The Rock Island City Council met in regular session at 6:45 p.m. on Monday, June 28, 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 Conroy gave the Invocation. A motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Keefe to approve the Minutes of June 21 as printed CARRIED on a Voice vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Keefe. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #6
The City Clerk read a Memorandum from Mayor Schwiebert recommending the appointment of Charles O. Austin, III to the position of Seventh Ward Alderman for the remainder of the term, which ends April 30, 2005. A motion made by Alderman Conroy and seconded by Alderman White to approve the appointment as recommended CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White and Keefe. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #7
The City Clerk administered the Oath of Office to Charles O. Austin III as approved by the City Council. Immediately following this, Alderman Austin was seated at the Council Table for the remainder of the meeting.
Agenda Item #8
Dennis Pauley, President, and Gail Burril, Vice President of the Backwater Gamblers, presented booklets for the “Rocking Country Ski Camp” show. They also presented the city with a framed picture of their award-winning pyramid. They invited everyone to join them for their shows held at 44th Street on the Rock River. Mr. Pauley noted that they have won several awards, and will be defending their National Championship soon. The Regional Division will have its competition in Rock Island July 10 and 11, and the Division I National Show Ski Tournament will be held August 13 – 15 at Janesville, Wisconsin.
Agenda Item #9
Mayor Schwiebert read a proclamation declaring the week of June 28 through July 3 as National Homeownership Week and presented the framed document to Brian Hollenback. Mr. Hollenback spoke of the events occurring this week, and invited everyone to attend the groundbreaking ceremony at 728 15th Street on Wednesday, June 30. This house will be the second one to be built through the Youth Build Program.
ORDINANCES
Agenda Item #10
3055 38 STREET/SPECIAL USE PERMIT AMENDMENT
The City Clerk read a Special Ordinance amendment allowing an inoperable flatbed truck for retail holiday displays at 3055 38th Street. A motion made by Alderman Austin and seconded by Alderman Keefe to consider, suspend the rules and pass the Ordinance CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White, Keefe and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #11
508 19 AVENUE/HANDICAPPED
PARKING REMOVED
The City Clerk read a Special Ordinance amendment removing a handicapped parking space in front of 508 19th Avenue. A motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to consider, suspend the rules and pass the Ordinance CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White, Keefe and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #12
The City Clerk read a Special Ordinance establishing a “no parking” zone on the east side of 15th Street between Third and Fourth Avenues. A motion made by Alderman Keefe 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, Keefe and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #13
5001 11 STREET/PRIVATE PARKING
The City Clerk read a Special Ordinance regulating parking at 5001 11th Street. A motion made by Alderman Conroy 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, Keefe and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #14a
The City Clerk read a report from the Personnel Department recommending payment to Marlis Donner in the amount of $1000 for vehicle damage.
Agenda Item #14b
The City Clerk read a report from the Personnel Department recommending payment to Califf and Harper in the amount of $5,027.69 for legal services during the month of May.
Agenda Item #14c
The City Clerk read a report from the Community and Economic Development Department recommending payment to Phoenix Corporation in the amount of $57,567.84 for demolition of properties.
Agenda Item #14d
The City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department recommending payment to Gardner Carton and Douglas in the amount of $8,288.59 for professional services for the pretreatment program.
Agenda Item #14e
The City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department recommending payment to Rail City Construction in the amount of $17,572.10 for the 2004 Brick Street Patch Project.
Agenda Item #14f
The City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department recommending payment to the State of Illinois in the amount of $74,500 for the NPDES permits.
Alderman White commended Bob Hawes and his staff for the work being done on the brick street at 16th Avenue. Following brief discussion, 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, Keefe and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #15
JUNE 18 THROUGH 24
The City Clerk read the claims for the week of June 18 through 24 in the amount of $1,603,034.11. A motion made by Alderman Keefe and seconded by Alderman White to allow the claims CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White, Keefe and Austin. NAYS: None.
PAYROLL
Agenda Item #16
JUNE 6 THROUGH 20
The City Clerk read the payroll for the weeks of June 6 through 20 in the amount of $1,032,466.82. A motion made by Alderman Keefe and seconded by Alderman White to allow payroll CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White, Keefe and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #17
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES/ROTH TANK PROPERTY
The City Clerk read a report from the Community and Economic Development Department recommending approval of a contract with Environmental Management Services at the estimated cost of $8,930.00 for removal of contaminated soils and other materials at the Roth Tank property. A motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to approve 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, Keefe and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #18
RESOLUTION/GRANT APPLICATION
The City Clerk read a report from the Parks and Recreation Department regarding a Resolution regarding application for grant funds for the purchase of property in Southwest Rock Island to be used for parkland. Alderman Keefe noted that the report indicated problems with the first application, and City Manager John C. Phillips responded that there have been enhancements made to this grant application. He noted also that the program is in jeopardy with the governor’s budget, and this is very popular and competitive grant process, so there is no guarantee that the grant will be approved. Following discussion, a motion made by Alderman Conroy and seconded by Alderman White to adopt the Resolution and authorize the Mayor to execute the project documents CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White, Keefe and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #19
HUD LEAD BASED-PAINT HAZARD CONTROL/PARTICIPATION IN
GRANT
The City Clerk read a report from the Community and Economic Development Department requesting authorization for staff to participate in the HUD Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Program Grant. A motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to authorize staff to participate in the Program Grant application process CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White, Keefe and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #20
The City Clerk read a report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding a commitment from City Council in the amount of $4,978.00 for a Roof Deferred Payment Loan for 606 14th Avenue. A motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Austin to commit $4,978.00 for the Roof Deferred Payment Loan as recommended CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White, Keefe and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #21
TARGETED REHAB LOAN/2412 30
STREET
The City Clerk read a report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding a commitment from City Council in the amount of $2,835.78 for a Targeted Rehab Loan for Cindy Myers, 2412 30th Street. A motion made by Alderman Rockwell and seconded by Alderman White to commit $2,835.78 as recommended CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White, Keefe and Austin. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #22
The City Clerk read a memorandum from Mayor Schwiebert recommending four reappointments and two new appointments to the Sunset Marina Boaters Advisory Board, one reappointment to the Quad City Civic Center Authority, and two new appointments to the Rock Island Preservation Commission as follows:
Sunset Marina Boaters Advisory Board:
Jon Lee (reappointment)
Vern Winter (new appointment)
Bill Barlett (reappointment)
Laura Ritchie (reappointment)
Fred Attwood (new appointment)
Steve Schwindt (reappointment)
Quad City Civic Center Authority:
Ted Thoms (reappointment)
Rock Island Preservation Commission:
Linda Anderson (new appointment)
Mary Welling (new appointment)
A motion made by Alderman Bauersfeld and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to approve the appointments and reappointments as recommended CARRIED on a Voice vote.
