Moline Committee-of-the-Whole & City Council Meeting - October 15, 2025

The Moline City Council held a combined Committee-of-the-Whole and regular City Council meeting on October 15, 2025, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting covered a wide range of items including equipment purchases, ordinance amendments, a sidewalk variance, a major TIF incentive agreement, and a detailed presentation of the proposed 2026-2028 operating and capital budgets. All agenda items were approved, with one notable roll-call vote of 5-4 on the sidewalk variance.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Committee-of-the-Whole, Council, and Executive Session minutes of September 23, 2025.
• Second Reading Ordinances (15.1-15.6): Amendments to park alcohol rules, zoning text for Moline Centre, garbage/recycling fees, water/sewer charges, sewerage rates, and general water/sewer provisions.
• Resolutions (16.1-16.2): Establishment of a Block Party Policy effective January 1, 2026, and approval of the special event application for the Día de los Muertos Celebration on November 1, 2025.
• Omnibus Vote: All consent items approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during any of the three public comment periods.

Discussion Items

• 6.1 – Lifepak 35 Monitors & Power Load Systems: Fire Chief presented the need to replace three cardiac monitors from 2013 and two power load systems. The original agreement total was $363,465.48, but interest dropped, resulting in an amended total of $363,224.94 over six years. The department had been saving $60,000 per year since 2021 to cover this expense. Approved with amended motion.
• 6.2 – Mini-Pitch System for Riverside Park: Purchase of a soccer mini-pitch from Musco Lighting for $111,700 using a Sourcewell contract. The item was cut from the Riverside Legacy Project due to over-bids; the new pitch will be larger than those at Stevens Park. Approved.
• 6.3 – Zoning Hearing Officer Contract Extension: Extension of Thomas A. Skorepa’s services for three years starting October 21, 2025. The previous agreement expired in 2019; the extension brings the arrangement current at the same compensation. Approved.
• 6.4 – Tobacco Sales Ordinance Amendment: Repealed and replaced subsection (g) to require ID checks for anyone appearing under 40. City Attorney Atkins explained the change prevents underage sales and avoids entrapment defenses. A compliance letter will be sent to all tobacco license holders before enforcement. Approved.
• 6.5 – Private Security Guards Ordinance: New division in Chapter 22 to enforce state regulations on private security, including uniform requirements and prohibition of police-style gear. The Police Chief cited a recent incident where armed guards wore police vests and engaged in a foot pursuit without proper identification. Approved.
• 6.6 – North Slope WWTP Technical Services: Task Order No. 25-04 with Strand Associates for construction-related services on the Chemical Phosphorus Removal Improvements Project, amount $196,000. Construction began October 16. Approved.
• 6.7 – South Slope WRF Testing Services: Agreement with Terracon Consultants for concrete and geotechnical testing during the four-year South Slope Wastewater Reclamation Facility improvements, estimated $198,880. Approved.
• 6.8 – Sidewalk Variance at 3418 14th Street: Request to delay installation of a 76-foot public sidewalk along 14th Street for a new single-family home. Staff noted two prior variances on the same street. After discussion, the council voted 5-4 (Ayes: Messias, Timian, Finch, Castro, Schmidt; Nays: Rosak, McNeil, Murphy) to approve the variance.
• 6.9 – Harold's Chicken Sign Licensing Agreement: Authorized an agreement for an existing sign and awnings overhanging 5th Avenue and 15th Street at 425 15th Street. Approved.
• 6.10 – New Style Barbershop Sign Licensing Agreement: Authorized replacement of pan faces in an existing wall sign overhanging public right-of-way at 3217 Avenue of the Cities. Approved.
• 6.11 – TIF 13 Incentive Agreement with Illinois Domus Two, LLC: Ordinance authorizing a Redevelopment and Economic Incentive Agreement for a project at 1236 Avenue. The development includes a minimum of 64 residential apartments, two commercial spaces, and 49 off-street parking spaces. Total development cost $15.4 million; TIF assistance of $1.92 million (13% of cost) on a pay-as-you-go basis over the remaining life of TIF 13 (expires 2039). The project meets form-based code requirements and is considered a catalyst for downtown. Approved.
• Budget Presentation (Informational 7.1): Finance Director Carol Barnes and City Administrator Bob Vitas presented the proposed 2026-2028 budgets. Highlights:
  • Total 2026 budget: $164.1 million.
  • Property tax levy rate reduced for the fifth consecutive year to $1.7077 per $100 EAV, the lowest in 36 years. Total levy increase of 4.97% ($837,000 new dollars), with the average homeowner paying an additional $37/year ($3.08/month).
  • The levy captures 83.49% of new growth, a departure from recent years (under 50%). Some council members expressed concern about the high capture rate.
  • Operating budget includes a 1.45% increase in departmental operating expenses; public safety accounts for 68.5% of general fund spending.
  • Capital projects total $79.5 million (largest ever), including $33.8 million for South Slope WRF, $11 million for lead pipe replacement, and $2.5 million for Phase 2 flood protection.
  • The Special Capital Projects Fund (10-year, $100 million plan) supports strategic priorities: infrastructure, housing, economy, quality of place. A new Moline Housing Fund with $2 million in seed money over three years is proposed.
  • Fund balances remain healthy; general fund reserves projected at 23.84% of expenditures (within policy of 20-25%).
  • Discussion included council direction to provide more detailed reporting on Special CIP outflows and the impact of housing fund allocations.
• October Status & Information Report (Informational 7.2): Bob Vitas reported the kickoff of the Lamar-Jass Collaborative Contract for confligant (first steering committee meeting Oct 21), the path forward program, and South Slope groundbreaking.

Key Outcomes

• All resolutions and ordinances on the Committee-of-the-Whole agenda were approved unanimously, except the sidewalk variance (Item 6.8) which passed 5-4.
• The Fire Department equipment purchase (Item 6.1) was approved with an amended total of $363,224.94.
• The first-reading ordinances for a new all-way stop at 43rd Street & Fifth Avenue (19.1) and a 30-minute parking restriction at 1518 15th Street (19.2) were advanced to second reading unanimously.
• The council entered executive session to discuss property acquisition (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) and (c)(6)).
• The budget workshop is scheduled for Saturday, October 18, 2025, with adoption targeted before Thanksgiving.