Moline City Council & COW Meeting – January 26, 2024
Moline City Council & Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting – January 26, 2024
This joint meeting of the Committee-of-the-Whole and City Council began at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The agenda included an oath of office, two proclamations, five COW action items, an informational report, and three non-consent resolutions/organances. Key actions were approving a PILOT agreement, a $415,000 restroom contract, an energy grant strategy, chemical purchases, equipment purchases, and advancing a water/sewer ordinance for outside customers. Several aldermen raised follow-up questions and concerns.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes and Appointments: Minutes from the December 12 and December 19, 2023 meetings (including executive session) and appointments made on January 10, 2024 were approved unanimously (6 ayes, 0 nays).
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were offered during either the COW or Council public comment periods.
Discussion Items
- Oath of Office – Denver Schmidt: City Administrator Bob Vitas introduced Denver Schmidt as the new Director of Public Works, effective January 2, 2024. Schmidt is a Rock Island native with 16 years’ experience in public works, most recently from Crystal Lake, IL. He administered the oath and took family photos.
- Board Appointment: Mayor Rayapati appointed Diane Enani to the Library Board to fill the unexpired term of Kate Schaefer, ending May 31, 2024. Approved without objection.
- Proclamations:
- January 2024 was declared “Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month” after survivor advocate Sarah spoke on behalf of Maggie Tinsman, urging contact with state representatives for $5 million in victim services.
- January 2024 was also declared “National Mentoring Month” for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley. No representative was present; the proclamation was accepted.
- COW Item 8.1 – PILOT Agreement (Spring Valley Village): A resolution authorizing a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) cooperation agreement with the Moline Housing Authority for the housing development at 1180 41st Street. The agreement requires 5% of gross rent to the city for public services. Approved unanimously.
- COW Item 8.2 – Bass Street Landing Toilet Rooms: Resolution authorizing a $415,000 contract with Emery Construction Group, Inc. for a permanent restroom facility. The project, delayed from earlier years, includes 4 toilets (female), 2 urinals and 2 toilets (male), plus a family unisex stall, and will include a mural by the Arts Commission. Alderperson Schmidt noted that a project labor agreement could have been beneficial for this complex project. Substantial completion expected before Memorial Day; potential 8–10 week lead time for concrete block. Approved unanimously.
- COW Item 8.3 – Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (EECS): Resolution approving the EECS required to receive an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) from the U.S. Department of Energy. The strategy includes a lighting upgrade for the water treatment plant and sets a goal of reducing fossil fuel reliance by 25% by 2040. Approved unanimously; a project labor agreement for the lighting work will be brought back.
- COW Item 8.4 – Colona Wastewater Treatment Plant: Addendum to the operation, maintenance, and management services agreement with the City of Colona, extending assistance after Colona lost its certified operator. Alderperson Timian praised the regional partnership. Approved unanimously.
- COW Item 8.5 – Treatment Chemicals Contracts: Resolution approving 2024 purchase contracts for water treatment chemicals, awarded through the Bi-State Regional Commission (BSRC). Approved unanimously.
- Informational – January 2024 Status Report: City Administrator Vitas highlighted year-end accomplishments: the Engineering Department closed the year strong, East End Park improvements, new salt brine solution building and operations, and plans for enhanced employee training (new HR manager). Mayor Rayapati noted disappointment that Arsenal leadership withdrew from a planned pedestrian/bike path on the viaduct bridge, which may affect ongoing downtown riverfront planning. She also raised concern that rental housing license compliance was only 25.5% (899 licenses out of ~3,500 letters). Vitas explained a process of second and third letters with penalties, and noted about 110 properties were identified as non-rental. Alderperson Schmidt suggested cross-checking property tax assessment status to prioritize inspections. Alderperson Timian asked about traffic light project cost overruns (e.g., 16th/36th and 41st/32nd – nearly $650,000 over budget). Utilities Director confirmed scope increased due to pavement and curb work.
- Non-Consent Item 16.1 – Paver and Tack Distributor: Resolution authorizing purchase of a LeeBoy Model 5300B Paver ($189,383) and LeeBoy Model L300 Tack Distributor ($23,383.60) from Road Machinery & Supplies Co. via Sourcewell contract. Training will be provided; expected delivery in 5–6 months. Alderperson Timian noted the new equipment will reduce manual labor and risk. Approved 6 ayes, 0 nays.
