Moline Committee-of-the-Whole Roundtable Discussion – June 24, 2026

The Moline Committee-of-the-Whole met at City Hall beginning at 6:00 p.m. on June 24, 2026, for a roundtable discussion. Roll call was taken and no remote electronic attendance was requested. The agenda packet is dated June 16, 2026, while the supplied meeting timestamp is June 24, 2026; this summary follows the supplied timestamp. No minutes were available. The meeting included public comment, an introduction of a summer urban-planning fellow, reports on the Quad Cities Open Network and Project NOW's winter shelter, a financing discussion for 1601 River Drive, and several ordinance-update discussions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• The City Clerk read an emailed public comment from Tom Key. Key stated that aerial drone cameras can read a vehicle license plate from up to 2,000 feet away and suggested facial recognition could follow; he said he is not comfortable relying on drones for ordinance enforcement and noted that Moline shares technology with regional police, sheriff, and state police drone programs.
• A 52-year Moline resident said a neighbor poured concrete in the front-yard area and that a city official told him a variance was needed because of zoning issues. He cited subdivision covenants limiting buildings and structures between the building line and the street and asked for clarity and equitable enforcement. Council members said the matter would be referred to city staff and legal counsel.

Discussion Items

7.1 Quad Cities Open Network Information Session

• Cecelia Bailey, Executive Director, described the Quad Cities Open Network as a collaborative of collaboratives and a backbone/meso-level organization that does not provide direct services. QCON offers a free information and referral system, manages a flexible emergency-assistance fund, and uses data to identify gaps and inform resource allocation.
• Bailey said QCON partners include hospitals and health systems, school districts, libraries, and other agencies; system champions include All Our Kids for early childhood and UnityPoint Health for health systems, and the network is looking for a housing-system champion through the regional housing plan.
• In response to council questions, Bailey said the previous Davenport library social worker served 8,000 people in three years before funding lapsed; a new Davenport social worker recently started, and the East Moline library social worker program is working well. She cited sustainability concerns and staff turnover as reasons some nonprofits have not joined the network.
• The mayor clarified that QCON was not making a funding request at this meeting and referenced a new Community Foundation report that recommends using QCON more in the next phase of regional housing work.

7.2 Project NOW Shelter Overview

• Leah Oostendorp, Executive Administrative Coordinator at Project NOW, presented a final report on the winter overflow shelter, referred to as the LIF NOW Center. She reviewed the shelter's regional history and outcomes for the winter season.
• The shelter opened January 21, 2026, at the Bridge Point 485 building with assistance from the City of Moline. Because of space limits, only single men and women were accommodated on site; families were connected to Salvation Army services.
  • 4,182 shelter nights were provided over just under four months.
  • Average stay was 14 nights.
  • 219 males and 82 females were served.
  • Guests ranged in age from 2 months to 81 years; the largest age group was 34 to 55.
  • More than one-third of guests had experienced domestic violence, trafficking, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault.
  • 87 guests obtained permanent housing, compared with 13 the prior year.
• Oostendorp reviewed prior regional history: the previous overflow shelter served roughly 60-80 individuals per night and 400 unduplicated individuals over a two-year period; after it closed, Davenport expanded winter capacity; Project NOW's first converted shelter permanently housed 13 people.
• The shelter provided monthly bus passes, a 7 a.m. Metrolink pickup to the bus depot, on-site mental health care through UnityPoint/Robert Young, help obtaining vital records, and connections to benefit programs. Christian Care provided free meals and showers.
• Oostendorp said the need for shelter has not gone away and that finding a facility remains the greatest challenge for winter 2026-27. Needed features include shower and bathroom facilities, adequate plumbing capacity, outdoor space, and compliance with local ordinances.
• In discussion, the mayor said county-level conversations about shelter funding and services are alive; one council member cited Scott County research showing the top 17 utilizers cost the county $17 million over five years; another council member said a regional solution makes the most sense but asked staff to keep the council apprised if it does not materialize.

