The Rock Island City Council met in Study Session at 5:00 pm in the Personnel Conference Room, City Hall.  Present were Mayor Mark W. Schwiebert, presiding, and Aldermen David A. Conroy, Daniel Rockwell, Margie Mejia-Caraballo, Joy Murphy, and Charles O. Austin III.  Also present were City Manager John Phillips, Lead Program Manager Mel Piff, and Community and Economic Development Department Planning and Redevelopment Administrator Alan Carmen.  Alderman Terry Brooks and Dennis Pauley were absent.

 

LEAD-BASED PAINT PROGRAM UPDATE

 

Lead Program Manager Mel Piff addressed the Council to provide an update on the Lead Hazard Control Grant Program. Piff began the presentation stating that lead is found in many materials such as paint and food cans as well as in children’s jewelry and imported candy. Lead hazards are found in lead-based paint, lead based paint dust, lead-based painted toys and soil.  Piff commented that low levels of lead could cause decreased muscle and bone growth, nervous system damage and learning disabilities in children as well as high blood pressure, nervous disorders and fertility problems in adults.

 

The Illinois Department of Public Health has designated Rock Island County a high-risk area, especially the cities of Rock Island and Moline which contain high zip codes of lead within the county. Approximately ninety-two percent (92) of the housing stock in Rock Island and Moline was built prior to 1980, half of which was built prior to 1950. Piff stated that the housing stock is a strong indicator for presence of lead hazards.

 

As of 2002, the City of Rock Island and various partners have applied annually To HUD for the Lead Based Paint Hazard Control Grant. In October 2005, the City of Rock Island in partnership with the City of Moline, Project Now, Rock Island Economic Growth Corporation and the Rock Island County Health Department received a three (3) year Lead Based Paint Hazard Control Grant in the amount of 1,896,834.00 to make 140 housing units lead safe 45 of which Rock Island will be responsible for completing. Each of these various partners was allocated 10,00.00 per unit for lead hazard control work. Before the allocated dollars could be spent on lead hazard work, an environmental review had to be completed, policies and procedures developed, and budgets and benchmarks approved. HUD approved the Environmental Review on February 10, 2006. Funds were released for lead work on April 5, 2006.

 

The HUD Lead Based Paint Hazard Control Program has specific requirements.  Contractors are required to be trained and licensed. HUD requires eligible units to be Owner-occupied (grant) and for a rental unit there is an available zero percent (0) interest five (5) year forgivable loan. Additional eligibility requirements HUD Lists is a child has to be under the age of six (6) unless said child has been poisoned, Lead hazards have to be present, Property taxes and Homeowners Insurance must be paid, targeted census tracts, (unless refereed to the Health Department) and HUD has specific income guide lines.

 

Mel Piff explained there is a process for appropriate participants, which involve homeowners completing an application for lead work, risk assessment, contractor bids, hazards identified and work orders generated, meeting with staff, homeowner and contractor, state notification and risk assessor reviewing the work. Piff stated that finding applicants has taken longer than anticipated due to the shortage of families with children under six (6) years of age who live in the targeted census tract.

 

In July 2006, the first house was completed and made safe for a family with two (2) lead poisoned children.  Piff acknowledged that applications were still slow. A representative from Washington who is a monitor for the HUD grant program arrived and performed a site visit and stated that the lead hazard program was in the red zone which meant that the City was not meeting it’s objective of completing fifteen (15) units by September 29, 2006. Furthermore, a total of thirty (30) units must be completed by late December, and HUD requires a total of forty (40) units to be completed by March 31, 2007 or the HUD Grant will be terminated.

 

 Mayor Scwiebert inquired on what would happen to the fifteen (15) units if the forty (40) units were not completed by March 31, 2007. Piff responded that HUD would honor all contracts, which are signed.

