The Rock Island City Council met for Study Session on
Monday, June 21, 2004 at 5:00 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of Rock
Island City Hall. Present were Mayor
Mark W. Schwiebert, presiding, and Aldermen Terry M. A. Brooks I, John E.
Bauersfeld, Jr., Dan Rockwell, Evie White, and Ann L. Keefe. Alderman Dave Conroy was absent. Staff present included City Manager John C.
Phillips, Community and Economic Development Department Director Greg
Champagne, Building Official Tom Ayers, Fire Marshall Jeff Hindman, Alan
Carmen, Jill Doak, Tim Bain and Troy Larson.
Several representatives of rental associations, neighborhood groups,
landlords and tenants were also present.
City Manager John Phillips began the meeting by distributing two handouts concerning the rental certification program that had been received before the meeting. He asked Greg Champagne, Director of Community and Economic Development, and Tom Ayers, Building Official, to discuss the follow-up rental certification program report provided to Council members.
Mr. Champagne gave an overview of the report, specifically the current program used by the City of Bloomington, Illinois. The Bloomington program requires that rental properties be registered with the City. Inspections are done over a two-year period depending upon the “grade” the property received with its initial inspection. Properties that have no code violations are approved for the longest amount of time (two years) between inspections. Properties with minor code violations are approved for one year period of time. Properties with major violations must address violations before a certificate will be approved. Plan modifications for the City of Rock Island would be: All properties must be registered with the City for a $25 per year fee per building. Inspection fee would be $15 per unit. Units graded “Class A” would have no code violations and be exempt from inspection for four years; units graded “Class B” would have minor violations and be inspected on a two-year schedule; units graded “Class C” would have major violations and be inspected on an annual basis; and units graded “Class N” would be newly constructed and not inspected for four years after receiving the occupancy certification required of all new construction projects. It was anticipated that this program could be initiated with the addition of one inspector and one clerical person. Staff felt advantages of this program are that the program could be conducted at lower costs to the city and rental property landlords and save time. Disadvantages would be that the program would take longer to implement (three years to inspect and classify all buildings) and it is hard to project annual revenues generated until the program is fully underway.
Council presented several questions regarding the Class system to make sure their understanding was correct. Mayor Schwiebert opened the discussion to the visitors requesting that one representative of each group address the Council members for 5-7 minutes to allow the Council to hear from most of the groups and individuals in attendance.
John Versip, 18628 River Road North, Cordova, Illinois representing the Quad City Rental Property Association (QCRPA) distributed a handout to Council addressing the group’s concerns regarding implications of the program on both landlords and tenants.
Dan LaBelle, 1987 Spruce Hills Drive, Bettendorf, a member of QCRPA stated that while QCRPA would go along with whatever the Council decided to do, he was addressing the Council as an individual. He distributed pictures of several home he had taken while on a tour of large rental property neighborhoods stating that there was no way to tell from the outside if the property was owner-occupied or tenant occupied.
Constance Bell, 920 43 Street, President of the Coalition of Rock Island Homeowners Association spoke to Council saying that the City needs to start somewhere to address the issue of sub-standard rental property. She said declining maintenance of property leads to the eventual demolition of the structure in severe cases and that she would prefer that the City have a rental certification program rather than be losing houses. Absentee landlords also contribute to declining maintenance of houses in neighborhoods.
John Wilde, 1405 32 Avenue, stated the suggested fees of $25 for registration and $15 per unit for inspections do not begin to cover the cost of the program. As a landlord of several properties that are in “Class A” condition, he feels the program is intrusive and will cost him additional funds in lost time and work to be available for the required inspections even if it is only every four years.
Terry Stimpson, 1121 39 Street, spoke to Council representing the Keystone Neighborhood Association. She stated that the Keystone area has many rental properties with Augustana students as tenants. The Keystone Neighborhood would support a rental certification program to influence landlords and tenants to be good neighbors and upgrade the housing in the entire city.
Arlene Bolis, 2428 20 Avenue, stated there are two distinct groups of landlords—Class A and those who are not Class A and that each distinct group needs to be addressed in any program the city develops. In her opinion, an inspection program puts the tenant/landlord relationship in jeopardy.
Steve Pedigo, 1228 36 Street, spoke as a long time tenant saying he felt the program was built upon assumptions not fully developed and he would like to see more justification for the proposed plan.
Mark Schaecher, 9421 12 Street W, spoke as a landlord saying that outside conditions often times reflect the condition of the inside of the property and could be used as an initial basis for the inspection requirement. He said tenants often times are the cause of properties being run down and that the law is on the side of tenants when it comes to evictions. He felt a certification program would put an unreasonable burden on the landlords.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion made by Alderman Keefe and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to adjourn the meeting CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Keefe. NAYS: None.
