The Rock Island City Council met in reconvened session on Saturday, September 25 at 8:00 a.m. for the beginning of the annual Goal Setting Session. The meeting was held at the Southwest Library in Rock Island. Present were Mayor Mark W. Schwiebert and Alderman David R. Conroy, John E. Bauersfeld, Jr., Daniel Rockwell, Evelyn “Evie” R. White and Charles “Chuck” O. Austin. Alderman Ann Keefe arrived at approximately 8:30 a.m. and Alderman Terry M. A. Brooks I arrived at approximately 9:00 a.m. Also present were City Manager John C. Phillips and Lyle Sumek of Lyle Sumek Associates, Inc. who acted as the group leader for the session.

Mr. Sumek started the session by distributing handouts for Council members to put into their notebooks. Following this, they reviewed and discussed the Top “12” Priorities as seen by the Department Managers. These priorities reflected many of those stated earlier by Council members.

Mr. Sumek then discussed his diagram of “Successful Leaders” as a group comprised of four components – a Visionary Leader, a Team Leader, a Spiritual Leader and a Performance Leader. He discussed each of these types of leaders, and indicated that the combination of these four types of leaders makes a good team for leadership. Council discussed successes, and ways to celebrate successes. Mr. Sumek suggested being more proactive with the media and getting the good news out, as well as encouraging the Council to celebrate successes as a means of expressing thanks to the community for their role in these successes.

Council reviewed the Goals for 2010 – More New Homes, Upgraded Older Homes; More and Better Retail; Quality City Services, Financially Sound City Government; Growing Economy; Neighborhoods that are more livable; and Improved Riverfront. Council then reviewed the strategic objectives for each of these six goals, and identified challenges and opportunities for each. Following that, action steps were identified for each of the goals. Council members discussed the actions steps, and then followed that up by voting on their priorities for action during the coming year.

The next step was for Council to choose their priorities for action steps to be taken for each of the goals. Mr. Sumek then listed these action steps, and Council voted on their Top Priorities/Action Steps for the coming year, and then their High Priorities for the coming year.

TOP PRIORITIES:

Buxton Study and Implementation

Wireless Telecommunication – Infrastructure Study and Plan

Gateway and Entrance Beautification Plan Funding

River Vision Plan and Action

QCIC

HIGH PRIORITES:

Infill Housing Projects

Retail Development Along Blackhawk Road

Infrastructure Upgrade Plan and Funding

Vacant Commercial Site Development and Actions (29 – 21 Sttreet/18 Avenue)

Children’s Garden at Quad City Botanical Center

Business Park in Southwest Rock Island

Following discussion, consensus of the Council was to add another category – Moderate Priorities. The two priorities for this category were identified as Public Arts and Southwest Residential Development. Each of these priorities received four out of eight votes each time the vote was taken.

Council discussed the importance of Council members attending some of the conferences offered for their benefit, with Alderman Bauersfeld noting that he always has been able to bring back valuable information. He also noted the value of communication with Council members from other cities. Mr. Sumek read the Vision Statement, and encouraged the Council not to lose sight of the vision. He suggested that they keep the priorities in mind, and also to keep the other action steps and goals in mind during the year, as some lay the foundation for others. He encouraged them to share successes and to speak to groups of persons during the year – neighborhood groups or other organizations.

Following further discussion, a motion made by Alderman Keefe and seconded by Alderman Conroy to recess to Monday, September 27 at 6:45 p.m. CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, White, Keefe and Austin. NAYS: None.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m.

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Jeanne F. Paggen, City Clerk