 

Piff explained that some major changes have taken place. The Lead Based Paint Program has been advertised through radio, TV, the newspaper as well as through Churches United Newsletter and various neighborhood organizations.  The contractor rebate incentive has doubled, however none have applied to date. Project Now is working with contractors on the licensing paperwork. The City has changed out outreach to attract applicants not in pipelines, and the Environmental Review material has been submitted and awaiting approval.

 

As of November 2006, twenty (20) applications have been approved, seven  (7) units have completed risk assessments, two (2) units are undergoing lead work, and six (6) units have been completed and made lead safe. Piff confirmed that the projected number of units cleared by the end of December would be eight (8) to ten (10). Piff reiterated that forty (40) units must be completed by March 31, 2007 or HUD will terminate the grant. Piff is optimistic that it will be done.

 

WORKFORCE PLANNING

 

City Manager John Phillips addressed the Council to describe the problem and strategies regarding workforce planning and talent management, which concerns the City of Rock Island’s aging workforce

in the public sector.  Phillips initiated the presentation explaining that sixty-seven (67) percent of workers in the public sector are over the age of forty (40). As these workers retire, it will be important for organizations to fill positions with talented and experienced people, especially management and supervisory personnel employed with the City of Rock Island. Many organizations are embarking on ways to prepare their organizations for this transition. Phillips indicated that two-thirds (2/3) of the management staff in the Fire Department will be eligible for retirement within five (5) years. Public Works, Police, and Community and Economic Development also have a significant number of staff eligible within five (5) years. Of the ninety-two (92) managers and supervisors in the City of Rock Island, twenty-five (25) percent are currently eligible to retire.   Fifty-one percent (51) will be eligible within five (5) years.  Nine (9) of the eleven (11) top managers in the City will be eligible for retirement in two (2) years. 

 

Phillips commented that the City of Rock Island has traditionally valued hiring and promotion practices that result in obtaining the best person for the job through promoting within and outside of the organization. Phillips firmly declared that this organizational value should not change. However, the City of Rock Island could improve efforts to support, encourage, and build the existing talent within the City organization.

 

City Manager Phillips’ four (4) primary strategies to develop the technical and leadership skills of City employees and prepare these employees for advancement are as follows: Incorporate individual development plans and performance reviews, build leadership competencies, increase management and leadership training, and improve formal education assistance.

 

As part of the process of individual development through the performance review system, the employee and supervisor are required to set goals and take responsibility for building the employee’s leadership skills.

 

Leadership competencies including knowledge and understanding of City operations outside the employee’s own department and developing a broad network of relationships across City departments as Phillips suggests, are some of the most important skills for mid and higher-level management positions, which are not taught in the classroom. Phillips commented that by incorporating a variety of job assignments, job shadowing, job rotation, task force assignments and interim appointments would assist in building leadership competency skills.

 

Training could be offered on topics such as leadership, conflict resolution, strategic planning, and other general management training. In addition, city staff may provide some training.

 

 Encouraging employees to take formal education can be important to assist them on their current job and better prepare the employee for possible promotional opportunities. Phillips stated that approved reimbursements shall be at the rate of one hundred (100) percent of the costs of tuition and books, and shall not exceed $2,000.00 per fiscal year per employee. The proposed 2007-2008 budget should be increased from $7,000.00 to $17,000.00 to reflect the increased benefit and greater utilization.

 

Philips recommends that management staff should plan for implementation of the strategies that were previously identified, City Council should approve changes in the Educational Reimbursement polices, and staff should include an increase in the professional services budget of the Personnel Department to reflect the increased cost of training. Phillips closed the presentation by reiterating that The City needs to enhance efforts to improve the technical and leadership skills of the current City workforce staff. 

 

           

ADJOURNMENT

 

            A motion was made by Alderman Rockwell and seconded by Alderwoman Murphy to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried with those voting Aye being Alderman Conroy,  Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.  The meeting was adjourned at 6:33 pm.

