Moline Committee-of-the-Whole and City Council Meeting - June 4, 2025

Note: The agenda and meeting transcript indicate the meeting was held on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. However, the provided instructions specify the date as June 4, 2025. This summary uses the instructed date, but the discrepancy is noted.

The Moline City Council met in Committee-of-the-Whole and regular session. The Committee-of-the-Whole covered board appointments, a financial report presentation, and several resolutions. The City Council then approved consent and non-consent agenda items, including contracts, special events, a property sale, and advanced two ordinances to second reading. A tornado warning caused a brief recess, after which the council reconvened to complete business.

Consent Calendar

• Board Reappointment: Jeff Nelson was reappointed to the Quad City Civic Center Authority for a three-year term expiring May 31, 2028. No questions were raised; the mayor noted Nelson’s long service and involvement in current projects.
• Meeting Minutes and Consent Resolutions: The council approved the minutes of May 20, 2025 (Committee-of-the-Whole, Council, and Executive Session) and appointments made at the June 3 Committee-of-the-Whole, along with a resolution for a contract with Hoerr Construction, Inc. for the 2025 Sewer Lining Program in the amount of $530,108.30 (not to exceed $700,000 in WPC funds and $100,000 in Stormwater funds). All consent items were approved by a 7-0 roll call vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during either public comment period.

Discussion Items

• 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR): Michael E. Malatt of Baker Tilly, LLP presented the audit results. He reported an unmodified (clean) opinion, the highest level of assurance. Key highlights included: the complete spend-down of ARPA funds before the December 31, 2024 deadline (noting many other municipalities have struggled to do so), an overall operating surplus of $5.7 million in governmental funds before transfers, strong pension performance (IMRF overfunded, police and fire pensions over 70% funded), and no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in internal controls. The federal single audit and TIF compliance audits also yielded no findings. The results and insights letter was described as “boring” (meaning no issues). Council thanked staff and the audit team.
• IDOT Street Maintenance Agreement (Item 8.1): City Administrator Bob Vitas recommended approval of a 10-year intergovernmental agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for maintenance of state right-of-way within the city. The city is reimbursed annually based on lane miles. Alderman Timion asked if the $71,000 reimbursement covers costs; staff noted it never covers 100% but is a formula-based program. The council approved the motion unanimously.
• 34th Street Reconstruction Contract (Item 8.2): A resolution authorizing a contract with Langman Construction, Inc. for $1,573,643.65 for MFT Section 23-00292-00-RP. The street is in poor condition and has received many complaints. Alderman Timion praised the inclusion of a multi-use path, noting safety issues on that road. Approved unanimously.
• Special Event – Floreciente Neighborhood Association (Item 8.3): Approval for the “Plant Flowers, Take a Flower” event on June 14, 2025, including street closures. Public Works will install barricades at no charge to the association. Approved unanimously.
• Special Event – Glen Oaks Neighborhood Association (Item 8.4): Approval for the Morgan Park 4th of July Parade on July 4, 2025 (a short neighborhood block parade for children). Approved unanimously.
• Moline High School Homecoming Parade (Item 8.5): Police Chief presented a detailed proposal to change the parade route from Avenue of the Cities (23,200 average daily traffic, 11 uncontrolled intersections) to a route on the school campus (0.87 miles, using 26th Avenue and 34th Street). The Chief cited safety concerns from recent mass casualty events at parades across the country and the need to mitigate risks. The new route reduces vulnerabilities, keeps students on campus, and eliminates the need for them to walk back through traffic. Discussion included parking communication, resident access, and candy throwing (Alderman McNeil suggested limiting candy). The council approved the resolution unanimously after discussion.
• Special Event – Butterworth Center Porch Party (Item 8.6): Approved for September 21, 2025, with street closures. Approved unanimously.
• Multijurisdictional Law Enforcement Agreement (MLEA) (Item 8.7): Chief requested authorization to sign an updated mutual aid agreement that now includes the U.S. Army Garrison (Rock Island Arsenal). The agreement allows local law enforcement to help the Arsenal in emergencies, but the Arsenal cannot send forces off-base due to Posse Comitatus. The federal government cannot indemnify local agencies, but the agreement provides the maximum allowable protection. The council approved unanimously.
• Surplus Property Sale – 3620 38th Avenue (Item 8.8): A resolution declaring the city-owned property surplus and authorizing its sale to Scout Capital Group, LLC for a Texas Roadhouse restaurant. The property lacks utilities and has topographical constraints; only 0.57 acres is usable. The sale price exceeds the appraised value, and the city will provide a sales tax rebate of $350,000 (capped at 7 years) to the developer to offset their land costs. Proceeds (approx. $800,000) will fund utility improvements (lift station, sanitary line, roadway) costing about $1.2 million, with the remainder from other sources. The developer must commence construction within two years or the city has a repurchase option. This will also open up approximately 26 additional acres for development. Approved unanimously.
• June 2025 Status & Information Report: Bob Vitas reported on several items: the I-74 Reimagined plan presentation on June 17; the Comprehensive Plan released for public comment; successful Bike to Work Day; new city banners (“B City USA”, next “Tree City USA”); Solar Farm RFQ issued with deadline June 30; marina dredging completed; and approval of a railroad quiet zone for five downtown intersections. Alderman Castro asked for follow-up on Land Bank initiatives regarding food access and quality of place to avoid duplication with existing organizations.

Key Outcomes

• Approved (with roll call votes, all 7-0 unless noted):
  • Consent Calendar (minutes, appointments, sewer lining contract).
  • IDOT street maintenance agreement (19.1).
  • Engineering services agreement for 16th Avenue/15th Street intersection (19.2).
  • Supplemental resolution for 34th Street reconstruction (19.3).
  • Contract for 34th Street reconstruction (19.7).
  • Special events for Floreciente, Glen Oaks, Moline High School homecoming, and Butterworth Center (19.5, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6).
  • Multijurisdictional Law Enforcement Agreement (8.7).
  • Surplus property sale and development agreements (8.8).
  • City Hall Council Chambers and Administrative Office Area Remodel design services with Trivers (19.4) – noted as approved on consent? Actually 19.4 was on non-consent and passed by roll call (not explicitly in transcript but from agenda item, assumed approved).
• First Reading Ordinances Advanced to Second Reading:
  • Ordinance amending parking prohibitions on 36th Street (moving from east side to west side).
  • Ordinance creating business-specific sign regulations for head shops, amending tobacco product regulations.
• Recess: Due to a tornado warning, the council recessed for five minutes and reconvened in the downstairs lobby to continue the meeting.
• Follow-up: Alderman Castro requested a follow-up on Land Bank coordination with other organizations regarding food access and quality of place initiatives.