City Council - Regular Meeting

I hereby call this meeting of the committee of the hold to order on February 3rd, 2026 at 6 pm in council chambers. Madame clerk, roll call, please. Alder person Murphy present. MSAS present. Rosac present. Simeon present. Finch present. McNeel present. Castro present. Schmidt present. Next is public comment. Chief G, is there any public comment?

West for now. If there is, just as a reminder, uh, public comment, you have three minutes to make your comments. It is our protocol here at council that we do not respond during that time. Uh, but if only if appropriate and we can arrange follow-up communication outside of this meeting.

Thanks. Good evening everyone. I came uh and saw you all in your December meeting and talked about the need for doing some folks for something for our uh unhouse folks and I was glad to see that there was some progress there. There's always room uh for improvement and like further in uh investment in that. Um I think there's some other stuff on the agenda tonight around uh the Mullen shelter. So I'm glad to hear and see all of that. So kudos to you all for making those steps. I appreciate that. Um, also wanted to talk about um the flop cameras that are all uh kind of I'm sure you've seen the uh um online you know footprint of these things and the concerns that we uh do have around that. Um she I saw the information that you posted on the city website. appreciate uh a lot of that, but I'm not sure it def uh really addresses some of the current concerns that I have. Um I think there's precedent that's showing that um ICE has been able to illegally or legally get access to that data one way or another. Uh so that's obviously a concern. Um, I think there's other people hopefully tonight that are talking uh about that that know more uh and are more invested in that than than I am, but um definitely a concern that I have. Um I spoke about ICE. I do want to uh I guess put it out there and get some sort of response or at some, you know, someday um about what the city uh what our local police uh department and our uh elected officials uh what their plan is to protect our neighbors. um and keep uh federal overreach out of our community and um yeah again protect the people that we live with and the people that make our community uh what it is and how we function uh here in Moly. So thank

you. Thank you. All right, David Stoner.

Hi everybody. I'm David Stoner from the fourth ward. Um I wanted to echo what's the sentiment that I'm really glad that Molen put together that winter shelter. Like super important and I'm proud that we're in a city that can take care of our most vulnerable. Um I'm also here about the flock cameras. A couple weeks ago I was in speaking about them and the privacy of our residents. At that time I presented a petition with 250 signatures from people in the community. Um, today I'm back with an updated petition that has uh 425 people from the Quad Cities signing on to voice their concerns and ask for the removal of those cameras. Um, the concern comes from that this technology isn't just catching criminals, it's documenting daily movements of law-abiding citizens, including everyone in this room. If you drove a car to get here tonight, it's all but guaranteed you've been logged by a flock camera. Um, we currently have nine fought cameras according to the city's website, which doesn't sound like a lot, but according to that website, those nine cameras are logging over four million records a month. And we're often told that Molen owns that data, which is comforting, but the reality is we're feeding the community's private movements into a massive centralized database. And that network isn't always secure. Um recently it's been discovered that flock uh the way they handle their data transparency millions of the uh search results from police departments across country have been exposed to the open internet. So just open a browser and you can see the results. Um so when we feed our s feed our data into that system we lose control of it. Even if our officers perfectly follow procedures have perfect procedures we're relying on a private vendor to keep that data safe. And frankly, the trust has already been broken. As alluded to, um the Illinois secretary secretary of state office did an audit on flock

safety and found that they were sharing information with federal agencies including ICE, which is um in direct violation of Illinois state law, uh the trust act, which prohibits data for immigration and health care to be shared that way. So, this is a private vendor that's proven they're either willing or negligently able to bypass the laws of our state. So, we're putting the privacy of our residents in the hands of a company that's failed to respect Illinois law. And we can't prioritize convenience over our fundamental right of privacy. So, I'm asking you to listen to the 400 plus residents on this petition. uh please cancel the contract until a sensible binding regulation uh from the state or locally is in place that guarantees our data is safe and our laws are followed. Um I'd like to submit the updated petition and also if I could be a resource to anyone who wants to learn more, I would gladly do that. So

sure, I'll take you can hand a petition to the city clerk. Thank you. Marcy Marcy Fost.

Hello. Good evening. I'm Marcy Fostic and my husband Butch Fostic and I are the tournament directors for the Quad City Classic Pickle Ball Tournament that is held every year in September. Yes, I've been here before. Um, we are a 501c7 nonprofit. uh our the pickleball club's well this is the Quad City Pickle Ball Club's only fundraiser for the year and our mission is uh to promote the sport of pickle ball to all ages. So throughout the year we teach hundreds of elementary kids all the way up to seniors free lessons clinics all throughout the year and this is from our tournament. This is the eighth year of our tournament coming up and it'll be held September 17th through the 20th. Two days will be at the Quad City Tennis Club and two days will be at Riverside Park. Uh this past year we had 30 391 participants which included 12 kids in our youth scramble. So it's a big event. It's four days. We invite you all to come down participate or just come and watch. It's real exciting. Um, we got some numbers from the Quad City Visitor Bureau and our direct economic impact is $127,928. So, that's pretty good in four days. Um, approximately 1,400 games are played in four game in four days. Um, we would like to also thank the parks and wreck. Eric and Amanda do an amazing job with the communication and the maintenance on Riverside Park is fantastic. We had so many comments and compliments from our out of town players which were 203 players from out of town who come from eight different states.

Um this past year you guys generously donated or sponsored $7,500 and we are asking for that again this year. So, I hope you look at all our information and help us out again this year to make our tournament a success. Thank you. Cal.

