OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Moline Committee-of-the-Whole and City Council Meeting - January 21, 2026

Committee of the Whole & Council — Wednesday, January 21, 2026
BodyMoline, Illinois
SessionCommittee of the Whole & Council
DateWednesday, January 21, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 55:56

Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

Good evening, everyone.

0:03

I'll call our council meeting to order here in chambers at 6 p.m.

0:08

Roll call, please.

0:09

Alder Person Murphy.

0:11

Present.

0:11

Messias.

0:12

Present.

0:12

Rosak.

0:13

Present.

0:13

Timian.

0:14

Present.

0:14

Finch.

0:15

President McNeil.

0:16

Present.

0:17

Castro.

0:17

President Schmidt.

0:19

Present.

0:20

All right.

0:21

No remote electronic attendance tonight.

0:23

Is there any public comment, Chief?

0:25

Thank you.

0:26

I do have more void of board appointments or reappointments to read through.

0:31

Mayor's reappointment of Jose Castro to the Human Rights Commission for a two-year term to expire August 31, 2027.

0:38

Mayor's reappointment of Matt Stouffan to the Human Rights Commission for a two-year term to expire August 31st, 2027.

0:45

Mayor's appointment of Jabari Jackson to the Citizens Advisory Council or CACUP to fill the unexpired term of Ashley Gomez to expire July 31, 2027.

0:55

And mayor's appointment of Guinea Mfoufu to the Moline Housing Authority to fill the unexpired term of Andy Rodriguez to expire July 31st, 2026.

1:08

You all have any questions?

1:12

I um want to just highlight a couple things.

1:15

You know that um generational diversity is a lens I use to help choose who to put on boards, and that does come with people coming off and on some of these.

1:26

So you know, Ashley Gomez moved out of the area for work, a more recent appointee, and Andy Rodriguez also moved um recently.

1:35

So that that's why there were some openings like that.

1:39

Um Mr.

1:43

Jackson is uh as a new appointee, he's a pastor um at Tabernacle Baptist Church up in Thurboard, I believe.

1:52

And excuse me, I want to get it right.

1:55

Mr.

1:56

Mbopu is the executive director of the Rock Island Y.

2:02

That's what I have for you there.

2:04

Any questions?

2:05

Hearing none, we'll move to our proclamation, which is a yearly uh occurrence.

2:10

Would you like to say a few words, Ms.

2:12

Tinsman?

2:18

Thank you very much.

2:20

I'm Maggie Tinsman and uh a former Illinois residents.

2:28

It's on.

2:29

Oh, yeah.

2:29

It just has to be right at someone's mouth.

2:33

Okay.

2:35

First of all, I extend my sincere appreciation to you and Molane for your instrumental role in advancing the passage of this proclamation designating January as slavery and human trafficking prevention month.

2:54

Your steadfast commitment to combating human trafficking is both commendable and inspiring.

3:02

I serve right now as the initiator behind Iowa's pioneering legislation that elevated human trafficking to a felony, and I proudly hold the position of Secretary of Iowa's network against human trafficking.

3:18

Additionally, my role is as the founder of breaking traffic, which is seamlessly integrated with family resources, which serves you all, I know, and it reflects my dedication to justice and advocacy.

3:35

To truly make a difference, we must transform awareness into action.

3:43

So one of the most important impacts and powerful ways we can get involved is through education.

3:52

Educating ourselves, our communities, and our institutions about the warning signs of human trafficking helps break down the barriers that allow exploitation to persist.

4:07

And that's where you come in.

4:10

We can host community training, support educational curricula, and encourage schools, workplaces, and faith communities to prioritize this issue.

4:25

At the federal and state levels, recent bipartisan efforts have focused on prevention, training, and awareness.

4:36

Initiatives that empower individuals to recognize and respond to signs of trafficking.

4:51

Thank you very much.

