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 Pro Tem Charles O. Austin III, presiding, and Aldermen Terry M. A. Brooks I, David Conroy, Dennis E. Pauley, Daniel Rockwell, Margie Mejia-Caraballo, and Joy Murphy.  Mayor Mark W. Schwiebert was absent.  City Manager John Phillips was also present.

 

Introductory Proceedings

 

Mayor Pro Tem Austin called the meeting to order and lead in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.  Alderman Rockwell gave the Invocation. 

 

Agenda Item #5

Minutes of the meeting of October 23, 2006

 

A motion was made by Alderman Pauley, seconded by Alderwoman Murphy, to approve the minutes of the meeting of October 23, 2006 as written.  The motion carried on the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none. 

 

Agenda Item #6

Proclamation declaring November 9th as Trinity / VNHA Pathway Hospice Day

 

Mayor Pro Tem Austin read the Proclamation into the public record.  

 

Agenda Item #7

Public Hearing on a request from Gerald Reda for an amendment to a Special Use Permit at 1800/1806 First Street

 

Mayor Pro Tem Austin closed the regular meeting and opened the Public Hearing on a request from Gerald Reda for an amendment to a Special Use Permit at 1800/1806 First Street. 

 

Gerald Reda, 3400 20 Street Court, Rock Island, stated his intent to build another storage building on this property, although this will be an industrial-type storage unit.  He plans to cater to the service industry, providing storage for excess inventory, parts, etc.

 

Mayor Pro Tem Austin closed the Public Hearing and reconvened the regular meeting.   It was moved by Alderman Pauley, seconded by Alderman Conroy, to approve the request for an amendment to the Special Use Permit at 1800/1806 First Street and refer to the City Attorney for an ordinance.   The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote:  those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #8

Public Hearing on a request from Natalie Linville-Mass (Medialink Inc.) for an amendment to a Special Use Permit at 1902 17th Street

 

Mayor Pro Tem Austin closed the regular meeting and opened the Public Hearing on a request from Natalie Linville-Mass (Medialink Inc.) for an amendment to a Special Use Permit at 1902 17th Street.

 

 

 

No one was present to speak in favor of, or in opposition to, the requested Special Use Permit.

 

Mayor Pro Tem Austin closed the Public Hearing and reconvened the regular meeting.  A motion was made by Alderman Rockwell and seconded by Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo to approve the request for an amendment to the Special Use Permit at 1902 17th Street.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote:  those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

A motion was then made by Alderman Conroy, seconded by Alderman Rockwell, to consider agenda item number 10, Special Ordinance amending a special ordinance granting a Special Use Permit for 1902 17th Street, out of printed order and take action on this item before considering agenda item number 9, Public Hearing on a request from Bill Bogart Jr. for a Special Use Permit to operate a firearm repair business out of his home in Lakeview Estates Mobile Home Park at 2300 79th Avenue West.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote:  those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #10

Special Ordinance amending a special ordinance granting a Special Use Permit for 1902 17th Street

 

It was moved by Alderman Pauley, seconded by Alderwoman Murphy, to consider, suspend the rules, and pass the Ordinance.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote:  those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #9

Public Hearing on a request from Bill Bogart Jr. for a Special Use Permit to operate a firearm repair business out of his home in Lakeview Estates Mobile Home Park at 2300 79th Avenue West

 

Mayor Pro Tem Austin closed the regular meeting and opened a Public Hearing on a request from Bill Bogart Jr. for a Special Use Permit to operate a firearm repair business out of his home in Lakeview Estates Mobile Home Park at 2300 79th Avenue West.

 

Mr. Bill Bogart, Jr. was unable to attend the Council meeting and was represented at this public hearing by his son Derek Bogart.  Following a brief discussion, Council members felt action could not be taken on this matter until Bill Bogart, Jr. was present to answer their questions. 

 

Mayor Pro Tem Austin closed the Public Hearing and reconvened the regular meeting.  A motion was made by Alderman Brooks to deny the applicant’s request for a Special Use Permit to operate a firearm repair business out of his home in Lakeview Estates Mobile Home Park at 2300 79th Avenue West.  The motion failed for lack of a second. 

 

 

 

 

 

Agenda Item #11

CLAIMS

 

It was moved by Alderman Rockwell, seconded by Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, to accept the following reports and authorize payments as recommended.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote:  those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

a.       Report from the Finance Department regarding payment in the amount of $4,800.00 to Timothy Sharpe for actuarial services.