Hello. Uh, my name is Calvo. I'm a proud resident of Molen my entire life. I'm from South Mullen Township and uh I'm here to talk about a few things. Molen has a reputation in the QC of I think we all know you know we're a leader in the quad cities and uh provide example for many of the other quad cities and I've been really happy with the direction of the current council specifically in your init in initiatives for building our local identity uh in lifting up all of our communities uh and in revitalizing the city itself. Um, and there's concern for me with making molen safer for all of its citizens. Uh, yes, I'm here about cameras. And all I'm sort of here to say is that more cameras doesn't necessarily equal more safety, okay? Just more surveillance. It's a tool like anything else. at a time where we're increasingly worried about the government oversight and sentiment about this and privacy being a commodity, a commodity rather than a right. Um, Flock has seized on this opportunity, you know, to more or less take advantage of the worries that we have as citizens. And my question is, can we trust flock specifically? many points have been brought up. Um, but my concern as a citizen is that I didn't even know they existed. And that's my fault, you know, as someone who isn't reading enough or isn't coming to enough of these. Um, and I didn't know they existed. And to the extent of which the tool for safety can be abused, um, it's twofold. There's a lack of oversight that, uh, David already mentioned, and flock isn't here. Flock isn't beholden to us nor do they

represent our interests and we didn't vote for them. So in these meetings week by week all of us are here all of you are here all of you are here but not flock. So, um, my second concern is that the taxpayer money being used, um, I was only recently made aware that an individual camera itself is $2,500 on a subscription. We don't own these cameras. Um, and so for Flock to set up the cameras in a subscription service, I'm concerned about allowing our safety or our surveillance to be operated on a subscription model. Um, now the main reason to have cameras like this would be the threat of danger to us, to our neighbors. And I want to look and ask where that threat is and if it includes Flock's lack of accountability, which also is a threat. There are concerns of misinformation and campaigns and internet generated links, but I'm standing here in front of you as a citizen uh not a link and not an email address. Who do we want to serve? Flax interests or our safety and privacy? Thank you. Greer.

Uh, hey everybody. Um, my name is Brady Green. Uh, I'm a 15-year resident here of Molen. This is my first council meeting. So, I just want to let everybody know that works for the city in this room that I think you do a really good job. Uh, thank you. Um, with respect to the cameras, I think the bad outweighs the good on these. Just a few quick points. First, uh, mission creep. Uh similar to taxes, surveillance cameras cameras are rarely scaled back. Um first they start um with violent crime and are then used for minor offenses. They're used for investigations and then for fishing expeditions. They're used um locally, but then the data is shared regionally and federally. Um second, they erode community trust. Um even one instance of abuse can do this. Um, an example would be um somebody with access to the cameras checking on one of their ex partners or data being used to pressure people to pressure people unrelated to a crime. Um, last point, mass surveillance doesn't impact everyone equally. People who are lower income, working multiple jobs, traveling odd hours are more exposed just because they move more and have fewer resources to challenge misuse. I'm not comfortable with the permanent tracking of innocent people to solve occasional crimes. Thanks.

That's all. Thank you. Uh there are two votes of office this evening for regular um commissioned appointments as police officer to Edberto Gutierrez Gayos and Alex Tyson effective January 22nd, 2026.

Thank you your honor. I appreciate the opportunity today. uh Erbito or we call him Eddie Gutierrez Gyosh originally from the Chicago area. He brings a wealth of experience with him. He graduated from Farraott High School and served with distinction in the United States Marines for eight and a half years including two deployments before he arrived to Molen on July 22nd, 2024. He's completed his probation today uh after attending the Southwest Illinois College Police Academy and then going through the field training program. He's currently assigned a third ship. He's uh joined here tonight with his lovely wife Alejandra and his son Thomas. It's always great to see the families join in these uh moments to bring another uh officer into the family and to part of the city uh work. We're so fortunate to have both officers here tonight. join Moyan Police Department. As you know, it's been tough over the last five plus years uh for our staffing and uh these two gentlemen have done an excellent job. I see the reports every day, the work that they're doing every day. Uh and these two gentlemen are doing a fantastic job. So, uh your honor, or I'm sorry, are we going to have the clerk today, the the clerk come forward to administer the oath of office? Hi. having been duly appointed as a police officer for the city of Illinois.

Having been duly appointed as a police officer for the city of Molina, Illinois. I support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Illinois. Who solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and Constitution of the State of Illinois. Strictly adhere to the compiled statutes of the state of Illinois. Strictly adhere to the compiled statutes of the state of Illinois. The code of ordinances code of ordinances and any rules of professional conductable to police administration and any Illinois rule of professional conduct applicable to police administration and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the position of police officer for the city of Illinois. That I will faithfully discharge the duties of the position of the police officer from the city of Illinois.

According to the best according to the best of my Thank you. Albero. Congratulations. I'll invite his wife and beautiful son for Albero. There might be badges,

right? We're going to see how talented mom is here. Balance the baby. You guys want to come up here? Take a little picture. Great Christmas card picture. Police officer's Christmas card.

Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations on board.

All right, one more. Your honor, uh, Alex Tyson, uh, graduated from United Township High School, convinced him to come over to the great city of Molen. Uh, Alex holds a bachelor's degree in athletic training from Western Illinois University. uh previously served as a substitute teacher at Wilson Middle School and at Wilson took on leadership roles in various afterchool programs including coaching seventh grade boys football and basketball and seventh grade girls basketball and track and field. I still see him up at the school checking out the kids that he used to coach who are now in high school playing football. Right now I see him at the games up there. Alex's journey with police department began in July 2024. also attended Southwest Illinois Police Academy. Uh, and he's currently assigned a second ship. Uh, he's joined by his mom, Dena Tyson, and his uncle, Orin, and aunts, Sharon and Bernice. So, uh, madam clerk, if you wouldn't mind administering the office, please raise your right hand. state. Having been duly appointed as a police officer for the city of Illinois,

having been duly appointed police officer, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Illinois. I support the United States will strictly adhere to the compiled statutes of the state of Illinois. compiled stat the code of ordinances and any Illinois rules of professional conduct applicable to police administration administration and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the position of police officer and I will faithfully discharge duties of the police officer

for the city of Ming Illinois for the city of Illinois according to the best

according to the best Thank you. Congratulations. Mom, I think is going to come forward. We'll certainly invite all the family up to take a photo. Congratulations.

