Moline City Council and Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting Summary - September 14, 2023

On September 14, 2023, the Moline City Council held a Committee-of-the-Whole and Regular Council meeting at City Hall, beginning at 6:00 PM. The meeting included presentations, public comments, and numerous resolutions and ordinances. Key topics included a traffic study on Avenue of the Cities, approval of a vacant property registration program, a grant for an electronic storage detection K9, a partnership with MetroLINK for EV charging, funding for the Level Up poverty alleviation program, zoning changes for food trucks, and informational presentations on a private LTE network, tennis and futsal courts, and a skate park. The council also passed ordinances including speed limit reductions and liquor licensing reforms.

Consent Calendar

• Approved remote electronic attendance for Alderperson Debbie Murphy (6-0).
• Administered oath of office to Stephanie Murphy as City Clerk.
• Appointed Avery Pearl to the Human Rights Commission for a two-year term expiring August 31, 2025.
• Approved consent agenda items including meeting minutes, budget amendments, contracts, and special events for the Dia de los Muertos parade, among others.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Henry Weber, a 50-year resident and tennis player, urged prioritization of new tennis courts at Riverside Park, citing their history and community need.
• Bradley Dye, a member of the Quad City Pickleball Club (700 members), stressed completion of tennis courts to attract a Midwest tournament in 2025, which could bring 800-900 out-of-town players. He noted the club has eight test courts for pickleball.
• Randy Nelson, a lifelong resident, echoed the need for functional tennis courts, noting that high school courts are locked in the evenings.
• Jonathan Marlar, owner of Keep Pushing Skate Shop, advocated for a skate park, citing over 1,700 boards sold, potential for tourism, and youth benefits. He noted Des Moines has the largest skate park in the US.

Committee-of-the-Whole Discussion Items

• 8.1 Hera Property Registry: Approved 6-0. Software to track vacant/foreclosed properties. Initial registration fee $150, increasing by $100 every six months.
• 8.2 Property Sale: Approved 6-0. Declared properties at 1316 and 1330 26th Street as surplus and sold to Landeros & Sons Construction for $27,000. Buyer must complete restoration by February 28, 2026 (with possible 3-month extension). Properties will become single-family residences and return to tax rolls.
• 8.3 Port Security Grant: Approved 6-0. Accepted $21,541 FEMA grant for 12 headsets and 2 ballistic shields for the tactical team.
• 8.4 Operation Underground Railroad K9: Approved 6-0. Accepted donation of an electronic storage detection K9 (Labrador retriever) valued at $20,000-$25,000. The dog detects TPPO chemical in digital storage devices. Handler will be Detective Dave Callaway.
• 8.5 Homecoming Parade: Approved 6-0. Approved special event for Moline High School Homecoming Parade on October 13, 2023, closing 36th Street.
• 8.6 Walk to Emmaus: Approved 6-0. Approved special event on October 7, 2023, closing portions of 17th Avenue, 10th Street, 12th Street, River Drive, and I-74 bridge path from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM.
• 8.7 EV Charging MOU with MetroLINK: Approved 6-0. Memorandum of Understanding to create EV charging networks. MetroLINK has received a $600,000 state grant for DC fast chargers. Partners include Rock Island, East Moline, and Rock Island County.
• 8.8 Level Up Program with Project Now: Approved 6-0 with an amendment expanding the list of eligible educational institutions. Funded with $200,000 from cannabis tax revenue. Administered by Project Now to provide emergency assistance and financial support to low-income residents for education, credentialing, and stabilization. Reverend Ford presented, describing a client who obtained an LPN.
• 8.9 Food Truck Zoning Amendments: Approved 6-0. Added food trucks as special uses in the zoning code, requiring plan commission review. A food truck park operator spoke in support, noting 27 food trucks in Moline but few operate locally.

Informational Presentations

• 9.1 Motorola Private LTE Network: The Chief of Police presented a proposal for a citywide private LTE network to connect traffic lights, cameras, flood monitors, and IoT devices. Phase 1 estimated at $264,000, total project ~$1.5 million. Eligible for a state grant. Not a funding request at this time.
• 9.2 Tennis & Futsal Courts at Riverside Park: Parks Director Eric Griffith reviewed options: resurfacing ($170,000, 5-7 year band-aid), rubberized surface ($220,000, 20-year life but only for tennis), sport court tile (not recommended), asphalt ($300,000-$350,000, 20-year life), post-tension concrete ($435,000-$450,000, longer life). Futsal courts cost $208,702 for two. Economic impact from pickleball tournaments: a 2022 tournament had 400+ participants, 120 hotel rooms, and $63,000 economic impact.
• 9.3 Skate Park Under I-74: Griffith presented design concepts from New Line Skate Parks. Public input: 265 survey responses (81% from Moline). Final concept combines a pump track and street plaza with a 4-foot deep bowl. Estimated cost ~$3 million, increasing 1% per month. Phase 1 includes pump track and street area. Would be the second skate park under a bridge in Illinois.
• 9.4 September Status Report: The Assistant City Administrator provided monthly updates.

Key Outcomes (Council Actions)

• Approved consent agenda (minutes, appointments, resolutions 15.1-15.6).
• Approved Ordinance 17.1: Reduce speed limit on 34th Street between 5th and 12th Avenue to 35 mph.
• Approved Ordinance 17.2: Streamline liquor licensing process to be more business-friendly.
• Approved Resolutions 18.1 and 18.2 (K9 and port security grant) – already passed in COW, reaffirmed by council.
• Advanced Ordinance 19.1 (tobacco dealer licenses) to second reading.
• Advanced Ordinance 19.2 (in-vehicle sales/service parking standards) to second reading as amended – removed the prohibition on drive-thru lanes in front of buildings.
• Advanced Ordinance 19.3 (rental housing inspection program) to second reading.
• Mayor provided updates on the sewer project contractor issue: insurance liability determination pending; city hired its own metallurgist; immediate cleanup costs paid; residents gathering bids for reconstruction.
• Council moved into executive session for collective bargaining and litigation.