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 A. Conroy, Dennis E. Pauley, Daniel Rockwell, Evelyn "Evie" R. White, Joy Murphy, and Charles O. Austin III.
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 Murphy gave the Invocation. A motion made by Alderman Austin and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to approve the Minutes of the meeting of June 5, 2006 CARRIED on a Voice vote.
PROCLAMATIONS
Agenda Item #6
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH AND
SCHOOL DAY
Mayor Schwiebert read a Proclamation declaring June 18, 2006 as Immanuel Lutheran Church and School Day.
Agenda Item #7
612 AND 614 46TH STREET/ SPECIAL USE PERMIT
Mayor Schwiebert closed the regular meeting at 6:50 p.m. and opened a Public Hearing on a request from Master Design Landscape for a Special Use Permit to operate a landscape business and outside display area in a R-3 District at 612 and 614 46th Street.
Jose and Lisa Gomez, 3212 - 9th Avenue, of Master Design Landscape addressed Council regarding their request for a Special Use Permit at 612 and 614 46th Street. Mr. Gomez presented a rough sketch depicting how he plans to design the property with water gardens and landscape designs. He advised of the placement of the office, parking and fence. Mrs. Gomez informed Master Design Landscape was established in the Spring of 2003 and was originally home-based. She advised Master Design Landscape is the only business of its type in the Rock Island area and due to the growth of the business they need to expand. Mr. Gomez advised there would be no compost pile or boulders and the property would be used for a display area of various water garden designs and landscaping done by the company.
Mayor Schwiebert inquired as to the type of garage that would be built and placed on the property. Mr. Gomez advised it would be wood frame that would house one-half office and one-half pond supplies. Alderman Austin inquired as to the signage, lighting of sign, and hours of business. Mr. Gomez advised it would be a regular sign with lighting from the bottom. Alderman White inquired as to the placement of the chain link fence. Mr. Gomez advised fencing would be around the entire perimeter of the property except for the parking area. Mrs. Gomez advised the fence is for liability and safety purposes.
Council advised they would be in favor of this request with various site stipulations put in place and requested staff to meet with Mr. and Mrs. Gomez to iron out the details and report back to Council with a layout of the finished project and stipulations to be met.
Mayor Schwiebert inquired as to any persons present to speak in favor of, or in opposition to, the Special Use Permit. With none present, Mayor Schwiebert closed the Public Hearing and reconvened the regular meeting at 7:05 p.m.
A motion made by Alderman Murphy and seconded by
Alderman White, to approve the Special Use Permit and direct staff to prepare a
report for stipulations that apply to the Special Use Permit request CARRIED on
a Voice vote.
Agenda Item #8
1106 AND 1114 11TH AVENUE/SPECIAL USE PERMIT
Mayor Schwiebert closed the regular meeting at 7:10 p.m. and opened a Public Hearing on a request from Quad City Engineering Company for a Special Use Permit to construct an 8,500 square foot projection facility in a B-3 District at 1106 and 1114 11th Avenue. Mayor Schwiebert explained the procedure of this hearing due to Statements of Interested Parties being filed.
Quad City Engineering Company President, Jud Briggs, and Vice President, Roger Dolleslager, addressed Council regarding this request. Mr. Dolleslager advised of the Company’s plans to expand the business on property which is currently the parking lot. This would be the Company’s fourth expansion and would allow for diversity of the business production and to remain competitive.
Alderman Conroy inquired as to the whether the expansion would entail running machines to make parts, milling, lathes, cutting, welding, and the like. Mr. Dolleslager advised it would entail a little of all, which they currently do now. Alderman White inquired as to the level of noise emitted from these machines. Mr. Dolleslager advised there would be less noise than currently, due to the new laser machines. He also advised there are expected to be between five and ten new employees hired, and hours of operation will remain 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Alderman Brooks advised he spoke with the Birches and the Moores regarding their concerns with the noise and layout of this business expansion between two homes and the way they were dealt with regarding this proposed expansion. Mr. Brooks inquired as to the parking arrangement for employees. Mr. Dolleslager advised the Company has a written agreement with the church for the entire lot.
Alderman White inquired of Community and Economic Development Department Planning and Redevelopment Administrator Alan Carmen as to the future zoning planned for this area. Mr. Carmen advised the long-term goal is commercial.
Mayor Schwiebert inquired as to any persons present to speak in favor of, or in opposition to, the Special Use Permit. With none present, Mayor Schwiebert called the opposed interested parties.