Congratul Congratulations. Welcome.

All right. We now move to our board appointments. First is the mayor's appointment of Mark Woolly to the Human Rights Commission for a two-year term to expire on August 31st, 2027. And the second is mayor's appointment of Ryan Beard to the Historic Preservation Commission to fill the unexpired term of Blake Beerman to expire April April 30th, 2028. Any questions? All right, moving on to questions on the agenda. Do I have anything? I I do not have anything at this time. Does anybody else have any other questions about the agenda? All right, if there are um All right. Now we we actually move on to the committee of the whole agenda items. Item 8.1, a resolution authorizing the mayor, city clerk, and city staff to apply for the US Department of Transportation DOT for the F fiscal year 2026 better utilizing investments to leverage development build grant application for the I74 riverfront reimagined project and authorize the mayor, city clerk, and staff to do all things necessary to prepare and submit said grant application. Don,

good evening everybody. I'm sure you all recall that the city applied for a build grant uh in FY25 for the I74 riverfront reimagined uh project, but we were not selected in that round. I know I remember that. Um the good news is that it's very rare uh that a project would receive uh funding from this program on a first attempt. So, this puts us in a better position this time around. After that cycle uh last fall we participated in a formal debrief with US DOT which gave us helpful feedback on how the application scored. It's necessary to adjust the scope scale and timing to increase competitiveness after a debrief. Uh we did receive high ratings in four out of the eight categories. Um and typically projects need to receive six out of eight high in order to um automatically go to that final review. Um so you know that felt really good uh to me on a first attempt. I felt like that was really good feedback. Um so using that feedback we have refined the project scope and the budget. Um, as shown in the budget I passed around, uh, we scaled back the federal request this time and focused the build application on design and engineering for transportation related infrastructure only. Uh, as part of that refinement, uh, we reduced the federal request by more than 50%. And we are now meeting the updated build criteria which requires a 20% local match. Last year we didn't have a match requirement because we met the designation for disadvantaged community. Uh but the criteria has changed. So the city's local share is now required. Environmental assessment and remediation work has been removed from the build

request and is already moving forward through other funding sources. We're also planning to advance schematic design in 2026 using local funds so the project stays aligned with grant timing and demonstrates readiness. The resolution before you tonight authorizes submission of the updated build application and formally verifies the city's local match. That match totals $644,392 or 20% of the total project cost as reflected in that project budget. Approval of the resolution confirms those funds are secured and meets the federal requirements for the application. Any questions?

Motion to approve. Second. All in favor? Discussion. Who was this? I just I have a question. Yeah. Did you Did you call me? Yeah. Sorry. Um you mentioned that was it four of the eight um criteria were measured as good and then the Can you tell as high? What were the ones that were missing and what have you done to kind of um bring those back up? innovation, state of good repair, safety, and I'm blanking on the fourth one that we didn't get. Environment

environment. So safety is tough for us because we don't have anything there. So we can't really we don't have safety data really because nothing's happening there. So that's going to be a tough one. Um, but we think we can really score much higher on innovation, state of good repair, and obviously environment. Um, I think we were touching on those things before, but not incorporating throughout the application as primary focus. So, we've made those changes um to incorporate those items um more in detail uh throughout the application rather than just in that category.

Thanks. Thank you. Uh you mentioned the uh the local match is secured funding. Have have we identified the funding source for the $644,000? Yeah, it comes from the special capital improvement um budget. Okay. Thank you. Anybody else? Person, I just wanted to appreciate the attention and pushing this forward. I know this is a huge project we're trying to get done down by the river and this is only a piece of it, but um every little swing we can take at at getting that done is is just a step in that right direction. So, thank you for putting in that work.

Of course. Thank you all. All right. And now, all in favor? I. Any opposed? That motion passes. Item 8.2, a resolution authorizing the mayor and chief of police to execute an equitable sharing agreement and cert certification between the federal government and the city of Molen Police Department, setting forth the requirements for participation in the equitable sharing program and certifying all receipts and expenditures of federal forfeite funds, property, and interest during the last fiscal year. Chief G.

Thank you, your honor. Uh those of you that have been on council for several years, you've seen this every year. Uh we're required to file this report uh and take this uh to council for a resolution annually. Uh the Department of Justice and the Department of Treasury mandate any law enforcement agency participating in the federal forfeite equitable sharing program to enter into a uh formal equitable sharing agreement and certification which you have in front of you. Uh the agreement between the federal government and the Mullen Police Department sets forth the requirement for participation in the program and certifies the receipts and expenditures of federal forfeite funds uh in the last year. So in summary, the 2025 expable sharing beginning balance was $59,828.19. Justice fund interest income reimbursements and rebates of $61,89148 were received. $34,716.69 was expended for a total ending balance of $87,02.98. In addition, interest, income, reimbursements, and rebates of $5,799.91. Treasury funds were received from the United States Secret Service, and $5,799.91 was expended for a total ending balance of zero as these funds were reimbursements for expenditure expenses incurred. You have the uh worksheet in front of you that we submit to the Department of Justice and uh staff recommends approval.

