Moline City Council Meeting – December 18, 2025

Note: The agenda and transcript indicate the meeting occurred on December 16, 2025, but the provided date for this summary is December 18, 2025. The following summary reflects the December 16 proceedings as documented.

The Moline City Council held a combined Committee-of-the-Whole and regular City Council meeting on December 16, 2025, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included recognition of Police Chief Darren Gault, public comment on homelessness, approval of numerous contracts and ordinances, and an informational update on the I-74 Riverfront Brownfield Redevelopment Project. All agenda items were approved, most unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• December 2, 2025 Committee-of-the-Whole and Council meeting minutes approved.
• River Edge Redevelopment Zone ordinance (second reading) approved.
• Joint Funding Agreements: For 36th Avenue Bike Path ($601,758.63) and Systematic Intersection Improvements ($57,257.00) with Motor Fuel Tax matches approved.
• Refuse Disposal Agreement: Five-year contract with Republic Services (2026-2030) approved.
• Occupational Health Services: Three-year agreement with Concentra Medical Centers approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Wes, a Moline resident, spoke about the urgent need for emergency winter shelter for unhoused neighbors. He noted a 40% increase in homelessness in Rock Island County over the last three years and urged the city to invest in permanent housing solutions. He referenced the city's recent emergency shelter at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center and thanked the council for having a related agenda item.

Recognition

• Police Chief Darren Gault was recognized for receiving the Law Enforcement Official of the Year award from the Illinois Security Professionals Association. City Administrator Bob Vitas highlighted Chief Gault's 28-year career, his leadership in achieving ILEAP accreditation, solving a 29-year-old cold case, launching a drone first-responder program, and his statewide service. Chief Gault thanked the department and noted police officers performed 27 welfare checks on unsheltered individuals over the weekend.

Discussion Items

• Chief Gault's Recognition (Item 5.1): Unanimous applause and brief remarks.
• Proclamation: January 9, 2026 declared "National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day."
• Change Order No. 1 – Asphalt Maintenance (8.1): Approved $31,215.21 final change order to maximize work under the $350,000 budget.
• Tavern License Transfer – Broken Saddle Saloon (8.2): Approved increasing Class B tavern license count to accommodate purchase of existing business (no net increase).
• Tobacco License – Broken Saddle Saloon (8.3): Approved similarly.
• Tobacco License – Central Store LLC (8.4): Approved (7-1, Alderperson Razak voting nay). Staff noted the store had a state license but lacked a city license for approximately eight years; the mayor will handle any violation administratively. Council debated the oversight but approved the license as a cleanup measure.
• USPS Ground Lease (8.5): Approved five-year lease for parking spaces in the Midtowne Ramp under same terms as original.
• Robinson Engineering Services (8.6): Approved $190,000 for lead service line replacement design and IEPA loan applications for 700-800 locations.
• Treatment Chemicals Contract (8.7): Approved annual contracts for 2026 chemicals via Bi-State Regional Commission.
• Lead Service Line Replacement Award (8.8): Approved $3,483,495 notice of intent to award to Miller Trucking & Excavating, with increased quantities allowing more replacements than planned.
• Fifth Amendment – Quad Cities Multi-Modal Station (8.9): Approved amendment to clarify parking lot rent payments.
• 2026 On-Call Water Service Line Replacement Contracts (8.10): Approved two contracts: J.C. Dillon ($501,840) and H. Coopman Trucking ($561,720).
• Manhole Lining Change Order (8.11): Approved $7,321.78 final change order.
• Board of Fire and Police Commissioners Rules Amendments (8.12): Approved revisions covering open meetings, testing process, interview panels, and rank structure. Alderperson Schmidt questioned the four-per-year remote attendance limit; staff explained it aids commission members who travel.
• Emergency Homeless Funding (8.13): Approved $25,000 from Council Contingency funds for winter supplemental services, with carryover to FY2026. $2,000 already sent to Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center. Council members expressed hope for a permanent shelter and cited ongoing regional conversations.
• First Reading Ordinances – Airport South District Plan & Zoning Map (22.1, 22.2): Advanced to second reading to rezone land along 72nd Street for development.

Informational Item

• I-74 Riverfront Reimagined Brownfield Project: Management Analyst Dawn Temple announced the city will apply for a $1 million EPA Brownfields grant (no match required) for environmental assessments and cleanup, supporting riverfront redevelopment plans. Phase I reports confirmed contamination; Phase II is underway.

Key Outcomes

• Chief Gault Recognition: Unanimous applause and proclamation.
• Infrastructure Contracts: All 12 resolutions and ordinances in the Committee-of-the-Whole passed (most unanimously; 8.4 passed 7-1).
• Non-Consent Agenda Items: All 10 resolutions (21.1-21.10) and two first-reading ordinances passed unanimously (8-0).
• Tobacco License for Central Store: Approved over concern about past non-compliance; mayor to handle administrative violation.
• Homeless Emergency Funding: $25,000 approved; staff to coordinate with faith leaders and regional partners.
• Executive Session: Convened for discussion of property acquisition (real estate) under ILCS exceptions.
• Miscellaneous Business: Mayor noted state transportation bill includes passenger rail funding; PAR Instruments ribbon-cutting celebrated; staff thanked for year-end efforts.