 

 

 

                        ___________________________________

                            Aleisha Patchin, City Clerk 


 

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 Mark W. Schwiebert, presiding, and Aldermen David A. Conroy, Daniel Rockwell, Margie Mejia-Caraballo, Joy Murphy, and Charles O. Austin III.  Aldermen Terry Brooks and Dennis Pauley were absent.

 

INTRODUCTORY PROCEEDINGS

 

Mayor Schwiebert called the meeting to order and lead in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.  Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo gave the Invocation. 

 

Minutes of the Meeting of November 20, 2006

 

A motion was made by Alderman Austin, seconded by Alderman Rockwell, to approve the minutes of the meeting of November 20, 2006 as written.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote:  those voting Aye being Alderman Conroy, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #6

Public Hearing on a request from Sheri Vidmar for a Special Use Permit to operate a massage therapist business out of her residence at 1521 24th Street

 

Mayor Schwiebert closed the regular meeting and opened the Public Hearing on a request from Sheri Vidmar for a Special Use Permit at 1521 24th Street.

 

Ms. Vidmar stated she plans to move her massage business to her home and intends to be open on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday only.  Ample off-street parking will be provided.

 

Mayor Schwiebert closed the Public Hearing and reconvened the regular meeting.   It was moved by Alderman Austin, seconded by Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, to approve the request for a Special Use Permit at 1521 24th 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 Conroy, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #7

Special Ordinance establishing a handicapped parking space at 3325 7½ Avenue

 

 It was moved by Alderwoman Murphy, seconded by Alderman Conroy, to consider, suspend the rules, and pass the ordinance to establish a handicapped parking space at 3325 7 ½ Avenue.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote:  those voting Aye being Alderman Conroy, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #8

Special Ordinance establishing a thirty-minute parking zone for 2013 31st Street

 

Alderman Rockwell moved and Alderwoman Murphy seconded to consider, suspend the rules, and pass the ordinance to establish a 30-minute parking zone at 2013 31 Street.   The motion carried by the

 

 

following Aye and No vote:  those voting Aye being Alderman Conroy, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #9

Ordinance amending the wages for the new City Clerk to be effective November 20, 2006 

 

It was moved by Alderman Conroy, seconded by Alderwoman Murphy, to consider, suspend the rules, and pass the ordinance amending the wages for the new City Clerk.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote:  those voting Aye being Alderman Conroy, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #10

Special Ordinance providing for the sale of property at 413 21st Street 

 

It was moved by Alderman Conroy, seconded by Alderwoman Murphy, to consider, suspend the rules, and pass the ordinance allowing the sale of property at 413 21st Street.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote:  those voting Aye being Alderman Conroy, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #11

Special Ordinance authorizing acquisition of back half portion of property located at 413 21st Street

 

Alderman Rockwell moved and Alderwoman Murphy seconded to consider, suspend the rules and pass the ordinance authorizing acquisition of back half portion of property at 413 21st Street.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote:  those voting Aye being Alderman Conroy, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #12

CLAIMS

 

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

 

a.       Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $21,118.88 to Visu-Sewer Clean & Seal Inc. for 28th Street Court Trenchless Sanitary Sewer Repair. (358)

 

b.      Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $48,232.35 to Centennial Contractor for 2006 Utility Patching Program. (359)

 

c.        Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $15,394.13 to Kodiak Site Contractors for 2006 Sod and Tree Program. (360)

 

d.      Report from the Personnel Department regarding payment in the amount of $6,984.50 to Konecky, Koenig, Kutsunis and Weng for legal services rendered for November 2006.