Is there a motion? Motion to approve. Second. Motion by by Alder Person Finch, seconded by Alder Castro. Discussion hearing none. All in favor? Any opposed? That motion passes. Item 8.3, a resolution authorizing a grant to the Quantities Pickle Ball Club for the amount of 7,500 from the special event fund to make the Quantities Classic Pickle Ball Tournament not only successful for the club, but also for the city of Molen in bringing visitors to the community. I believe we have Mr. Griffith online.

Yes. um staff of the parks and recreation department. You um the Quad City Pickle Ball Club is a great partner to the parks and recreation department. This is a one of the largest tournaments in the area for adults and youth. Um as you heard from one of the tournament directors, it's been at um Riverside Park since the pickle ball courts opened back in 2021. Um they're a great partner to us. They've helped us um with our youth summer camp um in the past. I see no objections to the the 7500. Is there a motion? Motion to approve. Second. Motion by Alder Person Finch, seconded by Alder Person Castro. Discussion hearing none. All in favor?

I. Any opposed? That motion passes. Item 8.4 4 an ordinance amending chapter 22 offenses miscellaneous of the mulling code of ordinances section 22-105 tobacco products tobacco accessories smoking herbs and alternative nicotine products by increasing the number of class B incidental tobacco dealers licenses in the city of Molen at the request of Rishan LLC DBA 711 uh number 34458B Mr. Atkins

with regards to this, it's really a technical matter that this is an increase. Uh this is a purchase of an existing facility by a new owner. Uh technically the old owner's license would lapse and then that would reduce the number of licenses that were authorized and this would then be a new license because there isn't a right with regards to tobacco licenses to simply take over a license. So as a technical matter this is an increase as a practical matter. It is remaining the same as what it was prior to this request. Motion to approve.

Second. Um motion made by alderperson Finch, seconded by alderperson Rasak. Discussion hearing none. All in favor?

I. Any opposed? That motion passes. Item 8.5, an ordinance amending chapter 22, offenses miscellaneous of the mulling code of ordinances section 22-105, tobacco products, tobacco accessories, smoking herbs, and alternative nicotine products by increasing the number of class B incidental tobacco drive dealers licenses in the city of Molen at the request of Shimunda0418 LLC DBA 711 number 34459B. Mr. Atkins and this is basically the same situation uh just a different facility. Is there a motion? Motion to approve. Second.

Motion B made by Alder person Finch, seconded by Alder person Castro. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? I. Any opposed? That motion passes. Item 8.6, an ordinance approving the tax incrementary redevelopment plan and project for the TIFF 13 amendment. Mr. Par.

Thank you. Good evening. Um, so tip 13 amendment uh ties to the modern 2 uh redevelopment project which was brought forward in October of last year uh through the economic incentive and development agreement. Um as a reminder, a minimum 67 unit apartment project. Uh the the developer and owner has majority of the property under control. This was adding additional uh small parcel adjacent to property about 3,800 ft. Um so to go through that process tiff amendment uh it is extensive so this I think this is multiple times back on this topic. Good news this evening should be the last uh the last time we talk about the tiff 13 amendment. Um so this completes the last leg of the journey. Um this ordinance before you is for the adoption of the ree redevelopment plan area uh report. And so with that we have to put together a report describe the need identify the area as a qualified property to be included in the tiff meet all the standards required for land qualify for inclusion tip. Um the report does that. So that was completed um on November 4th and we brought uh uh for the resolution for the public hearing to review uh that plan that was conducted on December 22nd uh as public noticed and advertised prior to that. And prior to the public hearing, the joint review board uh met um we had the joint review board for all the affected tax and bodies uh on December 3rd, 2025 and the joint review board review of the redevelopment plan and recommend approval to of the plan to city council. So approval of this ordinance would approve the redevelopment plan uh and project area. Is there a motion?

Motion to approve. Second. Motion made by alderperson Finch and seconded by alderperson Schmidt. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? I. Any opposed? That motion passes. Item 8.7, an ordinance designating the TIFF 13 amendment. Mr. Parr. So, this specifically is required to uh describe the physical boundary of land containment, the TIFF 13 amendment. So, the area is the same as was studied prior throughout and is the subject of the plan we just described. Motion to approve.

Second. Motion made by Alder person Finch, seconded by Alderperson Castro. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? Any opposed? That motion passes. Item 8.8, an ordinance adopting tax increment financing for the TIF 13 amendment. Mr. Park. So with the inclusion of the property uh in the TIFF 13 um as amended uh this ordinance would turn on uh turn the switch on for inclusion tax finances so that this property would now comply with all uh rules regulations everything uh under the tiff act. Motion to approve. Second.

A motion made by alderperson Finch, seconded by alder person person. discussion. Alter person Schmid, just a question on something that just stuck out when I'm reading this where this says the the funds going to a special tax allocation fund for the TIFF 13 amendment. Is that meaning the TIFF as amended or is there actually a separate fund for the amended section? I believe it's TIFF as amended. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. So after this amendment there, the TIFF 13 will be new boundary defined, right? Thank you. Good clarification.

All right. Well, uh any Okay. So, we had uh second uh I guess call it for any Yeah. Anybody opposed? I think I jumped around. Any discussion? Any other further discussion? Sorry. All right. Anybody opposed? Oh, all in favor? All in favor? Any opposed? That motion passes. Sorry about that.