 

b.      Report from the Personnel Department regarding payment in the amount of $7,672.80 to Konecky, Koenig, Kutsunis and Weng for legal services rendered for October 2006.

 

c.       Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $5,000.00 to Edgewood Baptist Church for the rain garden reimbursement program. (317)

 

d.      Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $17,006.00 to State of Illinois Treasurer for Blackhawk Road Widening Project from 24th Street to 38th Street. (321)

 

e.       Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $4,384.00 to St. James Lutheran Church for the rain garden reimbursement program. (328)

 

f.        Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $50,454.14 to Andrews Carpentry and Construction for Storm Water Improvements East of 38th Street and South of 29th Avenue. (330)

 

g.       Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $53,642.47 to Brandt Construction for 24th Street resurfacing from 31st Avenue to 17th Street. (331)

 

h.       Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $3,550.00 to Dixon Engineering Inc. for painting of the water tower on 38th Street. (332)

 

i.         Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $5,486.00 to Kodiak Site Contractors for the 2006 sod and tree program. (333)

 

j.        Report from Community and Economic Development Department regarding bid from American Testing & Training for bid packages 1-4 in the amount of $5,900.00 and from Environet for bid package 5 in the amount of $860.00 for asbestos remediation.

 

Agenda Item #12

Claims for the week of October 20 through November 2 in the amount of  $1,249,833.05

 

It was moved by Alderwoman Murphy, seconded by Alderman Rockwell, to allow the claims for the week of October 20th through November 2nd.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote:  those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #13

Payroll for the weeks of October 9 through October 22 in the amount of $1,047,050.64

 

A motion was made by Alderman Pauley, seconded by Alderwoman Murphy, to allow the payroll for the weeks of October 9 through October 22.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote:  those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #14

Report from the Police Department regarding the purchase of a Lidar Laser Speed Gun from Laser Technology Inc. in the amount of $4,619.00 

 

It was moved by Alderwoman Murphy, seconded by Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, to approve the purchase of a Lidar Laser Speed Gun as recommended.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote:  those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #15

Report from the Police Department regarding the purchase of a Crash Data Retrieval System from Vetronix Corporation in the amount of $2,616.00

 

Alderman Rockwell moved and Alderwoman Murphy seconded to approve the purchase of a Crash Data Retrieval System as recommended.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote:  those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #16

Report from the Information Technology Department regarding the purchase of the Mobility XE Licenses from Net Motion Wireless in the amount of $12,031.25 

 

It was moved by Alderwoman Murphy, seconded by Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, to approve the purchase of the Mobility XE Licenses as recommended.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote:  those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #17

Report from the General Administration Department regarding a one-year contract renewal, expiring December 31, 2007, with The Ferguson Group for legislative consultant services at the price quoted in the existing contract

 

A motion was made by Alderman Pauley, seconded by Alderman Brooks, to approve the contract extension with The Ferguson Group as recommended and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote:  those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

 

Agenda Item #18

Report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding a commitment in the amount of $2,871.00 for a Roof Standard Payment Loan at 1809 – 9˝ Street

 

It was moved by Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, seconded by Alderman Rockwell, to commit $2,871.00 for a Roof Standard Payment Loan as recommended.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote:  those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #19

Report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding a request for Special Use Permit at 1521 24th Street for Sheri Vidmar

 

Alderwoman Murphy moved and Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo seconded to allow for the application of the Special Use Permit for 1521 24th Street as recommended.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote:  those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #20

Report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding the Community Development Block Grant Allocation Decisions

 

 It was moved by Alderman Conroy, seconded by Alderman Pauley, to allocate CDBG funding in the following manner:  $200,000 to the City of Rock Island Inspection Division for its Rental Property Inspection Program, $78,240 to Rock Island Economic Growth Corporation for its housing programs, $179,106 to the City of Rock Island Planning and Redevelopment Division for its housing programs, $132,808 to City of Rock Island Planning and Redevelopment Division for support costs and staff, $144,450 to the City of Rock Island Planning and Redevelopment Division for planning administration, $82,108 to the City of Rock Island Community and Economic Development Department for general administration, $148,812 to City of Rock Island Economic Development Division for administration, and $170,387 to the Martin Luther King Community Center for operating and administrative support.    