 

 

 

 

Agenda Item #13

Claims for the weeks of November 17 through November 30 in the amount of $2,191,273.46

 

Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo moved and Alderwoman Murphy seconded to allow the claims.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote:  those voting Aye being Alderman Conroy, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #14

Payroll for the weeks of November 6 through November 19 in the amount of $1,029,484.87

 

It was moved by Alderman Conroy, seconded by Alderman Austin, to allow the payroll.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote:  those voting Aye being Alderman Conroy, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #15

Report from the Public Works Department regarding the purchase of Emergency Blower Assembly from Coe Equipment Inc. in the amount of $4,385.59 

 

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

 

Agenda Item #16

Report from Community and Economic Development regarding the purchase of residential property located at 2100 1st Street (Sunset Business Park) in the amount of $17,000.00

 

Alderman Austin moved and Alderman Conroy seconded to approve the purchase as recommended, authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents, and refer to the City Attorney for an ordinance.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote:  those voting Aye being Alderman Conroy, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #17

Report from the Public Works Department regarding an agreement with The Illinois Department of Natural Resources for phase two of the American Discovery Trail

 

It was moved by Alderwoman Murphy, seconded by Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, to approve the agreement 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 Conroy, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

 

 

 

 

Agenda Item #18

Report from Community and Economic Development Department requesting approval for a grant at 810 11th Avenue for Habitat Park home improvements in the amount of $6,600.00

 

Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo moved and Alderwoman Murphy seconded to approve the grant as recommended.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote:  those voting Aye being Alderman Conroy, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #19

Report from Community and Economic Development regarding approving a one-year membership to the American Waterfront Revitalization Coalition in the amount of $2,000.00 

 

It was moved by Alderman Rockwell, seconded by Alderman Conroy, to approve the membership to the American Waterfront Revitalization Coalition as recommended.  The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote:  those voting Aye being Alderman Conroy, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

 

Agenda Item #20

Items from the City Manager’s Memorandum Packet

 

City Manager Phillips called the Council’s attention to the software committee’s report on financial software, noting a staff report will be forthcoming.  He complimented the Public Works Department on its fine job in handling the first snow of the season.

 

Agenda Item #21

Other Business

 

Fire Chief Douglas Vroman updated the City Council on the law requiring carbon monoxide detectors in all homes, which will become effective January 1, 2007.  The law requires carbon monoxide detectors to be placed within 15 feet of all sleeping areas.  Combination smoke/carbon monoxide detectors are allowable as long as they are installed within 15 feet of all sleeping areas.  Both battery-operated and hard-wired electrical units with battery backup are permissible.  The City has received a donation of detectors from the First Alert company and a list has been established for installation in homes within the city.

 

Responding to a question from Alderman Austin, Chief Vroman stated that the installation of carbon monoxide detectors is the responsibility of the landlord, while maintenance is the responsibility of the tenant.  If a landlord is not compliant with installation, Chief Vroman suggested tenants contact the City’s Inspection Department. 

 

Timothy Dooling, 832 14 ½ Street, addressed the Council regarding his displeasure with the Police Department’s handling of his recent hit and run accident.  He requested further investigation into the circumstances of this accident. 

 

Bill Bogart, 2300 79 Avenue West, Lot 38, stated he was present to answer questions pertaining to his Special Use Permit request to allow firearms repair in his home since he was unable to attend the

 

 

two previous Council meetings when this issue was on the agenda.   It was explained to Mr. Bogart that the public hearing had been advertised for the Council meeting when his Special Use Permit request was first scheduled; and since his son was not able to answer all of the Council’s questions, no decision could be made on his request.  Now the Council is unable to take action on this matter unless he wishes to refile his request for a Special Use Permit and begin the process again.  If he chooses to do so, it will be imperative that he is present for the public hearing.  Mr. Bogart responded that he did not fully understand the requirement for him to be present at the public hearing.   

 

RECESS

 

A motion was made by Alderman Austin and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to recess to Monday, December 11th, at 5:00 pm.  The motion carried with those voting Aye being Alderman Conroy, Alderman Rockwell, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

           

The meeting was recessed at 7:14 pm.

 

 

 

                   ____________________________________

                        Karen DeLathower, Acting City Clerk