Item 8.9, an ordinance amending chapter 35, zoning and land development of the mulling code of ordinances, article 3, zoning division 1 in general, section 35-3111, non-conforming use regulations regarding zoning text amendments concerning non-conforming residential uses, specifically two family dwellings. a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute an independent contractor agreement for professional services with the Lamar Johnson Collaborative Inc. an Illinois Corporation DBA LJC to develop the mulling comprehensive plan update. Mr. Matias,

yes. Hi there. So, this is for item uh this is for item 8.8 or excuse me 8.9 in regards to the two family dwelling non-conforming changes. I'm proud of my staff for this. Um, as we as we told you, you know, we're working through a comp plan, but as we have these discussions with our plan commission and with the mayor and with the city council, when we see easy zoning tweaks that we can make, um, that really don't require that full comprehensive plan study, we're going to go ahead and make those. And so, um, you'll see when we present the comp plan update to you here in a few weeks, um, through that existing conditions report, we've actually found that two family or duplexes were more much more prevalently zoned in the city even back to the 1980s. And so, um, we feel very encouraged to give a duplex the same not the same, uh, rights to come back and the same exemptions to zoning that a single family house has. This gets back to our um our support for more dense housing types and like I said for more housing choice in our city. So effectively what this does right now it doesn't matter if your property is zoned industrial u commercial you're always going to have that exemption for a single family house to come back. Also it doesn't matter if that use has stopped for more than 12 months. You can always bring your single family house use back. And we want to add that same thing for duplexes. So, we're asking for your uh staff took this to plan commission had unanimous unanimous support there for this text amendment and we're asking for your support as well. Is

there a motion to approve? Second. Motion made by Alder Person Finch, seconded by Alder Person Timian. Any discussion, Mr. Timian? Uh

I appreciate Chris the staff and your work on this. I think it's important to allow quote unquote non-conforming uses of of historical buildings, uh, purpose-built buildings, uh, for those who don't know, if you don't use your duplex for 12 months, it turns into a single family. And I think that that's kind of silly considering it was built for a purpose. Um, I would just encourage food for thought as there are a lot of non-conforming uses. We have uh converted duplexes that have that's been part of our city's history for over a hundred years and they're they're all over they look like a single family but they might be an up and down it might be a basement uh uh duplex and uh those are now I exempted as well considering they've been operating for decades. So the question I have uh more rhetorical than anything else is what is the difference between a duplex and an ADU that is not owner occupied? And um I I would posit that there is no difference. And so just food for the council's thought, is it a time to think about removing owner occupancy restrictions for ADUs if we're so comfortable with duplexes? And that is all. Thank you.

All right. All in favor? I

I. Any opposed? That motion passes. Item 8.10, 10, an ordinance amending chapter 35, zoning and land development of the molding code of ordinances regarding certain corrections and/or clarifications to the zoning and land development regulations including text amendments to article 3 zoning division 4 land use regulations section 35-3401 regulation of allowed uses table 35-3401.1 permitted land uses and section 35-3410 10 principal storage, wholesaling, and industrial land uses. Mr. Matias.

Yes, thank you. So, this will add um a new land use to our zoning code called artisan production and sales. And I should clarify that this land use is already allowed in the formbbased code, you know, downtown in our formbbased code area in the mulling center. So, um now how it operates downtown is if you're in the storefront zoning, you have to have a storefront when you have this use. We had a lengthy conversation about this at plan commission um because and keep in mind if you're in the downtown and you don't have the storefront zoning, you do not have to have a storefront. You can just use it for artisan production and sales. And so we went back and forth at plan commission about whether we should be requiring a storefront here. We advised and uh that we recommended and they went along with us to not to not require a storefront for this. Now, do we want active, you know, walkable spaces? Yes. But we want to allow for more of these buildings in our NC districts to be used. So these NC districts are like Oldtown, Uptown, um some other neighborhood business areas of the city or kind of mini downtown urban areas. And so what we want to do with this is allow more uses for buildings, um allow vacant buildings to come back to life. We did have a situation, for example, where there was an existing bakery and they wanted to buy a uh a building down the street to use just for a bakery and the zoning code didn't allow that, right? because they didn't have that sales component. So, we'd like to add this as a land use. Um, we are going to pursue and we're still on the economic development and pursuing the idea of a district or incentives and we think that's where we can really uh encourage those storefronts. You know, if people want to come through and maybe get an incentive to have some kind of storefront or public access to it, but we're just trying to get more uses um available for these buildings. Uh plan commission once again unanimously recommended approval of this and we're asking for your approval as well. Thank you.

Is there a motion? Motion to approve. Second. Motion made by Alder person Finch and seconded by Alderperson Rous. Any discussion hearing? None. All in favor?

Any opposed? That motion passes. Item 8.11, a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a second amendment to program funding agreement between the city of Molen and the Illinois Housing Development Authority for the acceptance of $280,000 in additional grant funding and to do all things necessary to execute all assurances and certifications to the Illinois Housing Development Authority for the Homeowner Assistance Fund Home Repair Program, HFR, and authorizing the community and economic development department to begin work upon execution of the second amendment to program funding agreement for additional program funding between the city of Molen and the Illinois Housing Development Authority for the homeowner assistance fund home repair program and do all things necessary to implement set program requirements. Miss Whitley.

Thank you. Good evening everyone. In November, IDA, Illinois Housing Development Authority reached out to the CD department to see if we wanted additional money for this grant. Uh, this is about 18 months into the grant. These funds come from ARPA. So, the funds need to be used by September of this year.

Um, so we originally received a million dollars. Then amendment one was for 345,000 and originally amendment two is going to be for 345,000 when they talked to us in November. Uh they did back that down when they did send us the agreement, but we're happy to if council approves accept the 280,000. Now, the balance of the 1.345 that we already had plus the 280, those funds will go into the Illinois uh housing trust fund, not trust fund, excuse me, Tri Cities lottery that we just drew names out for. So, that along with our HRAP grant gives us our $1.2 million. So, we're asking for approval and consideration of receiving these funds.

Is there a motion? Second. Motion made by Alder person Finch and seconded by Alder person Schmidt. Any discussion? Alder person Schmidt. So KJ, I I'm guessing we would plan to use this money first in that program since it is coming back from that ARPA funding component. I mean how are we able to track that through and ensure that we get that properly documented?