- Non-Consent Item 16.2 – Land Bank Authority Director: Resolution authorizing the Mayor to appoint a Local Government Director for the Illinois Quad Cities Land Bank Authority. Approved 5 ayes, 1 nay (Alderperson Murphy voted no).
- First Reading Ordinance 17.1 – Water/Sewer Code Amendments: An ordinance amending sections 34-2104, 34-2121, 34-3107, and 34-3200 to address outside customers desiring connection to city water/sewer and future annexation. The rate increase to the state maximum 300% is designed to incentivize pre-annexation agreements. Advanced to second reading unanimously.
- Miscellaneous Business: Mayor reported on Thrive Quad Cities collaboration, filling Council seat, attendance at events, and a $10,000 DollarWise grant opportunity for the Level Up program. Alderperson Timian encouraged contacting school principals about Level Up and remaining ARPA funds. Alderperson Castro thanked Public Works for snow removal. Vitas noted the city closed offices due to hazardous travel and is pursuing discussions with the Arsenal about the path project funding.
- Executive Session: Council voted (6 ayes, 0 nays) to convene an executive session for personnel and property acquisition matters.
Key Outcomes
- Approved PILOT agreement with Moline Housing Authority for Spring Valley Village (unanimous).
- Approved $415,000 contract with Emery Construction for Bass Street Landing restrooms (unanimous).
- Approved Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (unanimous).
- Approved Colona wastewater addendum (unanimous).
- Approved 2024 treatment chemical contracts (unanimous).
- Approved purchase of paver and tack distributor (6‑0).
- Approved appointment of Land Bank Authority Director (5‑1).
- Advanced water/sewer ordinance to second reading (unanimous).
- Council noted follow‑up actions: Send second letters for rental license compliance; continue Arsenal bridge path discussions; bring back project labor agreement for lighting work; provide traffic light project cost details.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. I'm calling our committee of the whole meeting to order at 6 o'clock here in Council Tambers. We do not have any remote electronic attendance this evening, so we start with an oath of office for appointment of Denver Schmidt to the position of Director of Public Works effective January 2nd, 2024. Mr. Vitas. Madam Mayor and members of the City Council. Thank you for uh giving me the opportunity to present Mr. Denver Schmidt to you as the newly appointed public works director for the city of Moline. You could say he started like uh what a week ago? Basically a week ago, and baptism under fire, when you know it, the worst storm since I've been here as the administrator actually just happened. I think we had maybe 18 inches last year and maybe 18 inches the year before, but this was a storm, and there's yet one to come Friday, so be prepared. So anyhow, uh Denver is joined tonight uh with his wife Natalie, who's behind me, his uh two-year-old son Nathan, which running around out there with uh is that Roger Rancha, I think trying to remember those toys. Uh and his other family members, Jim Roxanne and Georgia. How are you doing, little guy? Uh we're gonna get him a truck. I know where you're doing. So anyhow, uh Devra came to us um actually uh having just left employment with the city of Bettendorf. He moved back to this area. He's originally from here, I believe, Rock Island. Uh so he's a native of this area. He spent most of his professional career in the Chicago area and then moved back home to be close to family. Uh in uh I have to say that he worked in Crystal Lake, Illinois, which was the place that I had my first full-time job in this business many years ago. And uh it's a great city like Molane and uh with a really wonderful public works department, and while he was there, he actually led them through an accreditation process, and that is now an accredited uh public works operation. So we're looking forward to that one day, just not right away, but that's something to put out there on our goals, right? So anyhow, he's uh he was a graduate of Northern Island University, uh my alma mater, he has his master's degree from there as well. So I'm real pleased to welcome you as a f fellow alum. And uh that doesn't happen too often, so it's nice. And uh he like I said, he started about two weeks ago. Uh he spent 16 years already uh in the in the public works career, extensive background in in collective bargaining and labor relations and personnel and public works management. So we found the winner out there and we're real excited to have him join us. So with that, uh mayor, if you would please uh do the oath of office to make him official. Congratulations. All right. Well, one of these is for you. One is for me. If you'd raise your right hand and repeat after me, please. I Denver Schmidt. I Denver Schmidt. Having been duly appointed to the position of public works director. To the position of public works director for the city of Moline, Illinois. For the City of Moline, Illinois. Do solemnly swear. That I will support the Constitutions of the United States. I will support the constitutions of the United States. And the state of Illinois. We'll strictly adhere to the Illinois rules of professional conduct. We'll certainly adhere to the rules of professional conduct. And the Moline Code of Ordinances. And then I will faithfully discharge the duties. Of the position of public works director.
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