Alderman Rockwell and seconded by Alderman White to authorize the purchase as recommended CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Keefe. NAYS: None.
CONTRACTS/AGREEMENTS
Agenda Item #18
FAHRNER
ASPHALT SEALERS/2004 JOINT AND CRACK SEALING PROGRAM
The City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department regarding bids for the 2004 Street Joint and Crack Sealing Program, recommending the bid be awarded to Fahrner Asphalt Sealers in the amount of $146,061.80. A motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Keefe 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, Rockwell, White and Keefe. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #19
TONY’S TREE
SERVICE/TREE AND STUMP REMOVAL CONTRACT
The City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department regarding the Tree and Stump Removal Contract, recommending that the remainder of the contract be awarded to Tony’s Tree Service at a cost of $11,600. A motion made by Alderman Rockwell and seconded by Alderman Keefe to award the remainder of the contract to Tony’s Tree Service 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 Keefe. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #20
GRAND
EXCURSION/CLEANUP
The City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department regarding the Grand Excursion Cleanup, recommending that the Public Works Department be authorized to carry out special cleanup projects on the north side of the rail yard that runs parallel to First Avenue between the Centennial Bridge and 20th Street, in preparation for the Grand Excursion events. A motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Keefe to authorize staff to carry out the special projects as recommended CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Keefe. NAYS: None.
Community and Economic Development
Agenda Item #21
701 17
STREET/DAY FACELIFT PROGRAM
The City Clerk read a report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding a commitment from the City Council in the amount of $10,478 from the Day Facelift Program for roof replacement and other exterior improvements at 701 17th Street. A motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Keefe to commit $10,478 as recommended CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Keefe. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #22
933 14
AVENUE/TARGETED REHABILITATION PROGRAM
The City Clerk read a report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding a commitment from the City Council in the amount of $2,500 for a Targeted Rehabilitation Loan at 933 14th Avenue. A motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Bauersfeld to commit $2,500 as recommended CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Keefe. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #23
The City Clerk read a report from the Traffic Engineering Committee regarding a request from Amber Cravens to review the intersection located at 19th Street and 8th Avenue to determine whether the installation of STOP or YIELD signs are warranted, recommending denial of the installation of signs at this location. Alderman White announced that Ms. Cravens asked that this item be removed from the Agenda at this time.
Agenda Item #24
The City Clerk read a report from the Traffic Engineering Committee regarding a request from the Community Caring Conference to review the intersections of 33rd Street at 15th and 16th Avenue to determine whether or not installation of additional STOP signs is warranted, recommending the denial of the installation of additional STOP signs at these intersections. A motion was made by Alderman Keefe and seconded by Alderman White to install the STOP signs, contrary to the recommendation, and refer to the City Attorney for an Ordinance.
Julie Jacobs-Clark, 138 33rd Street, discussed the reason for the request, stating that cars go by very fast and it is like a speed track. Linda Peterson, 3300 15th Avenue, stated that it is unsafe in this area because of the speed used by the drivers. She stated that the additional STOP signs would slow down the drivers. Alderman Keefe called attention to the petition with 32 signatures, stating that the neighbors want this.
Alderman Bauersfeld stated that he is against the motion, because speed is not controlled by a STOP sign. He stated that this should be regulated by enforcement, and pointed out the number of cars per hour and the other criteria used by the Traffic Engineering Committee to determine their recommendation. Alderman Rockwell suggested reconfiguring the STOP signs, placing them on the Avenue rather than on 33rd Street. Alderman Conroy stated that he realized that the STOP signs did not meet the criteria, but felt that if the neighbors did not have a problem stopping at these intersections, he would not have a problem approving their request. Alderman Brooks stated that he had no problem approving it since the neighbors seemed to come up with a solution to their problem. Alderman Conroy also noted that it would have made a difference if the request had come from only one person rather than an entire neighborhood. Following discussion, the motion CARRIED on a Voice vote, with Alderman Bauersfeld voting against it.
Agenda Item #25
The City Clerk read a report from the City Clerk regarding an application from The Arena for an outdoor concert on Friday, June 4 beginning at 7:00 p.m. and ending at 12:30 a.m. A motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to approve the application pending receipt of the certificate of insurance and appropriate fees CARRIED on a Voice vote.
City Manager John C. Phillips called attention to the information regarding the “Update on 400 Ninth Street” provided by CED. He also reminded the audience that the next meeting would be June 7, since May 24 is the annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and May 31 is Memorial Day holiday.
OTHER BUSINESS
Alderman White asked about the Human Relations Commission, stating that one of the members told her that she does not come to the annual Volunteer Dinner because they don’t even meet once a year. Mayor Schwiebert explained that this is one group that only meets when a complaint is filed, and there have not been complaints filed recently.
Alderman Brooks asked Martin Luther King Community Center Director Jerry Jones, and Park and Recreation Director Bill Nelson to discuss the summer basketball program for youth. They explained that it would be held at Denkmann School. They are working with Sports Depot for the uniforms and are also looking for donations for the uniforms. Alderman Brooks noted that, with the combined effort of the King Center and the Parks Department, they would be able to do more outreach for the program.
A motion made by Alderman Conroy and seconded by Alderman White to recess to Executive Session on matters of Personnel CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Keefe. NAYS: None. The meeting was recessed at 7:40 p.m.
Mayor Schwiebert reconvened the regular meeting at 8:10 p.m. A motion made by Alderman Rockwell and seconded by Alderman White to recess to Monday, June 7 at 5:00 p.m. CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Keefe. NAYS: None.
The meeting was recessed at 8:15 p.m.
__________________________________
Jeanne F. Paggen, City Clerk