Moline Committee-of-the-Whole and City Council Meeting - November 19, 2025
Moline Committee-of-the-Whole and City Council Meeting - November 19, 2025
The Moline City Council met in a combined Committee-of-the-Whole and regular City Council session on November 19, 2025. The meeting began at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers at City Hall. The agenda included board appointments, a presentation on Keep Moline Beautiful Super Hero Awards, several resolutions and ordinances, and discussion on the River Edge Redevelopment Zone. All votes were recorded, with most items passing unanimously.
Consent Calendar
- Board Appointment: Mayor's appointment of Brittni Thorington to the Plan Commission for the unexpired term of Bill Allison (to June 30, 2027) was approved. The mayor noted Thorington is an urban conservationist, adding diversity to the commission.
- Consent Agenda (regular council): The following items were approved by a 5-0 vote (Ayes: Finch, McNeil, Castro, Schmidt, Timian; Nays: none):
- Minutes of November 4, 2025, and appointments made on November 18, 2025.
- Second reading ordinances: Tax levy for 2025 (collectible 2026) and Redevelopment/Economic Incentive Agreement with Moline Dispatch Apartments, LLC for TIF 15.
- Resolution declaring 4108 5th Avenue surplus and authorizing sale to McKinley Lofts, LLC.
Public Comments & Testimony
No public comments were made during the meeting.
Presentation: 2025 Keep Moline Beautiful Super Hero Awards
Director of Public Works Denver Schmitt presented annual awards recognizing beautification efforts. Business award: Atlas Collective for a pollinator garden. Individual awards: Dr. Chris Strunk, Olivia Bezob, and Ham Dia Hamidou from Augustana College for a pollinator garden at Old National Bank. Recipients expressed gratitude.
Committee-of-the-Whole Agenda Items
8.1 Change Order No. 1 (Culvert Replacement)
- Resolution approving change order with Miller Trucking & Excavating for $32,305.61, bringing total project cost to $227,720.71. Sufficient funds in water/storm accounts. Approved unanimously (voice vote).
8.2 2026 Annual Meeting Schedule
- Resolution setting the 2026 meeting calendar. Alderman Schmidt proposed three amendments to avoid holiday weeks:
- Remove meeting on February 17 (Presidents' Day week) and add meeting on February 24. Approved.
- Remove meeting on November 24 (Thanksgiving week) and add meeting on November 17. Approved (noted as budget adoption date for FY2027).
- Remove meeting on May 26 (Memorial Day week) and add meeting on May 19. Approved.
- Main motion as amended passed unanimously.
8.3 Tobacco License for Aman Food & Gas
- Ordinance amending tobacco dealer license cap to allow a new Class B Incidental Tobacco Dealer's License for Aman Food & Gas Inc. at the former gas station near Central Store. The business missed renewal deadline; now seeking a new license. Staff noted they are ineligible for a liquor license due to distance restrictions but intend to reopen. Approved 4-1 (Ayes: 4, Nay: 1). Council member expressed support for maintaining control over proliferation.
8.4 River Edge Redevelopment Zone (RERZ)
- Ordinance establishing a RERZ zone covering areas within 4,500 feet of the Mississippi River. Staff (Mr. Matthias) described incentives including access to historic tax credits and a proposed 90% property tax rebate for 10 years, negotiated with other taxing bodies. Detailed discussion on interaction with existing TIF districts: developers must choose between TIF and RERZ benefits; staff confirmed they are working with other taxing bodies. Approved unanimously.
Non-Consent Agenda (City Council)
The following resolutions were each approved by a 5-0 vote (Ayes: Finch, McNeil, Castro, Schmidt, Timian; Nays: none):
- 19.1: Reinsurance coverage with Evolution Risk Partners for medical/prescription claims (Jan 1, 2026).
- 19.2: Retiree benefit management with Retiree First for Medicare Advantage plan.
- 19.3: Medicare Advantage group agreement with UnitedHealthcare.
- 19.4: Brokerage services with USI Insurance Services and coverage with IPMG and ACE American (Dec 1, 2025).
- 19.5: Second and final amendment to FY2025 budget.
- 19.6: Adoption of FY2026 corporate budget (approved 6-0, including Mayor's vote).
First Reading Ordinances
- 20.1: Parking restriction changes on Ninth Street (reducing no-parking zone from 85 ft to 60 ft south of Railroad Avenue, adjusting time-limited parking). Advanced to second reading (5-0).
- 20.2: School speed zone adjustments on Twelfth Avenue and Forty-eighth Street. Advanced to second reading (5-0).
Key Outcomes
- Approved: Change order for culvert replacement; 2026 meeting schedule with three amendments; new tobacco license for Aman Food & Gas (4-1); River Edge Redevelopment Zone; all non-consent resolutions; two first-reading ordinances advanced.
- Executive Session: Motion to convene for discussion of personnel, collective bargaining, property acquisition, and litigation approved 5-0.
- Other Business: Council members recognized holiday hop event, food distribution programs, support for furloughed Arsenal employees, and thanked staff for ward meetings.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. I'll call our meeting to order here in Council Chambers at 6 p.m. Roll call, please. Alder Person Murphy. Masias. Razak. Timian. Present. Finch, President McNeil. Present. Castro. Schmidt. Present. All right. We have no remote electronic attendance. Is there public comment tonight, Chief? Okay. Board appointments for your information. Mayor's appointment of Brittany Thorington to the plan commission to fill the unexpired term of Bill Allison to expire June 30th, 2027. Excited to continue to diversify that commission. And uh they are a um urban conservationist. So adding another perspective to that commission. Uh any questions? Hearing none, we have a presentation. Our 2025 Keep Moline Beautiful Commission, City of Moline's superhero awards. Mr. Schmidt. Thank you. Good evening. Uh thank you for the opportunity to present the Keep Molly and Beautiful Superhero Awards. Um we do this annually. Uh we recognize businesses and individuals who go above and beyond to beautify the city. Um so the commission itself was started in 2008 with our mission to create a healthy sustainable community by working with volunteers uh for beautification, litter control, and recycling. Um I would like to recognize some of the uh commission members who are present today and not present. Um other person Debbie Murphy is a member. Uh Kristen Bergren is a member, uh Mary Lynn, Lord uh Chung Lee, and also um Jennifer Smith. Jennifer Smith is the newest member. She's part of um Mulline Center program manager. So this year the commission wanted to acknowledge um some endeavors that paralleled um uh other opportunities we've had in the city for uh B City USA. Um part of CS B City USA strives to increase pollinators such as bees and butterflies within the city by increasing habitats for them. Um so luckily for us, um we have a couple projects in the downtown area um that we would like to recognize tonight. Um these have been maintained this year. Uh it's not easy to do. You have to have a lot of knowledge and care to do so for these pollinator gardens. Um so we're looking to recognize an award um a business and three individuals as well. So for the business, um the first award will go to Atlas Collective for their pollinator garden, which is right outside of their business. Um, and Kara, the business owner is here to accept the award. Thank you so much. Thank you. If you want to, okay.
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