City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening everyone. I'll call our council meeting to order here in chambers at 6 pm. Roll call please. Alder person Murphy present. Mas present. Rosac present. Timmyian present. Finch present. McNeel present. Castro present. Schmidt present. All right. No remote electronic attendance tonight. Is there any public comment? Chief.

Thank you. I do have four board 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 reappoint of Matt Stoen 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 Mufu to the Molen 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 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 and Mr. Jackson is as a new appointee. He's the pastor um at Tabernacle Baptist Church up in third board, I believe. And excuse me, I want to get it right. Mr. Mulfu um 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, Miss Tinsman?

Thank you very much. I'm Maggie Tinsman and uh a former Illinois resident. It's on. Yeah, it just has to be right at someone's mouth.

Okay. First of all, I extend my sincere appreciation to you and Molain 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. 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. To truly make a difference, we must transform awareness into action. So, one of the most important impacts impactful ways we can get involved is through education. Educating ourselves, our communities, and our institutions about the warning signs of human trafficking helps break down the barriers that allow exploitation to persist. And that's where you come in. We can host community training, support educational curricula, and encourage schools, workplaces, and faith communities to prioritize this issue at the federal and state levels.

Recent bipartisan efforts have focused on prevention, training, and awareness. initiatives that empower individuals to recognize and respond to signs of trafficking. Illinois has been quite good about that. So, I thank you again for your help on this issue. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much. And I'll read the proclamation for you. Um whereas the United States was founded upon the principle that all people are created with the inaliable right to freedom and added the 13th amendment to the Constitution making slavery illegal. And whereas slavery within the United States today is most often found in the form of forced labor and sex trafficking which weakens our social fabric, increases violence and organized crime and debases our humanity. And whereas even though awareness of this crime is growing, human trafficking continues to go unre unreported due to its isolating nature, the misunderstanding of its definition, and the lack of awareness about its indicators. And whereas increased community education on how to identify victims of human trafficking along with increased knowledge of local resources and services for those affected by these criminal actions can help restore freedom and dignity to identified survivors as well as help diminish the number of future victims. Now therefore, I, Mayor Sangeita Rayati, do hereby proclaim the month of January 26, 2026 as slavery and human trafficking prevention and awareness month. Thank you so much once again for sharing this with us.

Well, thank you all for your participation in this. Can we pass this down?

You can take that with you. So we will move to questions on the agenda now. Um I just have one note in regard to item 8.4 on the committee of the whole agenda. The attached agreement has some typos and they have been corrected. You should have an updated copy at your seat and I'll read specifically 3.1 4 B and 4 C. 3.1 changed the header to 2026 from 2025. and 4 B and C changed from SSA number S to SSA number five. Um, understandable typo. And then I wanted to confirm also um the size discrepancy in item number 8.2. Mr. Parr, we cleared that up on the attachments. Now

it's.12.12 is the size of the area for hyperlift as opposed to the 0.9 that was in the the original explanation. Okay. So uh with that said we'll move to our item 8.1 a resolution approving a change order number one and final with Langman Construction Inc. for project 1481 2025 patching program for the amount of $458,28040. Miss Clar,

thank you your honor. Um, this is the final change order for project 1481, the 2025 patching program in the amount of $458,280.40. The outages are due to the increase in emergency utility repairs that incurred in fiscal year 2025. Motion to approve. Second. All right. Motion by Finch, seconded by Castro. Discussion. Yes, Mr. Schmidt. As we look into 2026, are we expecting similar overruns or where where do we stand?

That's a good question. So, we've actually been working with finance to amend the 2026 CIP to increase those budget numbers to try to prevent um a large change order from happening again this time next year. Can you tell us a little more about what the emergencies were that drove this up? Was it weather or some other kind of emergency? It was aging infrastructure. Okay. Um increase in replacements of lead service lines. So whenever we have a spotled service line that's repaired, the surface is patched through this program.

Okay. Thank you. Anything further from the council? Yes, Mr. Timmy. I I want to thank you all for taking funds from multiple places to cover this and you know so that that the pain is distributed a little bit and you know obviously this is a big dollar amount so hopefully we can plan for this again or it just won't happen. That'd be great. So our staff um keeps track of the emergency itself and charges the amount to the appropriate utility. So that's why it's split between the utilities. Thank you. Anything further hearing? Hearing none. All in favor? I.