The
meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
______________________________
Carol
L. Gentry, Deputy, City Clerk
The Rock Island City Council met in regular session on Monday, June 21, 2004 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, John E. Bauersfeld, Jr., Dan Rockwell, Evie White and Ann L. Keefe. Alderman David Conroy was absent.
Mayor Schwiebert called the meeting to order, led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and gave the Invocation. A motion made by Alderman Bauersfeld and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to approve the Minutes of the meeting of June 14, 2004 CARRIED on a Voice vote.
Agenda Item #6a
RESURFACING
40 ST FROM 14-18 AVENUES
The Deputy Clerk read a Special Ordinance for the resurfacing of 40th Street from 14-18 Avenues. A motion made by Alderman Bauersfeld and seconded by Alderman White to consider, suspend the rules and pass the Ordinance CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Alderman Brooks, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White, and Keefe. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #6b
The Deputy Clerk read a Special Ordinance for the resurfacing of 41st Street from 14-18 Avenues. A motion made by Alderman Bauersfeld and seconded by Alderman Brooks to consider, suspend the rules and pass the Ordinance CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Alderman Brooks, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White, and Keefe. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #7a
CENTENNIAL
CONTRACTOR
The Deputy City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department recommending payment to Centennial Contractor in the amount of $82,746.70.
Agenda Item #7b
GARDNER, CARTON DOUGLAS LLP
The Deputy City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department recommending payment to Gardner, Carton & Douglas LLP in the amount of $4,254.48.
Agenda Item #7c
RAHRNER ASPHALT SEALERS
The Deputy City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department recommending payment to Fahrner Asphalt Sealers in the amount of $90,769.60.
Agenda Item #7d
DAVENPORT ELECTRIC CONTRACT
COMPANY
The Deputy City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department recommending payment to Davenport Electric contract Company in the amount of $2,065.35.
A motion made by Alderman Rockwell and seconded by Alderman White to accept the reports and authorize payments as recommended CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Keefe. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #8
The Deputy City Clerk read the
claims for the week of June 11 through 17 in the amount of $726,469.78. A motion made by Alderman White and seconded
by Alderman Brooks to allow the claims CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Bauersfeld, Rockwell,
White and Keefe. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #9
The Deputy City Clerk read a
report from the Public Works Department recommending approval of an agreement
with Shive-Hattery at a cost not to exceed $19,500 plus construction inspection
at their standard hourly rate. A motion
made by Alderman Rockwell 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, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White
and Keefe. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #10
SPECIAL USE PERMIT—3055 38
STREET
The Deputy City Clerk Report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding an amendment to a special use permit at 3055 38 Street to allow Jeff and Kimberly Lanum to use an inoperable flatbed truck for retail holiday displays by parking it in the west front yard from October through December and then parking it in the northeast corner of the lot from January through September.
A motion was made by Alderman
Keefe and seconded by Alderman Bauersfeld to approve the special use
permit. A motion was made by Alderman
White and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to approve the Special Use Permit with
the stipulations that the truck be screened from view from January through
September by the use of an opaque, six-foot fence on all four sides and that
the truck be parked on a hard surface, and that the City Attorney be authorized
to prepare the Ordinance. Mr. and Mrs. Lanum approached the Council to answer
questions regarding the use of this truck and their intentions to maintain it
from becoming an “attractive nuisance” for the neighborhood. Amended motion CARRIED on a voice vote. Original motion CARRIED on a Roll Call
vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Keefe. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #11
REMOVAL OF HANDICAPPED
PARKING SPACE—508 19 AVENUE
The Deputy City Clerk read a report from the Traffic Engineering Committee regarding a request from Mr. Muscobally for the removal of a handicapped parking space at 508 19 Avenue. A motion made by Alderman Bauersfeld and seconded by Alderman Brooks to approve the request and refer to the City Attorney for an Ordinance CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Keefe. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #12
PARKING BAN—15TH STREET
BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH AVENUES
The Deputy City Clerk read a report from the Traffic
Engineering Committee regarding a request from the Public Works Department to
ban parking on the east side of 15th Street between 3rd and 4th Avenues. A
motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to approve the
request and refer to the City Attorney for an Ordinance CARRIED on a Roll Call
vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Keefe. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #13
PARKING LOT—5001 11TH STREET UNDER CITY ORDINANCE
The Deputy City Clerk read a report from the Traffic
Engineering Committee regarding a request from Suzanne Hilterbran to place the
parking lot located at 5001 11th Street under city ordinance. A motion made by
Alderman Keefe and seconded by Alderman White to approve the request and refer
to the City Attorney for an Ordinance CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES:
Aldermen Brooks, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Keefe. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #14
STREET CLOSING—FOXWOOD
COURT
The Deputy City Clerk read a report from the City Clerk regarding the request of Jon Loquist to close off Foxwood Court from Foxwood Drive to the end of Foxwood Court on Sunday, July 4, from 3:00 pm. to 11:30 p.m. for a Block Party. A motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to allow the request CARRIED on a Voice vote.