4:52

Thank you very much.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████21%
Public Safety████████████████16%
Zoning And Land Use███████████████15%
Public Engagement███████████11%
Cannabis Regulation█████████9%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████8%
Water And Wastewater Management█████5%
Community Engagement████4%
Gaming Regulation████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Moline Committee-of-the-Whole and City Council Meeting - January 21, 2026

The Moline City Council convened on January 21, 2026, for a joint Committee-of-the-Whole and City Council meeting. Key actions included approvals of several resolutions and ordinances, a proclamation, board appointments, and referral of a zoning text amendment to the Plan Commission. All votes passed unanimously (8-0) unless noted.

Proclamation

  • The Council issued a proclamation declaring January 2026 as "Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month," presented by Maggie Tinsman, Secretary of Iowa's Network Against Human Trafficking and founder of Braking Traffik. She emphasized the need for education and community action.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes: Approved minutes of the January 6, 2026, Committee-of-the-Whole and Council meetings (8-0).
  • Board Appointments: Approved the mayor's reappointments of Jose Castro and Matt Stoefen to the Human Rights Commission (2-year terms to expire August 31, 2027), appointment of Jabari Jackson to the Citizens Advisory Council (CACUP) (unexpired term to July 31, 2027), and appointment of Mgcini Mpofu to the Moline Housing Authority (unexpired term to July 31, 2026). Alderperson Castro recused herself from voting on her husband's reappointment; the item was separated and passed 7-0 (Ayes: Messias, Razak, Timian, Finch, McNeil, Schmidt, Murphy; Nays: none).
  • Second Reading Ordinances: Approved three ordinances: increasing Class B Tavern licenses for Broken Saddle Saloon (1417 5th Ave); increasing Class B Incidental Tobacco Dealer’s licenses for Broken Saddle Saloon; and increasing Class B Incidental Tobacco Dealer’s licenses for Central Store (all unanimously).
  • Resolutions: Approved four resolutions under consent: Intergovernmental Agreement with Moline-Coal Valley School District No. 40 (fuel, salt, vehicle wash for 10 years); Change Order No. 1 and Final with Otto Baum Company for Midtowne Parking Ramp Repairs ($4,609.55); selecting Skunk Control for a public art installation at the Q Multimodal Station; and an Independent Consultant Agreement with Crawford, Murphy & Tilly for 2026 Intersection Improvements (up to $392,120).

Discussion Items

  • 8.1 – 2025 Patching Program Change Order: Approved Change Order No. 1 and Final with Langman Construction ($458,280.40) due to increased emergency utility repairs from aging infrastructure, including lead service line replacements. Alderperson Schmidt inquired about budget impacts; staff noted they are adjusting the 2026 CIP to prevent large change orders. Passed unanimously.
  • 8.2 – Lease Agreement with Hyprlift Inc. : Authorized a lease of the vacant former elevator test tower and adjacent area (0.12 acres) in the Moline Riverfront area to Hyprlift, an innovative elevator technology company. Lease payment: $2,500/month for two sequential five-year terms. Staff noted the use aligns with the adopted Moline Front and Center plan and brings National Science Foundation investment. Alderperson Timian expressed support and sought assurance that the lease does not alter broader riverfront redevelopment plans; staff confirmed it enhances the vision. Passed unanimously.
  • 8.3 – Disposal Agreement with Millennium Waste Incorporated (MWI): Authorized a five-year agreement (Jan 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2030) for sludge and yard waste landfill services. MWI was the low bidder; Republic had an additional assessment fee. Passed unanimously.
  • 8.4 – Administrative Services Agreement with Renew Moline: Approved FY 2026 Moline Centre Program budget allocation of $156,000. Passed unanimously.
  • 8.5 – Walk to End Alzheimer’s Special Event: Approved the event for September 19, 2026, with a $500 grant from the Special Events Fund, and street closures (River Park Drive and Great River Trail). Passed unanimously.
  • 8.6 – Safe Routes to School Signing Project: Authorized a joint funding agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation for $250,000 in federal funding (no local match) to install electronic signage at seven schools. Construction in 2026. Passed unanimously.
  • 8.7 – Liquor License Increase for QC Fun Factory: Ordinance to increase Class B Tavern licenses for Ritesh Singh, S&R Core Group LLC d/b/a QC Fun Factory at 1624 Avenue of the Cities. Conditional on obtaining consents from neighboring property owners (within 300 feet of school district property). The applicant stated he needs license approval before investing over $1 million and creating 10+ jobs; he committed to obtaining consents within two weeks. Some alderpersons expressed concern about voting before consents were obtained, but others noted two readings remain. Passed unanimously.
  • 8.8 – Video Gaming Terminal License Increase for QC Fun Factory: Related to the same facility; no consent requirement for gaming. The applicant noted a six-month timeline to open if approved. Passed unanimously.
  • 8.9 – Parking Management Study and Plan: Authorized an agreement with Walker Consultants for a downtown parking study ($124,945 plus reimbursables). Funded from the parking fund. Alderperson Timian requested inclusion of a city-owned lot near Highland building used by apartments; staff noted it may be addressed in phases. Passed unanimously.
  • 9.1 – Strategic Plan Dashboard FY25 Q4 Report: City Administrator Bob Vitas presented highlights from the 2024-2026 Strategic Plan, including fiber-to-the-home, Riverside slide, landlord certification, ARPA funding wrap-up, creation of an investigative gun unit, and the riverfront master plan. Construction bids for 2026 are open.
  • 20.1 – Zoning Text Amendment (First Reading): Ordinance to amend Chapter 35 regarding definitions and land use regulations for small institutional group homes. Referred to the Plan Commission for further discussion, including potential changes to definitions of family and occupancy. Alderperson Castro also raised the need to address roommates for community college students. Motion to refer passed unanimously (8-0).