Darnell Moore, 1100 – 11th Avenue, addressed Council regarding opposition to this request. Mr. Moore gave background to his address as being his family home where he was raised and his mother residing at this address for more than 50 years. He advised he talked with the Company;
however, he was not pleased with the outcome. Mr. Moore advised of the replacement value of his mother’s property advising the Company had offered six times less than that amount. He advised of his concerns with the noise, truck traffic and the condition of the alleys already being used by the Company.
Letha and Will Birch, 1117 – 11th Avenue, then addressed Council regarding opposition to this request. Mrs. Birch advised they have lived at this address since 1966 and reiterated Mr. Moore’s concerns with regard to noise, truck traffic and alley conditions. Mr. Birch also advised at times the Company’s noise begins at 4:00 and 5:00 a.m. and inquired as to what the Company is doing at those hours if the business hours are 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Mayor Schwiebert informed the applicant that they may ask questions of the opponents, to which the applicant advised they would like to make several comments.
Mr. Dolleslager advised Quad City Engineering Company started out in 1944 as a manufacturing company and has grown over the years. He advised they respect the neighbors in the area and called Mrs. Moore to advise her of the company’s expansion; however, he advised an offer on her property was never made. Mr. Briggs advised that occasionally the Company starts at 6:00 a.m. on overtime but is unsure as to the excessive noise that Mr. Birch referred to.
Alderman Brooks advised Mr. Dolleslager that Quad City Engineering Company needs to sit down with the neighborhood residents and City staff to work out an amicable agreement to this expansion before he would consider voting on this request. Council agreed with Alderman Brooks and Mayor Schwiebert closed the Public Hearing and reconvened the regular meeting at 8:00 p.m.
A motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Brooks, to DEFER this item for thirty (30) days CARRIED on a Voice vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Pauley, Rockwell, White, Murphy, and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #9
The City Clerk read a Special Ordinance regarding prevailing wage rates in the City of Rock Island, Illinois. 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, Pauley, Rockwell, White, Murphy, and Austin. NAYS: None.
CLAIMS
Agenda Item #10
A motion made by Alderman Austin and seconded by Alderman White to accept the following reports and authorize payments as recommended CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Pauley, Rockwell, White, Murphy, and Austin. NAYS: None.
a. Report from the City Attorney in the amount of $7,753.10 for legal services rendered during the month of May 2006.
b. Report from the Personnel Department recommending payments in the amounts of $3,422.25 to American National Insurance and $838.55 to Terry Engel (Terry Engel general liability claim) and $1,835.77 to Servpro (Herb Wiener general liability claim).
c. Report from the Public Works Department recommending payment in the amount of $12,075.64 to General Constructors, Inc. for emergency parking ramp repairs.
d. Report from the Public Works Department recommending payment in the amount of $73,894.80 to Davenport Electric for Fiber Optics Cable: Phase 3B.
e. Report from the Public Works Department recommending payment in the amount of $57,818.90 to Peterson Parking Lot Striping, Inc. for the 2006 Joint Pavement Marking Program.
Agenda Item #11
The City Clerk read the claims for the weeks of June 2 through June 8 in the amount of $570,021.69. A motion made by Alderman Pauley seconded by Alderman White to allow the claims CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Pauley, Rockwell, White, Murphy, and Austin. NAYS: None.
PAYROLL
Agenda Item #12
The City Clerk read the Payroll report for the weeks of May 22 through June 4 in the amount of $1,089,815.50. A motion made by Alderman Conroy and seconded by Alderman White to allow the payroll CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Brooks, Conroy, Pauley, Rockwell, White, Murphy, and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #13
The City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department regarding bids for the 2006 Sanitary Manhole Program recommending the bid be awarded to C.H. Langman & Son in the amount of $154,620.00. A motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Rockwell 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, Pauley, Rockwell, White, Murphy, and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #14
SYLVAN SLOUGH NATURAL
AREA PROJECT BIDS
The City Clerk read a report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding bids for the Sylvan Slough Natural Area Project recommending Council authorize the City Manager to award bids to the lowest responsible bidder and execute contracts for the crushing of materials to facilitate construction of walk paths at the Sylvan Slough Natural Area and construction of the park. A motion made by Alderman Austin and seconded by Alderman Pauley to authorize the City
Manager to award the bids and execute the contract documents as recommended CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Pauley, Rockwell, White, Murphy, and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #15
REZONING/1435 47TH AVENUE
The City Clerk read a report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding a request for rezoning from R2 District to R3 District at 1435 47th Avenue. A motion made by Alderman Austin and seconded by Alderman White to approve the request as recommended and refer to the City Attorney for an Ordinance CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Pauley, Rockwell, White, Murphy, and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #16
The City Clerk read a report from the Traffic Engineering Committee requesting installation of stop signs at 6th Street and 6th Avenue. (Note: Item was Deferred from May 15 - A motion remains on the floor – Motion made by Alderman Brooks and seconded by Alderman Murphy to approve the request and refer to the City Attorney for an Ordinance.)