Any opposed? That motion passes. 8.2. A resolution authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute an attest to a lease agreement for the city-owned property comprised of the vacant former elevator test tower and a portion of the immediately adjacent southerntherly shipping and receiving facility in the Molen Riverfront area with Hyperlift, Inc. and authorizing the city attorney and staff to do all things necessary to complete each of the city's responsibilities and enforce each of the city's expected benefits as referred to in such a lease agreement. Mr. Park,

thanks. Uh, Sue Molen is the owner of the property approximately.12 uh acre site in the Molen Riverfront area which includes the vacant former elevator test tower and a portion of the immediately adjacent sly shipping and receiving facility which hasident been identified as property available for lease. City was approached by Hyperlift Inc. uh an innovative elevator technology company leased the property for activation consistent with its original use as an elevator test tower. With the adoption of the Molen uh front and center plan in July of 2025, inclusion of the tower as part of the future redevelopment received significant support recognized that the tower was a long-standing identifiable structure in Molen skyline and part of its history as an innovative manufacturing city. Um the staff supports the proposed use as it will contribute to the remodization of the of the Moly River front area. support the vision of the adopted plan, bring direct investment to the rehabilitation of the tower, uh, and help ensure its place in the Molen skyline for years to come, and attract additional investment to the riverfront and downtown Molen, as well as bring a potential future manufacturing partner, uh, to the city of Ming. Uh staff recommends approval of the lease agreement with lease payment of $2,500 per month for two sequential five-year lease terms under the terms conditions considerations and prescribed responsibilities of each party as outlined in lease.

Motion to approve. Second. Motion by Finch, seconded by Rosac. Discussion. Yes, Mr. Timmy, your hand is up. Uh just thank you so much for this. Um, it's I think it's not every day we have companies relocating their operations to Molen and I think that this should hopefully be the first of many that we see happen. But I just I it's a great use of the space and I'm I'm glad we're using it this way.

I guess I would just like to have you assure the public and the council that this kind of use, right, doesn't change our plans for what our molen front and center um description says, right? that packet, right? All of the activation, all of that is still possible even though we're locating this type of use in the tower at this time.

Exactly. So, this is uh take it a step further. This also bringing a solution uh to part of that vision as well because that was uh there was a unanimous agreement to keep this uh through the community input to keep this as part of the skyline. Um the tower represented something uh to many folks in Molen as part of our skyline. Um but it was never passenger use was always just a test it was a test tower and so uh that was a question we know we wanted to keep it. We had ideas for art like great ideas from the community how we can uh you know light this tower bring bring it as a piece of art. um but the actual uh use of the facility and uh the maintenance of the facility and actually you know ensuring the you know the structural integrity of the facility um this helps bring a solution to that actively using it for what's always been used for is an elevator test tower but this is also an innovative company um so it's bringing uh you know as we we talked about for the national science foundation um it's a direct funer of hyperlift inc so that is bringing direct investment from the national science foundation here for this innovative technology to be deployed and tested here. So, um nothing changes. It just enhances and actually brings a a dynamic use and activation and uh a large investment into uh into the facility.

Thank you. Any other questions, comments? Hearing none. All in favor? Any opposed? That motion passes. 8.3 A resolution authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute and attest to a disposal agreement with Millennium Waste Incorporated for a term of five years beginning January 1, 2026 and ending December 30th 31st, excuse me, 2030. Mr. Schmidt,

good evening. Uh, in December I came forward with a a request for kind of the first part of this bid um as a joint with Milin and Rock Island that was for more traditional refuge collection um and then taking it to the landfill. Um so this again is for landfill services but this is for sludge and yard waste. Um so as we were trying to determine low bid for this um sledge slide was much easier. MWI was lower um with their bid than Republic. Um you might have noticed for yard waste though it was exactly the same u perm rate. Um, however, when we discussed that rate with Republic, they disclosed that there was an additional assessment fee as well, which then pushed him higher than MWI. So, tonight we're recommending going with MWI for both sludge and yard waste for 5 years with an option to opt out for whatever reason with written notice.

Thank you. Motion to approve. Second. Motion by Finch, seconded by Castro. Discussion hearing none. All in favor? Any opposed? That motion passes. 8.4. A resolution authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute and attest to an administrative services agreement with Renew Molen, Inc. to define the scope of services and responsibilities for the Molen Center Program and approving the fiscal year 2026 Molen Center program budget allocation for the amount of $156,000. Mr. M. I Yeah. Um, not much more to add really. It's the budgeted allocation. 156,000 to rever. Thank you. Motion to approve.

Second. Motion by Finch, seconded by Castro. Discussion hearing none. All in favor?