Agenda Item #15
SOUND
AMPLIFICATION—BOTANICAL CENTER
The Deputy City Clerk read a report from the City Clerk regarding an application for sound amplification from Bill Healy on four different occasions in connection with events being held at the Quad City Botanical Center. A motion made by Alderman Rockwell and seconded by Alderman White to allow the request CARRIED on a Voice vote.
John C. Phillips, City Manager, asked Jerry Jones, Executive Director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center to address the Council to discuss grant renewals and summer day camp program.
He then asked Bill Scott, Finance Director, to address the Council and discuss the Management Report for May, 2004. Bill stated a new format has been designed for ease of understanding and clarity. The new format allows for more information to be shared with less numerical data. Highlights of the Management Report included: a comment that the property tax revenue would be received in June; a modest improvement in receipts, food and beverage tax receipts were received for the first month since being implemented; cost of gas is being monitored and conservation plans are being developed for city staff to encourage less consumption.
John Phillips announced the Grand Excursion events would take place during the upcoming weekend of June 25-27 throughout the Quad Cities. Friday night’s activities are in Rock Island and he encouraged everyone to participate in these free events. The steam engine train will arrive at Modern Woodmen at 5:30 p.m. followed by events in the District including fireworks.
Alderman Keefe announced on Sunday, June 27 that the Keystone Neighborhood group was hosting a Tenth Anniversary Party at Longview Park at 6:00 p.m. She encouraged everyone to bring a dish to share and share in the celebration.
Alderman White expressed congratulations to former city employee Tim Johnson on his journal article “Sharing the Wealth” discussing the City’s GIS system published in the Point of Beginning journal.
Mayor Schwiebert asked Council members to give direction to City Staff concerning the rental certification program discussed earlier at the Study Session. Aldermen Bauersfeld expressed that he would like follow up information showing the impact the addition of two inspectors to the current Inspections Division would have if they were charged with more enforcement of the recently adopted International Property Maintenance Code regulations. He would prefer not to begin a new program if properties could be improved through another means. Additionally he would like to see a response from Staff to the letter received from the Quad City Rental Property Association at the Study Session. Alderman Brooks stated the support expressed by neighborhood groups and renters associations demonstrates that a certification program would be accepted although it may need further modifications. Alderman Rockwell stated he thought the discussions were going in a positive direction and he would like to see a program target the properties in the worst conditions with stricter fees. Alderman Keefe asked for a draft ordinance to be prepared for discussion so that program specifics could be discussed with the public. Alderman White was supportive of a draft ordinance also as long as everyone affected by the certification program, both landlords and tenants, would be treated fairly and equally.
The Mayor requested that City Staff bring back an additional report to the Council to be discussed at a Study Session in the future before a draft ordinance be prepared. The staff report could be more specific on costs and number of leased units affected.
Jerry Miller, 1516 41 Street, addressed the Council to request that the ice cream trucks be asked to reduce the volume of their music. He expressed his concern that businesses are not held to the same noise level restriction as car owners who play their stereos loudly. City Manager John Phillips stated he would have the Police Department look into the situation as this had been addressed a couple of years ago and the ice cream truck should comply with the noise restrictions in the ordinance. Acting City Attorney Ted Kutsunis said the noise ordinance is content neutral and that commercial entities are not exempt from being ticketed.
RECESS
A motion made by Alderman
Rockwell and seconded by Alderman Keefe to adjourn to Executive Session for the
purposes of discussing Litigation, Personnel and Property Acquisition at 7:45
p.m. carried on a Roll Call vote.
AYES: Alderman Brooks,
Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White, and Keefe.
NAYS: None.
A motion made by Alderman
Brooks and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to return to regular session
At 8:45 p.m. CARRIED on a Roll
Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks,
Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Keefe.
NAYS: None.
A motion made by Alderman
Bauersfeld and seconded by Alderman Brooks to recess until Monday, June 28, at
5:00 p.m. CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. .
AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Keefe. NAYS: None.
The meeting was recessed at 8:47 p.m.
_______________________________________
Carol
Gentry, Deputy City Clerk