Yes, we are able to track that. Uh, one last thing about this program among many is it goes up to 150% AMI. So for the people that would not qualify for the HRAP 2 program at 80% AMI, maybe they can qualify because they have a higher income and qualify under this program. So yes, we do plan to use this money first if possible. If they do qualify with this one, they have to have something related to CO. they had COVID uh they lost a job or lost hours due to COVID, we have to tie it back to COVID for them. If we're able to do that, as long as they have a clear title and meet the income limits, then they're good to move forward and as long as their house is valued under 209,000 for our area.

Yes. And so, was this stemming back from the state's allocation under ARPA then? Because I think all our funds are committed, right? Yes, this is coming back from the state. It's a pass through. Perfect. Thank you. Okay. Any other questions? All right. All in favor? Any opposed?

That motion passes. Item 8.12, a resolution authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute a test to a lease agreement between project now and the city of Molen city setting forth the terms and conditions for the use of city-owned space to operate a temporary winter shelter at the facility located at one Montgomery Drive also known as the KA building moling Illinois for the period of January 21st 2026 through April 15 2026 and authorizing the community and economic development department as the main contact point with KJ Whitley, community development manager to serve as the city liaison and do all things necessary to implement said lease agreement requirements. Mr. Atkins,

we had uh a number of meetings with regards to this and the uh lease agreement you have before you is kind of a best practices uh example for uh these um these kinds of shelters. uh this is something that has already started and this would be a ratification of the actions that have already been taken. Uh so the um the 21st I believe was the first day that uh operations began and so you would actually be authorizing this to start as of the 21st of last month and go through uh the 15th of April and we are of course uh recommending that approval with regards to this.

Is there a motion? Motion to approve. Second motion made by alder person Finch and seconded by Alder person Castro. Any discussion? Can I say a few things? Sure. Yes.

So, just kind of give you guys some numbers. Uh, we opened on January 21st, so we've been open about two weeks. Our lowest number has been 39, and our highest number has been 58, but that just includes the people at the shelter. Currently right now we have 13 either individuals or family in a local hotel either due to ADA or we don't have a space for a family. We only have spaces for individuals over there. But in the last two weeks um we have provided shelter for 500 excuse me 695 uh sheltering people over there and that breakdown has been 153 women and 445 men. So it's really getting results over there.

Thank you for sharing. Yes, on the person I especially since we are coming back to approve something obviously on an agreement that had started a couple weeks ago. I think it's worth noting too that the council had was very much in support and had had directionally signed off on this and I think we're agreeing that the agreement uh putting in place but I think you know we had approved this. I just I do think it's worth reminding and and making sure we're thinking of that. Thank you. Thank you. All right. All in favor? I I any opposed? That motion passes. Thank you.

Thank you. We now move to ourformational item 9.1 the 2026 2029 strategic work plan. Mr. Vidas

at long last. We started this process, as you know, members of council, last summer when we started our strategic planning workshop and we met with council and got council input on on a future update to the strategic plan for 20 fiscal 26 through fiscal 29, replacing the two plans previously that we had adopted and put in place. We also reached out to our our student population, our interns that were here and had them do the same exercise that the mayor and city council and all of the department directors went through and their input in a lot of respects mirrored that of this council as well as the directors. So, you could say in a lot of respects that there's a lot of minds that put their heart and soul into the new plan. The new plan itself, of course, guides all of our our budgeting, uh, regular budgeting, as well as all of our capital improvement budgeting, most importantly, uh, including our riverfront redevelopment plans. Um, taking it one step further, I had told you that when we were done with a strategic plan, we would obviously be updating our work plan and our action plan, how we report out the results regularly regularly on um on a quarterly basis to you and to the community at large. So, one of the things we did, and I want to I want to give credit to uh Macy McManis, you know, who works with me dayto day out for her effort in this, but also all of the directors and their staff for the amount of effort that they put into it because we we added to what we used to report. And rather than just simply reporting out what the goal was, what the objective was, what the purpose of that goal and objective were and and then identifying with the lead departments where collaboration would

come from. We also went in and we we broke it down now by project and task. So as you go in here, you can see literally every task that needs to be undertaken that we could identify at the time we prepared this report, you know, to achieve every one of the goals that's in this plan. We then took it a step further and identified which warts were impacted by the various strategic goals. In some cases, it's very W specific or multiple W specific. In some cases has a citywide impact and that's what the CW represents, citywide. We also went in and took our budget and then we moved the funding required into our action plan. So you can see not only the amount of money but you can see the funding source, the actual line item accounts that the money is coming from that supports the effort to achieve the goal which takes it to a level that you won't see anywhere else. I don't think I've come across this anywhere. and then the staff that is assigned. So you'll know exactly who is responsible has key responsibility to take these projects from inception to completion. We also included uh start dates as to when we will start different projects and what we expect the anticipated completion dates are barring any unforeseen circumstances. Right? So this is this takes our reporting to a different level. It's much more transparent. It's a lot more accountable and it really starts to dig deep into operational uh management issues. It shows you exactly what we're doing, when we're doing it, and what we're doing. And uh and this report will continue to go out quarterly, which is the plan. We are going to modify how we do the reporting with our uh status information report. You know, given that it's very repetitious month after month, we're going to move that to quarterly. So, it ties out specifically to the strategic

plan reporting as well. So, with that, if there's questions about uh the presentation, how it's formatted, any suggestions, uh please feel free to let me know either now or later. All right. Any questions or comments? Thank you, Bob.

