OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Moline City Council and Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting - February 26, 2026

Committee of the Whole & Council — Thursday, February 26, 2026
BodyMoline, Illinois
SessionCommittee of the Whole & Council
DateThursday, February 26, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:20:04

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

Good evening everyone.

0:03

I'll call our committee of the whole to order here in Council Chambers at 6 p.m.

0:07

Roll call, please.

0:08

Alder Person Murphy.

0:10

Mastias.

0:11

Rosak.

0:12

Present.

0:12

Simeon.

0:13

Present.

0:13

Finch.

0:14

McNeil.

0:15

Present.

0:16

Castro?

0:17

Schmidt.

0:17

Present.

0:19

We do have a lot of sickness floating around the area.

0:23

So our friends will be back with us soon.

0:27

No remote electronic attendance.

0:29

Is there public comment?

0:30

No.

0:31

Okay.

0:32

So we'll turn right to our presentation.

0:34

Mr.

0:34

Wenicamp.

0:35

Two reverse YMCA update.

0:43

Mayor members of City Council, thanks for having us today.

0:47

My name is Rob Anderson, and I am the chief officer officer for the Moline or the Tourism YMCA.

0:55

Mike and I are here to talk to you today about infrastructure.

1:00

And typically, when you think of inter infrastructure, think of roads, bridges, pipes, sewers.

1:05

But we're talking a little bit about something different.

1:08

And we're talking about human and in human infrastructure, Moline's human infrastructure.

1:13

That includes the places that keep keep kids safe, our families strong, and our seniors healthy.

1:18

Currently the YMC has over 14,000 members.

1:21

And it averages about 12 to 15% of those being on an income-based memberships.

1:27

The Two Rivers YMCA has been the cornerstone of Moline for 140 years.

1:31

Tonight we're presenting a plan to secure the cornerstone for the next 50 years and beyond.

1:43

As you can see from the slide, our mission is ambitious but necessary.

1:47

Right now we serve one in eight residents in our service area.

1:51

By 2028, with its expansion, we will reach one in four.

1:55

This just isn't about just isn't about getting bigger.

1:57

It's about getting better.

2:15

Why are we doing this?

2:18

Because we see three critical gaps in our community that the Y fills.

2:22

One is youth safety.

2:24

We need safe spaces for youth and teens during those at-risk hours of 3 to 6 p.m.

2:29

when parents may not be home in their home from school.

2:35

Rehabilitation, mobility, and social connection, not just a treadmill.

2:40

And family connection.

2:41

Families need a place where they can all be active at the same time.

2:56

Yeah.

2:57

You're good at that.

2:59

All right.

2:59

Mayor Council, thank you for having us.

3:02

As Rob said, um, the Y has been a cornerstone of this community since uh the uh late uh 1800s, 140 years.

3:11

Um the uh the three things that he mentioned safe spaces for youth, uh the uh the chronic disease prevention and and health and wellness for seniors and um the family uh hub that we are uh uh can be enhanced through the transformation of our current facility.

3:29

Um we uh uh our current Moline YMC was built in 1970.

3:34

It's been through uh five different uh renovations slash additions.

3:38

The most recent was 2015 when we invested three and a half million dollars uh to uh remodel the first floor entrance and uh put a new uh facade on the front uh to make it more welcoming.

3:49

Uh we were told by diverse populations that uh the building felt very institutional, and um and so that was our first step forward uh toward a state-of-the-art uh modern uh facility of the 2000s, and this is gonna take us the rest of the way.

4:06

Um you can see that a brand new gymnasium on the north end of the building.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████████████████████████33%
Zoning And Land Use██████████████████18%
Parks and Recreation████████████████16%
Procedural█████████████13%
Workforce Development█████5%
Cannabis Regulation███3%
Affordable Housing███3%
Transportation Safety██2%
Historic Preservation██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Moline City Council and Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting - February 26, 2026

The Moline City Council and Committee-of-the-Whole convened at 6:00 PM on February 26, 2026 (per official record), at City Hall Council Chambers, 619 16th Street, Moline, IL. The meeting covered a presentation on the Two Rivers YMCA expansion, 13 committee agenda items (including contracts for reconstruction, traffic signals, patching, and improvements), and a full City Council agenda including consent items, non-consent resolutions, and first-reading ordinances. Notable discussions included an amendment to require an impact agreement for a traffic signal project and a lengthy debate on redefining "family" in the zoning code.