Alderman Austin inquired as to the purpose of the deferral. Alderman Brooks advised he was trying to secure further information regarding this request; however, was unable to. Mayor Schwiebert reiterated the motion on the floor, which was DEFEATED on a Voice vote. AYES: None. NAYS: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Pauley, Rockwell, White, Murphy, and Austin.
Agenda Item #17
STREET CLOSING/SOUND AMPLIFICATION/FOXWOOD DRIVE BLOCK PARTY
The City Clerk read a report from the City Clerk regarding street closing/sound amplification requests for a block party on July 1 from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Foxwood Drive. A motion made by Alderman Conroy and seconded by Alderman White to approve the requests as recommended CARRIED on a Voice vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Pauley, Rockwell, White, Murphy, and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #18
The City Clerk read a report from the City Clerk regarding a street closing request from Broadway Presbyterian Church to close part of 23rd Street, from the corner of 7th Avenue to the end of their property for their annual Community Fair on Saturday, September 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. A motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Murphy to approve the request as recommended CARRIED on a Voice vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Pauley, Rockwell, White, Murphy, and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #19
The City Clerk read a report from the City Clerk regarding a Great River Plaza Activity/Event Permit for the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities for the Second Annual Israeli Cultural Festival for August 6, 2006 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p. m.
Alderman White expressed her delight with this cultural event and informed of the great experience she had at last year’s festival. A motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to approve the request as recommended CARRIED on a Voice vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Pauley, Rockwell, White, Murphy, and Austin. NAYS: None.
City Manager John Phillips announced the $514,000 grant awarded by the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program to the Cities of Rock Island and Moline for construction of the north connector of the West Rock River Bridge Trail.
OTHER BUSINESS
Alderman Austin commended the District Staff on the Gumbo Ya Ya event and informed he worked a booth during the event and talked with a family from Burlington that advised they make this one of their annual weekends away from Burlington.
Alderman Brooks advised his absence from the June 5 Council meeting was due to his attending a Housing Commission Conference. He advised the public housing program is changing and will discuss this in further detail with Mayor Schwiebert.
ATTRORNEY KARLA STEELE
Attorney Karla Steele, 506 15th Street, Suite 600, Moline, Illinois, addressed Council regarding the liquor license moratorium on 11th Street. Attorney Steele was present at the meeting to represent the owners of the 11th Street Mart. She advised her client is ready, willing and able to make certain improvements to the business and property and looking to spend between $20,000 and $25,000 for these improvements and is requesting that Council consider lifting the 11th Street moratorium or conducting a study so the 11th Street Mart may qualify for a liquor license. She advised the owners have presented plans of the improvements to Community and Economic Development Department Planning and Redevelopment Administrator Alan Carmen.
Alderman Pauley inquired as to whether allowing the liquor license is the only reason the owner would clean up and improve the property. Attorney Steele advised the business needs to be able to have the liquor revenue to justify spending the funds for the improvement.
Alderman Brooks advised of his reasons for pushing for the moratorium to be put in place and expressed his concerns regarding lifting it. A move such as this would have to present a positive impact on the community. The previous ownership impacted the community in a negative way and the community is fragile due to recent incidents and needs to be made whole. Council advised they would like staff to review the plans and get recommendations from staff and the police department regarding this request.
Mayor Schwiebert reiterated two obstacles he advised Attorney Steele of, which are the moratorium already in place and the petition procedure if the moratorium were lifted.
RECESS
A motion made by Alderman Rockwell and seconded by Alderman Austin to recess to Monday, June 19 at 5:00 p.m. CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Pauley, Rockwell, White, Murphy, and Austin. NAYS: None.
The meeting was recessed at 8:25 p.m.
____________________________________
Cynthia A. Neiggemann, City Clerk