Any opposed? The motion passes. 8.5. Resolution approving the special event application for the walk to end Alzheimer's event scheduled for Saturday, September 19, 2026 that is sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association authorizing a grant to the Alzheimer's Association for the amount of $500 from the special events fund to support the friends of walk marketing uh distribution plan closing certain streets more particularly described here into vehicular traffic and authorizing the use of public rightway in conjunction with said event. I have that one also. You're in um similar route as previous years. Uh same financial request as last year be on uh going west on River Park Drive from First Street to 12th Street and then turning east on the Great River Trail.

Motion to approve. Second motion by Finch, seconded by Castro. Discussion hearing none. All in favor? Any opposed? The motion passes. 8.6 A resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a joint funding agreement for federally funded construction for section number 24-00299-0000-SG safe routes to school signing project. Miss Clower,

this is an agreement between the city and the department of transportation to construct a safe routes to school project. The city received $250,000 of safe routes to school funding to install some electronic signage around seven schools in Molen and there is no local match to that $250,000. The project is is budgeted in 2026 and is on a state letting in February with construction to happen this year.

Motion to approve. Second. Right. Motion by Finch, seconded by Castro. Discussion hearing none. All in favor? Any opposed? That motion passes. 8.7. An ordinance amending chapter 4, alcoholic liquor of the mulling code of ordinances, section 4-3104, number of licenses by increasing the number of class B tavern liquor licenses in the city at the request of Richest Singh SNR Core Group LLC DBA QC fund factory at 1624 Avenue. The city's moly.

Uh, can I have Mr. Atkins speak to this? Uh this request actually is conditional in nature because uh the applicant is still in the process of obtaining consents. Uh so if granted uh the the site would not actually be operational. The uh license would not be granted until the necessary number of consents from neighboring property owners were obtained. Uh there is a um a field owned by the school district that is within uh I believe it's right at 300 uh feet away. Uh so it is considered as one of those parcels for the um the um nearby property owners from which a majority of them have to consent in order for this to be allowed. Uh so granting this uh does not mean that it will immediately open up. Uh granting this would mean that uh once the necessary number of consents are obtained uh that they would be able to become operational.

Motion to approve. Second. Motion by Finch, seconded by Timmyian. Discussion. All right. Mr. Schmidt, do we have any idea what the timeline is around those consents as far as like when those are being sought or were sought? Yeah, they they generally as I recall have one year uh within which to obtain the consents. I am not sure how long they have already been working on obtaining those consents. So seems like we have an answer.

He just received those yesterday. So he can go out and get those signatures. A lot of times it's doortodoor to get those yeses from the residents and the businesses nearby. So, it's up to them for how fast they want to get that done. A followup. Yes. Is it typical to be granting the approval prior to that consent process starting? Because my concern is honestly that I would want to hear any objections coming from the neighbors before approving.

I I think it would be entirely within the discretion of the council uh to decide that until the consents are obtained uh that you would not grant the license. U that's not required for you to make that decision. I'm just basically informing you if if you want that to inform your vote on this, uh you certainly can can do that. All right. I saw Tim and then Castro. Um based on the address, is this taking the place of a pawn shop that's there? I believe so, but I I think the clerk could answer better. Will stay there until their lease is complete and then he would consider taking over that space as well for that business.

Well, because there's a pawn shop and there's a church behind it, right? But it's all one building. Right. Right. And so the church is staying there or No, this would become understood. Thank you. Yep. All right, Miss Castro. Um when it says the um receiving um consent from the majority of the properties um that majority is it just is that a percent what percentage is that is that like I think it's 27 of the 52 I don't have that number so it's just just right over half of it and that's just not residential properties that's businesses as well.

Yes Mr. Ms. Um yes and through this process would we be able to see like architectural designs concepts because this was somewhat basic uh it wasn't yeah it was just a small diagram. Well um many of the the people who apply for uh licenses don't even give this level of detail.

Okay. Um, you know, certainly the entire application is what you're looking at in making your decision about whether or not to grant. Um, I I can't tell you how to vote, but um, what it is that you have before you as the application, uh, the way in which you assess that, that is your your discretion in deciding whether or not you have sufficient information to convince you that this application should be granted. I will say as the liquor commissioner, this is more detailed than we ever get and it is a different type of use that I think is perfect for that location when you consider the amount of families that um are around that area for lots of events etc. We would obviously expect the proper use of the license so that there are no problems um with folks going from there over to Wharton etc. Um, but I think unlike other uses, this is unique

and as the liquor commissioner, I understand it was just because it's so big and uh yeah, it could be something really awesome and I live right down the street from it and uh I was it in your ward, sir? It's not. It's two blocks over. Uh but uh when Analog closed, that was a great spot for a lot of the families that had young kids. they could also hang out with their friends and we kind of lost that and I think this definitely uh fills the void that um we don't currently have in the city. Okay. Anything else from the council? That's not a hand raise, Miss Cast. Oh, no. Sorry. Okay. Just check. All right. Very.