Presentation

  • Two Rivers YMCA Update (Rob Anderson, CEO, and Mike Wennekamp): The YMCA, serving 14,000 members with 12–15% on income-based memberships, presented a $25 million expansion plan to secure the facility for 50+ years. The plan includes a new gymnasium, aquatic center (replacing 1970s pools), turf field, renovated locker rooms, and upgraded infrastructure. They requested the city waive an estimated $130,000 in permit and plan review fees, emphasizing that $17 million would be raised through private donations and grants. The presentation emphasized community benefits: youth safety (3–6 PM after-school space), chronic disease prevention and senior wellness, and family connection. Partnerships with Moline-Coal Valley School District were noted for swim team relocation water safety programs and lifeguard training. City staff will review the request and bring a recommendation via memorandum of understanding.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes Approval: Approved minutes of February 3, 2026 (Committee-of-the-Whole, Council, Executive Session) and February 10, 2026 (Committee-of-the-Whole, Executive Session).
  • Second Reading Ordinances:
    • Increased Class B Tavern liquor licenses for QC Fun Factory (1624 Avenue of the Cities).
    • Increased Video Gaming Terminal licenses for QC Fun Factory.
  • Resolutions:
    • Authorized Equitable Sharing Agreement for Police Department federal forfeiture funds.
    • Granted $7,500 from Special Events Fund to Quad Cities Pickleball Club for the Classic Tournament.

All consent items passed unanimously (5-0 roll call).

Discussion Items (Committee-of-the-Whole)

  • 7.1 – 35th Street Reconstruction ($296,068.05): Contract with Walter D. Laud, Inc. for pavement removal and replacement sidewalk installation and drainage improvements between 37th and 38th Avenue. Approved unanimously.
  • 7.2 – River Dr. & 12th St. Traffic Signal Installation ($637,427.81): Contract with Davenport Electric Contract Company. Discussion centered on the lack of an impact agreement (new for this project type). Alderperson Schmidt moved to approve with language requiring the impact agreement be completed before construction begins; the amendment passed and the item was advanced to Council.
  • 7.3 – 19th & 27th St. Shared-Use Path Inspection ($350,000): Contract with Hutchison Engineering for construction inspection on Phase 2 of the path (Avenue of the Cities to 36th Ave). Approved unanimously.
  • 7.4 – Fire Station #2 Improvements ($210,053): Contract with Chenoweth Construction for living quarters restrooms HVAC and compliance upgrades. Approved unanimously.
  • 7.5 – 2026 Patching Program ($1,468,976.25): Annual maintenance contract with Walter D. Laud, Inc. for surface repairs. Approved unanimously.
  • 7.6 – 10th Ave. Ct. Reconstruction ($1,068,467.81): Contract with Langman Construction for pavement sidewalk water main and sewer work (3800 block north of 11th Ave). Approved unanimously.
  • 7.7 – Amended Annual Meeting Calendar: Changed meeting location for boards/commissions to City Services Center (1830 6th Ave) effective March 2026. Approved unanimously.
  • 7.8 – Water Treatment Plant Fence ($219,170 total including motorized gate): Contract with KP Fencing, LLC. City Utilities Director noted aesthetics considered for riverfront development. Approved unanimously.
  • 7.9 – 2026 Sidewalk Program ($528,000 contract, up to $580,000 total): Contract with Centennial Contractors. Alderperson Timion asked about separate CDBG sidewalk funding; staff explained this is CIP amount and CDBG may be allocated later. Approved unanimously.
  • 7.10 – Level Up Grant Agreement with Project Now Inc. ($315,000): Continues the program (January 1–December 31, 2026) providing $400 stipends (Level A) and one-time emergency assistance (Level B) plus an intern. Approved unanimously.
  • 7.11 – Permanent Easement for Public Pedestrian Way (Iowa Interstate Railroad): For sidewalk across tracks near 34th Street. City Attorney noted ICC hearing still needed for another railroad. Alderperson Timion asked about widening for bicycles; staff confirmed 8-foot width across tracks. Approved unanimously.
  • 7.12 – 2026 Pavement Marking Program ($217,170): Contract with Ostrom Painting & Sandblasting for striping. Approved unanimously.
  • 7.13 – Amended Intergovernmental Agreement with MetroLINK for EV Charging Stations: Moves charging stations to southwest corner of 13th Street lot; removes 17th Street lot pending refined plans. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes (City Council Non-Consent and First Readings)

