The Rock Island City Council met in regular session at 6:45 p.m. on Monday, November 24, 2003 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., Daniel Rockwell, Ann L. Keefe and Frank J. Forlini, Jr. Alderman Evelyn "Evie" R. White was absent.
Mayor Schwiebert called the meeting to Order. Three Cub Scouts from Pack #250 – Christopher Giles, Reed Duyvejonck and Michael Phillips - 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 Forlini and seconded by Alderman Keefe to approve the Minutes of the meeting of November 17 as printed CARRIED on a Voice vote.
Agenda Item #6
Mayor Schwiebert called attention to a proclamation declaring the week of November 22 through 29 as National Family Week.
Agenda Item #7
2103 THIRD AVENUE/CONVEYANCE OF TITLE
The City Clerk read a Special Ordinance regarding the conveyance of title for the property at 2103 3rd Avenue. A motion made by Alderman Keefe and seconded by Alderman Forlini to consider, suspend the rules and pass the Ordinance CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, Keefe and Forlini. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #8a
The City Clerk read a report from the Personnel Department recommending payment to the Sports Depot, Inc. in the amount of $2,785.00 for employee service jackets.
Agenda Item #8b
FRYE
BUILDERS/GREAT RIVER PLAZA RENOVATIONS
The City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department recommending payment to Frye Builders in the amount of $4,606.67 for the Great River Plaza Renovations.
Agenda Item #8c
VALLEY
CONSTRUCTION/SANITARY SEWER 9 STREET
The City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department recommending payment to Valley Construction in the amount of $3,421.34 for an emergency sanitary sewer repair at 9th Street and 21st Avenue.
Agenda Item #8d
VALLEY
CONSTRUCTION/SANITARY SEWER 25 STREET
The City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department recommending payment to Valley Construction in the amount of $15,482.94 for an emergency sanitary sewer at 25th Street.
Agenda Item #8e
TRIAD
ENGINEERING/TURKEY HOLLOW ROAD EXTENSION
The City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department recommending payment to Triad Engineering in the amount of $21,757.47 for professional services in connection with the Turkey Hollow Road extension and the Remote Chlorination System.
Agenda Item #8f
TRIAD
ENGINEERING /LONG TERM CONTROL PLAN
The City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department recommending payment to Triad Engineering in the amount of $5,440.70 for professional services for the Long Term Control Plan.
Agenda Item #8g
BRANDT
CONSTRUCTION/17 STREET RESURFACING
The City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department recommending payment to Brandt Construction in the amount of $314,488.28 for the 17th Street Resurfacing from 25th to 31st Avenues.
Agenda Item #8h
ABONMARCHE
CONSULTANTS/SUNSET MARINA 500 DOCK EXPANSION
The City Clerk read a report from the Public Works Department recommending payment to Abonmarche Consultants in the amount of $2,206.25 for the bidding services for the Sunset Marina 500 Dock expansion and upgrade.
A motion made by Alderman Forlini 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, Keefe and Forlini. NAYS: None.
Agenda Item #9
NOVEMBER 14
THROUGH 20
The City Clerk read the claims for the week of November 14 through 20 in the amount of $696,927.41. A motion made by Alderman Keefe and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to allow the claims CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, Keefe and Forlini. NAYS: None.
PURCHASES
Agenda Item #10
CDWG,
CABLING, HEWLETT PACKARD/PUBLIC WORKS REORGANIZATION
The City Clerk read a report from the Information Technology Services Department regarding the purchase of computers and cabling needed for the Public Works Reorganization, recommending the purchase of the Networking Electronics from CDWG, cabling from Preferred Cable, Inc. and computers from Hewlett Packard, for a total cost of $13,214.48.
Alderman Rockwell asked if staff already have computers that are being replaced with these. Information Services Manager Claire Dubuisson responded that two of the Techs are already sharing a computer and the third Tech to be hired will need a computer. Public Works Director Bob Hawes added that the computer in the truck is not a laptop, and the tech could use that computer if the truck is parked and not going out to videotape anything. Alderman Conroy asked about using laptops for this, and Ms. Dubuisson responded that they do not have the capability that is needed for these programs.
Following discussion, a motion made by Alderman Keefe and seconded by Alderman Forlini to authorize the purchases and payments as recommended CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, Keefe and Forlini. NAYS: None.
CONTRACTS/AGREEMENTS
Agenda Item #11
AMERICAN
BANK/ATM ON RIGHT OF WAY
The City Clerk read a report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding a request from the American Bank to install an ATM on the south side of 4th Avenue between 16th and 17th Streets. A motion was made by Alderman Bauersfeld and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to approve the agreement and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents.
Alderman Keefe noted a discrepancy between the report and contract, and it was discovered that there was a typographical error in the contract. This change will be made. She also expressed concern about the length of the contract being ten years. Mike Bell, 2109 23rd Avenue, Retail Sales Manager, stated that the ten years is what is needed for cost recovery of the machine.
Mr. Bell described the parking changes that will be made, since this project will eliminate five current parking spaces on Fourth Avenue. He stated that they would be creating eight spots in their lot to counter these five spots. He also noted that they would welcome public parking in these eight spots. City Manager John Phillips indicated that they have discussed making these eight spots green zone parking that can be used by anyone who has purchased a parking permit from the City.