Yes, Mr. Smith. If if I were to want to have us wait until that's if that's further down that process, I mean, is is that just something we have to to table it will be brought back up or what mechanism options do we have for for asking for a wait? What mechanisms you would say like like as whether I could just table to a specific date and then when it comes back up we would

move it again if we decide like or can I trigger it to when consents are approved it returns or that's what I mean by mechanism. Well, I mean, you could if if you're looking for other options than simply just voting it up or down, um there are there are other things that you could do, but I'm I'm not really sure what it is that you're neighborhood has started. So yeah, if you want to you want to wait to vote on this until the consents have been obtained or

Yes, sir. At least until we're into that process. Yes, you could

I think Mr. uh defer this. However, that usually would be a motion for deferral to a date certain not knowing when these would necessarily be obtained. Um you could also move to table. However, that usually is considered to be inappropriate when you have an individual whose whose um due process rights are at stake. Um I I I don't really have a good option for you other than just voting it up or down. I I wish I could give you another uh alternative.

Um this is the business owner I believe. Would you like to share information about consents? So I think everyone know about the business proposal whatever a share has been. Okay. So I would like to say that yes still I have not signed because I wanted to know whether it can because if I sign my whole uh program is like okay I have to invest more than a million and generate 10 plus employment. So if I don't get this license and now my business plan it doesn't go then I don't want to invest that money. So that's why I just wanted okay first thing I should know whether I can get the licensing and I'll be pretty quick within two weeks. I think there are there will be three meetings that it has to go through. So I'll make sure that by the second one maybe two weeks I'll I'll try to get the consent signed and I wanted to know everything before I buy the land and everything and if my plan doesn't get approved so it doesn't make sense for me to invest or buy in. So I wanted to make sure everything goes like at least in the process and I have the approval before I sign the the agreement. I mean not signed by that.

Got So that's why I'm in like short time and just make sure that yeah I get the legal licensing because uh generating 10 plus employment without that it'll be pretty difficult. Yeah I think personally just adding another comment this is also unlike some potentially unlike some of the other license applications we've had where there's that uh number of employment possible is maybe larger than we've seen re recently. Yes. Just an observation. Thank you so much. All right. I'll take a uh last call commentary. Yes. Mr. Mat, I I feel like I can give a better answer to Alder person Schmidt after hearing that. Okay.

I mean, it sounds like now if you were to do a motion to defer for two to four weeks. Um u you know, some you'd have to name the particular uh council session that you wanted to defer to. Uh, but you would be able to to move to defer to that. And it sounds like we would then quite likely have the information that you're wanting prior to voting. It it sounds like though the individual is not even going to purchase and go through with all the rest of the plans if he doesn't get this approved. So there's a difference. That is the difference here with this process. Mr. to me.

And I would also argue to the point, we have a first and second reading still and if there is extreme feedback uh from the community against this, we have another opportunity to vote this down. Mr. Schmidt, I I was just going to say I I appreciate the additional commentary and at this point comfortable moving forward. If that becomes a discomfort, like I said, we have two opportunities. So, okay. Was that another hand, Miss K? I'm good. Okay. Hearing nothing further. Uh all in favor? I.

Any opposed? That motion passes. All right. 8.8. An ordinance amending chapter 5 amusements of the mulling code of ordinances section 5-1101C by increasing the number of video gaming terminals licensed establishments in the city at the request of retouching s and our core group LLC DBA QC fun factory at 1624 Avenue the city's molen Illinois. Mr. Atkins, anything? This is the same thing just for the game video with regards to the same facility and it's essentially uh parasitic to the um the liquor license. Such a lawyer word to use.

Thank you. Motion to approve. Thank you. Second. Motion by Finch, seconded by Castro. Discussion hearing none. Oh yes, Miss Castro. I just have a question. Um, so the is when they go and they get their consent and they have to ask their neighbors, is it for both liquor and the gaming or are those two separate things or clerk? It's only I I think it's only for the liquor. So they don't need that for the gaming. So is Okay, got it. Mr. Mas. Yes. Um, and maybe this is more for the owner, but uh, say everything goes good and how quickly do you think something like this could be up and running? Within six months.