Just really quick, go ahead. I just would like to make a comment when when I saw this I I just I'm I'm grateful because reporting takes time and you know it's the work takes time and so sometimes that reporting on the back end is just adding to it but um there is a great level here Bob and a great level that that we can um really kind of dig into like you said as you outlined the the funding and the funding sources. So, um, just my gratitude. Thank you. Much appreciated. And thanks goes to the whole team, not just me. I put them through their paces, believe me.

You know, and some sometimes they like me, sometimes maybe not as much, but we still respect each other when we're done at the end of the day. All right. Alder person Timian, just out of curiosity. I mean, with the the projected completion dates for some of these items, will we be marking them as complete in here as we as we go along like we do with the status and information report? So, we'll be able to visually we will we'll have that that same kind of report that if it's in progress, if it's started in progress or completed, you know, that will be identified. Thank you. All right. Anyone else? Okay. Thank you, Bob. You're welcome.

All right, that concludes our committee of the whole agenda. We now move to our council meeting. I call the meeting of the city council for February 3rd, 2026 to order. Uh if you can are able to please stand for the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Alder person Ross, do you have an invocation?

No, thank you. Madame Cler, roll call, please. Alder person Murphy, present. MSAS, present. Rosak, present. Timian, present. Finch, present. McNeel, present. Castro, present. Schmidt present. We don't have any remote electronic attendance this evening. This evening. Um Chief, is there any public comments? No more. Uh we now move on to the consent agenda. Your honor, I request the approval of committee of the whole and council meeting minutes of January 20, 2026. Appointments made during committee of the whole February 3, 2026, and consent agenda items 17.1 through 17.7 inclusively. Motion. Motion to approve.

Second. Motion made by alderperson Finch, seconded by alderperson Timian. Any discussion? Hearing none. Roll call, please. Alder person Razak. I. Timmyian. Hi. Finch. Hi. McNeel. Hi. Cast. Hi. Schmidt. Hi. Murphy. Hi. MSAS. Hi.

Eight eyes, no nays. That motion carries. Non-consent agenda resolutions. Item number 19.1, a resolution authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute and attest to a lease agreement with Grind and Dine LLC doing business as Java Lab Grind and Dine Cafe permitting a portion of the Mullen Public Library 32104 Street to be utilized as a coffee shop commencing March 1, 2026 and authorizing city staff to do any and all things necessary to fulfill the terms of the lease agreement. Approve. Second. Motion made by Alderperson Finch, seconded by Alderperson Rous. Any discussion? Hearing none. Roll call, please. Alder person Razak. Hi. Timeian. Hi. Bench. Hi. McNeel. Hi. Castro. Hi. Schmidt. Hi. Murphy. Hi. MSAS.

Hi. Eight eyes. No names. That motion carries. Item number 19.2. A resolution authorizing the mayor, city clerk, and city staff to apply to the US Department of Transportation for the fiscal year 2026. better utilizing investments to leverage development to grant application for the I74 riverfront reimagined project and authorizing the mayor, city clerk, and staff to do all things necessary to prepare and submit said grant application. Motion to approve. Second. Motion made by alder Finch, seconded by Alderperson Schmidt. Any discussion hearing? None. Roll call, please. Alder person Rosac. Hi. Timmyian. Hi. Finch. Hi. McNeel. Hi. Castro. Hi. Schmidt. Hi. Murphy I. MSAS

I. Eight eyes, no naz. That motion carries. Item number 19.3, a resolution approving the content of the executive session minutes and authorizing the release and continued retention respectively of certain executive session minutes and authorizing the destruction of certain verbatim recordings of executive sessions. Motion to approve. Second. Motion made by Alder Finch, seconded by Alder Person Castro. Any discussion hearing? None. Roll call, please. Alder person Rosac. I Timmyian. Hi Finch. Hi McNeel. Hi Castro. Hi Schmidt. Nay Murphy. I MSAS I.

Seven I's one nay. That motion carries. Item number 19.4. a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a second amendment to program funding agreement between the city of Molen and the Illinois Housing Development Authority for the acceptance of 280,000 in additional grant funding and to do all things necessary to execute all assurances and certifications to the Illinois Housing Development Authority for the Homeowner Assistance Fund Home Repair Program and authorizing the Community and Economic Development Department to begin work upon execution of the second amendment to program funding agreement for additional program funding between the city Molen and the Illinois Housing Development Authority for the homeowner assistance fund program homeowner assistance fund home repair program and to do all things necessary to implement said program requirements.

Motion to approve. Second. Motion made by Alder Finch and seconded by Alderperson Castro. Any discussion? Hearing none. Roll call, please. Alder person Rac. Timmyian. Hi. Finch. Hi. McNeel. Hi. Castro. Hi. Schmidt. Hi. Murphy. Hi. MS. I.

Eight eyes, no nazs. That motion carries. Item number 19.5, a resolution authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute and attest to a lease agreement between project now and the city of Molen setting forth the terms and conditions for the use of city-owned space to operate a temporary winter shelter at the facility located at 1 McGomery Drive also known as the KA building molen Illinois for the period of January 21, 2026 through April 15, 2026 and authorizing the community and economic development department as the main contact point with KJ Wetley, community development manager to serve as the city liaison and to do all things necessary to implement said lease agreement requirements. Motion to approve. Second.

Motion made by alderperson Finch and seconded by alderperson Castro. Any discussion here? None. Roll call, please. Alder person Razak. I. Timmyian. Hi. Finch. Hi. McNeel. Hi. Castro. Hi. Schmidt. Hi. Murphy. I. MSAS. I. Eight eyes. No. That motion carries. Non-consent agenda. First reading ordinances. Item number 20.1, 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 Retesh Singh SNR Core Group LLC DBA QC fund factory at 1624 Avenue of the Cities, Molen, Illinois.

