Moline Committee-of-the-Whole and City Council Meeting – December 30, 2024

Note: The agenda and transcript indicate the meeting originally convened on Tuesday, December 17, 2024; the date provided for this summary (December 30, 2024) does not match the source material. The summary below reflects the actual proceedings of the December 17 meeting.

The meeting began at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers with roll call (all aldermen present). It included a Committee-of-the-Whole segment (presentations, public comment, agenda items) followed by a formal City Council meeting with consent, non‑consent, and first‑reading ordinances. An executive session on personnel matters concluded the evening.

Presentations

• MetroLINK Decennial Update – Jennifer Hirsch presented a decennial review required by the Committee on Local Government Efficiency Act. She highlighted MetroLINK’s history, services (bus, paratransit, microtransit, Channel Cat), sustainability achievements (compressed natural gas, battery electric buses, LEED‑standard infrastructure), partnerships with Moline, student fare waivers (K‑12), and a donated bus converted into a mobile greenhouse by the Quad City Botanical Center. A new cashless fare collection system is expected within 12–18 months. Council asked about reception of electric buses (positive) and fare innovations (upcoming tap‑and‑go system).
• Key to the City – Robert Vogelbaugh – Mayor Rayapati presented the Key to the City to Robert Vogelbaugh (known as “Mr. Thanksgiving”) for his voluntary Thanksgiving meal service started in 1972, praising his steadfastness. Mr. Vogelbaugh thanked the council and expressed pride in being a lifelong Moline citizen.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jack (last name not provided) from 1708 53rd Street expressed concerns about the dangerous intersection at 53rd Street and Fifth Avenue near the YMCA, citing crashes and speeding (60–70 mph). He suggested speed bumps, a skywalk, a red light, or a roundabout. He also noted illegal parking on 53rd Street despite “no parking” signs. Council thanked him and noted the comments.

Discussion Items (Committee-of-the-Whole)

• 8.1 – Remote Attendance for Childcare – Ordinance adding unexpected childcare obligations as a fourth allowed reason for remote attendance. Passed unanimously. Council requested a memo clarifying rules for children in executive session.
• 8.2 – Stop Sign Change at 53rd & Fifth – Removed three‑way stop designation; added all‑way stop (stop sign northbound on 53rd at Fifth Avenue). Traffic Engineering Committee recommended based on crash history and offset geometry. Passed unanimously. Council discussed steep hill and agreed to install warning signs and a dynamic message board.
• 8.3 – Honorary Street Designation – Daniel Gordon – Designated portion of 26th Street (between 13th and 14th Avenues) for Daniel Gordon (1843 settler). Passed unanimously.
• 8.4 – Honorary Street Designation – Robert Vogelbaugh – Designated portion of 26th Street (between 37th and 38th Avenues) for Robert Vogelbaugh. Passed unanimously.
• 8.5 – Tobacco License Categories and Moratoriums – Ordinance created three license classes: Class A (primary retailer, limit 5), Class B (incidental, limit 36), Class C (head shop, limit 5), with temporary moratoriums on new Class A and C licenses. Council amended to remove the moratorium on Class C (head shops) by a 4–3 roll‑call vote (Castro, Schmidt, Razak opposed; Messias, Timion, Finch, McNeil in favor). The ordinance as amended then passed. Discussion covered grandfathering existing businesses, potential need for a business to hold multiple licenses, and enforcement mechanisms.
• 8.6 – Additional HAFHR Grant Funding – Resolution accepting $345,000 from Illinois Housing Development Authority for the Homeowner Assistance Fund Home Repair Program (COVID‑related, up to $60,000 per household, income up to 150% of AMI). Passed unanimously.
• 8.7 – Enterprise Zone Application IGA – Resolution approving intergovernmental agreement with Bi‑State Regional Commission and neighboring governments to fund a consultant (Moran Economic Development) for an Enterprise Zone amendment application. Passed unanimously.
• 8.8 – SHPO Historic Survey Grant – Resolution to apply for a $15,000 Certified Local Government matching grant (city match $4,500 from council contingency) for a historic property survey in the Forest Hill neighborhood. Passed unanimously.
• 8.9 – Treatment Chemicals Contracts – Resolution authorizing purchase of 2025 treatment chemicals through Bi‑State Regional Commission. Prices stabilized after previous hikes. Passed unanimously.
• 8.10 – Project NOW Level Up Grant – Resolution for 2025 grant agreement with Project NOW, Inc. for the “Level Up” program; categories expanded to include single adults and flexible timeframes (12, 14, 16 months). Passed unanimously.
• 8.11 – I‑74 Bridge Bollards – Resolution for MOU with IDOT, IDOT, Bettendorf, and Moline to install removable bollards on the multi‑use path approaches. IDOT pays for installation; city responsible for long‑term maintenance. Council discussed replacement costs, emergency access, and need to clarify maintenance split with Bettendorf. Passed unanimously.

Informational Presentation

• RAISE Grant – Dawn Temple presented the “I‑74 Riverfront Reimagined” planning grant application (due January 30, 2025) to advance the riverfront vision plan into engineering and design. No local match required; proposed amount $5.5–6.5 million. Key criteria include safety, sustainability, economic competitiveness. Council expressed support.

Key Outcomes (City Council Segment)

• Consent Agenda (minutes, appointments, alley vacation, law enforcement agreement, change orders) approved unanimously.
• Non‑Consent Resolutions:
  • 18.1: Change Order No. 1/Final – 38th Street Reconstruction ($32,251.36) – approved.
  • 18.2: Modification of non‑union employee benefit package – approved.
  • 18.3: 2025 Grant Agreement with Project NOW for Level Up – approved.
  • 18.4: Paid Parental Leave Policy – approved.
• First Reading Ordinances advanced to second reading (19.1: all‑way stop at 18th & Fifth; 19.2: parking restrictions on 6th Avenue near 53rd; 19.3: 15‑minute parking at 1509 15th Street). All advanced unanimously.
• Strategic Planning Update – City Administrator Vitas announced that Northern Illinois University’s Center for Governmental Studies will conduct community and business surveys (January–April 2025) to inform the next strategic plan. Council will receive results in May.
• Executive Session – Motion to convene for discussion of personnel (appointment, employment, compensation) approved unanimously.