Okay. Thank you, Mr. Tim. To your fears, older person Castro, uh, if they do not obtain a liquor license, they cannot That's why I stopped. That's why I stopped because I answer my own question in my head. So, that's why I stopped. Okay. Thank you. Yes, Mr. Speaker. What is the distance requirement from school property for a gaming license? I don't believe we have that in the updates. Okay. Uh yeah, it wasn't in the updates. I believe it was in the original code.

Well, so like I say class K has that restriction. Correct. Yeah. And those are going do not and just making sure because that would be a big issue obviously. Yeah. All right. Um there's nothing further. All in favor? Any opposed? That motion passes.

8.9 A resolution authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement for professional services with Walker Consultants, Inc. to perform a parking management study and plan of downtown Molen for the amount of $124,945 plus reimburseable expenses. In October 2025, staff released an RFP and received six proposals from consultants to perform a parking study and plan for the downtown area. um an internal staff group got together and reviewed the six proposals and decided on Walker Consultants. They um seem to provide the best experience and qualifications for what we were looking for. Um this is an unbudgeted project but finance has confirmed that there is funds available within the parking fund.

Okay. Motion to approve. Second. Motion by Finch, seconded by Timmyian. Discussion, Mr. Timmy. Um, we identified another parking lot uh behind the Highland building, city-owned parking lot that is being used almost exclusively by apartments and not being used. Uh, this is when we remove parking from Avenue. The cities uh the city built parking lots to offset that. This is what we talked about

a few times. Yeah. And um when I had mentioned this to Bob, he had me in initially said this would be included in the study. I don't think it is. I I'm just a big fan of in at the very minimum charging for parking if the city owns it and it's being provided for free. Uh especially since a number of businesses are always short of parking there and it is a point of contention amongst many of those business owners. So, I don't know if there's a way to include this in this study or we can just go out and declare bankruptcy do an amendment. I don't think once something goes out for an RFP, it has to be specific, right? So, and as written here, it's for downtown

Molen. Um, but it can be followed up on. Yeah. Thank you. because there could be other places outside of just that one outside of downtown that need to be looked at and we have to do it in phases anyway probably my initial thoughts anyway any other questions comments from the council hearing none all in favor any opposed that motion passes uh 9.1 oh no we're intoformationals 9.1 our 2024 to 2026 strateic plan dashboard for fiscal year 25 quarter 4 report.

Uh yes, your honor. Uh administrator BAS uh has provided a memo uh identifying uh some of the highlights over the 2024 to 2026 strategic plan. Among those uh some massive projects, fiber to the home, Riverside Riverlide, landlord certification, wrapping up the ARPAD dollar funding, uh investigative gun unit uh created out of the police department, and then of course the uh creation and adoption of the riverfront master plan. Um, looking ahead, uh, Miss Clower mentioned this morning at a staff meeting that we had our first bid opening for 2026. So, we're ready to roll, uh, and keep working through these planning documents and getting into the uh, extension uh, through 2029.

Thank you. Any comments, questions from the council? All right. Um, hearing none, we'll move to our regular council meeting. I'll call it to order. Pledge of allegiance, please. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America to the republic for its one nation with liberty and justice for all.

Is there an invocation, Mr. Roll call, please? Alder person Murphy present. MS present. Razak present. Timian present. Finch present. McNeel present. Castro present. Schmidt present. All right. Remote electronic attendance not necessary. Do we have public comment at this time? Hearing none. We'll move to our consent agenda. Your honor, I request the approval of committee. The whole Sorry, you have a question. I just have a question. I thought um there's no reason that I should have to recuse myself on my husband's appointment to the human rights council. No, we didn't take a vote, but I'll let council decide. Well, well, it would be cons on the consent agenda

appointments. Thank you for the question. Was there there there was something left off of the consent agenda? No, I was um Jose, my husband is was um included in the appointments to the human rights commission during the um committee of the recuse. So, do I need to recuse myself? Okay. from voting on that or we separate it. Um should have passed that previously. I apolog I apologize. It's the appointments made at committee of the whole on January 20th. Would that we could separate out? Would that be your suggestion?

I I'm afraid I'm not understanding. Her husband is the appointee Jose Castro for the human rights commission that I just made at the council of committee of the whole meeting. And those those were earlier on the the but we didn't vote there. Now we vote now we adopt on now we adopt on the consent agenda. So she as mayor you have absolute prerogative to decide the order of business. Okay. And so if there's an item that hasn't been voted on yet that was previously on the agenda, you can bring it up at this time if you choose to do so. All right. Um how

so? Yes. We don't vote at the earlier point. The only vote at this point and that's in the consent agenda is that appointments made. Right. So wouldn't the mechanism just be to separate say that to remove that from the consent agenda and make a separate motion? Or do I even need to? Yeah.

