Moline City Council Meeting - January 7, 2026

The Moline City Council met on January 7, 2026 at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers (Cow). The meeting included a significant discussion on homelessness and sheltering resources, followed by a detailed presentation from FGM Architects on the preliminary design for a new Fire Station #1 on 7th Street. No public comments were made, and no consent calendar was presented.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were offered during the meeting.

Miscellaneous Business – Homelessness and Sheltering

• Mayor Schmidt opened with a recap of conversations with staff, nonprofit partners, and community stakeholders regarding homelessness and unsheltered individuals. She emphasized the need to stick to existing plans and advocate factually, reiterating the operating principle "don't point fingers, point to solutions." She referenced the project uplift packet and directed staff to release a survey to council members the following morning (January 8) for rapid feedback. The mayor stressed urgency, noting winter conditions, and proposed a follow-up discussion the next Tuesday (January 13) rather than waiting longer.
• The mayor noted that the council had approved a budget without a specific dollar amount for project uplift, but that the budget can be amended. She urged the council to consider funding amounts regardless of survey outcomes.
• Council Member Hill expressed gratitude to staff for resilience and for finding extra money for holiday meals. He affirmed that housing (including shelter) is a council pillar and that urgency is obvious. He supported the survey and fast action, suggesting contingency funds or leftover funds for immediate use.
• Staff member Bob provided a detailed inventory of existing city programs: homestead and down payment assistance ($150,000 per year), food security program ($15,000 over three years), rental utility assistance ($150,000 annually), Level Up ($315,000/year), CDBG sub-recipients (Christian Care, Salvation Army, World Relief), PATH forward opiate settlement funding ($66,880 next year, $16,000 following year), uplift shelters including White House rehab ($150,000 acquisition and rehab, $50,000 annually), police social worker ($50,000/year), crisis intervention team, and partnerships with Moline Housing Authority, Humility Homes, and others. He also mentioned early discussions with Project NOW for state-funded overnight shelter.
• Another council member appreciated the inventory, noting it helps identify gaps. They acknowledged that not all problems can be solved with available funds but valued the comprehensive approach.

Discussion Items – Fire Station #1 Preliminary Design Presentation

• Staff member Bob introduced the presentation as Phase 2 of the fire station project, following a spatial needs analysis and site location study. The city acquired property on 7th Street, and FGM Architects developed preliminary schematics.
• Jason Sis and Victor Rivera of FGM Architects presented three roof style options (flat, low-slope metal, and hip/gabled) and two training tower locations (front or rear). Key design features included:
  • Two-story layout to accommodate a 14-foot site elevation change, with the upper level at street level and the lower level for training, storage, and small vehicle bays.
  • Apparatus bay discharge oriented to 15th Avenue to minimize traffic conflict.
  • Separate administration, residence, and public/training areas with controlled access.
  • Flat roof option (PVC, 35-year warranty) allowing solar panels or green roof; sloped and hip roofs offering traditional aesthetics but larger interior volumes and mechanical space challenges.
• Council discussion focused on:
  • Retaining wall vs. grading: a council member suggested filling the elevation difference rather than building a retaining wall. The architect agreed that a sloped hillside or tiered walls could be considered.
  • Roof preference: The chief reported that the fire department team (seven members) leaned toward the flat roof for its modern look and practicality. The mayor favored the flat roof for maintainability, reduced heated volume, and solar compatibility. The hip roof was seen as too heavy, and the sloped roof was dismissed as too futuristic.
  • Tower location: The chief preferred the tower at the front for aesthetic and recruitment purposes, while some deputy chiefs preferred the rear for training flexibility. Council indicated that if costs are equal, the department's operational preference should drive the decision.
  • Energy & sustainability: The mayor advocated for considering long-term costs (50–75 years) over initial construction cost. Council discussed solar panels (with minimal roof penetration using PVC roof), geothermal (preferred over LED certification by the architect), and battery storage (noted high cost and short lifespan). The architect confirmed that the building will be designed structurally to support solar panels in the future, and that geothermal is feasible on the large site.
  • LED certification: The architect advised against pursuing LED due to its high cost ($500,000–$700,000) and three-year data requirement, recommending instead that energy savings be demonstrated through design and public outreach.
• Timeline: January 2026 for final design direction (roof, tower location, material selection), then 6 months for design development and construction documents. Bidding could occur in winter 2026/early 2027, with construction potentially starting in 2027 to align with bonding schedules and keep debt level for taxpayers.

Key Outcomes

• The homelessness survey will be sent to council members on January 8; feedback is requested quickly to allow a follow-up discussion on January 13. Staff will compile responses and continue exploring funding options, including potential budget amendments.
• Fire Station #1 design direction: The council expressed a preference for the flat roof and requested further analysis of tower placement (front vs. rear) based on operational need and cost. The architect will refine the design and present a finalized exterior vision by the end of January 2026.
• Staff will examine solar and geothermal options, with an intent to design the building to accommodate future solar installation.
• No formal votes were taken; all discussion was advisory.