7.3 Financing Discussion for 1601 River Drive

• Finance Director Carol Barnes and financial advisor Anthony Masselli outlined permanent financing for the purchase and improvement of the property at 1601 River Drive. The estimated amount needed is not to exceed $1,750,000.
• The city plans to cash-flow the purchase from special CIP reserves, which currently have just under $3 million, and reimburse the reserves with bond proceeds. Closing is targeted on or before July 29.
• The draft structure is $1,720,000 in taxable general obligation bonds with a 15-year term. Level annual debt service is roughly $150,000; current tenant lease payments are about $250,000 per year; projected operating expenses could be up to $100,000 per year. If tenants and leases are retained, the city would have no projected out-of-pocket cost over the life of the bonds.
• The presentation initially referenced a three-year call provision; Finance Director Barnes clarified that the draft is structured with a two-year call, with optional redemption in December 2028. If the property is sold before the call date, bond proceeds would be held in escrow and invested until the bonds are called.
• The projected true interest cost is about 5 percent. The bond ordinance will be a parameter ordinance with an interest-rate cap of 6 percent; if bids exceed that rate, the city would need to return to council. The related tax levy would be abated, consistent with the city's prior practice.
• The term sheet to be distributed to local and regional banks includes repayment terms, security, a property description, tax status, and the city's latest audit. Bank bids are expected July 14, and rates would be locked with those firm bids.

7.4 Ordinance Update Discussion

• Class C package sales/100-foot rule: The council discussed amending the 2021 requirement that Class C package stores be at least 100 feet apart. The mayor described a downtown gas station that lost its food and liquor licenses and is hard to sell under the current rule. Several council members supported a gas-station exception, while one cautioned that an undefined case-by-case variance could invite a class-of-one equal protection claim. A council member asked that the exception be drafted so it only allows a gas station to locate near another business, not a liquor store to locate next to a gas station. Staff was directed to bring back an ordinance update.
• Native vegetation/pollinator yards: Council discussed a voluntary registration program that would allow residents to use native vegetation in yards, with setbacks, plant-height limits, and GIS tracking. The program would preserve code enforcement for unregistered, unruly yards. Existing programs in Davenport and Columbia, Missouri, were cited as examples. Council directed staff to continue developing the program.
• Commercial uses in residential neighborhoods: A council member proposed allowing neighborhood corner stores and accessory commercial units, describing the current code as exclusionary and noting that many former store buildings in Moline have been converted to residential. The discussion noted that the comprehensive plan update is the appropriate place to consider zoning changes. One member asked for an economic lens, and staff said the economic development office regularly receives inquiries about opening businesses in neighborhoods.
• Residential produce sales/urban agriculture: Staff said gardening and cultivation are already allowed but limited to 20 percent of a lot and not in required front yards. A memo on allowing residents to sell produce grown on residential property was expected by the end of the week. Lincoln, Nebraska's conditional-use approach and the need for soil testing were discussed.
• Municipal grocery stores/food deserts: A council member raised the idea of municipal grocery stores or a co-op grocery model to address food deserts, citing examples in Chicago, New York, Atlanta, and Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He argued the city should act when the private market fails to meet a basic need. Council members discussed co-op ownership, possible partnerships with local growers, and the need for an economic analysis. One member mentioned an organization called No Labels that has opposed municipal grocery stores and asked for additional review. The topic was added to the council's list for further research.

Other Business and Announcements

• Staff announced that the volunteer appreciation event will be held at the library garden on September 19. The finance office was reported to be nearly ready. No executive session was held, and the meeting adjourned after a motion and second.

Key Outcomes

• No formal substantive votes were recorded; the meeting was a roundtable/committee discussion.
• Staff will draft a gas-station exception to the Class C 100-foot distance rule and bring an ordinance update back to council.
• Staff will continue developing a voluntary native-vegetation/pollinator program.
• Staff will provide a memo by the end of the week on allowing residential produce sales.
• The financing schedule presented was: first reading of the bond ordinance June 23; bank solicitations June 24; bank bids and award July 14; closing on or before July 29, if within bond parameters.
• The resident's code-enforcement/variance complaint was referred to city staff and legal counsel.
• The meeting adjourned after a motion to adjourn was made and seconded.