What I'm saying by the mayor's authority to to prioritize the items on the agenda, those appointments are listed on the the cow uh portion of the agenda. And so if she asks that they be voted on now, with regards to the consent agenda, I I think that she has that authority to do so. They are in the consent agenda. That's 16.1 is the appointment of May the whole I can decide to just say we're going to separate that out so that Miss Castro can recuse herself and not vote on that one. Correct. Right. And and I I don't believe that there is a problem.

Okay. That's what I'll do so for your recordeping. So as you read this one, please just read the January 6th one and then follow up with the Okay. and then we'll do 17 and further as that omnibus vote. Okay. So, your honor, I request the approval of committee of the whole and council meeting minutes of January 6, 2026. Motion to approve. Second. Yes. Yes. Yeah. No, that looks right. That's fine. Um, that was Finch, seconded by Castro. Um, roll call, please. Alder person, MSAS, I. Rzach, hi. Timmyian, hi. Finch. Hi. McNeel. Hi. Castro. Hi. Schmidt. Hi. Murphy. I.

Eight eyes. No nazs. That motion carries. Um, and I request the approval of appointments made at committee of the whole on January 20, 2026. Motion to approve. Second. Do you want me to add the consent agenda items to that section or not? No, because uh that was a motion by Timmy and seconded by Rzach. Um, roll call please. Alder person MSAS I. Razak. Hi. Timeian. Hi. Finch. Hi. McNeel. Hi. Castro. Excuse my folk. Schmidt. Hi. Murphy. Hi. All right. Um, that motion passes. Go ahead.

Okay. And now I request the approval of consent agenda item 17.1 through 18.4 inclusively. Motion to approve. Okay. Motion to approve by Finch. Seconded by Razach. Roll call, please. Alder person. MSAS. Hi. Razak. Hi. Timmyian. Hi. Finch. Hi. McNeel. Hi. Castro. Hi. Schmidt. Hi. Murphy. I.

Okay. Eight eyes. No. And that motion carries. Now we move on to non-consent agenda. First reading ordinances. Item number 20.1. An ordinance amending chapter 35 zoning and land development of the mulling code of ordinances regarding certain corrections, additions, and/or clarifications to the zoning and land development regulations, including text amendments to article one, general provisions and administration. Division 2, word usage, abbreviations, and definitions and amending article 3, zoning. Division 4, land use regulations. Section 35-3401, regulation of allowed uses. Table 35-3401.1 permitted land uses concerning small institutional group homes. Motion to refer to the plan commission.

Second. Motion by Timian, seconded by Finch. Um discussion. Mr. Timian.

Uh I spoke with a number of uh plan commissioners uh about this uh in anticipation of us potentially sending it back to them and they felt comfortable with having the discussion. they actually started having the discussion preemptively. Um, and I I do feel like this is a proper procedure. Uh, something that won't be taken lightly and has been considered by the plan commissioners. Um, I have prepared a lot of information to send you all when it comes back to us, but I decided to to wait until that point so that we could have that discussion uh in city council. Yes, Mr. Castro.

Um, question for Mr. Timian. Um, when we refer it back to the planning commission, is it just to discuss this particular land use for this type of home or is it to discuss your amendment to change the definition of family or yes, everything it would be?

It really would be everything. Um I I think that I think that older person Tim Timmy already having discussions with a number of plan commission members. I am fairly confident that they will be looking at um the things that I wanted it sent back for. Uh seeing whether there are other provisions in the code that might also need to be addressed with the particular change that person Timmyian had successfully recommended to all of you.

Okay. because I had I did have one um other comment to bring up to the um planning commission. Um currently our ordinances don't like so for example if we had a group of students or a couple students who are attending Blackhawk College and um they want to have a couple of roommates to save cost on living right now the way our ordinance is written use like that is not allowed. So I I think that it's not I mean it's just not these types of home. I mean that kind of I mean I'm sure I know people are probably doing it but our ordinance don't allow for it. So I was I mean that's probably something that needs to be you know looked at looked at as well. Kind of goes with the whole theme of household and family and roommates and things like that. So

yeah I no one can really I'm just saying what's going to happen is what's going to happen telling you ahead of time. I I no I just hope that that's you know consider that's considered in there because I mean there's um different uses for you know different types of property. So Mr. Matias can take that back to the plane commission that commentary. Anything further? Yes, Mr. Schmidt.

Um I'm good with the course of action and changing conversation. That's all great. We still are met with an immediate need of a code that's in violation of federal law. Um, so does that just remain uninforced? Do we need to take any action regarding that particular piece or item that's more in the short term? Because my concern is that this goes back to plan commission and comes back in six months.