 

Alderman Conroy thanked members of the Citizens Advisory Committee for their work on preparing their recommendations for allocation of the Community Development Block Grant funds.  Cuts in federal funding have reduced CDBG funding from $2 million to an expected $1,135,911 in the last six years.  His motion reflects his desire to make certain the Martin Luther King Center is secure in its financing.  Also, the City has created some great programs that serve the residents of this community well, and those programs need continued funding. 

 

Alderman Pauley suggested that the City earmark $50,000 of gaming revenues to be awarded to the Citizens Advisory Committee for them to distribute to social service agencies as they see fit. 

 

Alderman Brooks offered that it is a sad occasion when the City is forced to make these choices, but the City has initiated some very important health and safety programs that need to be financially supported for the betterment of the City.

 

 

City Manager Phillips noted that during the November 20th Study Session, use of gaming revenues will be discussed.  Alderman Brooks stated his desire to see more gaming monies allocated to the Martin Luther King Center in the future.  City Manager Phillips responded that $14,000 of general fund dollars is currently allocated for support of the MLK Center.  However, the City will need to provide $50,000 during the upcoming fiscal year to retain current programs at the Center. 

 

Vince Thomas, 1000 21 Street, addressed the Council saying it seems as though the Citizens Advisory Committee recommendations are for naught, and the City should be frank with them in the beginning of this process and save those people their time and effort.  Granting of CDBG funds are based on a community’s low-income and minority populations, yet the City does not use those funds to help the populations who brought the money into the City.  He suggested that rather than focusing on only one City program, the City should trim some money from each City program and give that money to social service agencies as a show of support.  Mr. Thomas also questioned spending money to hire a legislative consultant. 

 

Alderman Brooks answered that programs like the Rental Housing Inspection Program help citizens raise their standard of living and prevent deterioration of the city’s housing stock.  The City has an obligation to fund programs that will help those who cannot help themselves.

 

Alderman Austin noted that the Community Development Block Grant program was almost eliminated, and it continues only because of letter-writing campaigns.  He suggested that everyone needs to continue to write to the legislators to request increased future funding.

 

The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote:  those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #21

Report from the Traffic Engineering Committee regarding a request to install a handicapped parking space at 4527 9th Avenue

 

Following clarification of the city boundary, it was moved by Alderman Pauley, seconded by Alderwoman Murphy, to approve the request to install a handicapped parking space as recommended and refer to the City Attorney for an Ordinance.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote:  those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #22

Selection of voting delegate to National League of Cities’ Annual Business Meeting 

 

A motion was made by Alderman Conroy and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to select Alderman Terry Brooks as the City’s voting delegate to the National League of Cities’ Annual Business Meeting.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote:  those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

 

 

Agenda Item #23

Items from the City Manager’s Memorandum Packet

 

City Manager Phillips called Council members attention to the Audit Management Letter response by the Finance Department; the steam train excursion report; the copy of Public Act 094-1058 regarding electronic meeting attendance, adding that if the Council wishes to continue to not allow electronic meeting attendance, no action is required; and the September Management Report, which is being used for budget preparations. 

 

Agenda Item #24

Other Business

 

Vince Thomas, 1000 21 Street, addressed the Council regarding the 7th Avenue street project, saying the public needs to know why this project is taking so long.  It is causing havoc in the neighborhoods and hurting businesses located there.  He asked for a projection of when residents can expect this thoroughfare to be reopened. 

 

Public Works Director Hawes responded the contractor has until next year to complete the project.  However, the contractor is trying to get all of the asphalt laid before winter; and the street will reopen as soon as the asphalt is down.  But even if the asphalt is not completed, the streets will be reopened for the winter. 

 

Planning and Redevelopment Administrator Carmen introduced the City’s new Grant Administrator and Website Coordinator, Trisha Taylor.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

A motion was made by Alderman Conroy, seconded by Alderman Rockwell, to recess to Executive Session on matters of personnel.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote:  those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

The meeting was recessed at 7:42 p.m.

 

Agenda Item #25

Recess           

 

Alderman Brooks moved and Alderman Conroy seconded to reconvene the regular meeting at 8:00 p.m.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote:  those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.  It was then moved by Alderman Brooks, and seconded by Alderwoman Murphy to recess to Monday, November 13th at 5:00 p.m.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote:  those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

           

The meeting was recessed at 8:02 p.m.

                   ____________________________________

                        Karen DeLathower, Acting City Clerk