Alderman Conroy asked how the lease amount was arrived at, and Mr. Phillips explained that they looked at the cost of five parking spaces that would be at $20.00 each now and could go to $30.00 in ten years. He stated that they also looked at he appraised value of other downtown real estate and the fair market value. Mr. Bell indicated again that this would not be for tenant parking, but they would designate these spaces for green zone parking as stated.
Mayor Schwiebert noted that the contract did not contain provisions for the city to opt out of the agreement if there was a public need such as a reconfiguration of the streets in that area. Alderman Conroy asked if the city would be responsible if they had to dig up the street if there was a break in the utility lines under the ATM machines. He suggested that American Bank would also be relieved from paying the rent if this occurred. Mr. Bell stated that the original engineering document showed there were no utilities under this section of the street.
Following discussion, a motion made by Alderman Conroy and seconded by Alderman Bauersfeld to DEFER this item for the changes and corrections to be made to the contract CARRIED on a Voice vote.
Agenda Item #12
CLIPPER
CONDOS/EXTENSION
The City Clerk read a report from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding a request for an extension to February 1, 2004 for the completion of the Clipper Condos project. Dan Carmody, Executive Director of Renaissance Rock Island, reviewed the progress of the Clipper Condo project. He noted that of the nine rental units, five have already been rented out. One of the two commercial spaces has also been rented. He talked about the location of the rental units with a view of the river from eight of the units. Following discussion, a motion made by Alderman Rockwell and seconded by Alderman Conroy to approve the extension to February 1, 2004 as recommended and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, Keefe and Forlini. NAYS: None.
TRAFFIC ENGINEERING
Agenda Item #13
2954 13
AVENUE/HANDICAPPED PARKING
The City Clerk read a report from the Traffic Engineering Committee regarding a request for a Handicapped Parking Space in front of 2954 13th Avenue. A motion made by Alderman Keefe and seconded by Alderman Brooks to approve the request and refer to the City Attorney for an Ordinance CARRIED on a Voice vote.
BOARDS
AND COMMISSIONS
Agenda Item #14
HEALTH CARE
PLANNING COMMITTEE/KEEFE
The City Clerk read a memorandum from Mayor Schwiebert recommending the appointment of Ann Keefe to the Health Care Planning Committee. A motion made by Alderman Conroy and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to approve the appointment CARRIED on a Voice vote.
ITEMS
FROM THE CITY MANAGER’S MEMORANDUM
City Manager John C. Phillips called attention to the information regarding the “Tax Levy – History” and the “Tax Levy – Impact” from Finance Director Bill Scott. He also noted the letter from the Quad Cities Arts proposing a request for support money from the City. He indicated that staff would look at this when preparing the CIP and come back to Council with it at a later date. He reminded Council of the meeting with the Moline City Council on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Mark in Moline to review the Regional Services Study. He noted that the complete report from Maximus would be available on the website on Tuesday of this week.
OTHER
BUSINESS
Alderman Keefe stated that the City couldn’t afford not to ban leaf burning and related her experience on Saturday as she entered the City of Rock Island with the smoke in the air under the fog. She stated that Council needs to reconsider banning leaf burning, and suggested that the ¼% sales tax be used to pay for this.
Alderman Bauersfeld stated that is the reason he is going through the contract lists to see which ones can be done in-house instead of contracted out to save some money. He added that the city should provide a complete service. He noted that he was in Davenport last week, and all their leaves are under the trees or in the streets. Alderman Rockwell commended staff on the work that has been done so far to address this issue, with the free bags, etc. He stated that he feels the momentum is still there to address this and believes the city is going in the right direction.
Alderman Rockwell noted that a meeting would be held December 4 at 5:00 p.m. at the River Center regarding River Vision. He stated the purpose of the meeting would be to get public input on the project.
Alderman Rockwell complimented the
staff for their professionalism and commitment on the budget. He discussed the tax levy and tax rate, and
added that we need to do more than closing the budget gap for this year. He stated that the revenue increases should
come from sources other than property tax increases… and areas of
cost savings should also be identified.
Correction/Addition made by Alderman Rockwell during meeting of
12/08/03.
Alderman Conroy encouraged the public to call their Representatives and Senators to encourage them to support the schools with money other than property taxes. He stated that an additional income tax would work better than the property taxes being increased.
HARD HAT
EVENT
Dan Carmody spoke of the Hard Hat Party to be held Wednesday, December 3 at the Illinois Casualty Building at 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. He asked the Mayor and Council to complete a ballot for him for the Mayor/Council trophy that will be awarded at that event.
CITY HALL
CLOSING/TRASH PICKUP
Mayor Schwiebert announced that City Hall would be closed Thursday and Friday of this week. He noted that garbage pickup would be delayed one day for Thursday and Friday – to be picked up on Friday and Saturday.
RECESS
A motion made by Alderman Bauersfeld and seconded by Alderman Brooks to recess to Tuesday, November 25 at The Mark in Moline for the Regional Services Update CARRIED on a Roll Call vote. AYES: Aldermen Brooks, Conroy, Bauersfeld, Rockwell, Keefe and Forlini. NAYS: None.
The meeting was recessed at 7:40 p.m.
________________________________
Jeanne F. Paggen, City Clerk