At this point, um, what we have done has not clearly violated federal law. Uh, there would be individuals who would argue that it has. I believe they are wrong. Um the risk of violating federal law if we continue with our code in the way that it currently is is a lot higher than if we were to change it either in the way that is currently before you with the redefinition of family or if we were to change it with the uh proposal that Mr. Matias and I had had brought forward about having a reasonable accommodation type of request. the particular individuals that were responsible for bringing this to our attention. We have been working with them and I do not believe that uh the short delay that this will occasion is any problem with regards to that particular situation. There are no other situations where we are in peril of violating federal law because if we have restrictions that could be imposed in a way that violated federal law, but we do not impose them in that way, which we have not as yet, and we will be careful not to for the time period we're considering uh this potential change. I long way of saying it, but I think we're okay.

Mr. Schmidt, if it became an issue, I mean, would would that just come simply as a a variance to the council that would solve that in the short like do we have a mechanism we would be able to resolve it if it did come up in the short term or would we just bring this back to the table and pass it and still let the plan commission chew on it? I mean,

we well, we we have a number of requests that we have dealt with recently, and we have been we're not using a one-sizefits-all method of handling them. So, um I I' I'd rather not get into a a discussion right now of how each one of those have been addressed, but um we are being careful in addressing these on a case-byase basis in ways that make sure that we are compliant with federal law going forward. Even though the precise wording in our code may not be in fact isn't uh the best choice of wording,

we are honoring the supremacy. I think you know by Mr. Matias will guide this conversation. He has heard from all of you and we don't want it to take forever because we don't want to have a stumbling block for the developer of those group homes. And and so you already started the conversation. I don't I appreciate the question, but I have my sense is that you are ushering this through as quickly as possible. It will not be six months. I mean, and just a point of I guess a question for me, we don't need to notice this again, right? But it's it's been through. They're directing it. So, I can just take it to the next plan commission meeting. Okay. So, yeah, it will it certainly will not take six months. We'll have an answer for you soon. Okay. Thank you. All right. There's nothing further. All in favor?

Don't I have to move? Oh, yeah. Oops. Roll call. Thank you. There's nothing further roll call please. Alder person. MSAS. Hi. Razak. Hi. Timmyian. Hi. Finch. Hi. McNeel. Hi. Castro. Hi. Schmidt. Hi. Murphy. Hi. Eight eyes. No nazs. That motion to refer to plan commission carries. And that's all I have this evening your honor.

All right. Um, thank you very much everyone. Miscellaneous business. You have the advertisement for state of the city. It's always wonderful when we all can attend if possible. I enjoy that with you all. and celebrating what has happened over the last year, but also being able to share with the community sort of where we're headed, guided by the strategic plan that we've developed together. Um, I'm looking forward to seeing who I can ever be whoever can be there tomorrow morning for the press conference we've announced um at at Bridge Point. Um, and I think that's all I have right now that there's always something going on, so if I forgot something, I'll email you, Miss Murphy. Uh Sunday I um attended the neighborhood meeting of uh for Stevens Park. Oh,

great. And they brought up a concern that they are seeing u graffiti on the signs that looks like they they think it looks like Latin Kings. They're not sure, but And then today I I'm a member of Seventh Street something. Uh it's a Facebook page and the guy uh posted a picture of his garage with the same as insignia on it and it's on the I I assume it's my ward because he said rock they said rock and molen so that's me. So yeah so I'm Yes. So that's something sharing with chief chief's got some comments.

Good. So, I would always encourage people to report that graffiti to uh the police department. So, we have an officer respond, take that police report and uh and then depending on if it's public property or private property, address it. Uh Brad Halman does a really good job of working with the private property owners to ensure that we have a graffiti ordinance uh and abatement that has to be taken care of. Yeah.

So, Brad does a good job. You know, most people are compliant, but those that aren't, you know, it doesn't sound like that's the issue here. But the most important part is that that we get that reported to the police department can respond to it, document it. Uh and then sometimes they fit together, sometimes they don't. You know, it's oneoffs and we can't figure out who it is, but the the best source of anything like that is to to refer them to police department to report it. Uh it doesn't really do a lot of good for them. I mean, they can obviously report it to you and just say, "Hey, this is not great in our ward." But if they do they do that but don't file a police report, it it's not overly helpful. Right. So is is there any concern right now? Have you are you aware of anything going on?