  • Non-Consent Resolutions (all passed 5-0):
    • 18.1: Fire Station #2 Improvements contract (same as 7.4).
    • 18.2: Level Up Grant Agreement with Project Now Inc.
    • 18.3: Permanent Easement for pedestrian way.
    • 18.4: Water Treatment Plant fence contract.
  • First Reading Ordinances (all advanced to second reading 5-0):
    • 19.1 & 19.2: Increased Class B Incidental Tobacco Dealer’s Licenses for two 7-Eleven locations.
    • 19.3–19.5: TIF 13 Amendment (plan designation adoption).
    • 19.6: Zoning text amendment on nonconforming residential uses (two-family dwellings). Alderperson Timion thanked staff for overdue cleanup.
    • 19.7: Zoning clarifications on land use tables.
    • 19.8: Added all-way stop at Seventh Avenue and Sixteenth Street.
    • 19.9: Zoning amendments including definitions and small institutional group homes (see detailed discussion below).
  • Detailed Discussion on Ordinance 19.9 (Family Definition): Alderperson Timion moved to substitute the ordinance with a version referred to Planning Commission on January 20, 2026, which defines family as "one or more persons occupying a dwelling unit and maintaining a common household." The motion aimed to replace an archaic definition that limited unrelated persons to three. Alderperson Schmidt supported the simpler definition but expressed process concerns. City Attorney warned of potential unintended consequences. After debate, Alderperson Schmidt moved to table the item to March 3, 2026, for further review. The motion passed 4-1 (Ayes: Schmidt Messias Rosak McNeil?; Nay: Timion). The ordinance is deferred.

Other Business

  • Mayor announced upcoming events (Chamber breakfast) and updates on state preemption of housing codes. City Administrator thanked staff for submitting a major riverfront grant application (RAISE-like) in-house for environmental engineering and construction drawings.
  • Council moved to Executive Session (5ILCS 120/2(c)(11)) for pending litigation discussion.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening everyone. I'll call our committee of the whole to order here in Council Chambers at 6 p.m. Roll call, please. Alder Person Murphy. Mastias. Rosak. Present. Simeon. Present. Finch. McNeil. Present. Castro? Schmidt. Present. We do have a lot of sickness floating around the area. So our friends will be back with us soon. No remote electronic attendance. Is there public comment? No. Okay. So we'll turn right to our presentation. Mr. Wenicamp. Two reverse YMCA update. Mayor members of City Council, thanks for having us today. My name is Rob Anderson, and I am the chief officer officer for the Moline or the Tourism YMCA. Mike and I are here to talk to you today about infrastructure. And typically, when you think of inter infrastructure, think of roads, bridges, pipes, sewers. But we're talking a little bit about something different. And we're talking about human and in human infrastructure, Moline's human infrastructure. That includes the places that keep keep kids safe, our families strong, and our seniors healthy. Currently the YMC has over 14,000 members. And it averages about 12 to 15% of those being on an income-based memberships. The Two Rivers YMCA has been the cornerstone of Moline for 140 years. Tonight we're presenting a plan to secure the cornerstone for the next 50 years and beyond. As you can see from the slide, our mission is ambitious but necessary. Right now we serve one in eight residents in our service area. By 2028, with its expansion, we will reach one in four. This just isn't about just isn't about getting bigger. It's about getting better. Why are we doing this? Because we see three critical gaps in our community that the Y fills. One is youth safety. We need safe spaces for youth and teens during those at-risk hours of 3 to 6 p.m. when parents may not be home in their home from school. Rehabilitation, mobility, and social connection, not just a treadmill. And family connection. Families need a place where they can all be active at the same time. Yeah.

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