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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Moline Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting – May 3, 2024

Committee of the Whole & Council — Friday, May 3, 2024

BodyMoline, Illinois

SessionCommittee of the Whole & Council

DateFriday, May 3, 2024

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:48:57

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:01

Good evening, everyone.

0:03

This committee of the whole meeting to order here in Council Chambers at 6 p.m.

0:08

Um, Mr.

0:08

Schmidt is joining us just a few minutes late, and um Mr.

0:12

McNam will not be with us this evening, so we do have a quorum.

0:16

Um, but there's no remote electronic attendance, so we'll start with our oaths of office, Chief.

0:26

All right, great.

0:27

Well, thank you very much, Mayor.

0:29

These are always uh really fun times as at least she to recognize the hard work of uh fellow officers in the Moline Police Department and tell you how proud you should be of uh of the men and women that work at the Moline Police Department.

0:43

I know I am, and this is a great opportunity to make a couple of promotions, so I appreciate the time today.

0:49

Uh first up, uh I'd like to introduce you to Andrew Raya.

0:53

He is a seasoned law enforcement professional with a distinguished career spanning 15 years.

0:58

He's a proud native of Moline, graduated Moline High School, and pursued higher education at Western Illinois University right here at our Quad Cities campus, where he earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.

1:17

Uh, for their children for their family and their children.

1:20

Uh Andrew certainly has made them proud of their decision to move here to Moline.

1:24

Andrew's fluent in Spanish and has added vital bilingual skills to our department to help serve our Hispanic community in various roles throughout his career in Moline.

1:32

Uh Deputy Chief Raya is a 2022 graduate of the FBI National Academy Class 282, a prestigious law enforcement 10-week executive management program held in Quanaco, Virginia.

1:45

Andrew began his career on patrol, making a significant impact in the Floresiente neighborhood.

1:50

His exemplary performance led to assignments with the Illinois State Police Quantities Metropolitan Enforcement Group, where he served as an undercutter undercover narcotics detective, and later with an assignment with the Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Agency.

2:03

Andrew was promoted as sergeant in 2017 and returned to patrol as a first-line supervisor.

2:10

In 2018, he transitioned to roles as the sergeant overseeing the community policing unit.

2:16

In 2020, Andrew was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and returned to the patrol division as the division commander.

2:22

In 2021, he was appointed commander of the role of criminal investigation division, overseeing the juvenile unit, adult unit, gun unit, street crimes unit, and crime prevention unit.

2:32

Beyond his departmental duties, uh Andrew has played pivotal roles in various specialized units outside of the department, including since 2020 serving as a supervisor for the Rock Island County Integrity Task Force, contributing to efforts aimed at maintaining integrity and professionalism within the law enforcement community.

2:48

Additionally, he served as the crisis containment unit tactical commander from 2016 to 2021, demonstrating his experience as a team leader and tactical commander in high pressure situations.

3:00

Last month, Andrew went through a rigorous process for evaluation for the position of deputy chief.

3:06

I was joined by Molyan Police Deputy Chief Steve Ben Heisen, Rock Island Police Chief Rich Landy, and retired Davenport Police Chief Paul Sikorsky, as well as our human resources department director Leah Miller and the evaluation of the candidates.

3:21

We were all impressed with uh his performance leading me to select Andrew as the next deputy chief for the Moline Police Department.

3:28

Andrew is uh certainly proud, his family are here with a lot of family members here today, including his wife Alyssa, who is here, uh his two children, Olivia 6, and Oscar three.

3:40

Uh his dad Arturo is here, Kelly and Dale uh in-laws, Samantha and Santana, his sisters, and Nick, his brother-in-law.

3:48

So, mayor, I'd be honored if you would afford to read the oath of office.

4:07

Sounds for you.

4:09

Please raise your right hand and repeat after me.

4:11

I Andrew Raya.

4:13

I am having been duly appointed.

4:15

I've been duly appointed.

4:16

To the rank of deputy chief of the police department.

4:20

To the rank of deputy chief of the police department.

4:22

For the city of Moline, Illinois.

4:24

For the city of Moline, Illinois.

4:25

You solemnly swear.

4:26

Do you solemnly swear?

4:27

That I will support the Constitutions of the United States.

4:30

That I will support the Constitutions of the United States.

4:33

And the state of Illinois.

4:34

And the state of Illinois.

4:35

We'll strictly adhere to the compiled statutes of the state of Illinois.

4:39

We'll strictly adhere to the statutes of the state of Illinois.

4:42

Our Moline Code of Ordinances.

4:44

The Moline Code of Ordinances.

