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 Terry M.A. Brooks I, David A. Conroy, Dennis E. Pauley, Daniel Rockwell, Margie Mejia-Caraballo, Joy Murphy, and Charles O. Austin III. Also present were City Manager John Phillips, Director of Public Works Robert Hawes, Parks and Recreation Director Bill Nelson, Police Chief John Wright and Administrative Commander Sergeant Richard Landi.

MAXIMUS SERVICE ALIGNMENT REPORT

Maximus representative Robin Haley addressed the City Council and presented final report recommendations regarding the Service Alignment Study for the Departments of Parks and Recreation and Public Works. Haley stated that the criteria used in determining the potential for service transfer and/or consolidation are as follows: Relative expertise of one department, the proximity of coverage areas to those already covered by one department, lack of service provision by one department, the potential to piggyback on an existing contract and to reduce reliance upon a contracted service provider, and more functional equipment owned by one department in providing a service.

Haley remarked that once the findings were processed for potential areas of alignment between the departments of Parks and Recreation and Public Works, principle recommendations were finalized. Final recommendations were distributed to Council Members in the Executive Summary provided by Maximus. The Final report had not been received at the time of the meeting. When received, it will be distributed to Council members for discussion and inclusion as an Agenda item in the future.

DEER NUISANCE PROBLEM

Police Chief Wright and Administrative Commander, Sergeant Richard Landi discussed the City’s deer nuisance problem. Chief Wright commented on the growing number of citizen complaints regarding this problem.

Chief Wright stated that property damage is a major concern. Administrative Commander Landi stated that deer are a protected species. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Nuisance Wildlife section retains exclusive jurisdiction in terms of granting permission to abate a nuisance caused by wildlife. Administrative Commander Sergeant Landi’s assessment of the data suggests that the City’s deer population does not pose a threat to public safety. However, it was recommended that the City could adopt an educational program aimed at non-lethal methods of improving human-deer existence. Various methods mentioned were creating informational pamphlets about deer, and post warning signs and reflectors along roadways where deer-vehicle crashes occur. Sergeant Landi noted that as a result of the deer nuisance issue being raised, the Police Department’s Traffic Division would begin collecting more detailed deer-vehicle crash data to better monitor the situation, and provide future reporting data when necessary.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Alderman Pauley and seconded by Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried with 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 adjourned at 6:35 pm.

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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 Alderman Terry M.A. Brooks I, Alderman David A. Conroy, Alderman Dennis E. Pauley, Alderman Daniel Rockwell, Alderwoman Margie Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Joy Murphy, and Alderman Charles O. Austin III.

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.

5. Minutes of the Meeting of December 11, 2006.

A motion was made by Alderwoman Murphy, seconded by Alderman Rockwell to approve the minutes of the meeting of December 11, 2006 as written. 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.

6. Proclamation declaring the month of December as Drunk And Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month. Mayor Schwiebert stated that citizens should exercise exuberance with discretion as it relates to driving during the holiday season.

7. A Special Ordinance providing for the levy assessment and collection of taxes for the City of Rock Island for the fiscal year April 1, 2007 through March 31, 2008.

It was moved by Alderman Austin, seconded by Alderwoman Murphy to consider the Property Tax Levy Ordinance providing $10,691,868.00 in property taxes for collection in fiscal year 2007/2008 with the understanding that staff will work to refine the budget to make efforts to reduce the amount of the tax levy increase and present to the city in February. 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.

8. A Special Ordinance granting a Special Use Permit at 1521 24^th Street. It was moved by Alderman Austin, seconded by Alderman Rockwell 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.

9 A Special Ordinance authorizing acquisition of property at 2100 First Street. It was moved by Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, 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.

10. CLAIMS

a. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $17,006.00 to

State of Illinois Treasurer for Blackhawk Road Widening between 24^th Street to 38^th Street. (323)

b. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $8,958.00 to

Centennial Contractors for 2006 50/50 Sidewalk and Curb Program. (363)

c. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $104,760.00 to

Valley Construction for Shadybrook Lift Station Replacement. (364)

d. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $5,303.56 to

Sunshine Sewer Cleaning for Caustic Soda Line Cleaning. (365)

e. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $2,490.00 to Kelly Construction for 2006 Mudjacking Program. (368)

It was moved by Alderman Austin, seconded by Alderwoman Murphy to accept the 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.

11. Claims for the weeks of December 1 through December 7 in the amount of $426,797.77. It was moved by Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, seconded by Alderman Rockwell to allow the claims. 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.

12. Payroll for the weeks of November 20 through December 3 in the amount of $1,056,042.25. It was moved by Alderman Rockwell, seconded by Alderwoman Murphy to allow the payroll. 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.

13. Report from the Personnel Department regarding bids for water treatment chemicals, recommending the low bid for each of the water treatment chemicals listed. It was moved by Alderman Rockwell, seconded by Alderman Conroy to award the bids as recommended and authorize purchase.

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.