Agenda Item #23
STORMWATER BOARD OF APPEALS
The City Clerk read a memorandum from Mayor Schwiebert recommending five new appointments to the new Stormwater Board Of Appeals. They are as follows:
Stormwater Board of Appeals:
Jim Hass
Robert Schroeder
Mike Thoms
Charles Oestreich
Mary Donnelly
A motion made by Alderman Bauersfeld and seconded by Alderman Conroy to approve the appointments as recommended CARRIED on a Voice vote.
LICENSES/PERMITS
Agenda Item #24
KING CENTER FAMILY FUN DAY/AUGUST 7
The City Clerk read a report from the Martin Luther King Community Center regarding requests pertaining to the annual Family Fun Day to be held August 7, including closing off of 9th Street between 6th and 7th Avenue, approval of the Sound Amplification Permit and Parade Permit, as well as waivers of the food vendor permit fees and the Sound Amplification Permit fee. A motion made by Alderman White and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to approve the requests as noted CARRIED on a Voice vote.
Mr. Phillips called attention to the 2004 Project Status Report provided by Public Works and included in the packet.
Mr. Phillips then noted the March 2004 Management Report that had been provided by the Finance Department. He stated that the Finance Director was unable to be here to respond to questions, adding that this is only a preliminary report.
Mr. Phillips noted that this report would be sent to the auditors for their review. Following that, the auditors will meet with staff and the City Council to review their comments and recommendations.
Mr. Phillips indicated that the General Fund shows a positive balance, with spending under budget. The sales taxes and income taxes were below what was expected, and the telecommunications taxes were over the budgeted amount. The major concerns were the employee health fund, which ended the year with a negative balance. The Wastewater Fund showed a net loss, but they are hoping that the Stormwater Fund will help this in the coming years. In response to a question from Alderman Bauersfeld, Mr. Phillips stated that he is not recommending any excess funds to be plug in to offset the shortfalls, but rather the excess funds, following the audit, will be used for Capital Improvements according to Council policy.
Referring to the ambulance service and lack of collection of fees, Alderman Keefe asked what the gap is between the collection process and establishing an unpaid amount as a bad debt. Mr. Phillips stated that they budget for bad debts each year, and noted that many of the ambulance call fees are not collected each year. Mayor Schwiebert called attention to areas indicating some savings, such as Police, Fire and Public Works Street Division. He asked if this was due to vacancies and asked that staff identify the reasons for the savings to see if this was something that can be continued. Mr. Phillips noted that there is a Labor Management Group that meets regularly, and there is a Wellness Program for the Police and Fire Department.
City Manager John C. Phillips expressed thanks for the City staff who helped with the Grand Excursion, specifically Sgt. Mike Sponsler, Sally Heffernan, Jill Doak and Tim Ridder, along with Jennifer Fowler, Community Marketing Director. Alderman Conroy noted that Modern Woodman should also be commended for their assistance and hospitality for the Grand Excursion events. Alderman Keefe noted that Rock Island seemed to have a greater variety of events during the weekend than other cities in the area.
Mayor Schwiebert called attention to the letter from the Village of Roselle commending City Manager John Phillips for his service on the ILCMA Summer Conference Committee.
Mayor Schwiebert also noted the information regarding the “Adoption of National Guard Units Request” from local citizens. Council consensus was to go ahead with this, and Mayor Schwiebert indicated that a Resolution would be prepared for the July 12 Agenda.
A motion made by Alderman Conroy and seconded by Alderman White to recess to Executive Session on matters of Physical Plant Security and Property Acquisition CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White, Keefe and Austin. NAYS: None.
The meeting was recessed at 7:25 p.m.
Mayor Schwiebert reconvened the regular meeting at 8:15 p.m. A motion made by Alderman Keefe and seconded by Alderman White to recess to Monday, July 12 CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White, Keefe and Austin. NAYS: None.
The meeting was recessed at 8:16 p.m.
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Jeanne F. Paggen, City Clerk