4:45

And any Illinois rules of professional conduct.

4:48

Any Illinois rules on professional conduct.

4:50

Applicable to police administration.

4:52

Applicable to police administration.

4:54

And then I will faithfully discharge the duties.

5:00

Of the rank of deputy chief of the police department.

5:01

Of the rank of deputy chief of the police department.

5:04

For the city of Moline, Illinois.

5:05

For the City of Moline, Illinois.

5:07

According to the best of my ability.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Safety███████████████████19%

Public Works Projects████████████12%

Youth Programs███████████11%

Arts And Culture██████████10%

Procedural████████8%

Mental Health Awareness████████8%

Grant Funding██████6%

Economic Development█████5%

Public Engagement█████5%

Summary of Proceedings

Moline Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting – May 3, 2024

The Moline Committee-of-the-Whole met on May 3, 2024 (note: agenda listed April 16, 2024, but provided date is used as instructed) at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included police promotions, a Junior Achievement presentation, proclamations, public comments, and multiple consent and discussion items. The council also heard a mayoral letter on mental health crisis response.

Consent Calendar

Approval of remote electronic attendance was not needed.
Consent agenda items (15.1 and 16.1–16.5) were approved unanimously (7-0).
Resolution declaring 4625 Avenue of the Cities surplus and authorizing sale to Joel J. Knox or assignees passed (7-0).
Resolution approving 2024 Mercado on Fifth season (May 24–September 27, 2024) street closures passed (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

Diane Moore: Expressed concern about locked doors at a Plan Commission meeting in March, stating it violated open meeting policy. Also asked about the status of the Moline Center program.
Jeff Disburn (Chair, Moline Public Art Commission): Endorsed a rotating sculpture walk along Fifth Avenue with six sculptures, stating it would foster economic revitalization and align with city identity.
Heather Calvert (Executive Director, Butterworth Center & Deer Wyman House): Spoke in favor of landmark status for Deer Wyman House, noting over 185 reservations in 2023 supporting nonprofit and community work.
Alexandra Elias (Representing Renew Moline): Opposed the rotating sculpture program on Fifth Avenue, arguing that existing empty sculpture pads should be filled first and that Fifth Avenue deserved a cohesive, site-specific installation, not ready-made rotating pieces.

Discussion Items

Police Promotions (Chief Galt): Deputy Chief Andrew Raya (15 years of service, FBI Academy graduate) and Lieutenant Jason Smith (18 years, Iraq War veteran) were sworn in. Both received unanimous support.
Junior Achievement BizTown Presentation (Dougal Nelson, President/CEO of JA of the Heartland): Proposed a new JA Inspiration Center at the former Sands Club (13,000 sq ft, $1/year lease) with a city investment of $7,500 in Year 1 and $10,000 annually thereafter. The facility would serve 5,000 students, including all Moline fifth graders. Council consensus directed staff to bring an agreement forward.
Proclamations: April 2024 declared Earth Month; April 15–19, 2024 declared National Work Zone Safety Week.
Ordinance Designating Deer Wyman House Landmark: Passed unanimously after Alderperson Castro disclosed a prior professional relationship but no financial gain. The ordinance recognizes the 1872 home and grounds as a local historic landmark.
Ordinance Dissolving Moline Center Main Street Commission: Passed unanimously. Staff explained the commission had become duplicative of the SSA board; functions will be absorbed into the Moline Center program.
Utility Billing Ordinance Amendment: Housekeeping item to update references from quarterly to monthly billing (effective January 2024). Passed unanimously.
Easement Encroachment License for 6109 34th Avenue A Court: Approved despite staff objections (Director Loete opposed). The license allows a 4-foot concrete retaining wall with privacy fence in a drainage easement. Council discussion included concerns about height restrictions and private utility approvals; motion passed (7-0).
Police Grant Opportunities (Chief Galt): Presented three grants: (1) $200,000 for wellness coordinator (no match), (2) $175,000 for recruitment/retention (no match), (3) $316,667 for behavioral health response (escalating match: 20% in years 1-2, 40% in year 3). Council expressed support for the first two and requested more data on the third before committing.
Public Art Sculpture Program (Mr. McLean): Staff sought direction on a $13,600 proposal from Quad City Arts for rotating sculptures on Fifth Avenue. Council members offered mixed views; some favored the immediate opportunity, others preferred curated permanent art. No formal vote; staff will return with a sole-source agreement and further discussion.
April 2024 Sales Tax Report (Mr. Vitas): Highlighted positive first quarter, Power Instrument Phase I groundbreaking (April 12), records disposal progress, new HR manager Brandon Tidwell, and IDOT approval for skate park/pump track permit. Council noted concerns about Morgan Park neighborhood meeting communication.

