Moline Committee-of-the-Whole and City Council Meeting - November 21, 2024

Note: The agenda and raw transcript list the meeting date as November 19, 2024, but the provided metadata indicates November 21, 2024. The following summary reflects the proceedings as recorded.

The Moline City Council and Committee-of-the-Whole convened on the reported date to conduct routine business, approve agenda items, and hold a public hearing on the 2025 budget. The meeting included an oath of office for a fire department promotion, a proclamation for Small Business Saturday, several resolutions, and a consent agenda approval. Public comment expressed gratitude for a street reconstruction project. Council also approved a new Workplace Bullying Policy and advanced an ordinance regarding temporary signs.

Oath of Office

• Fire Chief Steve Regenwether administered the oath of office to Justin Frederiksen, promoting him from Engineer to Lieutenant in the Moline Fire Department, effective November 18, 2024. Lieutenant Frederiksen was joined by his family.

Proclamation

• The Mayor proclaimed November 30, 2024, as "Small Business Saturday" at the request of the Moline Centre Program. Kirk (Moline Centre) spoke about the importance of small businesses and introduced several downtown business owners.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Anne Hernandez (resident of 48th Street Hill area for 60 years) expressed gratitude to the city for reconstructing 48th Street, noting the deteriorated conditions she had experienced. She thanked the late Pat O'Brien, Alderperson Dan McNeil, and the construction crews.
• No public testimony was offered during the 2025 Budget Public Hearing.

Consent Calendar

• Remote Electronic Attendance: Approved for Alderperson Jessica Finch due to personal illness (8-0).
• Board Reappointment: Jodi Fisk reappointed to the Metropolitan Airport Authority of Rock Island County for a 5-year term expiring November 30, 2029.
• Consent Agenda (Minutes, Appointments, Ordinances, Resolutions): All items under the consent agenda were approved by an 8-0 omnibus vote, including:
  • Approval of Committee-of-the-Whole, Council, and Executive Session minutes of November 12, 2024.
  • Ordinances: 2024 tax levy, Special Service Area #5 and #6 tax levies, extension of taxes for bond payments, and a loading zone amendment on Seventh Street.
  • Resolutions: Accepting a drainage easement for 48th Street Reconstruction; declaring two downtown parklets as surplus for donation to Mercado on Fifth; Change Order No. 1 & Final for 2024 Sidewalk Infill Program ($12,512.85); Sign licensing agreement with GRT QC Property LLC; City Hall Controlled Entry Agreement ($304,950 with Precision Builders Inc.); Public Works Controlled Entry Agreement ($251,424 with Daxon Construction Company); BNSF pipeline license agreements (one-time fee $7,400); Joint Funding Agreement for 16th Avenue/15th Street Intersection Reconstruction/Carbon Reduction Project ($43,750); Change Order No. 1 & Final for Avenue of the Cities/41st Street Pedestrian Improvements ($7,385.04); and Government Entity Contribution Agreement with Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau (25% of gross hotel/motel tax revenues).

Discussion Items

9.1 – Ordinance Vacating Alley Right-of-Way

• Staff recommended approval of the sale of an alley remnant (approx. 4,764.8 sq. ft.) to adjoining property owners Jace and Tara Tweed for $4,873.46. Motion approved 8-0.

9.2 – 2025 Annual Meeting Schedule

• A resolution setting the 2025 meeting schedule, accounting for school holidays and alternating roundtables. Alderperson Schmidt noted April 22 meeting falls after Easter; staff confirmed no issue with agenda release. Approved 8-0.

9.3 – Workplace Bullying Policy

• HR Manager Brandon Tidwell presented the new policy, which addresses employee accountability for workplace behaviors not covered by existing harassment policies. The policy covers repeated, prolonged behavior and will involve bargaining unit negotiations for discipline. Approved 8-0.

9.4 – Second & Final Amendment to FY2024 Budget

• Finance Director Carol Barnes presented the amendment, which nets a $4,402,129 increase in fund balances primarily due to reallocating ARPA funds to sewer projects. The amendment reflects council actions, inflationary adjustments, and updated CIP costs. Approved 8-0.

2025 Budget Public Hearing

• Carol Barnes presented the $165.2 million balanced budget, highlighting a 3.4% property tax levy increase (to $16,845,542), funding for six new firefighters, $60 million in capital improvements, and modest fee increases for water, wastewater, stormwater, and sanitation. The average residential impact is $8.56/month. No public testimony was received. The hearing was opened at 6:22 PM and closed at 6:36 PM.

Non-Consent Resolutions

• 20.1 – Firefighters Local #581 Labor Agreement (2025-2027): Approved 8-0.
• 20.2 – Insurance Brokerage Services Agreement with USI Insurance Services LLC: Approved 8-0.
• 20.3 – HVAC Preventative Maintenance Agreement with Johnson Controls (5-year): Approved 8-0.
• 20.4 – Change Order No. 1 & Final for 47th Street Reconstruction ($29,515.49): Approved 7-1 (Alderperson Schmidt voted nay).

Non-Consent First Reading Ordinance

• 21.1 – Ordinance Amending Chapter 3 (Signs) to allow five temporary signs per lot: Advanced to second reading 8-0.

Key Outcomes

• All Committee-of-the-Whole and Consent Agenda items were approved unanimously.
• Non-Consent Resolutions 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 passed 8-0; 20.4 passed 7-1.
• Ordinance 21.1 advanced to second reading.
• The 2025 Budget Public Hearing was held with no public testimony; budget adoption scheduled for December 3, 2024.
• Council convened into Executive Session at 6:36 PM for pending litigation discussion.
• City Manager noted that the Illinois EPA approved a permit for the Rock Island County Moline Transfer Station on November 18, 2024.