Key Outcomes

  • All resolutions and ordinances on the consent and discussion agendas were approved unanimously (8-0), except the reappointment of Jose Castro which passed 7-0 after Alderperson Castro recused herself.
  • The zoning text amendment (Item 20.1) was referred to the Plan Commission for review and recommendation, expected to return within a few months.
  • Mayor Rayapati announced the upcoming State of the City address and a press conference at Bridge Point.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. I'll call our council meeting to order here in chambers at 6 p.m. Roll call, please. Alder Person Murphy. Present. Messias. Present. Rosak. Present. Timian. Present. Finch. President McNeil. Present. Castro. President Schmidt. Present. All right. No remote electronic attendance tonight. Is there any public comment, Chief? Thank you. I do have more void of board appointments or reappointments to read through. Mayor's reappointment of Jose Castro to the Human Rights Commission for a two-year term to expire August 31, 2027. Mayor's reappointment of Matt Stouffan to the Human Rights Commission for a two-year term to expire August 31st, 2027. Mayor's appointment of Jabari Jackson to the Citizens Advisory Council or CACUP to fill the unexpired term of Ashley Gomez to expire July 31, 2027. And mayor's appointment of Guinea Mfoufu to the Moline Housing Authority to fill the unexpired term of Andy Rodriguez to expire July 31st, 2026. You all have any questions? I um want to just highlight a couple things. You know that um generational diversity is a lens I use to help choose who to put on boards, and that does come with people coming off and on some of these. So you know, Ashley Gomez moved out of the area for work, a more recent appointee, and Andy Rodriguez also moved um recently. So that that's why there were some openings like that. Um Mr. Jackson is uh as a new appointee, he's a pastor um at Tabernacle Baptist Church up in Thurboard, I believe. And excuse me, I want to get it right. Mr. Mbopu is the executive director of the Rock Island Y. That's what I have for you there. Any questions? Hearing none, we'll move to our proclamation, which is a yearly uh occurrence. Would you like to say a few words, Ms. Tinsman? Thank you very much. I'm Maggie Tinsman and uh a former Illinois residents. It's on. Oh, yeah. It just has to be right at someone's mouth. Okay. First of all, I extend my sincere appreciation to you and Molane for your instrumental role in advancing the passage of this proclamation designating January as slavery and human trafficking prevention month. Your steadfast commitment to combating human trafficking is both commendable and inspiring. I serve right now as the initiator behind Iowa's pioneering legislation that elevated human trafficking to a felony, and I proudly hold the position of Secretary of Iowa's network against human trafficking.

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