So if you don't know my background, I worked gangs for numerous numerous years. The g the gangs uh in the Quad Cities area are probably at their lowest that they've ever been. That's what I thought. Um but graffiti often starts with young people, right? that is their gateway to it. Sometimes that is their assignments as well. Uh but tagging is which is what the the common terminology of that uh can have different meanings to it, right? It could be territory, it could be messages. And so it's best that we get uh get that documented and we can look at them on a case- by case basis because it's hard to

speculate about that without seeing what the great greater picture is of the crime analysis. Well, I hope this is my ward is not the gateway like it was for homelessness. Well, I mean your borders on another community, right?

Yeah. Your ward uh when I was in the gang task force, I spent a lot of time uh in that ward. Uh and it's drastically different than it was in the 80s and the '9s. So, I think, you know, are there going to be one-offs here and there? Um do we have crime uh that has an organization to it? But it's nowhere near. We actually were talking about that today in my administrative staff that uh you know that it's nothing uh significant to to compare to what you may have grown up with about 10 years ago. I know that it was all the way down to 26th Avenue. You know, they were hitting the garages and stuff. So I And you know that stopped. So that's why I was kind of surprised when they brought it up. I'm like, "Oh god, I hope

I hands." So maybe they'll go to the new fun factory and have fun and we won't and we won't have they'll be have something to do nothing. No, thank you not your honor. Nothing. Uh just last week I I thought the faith leader summit was great. Um so thanks to all staff who supported the mayor and uh in this effort and first step.

Yeah. Thank you for bringing that up. I should have remembered that. But uh there will be followups. They they were very interested. Speaking of idle hands and potentially young people, they um definitely wanted to have a discussion focused on youth outreach. Um so that that was just of interest. Thank you. Nothing, your honor, but I do have a question. Um do um would you be able to provide a list or um of the um churches or people that that were that were showing? I'm just curious like which, you know, wards they represented or you know. Yep. Ashley has that. Okay. Um Mr. Nothing here. Any other staff?

Two quick things if I could your honor. Uh number one, the I have previous reports to you that the police academy is upcoming. It kicks off on Wednesday. So Wednesday night is the beginning of that and it will go till I think roughly first part of April. So uh there's several more leaders in that. So, uh, look forward to seeing them graduate. I know many of you are graduates of that. So, another great, um, community event and with the the tough times that we're going through in law enforcement over the last 5 years has been probably the hardest to be a police chief. Uh, in the last 5 years in law enforcement and these um, are great opportunities for the community to better understand what's going on, have those communications. And, uh, I mentioned over the summer we did a Spanish only, first one ever in the Quad Cities. We're planning on doing that one again. Um, it's a little bit of a shorter abbreviated version. It isn't quite as drawn out, but my my Spanish speaking staff put that together last year. Got a lot of good feedback that they graduated at Marcato if you remember. So, we look forward to um doing that again in 2026. Um, my last point was Alderman Tim, you brought up the parking off Avenue of the Cities that wasn't involved or wasn't included in the study. I think one thing I may be uh be encouraged out of that is I think one once the parking for downtown is studied and how the enforcement component of that there may be a template that could be provided in other areas of the city. So for example, I think we've talked before currently the city of Molen does not have an enforcement arm for parking. It's still in the code um uh for staffing but that was eliminated prior to to this day of of uh elected officials. Um, so that may be what comes out of this parking plan is how that could be done. And I think um, when Permar was doing it before, they were only focused on downtown. There may be other parking lots that they could go on or there's a combination of technology or whatever. I think the work that's done there without having to amend it or add additional dollars to it or whatever could maybe

lead to some brainstorming or solutions that could be easily translated at other areas outside the downtown parking district. Got it. Your honor. Thank you. Yes, sir. If I may. Sorry. Um I just wanted to mention that on Tuesday, CED from this building moved into the CSC and um the rest of the CED department that was in the public works building of course also moved in. Uh parks and wreck will move in on Monday, I believe, is the plan. And so, so far so good, Mr. M.

Yes. Thank you for your we we're loving our new space and so we're we're moved in. We're up and running and but hopefully you can all come over and I think B said he was planning some kind of open house at some point so hopefully you can come check it out. Everybody will have a chance to come in. So,

I already walked around with Seth yesterday. Um, just worked out. It does does look really beautiful. And, um, some of the same folk that, uh, worked on that were folks that were prepping for our news conference tomorrow. It was really just awesome to hear them um, be proud of their work. So, thank you. All right. And there's no executive set. Oh, wait. Public comment. Anybody? Nope. Okay. No executive session. Need an a motion to adjurnn. Second. All right. Motion by Castro, second by Fent. All in favor? Any opposed? That motion passes.