Moline City Council and Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting – September 25, 2024

Note on Date: The agenda and transcript indicate the meeting was held on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at 6:00 PM, but the assigned meeting date is September 25, 2024. This summary reflects the content from the September 24 meeting as provided.

The meeting began with the Committee-of-the-Whole (COW) session, which included board appointments, presentations from community partners on funding requests, and a budget work session. The City Council session followed, approving consent and non-consent agenda items, including ordinances and resolutions. The budget work session dominated the agenda, with council direction given on funding levels for multiple agencies and enterprise fund fee increases.

Consent Calendar

• Board Appointments: The mayor's reappointments and appointments to the Special Service Area 6 Board, Quad City Civic Center Authority, Public Art Commission, and Human Rights Commission were approved unanimously. (No separate vote; included in consent.)
• Consent Agenda Resolutions (15.1–15.6): Approved unanimously via omnibus vote. Items included property maintenance services for SSA #6, special event permits for Dia de los Muertos parade and after party, the 2025 Great Race, Pride 5K and Pride Party, police chief executive board participation, and a sidewalk variance delay for 2623 45th Street. (Resolution 15.7, a sidewalk variance, was moved to non-consent.)

Public Comments & Testimony

• Joyce Harrison (Moline resident): Expressed deep gratitude for the Level Up program, describing how $400/month helped her pay property taxes, car repairs, medical travel, and household expenses after a debilitating surgery and unemployment. She supported continuing and potentially extending the program, cautioning that the aid may end before she achieves stable employment.

Discussion Items

• GFOA Awards: Carol Barnes, Director of Finance, announced the city received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 2024 budget (third consecutive year) and the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 2022 comprehensive annual financial report (31st consecutive year). Special recognition was given for strategic goals and strategies achieving perfect scores from all reviewers.
• Funding Request Presentations: Several partner organizations presented their 2025 funding requests and reported on past achievements:
  • Alexandra Elias (Renew Moline, Moline Centre, Moline CDC): Reported on JCPenney redevelopment, food-based innovation center study, and Moline CDC's Handy at Home workshops (40% of attendees had incomes under $50,000). Moline Centre focused on placemaking and downtown marketing. Alderperson Timian asked if MCDC could become self-sustaining; Elias confirmed they are exploring options including CDFI status.
  • Dave Herrell (Visit Quad Cities): Reported $30 million direct economic impact in FY24 from meetings, conventions, and sporting events. The city funds Visit QC at 25% of hotel/motel taxes. Herrell noted the regional DMO is underfunded compared to comp sets (national average 50%). Council discussed ROI and the need for multi-year agreements.
  • Julie Forsythe and Brie Collier (Quad Cities Chamber): Proposed continued funding of $71,743.88 for FY26 (last year of current agreement) and outlined the new Grow Quad Cities initiative with expanded focus areas (adding mixed-use and retail). Council asked about the separation of funds between chamber and Grow Quad Cities; CFO confirmed separate accounting.
  • Rev. Dwight Ford (Project NOW – Level Up Program): Reported on the first seven months: 25 households enrolled in Class A ($400/month) and 66 adults/41 children assisted through emergency funds. 77% used funds for housing. Requested $264,000 for FY25 to expand to 35 households, add a paid internship, and increase emergency capacity. Council discussed whether to hold at $200,000 or increase; multiple alderpersons expressed support for the full amount, citing high need and matching funds.
  • Ashley Velez (Humility Homes and Services): Requested $41,887 for a street outreach worker (Danny Teague) who spends 75% of his time in Moline. The worker helps unsheltered individuals, many with mental health issues, build trust over months. Council debated funding level; some wanted full funding while others sought data from other partner cities. Ultimately, council indicated direction to fund the full request but with ongoing data reporting.
  • Kristy Vermeulen (Youth Commission): Requested increase from $10,000 to $15,000. Council expressed concern about overlap with school district-funded programs and lack of a targeted plan. Direction was to keep at $10,000 and consider a future increase from council contingency once a focused plan is developed.
  • Chris Mathias (Public Art Commission): Requested $175,000 to implement the public art plan (including Leading Light project). Council directed to hold at $75,000 and explore grant opportunities with Visit Quad Cities and city grant writer.
  • Chris Mathias (Historic Preservation Commission): Requested $35,000 for a historic survey and training. Council preferred to fund from council contingency rather than add a new budget line, noting the survey is tied to certified local government status.
• Budget Work Session - Agency Funding Direction: Staff presented a summary of all 2025 funding requests totaling $1,307,000 (up 13.8% from 2024). Council gave the following direction for inclusion in the FY25 budget:
  • Renew Moline: $100,000 (split across TIF funds)
  • Moline Centre: $125,000
  • Moline CDC: $50,000 (general fund, decreasing from ARPA)
  • Quad Cities Chamber: $71,744 (final year of current agreement)
  • Visit Quad Cities: Approximately $412,500 (25% of hotel/motel tax)
  • Youth Commission: $10,000 (pending targeted plan)
  • Humility Homes: $41,887 (full request, subject to data reporting)
  • Neighborhood Partnership Committee: $2,500 (reduced from $4,000)
  • Public Art Commission: $75,000
  • Historic Preservation Commission: To be determined from council contingency
  • Project NOW Level Up: Funded at the requested $264,000, with adjustments to be made for cannabis tax revenue and internal loan repayments.
• Enterprise Fee Review (Water, Sewer, Stormwater, Sanitation): Staff recommended sticking to the plan of incremental increases. Council gave a nod to proceed:
  • Sewer (Water Pollution Control): 9% increase in 2025, 4% in 2026 and 2027 (driven by South Slope treatment plant upgrades)
  • Stormwater: 2% increases in 2025, 2026, 2027
  • Water: 7% increase in 2025, 2% in 2026 and 2027 (lead service line replacement, PFAS treatment)
  • Sanitation: 7% increase in 2025, 2% in 2026 and 2027
  • Combined monthly impact: $6.81 in 2025, declining to under $3 by 2027.
• ARPA Reallocation: Staff presented updated spending plan with changes, including moving $2.5 million from special capital improvement fund for Bridge Point demolition, subject to council approval. Council supported the allocation plan.

Key Outcomes

• Board Appointments: All mayor's appointments and reappointments approved on consent.
• Special Event Resolutions: St. Mary's Parish Carnival (September 29, 2024) approved. Dia de los Muertos events, Great Race, Pride 5K, and other special events approved.
• License Increases: Video gaming (Rosy's Watering Hole), Class B tavern (Broken Saddle) approved; tobacco dealer license (Pipe Dreams) failed for lack of motion.
• Gaming and Liquor Ordinances: First readings advanced for video gaming (19.1), Class B tavern (19.2 for Broken Saddle, 19.3 for former Casey's Tavern).
• Sidewalk Variance: Resolution 15.7 approved (7-1).
• Funding Directions: Council provided preliminary directions for FY25 outside agency funding and enterprise fee increases. Final adoption will occur at the October 26 budget work session and October 8 city council meeting.
• Enterprise Fees: Staff will bring ordinances for rate adoption on October 8 for January 1, 2025 implementation.
• ARPA: Council endorsed the updated allocation plan, including $2.5 million for Bridge Point demolition.
• Next Steps: Budget work session scheduled for Saturday, October 26, 2024, for final review and consideration.