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.
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.