Motion to advance the second reading. Second. Motion made by Alder Finch and seconded by Alder Castro. Any discussions? Yes. Helper present. Uh has there we were told that maybe we there'd be feedback uh from the neighbors by now or uh I did reach out to him to see how he's doing. He said he has he's having a hard time reaching some people. So he's going to keep trying. He's hoping in one to two weeks he will be finished. And we still we have two weeks before the next meeting. Correct. Correct.

All right. Thank you. Any other questions? All right. Um, hearing none. Uh, roll call, please. Older person Razak. Hi. Tamian. Hi. Finch. Hi. McNeel. Hi. Castro. Hi. Schmidt. Hi. Murphy. Hi. Messias. I. Eight eyes, no nays. Motion to advance to second reading carries. Item number 20. Two, an ordinance amending chapter 5 amusements of the moling code of ordinances section 5-1101C by increasing the number of video gaming terminal licensed establishments in the city at the request of retest Singh SNR core group LLC DVA QC fund factory at 1624 Avenue of the city's Molen Illinois. Motion to advance the second reading.

Second. Motion made by Alder P person Finch and seconded by Elder Person Castro. Any discussions hearing? None. Roll call, please. Alder person Razak. Hi. Timeian. Hi. Finch. Hi. McNeel. Hi. Castro. Hi. Schmidt. Hi. Murphy. I. MSAS. I. Eight eyes. No nays. Motion to advance to second reading carries. And that's all I have this evening, your honor.

That brings us to agenda item 21, miscellaneous business. Uh, I just want to uh we we had our state of the city this week. I want to thank the the staff and uh and and everybody here at council. Um we're really making a lot of progress. Uh I I had so many great comments from people there. U the speakers who were there also made it a a really nice uh event and it just um I've been to some of these at other cities but there's something special about uh the one in Molen. People are greeting each other with hugs. It's just like it's just a whole different vibe. So uh I just wanted to point that out. aside from all the great things that we're doing uh w with uh our handling uh the budget, right? All the the planning, the economic development, uh working, you know, highlighting all those great things. It just was a it was just a great place to be with with folks that uh really cared about the city and uh that includes everybody in here. So, um, thank you to the staff for all the hard work, um, putting on the event and, uh, yeah, I just got got a lot of compliments, uh, from the folks that were in attendance. That's pretty much all I have.

I don't have it. Thank you.

Thank you, your honor. I had the privilege uh this last weekend of joining uh the mayor in Washington DC for the mayor's innovation project which is a gathering of municipal leaders from around the country and um it there's something kind of efficient about having a room full of people to bad ideas across and to talk about as opposed to emails and phone calls and you know Facebook posts and blog posts and everything And um I got to witness the mayor present on uh what this city did with ARPA money for child care and how and how instrumental that was and just how forward thinking it was and how other cities are still playing catchup to some of the things we've been doing over the last 5 years. Uh so I just want to apologize in advance if I bring any ideas uh like a shotgun really quickly. Some of it was drawn from other cities. Some were just strokes that I strokes uh ideas I had uh while sitting and listening to others and being inspired. So uh I'm grateful for the opportunity and uh that is all your honor.

Thank you. Um is it next Wednesday we'll have our public meeting to talk environmental resiliency. Is it when next? Next week we have our round table meeting and we'll be talking about we'll be getting an update on the environmental resiliency. Are we also having a public meeting though? There's one Monday night and Tuesday to Monday and Tuesday. So um as we look forward to the plan Monday night is public meeting. Where is that? Library. Okay.

Okay. We'll see you all there. Um, I just want to again thank um, city staff and project now for the work down at the shelter. I actually work for a social service agency here in Molen and have um, talked to some clients that we have actually referred down there and sent down there and they all have come back with really positive um, things to say. They're just very grateful um, to have a warm place to uh, to sleep at night. So, thank you all. Um, Mr. Beas,

well, I uh I have to bet your your state of the city uh was was outstanding. Um, I would concur with everything that that Alderman MSAS stated on the record. Um, very well attended, very well scripted, very well organized. the messaging. I think the most important part of it is always the messaging, you know, and having a a former intern of ours, Brian, speaking to the to the audience,

uh was really phenomenal. I mean, he's a great young man. He'll go places and he's welcome to come back uh for another year of internship before he goes on to college. Um, and having Claire here who's got a national presence on a national stage, you know, an EastEnder from East End of Molen, uh, get up and and talk about growing up in Molen, you know, and returning to Molen. That's only the second time I've met her. The other time was in DC. and uh she's inspirational for I think the youth in this in this city is the places that you can go you know you know growing up being raised here and being educated here because you know we are the allaround all-American type of city and it's fairly obvious as you look not just around us locally but you look at what's going on across the country there's a lot of difficulties right now I know I know we all don't talk about it we try to not think about it but it's in front of to us no matter where we turn. And uh Molen is just lucky to have the type of community that it has today, you know, and a lot of that's due to past leadership, current leadership, you know, and uh and just, you know, the citizenry at large being who they are and and being a welcoming community. So, I just wanted to make make that comment on the record. Um and that's all I have for tonight.

Thank you. We do have executive session. Is there a motion to go into executive session?

Oh, I'm sorry. Before that, uh, public comment. Is there anybody else that signed up for public public comment? No. Thank you. Um, executive session. Your honor, I make a motion that the council convene an executive session for the purpose of discussion of property acquisition-5s120/2C5 price sitting for sale or lease of real property-l or imminent imminent litigation-5s 120 C11 Second.

All right. Um, motion made by alder person Murphy, seconded by alderperson Timian. Roll call. Alder person Razak. Hi. Timeian. Hi. Finch. Hi. McNeel. Hi. Castro. Hi. Schmidt. Hi. Murphy. Hi. Mas. Eight eyes. No names. That motion carries. Let's try.