14. Report from Konecky, Koenig, Kutsunis and Weng regarding an agreement with Thinc Management for proposed settlement. It was moved by Alderwoman Murphy, seconded by Alderwoman Mejia-

Caraballo to approve the settlement agreement as recommended and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement.

15. Report from the Finance Department regarding draft revisions to the Gaming Policy. It was moved by Alderman Pauley, seconded by Alderman Rockwell to approve the proposed changes to the Gaming Policy as recommended.

16. Report from Public Works Department regarding changes to the Capital Improvement Plan for fiscal year 2008 through 2012. It was moved by Alderman Pauley, seconded by Alderman Brooks to adopt the plan, direct staff to include FY2008 projects in the City’s budget for FY2008, and authorize staff to begin preliminary engineering for the FY2009 projects as recommended.

17. Report from the Public Works Department recommending to expand the Stormwater utility credits for rain gardens, and approve the responsibility section expansion to the Stormwater Control Ordinance. It was moved by Alderman Rockwell seconded by Alderman Austin to expand the Stormwater utility Program, approve the responsibility section expansion to the storm water control ordinance, and direct the City attorney to prepare a new ordinance.

18.

Report from Community and Economic Development Department regarding the request to dedicate a segment of private property at 18^th Avenue and 39^th Street to the City for use as public right-of-way. It was moved by Alderwoman Murphy seconded by Alderman Rockwell to

approve the Plat as recommended.

19. Report from Community and Economic Development Department regarding gaming funds for social service agencies (policies and procedures). Discussion by several Aldermen on the need to put a limit on the amount any one agency could receive in one year. It was moved by Alderman Conroy

and seconded by Alderwoman Murphy that no Social Service Agency should receive more than

$10,000.00 in any fiscal year. Mayor Schwiebert stated that would be a motion to amend the use of gaming funds for social service agencies (policies and procedures). The motion to amend carried by

the following voice vote. Those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Pauley, Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo, Alderwoman Murphy, and Alderman Austin; those voting No, Alderman Rockwell. After further discussion Alderman Pauley made a motion that no City Department be eligible to apply for these funds. Alderman Rockwell seconded. Mayor Schwiebert said this would be an additional amendment to the guidelines and added as item #10 under the guidelines. The motion carried by the following voice 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. There being no further discussion, a roll call vote was taken on the following motion to approve the guidelines presented by the Community and Economic Development Department in the memo titled “Gaming Funds For Social Service Agencies—Policies and Process” dated November 28^th, 2006 with the addition of Item #10 that no agency can request more than $10,000.00 and no City Departments would be eligible for 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.

20. Report from Community and Economic Development Department requesting a roof deferred payment loan at 1406 Ninth Avenue in the amount of $5,489.00. It was moved by Alderwoman Mejia-Carabello seconded by Alderwoman Murphy to

approve the request as recommended.

21. Report from the City Clerk regarding the St. Patrick’s Day Parade to be held March 17, 2007 beginning at 11:15 a.m., and a Resolution authorizing the use of a portion of 15^th Street from 2^nd Avenue to the Centennial Bridge. It was moved by Alderman Conroy seconded by Alderwoman Murphy to adopt the Resolution and approve the event.

22. Report from the City Clerk regarding QCCA EXPO Center advertising banners for future events. It was moved by Alderman Pauley seconded by Alderman Rockwell to approve the request.

23. Items from the City Manager’s Memorandum Packet. City Manager John Phillips brought to the Council’s attention item #2 discussing the City’s intent to issue General Obligation Bonds to fund several projects.

Mayor Schwiebert referenced item #4 regarding the creation of a Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT). City Council approved preparing an ordinance for consideration as included in the memo submitted by the Mayor.

24. Other Business. Christine Criddle of 2519 5½ Avenue addressed the Council requesting the alley between 25^th and 26^{th street}and 5^th and 51/2 Avenues to be closed from 2:00 pm until 6:00 pm on December 17^th, 2006 for a candlelight Vigil for Mrs. Criddle’s grandson.

Mayor Scwiebert stated that ordinarily a request was not put on the agenda and acted on at the same meeting. Mayor Schwiebert acknowledged that this is an unusual circumstance and looked to City Attorney Ted Kutsunis for the legality to the request. City Attorney Kutsunis remarked that Council could go forward with the request, but it could be challenged.

A motion was made By Alderman Conroy, seconded by Alderwoman Mejia-Caraballo to add the request for a candlelight vigil to the agenda. 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 second motion was made by Alderman Conroy and seconded by Alderman Rockwell to close the alley between 25^th and 26^th street, and restrict traffic between 5th and 51/2 Avenues for a candlelight vigil. Motion passed on a voice vote.

Terrance L. Pollion of 929 6^th Street addressed the Council to express his displeasure with the Rental Inspection Program.

Timothy Dooling of 832 14 ½ Street addressed the City Council to express his continued displeasure with the Police Department.

25. A motion was made by Alderman Brooks and seconded by Alderwoman Murphy to recess to Monday, December 18th, at 5:00 pm. The motion carried with 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 8:04 pm.

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Aleisha L. Patchin, City Clerk