Key Outcomes

Police promotions administered and celebrated.
Junior Achievement partnership authorized to proceed to a formal agreement.
Deer Wyman House landmark designation approved unanimously.
Moline Center Main Street Commission dissolved; functions consolidated.
Easement license approved despite staff objection.
Grants: Council directed staff to pursue the two no-match grants for wellness and recruitment; further analysis required for the behavioral health grant.
Public art direction: No final decision; staff to bring back a formal proposal.
Mayor’s letter to UnityPoint Health regarding emergency mental health treatment failures was read into the record and will be followed up at a meeting on April 19.
Executive Session convened for property acquisition discussion (ILCS 120/2(c)(5)).

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. This committee of the whole meeting to order here in Council Chambers at 6 p.m. Um, Mr. Schmidt is joining us just a few minutes late, and um Mr. McNam will not be with us this evening, so we do have a quorum. Um, but there's no remote electronic attendance, so we'll start with our oaths of office, Chief. All right, great. Well, thank you very much, Mayor. These are always uh really fun times as at least she to recognize the hard work of uh fellow officers in the Moline Police Department and tell you how proud you should be of uh of the men and women that work at the Moline Police Department. I know I am, and this is a great opportunity to make a couple of promotions, so I appreciate the time today. Uh first up, uh I'd like to introduce you to Andrew Raya. He is a seasoned law enforcement professional with a distinguished career spanning 15 years. He's a proud native of Moline, graduated Moline High School, and pursued higher education at Western Illinois University right here at our Quad Cities campus, where he earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Uh, for their children for their family and their children. Uh Andrew certainly has made them proud of their decision to move here to Moline. Andrew's fluent in Spanish and has added vital bilingual skills to our department to help serve our Hispanic community in various roles throughout his career in Moline. Uh Deputy Chief Raya is a 2022 graduate of the FBI National Academy Class 282, a prestigious law enforcement 10-week executive management program held in Quanaco, Virginia. Andrew began his career on patrol, making a significant impact in the Floresiente neighborhood. His exemplary performance led to assignments with the Illinois State Police Quantities Metropolitan Enforcement Group, where he served as an undercutter undercover narcotics detective, and later with an assignment with the Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Agency. Andrew was promoted as sergeant in 2017 and returned to patrol as a first-line supervisor. In 2018, he transitioned to roles as the sergeant overseeing the community policing unit. In 2020, Andrew was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and returned to the patrol division as the division commander. In 2021, he was appointed commander of the role of criminal investigation division, overseeing the juvenile unit, adult unit, gun unit, street crimes unit, and crime prevention unit. Beyond his departmental duties, uh Andrew has played pivotal roles in various specialized units outside of the department, including since 2020 serving as a supervisor for the Rock Island County Integrity Task Force, contributing to efforts aimed at maintaining integrity and professionalism within the law enforcement community. Additionally, he served as the crisis containment unit tactical commander from 2016 to 2021, demonstrating his experience as a team leader and tactical commander in high pressure situations. Last month, Andrew went through a rigorous process for evaluation for the position of deputy chief. I was joined by Molyan Police Deputy Chief Steve Ben Heisen, Rock Island Police Chief Rich Landy, and retired Davenport Police Chief Paul Sikorsky, as well as our human resources department director Leah Miller and the evaluation of the candidates. We were all impressed with uh his performance leading me to select Andrew as the next deputy chief for the Moline Police Department. Andrew is uh certainly proud, his family are here with a lot of family members here today, including his wife Alyssa, who is here, uh his two children, Olivia 6, and Oscar three. Uh his dad Arturo is here, Kelly and Dale uh in-laws, Samantha and Santana, his sisters, and Nick, his brother-in-law. So, mayor, I'd be honored if you would afford to read the oath of office. Sounds for you. Please raise your right hand and repeat after me. I Andrew Raya. I am having been duly appointed. I've been duly appointed. To the rank of deputy chief of the police department. To the rank of deputy chief of the police department. For the city of Moline, Illinois. For the city of Moline, Illinois. You solemnly swear. Do you solemnly swear? That I will support the Constitutions of the United States. That I will support the Constitutions of the United States. And the state of Illinois. And the state of Illinois. We'll strictly adhere to the compiled statutes of the state of Illinois. We'll strictly adhere to the statutes of the state of Illinois. Our Moline Code of Ordinances. The Moline Code of Ordinances.

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